HOTA Articles

Zinn, Howard Ch. 11 "Robber Barons and Rebels" Gilded Age

Zinn, Howard Ch. 11 "Robber Barons and Rebels" Gilded Age

Summary of Perspective: The Gilded Age was a time of labor struggles and corruption. The government has to start learning how to make reforms.

Quotes: Carnegie's corporation made "sure congress passed tariffs keeping out foreign steel; by closing off competitions and maintaining the price of $28 a ton; and by working 200,00 men 12 hours a day for wages that barely kept their families alive."

"The supreme court that year said states could not do this, and this was an intrusion on federal power. That year alone, the court did away with 230 state laws that had been passed to regulate corporations."

Shannon, William V. "Age of Bosses" Gilded Age

Summary of Perspective: The bosses of the Gilded Age allowed for economic growth and maintained order in cities.

Quotes: "Bossism with all its color and corruption and human drama, was a natural, perhaps even a necessary accompaniment to the rapid development of cities."

"Bosses often began as saloonkeepers, because the saloon was a natural meeting place in poorer neighborhoods in the days before prohibition."

"Bosses ran a kind of ramshackle welfare state."

Pratt, Julius W. "It was au courant Manifest Destiny" Imperialism

Summary of Perspective: Imperialism was a positive continuation of Manifest Destiny that gave the U.S. power by obtaining new territories. (Pratt Looks at Causes and Reasons)

Quotes: "But when we took, or attempted to take, that which we needed, we persuaded ourselves that we were but fulfilling the designs of Providence or the laws of nature."

"If a divine hand had shaped the outlines of the North American continent with a view to its attaining political unity, the divine mind was though to be by no means indifferent to the type of political organism which should dominate it."

Merk, Frederick "Imperialism was the Antithesis of Manifest Destiny" Imperialism

Summary of Perspective: Imperialism was different from Manifest Destiny and started after the Frontier Thesis. It was negative in comparison and was the assertion of the U.S.'s dominance over other countries and nations. (Merk Looks at Final Effects)

Quotes: "Manifest Destiny was continentalism. It meant the absorption of North America. It found its inspiration in states' rights. It envisaged the elevation of neighboring peoples to equal statehood and all the rights and privileges which that guaranteed. Expansionism in 1899 was insular and imperialist. Its inspiration was nationalism of a sort."

"The theory that growth is necessary to national life, as it is to individual life, that it is indispensable to vigor, and is a people's duty, even if it involves swallowing other people, fell into disfavor."

Kipling, Rudyard "The White Man's Burden" (Poem) Imperialism

Summary of Perspective: Imperialism was a burden placed on white men to go out to conquer lands and teach the indigenous people how to live in the white/industrialized culture.

Quotes: "The ports ye shall not enter, The roads ye shall not tread, Go make them with your living And mark them with your dead."

"The easy ungrudged praise; Comes now, to search your manhood Through all the thankless years, Cold, edged with the dear-bought wisdom, The judgment of your peers."

Hofstadter, Richard "America was Engulfed by a Psychic Crisis" Imperialism

Summary of Perspective: Imperialism was caused by multiple different problems converging as a psychic crisis.

Quotes: "The Philippine crisis is inseparable from the war crisis, and the war crisis itself is inseparable from a larger constellation that might be called "the psychic crisis of the 1890's."

"The symptomatically of the crisis would record several tendencies in popular though and behavior that had previously existed only in pale and tenuous form."

Williams, William A. "Economic Motives were the decisive Factors" Imperialism

Summary of Perspective: Imperialism was caused by the economic desires of the American people, and the worry over the lack of economic growth.

Quotes: "In order to maintain that position, the nation had therefore to abandon laissez faire, accept the corporation political economy, organize it rationally and effectively, and expand it by tightening up control of the Western Hemisphere and winning economic dominance of Asia."

"Expansion had made Americans democratic and prosperous. The implication was clear: no more frontiers, no more wealth and welfare."

Cleveland, Grover "Cleveland's View of the Cuban Crisis" Spanish American War

Summary of Perspective: Cleveland says he would not get involved in the situation unless it was needed to protect American Property interests. This is surprising because he is a large advocate of anti-big-business. (1896)

Quotes: "There is no desire on the part of our people to profit by the misfortunes of Spain. We have only the desire to see the Cubans prosperous and contented, enjoying that measure of self-control which is the inalienable right of man, protected in their right to reap the benefit of the exhaustion treasures of their country."

McKinley, William "McKinley's View of the Cuban Crisis" Spanish American War

Summary of Perspective: McKinley reframes the situation to make it more of a standoff between Spain and the U.S. than with Cuba. He gives Spain 4 options to stop the problems in Cuba. His language is bellicose: aggressive, pushing one towards violence, fighting words towards Spain.

Quotes: "Of the untried measures, there remain only: Recognition of the Insurgents as belligerents: recognition od the independence of Cuba: neutral interention to end the war by imposing a rational compromise between contestants, and intervention in faovor of one or the other party. I speak not of forcible annexation, for that can not be thought of. That by our code of morality would be criminal aggression."

