Sunday, March 30, 2008
Chapter 24 Notes
I. The Great Depression
A. The Stock Market Crashes
1. On Black Thursday (10/24/29) and Black Tuesday (10/29/29), the stock market collapsed
2. The ’29 crash lasted 71 days and dropped the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) from 381 to 198 for a staggering 48% loss
3. The market recovered in the first half of 1930 then began to decline again
4. The 1930-32 bear market lasted 813 days, dopping the DJIA from 294 to 41 points, a whopping 86% loss
5. In the 30’s the market was unstable- major crashes in ‘37-3’8 and ‘39-‘42
6. The DJIAA would not recover to 1929 levels until 1954!
7. Unlike earlier stock crashes, the declines in 1929 affected an unprecedented number of people
8. Sensationalist press coverage led to national panic
B. Underlying causes of the depression
1. Overproduction caused by new assembly line methods
2. Deminshed demand- people who could already 9wned new products, others couldn’t afford them (wages had not kept up with corporate profits)
3. Credit purchases (too much borrowing) and lack of savings
4. Agricultural economy was already depressed during the 20s
5. High interest rates choked off money supply, keeping companies from investing in more infrastructure and employees
6. Weakened by WWI and debt payments, European economies also collapsed thus compounding the problem
C. Effects of the Depression
1. Widespread bank failutes (5,500 banks closed by 1933) many customer deposits were lost
2. Bankruptcies and reduced production in all industries shrank GNP and caused massive layoffs
3. Increased hours and lower wages led to strikes
4. Unemployment rose to 25% nationwide, as high as 80% in some areas
5. Commodity prices declines as much as 60%; unable to pay mortgages, farmers lost their land to banks or abandoned their farms.
6. Unemployed who couldn’t pay their debts also lost assets (homes, cars, etc)
7. Rampant homelessness (Hoovervilles) and hunger (Soup kitchens)
8. Unused farmland in the Midwest and Great Plains exacerbated “dust bowls” effect
9. Suicides increased by 32%
II. Government Response
A. Hoover Administration
1. Unlike past presidents, hoover believed that governement should intervene
2. However, he felt that the federal government should focus on assisting business while direct relief for people should be managed by local initiatives
3. to increase employment, he encouraged local governments to undertake public work projects. Established the Emergency Committee for Employment (1930) to coordinate these efforts.
4. National Credit Corporation (1931)- private agency to help smaller banks.
5. Reconstruction Finance Corporation (1923)- federal agency that would make loans to banks and insurance companies as well as grant money to local governments for public works
6. Hoover’s rrough handling of protest (particularly against WWI vets in Washington DC) together with his optimistic notion that recovery was “just around the corner” and perceived friendliness toward big business caused him to lose the election in 1932.
B. Roosevelt Administration
1. FDR was a relief-orientated governor of NY and was viewed as less polarizing than the Democrat’s 1928 nominee Al Smith.
2. Offering no clear program but exuding confidence and stressing the need for bold experimentation and assisting the poorest, FDR won a landslide victory. The Democrats also won strong majorities in Congress.
3. FDR and his “brain trust” established far-reaching legislation between 1933-1939, known as the New Deal
4. The New Deal comprised of legislation focusing on FDR’s 3 Rs- Relief, Recovery, and Reform. Early measures tended to stress relief and recovery while later measures generally focused on reform
5. The New Deal is viewed as a major upheaval for the American economy- leading to a shift from laissez-faire, market regulated economy to unprecedented government involvement and regulation. The New Deal also shifted the focus of government to direct involvement in people’s welfare and assimilated many “Socialistic” principles.
