Download - Period 7
EMPIRE AND EXPANSION1890-1909
Chapter 27
I. AMERICA TURNS OUTWARD
Immediately following Civil War country more concerned with Reconstruction, industrialization
By turn of century America began to look outward Competition with other nations in scramble for
empire (Germany, Russia, Britain, Japan) This shift conflicted with American anti—colonial
traditions
I. AMERICA TURNS OUTWARD United States had surplus of goods to sell-
manufactured items, farm products Advances in transportation, communication
quickened pace of commerce Belief in national superiority Belief in Social Darwinism Tradition of “Manifest Destiny” Frontier had been seen as “safety valve” for
discontent, expansion became way to get rid of these feelings
All these ideas used to justify imperialism Alfred T. Mahan during 1890’s urged
American leaders to:a. Build up navyb. Acquire foreign bases for supplies, fuelc. Build the Panama Canalo Idea that control of the sea was key to world
dominance
I. AMERICA TURNS OUTWARD “Big Sister” policy aligned Latin
American nations with US into opening new markets
1899 first Pan American Conference 1880’s- 1890’s new American
international aggression, showed willingness of Americans to risk war and militaristic mood of Americans
Issues with Germans over Pacific Islands
Hostilities with Chile and Canada Issues with British resurfaced, British
in no mood for war with US because of other issues, developed closer ties with Americans
Cleveland invoked idea of Monroe Doctrine to keep European powers from interfering
II. SPURNING THE HAWAIIAN PEAR 1820 first American missionaries come to Hawaii, want to
win converts to Christianity and the “American” way Hawaii becomes center for sugar production, idea of
extension of America 1840’s other countries warned to stay out of Hawaii’s
affairs 1887- Americans sign treaty guaranteeing access to naval
base rights in Pearl Harbor, islands needed as a refueling/resupply for American shipping across the Pacific
American sugar growers import Asian labor to work in sugar fields, outnumber native Hawaiians
1890’s economic crisis-high tariff made sugar prices too high
New queen took rights away from planters 1893 planters overthrow Queen Liliuokalani U.S. Marines help rebels Sanford Dole, leader of new government , asks U.S. to
annex Hawaii, lower tariffs on sugar President Cleveland refused to sign agreement, apologized
for American conduct 1897 California businessmen had close ties with planters Fear that Japanese would take over Hawaii Pressured President McKinley to annex Hawaii (1898)
III. CUBANS RISE IN REVOLT
1890’s Spanish empire weak, small Included Cuba, Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico American businessmen invested ($50 m) in
sugarcane industry in Cuba, wanted stability Sugar industry backbone of Cuban industry,
high tariffs threatened industry Cuban leader Jose Marti started war for
independence, Spanish soldiers brutally put it down, place Cubans in concentration camps
Americans favored Cubans- fight for freedom, Spanish tactics gained sympathy
Businessmen worried about economic interest and wanted rebellion to end ($100 million in trade)
Journalists heightened dislike for Spanish Yellow Journalism heightened American
jingoism President McKinley warns Spanish to establish
peace, ordered battleship Maine to Havana harbor to protect American citizens
III. CUBANS RISE IN REVOLT Feb. 1898 Maine mysteriously blows up in Havana
Harbor Final straw for Americans Newspapers inflame war fever McKinley does not want war, public and election
concerns push him into it April 1898 Congress approves war and passes Teller
Amendment that US would not annex Cuba once Spain was defeated
US Navy blockades weaker Spanish in Santiago harbor
Troops poorly trained, poor weapons, not prepared for tropical climate (equipped for fighting Indians on the Great Plains)
Cavalry unit (Rough Riders) led by future President Theodore Roosevelt along with African American Calvary units took San Juan Hill
Two days later Americans defeat Spanish navy Within weeks US controlled Puerto Rico as well December 1898 Treaty of Paris ends war Disease(typhoid, dysentery, malaria) more deadly
than Spanish bullets
IV. WAR IN THE PHILIPPINES
Assistant Sec. of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt orders Adm. George Dewey to sail to Philippines
May 1898 American ships surprise Spanish navy in Manila Bay, destroy fleet
Guerillas led by Emilio Aguinaldo help US defeat Spanish army
August 1898 Spanish troops surrender to the United States
V. AMERICA’S COURSE (CURSE) OF EMPIRE
What to do with new empire? Treaty of Paris gave U.S. control of Cuba, Guam,
Puerto Rico U.S. paid $20 million for Philippines Philippines were biggest problem- ethnically
diverse, but did not want islands to fall into hands of Germany, Japan, different culture, language and governmental institutions
American duty to “civilize” inferior people Profits for American investors Questions of national identity- how would these
new territories be assimilated into America (before all territorial acquisition eventually became states)
Anti-Imperialistic League argued against expansion (cost, questioned consent of governed)
Had many prominent members Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie, William Jennings Bryan among the leaders
1898- Treaty approved by Senate, America gains stature in the world
VI. PERPLEXITIES IN CUBA AND PUERTO RICO
Did Constitution follow flag? Did American laws apply to newly acquired possessions?
Puerto Rico 1900 - Foraker Act. PR became an “unincorporated territory.” Citizens of PR, not of the US. Import duties on PR goods (made money for US off their work) 1901-1903 Insular Cases. Constitutional rights were not automatically extended to territorial
possessions. Congress had the power to decide these rights. Import duties laid down by the Foraker Act were legal 1917 – Jones Act. Gave full territorial status to PR. Removed tariff duties on PR goods coming into the US. PRs elected their own legislators & governor to enforce
local laws. PRs could NOT vote in US presidential elections. A resident commissioner was sent to Washington to vote for PR in the House.
VI. PERPLEXITIES IN CUBA AND PUERTO RICO
US improved finance, education, government and public health in Cuba
Wiped out yellow fever US withdrew form Cuba 1902; to keep Cuba in sphere
of US influence they included Platt Amendment in their constitution
Platt Amendment (1903)a) Cuba was not to enter into any agreements with
foreign powers that would endanger its independence.b) The U.S. could intervene in Cuban affairs if necessary
to maintain an efficient, independent govt.c) Cuba must lease Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. for
naval and coaling station.d) Cuba must not build up an excessive public debt.
VII. LITTLE BROWN BROTHERS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Aguinaldo thought the U.S. was an ally and Philippines would become independent
U.S. decided to keep Philippines Aguinaldo organized insurrection, relied on guerilla
warfare American military used extraordinary measures to put
down insurrection Put Filipino citizens in concentration camps Spring 1901 captured Aguinaldo Insurrection did not end, but lowered the morale of
guerillas 5,000 Americans and 200,000 Filipinos died $400 million spent fighting in Philippines 1901 William Howard Taft governor, censors press,
jails insurgents Extended limited self rule, ordered construction of
roads, schools, attempt to assimilate and civilize Filipinos
1916 Congress passes Jones Act allows for Philippine independence
1946 achieve independence
VII. HINGING IN THE OPEN DOOR IN CHINA
By 1899 European (Britain, Germany, France , Russia) countries divided China into “spheres of influence”
In each zone the countries had exclusive access to ports and markets
Japan expanded regional influence into China, Korea
U.S. trade limited in China Feared tariff barriers 1899 US Sec. of State John Hay
dispatches Open Door note Did not want colonies, just free trade
and equal access Wants other countries to respect
Chinese rights and open economic competition
VII. HINGING IN THE OPEN DOOR IN CHINA Chinese criticized Western
culture and influence May 1900 Chinese anti-
imperialist secret society- “Boxers” took over foreign diplomat district in Beijing to expel foreign powers
Multinational force (Japanese, European, American) forces put down Boxer Rebellion
After rebellion European powers mistreated rebels, ordered Chinese government to pay for damages
VIII. ELECTION OF 1900 AND THE RISE OF TR
Military victory and economic prosperity led McKinley to re-election against William Jennings Bryan
VP was “war hero” Teddy Roosevelt 1901 McKinley assassinated by
anarchist in Buffalo, NY; Roosevelt becomes youngest president (42)
Roosevelt supported aggressive American posture in international affairs
He wanted to lead boldly, felt president could take any action in the public interest not specifically forbidden by the Constitution
IX. BUILDING THE PANAMA CANAL America looked to isthmus of Panama to build a canal
to protect naval superiority, make easier defense of newly acquired possessions in the Caribbean and Pacific
Legal obstacles –Clayton-Bulwer Treaty (could not secure exclusive control over region to build canal)
Took care of problem with Hay-Pauncefote Treaty Late 1800’s French company started building canal 1903 U.S. purchased French claim $40 m Needed consent of Columbian government to build
canal, U.S. did not want to pay their price U.S. secretly supported independence movement in
Panama, sent warships to region Panama granted independence and gives U.S. control
over canal zone Justified for purposes of national defense 35,000 workers used to build canal-5,000 died Opened in 1914 Cut 8,000 miles from ocean trip around North and
South America
X. BIG STICK DIPLOMACY U.S policy towards Latin America depended
on strong military U.S. saw this as moral obligation Elite and Industry needed to accept challenge
of international leadership Latin American countries could not pay debts
to European countries 1904- Roosevelt issues Roosevelt Corollary U.S would assume police power over
countries in Latin America in cases of “chronic wrongdoing”, instead of European powers
Reasserted Monroe Doctrine keeping Western Hemisphere free of European intervention
Turned Caribbean into “Yankee Lake” Latin American countries thought it was a
way to control region through shield of protection, affected relations for decades
XI. ROOSEVELT ON THE WORLD STAGE
Roosevelt charged onto the world stage with the Russo-Japanese War (1904)
Japan wanted to extend their influence, did not approve of Europeans actions
Did not like Russian troops in Manchuria
1904 Japan destroys Russian fleet, Russian troops
Beginning of Russo- Japanese War Roosevelt wanted to keep balance of
power, Japan saw war eventually not going their way and asked US for help, called peace conference Portsmouth, New Hampshire (1905)
Neither Japan or Russia felt satisfied, beginning of US/Japan rivalry in East Asia
Roosevelt won Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in Manchuria and North Africa
XII. JAPANESE LABOR IN CALIFORNIA
Because of war many Japanese immigrants came to California
Many Californians were upset at “yellow peril” 1906 San Francisco school board ordered
segregation of schools to make room for white students
Incident caused international crisis, inflamed by press
1908- Roosevelt forces “Gentlemen's’ Agreement” with Japan
A Japanese note agreeing to deny passports tolaborers entering the U.S.
Japan recognized the U.S. right to exclude Japanese immigrants holding passports issued by other countries.
