Unit 7: American from the Spanish-American War through the Great Depression, 1898-1930s

From Crisis to Empire, America and the Great War, The New Era, The Great Depression, The New Deal

US involvement in Hawaii

The US wanted Hawaii for land to use for power and a military base. US citizens began to settle in Hawaii, ruining traditional Hawaiian culture, bringing disease, etc. Sugar began to dominate Hawaii which displaced many Hawaiian natives. Also, with Hawaii becoming a main source of sugar, there's a stronger desire to take Hawaii. Eventually, the US established a naval base in Pearl Harbor. In 1893, the American planters started a revolution, leading the annexation of Hawaii in 1898. Hawaii eventually became a state in 1959.

Yellow journalism

The sensationalizing of news/journalism. This spread false or exaggerated headlines for money/attention. Yellow journalism was the reason why the sinking of the Maine was such a big deal and also the reason why people got so angered over the it, which pushed for the Spanish-American War.

Joseph Pulitzer

The founder of the New York World newspaper and started the concept of journalism. He helped the sensationalization of the sinking of the Maine.

William Randolph Hearst

Founder of the New York Journal which further built on Pulitzer's yellow journalism methods. He became a bestseller and used it to help spread anger toward the Maine's sinkage.

Spanish-American War

1898: A fight between America and Spain for the freedom of Cuba which then became about taking its colonies. The war ended with the taking of Philippines, Puerto Rico, the signing of the Platt Amendment, and the establishment of a military base in Cuba. It demonstrates America's intensification of imperialistic ideals. Also, side note, Theodore Roosevelt fought in the war, helping him raise his popularity.

Why did the US get involved in Cuba?

1. Yellow journalism built the anger toward Spanish treatment toward the Cubans

2. A Cuban official turned over a Spanish letter calling McKinley weak.

3. American battleship USS Maine sunk, and America assumed Spain at fault, angering the public.

Targeting the Philippines

America wanted the Philippines for land, resources, and power, changing the focus of the Spanish American War.

Annexation of Puerto Rico

August 12, 1898: Spain surrendered Puerto Rico to America after the war. Later, Puerto Rico's reliance on the US led to the desire for statehood.

White Man's Burden

The idea that more advanced (white) counties need improve other countries through colonization/imperialism. This is essentially what fueled colonization.

Anti-Imperialist League

1898: Group of senators who opposed acquisition of the Philippines. It demonstrated how imperialism was still kind of controversial.

Reasons/Beliefs:

1. Imperialism was immoral

2. Would introduce "inferior" Asian races

3. New colonies = more cheap labor immigrants

4. Competition from new territories

Platt Amendment

1901: Accepted Cuban independence under the condition that the US could intervene with military to protect independence as a "big brother". This meant that Cuba's independence was conditional and to an extent, fake. The US could insert themself into Cuban business under the name of "protection".

Emilio Aguinaldo

Philippines nationalist who led the Anti-US Filipino Rebellion.

anti-US Filipino rebellion

1898-1902: Most Filipinos joined Emilio Aguinaldo in fighting against American attempts at colonization. They were viewed as subhuman and America promised independence but never fulfilled that promise. The rebellion resulted in many getting tortured, killed, captured, spurring anti-imperialist ideas.

Increasing Filipino economic dependence on the US

After losing to America, the Philippines became heavily connected to the US mostly due to the trade between the two. This caused the Philippines to be unable to gain political independence until 1946.

Spheres of influence in China

This established exclusive trading/development rights in other countries. For the US, the US and Japan established a sphere of influence in China due to its non-industrialization and isolation. This humiliated and weakened China.

US "Open Door Policy"

This policy called for a system of equal trade and investment while guaranteeing the integrity of China's territory, preventing European powers to take Chinese territory. This also allowed American economic rights in China without using military forces.

Boxer Rebellion

1899-1900: The rebellion led by radical anti-foreign Chinese trying to rid China of foreigners seen as "devils" by killing, capture, etc. This was a form of resistance against imperialism/foreign powers.It was ultimately suppressed by an international coalition of eight nations, including the US, which aimed to protect their interests in China.

"Big Stick" Diplomacy

The idea that power countries with the "Big Stick" have the right to interfere with the business of the "uncivilized" smaller nations. This demonstrates the possible racist mindset of countries of power.

"Grand White Fleet"

Theodore Roosevelt sent 16 battleships which stopped at Japan to demonstrate their power.

Roosevelt Corollary

1904: Roosevelt wanted Latin American, so he claimed that the US can intervene with the Latin American nations if they can't maintain order themselves. This gave the US the excuse/power to colonize the Latin American nations. This was built on top of the Monroe Doctrine, which claimed that European countries can't intervene with Latin America, preventing competition.

