World War I was a period when the United States was engaged in preserving democracy worldwide. Although the League of Nations plan fell through, world unity did not keep the United States from prospering. The Roaring Twenties followed the war, and were so called this because of the nation's economic boost. America was remolded by jazz and art booms. Yet, tensions were still present. Conflict dominated with regards to urban and rural attitudes, science and religion, and nativism and immigration.
While rural America was looking forward to the nation's "return to normalcy," cities seemed to be breaking every rule. Cities consisted of different cultures, while rural areas remained traditional. At a time when alcohol was outlawed, cities seemed to house all the lost souls who broke the law. In addition to having speakeasies, or areas where illegal alcohol was consumed, cities consisted of flappers. Rural Americans viewed these women as overly liberal and as a shame to the nation, for no sophisticated young lady should smoke cigarettes. By breaking traditional women roles, flappers angered small-town Americans.
Illegal alcohol and modern women caused conflict between rural and urban America. Yet the debate between science and religion seemed to be according to region as well. Rural Americans aimed to keep traditional values, that worshipped the bible and accepted the Book of Genesis. However, urban modernism called for Darwin's theory of evolution, which questioned creationism. As seen in the Scopes Monkey Trial, the questioning of religion lead to serious consequences. Upon teaching evolution in his classroom, this teacher was arrested and tried. Although the question of religion in classrooms lives on today, this Tennessee teacher was eventually set free.
As tensions regarding the city arose, anxiety against immigration did as well. The "red scare" which is characterized by communist xenophobia gave way to racism and anti-immigration movements that characterize the roaring twenties. Two groups arose to promote nativism. The Ku Klux Klan returned to the picture of American society, targeting Blacks as well as people with certain religious view. The Hundred Percenters also wanted to decrease immigration. A a matter of fact, their ultimate goal was to achieve an isolated United States consisting of one hundred percent Americans.
While groups arose to promote American pride and to limit immigration, several acts were passed to aid their motives. The Immigration Act, which limited European immigration, and the Chinese Exclusion Act, which limited Asian immigration, serve as examples of these immigration-limiting policies. Although immigration was significantly limited, the immigrants already residing in United States territory were given a hard time. Sacco and Vanzetti were innocently convicted of a murder, most likely due to their Italian background and political views. The Literacy Test Act limited immigrant power by requiring a reading test.
The Roaring Twenties is often pictured as a colorful decade full of art expression and new cultural beginnings. Yet, in the struggle to "return to normalcy," Americans turned against each other due to differing opinions. Speakeasies and flappers turned urban Americans against rural Americans. Also, the idea of evolution added further conflict. Finally, the red scare lead to a wave of xenophobia and anti-immigration policies. The Roaring Twenties were without a doubt roaring with tensions and conflict regarding differing public opinions.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
DBQ: When World War I broke out, the United States declared its policy of neutrality. Was the United States ever neutral in the conflict, and if so...
Prior to World Was I, the United States was concerned with reform at home, and expanding beyond its borders. Domestic policy during this time called for fair treatment for labor and public. Yet at the dawn of World War I, this changed in order to accomodate foreign markets at war. The United States tried to stay out of war. However, doing so did not make them neutral. United States policy regarding the sinking of vessels, the protection of American travelers, trading and lending, and personal feelings show that the Unites States' "true spirit of neutrality" (Doc. A) was not very true after all.
The first sign showing America was not neutral is Wilson's reaction to the sinking of the Lusitania. Prior to the sinking, the Germans were already dealing with the British Blockade. Thus, enforcing unrestricted submarine warfare. After the sinking, President Wilson demanded reparations. Therefore, he dug the nation into further conflict, and was clearly gearing America towards war. So clear was his war encouraging reaction, that anti-war secratary of state Byran resigned.
Another sinking that eventually led to war was that of the Sussex. Upon this event, Wilson demanded ultimatum. Interestingly enough, Germany had warned travelers in the war zone to sail "at their own risk" (Doc. E). The United States had a fair warning. Therefore, they basically put themselves in danger because they wanted to.