The U.S. government got the school board of San Francisco to rescind their order to segregate Asians in separate schools
1908- Root-Takaharia agreement both powers respect the others right to open door in China
XIII. THE GREAT WHITE FLEET
1907-1909 - To impress other world powers Roosevelt sends entire battle fleet around the world
AMERICA AS A PACIFIC POWER
TAFT AND DOLLAR DIPLOMACY 1908- William Howard Taft succeeded
Roosevelt as president Foreign policy was to maintain “open
door policy in Asia, expand American trade, keep stability in Latin America
Substitute “dollars for bullets”, foreign diplomacy was what was best for American economic interests
Increase American investment in Latin America
Provide money for Latin American governments
Had to put money into Honduras and Haiti to keep out foreign funds
Used armed forces in Dominican Republic, Cuba and Honduras to protect American investments
1913- sent Marines to Nicaragua to protect investments, stayed until 1925
WILSON AND MORAL DIPLOMACY 1912 Woodrow Wilson, president,
change course of foreign policy Promote independent government in
Latin America, not American control, condemned colonialism
Called “moral diplomacy”, US conscience of the world
Did use U.S. military- Haiti (1915) protect American investments, stayed for 17 years
Used soldiers in Dominican Republic, Mexico
1917 signed Jones Act that gave Philippines territorial status and promised independence (achieved 1945)
MORALISTIC DIPLOMACY IN MEXICO
Mexico wide gap between wealthy and poor, most were poor
Late 1800’s American investment in Mexico expanded
1910 revolution in Mexico 1913 military dictator executed new
president, assumed power (General Huerta)
Wilson did not recognize government Mexican – American borderland culture
Chaos accelerated Mexican immigration to US, formation of Mexican – American borderland culture, threat to American investment
Favored Carranza, sent arms for support U.S. Marines and warships sent to
Veracruz, Mexico
MORALISTIC DIPLOMACY IN MEXICO
U.S. Marines and warships sent to Veracruz, Mexico
American sailors arrested in Mexico, excuse needed to occupy Veracruz
All sides in Mexico resented Americans, caused downfall of Huerta, Carranza new president
Period of revolution saw rise of bandit gangs across Mexico
“Pancho” Villa attacks and kills Americans
1916- Wilson sent 11,000 troops under Gen. John J. Pershing to find Villa
1917- return to US because of WW I World War I test of new American
global strength Mexico incident proving ground for
new weapons used in WWI
PROGRESSIVISM AND THE PROGRESSIVISM AND THE REPUBLICAN ROOSEVELTREPUBLICAN ROOSEVELT
1901-19121901-1912
Chapter 28
I. Progressive RootsI. Progressive Roots Industrialization, urbanization, immigration brought benefits,
social problems Progressive movement emerged 1890’s believed honest,
efficient government could bring social change Hands –off individualism of 1800’s out of place in modern age Many felt urban-industrial society could no longer afford
laissez- faire policies Included all political parties, social classes, religions, ethnic
groups Wanted expansion of government to accomplish reform Similar to Populism1. wanted government reform2. make government more responsive to people’s needs Differed from Populism1. mostly middle class 2. some motivated by religious beliefs, 3. use modern ideas and scientific methods to make society
better
I. Political ProgressivesI. Political Progressives Progressive reformers mainly middle class
men and women Felt squeezed from above and below in
new society Two goals: use the state to curb the
power of trusts, improve life of industrial, urban dweller and rural poor
Less political movement than majority mood
Problems targeted by Progressivesa) Government Reform – get rid of political
machines and corrupt city officialsb) Urban Areas- adequate services and
better living conditionsc) Big Business- break up trusts and create
more economic opportunitiesd) Women- acquire the right to votee) Reduce gap between rich and poor
I. Progressive RootsI. Progressive RootsBefore 1900 many writers began
to attack trusts, new rich as corrupt and bad for society
Jacob Riis shocked middle class America with the book How the Other Half Lives (1890) about life in the NYC slums
Other critics of social injustice- socialists made gains at the ballot box; promoters of the social gospel used religious doctrines to fight for better housing and living conditions, improve morality
Many feminists fought for social justice and suffrage
II. Raking Muck with the II. Raking Muck with the MuckrakersMuckrakers
Turn of the century- exposing of evil of corporations and industry became big business
To keep circulation up many magazines, newspapers investigated wrongdoing
Often unmasked corruption and the corrupt alliance between big business and government
Journalists called “muckrakers” by TR Novelists developed new genre- naturalism-
portrayed misery of common people, struggles of workers (Upton Sinclair- The Jungle)
Photographers portrayed the slums and dark side of urban life (Jacob Riis)
Publicity aroused social conscience to make changes
Progressives wanted to cleanse capitalism, not get rid of it
III. Political ProgressivismIII. Political Progressivism Populists wanted to regain political control from moneyed
interests and political party bosses Established direct primary for selecting nominees Initiative- power to put proposed law on ballot Referendum- allowed citizens to approve or reject laws Recall- vote to remove public servants from office To get rid of graft government began to limit campaign
contributions and gifts to politicians Australian Secret Ballot made bribery less feasible Direct election of senators (17th Amendment), to weed out
corruption caused by corrupt state legislatures sending well connected senators to Washington
Women’s suffrage began to receive renewed support, to elevate political tone, many states out West had already extended vote to women
IV. Political Progressivism in the Cities and StatesIV. Political Progressivism in the Cities and States Municipal governments wanted to establish
clear lines of authority, make government more efficient
Galveston Hurricane 1900 helped bring change
To rebuild city replaced mayor with commission called Galveston Plan
Reduced power of political machines Dayton, Ohio added city manager to idea Many cities purchased utility companies to
keep rates at a fair level By turn of the century government had
become specialized Major state in efforts for reform –Wisconsin
and Governor Bob La Follette, most militant of Progressive governors (Wisconsin idea)
V. Progressive WomenV. Progressive Women 1900 U.S. highest rate of industrial accidents 1905 setback for labor Lochner vs. New York,
invalidated state law limiting working hours 1917 Court upheld limit of 10 hour workday, victory
for business over labor 1911 Lack of enforcement led to Triangle Shirtwaist
Factory fire Flagrant violation of safety codes led to fire and death
of 146 workers, mostly immigrant Jewish women Caused state of NY to pass stricter laws regulation
working conditions of sweatshops By 1917 many states had passed workers
compensation laws to protect injured workers Concept that employers had a social responsibility
replaced concept of unregulated free enterprise Many women took up crusade against liquor Formed Woman’s Christian Temperance Union,
succeeded in passing ‘dry laws” in many states
V. Progressive WomenV. Progressive Women Women important part of progressive crusade Settlement Houses opened door to public life, exposed
women to problems plaguing cities and gave confidence to attack problems
Defended new roles as extension of women’s spheres Drawn to moral issues, child labor , heath, rights for
women workers, safe food practices Established organizations – Women’s Trade Union,
National Consumers League, Women’s Bureau of Department of Labor
Landmark court case Muller vs. Oregon Persuaded Supreme Court to accept constitutionality of
laws protecting female workers, also triumph of labor over employers in the workplace
1902 National Child Labor Committee formed 1916 Keating- Owens Act banned child labor Overturned by Supreme Court 1918 Improving education by compulsory attendance- take
them out of factories
VI. TR’s Square Deal for LaborVI. TR’s Square Deal for Labor TR fought against corporations, for consumer
protection and conservation of national resources Program for change called “square deal” Goals to keep wealth and large business from taking
advantage of poor and small business Roosevelt used power and authority of federal
government to regulate industry 1902- Coal Strike1. Miners wanted raise in pay, shorter hours2. Needed steady supply of coal for factories and homes3. Roosevelt wanted to end strike quickly, threatened to
send in federal troops4. Workers received pay raise, shorter work days First example of government helping workers in labor
dispute 1903 Department of Commerce and Labor founded Monitored business and labor engaged in interstate
commerce
VI. TR Corrals the CorporationsVI. TR Corrals the CorporationsRailroads Cost of shipping freight an issue since 1870’s By 1900 most power of ICC was stripped away
by Supreme Court 1903 Elkins Act- imposed fines on railroads for
giving special rates to certain companies 1906 Hepburn Act- Strengthened ICC, gave
government right to set fees for shipping 1904 Government suit against Northern
Securities Company Supreme Court ruled it was an illegal trust,
forced company to split into smaller railroad companies
Roosevelt saw differences between “good” and “bad” trusts
Bad trust bullied smaller companies In 1905 Supreme Court began to declare many
trusts illegal (beef, sugar, fertilizers, etc.) Purpose was more symbolic than real; wanted to
prove government not big business ruled country Wanted to regulate not fragment industry, threat
of legal action would keep them inline
VII. Caring for the ConsumerVII. Caring for the ConsumerRegulating Food and Drug
Industries1906 The Jungle published caused
public demand for reform of meat packing industry
Meat Inspection Act (1906) federal government inspect meat sold across state lines, inspect meat packing, processing plants
Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)
Controls on other foods and medicines, banned shipment of impure food and drugs
VIII. Earth ControlVIII. Earth ControlAmerican concern for the environment
grew in the late 1800’s, natural resources once seen as inexhaustible were disappearing quickly
First steps toward conservation:Desert Land Act (1877) sold arid land
cheaply, purchaser would have to irrigate it within three years
Forest Reserve Act (1891) set aside forests as national parks and reserves
Carey Act (1894) gave federal land to states with conditions, must be irrigated and settled
VIII. Earth ControlVIII. Earth Control Roosevelt lover of outdoors appalled by environmental
degradation Gifford Pinchot head of federal Division of Forestry
close ally of Roosevelt Roosevelt takes charge of environmental policy, sees
environment as a resource that should be managed and used wisely
1902 Newlands Reclamation Act collects money from sale of western lands and uses it for irrigation projects, allows dams for irrigation and eventually power to spring up across west
Sets aside forests that are protected by federal government
Concern for loss of natural heritage and disappearance of part of national character drives movement, wanted use of America’s “national endowment”
Roosevelt and Pinchot were conservationists not environmentalists; advocated multiple use of national forests and environment (timber, recreation, watershed protection, livestock grazing)
Large farmers and ranchers took advantage of new agencies and figured out how to work system, took small rancher and logger out of the picture
IX. Roosevelt and the Panic of 1907IX. Roosevelt and the Panic of 1907 1904 Roosevelt reelected and called
for more regulation, taxation and worker protection
1907 Wall Street Panic, industry tried to blame Roosevelt for panic with his regulation
Roosevelt said they deliberately caused panic to force relaxation on trusts
Panic paved way for financial reform and need for more elastic money supply
New industrial economy with its ups and downs needed more money in circulation
1908 Aldrich- Vreeland Act authorized banks to issue emergency currency, smoothed path for Federal Reserve Act of 1913
X. Legacy of RooseveltX. Legacy of RooseveltRode middle ground between
interests of business and total government control
Enlarged power of presidency through progressive reform and aggressive foreign policy
Used power of government to regulate unbridled business interests
Idea that government could take action and change lives
Environmental legislation was his most long lasting achievement
XI. Taft: A Round Peg in a Square HoleXI. Taft: A Round Peg in a Square Hole
Roosevelt decides not to run in 1908, uses power over party to have William Howard Taft nominated and wins election
Taft not as strong of a personality as Roosevelt and he allows Congress to push him around; Taft seemed wedded to the status quo not major change
Diplomacy changes from “Big Stick” to “Dollar Diplomacy”, not aggressive like Roosevelt
Taft did use the power of government to break up more trusts than Roosevelt
XII. Taft the TrustbusterXII. Taft the Trustbuster Brought more suits against trusts than Roosevelt 1911 Supreme Court orders breakup of Standard Oil Uses “rule of reason”, says Standard Oil unreasonably restrained trade, any
company that did this was illegal In same year he brings suit against US Steel 1909- Taft fought against the tariff, called special session of Congress to
lower tariff, Senate instead raises them Taft signs bill and draws criticism from Progressives Mann- Elkins Act (1910) government control over telephone, telegraph
rates, one of his few successes Taft wanted to protect environment , established Bureau of Mines to control
mineral resources and protect federal land from exploitation 1910 undoes positive record on environment when he sides with Sec. of the
Interior on opening public lands to development Taft was criticized by Gifford Pinchot and so he is fired, creates rift between
Roosevelt and Taft Roosevelt travels around country giving speeches against Taft and pushing
New Nationalism Republican party is split and 1910 elections go to Democrats
XIII. The Taft-Roosevelt Rupture and the Election of 1912XIII. The Taft-Roosevelt Rupture and the Election of 1912
1911 Republicans split off from main party and form the National Republican Progressive League
By 1912 Roosevelt had seized Progressive banner and became a third party presidential candidate (known as the Bull Moose Party)
Platform advocated New NationalismA. Promote government regulation of businessB. Social JusticeC. Child labor lawsD. Minimum wage Roosevelt and Taft split each others
constituencies and this led to the election of Woodrow Wilson a progressive governor of New Jersey as president
WILSONIAN WILSONIAN PROGRESSIVISM AT PROGRESSIVISM AT HOME AND ABROADHOME AND ABROAD
1912-1916
I. Woodrow Wilson: A Minority PresidentI. Woodrow Wilson: A Minority President
With Republicans split, Wilson won election easily
Taft and Roosevelt won more votes put together so election was really a mandate for Progressivism, helped spur the enactment of many Progressive reforms
Wilson was a former university professor and progressive governor from New Jersey
First president from the south(VA) to win presidency since before the Civil War
Great orator, believed that president should play a dynamic role and provide leadership
Son of a minister he was an idealist and moralist, hard to get him to compromise
II. Wilson Tackles the TariffII. Wilson Tackles the Tariff Wilson attacked the “triple wall” of privilege- tariffs, banks and
trusts 1913 calls special session of Congress to reduce tariff rates Appealed to Congress personally (a first) and gets Underwood
Tariff Bill passed, cut tariffs and created graduated income tax Authority to tax from 16th Amendment passed 1913 By 1917 revenue from income tax more than from tariffs Wilson next tackled banking and currency issues that had
outgrown America’s new economic role Most serious problem inelasticity of currency 1913 delivers plea for sweeping banking reform Signs Federal Reserve Act, most important piece of economic
legislation between the Civil War and the New Deal Created Federal Reserve Board, oversaw decentralized system
of 12 regional reserve districts with their own central bank, empowered to issue paper money
Federal Reserve Board set up banks to reserve money from commercial banks
Keeps one bank, person, region from having too much money Sets interest rates, regulates bank practices Amount of money in circulation could be quickly expanded in
times of crisis
III. The President Tames the Trusts and the High Tide of III. The President Tames the Trusts and the High Tide of ProgressivismProgressivism
1914 Congress passes the Federal Trade Commission Act Gave teeth to Sherman Anti-Trust Act, provided enforcement to check
monopolies and companies that engaged in unfair business practices Clayton Act protected labor unions and agricultural organizations from
antitrust legislation, legalized strikes and peaceful picketing 1916 Federal Farm Loan Act made credit available to farmers at low
interest rates Warehouse Act authorized loans on security of staple crops Laws provided for funding for highway construction, allowed farmers to
ship products easier Workingmen’s Compensation Act granted assistance to disabled
federal workers Legislation to restrict child labor was struck down by the Supreme
Court Adamson Act established eight hour workday for people engaged in
interstate commerce Business leaders did not like Wilson’s policies Appeased business interests by making conservative appointments to
Federal Reserve Board and Federal Trade Commission Wilson increased segregation in federal bureaucracy, possibly due to
southern roots
IV. New Directions in Foreign PolicyIV. New Directions in Foreign PolicyRepudiated “Big Stick” and “Dollar” diplomacy,
favored moral diplomacyWanted to end colonialism, promote independent
governmentsDid use troops in Latin America to protect American
interestsHad to take new direction with events in EuropeEuropean balance of power interupted with
assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in 1914European powers were drawn into a war through a
series of alliancesCentral Powers Germany, Austria-Hungary; Allies
were France, England, RussiaAmerica was happy to have an ocean as a buffer…..