Panama Canal

The Canal that ran through Panama and connected the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, though the location decision sparked France and US tensions and led to the Panamanian Revolt. The purpose of creating the canal was to dominate sea trade, and to some extent, it definitely benefitted the US.

Panamanian Revolt

The US helped organize a revolt in Panama in order to secure it as the location for the canal. This was also utilizing the Roosevelt Corollary to get into another country's business to overpower France.

US involvement

The US sent military backup and recognized Panama as an independent state, helping the revolt to be a success.

Economic ties with Britain

The US economy was heavily relied on trade with the British, making it impossible for the US to remain neutral.

German unrestricted submarine warfare

Germany shot any ship they see in the warzone to counter the Great British navy, causing the sinking of the Lusitania.

Lusitania

May 1915: The Germany navy sunk a civilian ship, killing over 100 Americans. After this incident, the public started considering joining the war.

Zimmerman Telegram

1917: This was a German letter to Mexico asking them to join in WWI in return for their land lost in the Mexican American War was intercepted by the Great Britan which was then given to the US. This further angered the US ad slowly pushed them toward joining WWI.

Bolshevik Revolution

March 1917: The Russian ruler Czar Nicholas II was overthrown by Russian peasants, promising a democratic government. This led to Wilson's claim that he wanted to join WWI to protect democracy, serving as another factor for US joining the war.

Effect of Bolshevik Revolution

This pulled Russia out of the War and caused America to declare war and enter WWI. This was important because America was a key factor in ending WWI.

Selective Service Act of 1917

National draft to get enough troops quickly, mobilizing the nation for the war and uniting it.

New forms of technological warfare

Machine guns, tanks, chemical weapons, and planes were used for the first time. This meant that more weapon maintenance was needed and led to more casualties.

WWI casualties

Britain lost about 1 million, and the US lost 112K (but half was from influenza).

Liberty bonds

Propaganda encouraged people to buy bonds in return for interest money. This helped finance the war.

War Industries board

A government agency which managed the purchase of military supplies, allowing military needs to be met.

Great migration

African Americans moved from the South to the North due to the decrease of European migration and more working opportunities in wartime. This increased diversity in the North.

Race riots

Tensions rose as African Americans moved North, black people faced harsh/constant racism leading to protests and riots. This eventually helped lead to the Civil Rights movement.

Commitee on public information (CPI)

The organization which spread propaganda to rally public support which later became more and more extreme. Some thought that the war would bring reforms or improve life.

Espionage Act

1917: This gave the government more power to help punish people for spying, sabotage of war effort. This started to stray away from American values with "censorship."

Sedition Act

1917: This built on the Espionage Act by claiming opposition to war illegal. This instilled censorship against the first amendment (freedom of speech).

Schneck v. US

1919: Schneck urged the US citizens to resist drafting laws and was arrested. He sued the US government for violating his first amendment but lost because his actions were called a threat to the US. This was a major blow to American's free speech rights and confirmed the government's heightened power in wartime.

Fourteen Points

14 points made by President Wilson to prevent future wars. This included:

1. Self-determination (other than "weak and uncivilized" countries)

2. Limit alliances, open trade

3. Create League of Nations

   This demonstrates the progressive era's idealistic ideals.

Conditions of Versailles Treaty

In the Treaty of Versailles, they included the League of Nations, but France and England wanted German reparation, causing most of Wilson's desires not to be met.

League of Nations

This is like the old version of the UN, being an international body to prevent war.

Article 10 debate

America practiced isolationism (like said in Washington's Farewell Adress) which led to hesitation to join the League of Nations. Article 10 of the Treaty of Versailles claimed that if one nation was under attack, all countries in the league would have to help. The public protested this and Congress didn't like this either, causing America to not sign the Treaty of Versailles and instead signed a peace treaty with Germany

Postwar recession

1920: After wartime, inflation grew and ~5 million Americans lost their jobs. This led to many workers strikes and unions.

Strikes after WWI

With veterans returning, competition rose, leading to growing amounts of unions and strikes.

Chicago Race riots

1919: White people killed a black teen which led to black crowds in a white neighborhood. The white population fought back by crowding in black neighborhoods. This started a mini "war" between the two and they got more and more violent. This meant that racial tensions and violence still heavily prevalent in America.

Marcus Garvey

1920: He started the Garvey movement which promoted black nationalism and fought against white assimilation. This grew in popularity and spurred black business across America. Garvey's organization became notable for rallies and parades.

American Communist Party

1919: The political party that spread radical communism and was accused of multiple bombings. Bombings of radicals brought unrest to society.

Red Scare

1920s: The wave of antiradicalism and fighting off the American Communist Party. This demonstrated America's anti-communist sentiment shown later in the Cold War.