A. The Stock Market Crashes
1. On Black Thursday (10/24/29) and Black Tuesday (10/29/29), the stock market collapsed
2. The ’29 crash lasted 71 days and dropped the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) from 381 to 198 for a staggering 48% loss
3. The market recovered in the first half of 1930 then began to decline again
4. The 1930-32 bear market lasted 813 days, dopping the DJIA from 294 to 41 points, a whopping 86% loss
5. In the 30’s the market was unstable- major crashes in ‘37-3’8 and ‘39-‘42
6. The DJIAA would not recover to 1929 levels until 1954!
7. Unlike earlier stock crashes, the declines in 1929 affected an unprecedented number of people
8. Sensationalist press coverage led to national panic
B. Underlying causes of the depression
1. Overproduction caused by new assembly line methods
2. Deminshed demand- people who could already 9wned new products, others couldn’t afford them (wages had not kept up with corporate profits)
3. Credit purchases (too much borrowing) and lack of savings
4. Agricultural economy was already depressed during the 20s
5. High interest rates choked off money supply, keeping companies from investing in more infrastructure and employees
6. Weakened by WWI and debt payments, European economies also collapsed thus compounding the problem
C. Effects of the Depression
1. Widespread bank failutes (5,500 banks closed by 1933) many customer deposits were lost
2. Bankruptcies and reduced production in all industries shrank GNP and caused massive layoffs
3. Increased hours and lower wages led to strikes
4. Unemployment rose to 25% nationwide, as high as 80% in some areas
5. Commodity prices declines as much as 60%; unable to pay mortgages, farmers lost their land to banks or abandoned their farms.
6. Unemployed who couldn’t pay their debts also lost assets (homes, cars, etc)
7. Rampant homelessness (Hoovervilles) and hunger (Soup kitchens)
8. Unused farmland in the Midwest and Great Plains exacerbated “dust bowls” effect
9. Suicides increased by 32%
II. Government Response
A. Hoover Administration
1. Unlike past presidents, hoover believed that governement should intervene
2. However, he felt that the federal government should focus on assisting business while direct relief for people should be managed by local initiatives
3. to increase employment, he encouraged local governments to undertake public work projects. Established the Emergency Committee for Employment (1930) to coordinate these efforts.
4. National Credit Corporation (1931)- private agency to help smaller banks.
5. Reconstruction Finance Corporation (1923)- federal agency that would make loans to banks and insurance companies as well as grant money to local governments for public works
6. Hoover’s rrough handling of protest (particularly against WWI vets in Washington DC) together with his optimistic notion that recovery was “just around the corner” and perceived friendliness toward big business caused him to lose the election in 1932.
B. Roosevelt Administration
1. FDR was a relief-orientated governor of NY and was viewed as less polarizing than the Democrat’s 1928 nominee Al Smith.
2. Offering no clear program but exuding confidence and stressing the need for bold experimentation and assisting the poorest, FDR won a landslide victory. The Democrats also won strong majorities in Congress.
3. FDR and his “brain trust” established far-reaching legislation between 1933-1939, known as the New Deal
4. The New Deal comprised of legislation focusing on FDR’s 3 Rs- Relief, Recovery, and Reform. Early measures tended to stress relief and recovery while later measures generally focused on reform
5. The New Deal is viewed as a major upheaval for the American economy- leading to a shift from laissez-faire, market regulated economy to unprecedented government involvement and regulation. The New Deal also shifted the focus of government to direct involvement in people’s welfare and assimilated many “Socialistic” principles.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Chapter 23 Notes (UPDATED)
The Roaring 20’s
I. Return to Normalcy: Politics in the 20’s
A. Harding’s Presidency (1921-1923)
1. Nominated by the Republican Party for unremarkable background
2. A Newspaper editor from Marion, Ohio
3. Easily defeats Democratic candidate (Cox)
4. Biggest accomplishment: Washington Naval Arms Conference- an arms control treaty that limited battleship construction
5. Refused to join League of Nations or its international court
6. Administration marred by corruption and scandal
7. Died of heart attack in 1923
8. Teapot Dome Scandal (1924) was the most infamous (Interior secretary Albert Fall convicted of accepting 400k bribe
B. Calvin Coolidge
1. Harding’s VP from Vermont
2. Beat a divided Democratic Party in the election of 1924
3. Aloof and removed from the common people-refused to provide any federal aid for a major flood along the Mississippi River.