Unrestricted submarine warface needed to be dealt with one way or another. The first option involved staying off foreign vessels, the second one called for United States entering World War I. Clearly, the United States wanted to be part of the war when the Grove-Melmore Resolution was not passed. This resolution would most likely have significally minimized the deaths of Americans because it would have penalized those who traveled on foreign vessels.
Aside from submarine warfare, the United States was involved in the war prior to officially entering it due to its trading decisions. United States economy boosted because America traded with both the Allies and belligerents. This is evident because the Lusitania had "5468 cases of ammunition" (Doc. F). In other words, the United States was selling arms to England. Any aid to either country at war voids neutrality. So, the United States did not follow its policy of neutrality.
The Zimmerman note brought about angry anti-German sentiments from the American public. However, the Wilson administration was already anti-German with pro-British feelings. Therefore, the Zimmerman nore was interpreted to shape these feelings. Germans wanted to keep "America neutral" (Doc. H). They clearly stated this in the Zimmerman note, which was wrongly used as another excuse to remain involved in World War I affairs.
Wilson cleverly convinced the public that entering the war was the only way to bring about peace. He claimed that the United States was being forced to "take this stand" (Doc. G). However, the Nye Commission later revealed that the doughboys were not the first Americans involved World War I. They uncovered that the American businesses were into the war prior to them.
President Wilson did a fantastic job at masking America's anti-neutrality. Yet, certain actions like the Gore-Melmore Resolution failure and trading with nations show otherwise. The United States was never neutral during World War I.
The first sign showing America was not neutral is Wilson's reaction to the sinking of the Lusitania. Prior to the sinking, the Germans were already dealing with the British Blockade. Thus, enforcing unrestricted submarine warfare. After the sinking, President Wilson demanded reparations. Therefore, he dug the nation into further conflict, and was clearly gearing America towards war. So clear was his war encouraging reaction, that anti-war secratary of state Byran resigned.
Another sinking that eventually led to war was that of the Sussex. Upon this event, Wilson demanded ultimatum. Interestingly enough, Germany had warned travelers in the war zone to sail "at their own risk" (Doc. E). The United States had a fair warning. Therefore, they basically put themselves in danger because they wanted to.
Unrestricted submarine warface needed to be dealt with one way or another. The first option involved staying off foreign vessels, the second one called for United States entering World War I. Clearly, the United States wanted to be part of the war when the Grove-Melmore Resolution was not passed. This resolution would most likely have significally minimized the deaths of Americans because it would have penalized those who traveled on foreign vessels.
Aside from submarine warfare, the United States was involved in the war prior to officially entering it due to its trading decisions. United States economy boosted because America traded with both the Allies and belligerents. This is evident because the Lusitania had "5468 cases of ammunition" (Doc. F). In other words, the United States was selling arms to England. Any aid to either country at war voids neutrality. So, the United States did not follow its policy of neutrality.
The Zimmerman note brought about angry anti-German sentiments from the American public. However, the Wilson administration was already anti-German with pro-British feelings. Therefore, the Zimmerman nore was interpreted to shape these feelings. Germans wanted to keep "America neutral" (Doc. H). They clearly stated this in the Zimmerman note, which was wrongly used as another excuse to remain involved in World War I affairs.
Wilson cleverly convinced the public that entering the war was the only way to bring about peace. He claimed that the United States was being forced to "take this stand" (Doc. G). However, the Nye Commission later revealed that the doughboys were not the first Americans involved World War I. They uncovered that the American businesses were into the war prior to them.
President Wilson did a fantastic job at masking America's anti-neutrality. Yet, certain actions like the Gore-Melmore Resolution failure and trading with nations show otherwise. The United States was never neutral during World War I.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
C+C the three progressive presidents and choose the best one.
The end of the Civil Was and the Reconstruction gave way to imperialism. America was ripe at home, and felt it was time to expand its new territiories. Since the U.S. had already expanded westward, it was time to conquer overseas. Yet while doing so, important reform movements were takeing place at hime. A middles class thrived in advocating for democracy to be expressed in every aspect of American economy, politics, and society. The three persidents during the Progressive Era, Roosevelt, Taft, and Woodrow Wilson claimed to support progressive reform. However, Roosevelt did the best job due to his genuine feelins regarding trusts, conservation, and consumer protection.