Sacco & Vanzetti Trial

May 1920: Italian immigrants Sacco & Vanzetti were sentenced to death likely unfairly due to them being anarchists. This demonstrated the prejudice against the people of other political beliefs as well as the danger of the red scare

Palmer Raids

1920: Official A. Mitchel Palmer led a raid on alleged radicals, arresting over 6,000 people, though most were released due to inaccurate accusations. This demonstrated the extremity of nationalism in America.

Racism during 1920s

IQ tests "proved" that white people were smarter than other races. This fueled and justified racist beliefs.

Fireside chats

FDR used radios to explain his plans and programs after his election to help raise public confidence in his administration.

"Bank Holiday"

"Bank Holiday"

Emergency banking act

1933: This provided protection for large banks and called for inspection for all banks before their reopening. This helped remove the panic and solved some of the banking crisis.

Agriculture adjustment act (AAA)

The government administration which tells farmers how much they should produce. This brought a rise in price for farm products and increased farm income. This is still in effect today.

National recovery act (NRA)

1933: The agency which set a minimum wage of 30-40 cents and set a maximum working hour of 35-40. This increased consumer purchasing power and employment.

Critiques of the AAA

This excluded sharecroppers, which affected most African American cotton producers, farmers, etc. It also often favored large farmers over smaller farmers.

Critiques of the NRA

People complained that the NRA had poorly written codes and often favored large producers.

Tennesse valley authority (TVA)

This agency was tasked to complete the building of a dam in Tennessee and provided cheap electricity. This improved water transport, eliminated flooding, and provided electricity to thousands of households. However, a controversy arose, as it put the government in competition with private companies.

Glass-Steagall act

1933: This allowed the government to curb irresponsible banks and established the FDIC. This made sure that bank spendings was good and prevented future banking crises.

Federal deposit insurance corporation (FDIC)

This guaranteed all bank deposits up to $2500 (now $200k). Essentially, if the bank failed and you had money up to $200k, you get all of that money back. If you have over $200k, you only get $200k.

Securities and exchange commission (SEC)

1934: This policed the stock market and trialed many respected Wal Street figures. This ensured that there was no fraud in the stock market, and punished those if they committed a fraud.

Federal work relief

The government gave people work through government funded programs. This is because they didn't want people relying on the government for relief funds. This also helped solve some of the unemployment issue.

Civilian conservation corps (CCC)

This employed mostly white men who created camps in national parks, forests, and other wild settings to improve government owned land. This also helped lower unemployment rates.

Conservative criticism of the new deal

Many wealthy people were hostile toward strict policies and reshaped the American Liberty League to protest against them. However, this failed to attract a lot of support.

Liberal criticism of the new deal

People wanted more financial support, one method being wealth distribution. These people had relatively more support. This helped shape the Social Security system and lead to the launch of the "Second New Deal"

National labor relations act/Wagner act

1935: This gave enforcement to workers and guaranteed them the right to unionize. This meant stronger worker unions emerged as they gained power. Unfortunately, this excluded sharecroppers and domestic workers which was mostly African Americans.

Social security act

1935: This provided service, pension, and money after retirement. It also provided unemployment insurance. This gave more long-term support for the elderly as well as the unemployed.

Work progress administration (WPA)

1935: This established a system of work relief for the unemployed, hiring more people and giving out more jobs. This also meant that the government increased their budget on government funded projects. This vastly advanced production and infrastructure while helping the unemployed get temporary jobs. In fact, this played a major role in helping the unemployment rate lower to 1.9 percent by the 1940s.

New deal coalition

The New Deal coalition was the group of (mostly) democrats who supported the New Deal. This group was compromised of mostly western and southern farmers, urban working class, the poor and unemployed, the black communities in the North, and the progressive liberals.

"Electoral realignment"

Support and power transitioned from the long-ruling Republicans to the Democrats, with the Republican Party virtually losing all its power and the Democrats surging in power and influence.

FDR's court packing plan

Because the Supreme Court deemed some of the New Deal legislation unconstitutional, FDR proposed to add 6 new judges. However, this failed, and people began to question and challenge FDR's legislation, and some began to think that FDR was getting too power hungry.

Roosevelt recession

FDR tried to balance and lower the federal budget, cutting back spending to try to avoid inflation. This led to mini recession in 1937 and demonstrated how recovery was tenuous.

Fair labor standards act (FLSA)

1938: This established a federal minimum wage, a 40-hour week, limits on child labor, and worker benefits. This increased protection for the working class, and this still is effective today.

Experiences of African Americans in the new deal

The New Deal did overall help the African Americans, but it didn't make it a goal. Most of the jobs the African American population got were low-skilled compared to others the white population got. Also, in order to maintain support of the southerners (a big part of the democratic party), FDR didn't support the anti-lynching law, the poll-tax, etc. This demonstrated how the New Deal didn't really progress black rights but didn't set it back either.