4. Business friendly- appointed Andrew Mellon as Secretary of the Treasury (reduced taxes on the wealthy, espoused trickledown economics). Taft as Chief Justice (reversed anti-child labor law), increased tariffs (Fordney McCumber Tariff), alienated farmers by vetoing McNary Haugen bill.
5. Foreign policy: Sought war reparations from Germany, protected US corporate interests in Mexico
C. Herbert Hoover (on your own)
II. The Booming Economy
A. Increasing Wages
1. Henry Ford established the $5/day standard for industrial workers
2. Business began to note that higher wages increased productivity and reduced dissent (unions declined during this time)
B. Explosion of New Products
1. Electrical gadgets- radios, refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners etc
2. Automobiles- assembly line production pioneered by Ford reduced prices and made cars more accessible. Credit also facilitated purchases. By 1930, 60% of American families owned cars and the auto industry accounted for 9% of wages in manufacturing.
3. Energy- electrical utility companies, oil and coal production skyrocketed
C. The Advertising Industry
1. By 1929, advertising was $2 billion business that employed 600000 persons
2. Use of celebrities to promote products
III. Society in the 1920’s
A. Rapid urbanization
1. By 1920, the urban population finally outnumbered the rural population
2. Improved urban planning- increase in services (water, gas, electricity, and development of skyscrapers)
3. Cars led to traffic jams, parking problems and the growth of suburbs
4. African Americans moved to northern cities in massive numbers
B. Changes for women
1. League of Women Voters- moved polling places out of saloons, promoted federal support for education and infant care.
2. Consumer society influenced many women to move away from politics and revert to traditional feminine roles
3. The % of women in the workforce remained the same throughout the decade (24%) wages remained unequal, and women shifted away from industrial work to office jobs.
4. By 1930, 12% of female high school grads went on to college, 50000 received degrees that year
C. Changes for African Americans
1. Huge influx of African Americans into Northern cities, particularly New York, Chicago and Detroit.
2. First African American Congressman since Reconstruction- Oscar De Priest from Chicago’s south side!
3. Harlem Renaissance- increased visibility and participation of African Americans in popular culture, sparked by returning African-American WWI vets; created major artists/celebrities- Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and many more, mostly an artistic and social rather than political movement, increased contact between people of different ethnicities.
4. Marcus Garvey- militant African-American leader who advocated equality now, voluntary separation from whites, and a return to Africa. Exiled back to Jamaica for controversial views.
I. Return to Normalcy: Politics in the 20’s
A. Harding’s Presidency (1921-1923)
1. Nominated by the Republican Party for unremarkable background
2. A Newspaper editor from Marion, Ohio
3. Easily defeats Democratic candidate (Cox)
4. Biggest accomplishment: Washington Naval Arms Conference- an arms control treaty that limited battleship construction
5. Refused to join League of Nations or its international court
6. Administration marred by corruption and scandal
7. Died of heart attack in 1923
8. Teapot Dome Scandal (1924) was the most infamous (Interior secretary Albert Fall convicted of accepting 400k bribe
B. Calvin Coolidge
1. Harding’s VP from Vermont
2. Beat a divided Democratic Party in the election of 1924
3. Aloof and removed from the common people-refused to provide any federal aid for a major flood along the Mississippi River.
4. Business friendly- appointed Andrew Mellon as Secretary of the Treasury (reduced taxes on the wealthy, espoused trickledown economics). Taft as Chief Justice (reversed anti-child labor law), increased tariffs (Fordney McCumber Tariff), alienated farmers by vetoing McNary Haugen bill.
5. Foreign policy: Sought war reparations from Germany, protected US corporate interests in Mexico
C. Herbert Hoover (on your own)
II. The Booming Economy
A. Increasing Wages
1. Henry Ford established the $5/day standard for industrial workers
2. Business began to note that higher wages increased productivity and reduced dissent (unions declined during this time)
B. Explosion of New Products
1. Electrical gadgets- radios, refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners etc
2. Automobiles- assembly line production pioneered by Ford reduced prices and made cars more accessible. Credit also facilitated purchases. By 1930, 60% of American families owned cars and the auto industry accounted for 9% of wages in manufacturing.