V. A Precarious NeutralityV. A Precarious Neutrality Wilson proclaimed America as neutral in the war Both sides wooed the US British had an advantage because they controlled the
transatlantic cables, sent stories of German atrocity to the US, also close economic and cultural ties with British
Germans counted on sympathies of immigrants Most Americans were anti-German, Kaiser embodiment
of European aristocracy, many upset at German attack on neutral Belgium
US economy in recession in 1914 and war orders from the allies helped pull us out of it
J.P. Morgan helped British and French finance war with loans ($2.3 billion), Germans said this violated American neutrality
Technically Germans could trade with US but British navy prevented shipping
1915 Germans begin to use submarine to harass shipping, but declared they would not attack neutral ships
Wilson warned Germans they would be accountable for any losses
Sinking of Lusutania, Sussex by Germans created tension between US and Germans
World War One and the 1920’sChapters 30-32
1917- 1929
Chapter 30
I. War by Act of Germany• Wilson won re-election in 1916 by keeping America
out of the war• Three groups • Isolationists- Not intervene in European affairs• Internationalists- Work for peace, not enter war• Interventionists- Enter war on side of Allies,
protect interests • Wilson supported internationalists• 1917 three events led U.S. to war1. Unrestricted submarine warfare by Germans2. Zimmerman note intercepted- German proposal
to Mexico to be allies and after German victory territory lost in Mexican-American War (1848) would be returned
3. Russian Revolution toppled tsar, America could now focus on war for democracy not despotism
• April 2, 1917 U.S. declares war on Germany
II. Wilsonian Idealism Enthroned• War shattered American tradition of isolationism• Wilson had to frame war as “making world safe for
democracy’, more glorified aim• War not for territorial conquest or riches, but to
shape international order• Modern world could not afford destructive wars• Presidents appeal fired up Americans to support war• Wilson recognized as moral leader of war• Jan. 1918 Fourteen Points Address
A. Abolish secret treatiesB. Freedom of the seasC. Removal of economic barriersD.Reduction of ArmamentsE. Get rid of colonialismF. Organize a system of collective security
• Idea was to delegitimize colonial powers, open world to political and economic freedom, not popular with many European powers
III. Gaining American Support and Enforcing Loyalty
• During war government assumed new powers• Changed relationship with federal government• War relied on voluntary compliance more than formal
laws• Build military Congress passes Selective Service Act
(1917) drafts men for war• 4.8 million serve in WWI• 1917- Committee for Public Information (CPI)-
educate public on causes and nature of war• Advertising to “sell America” on war• Not all Americans supported war• Government took away individual liberties to quiet
dissent• Resistance to the draft• Seen as illegal intrusion into private lives, did not
cooperate with draft boards• Conscientious objectors- moral or religious reasons
forbid fighting in wars
III. Gaining American Support and Enforcing Loyalty
• CPI stifled free expression• 1917- Espionage Act- penalties for
obstructing war effort (print, mail, resisting draft)
• 1918- Sedition Act- unlawful to speak out about government. Used against socialists, political radicals and pacifists
• Supreme Court ruled acts constitutional (Schenck v. U.S. 1919) During wartime freedom of speech does not apply (if it presents a clear and present danger)
• Germany seen as primary foe against U.S.
• Harassment, violence against German Americans
• Stopped teaching German in schools, playing German composers music
IV. The Nations Factories go to War• Wilson organized an effort to supply American in the war
effort• Many Americans had fear of government control and balked
at the government effort• Overall cooperation, not competition marked industrial effort• To combat this Wilson formed the War Industries Board
(1918) to oversee industrial production• American workers threatened by “work or fight” to combat
unemployment• Labor was given a boost by war, wages rose and work days
standardized to eight hours, still no government guarantee to organize into unions
• War effort supported by AF of L but not by more radical groups (IWW) who committed acts of sabotage
• Wartime prices rose and this negated most wage gains• 1919 steel strike was met with resistance by factory owners
who brought in scabs and setback the union movement
V. Changes for Women and African Americans
WomenMen left workforce , labor shortage
filled by womenTook jobs previously open to menWomen served Red Cross, Army
Corps of Nurses in Europe during war
Many progressive era feminists were pacifists
Efforts and sacrifices during war led Wilson to support passage of 19th Amendment
Economic gains proved fleeting, many women gave up wartime jobs
V. Changes for Women and African AmericansAfrican AmericansMany served in military, in
segregated units and mostly behind the lines
Many went north during the war for employment
Caused racial strife in some cities (Chicago riots 1917)
Movement from rural South to Chicago, Detroit, industrial Northeast
Escape racism, poverty of life in south, promise economic advancement
Called “Great Migration” (1.2 million moved 1910-1920)
VI. Forging a War Economy• America had to feed themselves and allies, went
into it haphazardly• Herbert Hoover was put in charge of food
production effort, effort relied on voluntary cooperation rather than legal means
• Used propaganda campaign to save food for export, promoted “victory gardens”
• Spirit of self denial led to decline in consumption of alcohol and eventually the passage of the 19th Amendment
• Food production and export rose during war• Other wartime administrations copied Hoover’s
lead• Treasury Department held “liberty bond” drives
to raise money for the war effort• Involuntary increase in taxes raised the rest of
the money to fund the war• Government exercised power of railroads and
nationalized them during the war
VII. American Entry into the War• At the beginning of the war, most Americans
thought America would contribute naval power and supplies to Allies
• 1917- Central powers gained an edge on Western Front
• March 1917 Czar of Russia overthrown in revolution
• November 1917 Vladimir Lenin and socialists take over Russian government, sign treaty with Germany and leave war
• Spring 1918 Germans begin new offensive on Western Front
• Early 1917 Allies ask for manpower and draft was instituted, believed the US could not raise enough men to fight in time
• Draft was more effective with fewer loopholes than during Civil War draft
• By early 1918 the first poorly trained American soldiers began to arrive in Europe
Technology, Trench Warfare and a Stalemate
War unlike others • Trench warfare- built trenches, attacked, counter-
attacked each other across “no-mans land”• High death toll- machine guns, artillery, tanks,
poison gas produced massive causalities• Effective defensive weapons led to stalemate- no
side could gain advantage
VII. American Entry into the War• Early 1918 American troops
arrive in large numbers• Commanded by John J.
