In Depth Notes on U.S. Expansionism through WWI

Unit 7: U.S. Expansionism through WWI

U.S. Expansionism & the Spanish-American War

  • Chronological Order of Events:

    • The Sinking of the USS Maine (February 15, 1898)

    • The Rough Riders Battle of San Juan Hill (July 1, 1898)

    • Liberation of Cuba and other territories (December 10, Treaty of Paris)

      • Guam and Puerto Rico become U.S. territories.

  • Historical Significance of 1898 and the Spanish-American War:

    • Marked the U.S. emergence as a global imperial power.

    • Ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and the Pacific.

    • Gained territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines (purchased), and Cuba (temporarily occupied).

    • Demonstrated the influence of yellow journalism (e.g., Hearst & Pulitzer) in shaping public opinion.

  • Role of Expansionists:

    • Alfred Thayer Mahan: Naval historian who advocated for a strong U.S. navy and overseas bases to secure global power (notably outlined in The Influence of Sea Power Upon History).

    • American Missionaries: Aimed to spread Christianity and Western values, particularly in Hawaii and Asia.

    • Sanford B. Dole: Oversaw the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani in Hawaii (1893) and later governed after U.S. annexation in 1898.

  • Roosevelt’s Big Stick Policy & Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine:

    • Focused on increasing U.S. influence in Latin America and Caribbean.

    • Asserted the right to intervene in regional conflicts to protect economic/political interests (e.g., Panama Canal construction).

  • Reasons for U.S. Annexation of Hawaii (1898):

    • Strategic naval base (Pearl Harbor) for Pacific trade/military power.

    • Economic interests (sugar plantations controlled by American settlers).

    • Prevent other powers (e.g., Japan or Britain) from dominating the islands.

  • Open Door Policy in China:

    • Ensure equal trading access for all nations in China to prevent colonization by European powers/Japan.

    • Protect U.S. economic interests (markets for goods/investments).

World War I (WWI)

  • Reasons for U.S. Entry into WWI:

    • Unrestricted submarine warfare (notably the sinking of the Lusitania).

    • Zimmermann Telegram: Germany's secret proposal to Mexico for an alliance against the U.S.

    • Economic ties to Allies: U.S. banks and industries heavily invested in the Allied victory.

  • Key Figure:

    • John J. Pershing: Led the American Expeditionary Forces in WWI; noted for his role in the Spanish-American War and pursuit of Pancho Villa.

  • Contribution of Alvin York:

    • Medal of Honor recipient who captured 132 German soldiers during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive (1918), embodying American valor.

  • Armistice Day:

    • Ceasefire ending WWI on November 11, 1918; later renamed Veterans Day to honor all U.S. military veterans.

  • Changes Implemented (1916–1920):

    • Espionage Act (1917): Criminalized anti-war speech, targeting dissenters like Eugene V. Debs.

    • Selective Service Act (1917): Instituted the draft to raise troops for the war.

    • Funding Mechanisms: Taxes and War Bonds (e.g., Liberty Bonds) financed the war effort.

    • New Agencies: Established institutions like the War Industries Board to centralize economic production for war efforts.

  • Impact of Espionage/Sedition Acts on Civil Liberties:

    • Restricted free speech; thousands of arrests for criticizing government or the war effort.

  • Rejection of the Treaty of Versailles & League of Nations:

    • Isolationism: Fear of entangling alliances; Senate opposition led by Henry Cabot Lodge against Article X’s collective security clause.

    • Resentment: Wilson’s refusal to compromise with Republicans hampered approval.

  • B.R.A.T. from the Treaty of Versailles:

    • Blame: Germany forced to accept sole guilt for the war (War Guilt Clause).

    • Reparations: Massive payments imposed on Germany.

    • Army Restrictions: German military limited to 100,000 men.

    • Territorial Losses: Germany stripped of colonies and European territories.

The Roaring 20’s

  • Main Economic Characteristics:

    • Mass Production and consumerism (e.g., automobiles, radios, home appliances).

    • Stock Market Speculation: Risks involved in buying on margin.

    • Rising Wages: Fueled credit spending through installment plans.

    • Laissez-faire policies under Presidents Harding and Coolidge.

  • First Red Scare (1919–1920):

    • Fear stemming from communism post-Russian Revolution (1917).

    • Palmer Raids: Sweeps led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer targeting suspected radicals.

    • Focused on labor unions, immigrants, and anarchists (e.g., Sacco & Vanzetti case).

  • Iconic Figures of the 1920s:

    • Charles Lindbergh: Achieved the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight (1927, Spirit of St. Louis).

    • Glenn Curtiss: Aviation pioneer and founder of the U.S. aircraft industry.

    • Amelia Earhart: First woman to fly solo across the Atlantic (1932), representing women's independence.

  • Scopes Trial (1925):

    • Conflict: Clash between science (evolution) and fundamentalist Christianity.

    • Key Lawyers: Clarence Darrow (defense) vs. William Jennings Bryan (prosecution).

    • Impact: Exposed the urban-rural divide and tensions between modernism and tradition.

  • Risky Economic Practices:

    • Buying Stocks on Margin: Contributed to rampant speculation leading to market collapse in 1929.

  • Cultural Impact:

    • Jazz Music: Harlem Renaissance highlighted African American culture (e.g., figures like Louis Armstrong, Langston Hughes).

    • Flappers: Women’s liberation embraced shorter dresses, voting rights, and changing social norms.

    • Prohibition: Led to the rise of speakeasies and organized crime (notably Al Capone).

  • Stock Market Crash & Start of the Great Depression:

    • Black Tuesday (October 29, 1929): Market crash triggered by over-speculation and bank failures.

    • Resulted in 25% unemployment, marking the start of the Great Depression.

The Great Depression and the New Deal

  • Impact of Stock Market Crash on Banking System:

    • Bank Runs: Depositor panic led to widespread bank failures (over 9,000 collapsed by 1933).

    • Credit Freeze: Banks ceased lending, affecting businesses and consumers.

    • Loss of Savings: Millions lost life savings due to uninsured deposits.

  • Causes of the Dust Bowl:

    • Severe drought and over-farming resulted in poor soil management.

    • Removal of native grasses and high winds created dust storms (termed