3. Energy- electrical utility companies, oil and coal production skyrocketed
C. The Advertising Industry
1. By 1929, advertising was $2 billion business that employed 600000 persons
2. Use of celebrities to promote products
III. Society in the 1920’s
A. Rapid urbanization
1. By 1920, the urban population finally outnumbered the rural population
2. Improved urban planning- increase in services (water, gas, electricity, and development of skyscrapers)
3. Cars led to traffic jams, parking problems and the growth of suburbs
4. African Americans moved to northern cities in massive numbers
B. Changes for women
1. League of Women Voters- moved polling places out of saloons, promoted federal support for education and infant care.
2. Consumer society influenced many women to move away from politics and revert to traditional feminine roles
3. The % of women in the workforce remained the same throughout the decade (24%) wages remained unequal, and women shifted away from industrial work to office jobs.
4. By 1930, 12% of female high school grads went on to college, 50000 received degrees that year
C. Changes for African Americans
1. Huge influx of African Americans into Northern cities, particularly New York, Chicago and Detroit.
2. First African American Congressman since Reconstruction- Oscar De Priest from Chicago’s south side!
3. Harlem Renaissance- increased visibility and participation of African Americans in popular culture, sparked by returning African-American WWI vets; created major artists/celebrities- Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and many more, mostly an artistic and social rather than political movement, increased contact between people of different ethnicities.
4. Marcus Garvey- militant African-American leader who advocated equality now, voluntary separation from whites, and a return to Africa. Exiled back to Jamaica for controversial views.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Presentation notes (Racism & The Red Scare not included)
Remember, kids, Quiz on chapter 22 tomorrow! Yippee.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Presentation Notes
• Women in WWI
➢ Many opposed the war (Jane Addams), but eventually rose to help out in order to gain rights
➢ Took factory jobs for war effort, jobs men vacated- had previously been typists and other white-collar jobs, although veterans took back their jobs at the end of the war.
➢ Progressive reform in the army- allied with progressive women to pass 19th amendment
➢ Women’s rights activists
o Cat & Shaw created women’s suffrage association
➢ Wilson acknowledged that women earned the right to vote through their service during the war.
➢ Growing their own food was a big part of this
• African Americans in the war
➢ They joined the army on WEB Dubois’ urging
➢ In segregated units
➢ AEF- American Expeditionary Force
➢ Blacks were mainly in menial jobs, although many ended up in France
➢ Some saw combat though- 4 black regiments serving under the French Supreme Commander and they received rewards for their service
➢ Germans attempted to force blacks to desert showering them with propaganda about how bad being a black in America was
➢ No medals of honor awarded to blacks until posthumously in 1991
➢ Many black veterans felt they deserved better treatment
• Dissent during WWI
➢ Major groups dissenting:
o Germans
o Quakers
o COs- forced into menial jobs
➢ Often mistreated and discriminated against
➢ Espionage Act of 1919
o Let government fine and imprison anyone who was antiwar
➢ Sedition Act
o Gave government the right to give heavy penalties to anyone who spoke against the US
➢ Schenck Vs US
o Tried to mail antigovernment leaflets
o Found guilty, sentenced to 6 months
o Clear and present danger- ability to take away rights during dangerous times
o ‘Fire in a Theatre’ argument
➢ Eugene Debs vs. US
o Labor leader
o Supposedly in violation of espionage & sedition acts
o Ran for president out of jail
➢ Government attempted to increase patriotism
o Posters
o Government-approved magazine, some socialist newspapers shut down
o Also withheld mail.