Pershing• German offensives became less
effective, troops became exhausted
• American troops gave Allies military advantage
• Fall 1918 German troops were running out of food, many mutinied, deserted, refused to fight
• Germans surrendered Nov. 11, 1918
VIII. End of the War• The main US contribution to the war was food,
munitions, credit, oil and manpower• Prospect of endless US troops and material contributed to
the end of the war• Wilson wanted the peace based on the Fourteen Points,
he was seen at the end of the war as the moral leader of the world
• By the time Wilson went to the peace conference he was a diminished leader in the US due to Republican victories in the Congressional elections of 1918
• Going to Paris personally seemed to many like grandstanding and Wilson made a political mistake by not including a single Republican in the peace delegation
VIII. End of the War• European leaders kept the new hero Wilson at arms
length, they felt that he would disrupt the status quo• Big Four of Paris Peace Conference Wilson, David
Lloyd George (Great Britain), Georges Clemenceau (France), Vittorio Orlando (Italy)
• Russia stayed out, Lenin thought the war was an imperialist land grab
• Wilson’s main goal was to establish the League of Nations controlled by the great powers
• Wilson did not want the victors to be vengeful to their former enemies, he wanted “peace without victory”
a) Promoted openness, independenceb) Move to end colonialismc) National self- determination (right of people to
choose their own form of government)d) Disarmamente) Asked for League of Nations to promote peaceful
cooperation among nations, collective security• The European countries had different ideas
VIII. End of the War• European allies blamed Germany for starting war,
wanted them punished• Suffered more than AmericansA. Germany had to pay reparations (payment for war
damages)B. Rejected ideas to end colonialism, disarm Europe, free
tradeC. Allied powers were torn by conflicting aims and the
peace was a fractured oneD.French claims in the Ruhr region caused tension with
GermanyE. France signed a pact with Great Britain and US to
provide for aid in case of another German invasionF. New nations emerged in Europe, liberated millionsG. Austrian, German people found themselves as part of
new countriesH.Breakup of Ottoman Empire clustered different ethnic
groups togetherI. Middle East broken up by European powers, not
allowed to practice self- determinationJ. Wilson did get League of Nations in a compromise with
the European leaders
IX. Selling the Treaty to the US• Many Americans thought US was entering into “tangling
alliances” of European affairs, the League of Nations was also seen as a “super state” and was opposed by the isolationists
• Some thought treaty was not harsh enough• German and Italian Americans thought treaty was too harsh• Some thought treaty gave British too much influence• Republicans and isolationists in Senate (led by Henry Cabot
Lodge) used delay tactics to keep treaty from being passed• Eventually apathy and confusion crept in to the treaty debate• Wilson tried the direct appeal method to get support for the
treaty, during his tour he had a stroke and could not actively campaign for the Treaty of Versailles
• Lodge took control of the proceedings and would not pass the treaty if it included the League of Nations
• Wilson urged Democrats to reject the treaty Lodge proposed, it was defeated
• The Treaty of Versailles was also defeated by traditions of isolationism, disillusionment with the war and partisanship
X. A Return to “Normalcy”• Public desire for change from the
progressive politics and high minded ideals of Wilson
• Elected Republican Warren G. Harding of Ohio as president
• Opposite of Wilson, back slapper and dull minded
• With the election of Harding the idea of the League of Nations was dead
• America emerged from the war a changed country nationally and internationally
• 1920 America world economic giant, largest creditor nation
• Compared to Europe, U.S. came out of war strong and prosperous
Chapter 31
I. Seeing Red• After war Americans turned
inward• Shunning diplomatic
commitments, denounced radical foreign ideas and “un-American” lifestyles
• Shut out immigration (passed literacy requirement for immigrants) and sealed off economy from the outside world
• New technologies, forms of entertainment and leisure first appeared in the US, but there were fears that America was losing their traditional ways
I. Seeing Red• Flu Epidemic (1918-1919) September 1918 virus first
appears, Spring 1919 disappears• Killed millions around the world (22m, 500,000 U.S.)• Men and women in 20’s, 30’s hit hardest• Combined with effects of war, gave people a sense of doom• Red Scare- fear of communists and radicals, plotting against
the United States• Labor unrest seen as work of communists, radicals• Communist Soviet Union called for international workers
revolution and end of capitalism• April 1919 40 bombs intercepted in mail, one sent to
Attorney General (Mitchell Palmer)• Government response- Palmer Raids• Arrested thousands of Southern, Eastern Europeans (not all
were radicals), many deported, or held in jail without ever being charged with crime
• American Civil Liberties Union formed 1920 to protect rights and liberties
• Conservative business leaders used this as an excuse to break the back of labor unions
I. Seeing Red • Anti- foreignism reflected in Sacco and Vanzetti case
• Italian immigrants and known anarchists
• Accused of killing two men at a shoe factory
• ACLU provided defense counsel
• Found guilty, little hard evidence
• Bias against immigrants, political climate worked against them
• 1927 put to death in electric chair
• Gave the radicals two martyrs for their “class struggle”
II. Hooded Hoodlums of the KKK• Membership in the organization spiked in
the 20’s• Manifestation of intolerance and prejudice
from anxiety of changing times• Resembled “nativist” movement of 1850’s• Anti- anything except Anglo, “native”
American• Uprising against forces of modernism and
forces of diversity shaping American culture• Movement concentrated in Midwest and
South• At its peak had about 5 million members• Collapsed in late 20’s after political
corruption was exposed
III. Stemming the Foreign Flood
• Country had little use for immigration in the 20’s,
• Immigration Act of 1924- end of open immigration
• Government created a quota system to restrict immigration
• Geared to keep out southern and eastern Europeans, Japanese immigrants
• Employers used racial/ ethnic differences to undermine class and political solidarity
IV. Prohibition and the Rise of Gangsterisim• Last spasm of the progressive movement was
prohibition of alcohol, legalized with the passage of the 18th Amendment and implemented with the Volstead Act in 1919
• Prohibited sale, distribution and manufacture of alcohol• More popular in South and West
• South seen as a way to keep blacks “in their place”• West seen as attack on vice associated with the saloon• Opposition in the east where there were large groups of
immigrants and Old World styles of sociability • Conditions that hampered enforcement: ignored
tradition of weak control by central government over private lives, disillusionment in aftermath of war and wisdom of further self denial, understaffed federal agents to enforce law
• Corner saloon replaced by “speakeasies”, alcohol still available
• Did have some positive effect- bank savings increased, absenteeism at work decreased
IV. Prohibition and the Rise of Gangsterisim• Prohibition spawned criminal activity• Profits of selling booze led to rivalries
between gangs in big cities• Arrests were few, convictions fewer
and the bribery of federal agents was rampant
• Organized crime developed around sale of liquor and reached into other areas- prostitution, drugs, gambling
• Organized crime became one of the most lucrative businesses in the country
V. Changes in Society• Split in rural and urban values, Changes in standard of
living, religious values• 1920 Census first time more American lived in urban areas
than rural areas• Urban- enjoyed new consumer products, • Open to social change, science, secular values important• Formal education more important• Rural- more traditional view of science, religion, culture• Most new consumer products unavailable• Many people, especially in rural areas, felt threatened by the
changing values of society--formed ways to react to these changes
• Religious fundamentalism grew during the 1920s • World changing in ways people don't understand and can't
control • Children reject the values that the parents have lived with
all their life • One way this fundamentalism manifested itself came in the
laws of a few southern states which mandated creationism, not evolution, be taught in classrooms
VI. Monkey Business in Tennessee Scopes “Monkey” Trial • 1925, at the urging of local community leaders,
John T. Scopes, a high-school biology teacher in Dayton, Tenn. challenged his state's antievolution law
• He did so with promise of assistance from the ACLU
• ACLU hired team of lawyers headed by Clarence Darrow to defend Scopes
• Prosecution assisted by William Jennings Bryan--who argued for inerrancy of Bible, but sometimes found himself not knowing what the Bible said
• Scopes convicted by local jury--but received short sentence and small fine
• Scopes Trial a battle between two sets of values--the older, rural values and the modern urban values
• Fundamentalism (and the South) ridiculed by national press-influence of fundamentalism diminished in mainstream churches after the trial, it still retained a large following
VII. The Mass Consumption Economy• Cultural issues divided Americans• Decade after war America experienced growth • Changed the way Americans lived • Created modern consumer economy• Technology, leisure activities broke down barriers
and helped form a common American culture• Rising wages, shorter work weeks• More free time more disposable income• Consumer Revolution- advertising, buying on
credit, electricity made new products available to people
• Availability of electric power – washing machines, vacuum cleaners made housekeeping easier
• Advertisers- used new methods to sell more products (focused on desires and fears of consumers)
• Buying on credit allowed people to buy products they would have needed to save years for
• Economy became increasingly venerable to disruptions of the credit structure
VII. The Mass Consumption Economy• Radio and Phonograph- result of
technological advances, business enterprise
• Americans listened to same music, learned same dances- contributed to mass popular culture
• Radio- 1920 first commercial radio station (KDKA Pittsburg, PA)- within three years over 600 stations
• Brought events into millions of homes- sporting events, news
• Politicians had to learn the “art” of media to reach millions at once that heard promises and pleas
• Advertising and commercials made radio a vehicle for selling American free enterprise
• Phonograph- people could listen to music whenever they wanted
• Regional music styles were made national
VIII. Sports and the Rise of the Airplane• Sports created nationally famous athletes• Increased newspaper readers, radio audience
boosted popularity• Sportswriters captured excitement of events• Sports became big business• Sports feats showed people capable of great
feats, idealized self• 1903 first successful airplane flight• During WWI used in combat• After war first passenger lines operated,
mostly used for mail service, stunt fliers traveled across country
• 1927 Charles Lindberg flies solo across Atlantic Ocean, became American hero
• Feat popularized flying more than any other event, increased idea of it being a commercially viable industry
• Removed some of the “isolation” of the American psyche
IX. Movies • Movie industry began to grow in early
1900’s and it blossomed in the 1920’s• Hollywood was the movie capital of
the world• Used during the war to promote anti-
German propaganda• Local theaters became cultural
classroom for Americans• Americas democratic art, most
popular form of entertainment• First movie stars• 1927 first “talkie” Jazz Singer• Movies represent fantasies, desires,
of Americans• Help create a common American
culture
X. Advent of the Automobile Age• Caused biggest change to lifestyles
during the 1920’s and beyond• Scientific management techniques-
reduce time, effort, cost to produce cars (“Taylorisim” sought to eliminate wasted motion)
• Cars put on assembly line- inspired by meatpacking industry
• Best known carmaker Henry Ford, had a one track devotion to standardization that he used to produce cars
• Idea of mass production used for automobiles
• Model T- only car Ford sold ($ 260 by mid-1920’s)
• Ford also doubled wages of workers, weekends off, 8 hr workday
X. Advent of the Automobile Age• Steel, glass, rubber, asphalt, gasoline, insurance,
road construction industries all benefitted• Oil discoveries in Southwest US• 1926 national highway system first appeared• Service stations, motels • Created new jobs, helped national prosperity• Made commerce speedier• Gave people more freedom, car became a necessity• Go where they wanted, not tied to tracks or train
schedule, hurt railroads• Altered residential patterns• Suburbs grew, people could live farther from jobs• Communities linked by highways to cities • Improved mass transportation, car led to
development of suburbs• Suburbs drain resources from cities
XI. Science, Social Thought and Modernism• Rational, mechanical ideas of
how world worked changed• Einstein’s Theory of Relativity,
Heisenberg's Theory of Uncertainty showed absolute values of how things worked were not true
• Freud explored subconscious, subconscious regions seen as more potent than reason
• Also demonstrated that repression was responsible for a variety of social ills
• Fundamentalist lost ground to the modernists
XI. New Roles for Women• New Woman” of 1920’s more liberated,
Victorian morality rejected• Dresses shorter, wore makeup, danced, drank• Flapper symbolized new , modern woman• Wanted same political, social, economic rights
as men• Alice Paul and the National Women’s party
began a campaign for an Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution
• Lived longer, had fewer children, freed time to pursue other interests
• Many entered professional workforce, although they went into low paying jobs (“women’s work”)
• Elected as governors (TX, WY)• Differences in material culture made life for
urban and rural women distinct
XIII. The Jazz Age• Emerged in South (New Orleans)
where different traditions and cultures came together
• Based on improvisation, blues and European traditions
• Spread north with Great Migration, became theme music of 1920’s
• Radio, phonograph spread influence
• Bridged races, inspired white songwriters and musicians (who stole style and made a huge profit)
XIV. The Harlem Renaissance• African American migration continued 1920’s• Many found a better life, jobs, political voice• Did not escape oppression, had worst jobs,
housing• Period of cultural expression in music and
literature• Center was Harlem, NY, blend of cultures,
ideas • Spawned charismatic political leader Marcus
Garvey• Jamaican immigrant, promoted idea of black
nationalism, “Back to Africa” Movement• Called for black separatism- businesses,
communities• Founded Universal Negro Improvement
Assn. promoted black pride• Put in prison 1925 for mail fraud, deported• Inspired Nation of Islam, Black Panther
Movement later in century
XIV. The Harlem Renaissance• African American literature developed
from the Harlem Renaissance• Explored pains and joys of being African
American, some called for equality with whites
• Langston Hughes- literary voice of HR, captured diversity of AA life
• Jean Toomer- Cane looked at rural life in the south and sophisticated urban life in Washington, D.C.
