FRQ- What fears did Americans have after the Great War and how were these manifested? FRQ- What fears did Americans have after the Great War and how were these manifested? What fears did Americans have after the Great War and how were these manifested?

            Instead of feeling of secure after the First Great War, America plunged into a state of hysteria and fear. Job issues, the Red Scare, and racial riots were the causes of the terror felt by many Americans. This was shown through many outlets, such as strikes, riots, and even small-scale warfare. The domestic tension built up during the Great War was finally shattered during the post-war period and led many Americans to act out of character.

            After the Great War, workers sought to gain back the purchasing power they had lost due to inflation. There was also a shortage of jobs as returning veterans began to demand more jobs. Inflation and other policies kept wages low, while certain jobs required workers to continue working long hours. Simultaneously, employers tried to stop and reverse the wartime advancements that labor unions had made. As tensions rose, many workers feared that the conditions would not improve. In 1919 alone, there were over 4 million workers that went on strike. By August 1919, 400,000 Eastern/Midwestern coal miners, 120,000 New England textile workers, and 50,000 New York gardeners walked out. The fact that many of these strikes were headed by union members of Russian and Eastern European background fueled the American public’s fear that they were radicals trying to over throw the government. As a result, the public began resenting and opposing the strikes. Two instances in which public fear of strikes ended up causing the failure of the strike was the when the policemen in Boston went on strike, and when the steelworkers of the Midwest went on strike. After the Boston policemen walked out, there was public outcry. Who was going to protect the city? When will there be a police force again? The public’s fear was fueled by the rioting and looting that ensued. When 300,000 steelworkers in the Midwest went on strike, it was the cunning of the industry leaders that ended up suppressing the strike. They used propaganda to shift public opinion against the strike leaders, who were portrayed as dangerous radicals that sought to end democracy and freedom. Once again, the public’s fear flared; the lack of public support led to the strike’s collapse. The fear felt by workers and the public led them to act differently, especially regarding strikes.

            The Red Scare and radicalism fears shook America to its core. Similar to how dissent was repressed during the Great War by the sedition laws, radicalism was quelled post-Great War. In response to the panic, the American Legion was formed. The Legion took upon itself to identify seditious individuals and groups. Thirty-three states also passed sedition laws to punish revolution advocates. Americanization campaigns were launched by public and private institutions; anything un-American was to be squashed and those caught showing anti-American points of views were to be “corrected” and made into loyal citizens. Even radical professors at colleges were fired from their posts. The IWW campaigners also experienced harsh violence as vigilante groups attacked them. The government got involved by passing anti-immigration laws to keep out foreigners, who they believed were the cause of so much radicalism. Attorney General Palmer launched what was known as the Palmer Raids. Although it was unsuccessful, as many as 600 captives of the raids were deported. Overall, there was a general sense of intolerance for criticism towards the government, as they were viewed as anarchist and revolutionary.

            Blacks in post-Great War America were especially treated with hostility. Stressed from work, the poor wages, and the crowded living conditions, the white citizens of America were in no mood to deal with blacks. The blacks on the other hand, having just risked their lives for their country, expected to return home heroes and treated as equal citizens. When whites did not give them this, pressure rose, and all tension snapped during the racial riots. Chicago was one of the most infamous battle grounds, as whites and blacks fought throughout the summer of 1919, leaving 120 dead. Afterwards, the blacks feared that they would never obtain first-class citizen status. In response to this fear, Marcus Garvey led a movement symbolized by Black Nationalism. He told blacks everywhere to respect their own, rich culture. He also advocated for separatism and self-sufficiency among the black community. The fear that the blacks once had was now turned into an overwhelming sense of Black Nationalism. Garvey also founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). It’s widely circulated newspapers and ocean vessels carrying UNIA flags brought about increased Black Nationalism and pride. Although the UNIA ended up dissolving, Black Nationalism would live on.

            The hostility of the era led many Americans to show their darker sides. This was demonstrated through the increased hostility shown against foreigners, through raids and other means of violence. Usually supportive of strikes, the general public was swayed by the propaganda to fear the strikes caused by workers. Black Nationalism was also a direct consequence of the black’s fear that they would never obtain first-class citizen treatment. The tension eventually alleviated as America fell into a depression, and upon coming out of it, had to gear up for the second Great War.