➢ Treaty of Versailles
o 1919- allies met to discuss punitive measures against Germany
o Because of this treaty,
• Germany was fined $56 billion dollars, lost 13% of their population, 50% of iron and steel industry, 16% of coal mines, caused collapse of German economy
• Drastically altered geography- lots of new eastern countries
o Poland finally gained independence
o Alsace-Lorraine went to France
o Baltic states became their own countries-Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia
• German colonies were divided among allies
• Rhineland was demilitarized
• No aircraft, no military for Germany
• Led to the rise of Hitler
➢ 14 Points of the treaty of Versailles
• Wilson’s input, believed it would end conflict forever
• 7 points had to do with territory
• Other 7
• Self-determination for people of former empires
• Colonial disputes must take into account the colonized people
• World of free navigation- freedom of the seas
• Free trade
• Reduced armaments
• Openly negotiated treaties- no more secret alliances
• General association to resolve conflicts- League of Nations, later to become UN
o US fails to join League of Nations, leading to rise of Hitler
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Presentation Notes
• Women in WWI
➢ Many opposed the war (Jane Addams), but eventually rose to help out in order to gain rights
➢ Took factory jobs for war effort, jobs men vacated- had previously been typists and other white-collar jobs, although veterans took back their jobs at the end of the war.
➢ Progressive reform in the army- allied with progressive women to pass 19th amendment
➢ Women’s rights activists
o Cat & Shaw created women’s suffrage association
➢ Wilson acknowledged that women earned the right to vote through their service during the war.
➢ Growing their own food was a big part of this
• African Americans in the war
➢ They joined the army on WEB Dubois’ urging
➢ In segregated units
➢ AEF- American Expeditionary Force
➢ Blacks were mainly in menial jobs, although many ended up in France
➢ Some saw combat though- 4 black regiments serving under the French Supreme Commander and they received rewards for their service
➢ Germans attempted to force blacks to desert showering them with propaganda about how bad being a black in America was
➢ No medals of honor awarded to blacks until posthumously in 1991
➢ Many black veterans felt they deserved better treatment
• Dissent during WWI
➢ Major groups dissenting:
o Germans
o Quakers
o COs- forced into menial jobs
➢ Often mistreated and discriminated against
➢ Espionage Act of 1919
o Let government fine and imprison anyone who was antiwar
➢ Sedition Act
o Gave government the right to give heavy penalties to anyone who spoke against the US
➢ Schenck Vs US
o Tried to mail antigovernment leaflets
o Found guilty, sentenced to 6 months
o Clear and present danger- ability to take away rights during dangerous times
o ‘Fire in a Theatre’ argument
➢ Eugene Debs vs. US
o Labor leader
o Supposedly in violation of espionage & sedition acts
o Ran for president out of jail
➢ Government attempted to increase patriotism
o Posters
o Government-approved magazine, some socialist newspapers shut down
o Also withheld mail.
➢ Treaty of Versailles
o 1919- allies met to discuss punitive measures against Germany
o Because of this treaty,
• Germany was fined $56 billion dollars, lost 13% of their population, 50% of iron and steel industry, 16% of coal mines, caused collapse of German economy
• Drastically altered geography- lots of new eastern countries
o Poland finally gained independence
o Alsace-Lorraine went to France
o Baltic states became their own countries-Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia
• German colonies were divided among allies
• Rhineland was demilitarized
• No aircraft, no military for Germany
• Led to the rise of Hitler
➢ 14 Points of the treaty of Versailles
• Wilson’s input, believed it would end conflict forever
• 7 points had to do with territory
• Other 7
• Self-determination for people of former empires
• Colonial disputes must take into account the colonized people
• World of free navigation- freedom of the seas
• Free trade
• Reduced armaments
• Openly negotiated treaties- no more secret alliances
• General association to resolve conflicts- League of Nations, later to become UN
o US fails to join League of Nations, leading to rise of Hitler
Monday, March 3, 2008
Chapter 22 Notes
I. US Foreign Policy (1902-1914)
A. Asia-Pacific
1. Involvement began with a treaty to share control of Samoa in the 1880’s the annexation of Hawaii, Spanish-American War and occupation of the Philippines.