• Claude McKay- militant writer, wrote about struggle for dignity
• Zora Neale Hurston- collected folktales of rural Florida, called for women’s independence
XV. Modernism in Art and Literature
• Literature, arts were changed by WWI• War killed millions, left many
homeless• Seen as action of irrational people• Began to question ideas of progress,
left people pessimistic • Writers and artists expressed lack of
faith in a traditional worldview• Painters moved away from traditional
representation• Experimented with abstract styles,
represented inner mood• Saw artistic honesty in abstract
paintings
XV. Modernism in Art and Literature
• Postwar literature represented the exuberance of youth and the resentment of ideals betrayed
• Called “Lost Generation”• Searched for new truths, new ways
to express truths• Most were expatriates living in
Paris and London• Wrestled with meaning of war and
life• F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest
Hemmingway, T.S. Elliot, Sinclair Lewis, Gertrude Stein
• Greatest generation for American writers
XV. Modernism in Art and Literature
• Earnest Hemmingway- novels feature search for real life
• Hard living, athletic, masculine lifestyle• About doomed life after the war• Wrote in a concrete, stripped down style• F. Scott Fitzgerald- first novel This
Side of Paradise, age 24• Wrote about excess of Jazz Age, bible for
youth of the 20’s• Great Gatsby about American dream and
tragedy William Faulkner- stories set in
Mississippi, reflected southern world Literature- dying way of life vs. modern
way of life Leader of Southern Renaissance
1919-1929
I. Wall Street’s Big Bull Market• Right after the war scarcity of supplies, increased
demand caused inflation▫ Agriculture- prices fell, farmers could not pay debt▫ U.S. had a postwar recession▫ Industrial workers wages could not buy as much after
war (inflation)▫ Many workers went on strike to demand better
conditions (1919- 4m), racial unrest across the country in the summer of 1919
• Decade after war America experienced growth • Changed the way Americans live, created modern
consumer economy• 1920’s period of rising stock prices (bull market)• Investors take risks, buy on margin (pay small
amount up front, pay rest back over time)• Stock was collateral for loan• Thinking boom and bust economy would end, there
would always be prosperity• Signals in bank failures and real estate speculation
I. Wall Street’s Big Bull Market• More conservative policies to promote
growth of business• Presidents wanted to serve the public
good through less government• Sec. of Treasury Andrew Mellon, a
multimillionaire, favored low taxes on individuals and corporations
• Tax burden shifted to the middle class• Herbert Hoover- Commerce Sec.
wanted to use business and labor leaders to manage industry, not legislation
II. Republicans in Power• Harding used government to guide business to
profits• Used courts to back up policies, appointed 4 justices
to Supreme Court (would have an effect for years)• Stripped away gains for labor, women in the
workplace, anti trust laws ignored• Dismantled progressive and wartime controls over
the economy• Close circle of advisers called ‘Ohio Gang”• Saw government service as a way to get rich at
expense of others• Teapot Dome Scandal- (1921) Sec. of Interior
arranged sale of government oil reserves in Wyo. to private investors for “loans”
• Harding signed deal, senate investigated• 1924- Sec. of Interior sentenced to prison• 1923- Harding died before he could finish his term
or answer for his role in this and other scandals
III. Silent Cal Coolidge• Replaced by VP Calvin Coolidge• “Silent Cal” quiet, honest, frugal,
fumigated some of the stench of Harding
• Pro- business, creation of wealth was good for all America
• Followed same economic policies as Harding
• American economy grew, general prosperity for all Americans over next six years
IV. Hiking the Tariff Higher• True to idea of American isolationism, business
tried to keep out foreign investment in the 1920’s
• Put up high tariff walls to keep out a flood of cheap foreign goods from recovering Europe
• Tariffs were raised throughout the decade, Republican presidents were far more friendly to tariff increases than the progressives of past decades
• Set off chain reaction that kept Europe from being able to pay war debts, spurred Europe to pass tariffs to keep out American goods
V. Frustrated Farmers• Farmers caught in boom-bust
cycle more than industry• Peace brought an end to
guaranteed prices by government and overseas purchases
• Wartime boom encouraged them to cultivate new land
• Farmers produced surpluses that led to price dampening depression
• In 1920’s 25% of all farms were sold to repay debt
• Congress tried to help farmers but conservative financial policies allowed farmers problems to not be heard
VI. American Foreign Policy• Isolationism was the rule in the 20’s, even though
America sent “observers” to the League of Nations meetings in Geneva, Switzerland
• America was active in the Middle East where they secured drilling rights to reap the benefits oil
• 1921-1922- Washington “Disarmament” Conference- limit construction of navies, reduce arms race
• 1928- Kellogg- Briand Pact- treaty to outlaw “war as an instrument of national policy” world leaders knew this was useless
• Defensive wars were still permitted with pact, America had been lulled into a false sense of security
• 1920’s U.S. thought best policy was to keep rest of world at arms length, by outlawing war U.S. hoped to never be involved in another world war
VI. American Foreign Policy• US did still participate in the affairs of Latin
American and Caribbean nations to protect their investments
• Overshadowing all other foreign policy issues was international debt, US after war was the creditor nation of the world
• US wanted to be repaid the $10 billion it loaned Europe during the war
• US wanted Britain, France to pay back money borrowed for war
• They needed Germany to pay reparations• Financial issue threatened world economy• 1924 Dawes Plan arranged US loans to Germany
to pay Britain and France• Damaged US reputation- Europe saw US as
heartless demanding payment after human costs of war
• US never did get money and it led to continued neutrality and isolationism as things grew worse in Europe in the 1930’s
VII. Presidential Elections 1924, 1928• 1924 Coolidge reelected over a
hopelessly split Democratic party and the reform minded progressives
• Times were too good to change the course
• 1928 Coolidge decides not to run, Herbert Hoover (Sec. of Commerce) was chosen as successor
• Hoover was a self mad millionaire, the ideal businessperson's candidate
• Democrats nominated Alfred Smith of NY
• Many saw Smith as too Catholic, urban, too much of a drinker
• Dry, fundamentalists help Hoover carry the South for the first time to carry former Confederate states
• First election where radio played a role
IX. Hoover’s First Years• Many did well in 1920’s; two groups that did not farmers and
wage earners• Hoovers government philosophy- voluntary cooperation
between labor and management• Economy needed sense of competition, little government
interference• Decentralized government, low taxes• Passed Agricultural Marketing Act and established the Farm
Board, agencies set up to help farmers to help themselves through lending and farmers cooperatives
• 1930 Farm Board agrees to buy surplus production, causes glut of agricultural products and leads to a decline in prices
IX. Hoover’s First Years• 1930 Hawley Smoot Tariff designed to help
farmers• Created the highest tariff in peacetime history (avg.
duty 60%)• Hawley-Smoot Tariff raised prices on foreign goods• Added to farm, manufacturing problems, could not
sell glut of goods• European countries retaliate and pass protective
tariffs, seen as an act of economic war• Destroyed international trade• Countries could not repay loans to U.S., business’
bank collapses in Europe
X. Great Crash End the Twenties• When Hoover took office the speculative
bubble and good times on the stock exchange were coming to an end
• In mid-1929 British raised interest rates to bring investment back to the country, foreign investors dumped money in US market for British market
• Sept- Oct 1929 stock market begins to drop
• October 29- Black Tuesday bottom fell out of stock market, billions of dollars lost
• Investors lost confidence in market, many lost all of their money, jobs, homes
• Hoover tells Americans economy healthy
XI. Causes of the Great Depression• Industrial production increased
and corporate profits rose• Wealthiest 1% made same amt.
as bottom 42%• Problem- overproduction,
under consumption, over expansion of credit
• Problems caused by Hawley-Smoot Tariff caused chain reaction across Europe
• Farms sold at auction and many became tenant farmers across the South and Midwest
XII. Chain Reaction • Stock market crash caused chain reaction of
events• Banks Collapse• Depositors tried to withdraw money (run on
banks), many banks failed (over 2,000 from 29-32)
• Misguided Monetary Policy• Federal Reserve tightened money supply to
discourage lending• Too little money in circulation, not enough
for banks• Business Closes, Unemployment
Rises• Reduced spending, production cutbacks • Led to job layoffs, by 1933 25% of
Americans out of work
XIII. Rugged Times for Rugged Individualists
• Many Americans did not understand the reasons the Depression happened
• Attacked most American families, many men lost initiative and self respect
• Men felt that they betrayed family, birthrates dropped, families broke up, children dropped out of school
• Unemployment at 25%, those that had jobs had wages, hours cut
• Many went hungry, waited in bread lines for food, many lost their homes
• Grouped together in Hoovervilles, makeshift shacks, tents built on public land
• Feeling of loss of American Dream, zapped American spirit and uniqueness
• Most popular song 1933 “ Brother Can You Spare a Dime?”
