Unit_7_amsco major events

Period 7: 1890–1945

Topic 7.1: Contextualizing Period 7

Role of the U.S. as a World Power

• The transition from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles and airplanes between 1890 and 1945 marked a significant shift in transportation and technology, facilitating faster travel and promoting economic growth.

• The U.S. engaged in two World Wars: World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945), experiencing profound changes in its military, economy, and social fabric, ultimately emerging as a dominant world leader by the end of WWII.

• The period saw considerable industrialization, urbanization, and immigration, which were key factors that shaped U.S. development. The influx of immigrants contributed to a diverse workforce that supported emerging industries.

Economic Growth

• The continued transition from a rural agricultural to an urban industrial economy resulted in significant shifts in labor and production methods, leading to the rise of major urban centers.

• The growth of large corporations and cycles of economic booms and busts characterized the economic landscape, with the 1920s marked by rapid expansion and the 1930s by the devastating impacts of the Great Depression.

• During the Great Depression, severe hardship was felt nationally, highlighted by record unemployment rates, widespread bank failures, and the loss of farms and businesses, fundamentally altering the American economic landscape.

Stability and Democracy

• Political and social issues prompted two notable reform periods: the Progressives and the New Deal, both of which aimed to address systemic inequities and instability.

• The Progressive Era focused on addressing economic instability, leading to significant reforms such as the establishment of the Federal Reserve in 1913 to help stabilize the banking system.

• Key political reforms included the direct election of U.S. senators through the 17th Amendment and the expansion of women’s suffrage, culminating in the 19th Amendment in 1920.

Response to Economic Crisis

• The New Deal, initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, aimed to create a limited welfare state to counter high unemployment and poverty levels. This series of programs included initiatives like the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

• Key legislation was passed to regulate banks, establish social security (Social Security Act of 1935), and support labor unions, laying the groundwork for modern American social programs.

Topic 7.2: Imperialism - Debates

Historical Context

• After the Civil War, U.S. foreign policy shifted to focus on protecting American interests abroad and limiting foreign influences, as economic power began to parallel military strength.

• Debates emerged regarding whether to actively pursue imperialism, which was often justified by notions of Manifest Destiny, or to maintain anti-colonial traditions rooted in historical ideals.

Expansion after the Civil War

• William H. Seward played a pivotal role in promoting expansion, exemplified by the acquisition of Alaska in 1867 and the Midway Islands, which both increased U.S. territorial reaches significantly.

• Alaska Purchase (1867): Initially derided as “Seward's Folly,” Alaska was later recognized for its vast natural resources, including oil and minerals, that became crucial for U.S. economic strategies.

• The Hawaiian Islands: The islands, under the control of American business interests, faced significant changes including the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893; President Cleveland initially opposed annexation, but it was ultimately achieved under McKinley in 1898.

Economic and Political Motivations for Expansion

• The growth in industries during this period fueled desires for new markets and raw materials, promoting American expansionism.

• Influential figures like Alfred Thayer Mahan advocated for a strong navy to secure U.S. interests abroad, arguing that naval power was essential for national greatness and international commerce.

Topic 7.3: The Spanish-American War and U.S. Foreign Policy to 1917

Emergence as a Global Power

• American imperialism was driven by factors such as jingoism, economic interests, and humanitarian concerns, as the U.S. sought to emerge as a global power following victory in the Spanish-American War (1898).

• The Cuban Revolt against Spanish rule initiated U.S. involvement, motivated by existing economic investments and a moral duty to liberate oppressed nations.

Causes of the War

• Key events leading to war included the sinking of the Lusitania (1915), sensationalized by Yellow Journalism, and the release of the De Lôme Letter, which criticized President McKinley.

Fighting the War

• Initial battles occurred in the Philippines and showcased significant U.S. military readiness; the U.S. naval victory at the Battle of Manila Bay epitomized the effectiveness of American military strategy.

• In Cuba, challenges such as tropical disease and supply issues hindered military efforts, but leaders like Theodore Roosevelt, known for his bold leadership and the Rough Riders, managed to secure critical victories.

Aftermath of the War

• The Treaty of Paris (1898) granted the U.S. control over several territories including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, igniting debates over the implications of American imperialism and the future role of the U.S. in global conflicts.

• This marked the beginning of a shift in America's role from isolationist policies to engagement in international affairs and imperialism.

Topic 7.4: The Progressives

Origins and Characteristics

• The Progressive movement emerged in response to the adverse effects of industrialization, which included corruption, environmental degradation, and social inequities.

• Progressives advocated for government intervention to rectify societal problems, limit the power of monopolistic corporations, and improve public welfare through regulation and reform.

Key Figures and Reforms

• Prominent leaders included Theodore Roosevelt, who championed antitrust regulations, and Woodrow Wilson, who promoted significant economic reforms.