2. In the late 1890’s the US focused its efforts on gaining access to the Chinese market
3. Russia, Germany, Great Britain and Japan pressured the weakened Manchu Chi’ing Empire of China for “spheres of influence”
4. The US grew concerned that imperial powers would use their “spheres of influence” to block US commercial opportunities in China
5. Secretary of State John Hay devised the “Open Door” policy, an informal agreement that imperial powers would allow other countries to use ports within their spheres of influence in order to trade with China.
6. The US military’s role in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion in Beijing (1900) bolstered US bargaining power vis-à-vis European occupants. The Open Door policy was in effect until the 1930’s.
7. TR also played a major diplomatic role as Russia and Japan went to war for control of Manchuria and Korea in 1904. TR hosted a peace conference in Portsmouth NH, which ended the conflict. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in diffusing this crisis (as well as crises in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic)
8. To intimidate the Japanese, TR sent the “Great White Fleet” on a training mission to Japan in 1907
B. Latin America
1. Gunboat Diplomacy and the Panama Canal
a. Under TR, the US purchased a French company’s canal concession for $40 million
b. However, Colombia refused a US offer of $10 million for a 99 year lease to operate the proposed canal (Hay Herran Treaty)
c. Working with Philippe Bunau-Varill (an official of the French company who feared losing the $40 million deal), the US helped people in the Panama region of Colombia and declare independence from Colombia.
d. With a US warship nearby, Panamanians declared independence in 1903; TR immediately recognized the new nation.
e. A treaty with new Panamanian government granted the US control of the Canal Zone in perpetuity (Hay Bunau-Varilla Treaty)
f. The Panama Canal was built between 1906 and 1914
2. Big Stick and Dollar Diplomacy in the Caribbean
a. Venezuela 1902- European creditors blocked and bombed Venezuelan ports when the country defaulted on its debts. TR stepped in and offered to mediated.
b. Roosevelt Corollary (1904)- addendum to the Monroe Doctrine of 1923; the US has the right to intervene in the affairs of any Latin American nation perpetrating “chronic wrongdoing”
c. US takes on “financial supervision” of Dominican Republic (1905) and Haiti in 1916 until 1941. Also stations troops in both countries for most of that time to protect US commercial interests and foster “democratic” reform.
d. Under Taft’s administration, the US blocked growing British influence in Nicaragua by blocking a revolution (1917) US station troops there in 1933 to protect this revolution
3. Wilson and the Mexican Revolution
a. US businesses had invested $2billion in Mexico and as many as 40000 Americans were living there when revolution broke out in 1911
b. Wilson refused to recognize the government of General Huerta in Mexico ostensibly because of the bloody manner in which it gained power in 1913
c. Wilson authorized the sale of weapons to General Carranza (Huerta’s rival), blockaded the port of Veracruz and sent 7000 troops to help Carranza take power. Huerta left office
d. To stop Pancho Villa’s raids on US border town in 1916, Wilson overreacted by sending General Pershing into Mexican territory and 150000 National Guardsmen to the border. These action led to strained US-Mexican relation for years to follow.
e. Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson’s policies in Latin America established a tradition of American Paternalism and Imperialism in that area. This has led to a distrust of the US that is still present
II. World War I
A. Causes
1. Retreat of Ottoman Empire from Balkan region led to instability- creation of new nations (Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, and Bulgaria) and expansionary interest by Austria-Hungary.
2. Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina's in 1908, raising Serb concern.
3. Serbian nationalists wanted to take Bosnia as many Serbs lived there
4. Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Bosnian Serb nationalist in June 1914 while touring the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo.
5. Austia-Hungary declared war on Serbia setting of a chain reaction
6. Linked by secret alliances, Russia, France and Great Britain came in on the side of Serbia (Allies) Germany and Italy (the latter switched sides in 1915) joined Austria Hungary (Central Powers)