Experiences of Native Americans in the new deal

1934: The Natives/Indian Recognition Act ended the Dawes Act which meant that multiple Native Americans could collectively own land. This set a basis for later Native American equality campaigns.

Experiences of women in the new deal

Women gained limited benefits, but Elanor Roosevelt (First Lady) helped protect women.

WWII's effect on the great depression

Federal spendings to militarize for WWII and alliances fully got America out of the Great Depression. This covered for all of the holes of the New Deal and pulled America out of its economic crisis.

Change in role of federal government

The federal government became a broker state/mediator state that could intervene to protect power and the economy of the country. This further increased the government's power.

Establishment of a federal welfare state

This gave pension/support to the unemployed and helped regulate the economy. This became a "safety net" for Americans, though it remains as a debate today. It broke America out of its traditional laissez-faire economic policy and is still here today.

1920s structural economic instability

Following the Republicans' economic philosophy, taxes were lowered, leading to more money in people's pockets. This also meant more investments. At the same time, banks irresponsibly lent money, and people paid based on credit, so both banks and people were irresponsibly spending money they don't have. The irresponsible handling of money caused eventual bank failures and helped cause the Great Depression.

Stock market crash as catalyst

The stock market crashed after people sold off most of their stocks, becoming a catalyst for the Great Depression. However, it was not the cause of it, but was more similar to a symptom to the failing economy.

Conservative vs. liberal interpretation of economic crisis

Conservative: The Conservatives thought too much business regulation caused the Great Depression. They thought that businesses automatically created more jobs and in return spurred the economy. This led to the government believing that the government should be smaller and have less control over the economy.

Liberal: The liberals thought that the lack of consumer spending caused the Great Depression, and that the government should be bigger to support or replace consumer spending as a sort of a backup system.

John Maynard Keynes

Keynes was an influential British economist who thought, like the liberals, that the Great Depression was due to the decreased in consumer spending. His solution was to replace consumer spending by spending tax money to create jobs and decrease interest rates. This was the basis of FDR's New Deal policy.

Psychological mindset around unemployment and relief

The psychological mindset was that unemployment and poverty was equal to personal failure. This meant there was a negative stigma around the idea of unemployment, and men were often ashamed of themselves for ending up in that situation.

Dust Bowl

1929-1932: Extreme drought that wiped across the Great Plains, and over 1/3 of farmers lost all of their land and therefore crops. This caused the farmer income to decrease by 60%. However, farmer produce was still too much for consumers, meaning that prices continued to go down.

Experience of minority groups during the Great Depression

Blacks in the South suffered with collapsing of cotton and staple crops prices. Black workers were also often unemployed. White people often replaced Mexican workers, and Asian discrimination continued to increase. In general, white people claimed that all white people should be reemployed before any other race.

Experience of women during the Great Depreession

Women had a higher likelihood of being laid off, but since most women had unprofessional jobs like service jobs, there was a lower likelihood of being laid off. This raised the idea of female economic independence.

Scottsboro Boys

1931: 2 white women accused 9 black teenagers for rape and won despite their being substantial evidence against the women. This demonstrated the prevalence of the prejudice against black people.

Dorothea Lange

She took what considered some of the most iconic photos during the Great Depression. Later, the government hired her to take photos. Like Dorothea, many photographers were employed by the government to take pictures for them when they were unemployed.

Escapist programming

Radios and movies and other forms of entertainment became outlets for the people, bringing them relief in a high stress situation. This was an important role in society at that time as it helped people through the hard time of the Great Depression.

Frank Capra

A famous director, directing movies like It's a Wonderful Life. He romanticized small town values, patriotism, and populism. Afterwards, he was later hired by the government to make propaganda for WWII.

John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath

The Grapes of Wrath was a novel written by John Steinbeck which exposed harsh conditions of migratory farmers/Okies and criticized the concept of capitalism. This helped cause some people to support communism

Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC)

1932: This was a new agency that gave loans to banks to help them when they struggled financially. However, many thought that wasn't enough.

Hoover's economic plan

Hoover's plan relied on the local government and private institutions. However, this was insufficient, causing many to think that Hoover wasn't doing enough.

"Hoovervilles"

These were mini towns of homeless people, demonstrating the extent of how bad evictions was affecting America.

Bonus army protest

$1000 bonus were promised to all of US WWI veterans. However, it wasn't yet in effect, causing many veterans to protest in DC demanding their bonuses now. This demand was denied and further destroyed Hoover's reputation and portrayed him as aloof and apathetic.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

1932: A natural born politician, liberal, who promised change and a better future for America.