Podcast: Postwar WWI Notes

Williams and Theodore's Reunion

• Setting: May 25th, 1918, Chicago, Blackstone Hotel

  • Former President William Howard Taft checks in for a conference.

  • Elevator operator John Murray informs Taft that Theodore Roosevelt is also staying at the hotel.

• Significance: Taft and Roosevelt had a contentious relationship after serving together.

  • Once close friends, their relationship deteriorated when Taft succeeded Roosevelt as president.

  • The two ran against each other in the 1912 presidential election, splitting the Republican Party.

• Taft's Decision: After hearing Roosevelt is at the hotel, Taft decides to return to the dining room to see him.

  • Reflects on their past bonds and the strained relations since leaving office.

• Reunion Moment: Taft and Roosevelt greet each other happily.

  • The room's atmosphere shifts from silence to applause and cheering as they reconcile.

  • Their joy signifies a moment of political healing and personal reconciliation.

The Aftermath of Their Reunion

• Time Passes: Nearly two months later, Roosevelt receives distressing news about his son Quinton.

  • Quinton is missing in action during World War I, which devastates Theodore and his wife, Edith.

• Roosevelt's Deterioration: Following Quinton's disappearance, Roosevelt feels the weight of grief.

  • Known for his resilience, (suffered health issues since traveling in the Amazon).

• Roosevelt's Death: January 6th, 1919,, Theodore Roosevelt dies in his sleep at age 60.

  • Vice President Thomas Marshall remarks that he had to pass in this gentle manner.

• Funeral: January 8th, 1919, a modest service attended by only 500 people.

  • Taft reflects on their reconciliation as significant.

  • Taft expresses his lasting affection for Roosevelt, mentioning the importance of mending ties before death.

The Post-Great War Landscape

• Transition: The end of World War I leaves lasting impacts and challenges.

  • Soldiers remain in Europe and struggle with life post-war, adapting as civilians amid societal changes.

• U.S. Troops Abroad: Doughboys occupy Germany and participate in the Russian Civil War.

  • American troops face challenges, like adapting to new environments and dealing with PTSD.

• Shell Shock: Many soldiers suffer from what would later be recognized as PTSD due to combat stress.

  • Treatments vary, with some finding comfort in music, highlighted by concert singer Paula Lind.

The First Pan-African Congress

• Context: In early 1919, Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois organizes the first Pan-African Congress in Paris.

  • Focuses on the rights of people of African descent worldwide, addressing colonial exploitation and the need for self-determination.

• Congress Resolutions: Calls for justice, end to exploitation, and international protection of colonies.

  • Immediate public response emphasizes solidarity among Black people worldwide.

• Garvey's Response: Jamaican immigrant Marcus Garvey critiques the Congress, advocating for a more robust approach to self-representation and independence.

Doughboys' Return and Challenges

• Discharge Process: By mid-1919, returning soldiers are given bonuses and opportunities to keep their uniforms but struggle to find jobs.

  • Many are proud of their service despite the challenges they face reintegrating into civilian life.

• Spanish Flu Pandemic: The severe flu epidemic affects veterans and civilians alike, causing immense death and complications amid the returns of soldiers.

• Coping with Trauma: Veterans carry emotional and psychological scars, seeking to find their place in a changed society.

The Unknown Soldier

• Purpose: To honor fallen soldiers, plans arise to create a memorial for an unnamed soldier symbolizing all lost in the war.

  • Sergeant Edward Younger is chosen to select the Unknown Soldier's remains from caskets in France, symbolizing a union of grief and honor.

• Memorial Ceremony: November 11th, 1921, a solemn ceremony in Washington D.C. recognizes the Unknown Soldier.

  • The event heavily attended with emotional tributes, reflecting collective mourning and the recognition of sacrifices made.

• Cultural Impacts: This ceremony represents a moment of healing for the nation, collectively acknowledging a painful history while hoping to find a path forward.