B. A Difficult Neutrality
1. Antiwar public sentiment and Wilson’s ideals led to US attempting neutrality
2. Most Americans supported England due to cultural and commercial ties
3. German-Americans and many Irish-Americans were sympathetic to Germany.
4. British interference with trade irritated Americans but German U-Boat response raised widespread fury
5. Sinking of British Liner Lusitania with 128 Americans aboard led Wilson to take a firmer stance with Germany- demanding the end of unrestricted submarine warfare
6. Germans acquiesced at first by not sinking passenger ships
7. Sussex- Germany sank this French liner, injuring Americans in 1916. Germany issued the Sussex Pledge in responses to US ultimatum
8. Meanwhile, American public sentiment against Germany began to rise, stoked by yellow press, TR and other war hawks.
9. Bankers, who had lent the Allies $2.3 Billion (with Wilson’s encouragement) by 1917, wanted US to enter so as to protect their investments
10. Wilson stuck to neutrality in his 1916 reelection campaign by closeness of the election showed there was much public support for entering the Great War
C. The US Steps in
1. Desperate to breach the British naval blockade, Germany volated the Sussexz pledge by declaring unrestricted sub warfare in Jan 1917
2. U boats sing 5 American ships
3. Zimmerman Telegram intercepted by British intelligence- Germany asked mexico to declare war on us and promised support
4. Bolshevik revolution turned Russia into a ‘democracy' allowing Wilson into perceive the war as one of democratic vs monarchic powers.
5. On April 2, Wilson asked congress for a declaration of war to make the world “safe for democracy”
D. Preparing the Army
1. In 1917, us army was 120000 soldiers backed by 89000 national guardsmen
2. Underfunded army suffered from corruption and lack of resources
3. Secretary of war Baker focused on raising an army with Selective Service Act of 1917. It required men 21-30 later 18-45 to register for draft
4. 24 million men registered, 3 million served plus 1.3 million National Guards
5. Seeking to organize more effectively, army began to focus on morality of soldiers, testing and psychological profiling for leaderships positions
6. African Americans followed WEB Dubois’ advice and volunteered in large numbers- 260000 served- serving in segregated units
7. Native Americans as well as recent immigrants also volunteered in large numbers.
A. Asia-Pacific
1. Involvement began with a treaty to share control of Samoa in the 1880’s the annexation of Hawaii, Spanish-American War and occupation of the Philippines.
2. In the late 1890’s the US focused its efforts on gaining access to the Chinese market
3. Russia, Germany, Great Britain and Japan pressured the weakened Manchu Chi’ing Empire of China for “spheres of influence”
4. The US grew concerned that imperial powers would use their “spheres of influence” to block US commercial opportunities in China
5. Secretary of State John Hay devised the “Open Door” policy, an informal agreement that imperial powers would allow other countries to use ports within their spheres of influence in order to trade with China.
6. The US military’s role in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion in Beijing (1900) bolstered US bargaining power vis-à-vis European occupants. The Open Door policy was in effect until the 1930’s.
7. TR also played a major diplomatic role as Russia and Japan went to war for control of Manchuria and Korea in 1904. TR hosted a peace conference in Portsmouth NH, which ended the conflict. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in diffusing this crisis (as well as crises in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic)
8. To intimidate the Japanese, TR sent the “Great White Fleet” on a training mission to Japan in 1907
B. Latin America
1. Gunboat Diplomacy and the Panama Canal
a. Under TR, the US purchased a French company’s canal concession for $40 million
b. However, Colombia refused a US offer of $10 million for a 99 year lease to operate the proposed canal (Hay Herran Treaty)
c. Working with Philippe Bunau-Varill (an official of the French company who feared losing the $40 million deal), the US helped people in the Panama region of Colombia and declare independence from Colombia.
d. With a US warship nearby, Panamanians declared independence in 1903; TR immediately recognized the new nation.
e. A treaty with new Panamanian government granted the US control of the Canal Zone in perpetuity (Hay Bunau-Varilla Treaty)
f. The Panama Canal was built between 1906 and 1914
2. Big Stick and Dollar Diplomacy in the Caribbean
a. Venezuela 1902- European creditors blocked and bombed Venezuelan ports when the country defaulted on its debts. TR stepped in and offered to mediated.
