AP United States History Period 7 Notes

Overview of Period 7 (1890 - 1945)

  • Timeframe covers 1890 to 1945, representing a critical 17% of the Advanced Placement U.S. History (AUSH) exam. This period encapsulates significant transformations in American society, foreign policy, and global dynamics in the context of imperialism, two World Wars, and economic upheaval.

U.S. Expansion Abroad (1890 - 1917)

  • Imperialism: The U.S. pursued aggressive expansionism, particularly in regions like Cuba, Hawaii, the Philippines, and China, prompted by the belief in American exceptionalism and the need to assert itself as a world power.

  • Causes for Expansion:

    • Closed Frontier: Historian Frederick Jackson Turner posited that the closing of the American frontier necessitated new territories for fulfillment of the American spirit.

    • Economic Motives: Industrial Revolution spurred the desire for new markets and resources. The U.S. looked for agricultural products, raw materials, and new markets to spur economic growth.

    • Political Motives: Global competition with established powers in Europe and emerging powers in Japan drove the U.S. to claim territories and assert its influence abroad.

    • Strategic/Military Motives: As articulated by Alfred T. Mahan, a strong navy and overseas bases were essential for protecting American interests and assert naval dominance.

    • Ideological Motives: A belief in the civilizing mission, often couched in the language of democracy and Christianity, justified imperialistic endeavors.

  • Key Events:

    • Annexation of Hawaii (1898): The overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani was facilitated by American business interests, leading to Hawaii's annexation. This strategic location became pivotal for U.S. military operations in the Pacific.

    • Open Door Policy (1899): Proposed by Secretary of State John Hay, this policy sought to ensure equal trading rights for all nations in China, reflecting American interest in continental trade routes.

    • Spanish-American War (1898): Sparked by the explosion of the USS Maine and fueled by sensationalist journalism (yellow journalism) and economic interests in Cuban sugar. The war resulted in the Treaty of Paris (1898), granting the U.S. control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam.

    • Filipino-American War (1899-1902): Led by Emilio Aguinaldo, this conflict arose from Filipino resistance to American colonization, highlighting issues regarding the U.S. commitment to self-determination versus imperial objectives.

U.S. Foreign Policy in the Early 20th Century

  • Presidents and Policies:

    • McKinley: Advocated for expansion as key to American prosperity.

    • Roosevelt's Big Stick Policy: Emphasized the necessity of military strength to achieve diplomatic objectives, notably in Latin America through the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.

    • Taft's Dollar Diplomacy: Encouraged U.S. financial investment in Latin America as a means to increase American influence while promoting stability.

    • Wilson's Moral Diplomacy: Sought to promote democracy and moral standards in U.S. foreign relations, but faced criticism for selective interventions.

  • Debates over Imperialism:

    • Supporters: Prominent figures like McKinley, Roosevelt, and naval strategist Mahan argued that expansion was a natural and beneficial growth of American power.

    • Opposition: The Anti-Imperialist League, which included notable figures like Mark Twain and Andrew Carnegie, argued against imperialism, asserting it contradicted American democratic values and principles.

World War I and Aftermath (1914 - 1919)

  • Neutrality: Initially, the U.S. maintained a stance of neutrality in the Great War but shifted towards intervention in 1917 due to provocations such as the Lusitania sinking and the interception of the Zimmerman Telegram, which proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico.

  • Wilson's 14 Points (1918): President Woodrow Wilson's framework for post-war peace emphasized self-determination for nations, open diplomacy, and the establishment of the League of Nations to prevent future conflicts. However, U.S. Senate rejection of the League signified a return to isolationist tendencies.

  • Post-War Impact: The conclusion of the war led to pressures for the U.S. to return to isolationism amidst domestic challenges, despite the initial status as a world leader and participant in shaping the post-war order.

The Roaring Twenties (1920 - 1929)

  • Economic Prosperity: The 1920s witnessed remarkable economic growth, with the U.S. taking an active role in international agreements, such as the Washington Naval Conference (1921) aimed at limiting naval armaments, and the Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) which sought to renounce war as an instrument of national policy. However, a critical trend toward isolationism began to develop concurrently.

  • Legislation: The Neutrality Acts of the 1930s were set in motion, establishing legal guidelines to prevent American involvement in overseas conflicts, marking a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy aimed at avoiding World War II.

The Great Depression (1929 - 1933)

  • Causes: The stock market crash of 1929 catalyzed a decade of economic malaise, with factors including over-speculation, bank failures, and reliance on laissez-faire capitalism exacerbating the crisis.

  • New Deal: Franklin D. Roosevelt's multifaceted response included initiatives focused on Relief, Recovery, and Reform (the three Rs). Notable programs included:

    • FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation): Insured bank deposits to restore public confidence in the banking system.

    • SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission): Regulated the stock market to prevent future crashes.

    • AAA (Agricultural Adjustment Administration): Aimed at raising crop prices by controlling supply through subsidies.

    • WPA (Works Progress Administration): Created jobs through public works projects.

    • CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps): Provided jobs to young men for environmental projects.

    • Wagner Act: Strengthened labor rights.

    • Social Security Act: Established a safety net for the elderly and unemployed.

  • Comparison with Progressive Era: The New Deal represented a significant escalation in government intervention in the economy, establishing a foundation for a limited welfare state, with some critics like Huey Long advocating for more radical reforms through his "Share Our Wealth" initiative.

World War II (1941 - 1945)

  • Diverging Focus: The U.S. economy transitioned from peacetime to wartime production, implementing rationing and ensuring full employment through government contracts.

  • Women and Minorities: The war era catalyzed shifts in employment and societal roles, exemplified by figures such as "Rosie the Riveter" who symbolized women's contributions to the labor force, and programs like the Bracero Program, which addressed labor shortages in agriculture through Mexican laborers.

  • Social Tensions: The wartime period was marked by significant social conflicts, including Japanese internment camps upheld by the ruling in Korematsu v. U.S., and the Double Victory campaign advocating for civil rights for African Americans both at home and abroad. Notable events included the Zoot Suit Riots reflecting racial tensions in urban areas.

  • Scientific Advances: Major scientific undertakings such as the Manhattan Project led to the development of the atomic bomb, which dramatically altered warfare and international relations.

  • Post-War Landscape: Following the war, the U.S. emerged as a superpower, taking a leading role in the establishment of the United Nations and beginning its involvement in the Cold War.

Conclusion

  • This comprehensive overview highlights major events and socio-political themes during Period 7, detailing shifts in foreign policy, changes in social