FRQ- What were the reasons for the Red Scare and the upsurge of racial unrest that afflicted postwar America in 1919?

1919, America was a milieu of tension. Communist hysteria swamped through the public and caused mass hysteria. Racial riots had broken out in major cities. America seemed on the brink of disaster. How did America, after winning such a great victory in the Great War, fall into this state? How did the Red Scare and the race riots chill America so deeply? The roots of the Red Scare can be found in the Russian Revolution, while the roots of the race riots can be found in blacks who served in the Great War.

            Radical sentiments were spreading among workers. People were calling for permanent nationalization of the coal mines and railroads; west coast longshoremen refused to supply the White Russians in their attempts to stop the Bolsheviks; one million Americans vote for Eugene Debs, the socialist candidate, in the 1920 election. The public’s communist fears became known as the Red Scare. There are many reasons why the Red Scare gripped so many Americans. After Communist radicals overthrew the Russian government and established the Soviet Union, the world now contained a great communist presence.  The fact that the Russians were also supporting communist revolutions all over the world didn’t alleviate any nation’s fears. In 1919, the American Communist Party was founded, with many members from Russia and European descent. Americans immediately became fearful of the Communist Party. Were they going to overthrow the government? Are they supported by the Russians? Paranoia struck America, especially when the small group of radicals within the Communist Party, most of who were anarchists, began bombing numerous places. With the rise of the Russian Communist Party, the birth of the American Communist Party, and the anarchist bombings, though infrequent, the American public was immobilized with fear. Yet, many of their fears were unjustified. Most members of the American Communist Party did not seek to overthrow the government. Instead, they sought to influence the workers minds through education and strikes. The American Socialist Party was also severely fractured by the Russian Revolution, contrary to what many believed. The radical groups, of both the Communist Party and Socialist Party, were very small in number. Yet the bombings they did gripped America with fear; it seemed like the radicals were going to overthrow the government. At the height of fear for radicalism and the Red Scare, the American Legion was born. The Legion made sure that any seditious people or organizations were pointed out. Yet, the hysteria seemed to halt after the Palmer raids. The Palmer raids invaded houses in more than thirty-three cities in an attempt to uncover radical plots, and ultimately failed, the Americans began to question the validity of their hysteria. The rise of the Red Scare was built upon excessive paranoia, catalyzed by the recent Bolshevik uprising, formation of the American Communist Party, and the radical bombings. Yet, the paranoia lacked logic and reasoning, thus it collapsed.

            Race riots in America post-World War I can see its roots traced back most recently to the fact that black Americans helped fight on behalf of America during World War I. The 400,000 blacks that returned home from the war expected to be treated as first class citizens; after all, they had just sacrificed their life for their country. Many even speculated on the birth of the “New Negro”. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Contrary to giving blacks jobs, managers fired blacks from their jobs to make way for the returning white servicemen. This forced blacks to find low wage jobs. The fact that conditions for blacks did not improve socially greatly upset many of them. Lynch mobs in the south even targeted many black veterans that refused to be called the regular derogatory names. Tensions escalated as blacks expected to be treated as first class citizens and as whites were bewildered as to why blacks expected to be treated as first class citizens. Whites also resented having to live so close to black neighborhoods. When the veterans returned home, many found the cities to become very crowded. These crowded conditions angered many whites, who refused to stoop so low as to live next to the blacks. Border tensions reached the breaking point in Chicago in July, 1919. White mobs invaded black neighborhoods, attacking everything and everyone. The expectations of the blacks to return home as equal citizens was met with the same white racism that had existed before the war, thus cooking up an atmosphere of great pressure that was bound to explode.

            The results of World War I, such as the Bolshevik Revolution and the return of black servicemen, brought about the post-war tension felt throughout America. For the Red Scare, it seemed as if the Communist Party was going to overthrow the government. For the racial riots, the vision of the “New Negro” was neither accepted nor even contemplated by whites. Yet as America progressed into the future, these tensions would dissolve, and once again, it would have to unite to defeat the same enemy that it had faced in the first Great War: Germany, and its new leader, Adolf Hitler.