b. Roosevelt Corollary (1904)- addendum to the Monroe Doctrine of 1923; the US has the right to intervene in the affairs of any Latin American nation perpetrating “chronic wrongdoing”
c. US takes on “financial supervision” of Dominican Republic (1905) and Haiti in 1916 until 1941. Also stations troops in both countries for most of that time to protect US commercial interests and foster “democratic” reform.
d. Under Taft’s administration, the US blocked growing British influence in Nicaragua by blocking a revolution (1917) US station troops there in 1933 to protect this revolution
3. Wilson and the Mexican Revolution
a. US businesses had invested $2billion in Mexico and as many as 40000 Americans were living there when revolution broke out in 1911
b. Wilson refused to recognize the government of General Huerta in Mexico ostensibly because of the bloody manner in which it gained power in 1913
c. Wilson authorized the sale of weapons to General Carranza (Huerta’s rival), blockaded the port of Veracruz and sent 7000 troops to help Carranza take power. Huerta left office
d. To stop Pancho Villa’s raids on US border town in 1916, Wilson overreacted by sending General Pershing into Mexican territory and 150000 National Guardsmen to the border. These action led to strained US-Mexican relation for years to follow.
e. Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson’s policies in Latin America established a tradition of American Paternalism and Imperialism in that area. This has led to a distrust of the US that is still present
II. World War I
A. Causes
1. Retreat of Ottoman Empire from Balkan region led to instability- creation of new nations (Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, and Bulgaria) and expansionary interest by Austria-Hungary.
2. Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina's in 1908, raising Serb concern.
3. Serbian nationalists wanted to take Bosnia as many Serbs lived there
4. Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Bosnian Serb nationalist in June 1914 while touring the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo.
5. Austia-Hungary declared war on Serbia setting of a chain reaction
6. Linked by secret alliances, Russia, France and Great Britain came in on the side of Serbia (Allies) Germany and Italy (the latter switched sides in 1915) joined Austria Hungary (Central Powers)
B. A Difficult Neutrality
1. Antiwar public sentiment and Wilson’s ideals led to US attempting neutrality
2. Most Americans supported England due to cultural and commercial ties
3. German-Americans and many Irish-Americans were sympathetic to Germany.
4. British interference with trade irritated Americans but German U-Boat response raised widespread fury
5. Sinking of British Liner Lusitania with 128 Americans aboard led Wilson to take a firmer stance with Germany- demanding the end of unrestricted submarine warfare
6. Germans acquiesced at first by not sinking passenger ships
7. Sussex- Germany sank this French liner, injuring Americans in 1916. Germany issued the Sussex Pledge in responses to US ultimatum
8. Meanwhile, American public sentiment against Germany began to rise, stoked by yellow press, TR and other war hawks.
9. Bankers, who had lent the Allies $2.3 Billion (with Wilson’s encouragement) by 1917, wanted US to enter so as to protect their investments
10. Wilson stuck to neutrality in his 1916 reelection campaign by closeness of the election showed there was much public support for entering the Great War
C. The US Steps in
1. Desperate to breach the British naval blockade, Germany volated the Sussexz pledge by declaring unrestricted sub warfare in Jan 1917
2. U boats sing 5 American ships
3. Zimmerman Telegram intercepted by British intelligence- Germany asked mexico to declare war on us and promised support
4. Bolshevik revolution turned Russia into a ‘democracy' allowing Wilson into perceive the war as one of democratic vs monarchic powers.
5. On April 2, Wilson asked congress for a declaration of war to make the world “safe for democracy”
D. Preparing the Army
1. In 1917, us army was 120000 soldiers backed by 89000 national guardsmen
2. Underfunded army suffered from corruption and lack of resources
3. Secretary of war Baker focused on raising an army with Selective Service Act of 1917. It required men 21-30 later 18-45 to register for draft
4. 24 million men registered, 3 million served plus 1.3 million National Guards
5. Seeking to organize more effectively, army began to focus on morality of soldiers, testing and psychological profiling for leaderships positions
6. African Americans followed WEB Dubois’ advice and volunteered in large numbers- 260000 served- serving in segregated units
7. Native Americans as well as recent immigrants also volunteered in large numbers.
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