7.1 Contextualizing Period 7

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Explain the context in which America grew into the role as a world power

INTRODUCTION

• Americans went from horses and buggies—→ automobiles and airplanes

  • During this time period

    - US fought two horrific world wars, experienced worst depression, and emerged as world leader

  • Strong economy and government

    - provided foundation for America’s role is international affairs

    - America emerged as world’s leading political and military power

    - industrialization, urbanization, and immigration shaped America

EOCNOMIC GROWTH

• US economic expansion continued (agricultural—→industrial economy)

  • Developed by large corportations & economic cycles of booms & bust

    - cumilated in severe hardships of Great Depression

STABILITY AND DEMOCRACY

• Economic, political, and social changes—→ reform periods

  • Progressive reform

    - turned to government action to address economic instability

    - created a federal reserve to regulate banking and business

    - placed politicalpractices against political corruption (direct elections)

  • New Deal reform

    - New Deal created limited welfare state to help economic hardships during Great Depression (unemployment, poverty)

    - new laws regulating banks & stock market, guarenteeing minimum wage, protection of labor unions

  • Role & size of gov to meet problems of industrialization

    - developed ideology of American liberalism (emphasis on idividual rights, social justice, and role of government)

CONFLICTS IN CULTURE AND SOCIETY

• Introduction of mass media (radio, motion picture)—→ popular culture

  • Changes in pop culture sparked value conflicts

    - debates over morals, education, religion, & science

    - some churches objected science of evolution

  • Growth of immigration—→debates over national identity & restrictions

    - KKK attacked Blacks, Romans, Catholics, Jews, & immigrants

SHIFTS IN FOREIGN RELATIONS

• Imperialism and world wars renewed debate abt America’s role in the wrold

  • New territories accquired from Spanish-American War

    - caused people to question America’s values of freedom, independence, and self-government

  • World War 1

    - caused Americans to disagree on American interest in conflicts and approaches for natural security

    - Congress and voters rejected membership in League of Nations

  • World War 2

    - US became unrivaled in economic, political, & military power

    - US took on leadership role in the world,embracing collective security

    - decisons made after war shaped American foreign policy since