            

Moral Diplomacy and Woodrow Wilson

http://www.box.com/s/plbz2pribqg34pjevjmr

APUSH Imperialism Unit Assessment Questions

1.        US exerted control over Hawaii, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines, China, Panama, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Haiti between 1895 and 1917. US exerted control over Hawaii by annexing it and supporting groups of revolutionary white planters to overthrow the queen. Sugar tycoons overthrew the queen and established government. During the Spanish-American war, US seized Cuba and Puerto Rico. The US passed the Platt Amendment in 1901 to limit Cuba’s ability to make treaties with other countries. It also authorized the US to intervene in Cuban affairs. The US treated Puerto Rico like a territory. They passed the Foraker Act to give the US the power to appoint the governor and upper legislative of Puerto Rico. They later passed the Jones- Shafroth Act which allowed Puerto Ricans to have their own civilian government. Yet, it also gave the governor and President of the US veto power over laws in Cuba. They also had power to stop legislation and control economic matters, mail service, immigration, and defense. In the Philippines, the US sent missionaries to convert the people, had business men clamor the Philippine market, and made the Philippines a protectorate. In response, the Philippines strongly disliked how the US did not grant them independence and began to rebel. The Philippine-American lasted from February 4, 1899 to July 4, 1902. In China, the US tried to establish its own “sphere of influence”. They didn’t want foreign powers to monopolize China. Therefore they set up many trade deals and sent many active missionaries. Secretary of State John Hay established the Open Door Note in 1899. The US also helped to finance and send troops to suppress the Boxer Rebellion. They then continued to exploit trade in China and use dollar diplomacy. The US used gunboat diplomacy to secure Panama from Columbia during the Columbia Revolution to build the Panama Canal. They then negotiated the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty to widen the canal zone to 10 miles and in return, pay the New Panama Canal Company $40 million. Dollar Diplomacy was also evident in countries such as Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Honduras, and Haiti, although it was only successful in the latter two. In the Dominican Republic specifically, the US accepted a treaty in 1905 that made the Dominican Republic a protectorate of the US. The US would invest heavily in these weaker countries to lift them out of debt, and thus gain economic leverage over these countries. These countries would then become dependent on the US, who would then exploit the country’s natural resources. One of the main reasons for American imperialism was the fact that the US was running out of resources, therefore, using dollar diplomacy to gain access to these resources was justified in the eyes of the US. In Haiti and Mexico, moral diplomacy was also evident to protect US interests in the area and to promote democracy. In Haiti, the US government and bankers collaborated to take control of Haiti’s national bank, therefore controlling Haiti economically.

2.       The Roosevelt Corollary reaffirmed American protection over Latin America and promised to protect them with military intervention. The Venezuela Border dispute increased the prestige and revived the spirit of the Monroe Doctrine. President Cleveland warned Britain to not take Venezuela territory, saying that the US was dominant in the western hemisphere. They then mediated a border, saying that if Britain did not accept, then war would follow. As a result, Britain was kept out of Venezuela. The Samoan Crisis also revived the spirit of the Monroe Doctrine. The US battled Germany for control of the Samoan Islands. Although the Germans were not completely kicked out, the US limited their influence in the area. The Spanish-American War greatly revitalized the spirit of the Monroe Doctrine. The US did not like how the Cubans were being brutally treated by the Spanish. The US won the war, and therefore expelled the Spanish from the region and gained many territories in the Pacific, like the Philippines.

3.       The US’s reaction to the Mexican Revolution was one that tried to parallel the ideology of Moral Diplomacy. They intervened by supporting the rebels trying to overthrow the government. They did so by giving arms to these rebel groups. They also collaborated with certain foreign countries to ensure that their national interests would be protected and promoted in Mexico. The US’s goal during the Mexican Revolution was to establish a pro-American government in Mexico that was both democratic and supportive of US interests. Therefore, by supporting rebel groups, if these groups gained power then they would be indebted to the US.

