How far do you agree that America benefitted from war?
How accurate is it to say that economic factors had the biggest impact on presidential policies?
Wilson's Re-election (1916)
Campaign slogan: "He kept us out of the War"
Position as a progressive president highlighted by legislations like the Adamson Act, which limited railroad workers to an 8-hour workday.
Entry into WWI (1917)
Driven by response to German aggression.
Marked a transition to a larger role for the state in American life.
Draft and Military Involvement
Approximately 5 million men drafted for military service in WWI.
Treaty of Versailles
Wilson promoted the treaty domestically, facing significant political opposition from Congress and public sentiment.
Republicans gained control of Senate in the 1918 mid-term elections, resulting in Wilson’s decreased political power.
Political Consequences
Wilson’s unpopularity led to the exclusion of the Democratic Party from power for 12 years post-1920.
Impact of WWI on Taxation
Introduction of the income tax for the first time due to the financial demands of the war.
Post-War Employment and Economy
A surge in unemployment as returning soldiers left the armed forces, contributing to downward pressure on wages.
Economic Downturns
The USA faced two significant recessions in the aftermath of WWI.
Labor Strikes
A high volume of labor unrest, with 3,600 separate strikes reported throughout 1919, reflecting economic discontent.
Great Migration
Increased demand for labor in northern factories led to escalated migration from rural southern areas to urban centers, known as the Great Migration.
Urban Segregation
Northern cities demonstrated de facto segregation, leading to increasing racial tensions and race riots.
Jim Crow Laws in the South
Used to maintain legal segregation; these laws intensified societal divisions.
Fear of Communism
The First Red Scare emerged in 1919, with anti-immigrant sentiments prevailing. Immigrants were scapegoated for introducing radical ideas like communism, leading to the infamous Sacco and Vanzetti case.
Palmer Raids
Law enforcement arrested 6,000 foreign 'aliens' on suspicion of communism as a reaction to rising fears.
Restriction on Immigration
The Literacy Tests Act of 1917 effectively closed doors to many immigrants and overrode Wilson’s presidential veto.
Women's Suffrage
The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote in 1919, a significant achievement influenced by their contributions and roles during the war, although job opportunities diminished post-war.
How far do you agree that America benefitted from war?
How accurate is it to say that economic factors had the biggest impact on presidential policies?
Overview of the American social, political, and economic landscape from 1917 to 1920 and its lasting implications on the concept of the American Dream.
Possible focus on the political developments under Wilson's administration and their impacts on society and policymaking.
The social consequences of war, especially regarding race relations and women's rights, as reflections of broader cultural shifts.
Analysis of economic challenges faced during the post-war period, including strikes, unemployment, and the role of government in managing the economy.
Summary of findings related to the essay questions, assessing the balance of benefits and challenges that America faced as a result of WWI.