Chapter 19: Safe for Democracy: The United States and World War I (1916-1920)

I. The Rise of American Power

  • W. T. Stead (1902)

    • Published The Americanization of the World; or, the Trend of the Twentieth Century.

    • Predicted the U.S. would emerge as the "greatest of world powers", emphasizing economic strength over military might as a foundation for national influence.

    • Stead was particularly impressed by how American culture, including innovations, media, and lifestyle, spread globally, helping to shape perceptions of democracy, individualism, and material prosperity.

  • Spanish-American War (1898)

    • Established the U.S. as an emerging international empire, marking a significant shift in foreign policy.

    • Resulted in the acquisition of territories like the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico, providing strategic military bases and access to Asian markets.

    • The war sparked debates about imperialism and the responsibilities of a world power, highlighting tensions between expansionist ambitions and democratic ideals.

  • Economic Influence Over Military Power

    • In 1900, Britain controlled an empire encompassing approximately 300 million people while France encompassed around 50 million.

    • The U.S. empire was characterized more by economic, cultural, and intellectual outreach than by direct territorial control, laying the groundwork for a new model of influence based on diplomatic and commercial relationships.

  • Globalization of the World Economy (1900-1914)

    • The period saw an increasing flow of goods, investments, and migrations across borders, with the U.S. emerging as the leading industrial power.

    • By 1914, the U.S. was producing more than one-third of the world’s goods, leading to tensions and complaints from European powers concerned about American economic domination.

II. America’s Growing Cultural and Political Influence

  • American Cultural Soft Power

    • The proliferation of American cultural exports, such as movies and music, garnered both admiration and concern in Europe, contributing to the U.S.'s global image and influence.

    • Ethnic Engagement Abroad:

      • Irish-Americans mobilized support for Irish independence movements, affecting U.S. relations with Britain.

      • Jewish Americans protested against the pogroms experienced by fellow Jews in Russia, advocating for intervention.

      • Black Americans like W.E.B. Du Bois sought to uplift Africa, uniting around Pan-Africanism and civil rights advocacy.

III. Key Focus Questions

  • How did Progressive presidents such as Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson promote American power overseas through both diplomacy and military intervention?

  • What were the key events leading to the U.S. involvement in World War I, and how did these shape American foreign policy?

  • In what ways did the U.S. mobilize its economic and military resources for the war effort effectively?

  • Analyze the effects of World War I on race relations within the U.S., particularly regarding the Great Migration and the emergence of civil rights movements.

  • Why was 1919 significant for the U.S. and globally in terms of geopolitical dynamics and the establishment of international organizations?

IV. The Impact of the War

  • John Singer Sargent’s Painting, Gassed (1919)

    • This powerful artwork depicts soldiers rendered blind by mustard gas, serving as a grim reminder of the brutal realities faced by soldiers in the war.

    • Many artists and intellectuals after the war viewed these conflicts as tragic mistakes that revealed the darker sides of humanity and the horrors of modern warfare.

  • Timeline of Key Events (1903-1921)

    • 1903: U.S. acquires the Panama Canal Zone, forging significant trade routes and enhancing maritime military strategy.

    • 1904: Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine asserts American dominance in the Western Hemisphere and justifies intervention in Latin America.

    • 1914: The U.S. emerges as a significant producer of global output, creating foundations for future economic diplomacy.

    • 1915: The sinking of the Lusitania by a German U-boat escalates tensions between the U.S. and Germany, leading to public outcry.

    • 1917: The U.S. enters WWI after the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram, which proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico against the U.S.

    • 1919: The Treaty of Versailles is signed post-war, with significant implications for peace and international relations.

V. American Intervention for Stability

  • Roosevelt’s Policies

    • Roosevelt's policies aimed to exert American influence internationally while maintaining order in the Western Hemisphere.

    • The Panama Canal significantly enhanced naval movements, allowing the U.S. to project power effectively between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

  • Dollar Diplomacy (Taft’s Approach)

    • Taft emphasized economic investment rather than military interventions to influence foreign countries, promoting a policy that tied American investments to political stability in regions like Latin America.

  • Moral Imperialism (Wilson’s Vision)

    • Woodrow Wilson espoused a vision of moral imperialism, believing it was America’s responsibility to promote democracy globally.

    • His administration saw significant military interventions in countries such as Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which raised questions about the use of force to achieve democratic ends.

VI. The Path to WWI

  • Wilson and Mexico

    • Wilson's handling of Mexico's political turmoil, including his direct involvement after the assassination of leaders such as Francisco I. Madero, showcased the difficulties in applying moral imperialism pragmatically.

  • Initial Neutrality and Required Preparedness

    • Upon entering WWI in 1917, Wilson framed the U.S. role in global diplomacy as a crusade for democratization, leading to domestic critiques of dissent and civil liberties.

VII. The War's Domestic Repercussions

  • CPI (Committee on Public Information)

    • This government agency aimed to shape public opinion through wartime propaganda efforts, utilizing media engagement across newspapers, films, and public speeches to galvanize support for the war.

  • Repression of Dissent

    • Legislation such as the Espionage Act (1917) and Sedition Act (1918) targeted anti-war sentiments, curbing free speech and leading to repressive actions against groups like the Socialist Party and Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

  • Increased Racial Violence

    • The end of the war exacerbated racial tensions in the U.S., culminating in race riots in cities such as Chicago and East St. Louis, as returning soldiers and urban migrations intensified competition for jobs and housing.

VIII. Race Relations Interrupted

  • Great Migration

    • This large-scale migration of African-Americans to Northern cities during and after WWI aimed at escaping economic deprivation and racial discrimination in the South, significantly altering demographic patterns in U.S. cities.

  • Rise of New Racial Consciousness

    • Prominent figures like W.E.B. Du Bois and organizations such as the NAACP emerged during this time, demanding civil rights and racial justice, which fueled future advocacy movements.

IX. The Aftermath of WWI

  • Failure of Wilson's Peace Vision

    • Wilson’s Fourteen Points, which called for a fair and just peace, were largely disregarded at the Versailles Peace Conference, resulting in punitive measures against Germany that fostered resentment.

  • Political Shift and the 1920 Election

    • Wilson’s deteriorating health and the unresolved issues surrounding the Treaty of Versailles paved the way for the election of Warren G. Harding, who promised a return to pre-war ideals and marked a decline in Progressive reform and international engagement.

X. Key Themes and Concepts

  • Liberal Internationalism: Reflects the Progressive belief in integrating economic expansion with the promotion of democracy on a global scale, advocating for an interconnected world.

  • Moral Imperialism: The belief that the U.S. has a moral obligation to promote democracy and intervene in foreign nations as a rationale for military actions, despite its contradictions.