amsco unit 7
UNITED STATES HISTORY: AP® EDITION UNIT 7 — Period 7: 1890–1945
Topic 7.1 Contextualizing Period 7
Learning Objective: Explain the context in which America grew into the role as a world power.
The years 1890 to 1945 marked significant transformation for the United States. Key developments included:
Transition from horses and buggies to automobiles and airplanes.
Involvement in two world wars and the Great Depression.
Emergence as a world leader post-1945.
By 1890, the U.S. surpassed Great Britain as the leading industrial power.
Continued economic leadership through World War II.
Economic Growth:
Shift from a rural agricultural economy to an urban industrial economy.
Growth of large corporations and cycles of economic booms and busts.
The Great Depression (1930s) culminated in extreme hardship.
Stability and Democracy:
Economic changes prompted two reform periods: the Progressives (early 20th century) and the New Deal.
Progressives utilized government intervention to address economic instability through:
Establishment of the Federal Reserve to regulate banking and the business cycle.
Reforming election practices (e.g., direct elections of U.S. senators).
Securing women’s right to vote (constitutional amendment).
Responding to an Economic Crisis:
Great Depression challenge to laissez-faire policies.
Democrats’ New Deal created a limited welfare state to combat unemployment and poverty.
Key Laws Passed:
Regulation laws for banks and the stock market.
Establishment of a minimum wage and Social Security.
Protections for labor unions.
Emerging Ideology: American liberalism fostered by increased government involvement.
Conflicts in Culture and Society:
Growth of popular culture through mass media (radio, films).
Value conflicts emerged, especially regarding education, religion, and scientific teachings (e.g., evolution).
Shifts in Foreign Relations:
Imperialism debates intensified post-Spanish-American War.
Post WWI, Americans debated the League of Nations.
WW II led the U.S. to adopt collective security through support for the United Nations.
LANDMARK EVENTS (1890-1945):
1898: Spanish-American War Starts.
1917: U.S. Entry into WWI.
1929: Great Depression Begins.
1941: U.S. Entry into WWII.
1945: U.S. Drops Atomic Bombs on Japan.
Topic 7.2 Imperialism: Debates
Learning Objective: Explain the similarities and differences in attitudes about the nation’s proper role in the world.
Post-1790s, U.S. foreign policy initially focused on westward expansion.
After Civil War, industrial growth shifted interest towards overseas trade.
Key Figures: William H. Seward (Secretary of State under Lincoln and Johnson).
Significant acquisitions:
Acquisition of Alaska (1867) for $7.2 million.
Fails to annex Hawaii despite influences from American missionaries.
Era of “New Imperialism”:
Dominance of Western powers, including Britain and France, in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
U.S. interests in expanding economically through diplomacy rather than military action.
Economic Interests:
Expansionists supported acquisition for raw materials and trade markets.
Political & Military Power:
Alfred Thayer Mahan emphasized naval power’s role in global dominance.
Opposition to Imperialism:
Challenges included calls for self-determination, anti-imperialist sentiments, and economic arguments against imperialism.
Topic 7.3 The Spanish-American War and U.S. Foreign Policy to 1917
Learning Objective: Explain the causes and effects of the Spanish-American War.
Causes of the War:
U.S. economic interests in Cuba.
Humanitarian concerns regarding Spanish colonial practices in Cuba.
Rising nationalism and jingoism in American society.
Events of War:
U.S. victory in Cuba and the Philippines.
Notable figures like Theodore Roosevelt.
Treaty of Paris (1898):
Outcomes included Cuban independence and U.S. acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Controversy over the Philippines:
Debates over imperialism and self-governance resulted in significant opposition domestically.
Topic 7.4 The Progressives
Learning Objective: Compare the goals and effects of the Progressive reform movement.
The Progressive movement sought to rectify social inequalities through government action.
Civil rights, labor reforms, and women's suffrage were key focuses with significant achievements.
Critique of business practices, advocacy for labor rights, and urban reforms highlighted their efforts.
Notable successes included the passage of amendments like the 17th (direct elections) and 19th (women’s voting rights).
Topic 7.5 World War I: Military and Diplomacy
Learning Objective: Explain the causes and consequences of U.S. involvement in World War I.
Causes of Involvement:
Unrestricted submarine warfare.
Economic ties to Britain and France.
The Zimmermann Telegram's impact on public opinion.
Consequences:
Entry marked a shift in American foreign policy toward international involvement.
Emergence of the U.S. as a world power post-war step marked by treaty difficulties, notably with League of Nations.
Topic 7.6 World War I: Home Front
Learning Objective: Explain the causes and effects of international and internal migration patterns during the war.
Mobilization led to millions seeking work in wartime industries, resulting in demographic shifts across the nation.
Legislation like the Espionage and Sedition Acts restricted civil liberties, reflecting wartime paranoia and anti-foreign sentiment.
Topic 7.7 1920S: Innovations in Communication and Technology
Learning Objective: Explain the causes and effects of innovations in communication and technology.
Key advancements included the rise of radio, widespread automobile production, and dramatic shifts in consumer behavior, underscoring post-war prosperity.
Cultural shifts also emerged in music and arts, notably through jazz, film, and theater.
Topic 7.8 1920S: Cultural and Political Controversies
Learning Objective: Explain the causes and effects of social divisions in U.S. society.