• Major reforms encompassed the 17th Amendment (direct election of senators), numerous labor rights initiatives (e.g., minimum wage laws), and the fight for women's suffrage.

Impact on Society and Culture

• Although the civil rights movement gained momentum during this era, many Progressive reforms often overlooked or actively excluded racial injustices, reflecting the complexities of social reform during this period.

Topic 7.5: World War I: Military and Diplomacy

Causes of U.S. Involvement

• Several events precipitated U.S. involvement, including unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany, the Lusitania crisis, and the U.S.’s strong economic ties to the Allies.

• The U.S. entry into World War I signified a significant shift from isolationism to active involvement on the world stage, affecting global dynamics.

Military Strategies and Impact

• Key significant battles included the Battle of the Somme and D-Day, where American Expeditionary Forces played pivotal roles in shifting the war's momentum.

• The post-war landscape was shaped by a collective desire to create a peaceful world, leading to the formation of the League of Nations, although the U.S. ultimately did not join, highlighting isolationist sentiment still prevalent among the American public.

Topic 7.6: World War I: Home Front

Social and Economic Changes

• Mobilization efforts significantly altered the economy, increasing government intervention in industries to meet wartime production goals.

• The war effort expanded employment opportunities for women and minorities, leading to significant social changes and shifts in gender roles and societal norms.

Government Policies

• Key policies included the implementation of the Selective Service Act to draft soldiers, rationing strategies to conserve resources, and the impact of the Espionage Act, which limited civil liberties in the name of national security.

Topic 7.7: 1920s Innovations in Communication and Technology

Economic Boom

• The decade witnessed an economic boom fueled by advances in manufacturing techniques, consumerism, and mass production methodologies, notably in the automobile industry.

• The introduction of assembly line techniques revolutionized industries, leading to faster production rates and lower consumer prices.

Social Changes

• The influence of mass media grew, facilitating greater cultural exchange and the rise of celebrity culture, as radio and films gained popularity.

• Urbanization accelerated as cities expanded, and new forms of entertainment, such as jazz clubs and movie theaters, flourished, signaling significant shifts in American social life.

Topic 7.8: 1920s Cultural and Political Controversies

Divisions in Society

• Conflicts between traditionalists and modernists characterized the cultural landscape, highlighting deeper societal divisions as change swept through the nation.

• The tensions between fundamentalism and modernist theology reflected a broader struggle within American society in grappling with rapid change in beliefs and lifestyles.

Prohibition and Immigration

• Prohibition laws, enacted through the Volstead Act, led to increased organized crime and public resentment as enforcement proved challenging and unpopular.

• Nativist movements emerged in response to rising immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe, reflecting fears about cultural dilution and economic competition from immigrants.

Topic 7.9: The Great Depression

Causes

• The catastrophic stock market crash of 1929 triggered the economic collapse, revealing systemic issues including excessive credit overextension and a lack of regulatory oversight in the financial sector.

Effects

• The social consequences were devastating, including skyrocketing unemployment rates, widespread bank failures, and pervasive poverty, fundamentally reshaping American society.

Topic 7.10: The New Deal

FDR’s Approach

• Roosevelt's New Deal aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform through various programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA).

• The New Deal expanded the federal government's role in economic and social welfare, laying the foundation for modern American liberalism and government responsibility for citizens' well-being.

Topic 7.11: Interwar Foreign Policy

Isolationism after WWI

• U.S. foreign policy during the interwar period was marked by widespread disillusionment from the consequences of World War I, leading to a reluctance to re-engage in global conflicts.

Shift in Policy

• Gradual movements toward international cooperation emerged, as exemplified by the Good Neighbor Policy, which reflected a slow but persistent change in isolationist attitudes and aimed at improving relations with Latin America.

Topic 7.12: WWII Mobilization and Society

Transformations during WWII

• The massive mobilization for WWII not only transformed the economy through increased military production but also led to significant social changes as women and minorities filled jobs left vacant by enlisted men.

• The war effort promoted a sense of unity among Americans but also exposed and intensified existing racial and gender issues, prompting eventual civil rights movements following the war.

Topic 7.13: WWII Military Strategies

Victory through Coordination

• The U.S. employed multi-front strategies in WWII, coordinating with Allied forces to overcome Axis powers through combined military efforts across Europe and the Pacific theater.

• The introduction of atomic weapons at the war's end significantly altered warfare, raising ethical questions and marking a profound turning point in military strategy and international relations moving forward.

Topic 7.14: Postwar Diplomacy

Formation of the UN

• The creation of the United Nations signified a dramatic emphasis on international cooperation in an effort to prevent future conflicts, contrasting sharply with post-WWI attitudes that favored isolationism.

• The establishment of the UN aimed to foster collective security among nations, although its formation also set the stage for Cold War tensions as differing ideologies clashed on the global stage.