President Roosevelt was against monopolies. With his anti-trust mentality, he did not allow Northern Securites to merge together. Although Taft "busted" ninety trusts, Roosevelf did more to enhance the power of the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. This Elkins Act of 1903 regulated railroad rates and prohibited secret rebates. The Hepburn Act fixed rates for railroads. In doing so, Roosevelt helped control the manipulatorypowers of the prime method of transportation at the moment, railroads.
Although the other presidents of the Progressive Era helped continue Roosevelt's legacy with regards to big businesses, they failed to continue advocating for conservation policies. Roosevelt, who initiates such policies, felt passionate about the subject. In order to perserve the environment, he establised the Newlands Reclamation Act Bill which set aside 150 million acres for forests reserve. Roosevelt also establised the Conservation Congress and appointed a conservationist, Pinchot as head of the Division of Forestry. Essentially, Roosevelt wanted a balance between the environment and America's grown capitalistic needs that exploited it.
Trust-bustying and conservation were not the only things on Roosevelt's agenda. The ame man who carried a big stick wanted fair treatment for laborers and the public. He called all these ideals collectively the Square Deal. The Pure Food and Drug Act show's Roosevelt's concern for consumer protection. It is evident that his sucessor, Taft was not as concerned about consumers when he sided with the Payne Aldrich Tariff to allow such an outrageous Tariff. Wilson did a better job protaction consumers with his significant reduction of Tariffs in the Lindenwood Tariff.
In addition to trust-busting, protection the environment, and advocation for consumers, Roosevelt also cared for American bancking. The Panic of 1907 revealed the flawed currency system. Roosevelt created a national monetary commission to make recommendations regarding the American banking system.
Roosevelt was the pioneering president for the Progressive Era. He let his anti-trust feelings guide him towards molding a more consumer-friendly economy. Aside from trust-busting, his sucessor, Taft failed to follow through with his legacy. The following president, Wilson sided more with big businesses. President Roosevelts's Square Deal had the best policies. Evidence of that, such as Forest Preserves, show his policies still live on today.
President Roosevelt was against monopolies. With his anti-trust mentality, he did not allow Northern Securites to merge together. Although Taft "busted" ninety trusts, Roosevelf did more to enhance the power of the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. This Elkins Act of 1903 regulated railroad rates and prohibited secret rebates. The Hepburn Act fixed rates for railroads. In doing so, Roosevelt helped control the manipulatorypowers of the prime method of transportation at the moment, railroads.
Although the other presidents of the Progressive Era helped continue Roosevelt's legacy with regards to big businesses, they failed to continue advocating for conservation policies. Roosevelt, who initiates such policies, felt passionate about the subject. In order to perserve the environment, he establised the Newlands Reclamation Act Bill which set aside 150 million acres for forests reserve. Roosevelt also establised the Conservation Congress and appointed a conservationist, Pinchot as head of the Division of Forestry. Essentially, Roosevelt wanted a balance between the environment and America's grown capitalistic needs that exploited it.
Trust-bustying and conservation were not the only things on Roosevelt's agenda. The ame man who carried a big stick wanted fair treatment for laborers and the public. He called all these ideals collectively the Square Deal. The Pure Food and Drug Act show's Roosevelt's concern for consumer protection. It is evident that his sucessor, Taft was not as concerned about consumers when he sided with the Payne Aldrich Tariff to allow such an outrageous Tariff. Wilson did a better job protaction consumers with his significant reduction of Tariffs in the Lindenwood Tariff.
In addition to trust-busting, protection the environment, and advocation for consumers, Roosevelt also cared for American bancking. The Panic of 1907 revealed the flawed currency system. Roosevelt created a national monetary commission to make recommendations regarding the American banking system.
Roosevelt was the pioneering president for the Progressive Era. He let his anti-trust feelings guide him towards molding a more consumer-friendly economy. Aside from trust-busting, his sucessor, Taft failed to follow through with his legacy. The following president, Wilson sided more with big businesses. President Roosevelts's Square Deal had the best policies. Evidence of that, such as Forest Preserves, show his policies still live on today.
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