Fundamentalism vs. modernism, Prohibition, racial tensions, and immigration restrictions highlight the era's conflicts.
Topic 7.9 The Great Depression
Learning Objective: Explain the causes of the Great Depression and its effects.
Key factors leading to the Great Depression include stock market speculation, bank failures, uneven income distribution, and government inaction.
Effects included widespread unemployment, poverty, and social upheaval impacting all classes.
Topic 7.10 The New Deal
Learning Objective: Explain how the New Deal transformed American life.
Goals of the New Deal: Relief, recovery, and reform; initiating sweeping programs that expanded federal involvement in the economy and improved social welfare.
Topic 7.11 Interwar Foreign Policy
Learning Objective: Explain the U.S. role in the post-World War I global context.
The U.S. attempted to navigate isolationism through a combination of unilateral policies and weak international commitments (e.g., League of Nations).
Topic 7.12 World War II Mobilization
Learning Objective: Explain how U.S. participation in World War II transformed American society.
Mobilization led to economic booms, adjustment in workforce demographics, and expanded government power.
Topic 7.13 World War II: Military
Learning Objective: Explain U.S. victory's causes and effects.
Highlighted strategies included cooperation between allies, innovations in warfare, and significant military engagements.
Topic 7.14 World War II and Postwar Diplomacy
Learning Objective: Analyze how U.S. involvement in global affairs shifted after WWII.
U.S. emerged as a superpower, establishing the United Nations and engaging in Cold War dynamics post-1945.
Topic 7.15 Comparison in Period 7
Learning Objective: Compare historical events shaping American identity.
Framework for comparing reforms and conflicts during the Progressive Era and the New Deal, alongside their impacts on U.S. society and policies.
Topic 7.1 Contextualizing Period 7
Learning Objective: Explain the context in which America grew into the role as a world power.
The years 1890 to 1945 mark a pivotal period in U.S. history characterized by profound social, economic, and political transformations. Key developments during this era included:
Transition from horses and buggies to automobiles and airplanes, reflecting the rapid pace of technological innovation which reshaped urban life and infrastructure.
Involvement in the First and Second World Wars as a direct result of evolving international dynamics and its growing industrial capacity.
The Great Depression, which exposed the vulnerabilities of a capitalist system and prompted significant government intervention in the economy.
By 1890, the emergence of the U.S. as a preeminent industrial power overtook Great Britain, leading to increased global influence.
Continued economic leadership through World War II, reinforcing its position as the dominant global economy post-war.
Economic Growth:
A significant demographic shift occurred as America transformed from a predominantly rural agricultural economy to an urban industrial economy, fostering movement to cities and new labor markets.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries experienced the rise of large corporations, which contributed to economic cycles marked by booms and busts, culminating in the catastrophic backdrop of the Great Depression in the 1930s that caused immense hardship, job loss, and social dislocation.
Stability and Democracy:
Economic changes instigated two major reform periods: the Progressives (early 20th century) and the New Deal during the 1930s, each responding to the challenges of their time.
Progressives employed government intervention to combat economic instability, illustrated by pivotal actions such as:
Establishment of the Federal Reserve to regulate banking practices and stabilize the business cycle.
Introduction of reforms in election practices, including direct elections of U.S. senators through the 17th Amendment.
Securing women’s suffrage, leading to the 19th Amendment which granted women the right to vote.
Responding to an Economic Crisis:
The Great Depression posed a significant challenge to traditional laissez-faire economic policies, leading to the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the implementation of the New Deal.
The New Deal created a limited welfare state aimed at mitigating unemployment and poverty through various programs, reforms, and regulations.
Key Laws Passed:
A series of landmark regulations aimed at stabilizing the economy, including:
Regulation laws for banks and the stock market to prevent future financial crises.
Establishment of a minimum wage and the Social Security Act to provide safety nets for the elderly and unemployed.
Protections for labor unions, facilitating workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively for better working conditions and wages.
Emerging Ideology: American liberalism evolved significantly during this period, driven by an increase in government involvement in economic and social welfare issues, countering conservative ideologies favoring less intervention.
Conflicts in Culture and Society:
The era experienced vibrant growth in popular culture catalyzed by mass media outlets such as radio and films, which not only entertained but also informed and shaped public opinion.
Value conflicts intensified, particularly regarding education, religion, and scientific teachings, most notably illustrated by the debates surrounding the teaching of evolution versus creationism in schools.
Shifts in Foreign Relations:
Following the Spanish-American War, debates over U.S. imperialism became prominent, influencing American foreign policy and its role on the world stage.
After WWI, the American public engaged in serious discussions over the effectiveness of the League of Nations, reflecting a tension between isolationism and internationalism.
WWII led the U.S. to embrace collective security measures, exemplified through its support for the United Nations, marking a significant shift towards more proactive international engagement.
LANDMARK EVENTS (1890-1945):
1898: The Spanish-American War begins, marking the U.S.'s emergence as an imperial power.
1917: The U.S. officially enters WWI, shifting the balance of power in the conflict.
1929: The Great Depression begins, leading to unprecedented economic turmoil and social upheaval.
1941: The U.S. enters WWII following the attack on Pearl Harbor, fully committing to its role in international conflict.
1945: The U.S. drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, effectively ending WWII and establishing it as a superpower in the ensuing Cold War.