XIII. Rugged Times for Rugged Individualists
• Hoover struggled to respond to America’s problems• Tried hands off policy, downturn part of natural
business cycle• Business should voluntarily combat depression, act
in best interest of the community• Asked business, industry to keep employment,
wages, prices at current levels, wanted more money in hands of businesses
• Local relief agencies were overwhelmed, did not have funds to battle economic downturn
• Hoover begins to realize that government needed to help, efforts probably prevented further collapse of the economy
XIV. Hoover Battles the Great Depression• Hoover finally began to use federal resources to
battle economy• 1932- Reconstruction Finance
Corporation (RFC)• Loaned billions for business, railroads, state and
local governments• Money for banks, to provide loans, stimulate
business (trickle down economics), no money to individuals
• Succeeded with construction project on Colorado River (Boulder/Hoover Dam), brought irrigation, employment to Southwest
• Benefits to labor through the Norris-La Guardia Act (1932) outlawed using court injunctions to restrain labor
• Policies by Hoover paved the way for the expansion of the federal government under the New Deal
XV. Routing the Bonus Army in Washington• 1932- Group of WWI veterans went
to D.C. to demand payment for service that was to be paid in 1945
• Called Bonus Army• Government did not have the money• Set up camps and occupied
government buildings• Hoover used federal troops to
remove them• Army used excessive force, Gen
MacArthur called them revolutionaries
• Photographs of army action shocked Americans
• Election of 1932 was time for change
The Great Depression and the The Great Depression and the New DealNew Deal
1933-1939
I. FDR: Politician in a WheelchairI. FDR: Politician in a Wheelchair 1932 – Republicans re-nominate
Hoover and the Democrats nominated an up and coming NY governor Franklin D. Roosevelt
Roosevelt from a wealthy NY family, distant cousin of TR
Suffered from paralysis caused by polio that made him tolerant, patient and able to “feel the pain” of the common man
One of his major assets was his wife, Eleanor
She campaigned for her husbands policies, the oppressed and the poor
Was one of the most active first ladies
I. FDR: Politician in a WheelchairI. FDR: Politician in a Wheelchair Political appeal was that he was a great
speaker and had an uplifting confidence As governor of NY he used the state to
relieve the suffering caused by the depression To dispel doubts about health he vigorously
campaigned Promised to balance budget and sweeping
social and economic reforms, although the specifics were vague
Preached a New Deal for the “forgotten man”’ Won the election easily Election of 1932 was the first that African
Americans voted heavily Democratic Election was as much anti-Hoover as pro-
Roosevelt During Hoover’s lame duck months Roosevelt
did little to help out until he took office
III. FDR and the Three R’s III. FDR and the Three R’s Winter after election saw the hard times getting worse, over
80% of banks were closed During inauguration speech he reassured the American
people and said the government must wage a war to end the depression
“New Deal”, federal gov’t takes more active role in promoting recovery, provides direct relief to individuals
Promoted three R’s –relief, reform and recovery Relief to help immediately Reform- pass legislation so depression would not occur again Recovery- short and long term goals to improve economy The First New Deal (1933-1935) was characterized by relief of
the immediate problems of unemployment Roosevelt was a pragmatist rather than an ideologue and he
was open to using many different approached to problems Acted decisively from the beginning, known as “First 100
days” Roosevelt relied on a select group of advisers to known as the
“Brain Trust”, a group of young reform minded intellectuals that helped author New Deal legislation
III. FDR and the Three R’sIII. FDR and the Three R’sFirst 100 days (March 9-June 16, 1933)
cranked out legislation that set Roosevelt’s New Deal in motion, many ideas had progressive roots
Roosevelt introduced idea of president as legislative leader
Insurance for elderly, disabled, unemployed, restriction on child labor and concern for the environment
Congress gave Roosevelt broad powers to fight Depression, any action at all was important to the public confidence
Favored work relief over direct aid
IV. Roosevelt Manages the MoneyIV. Roosevelt Manages the Money 1933 –Emergency Banking Relief Act- banks called for immediate action,
closed for 4 days Good, solvent banks allowed to reopen, reorganized banks to put financial
system on sound footing Banks put under the control of the Treasury Department Roosevelt gave fist “fireside chat” to reassure public, optimistic speeches help
keep Americans calm during Depression FDR close relationship with press assured positive response for projects Used mass media as tool to promote programs June, Congress created the FDIC, which guaranteed bank deposits of up to
$5,000 At about the same time, the Federal Securities Act was passed to help
strengthen confidence in the stock market--the SEC also created to regulate the stock and bond markets
Roosevelt pushed for managed currency to cause inflation and relieve debt burdens
FDR also officially abandoned the gold standard to help raise stock and commodity prices
To increase government revenue the first steps at repealing prohibition happened
V. Creating Jobs for the JoblessV. Creating Jobs for the Jobless Another urgent priority in 1933 was creating immediate relief for widespread
unemployment Roosevelt used government and Congress to create a number of programs
aimed at relief Used federal money to “prime the pump” of the economy March, CCC created to provide useful jobs for young men aged 18-25 3 million men took to woods and fields in national forests, parks, and recreation
areas, and to help with soil conservation projects Pay $30/month,($25 went home) but that was more than many people got at
the time Directed by army officers and foresters, men worked under a semi-military
atmosphere--discipline and living in a camp May, Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) passed, headed by
Harry L. Hopkins (who became the second most powerful person in administration)
Hopkins spent $5 million within 2 hours of taking office FERA aimed at working through states $500 million in FERA funds supported state construction projects--over 5,000
public buildings and 7,000 bridges, organized adult literacy programs, financed college education for poor students, and set up day-care centers for low-income families
Congress passed laws to help ease the acute debt problem for farmers and homeowners--the Farm Credit Administration and the Home Owner's Loan Act--which gave low-interest rates on refinancing mortgages
V. Creating Jobs for the JoblessV. Creating Jobs for the Jobless 1933 Civil Works Administration
established Provided “make work” projects for many
unemployed Americans Improving infrastructure, providing teachers
for schools Program became too expensive and was
abandoned after 4 months 1935- Replaced by Works Progress
Administration (WPA) headed by Hopkins Built nations roads, dredged rivers,
municipal buildings $5b program Federal Art Project, Federal Writers Project,
Federal Music Project- artists, writers program, set precedent of federal funding for arts
Program ended, accused artists of spreading radical beliefs
Ended in 1943 provided work for over 9 million
VI. A Day for Every DemagogueVI. A Day for Every DemagogueConservatives- New Deal made
government too powerful (conservatives/ for limited gov’t)
Undermined individualism, free enterprise Socialists- New Deal did not do enoughOnly concern was for banks, business
Socialism: If you own two cows you give one to your neighbor.Communism: You give both cows to the government and the government gives you back some milk.Fascism: You keep both cows, but the government takes your milk, and sells some of it back to you.New Deal: You shoot both cows and milk the government. Republican joke of the 1930s
VI. A Day for Every DemagogueVI. A Day for Every Demagogue Populist movement seen as voice for poor, challenge
power of elite, capitalized on discontent of Americans Father Charles Coughlin Catholic priest with radio program broadcast out of
Detroit, large following after turning against Roosevelt, Coughlin tells his listeners
that capitalism is dying, and that a new system based on "social justice" should be created (not always clear on what "social justice" exactly means)
Coughlin forms the National Union of Social Justice in Nov. 1934
He argues that nation's problems were caused by bankers--and that the banks should be controlled by the national government
Arguments against banks took a steadily increasing anti-Semitic tone as time goes on
Coughlin's support wanes by mid-1935, and he is censured for his political activities by Catholic church
VI. A Day for Every DemagogueVI. A Day for Every Demagogue Huey Long ("Kingfish") Governor of Louisiana (then U.S. Senator)--very
ambitious, calls for redistribution of American wealth
Starts a Share Our Wealth program in Jan. 1934 Long proposed to: A. liquidate all personal fortunes above a certain
amount B. give every family enough money to buy a home,
an automobile, and a radio C. elderly would receive pensions D. worthy boys would be sent to college E. would establish a minimum wage, shortened
work week, a balanced farm program, and immediate payment of soldiers' bonuses
Long's program drew immense following nationwide--claimed more than 27,000 Share Our Wealth clubs and 7.5 million followers
Long assassinated in 1935--Share Our Wealth continues but declines swiftly
VII. Helping Industry and LaborVII. Helping Industry and Labor June 1933 Congress enacted National Industrial Recovery
Act (NIRA) Most far reaching and complex New Deal Act, designed to help
industry, labor, unemployed Two parts- economic recovery and public works projects Most controversial part was the NRA (National Recovery
Administration) It tried to insure minimum wage, maximum hours (more money
to spend, spread out more jobs) Tried to regulate competition and set industry wide codes that
business had to follow, set standard wages and prices, production quotas (rule for “fair competition)
Labor guaranteed to have power to collectively bargain, form unions and organize into unions without interference (did not create adequate enforcement standards)
NRA also launched huge publicity program (Blue Eagle), urging consumers to buy only from companies that adhered to the NRA's codes of conduct
Public Works Administration (PWA), part of the NIRA also approved $3.3 billion dollars for a public-works program to create work for the jobless, pumping money back into the economy
PWA spent $4 billion (in all) on nearly 35,000 projects--constructing dams, bridges, and public buildings (post offices in particular)
VII. Helping Industry and LaborVII. Helping Industry and Labor Worked for a time because it was viewed as doing something When economy began to improve many businesses began to criticize codes,
too many competing interests to succeed Many criticized that large companies had more power than smaller ones
(concentration of industry Roosevelt saw a good thing), robbed small companies of a chance to compete
Limiting industrial production discouraged investment Shot down by Supreme Court in the Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States, that
stated the federal government had no right to regulate commerce in the states Significance of the decision was that it invalidates the NIRA because it gave the
federal government too much power Paved way for National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act), 1935
Stimulates union growth , requires employers to recognize and bargain with their employees' unions
Establishes the National Labor Relations Board to act as a watchdog in labor-management relations
1938- Fair Labor Standards Act- set up minimum wage, maximum hours Wage codes excluded agricultural workers, service workers and domestic
workers (jobs held by women and minorities) Positive legacy- 40 hour workweek, minimum wage, abolition of child labor,
spurred growth of unions, helped stabilize business
VII. Regional PlanningVII. Regional Planning New Deal reformers set out to regulate the
huge electric power industry Public utility affected lives of most Americans Often accused of excessive rates Tennessee Valley region one of the poorest
regions, rural and without electricity in many homes was a perfect place for the New Dealers to experiment
Idea was to develop hydroelectric power 1933- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
established to build 6 dams, bring jobs, help with river navigation, help with environmental conservation, improves industry, schools and mostly to send cheap, government supplied power through the remote valleys
Helped regulate utility rates across country, paved way for electrification of rural America over the next decade
Criticized by some for government entering into private enterprise
VIII. Three R’s for FarmersVIII. Three R’s for Farmers Low prices because of
overproduction made farming situation desperate
1933 Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA) enacted to help farmers
Goal to raise prices through artificial scarcity
Eliminate surplus by giving farmers money to reduce crop acreage, money raised through tax on processors of farm products
Farmers had to plow under crops and destroy livestock (destruction of food when country was hungry)
Brought up commodity prices over the next two years over 50%
VIII. Three R’s for FarmersVIII. Three R’s for FarmersPaying farmers did actually increase
unemploymentSupreme Court killed program in 1935
declaring taxation provisions unconstitutional1936 Congress reorganized relief for farmers
with Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act omitted processing taxes, provided benefit payments for soil conservation (emphasis on conservation)
1938 Second AAA same as earlier program but left out processing taxes, combination of conservation and not farming
IX. Dust BowlIX. Dust Bowl Southern Plains experienced a decade long
drought during 1930’s Dried soil and wind created huge dust storms that
made life miserable Human development made situation worse High grain prices pushed farmers into marginal
lands Planted vast acreage with mechanical plows, and
farmed too intensively Disrupted ecology of plains and loosened soil that
blew away during drought Many families left region Refugees known as Okies, no matter where they