Pratt, Julius W. "The Business Community was Relunctant" Spanish American War

Summary of Perspective: The business sector of the U.S. was predominantly against the war with Spain because they wanted to give the economy time to recover from the recent depressions before engaging in any foreign affairs.

Quotes: “The idea that war could bring any substantial benefits to business was generally scouted. It would endanger our current stability, interrupt our trade, and threaten out coasts and our commerce.”

The Banker and the Tradesman saw in the Cuban complication the threat of a ‘material setback to the prosperous conditions which had just set in after five years of panic and depression.’”

“Wall Street stocks turned downward whenever the day’s news seemed to presage war and climbed again with information favorable to peace.”

LeFeber, Walter "The Business Community was the Most Influential Lobby for War" Spanish American War

Summary of Perspective: Although yellow journalism and pressure from Congress were influential in McKinley's decision to enter the Spanish-American War, the most important factor was McKinley's desire to progress American businesses on a global scale and please business leaders.

Quotes: "McKinley's decision to intervene placated many of the same business spokesmen whom he had satisfied throughout 1897 and January and February of 1898 by his refusal to declare war."

"Although he did not want war, he did want what only war could provide: the disappearance of the terrible uncertainty in American political and economic life, and a solid basis from which to resume the building of the new American commercial empire."

McKinley, William "The President Asks for War" Spanish American War

Summary of Perspective: While war with Spain wasn't ideal for McKinley, he claimed that it was beneficial because the conflict in Cuba halted commerce, disrupted peace in US waters, and violated the protection of Cubans.

Quotes: "[Intervening] may be justified by the very serious injury to commerce, trade, and business."

"The only hope of relief from a condition that can no longer be endured is the enforced pacification of Cuba."

"We owe it to our citizens in Cuba to afford them that protection and indemnity for life and property which no government there can or will afford."

Bailey, Thomas "Without the War Hawaii Might Never Have Been Ours" Spanish American War

Summary of Perspective: Thomas Bailey argues that the annexation of Hawaii may never have happened if not for the Spanish American War. He explains that, before the war, there weren't enough supporters to annex Hawaii, but the war changed their minds. Wanted Hawaii to protect it.

Quotes: "The attitude of the United States toward Hawaii was morally unsound."

"Hawaii was indispensable for the successful prosecution of the war."

"Hawaii was necessary for the defense of the Pacific seaboard and the Philippines."

"It is clear that if the war had not come when it did, and if Dewey had not triumphed where he did, Hawaii would not have been annexed for some years to come, if ever. The moral argument was more emotional than practical;"

Morgan, H. Wayne "McKinley Got What He Wanted" Spanish American War

Summary of Perspective: McKinley made purposeful choices in order to push the United States towards imperialism and expansionism.

Quotes: "Annexation was never of the head but of the heart."

"He had annexed Hawaii with allusions to Manifest Destiny."

McKinley, William "Instructions to the Peace Commissioners" Spanish American War

Summary of Perspective: McKinley had one goal: to create peace between Spain and Cuba for humanitarian and commercial opportunities. He selected delegates that would carry out his wishes, but also represented different views. He chose those who were expansionists and an anti-expansionist senator.

Quotes: "Out aim in the adjustment of peace should be directed to the lasting results and to the achievements of the common good under the demands of civilizations, rather than ambitious designs."

"The luster and moral strength attaching to a cause which can be confidently rested upon the considerate judgment of the world should not under any illusion of the hour be dimmed by ulterior design."

"It is just to use every legitimate means for the enlargement of American trade, but we seek no advantages in the Orient which are not common to all. Asking only the open door for... commercial opportunity."

McCormick, Thomas J. "The Philippines Were Insular Stepping Stones to the Chinese Port of Gold" Spanish American War

Summary of Perspective: The U.S. aspired to dominate Chinese trade. Steps taken include the annexation of Guam, Waka, and Hawaii, all three used as cable points to connect trade as well as means to gain influence in the Pacific.

Quotes: "With the outbreak of war, the McKinley administration rushed to implement its designs upon the likeliest entrepot, Manila by determining to send an army of occupation to the Philippines capital."

"But, he concluded, the fate of the Open Door would not be left to chance; it would be, he stated, 'our aim to subserve our large interests in that quarter by all means appropriate to the constant policy of our government."

Agoncillo, Teodoro A. "The Filipino Point of View" Spanish American War

Summary of Perspective: The Philippines wanted the U.S. to understand that no matter their intentions, it is not possible for them to overrule the sentiments of the Philippine people and that the Philippines would not accept contracts or promises from a U.S. protectorate unless they had a chance of being sovereign or somewhat self-governing.

Quotes: "I am firmly convinced that the United States have no motive but our good and wants to be our friends and not our enemies."

"McKinley, however, had no need for such an ambitious alliance, for he had (long since) made up his mind that the Philippines should belong to the United States."

