Notes on Imperialism and Progressivism

Turn of the 20th Century: Imperialism and Progressivism

Economic and Political Climate at the Turn of the Century

The late 1800s and early 1900s marked a period of significant transformation.
The economy was rapidly expanding, creating wealth and improving living standards for many, even if unevenly distributed.
The dominant political and economic force was imperialism, which regained popularity, mirroring historical patterns of France and Spain.
Japan emerged as a new imperial power, contributing to the destabilization of China.
Technological advancements, such as the airplane, facilitated the expansion of colonialism.
Imperialism was intertwined with the growth of capitalism and wealth distribution, albeit unfairly.
Western imperialism was justified through territorial expansion, establishing colonies, economic exploitation, racial superiority, and Christian evangelism.
This expansion led to ethnocentrism and racism, fostering a sense of superiority that created a cyclical pattern of discrimination.

America's Role and the Spanish-American War

The United States was relatively new to imperialism compared to European powers and Japan.
Many Americans were hesitant about intervening in less powerful nations' internal affairs due to their isolationist tendencies.
America's history as a colony rebelling against exploitation fueled this isolationist sentiment.
The election of 1900 saw Republicans in control, viewing imperialism as integral to capitalism and the economy.
The Spanish-American War shifted American attitudes toward imperialism.
The sinking of the USS Maine in Cuba, amid Cuban rebellion against Spanish rule, ignited public outrage due to yellow journalism.
Yellow journalism, akin to modern "fake news," whipped up anti-Spanish sentiment and portrayed Cubans as fellow Americans seeking liberation from European imperialism.
The war was framed as a regional effort by the U.S. to control the Atlantic world and the Western Hemisphere, viewing it as their "backyard."
The Spanish-American War was fought with volunteers, highlighting the public's enthusiasm for the cause.
The American Navy's victory led to acquiring Spanish colonies, including the Philippines and Puerto Rico, solidifying America's position as an imperial power.
This expansion led to viewing Japan as a threat in the Pacific, contributing to the "yellow peril" narrative, reinforced by Japan's actions in China and Manchuria.

The Progressive Movement and Social Reform

Many progressives were muckrakers, investigative journalists exposing the ills of capitalism and exploitation.
Progressives, mainly liberals, sought to expose corruption and propose alternative policies, acting as a "government-in-waiting."
Upton Sinclair's exposé on Chicago's meat factories revealed unsanitary practices and worker exploitation, shocking the American public.
Examples include workers falling into lye pools and being processed into lard, highlighting the extreme conditions.
Progressives targeted monopolies like Standard Oil and steel mills, advocating against the excessive concentration of wealth.
The movement addressed issues such as alcohol abuse, social justice, and religious concerns, pushing for reforms to save capitalism from its excesses.
The Federal Reserve Act aimed to democratize the banking industry and equalize interest rates across the country.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was established to regulate the food supply and protect consumers.
Progressives echoed earlier populist concerns, focusing on the survival of the country and addressing economic inequities.

Progressive Era Reforms and Challenges

The progressive movement democratized the ballot but failed to eliminate the poll tax, used in the South to disenfranchise voters.
They supported government intervention in the economy to save capitalism, contrasting with the laissez-faire approach.
Progressives were generally well-educated and integrationist in the North, while in the South, they were more conservative and supported white supremacy.
The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) was founded during the progressive era to enforce the 14th and 15th Amendments.
Racism remained a significant issue, even with legislative measures in place.
President Wilson, a Southerner, sympathized with white supremacy and the Ku Klux ****, which was reborn in 1915, advocating white progressivism.
The South experienced a different dynamic, with race, economics, and class interacting uniquely compared to the North.

World War I and American Neutrality

Europe was divided into alliances, and Americans initially aimed to remain neutral as conflict erupted, focusing on trade with both sides.
Germany's use of U-boats and the sinking of ships, including the Lusitania, challenged American neutrality.
The Lusitania carried weapons and ammunition to England, a fact known to the Germans, influencing their actions.
President Wilson's response led to asking Congress to declare war, marking a shift from neutrality.
War mobilization brought social and economic changes, taking several years to fully materialize.
The war effort included war propaganda, emphasizing Americanism and clashing with civil liberties, especially for German Americans and pacifists.
The government used Madison Avenue to produce marketing material, a practice that raised concerns about manipulation.
Despite reservations, Americans generally supported the war effort to salvage capitalism.

Post-War America and the Roaring Twenties

New ideologies like socialism and anarchism emerged, but Americans largely favored democracy and progressive capitalism or conservatism.
Rapid industrial growth, exemplified by steel production, fueled economic expansion.
Domestic issues, such as racial tension, employment, equity, and financial concerns, became paramount.
Racial tensions escalated, leading to violent incidents such as the East St. Louis riot in 1917 and the destruction of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Espionage and Sedition Acts of 1917 and 1918 curtailed civil rights, criminalizing criticism of the government and war policies.
These acts were seen as government overreach, prompting Americans to remain vigilant about protecting their constitutional rights.
Following World War I, there was a desire to return to isolationism.
Focus shifted to addressing domestic issues such as racism, white supremacy, economics, and public health.
The Roaring Twenties saw conflict between rural and urban values, with cultural values at the forefront.
Urban areas saw the rise of cosmopolitanism, jazz music (Harlem Renaissance), and defiance of government authority.
Rural areas feared the erosion of their values by economic growth and urban ideas.
Cultural clashes led to nativism, the resurgence of the Ku Klux ****, fundamentalism, and prohibition.
Hypocrisy and moral corruption were noted, particularly in the South, affecting its progress.

Economic Prosperity and the Road to the Great Depression

The 1920s were a period of wealth creation, reminiscent of the Gilded Age, with continued immigration.
Materialistic consumption became a focus, overshadowing Wilson's idealism.
The Harding administration was marked by corruption, including the sale of oil reserves.
The Coolidge era saw prosperity, but underlying issues such as nativism and isolationism led to the 1924 immigration law, restricting immigration based on quotas.
Financial markets became inflated, with excessive buying of stocks on margin.
Overbuilding, overextension, and overloaning led to a shortage of money in the economy.
The stock market crashed, triggering the Great Depression.
Unemployment soared, affecting over 20% of Americans, and many struggled to survive.
The Great Depression had global implications, impacting economies worldwide due to interconnected markets.
European powers faced economic chaos due to World War I debts.

The New Deal and Recovery Efforts

President Roosevelt implemented experimental policies through the National Recovery Administration (NRA) and alphabet agencies, collectively known as the New Deal.
The NRA prohibited child labor, established a minimum wage, and set a 40-hour work week, with some regional disparities in pay.
The South faced challenges as racism clashed with capitalism, highlighting the importance of equitable wealth creation.
In Europe, economic struggles led to war as refused to pay debts, contributing to the rise of fascism.
Roosevelt's attempt to pack the court was rejected, reflecting Americans' wariness of power grabs.
Industrial unions gained strength through the Wagner Act, enabling collective bargaining.
Trade with Europe, which was gearing up for war, stimulated the American economy.
The end of the Great Depression came with increased productivity spurred by involvement in the war.
Britain and the United States issued a joint statement against Axis war aims, with the Axis powers representing fascist ideologies.
Fascism prioritized the nation-state and racial supremacy over individual rights and capitalism.
The British and Americans also got the Russians to sign to be part of the agreement against war.