were from Most headed out west- CA, OR, WA-lured by
promise of jobs, did not find them (competition for seasonal work with Latinos, Asians)
Rural states lost population Large farmers bought up cheap abandoned land at
cheap prices, expanded operations
X. Opposition from the CourtX. Opposition from the Court Court killed many New Deal programs Killed NIRA, AAA Court thought New Deal was upsetting the
balance between the three branches of government
FDR reaction add six new justices to court Critics call plan “court packing”, accused of
upsetting balance of power 1937 for various reasons Supreme Court
begins to rule in favor of New Deal programs Many older justices begin to retire Replaced with judges more friendly to
Roosevelt Court more willing to expand role of gov’t
for years to come Weakened FDR politically, seen as trying to
make pres. too powerful
XI. 2XI. 2NDND New Deal New Deal Despite the challenges from the left and right, FDR remains popular
with most Americans and easily wins reelection in 1936 Reason for FDR's continued popularity comes from a shift in New
Deal policy--what is called the Second New Deal By the middle of 1935, FDR is fed up with his critics in business and
industry--refuses to try and please everyone FDR argues that Second New Deal saves the capitalist system by
"reforming its excesses and addressing its less desirable social consequences”
2nd New Deal focuses on needs of urban and rural poor and the workers, aimed at long term reform and recovery
These new programs greatly expand federal relief efforts to American workers and pump money into economy
Driving idea behind many of Second New Deal programs is deficit spending
Proposed by British economist John Maynard Keynes Federal Deficit 1932- $460 m, 1936 $4.4b Some thought spending was wasteful Roosevelt following Keynesian Economic Theory Government deficit spending/ intervention necessary when economy
is bad Put money in hands of consumers (work, public projects) so they
have money to spend (pump priming)
XII. 2XII. 2ndnd New Deal Legislation New Deal Legislation Improved labor relations through National Labor Relations Act, Fair Labor Standards
Act 1935 Social Security Act- pension system for elderly, unemployment insurance,
insurance for work related accidents, Helped poverty stricken families and disabled, did not cover all equally (widows, farm
workers) Possibly greatest legacy of New Deal Program paid for by tax on earnings (regressive tax because it took money from
pockets of all at fixed rate) Decreased money supply, money was needed to bring us out of Depression Did not cover domestic workers, self employed, farm workers 1935 Revenue Act - raised tax rates on incomes over $50,000,created federal estate
and gift taxes, established federal tax on corporations Resettlement Administration (1935) Loans money to small farmers, tenants, and sharecroppers so they can acquire their
own farms on productive land Replaced in 1937 by the Farm Security Administration to make loans to prevent
marginal farmers from sinking further. Rural Electrification Administration (REA)--provides power to rural America
XIV. Twilight of the New DealXIV. Twilight of the New Deal During first Roosevelt term economy
showed signs of recovery 1936- Coalition of conservative southern
Democrats and Republicans blocks further reform and attacks some of New Deal agencies
By 1937 economy was slipping again because of Social Security tax and pullback in massive government spending because of concern for balanced budget
This is when Roosevelt really adopted Keynesian economic spending and pushed for massive spending to prevent another depression
1939- FDR and Congress begin to turn attention to foreign affairs--WWII--no new domestic reforms attempted
Revival of economy begins but it did not fully recover until WWII
XV. Women and MinoritiesXV. Women and Minorities Women began to carve a niche for themselves First woman cabinet Secretary Frances Perkins
(Sec. of Labor) African American woman, Mary McLeod
Bethune, was director of National Youth Administration
Minorities did not fare well under the New Deal, Roosevelt failed to address racism and segregation for fear of alienating Southern Democrats, was not a high priority
Many New Deal programs favored whites or were for whites only (Federal Housing Administration, CCC,TVA all practiced racial segregation)
Minority unemployment as around 50% Many small and tenant farmers were driven off
land by AAA because marginal lands were the first to be cut out of production, also eliminated jobs for migrant workers
XV. Women and MinoritiesXV. Women and Minorities Mexican Americans could not receive
benefits of federal relief because of inability to produce proof of citizenship
Many left and went back to Mexico Native Americans did see some benefits,
tried to reinvigorate tribal lands and autonomy (Indian New Deal)
NAACP did gain some ground in the fight for racial justice
Racial prejudice gained momentum in Scottsboro case in 1931 where nine black youths were accused of raping a white woman in Alabama and the men were denied equal protection under the law (because of all white juries) and received inadequate defense
XVI. Effects of the New DealXVI. Effects of the New Deal Relieved the worst of the financial crisis Changed role between government and citizens, assure minimum level of well
being Gov’t assumed responsibility for caring for sick, poor, elderly, disabled,
unemployed Established principle that gov’t responsible for welfare of Americans Safety net for needy Americans Critics said expansion limited freedoms for Americans Prevented collapse of economic system, allowed people to gain self respect Purged capitalism of excesses and abuse by few, prevented a more radical
swing to the left First New Deal experimented with managed economy, Second New Deal
enforced competition using government to prime the economy with spending Changed nature of presidency Executive branch created new federal agencies, large bureaucracy with little
supervision from Congress FDR used presidency to set social, economic agenda FDR used relationship with press assured positive response for projects, tool
to promote programs
XVI. Effects of the New DealXVI. Effects of the New DealExpanded role of the federal government Increased size and scope of government Increased regulatory functions New things- taxes taken directly from checks Created foundation for post-war growth Gov’t accepted responsibility for economic growth Restored confidence to financial system Labor laws protected workers, increased economic power Life improved for rural Americans (REA,TVA)Created a new political coalition Democratic Party gains power Brought together southern whites, northern blue collar
workers, Midwestern farmers, African Americans African Americans begin to vote Democratic during 1930’s Democrats majority in both houses of Congress
(controlled Congress all but four years 32-95) Social/ethnic tensions decreased, minorities, immigrants
felt part of mainstream culture Work programs brought diverse groups together
XVII. Culture of the 1930’sXVII. Culture of the 1930’s Mass entertainment (movies, radio) allowed
Americans to escape worries of Depression By the end of the 1930’s most homes had a radio National radio networks broadcast comedians
(Bob Hope, Jack Benny), soap operas, series Daily news and commentary People listen each week for their favorite shows FDR used fireside chats to explain ideas promote
New Deal Movies- triumph of the common man, gangster
films show declining faith in government, comedies (Marx Brothers especially) tried to laugh people out of the depression
Movies provided means of escape from everyday worries (Wizard of Oz in 1939)
Comic book heroes become popular (Superman, Dick Tracy, Flash Gordon), showed ordinary people could defeat evil
Franklin Roosevelt and the Franklin Roosevelt and the Shadow of WarShadow of War1933-1941
I. The London ConferenceI. The London ConferenceAfter WWI America turned inward, by the 1930’s
economic problems caused America to ignore events in Europe and Asia
By the end of the decade Roosevelt had convinced the American public, because of events in Europe and Asia, that America had to play a role in international affairs
1933- 66 nation London Economic Conference, leaders meet to help stabilize the financial and economic meltdown
America refuses to participatePushed world into deeper financial distress and played
into the hands of the rising dictators across Europe
II. Asia and the USSRII. Asia and the USSR Depression caused withdrawal form Asian
affairs Philippines seen as a liability and
competition for the American sugar industry
1934-Tydings-McDuffie Act give Philippines independence (with economic, naval conditions) in 1946
Americans freed themselves from Philippine obligation
Japanese used American withdrawal as a reason to step up aggression in the region
One international gesture by the Roosevelt administration was formal recognition of the USSR
Hoped for increased trade and as a counterbalance to growing power of Germany and Japan
III. Improved Relations with Latin AmericaIII. Improved Relations with Latin America
New era in relations with Latin America, suggested that US was content to be a regional power
Military intervention had not paid off and Depression had cooled off economic aggression
Roosevelt wanted to get Latin American countries on the side of he US to defend Western Hemisphere
Troops pulled out of countries, Cuba let out of restrictions of Platt Amendment
Good Neighbor Policy accented consultation and nonintervention
IV. Reciprocal TradeIV. Reciprocal Trade Policy of Sec. of State Cordell Hull Goal was to increase international
trade Trade seen as a two way street and
that tariffs presented barriers to trade
1934 Congress passes Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act
Lowered existing trade rates if other countries lifted their tariffs as well
Agreements made by executive branch not Senate, more efficient and faster
Increased foreign trade, helped foster better relations with Latin America
Reversed years of high tariff policy Paved the way for American led free
trade after WWII
V. Dictators and WarV. Dictators and War Great Depression, WWI
led to changes across the world
Germans resented Treaty of Versailles
Italy, Japan wanted more land
Led to rise of brutal dictatorships
Totalitarianism- government where single party or leader controls social, economic and cultural lives of people
V. Dictators and WarV. Dictators and WarUSSR1924 Joseph Stalin takes
control of USSRMove to industrialize and
form state controlled farmsGreat Terror- purges
Communist party of traitors (10m deaths)
Fear and massive propaganda kept Stalin in power
Seen by US as an ally
V. Dictators and WarV. Dictators and WarItalyEconomic depression, fear of
communist takeover1919 Benito Mussolini (Il
Duce) forms fascist partyPromoted nationalism, make
Italy great againFascism promoted classless
societyFollowers known as blackshirts1922 forms government-
controls press, creates secret police, indoctrinates youth
Never as powerful as Stalin or Hitler
V. Dictators and WarV. Dictators and War Germany After WWI Germany becomes democracy (Weimar Republic) 1920’s economic troubles, anger over result of war, internal
disunity Early 1930’s problems with government led to rise of anti-
democratic parties National Socialist Workers Party (Nazi), promote German ethnic
solidarity Led by Adolf Hitler Hitler stated explanations for German failures in book Mein
Kampf Criticized political programs, ideologies, people Want to unify German people into one state (Reich) Blamed Jews as greatest threat to Germany Book presented blueprint for world domination Problems of German economy allowed Nazis to take power 1933- Hitler appointed chancellor of Germany Mid 1930’s Hitler controlled press, educational system, removed
all opposition Aided by secret police Hitler Youth Programs indoctrinated young Late 1930’s economic policies, rearmament, public works
projects bring Germany out of the depression Political initiatives (anti- Semitism) restrict freedoms
V. Dictators and WarV. Dictators and War Japan 1920’s increase in democracy in Japan,
changed by Depression Power shifted toward military control Thought expansion through Asia would end
economic trouble, allow crowded island nation more space to grow
1931-attack Manchuria, establish puppet state, shut Open Door policy in conquered region
Violated international agreements 1932 –US issues Stimson Doctrine that
proclaims US would not recognize territorial acquisitions made by force
Americans begin informal boycott of Japanese goods
Seen as a slap on the wrist by Japan, did not deter them
1937- “Rape of Nanjing” kill over 200,000 people, burn city
VI. Congress Legislates NeutralityVI. Congress Legislates Neutrality Americans believed seas allowed them
protection form rise of totalitarian states Many disillusioned from WWI and debt issues
that followed Actions try to legislate US out of war 1934- Debt Default Act prevented debt
dodging nations to borrow further from US American fear of being drawn into war 1934-36 Congressional investigative
committees (Nye Commission) determine that bankers and manufacturers in U.S. made huge fortunes off of WWI, findings reinforce anti-war sentiment
1935-1937, Congress passes series of Neutrality Acts that embody anti-war feelings, prohibit U.S. from making loans or selling arms to warring nations and ban American travel on ships of warring nations
Neutrality played into hands of dictators, instead of using industry to aid allies it ignored them, allowed dictators to control events
VII. American Dooms Loyalist SpainVII. American Dooms Loyalist Spain 1936-1939 Spanish Civil War was a dress rehearsal for WWII Spanish rebels led by fascist leader Franco, supported by Germany
and Italy Legitimate government supported by USSR, helped chill American
sympathy Congress passed legislation to not help either side Germans used conflict to test out new weapons Inaction by democratic powers made dictators more aggressive US determination to keep out of war at any price weakened our
military to deter aggression 1938 Congress appropriates money to build up navy
VIII. Appeasing Japan and GermanyVIII. Appeasing Japan and Germany 1935- Hitler openly flouts Treaty of Versailles by increasing the size of the
German army and war machine 1936 Hitler takes the Rhineland, begins to exterminate Jewish population under
his control Spring 1938- Hitler takes Austria (Anschluss), part of Czechoslovakia
(Sudetenland), areas populated by ethnic Germans Munich Pact- BR,FR appease Germany, preserve European peace, by