Harrington, Fred H. "The Protest Against Imperialism" Spanish American War

Summary of Perspective: There were people who were very much against imperialist policies and attitudes and they attempted to rally together, but their attempt failed due to the lack of action, unity, and recognition. Americans did not want to join a group that was stagnant (Anti-Imperialist) when they could join a group of action. (Imperialist)

Quotes: "Although they could present a strong emotional argument based on traditions of liberty, the imperialists could more than match this with the description of future greatness."

"In time this feeling gave way to one of indifference, but by then expansionism was an accomplished fact."

"The reasons for the failure of the anti-imperialist movement are not hard to find. First was the strong position of the imperialists."

Coletta, Paolo E. Bryan Was Caught in a Trap Spanish American War

Summary of Perspective: The only way that Bryan could free the Philippines was by purchasing and freeing them, but most supporters of the purchase wished to control the Philippines. Both leaving the Philippines with Spain or purchasing the Philippines for American control went against Bryan's American values. Remmber that Bryan is a populist so it causes confusion about what his true views are.

Quotes: "Bryan had ample warrant to oppose ratification. But how could he avoid expansion by supporting a treaty that provided for the acquisition of the Philippines?"

Bailey, Thomas A. "The 1900 Elections was a Mandate for Partisanship, no Imperialism" Spanish American War

Summary of Perspective: Americans voted on what was most relevant for them at the time, the economy. (Gold VS Silver) While many did not like imperialism, they feared free silver more and therefore voted for McKinley.

Quotes: "On the other hand, ardent anti-imperialists like Andrew Carnegie and Charles Francis Adams regarded economic chaos as the more imminent danger and threw their support to McKinley."

"...Many voters concluded, whether correctly or not, was only paying lip service to a synthetic league that might get him_____________________"

Winks, Robin W. "American and European Imperialism Compared" Spanish American War

Summary of Perspective: American Imperial existence is comparable to that of other nations only briefly, somewhat incidentally, and then but half of the time. Imperialism for Americans is an experience and colonialism for Europeans is a state of mind.

Quotes: "Imperialism was a practice, colonialism was a state of mind."

Taft, William Howard Dollar Diplomacy Imperialism

Summary of Perspective: Dollar Diplomacy is the best foreign policy for the United States because it does not invoke war and meets the moral desires of the US.

Quotes: "This policy has been characterized as substituting dollars for bullets."

"We are now in a larger relation with broader rights of our own and obligations to others than ourselves. A number of great guiding principles were laid down early in the history of this government."

Wilson, Woodrow Moral Diplomacy Speech Imperialism

Summary of Perspective: To be patriotic you must work for your country and not protest against the government without a solution. Moral diplomacy is the best foreign policy for America because it follows the ideas of the Declaration of Independence.

Quotes: "The way to be patriotic in America is not only to love America but to love the duty that lies nearest to our hand and know that in performing it we are serving our country."

"I would be ashamed of this flag if it ever did anything outside America that we would not permit it to do inside of America."

"I am willing to get anything for an American that money and enterprise can obtain except the suppression of the rights of other men. I will not help any man buy a power which he ought not to exercise over his fellow-beings."

Anderson, William G. Progressivism: An Historiographical Essay Summary of Perspective: There are many perspectives of the progressive movement and there will never be a set definition because of the ever-changing political scene.

Quotes:

Hofstadter, William Anderson Essay Progressive Era

Summary of Perspective: Hofstadter did not believe that the Progressive movement brought change to the U.S. The goals of the movement were simply psychological.

Filene Anderson Essay Progressive Era

Summary of Perspective: Filene did not believe there was a progressive movement because each reformer was advocating for different problems. There were not unification.

Faulkner, Harold U.

Anderson Essay Progressive Era

Summary of Perspective: The progressive movement was a struggle by the people against big business. Believed that reform was imperative after the frontier closed and that the government had to reform to keep its ideals.

Quotes: "To many thoughtful men in the opening years of the twentieth century it seemed that America in making her fortune was in peril of losing her soul."

Williams, William A. Anderson Essay Progressive Era

Summary of Perspective: Believed that the federal government adopted a policy of aiding business and the public during the progressive era and reformers did not want that. He said that the progressive movement was conservative because the reformers wanted to just improve the system already in place.

Beards Anderson Essay Progressive Era

Summary of Perspective: Saw progressivism as a movement for social democracy. They liked the reforms that occurred during the time and saw it as a positive movement.

Knight

The Myth of the Mexican Revolution

Mexican Revolution

Summary of Perspective: There is a myth of a Mexican Revolution created rather than a true reactionary movement. There was no structural political change or widespread ideological shift as a result of the historical events, thus it cannot be considered a revolution.

Stein, Harry H.

Lincoln Steffens and the Mexican Revolution

Mexican Revolution

Summary of Perspective: During times of Revolution, well-intentioned Americans engage in the crisis using their perspective because they believed they have a strong enough influence to help resolve the conflict.

Roman, Richard

The Interrupted Revolution»: An Explication and Critique of Adolfo Gilly's Interpretation of the Mexican Revolution

Mexican Revolution

Summary of Perspective: Gilly’s interpretation of the Mexican is naive because it does not ask questions as to how each Revolutionary group stays connected. He leaves out why the middle class and upper class people were involved in the Revolution.

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