sacrificing these regions France, Britain –policy of appeasement (granting concessions to keep peace) Appeasement made Hitler, Mussolini, Japan more bold Why appeasement? Wanted to avoid repeat of WWI Saw USSR as greater threat than Germany (Germany would be a buffer state)
VIII. Appeasing Germany and JapanVIII. Appeasing Germany and Japan1937- After the attack on Beijing,
Roosevelt decline to invoke neutrality legislation in order to provide China with arms against the Japanese (Japan could also buy weapons from the US)
Roosevelt condemned Japanese attack on China (Quarantine speech, Chicago 1937)
Alliance of countries should isolate aggressive countries economically
December 1937- Japanese attack and sink US gunboat Panay
Japan makes apology and pays an indemnity for damages
IX. Hitler’s Belligerency and US NeutralityIX. Hitler’s Belligerency and US Neutrality 1939- France, Britain see appeasement
fails, German aggression needed to be stopped by force
Spring 1939 Hitler takes rest of Czech., violates Munich Pact
August 1939- Nazi- Soviet Nonaggression Pact- two countries will not attack each other, plan to divide Poland
Stalin hopes that the Allies and Germany will fight each other leaving USSR as sole power in Europe
Sept. 1939- Germans attack Poland (beginning of war in Europe)
New style of warfare- blitzkrieg (lighting war)- emphasize speed and firepower, use of new military technology (tanks, planes, motorized vehicles) make it very effective
IX. Hitler’s Belligerency and US NeutralityIX. Hitler’s Belligerency and US Neutrality Roosevelt issues proclamations of neutrality, US determined
to stay out of war Summons Congress to lift arms embargo on France and
Britain Neutrality Act 1939- “cash and carry policy” allowed
nations to buy arms from US for cash, if they carried it on their own ships
Aided Allies, Britain controlled the Atlantic Many upset, thought Roosevelt was leading US to war Only way to keep America safe was policy of neutrality Hurt China because it was blockaded by Japanese navy Did help solve problems of unemployment crisis in US, also
helped US ramp up production before war began
X. The Fall of FranceX. The Fall of France Spring 1940 Germany conquers Denmark,
Norway, Netherlands, Belgium May 1940- Germany takes France Collapse of France shocks Americans, only
country between US and Germany was Britain
If Britain defeated, pose threat to American security, Hitler could use industrial power of Europe for war
Roosevelt called upon Congress to appropriate $37 billion to build up army and navy
Sept. 1940 conscription law passed America’s first peacetime draft
End of American neutrality in war, although public not fully behind it yet
1940 Winston Churchill, new prime minister of GB , said war threat to freedom everywhere, war between nations and ideologies
XI. Bolstering Britain with the Destroyer DealXI. Bolstering Britain with the Destroyer Deal Great Britain only country left fighting Axis
in Europe To invade Britain (Operation Sea Lion),
Germans needed to take out British air force- control skies
Late 1940- Battle of Britain, air war over England
Germans bombed military and civilian targets (The Blitz)
British resistance caused Germany to postpone invasion of Britain
Debate to help intensified in US, defend America alone or support British with all means short of war
Most Americans supported the position of providing aid
Roosevelt makes secret deal with British to provide WWI era destroyers for defensive naval base sites in the Western Hemisphere
Violation of neutral obligations, seemed to violate neutrality acts
XII. Election of 1940 and Lend -LeaseXII. Election of 1940 and Lend -Lease FDR wins third term based on need for experienced
leadership in times of crisis Late 1940 British running out of money, new scheme to get
arms to countries, Lend –Lease Bill, give arms to be returned later and accounts could be settled after the war
Effect of bill was economic declaration of war Increased capacity of US factories helped prepare for real
war America could be “arsenal of democracy” according to
Roosevelt January 6, 1941 Roosevelt gives “Four Freedoms” speech
(freedom of speech, worship, from fear, from want) said Germany, Japan threats to freedoms
After German attack on USSR in 1941 US made over $1 billion in aid available to Soviets
XIII. Atlantic CharterXIII. Atlantic Charter
August 1941 Roosevelt, Churchill meet to discuss future of world after war
Sign Atlantic Charter- endorsed national self- determination, international system of security
Deepened alliance between two countries
Foundation for United Nations July 1941 US warships begin to
escort lend-lease shipments Fall 1941 Hitler orders U-
boats to attack American ships in Atlantic
XIV. Surprise Attack on Pearl HarborXIV. Surprise Attack on Pearl Harbor Japan mired in battle over China War machine dependent on US for steel, oil, aviation gasoline Japanese wanted expansion to secure resources from other countries Assistance from US unpopular in America Roosevelt held off embargo to keep Japanese expansion in check Late 1940 first US embargoes, froze Japanese assets and shipments of
supplies 1941 General Tojo becomes prime minister, focuses on military expansion Nov. 1941 US insists Japan leave China in order to renew trade relations,
Japanese unwilling to lose face in situation US officials knew Japanese decision was for war, but expected it to be in
Philippines not Hawaii Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack US Naval base in Pearl Harbor, destroy most
of US Pacific Fleet Dec. 11 Germany, Italy declare war on US Attack aroused and united Americans in favor of war, silenced isolationists Attack on Pearl Harbor last in a long series of events that brought America
into war
CHAPTER 35
AMERICA IN WORLD WAR II
The Allies Trade Space For Time
After Pearl Harbor, the free world was on the edge of disaster
Japan running amok in Pacific and Germany might drive England to the wall before US aid could stem the tide.
Stopping Hitler a bigger priorityPlan: Devote enough energy to
Japan to keep them from getting any more and begin to try to drive them back, but make Europe the first priority. This strategy criticized by
public, Pacific commanders, China and far-east allies
Revving the Economic Engine
US had massive economic potential, but needed time to get geared up.
Wasn’t clear that had time. England in desperate shape.America needed time to convert factories to all-out
war production.Fear that skilled German scientists would come up
with dramatic new weapons.Had to feed and arm itself and allies.
The Shock Of War
National unity wasn’t a problem—Pearl Harbor had silenced isolationists. US communists and socialists fully
backed the war. Why?No government witch hunts against
American Germans or most Japanese-Americans.
Exception: West-Coast Japanese, 110,000 interned in concentration
camps. Most interned were well integrated into
US Lost millions in earnings and property. Upheld by Supreme Court in
Korematsu v. U.S. Apologize in 1988 and pay reparations.
Building The War Machine
War snapped US out of the depression.
Full employment.War Production Board.War production board halted
manufacture of non-essential itemsWar industries had first priority in
transport and raw materials National speed limit and gas
rationing.Food RationingFarmers have bumper crops and
boom time.
Do Your Part
Economic Bumps
War caused Inflation. Unions gave no-strike pledge, but hated wage caps
and some staged labor stoppages. Mine workers under John L. Lewis were the worst. Roosevelt took a tough stance.
1943 Smith-Connally Anti-Strike Act
Manpower Shortage
15 Million men served in WWII.
216,000 women served in military in one capacity or another WAACS (Army) , WAVES
(Navy)Severe manpower shortage
at home.
Rosie the Riveter
6 Million women took jobs outside the home; over half had never worked before. Rosie the Riveter.
Effect on Women’s movement
2/3 left or lost their jobs after war.
Wartime Migrations
Reason for wartime migrations.
Detroit and LA, Dallas 1.6 million blacks moved from
the south. New race problems in northern
cities.Blacks resent their treatment.FDR issues executive order
prohibiting discrimination in defense industries
Fair Employment Practices Commission.
Internal Migration in the United States During World War II
Blacks Demand Fairness
Blacks adopt the Double V slogan. Military segregation
NAACP membership shoots up and Congress for Racial Equality is established (CORE)
Move north continues after the war.
Creation of Sun Belt
Economic Effect of War
Americans at home suffered very little from the war, especially when contrasted to the Brits and Russians.
War invigorated the US economy to an unprecedented level. GNP doubled from 1940 to 1945 and pay checks went way up.
Disposable income more than doubled, but not much to spend on because all factories devoted to war.
The war, even more than the New Deal, leads to the Big Government of the second half of the 20th Century.
All the federal spending finally cures the depression.War cost $330 billion. Where did money come from?
Forced US to borrow at unprecedented level and to raise taxes. Top brackets went as high as 90%. National debt goes from 49 Bill in 1941 to 259 Bill. in 1945.
Figure 36.1: The National Debt, 1930–1950
The Allied Halting Of Hitler
Battle of North Atlantic German subs were sinking
merchant ships faster than they could be built..
North Africa is where Allies take their first offensive
9/42 Russia stalls the German steamroller on the outskirts of Stalingrad High-water mark for Hitler
The North African Second Front
Soviets are begging the allies to open second front. Allies recognize they need to. Stalin’s concerns and fears Allies concerns
Americans are willing to make a cross-channel invasion in 1942 but Churchill and England’s high command are against this.
British argue for an attack at the underbelly of Europe in the Mediterranean.
Operation Torch
Invade North Africa 11/42. Ike in command. Biggest sea-born invasion up to that time. American troops get pummeled by Germans in first battle at
Kasserine pass. Patton takes charge. U.S. and Brits begin to drive Germans East. Forced Germans to surrender in Tunisia 5/43
Casablanca
Churchill and Roosevelt Jan. 1943.
Agree to invade SicilyMany on American staff
don’t like this idea.Churchill and Roosevelt
agree to insist on unconditional surrender of Germany
Sicily
Sicily invaded and falls 8/43.
Mussolini is deposed soon thereafter and Italy unconditionally surrenders.
Germans don’t leave and carry on fight in Italy
Invasion of Italy
9/43 Allies invade toe of Italy and start fighting up the boot.
Bogs down; amphibious invasion along the Western coast at Anzio.
Is very slow going in Italy fighting through the mountains.
Allies finally get Rome 2 days before D-Day.
Do not finish in Italy until 5 days before German surrender.
Italy Assessed
Benefits: Does divert some German troops and provides us with air
bases from which we can easily bomb Germany. Does open the Mediterranean to Allies greatly restricting
Germans.Problems:
Delayed the cross-channel invasion by many months, giving Soviets a chance to get further into Eastern Europe before the war ends.
Increased Soviet suspicion
Tehran Conference
Late Nov. 1943 PurposeFirst meeting of
Roosevelt and Stalin
Roosevelt attempts to placate Stalin
Eisenhower’s D-day Invasion Of France
Eisenhower is given command of D-day landing.
June 6, 1944. Biggest sea-borne invasion in history.
Land near Normandy.
Five beaches. Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah, Omaha
D-Day
Very hard fighting; Have to break out before Germans bring
in reinforcements and drive invasion back into the ocean. US has Air superiority. US has used paratroopers the night of
the D-day invasion Hitler dithers on the day of the
invasion. August, 1944, invasion of southern
France opens a second front. Patton breaks out and races to the
German border, but is forced to stall when he can’t get enough supplies.
Election of 1944
Election of 1944 comes at a bad time—the war is reaching its climax
Republicans nominate Dewey, popular governor of New York. He is only 42 and is very liberal for a Republican.
FDR is renominated Roosevelt is in very poor health.
VP, Henry Wallace, dumped and replaced by Truman. Why? Roosevelt relationship with Truman.
FDR wins by 3 Million votes and 432-99 in the Electoral College
Battle of the Bulge
December 1944, Germany was wobbling.
Dec. 16, 1944 Hitler unleashes a powerful all-out counter-offense in the snow-shrouded and foggy Ardennes forest. Battle of the Bulge.
Allies are thrown back in disarray. German target is port of Antwerp. Problem—Germans are very low on
fuel and lack air support. 101st Airborne is surrounded but
refuses to surrender at Bastogne. Constantly shelled, low supplies, no
winter clothing. Patton drives north in record time and
relieves Bastogne.
V-E Day
March 1945 American Troops reach the Rhine April, 1945 just outside Berlin, US forces meet up with Soviets who have
been driving in from the East. Discover the concentration camps. April 12, 1945, Roosevelt dies. Truman, who is totally out of the loop, is hastily sworn in. April 30, 1945, Hitler commits suicide as Berlin is falling around him. May 7, 1945, Germany surrenders unconditionally.
War in the Pacific
American subs devastate Japan’s merchant fleet.
Massive fire-bomb raids of Japanese cities. March, 1945, destroy ¼ of Tokyo and
killed over 80,000. As devastating as later Nuclear attacks.
MacArthur recaptures New Guinea.October, 1944, biggest naval battle
in history. Leyte Gulf. Japan’s naval power is destroyed. First Kamikazes.
Jan. 1945, recapture Philippine mainland.
Okinawa and Iwo Jima
Spring 1945 vicious battles on Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
Japanese fight to the last man, inflicting severe casualties.
Atomic Awfulness
Invasion of Japan is assumed will cost America thousands of casualties.
Japan is sending out peace-feelers, but does not appear willing to surrender unconditionally.
Potsdam conference July 1945 Allies agree again to unconditional surrender.
Japan wants to keep the emperor. Manhattan project. Very secret. First atomic bomb in New Mexico July 1945. Nagasaki and Hiroshima—Japanese surrender.
Hiroshima—70,000 instant deaths and 60,000 more over next months due to radiation.
Soviets enter the war just after the first bomb and overrun Manchuria and Korea (hence North Korea)
Japan surrenders August 10, 1945
Why Does Truman Use the Bomb?
Avoid US casualties, but clear Japan would likely surrender before Invasion.
To show Soviets what we have
To prevent Soviets from being involved in Pacific longer and grabbing more territory and having a say in rebuilding of Japan. Probably most important