4.      Teddy Roosevelt’s Big Stick Policy and Woodrow Wilson’s Moral Diplomacy had some similarities and differences. Yet, in the end, it was Teddy’s Big Stick Policy that leads me to believe that he was the more successful President. Big Stick Policy meant that if you “speak softly and carry a biog stick, you will go far”. By negotiating peacefully, but with a formidable threat of force the US could get other country’s to succumb to their interests without having to actually fight them. This policy proved useful in many cases, for example, in the Panama Canal where the US exhibited gunboat diplomacy. TR also sent around his “Great White Fleet” to promote the perception of American military strength to JapanTakahira Agreement, in which both sides would respect each other’s territorial possessions in the Pacific and follow the Open Door policy in China. Wilson’s Moral Diplomacy was less successful for many reasons. First, it contradicted itself. This is because moral diplomacy advocated economic pressure on non-democratic countries or countries that didn’t support US interests, all without the use of force. Economic pressure was enforced through embargoes. Yet, in the end, force had to be used. Moral diplomacy ended up failing because it led to nations heavily resenting the US, like Mexico. It also inevitably led to the use of arms and overprotected American corporations. It was such a despised policy that it was heavily abandoned in the 1920s. Big Stick Policy was more successful than Moral Diplomacy because Big Stick accomplished more than Moral did. Therefore, Teddy was the more successful President.

5.       DBQ

6.       Traditional American values of freedom and citizenship for all were blatantly dismissed during America’s imperialistic conquest. This was evident in numerous occasions. For example, the US passed the Platt Amendment on Cuba to exert control over them in treaty making and they exploited Cuba’s resources. The use of Dollar and Moral Diplomacy to take control of a country economically and make them dependent on the US was also a direct contradiction to the US’s values of democracy and self-determination. Dollar Diplomacy was used to control countries like Cuba, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua to keep foreign funds out and take over the country economically. The US did not allow the Philippines to gain their independence, and instead, made them into a protectorate. Although the Jones-Shafroth Act allowed Puerto Ricans to establish a civilian government, there were many implications that went along with the Act; the US had the right to veto laws, stop legislation, and exhibit control over economic matters, mail services, immigration, and defense. Cuba and the Philippines were both fighting for their independence, prior to the Spanish-American War. Although the US supported their independence, they ultimately did not grant them full independence. This US hypocrisy was scorned upon by foreign powers.  

The Jungle DBQ Thesis

“…hams, which had been spoiled in pickle…poisoned rats lying about…dung of rats covering them”, described Upton Sinclair in a letter to President Roosevelt. Outraged and in disbelief, numerous journalists and authors across the nation captured this horrific tale and made it aware throughout the country. The meatpacking command has made the factories a near-death camp, as shown with evidence in the articles. With substantial evidence from both government investigation and eyewitness accounts on the horrendously unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry, Upton Sinclair is validated to pursue his goals on reforming the meatpacking industry, as mentioned in his novel The Jungle. 

Taking of the West Questions

1. US relations with Native Americans grew worse in the Civil War. This can be accounted for the fact that American troops had to be withdrawn from their posts in the west, which made the posts more vulnerable to Native American attacks. The Civil War also drained the US of it’s money, so it could not pay its annuity to the Indians. Many Indians, like the Sioux, starved because they had not received their payments. As a result, fighting ensued. Chief Little Crow encouraged fighting the Americans, which would last for more than a decade. As Americans kept expanding west and as Native Americans grew angry at their continuous loss of land, the two constantly clashed.

2. a. The hostility felt by Americans toward Native Americans was deeply rooted in the fact that they viewed the Indians as savages.  They didn’t view the Indians as equals. This led to various massacres and wars out in the west between the two entities. This disrespect showed up in many ways, for example, the mutilation of corpses after the Dakota Uprising.

b. The goal of the Dawes Plan was to grant landholding to Native Americans. This replaced communal landholdings which occurred in the past and assimilated Native American tribes into American society.  I disapprove of the plan because it acted as a scapegoat for the American government. The Native Americans were being offered a small amount of land and the American government ignored the cultural aspects that would be impacted

3. The government had a big role in the settling of the west. They constantly encouraged settlement of the west to the people.  They sponsored numerous railroad and canal projects to make the expansion process easier for the people. The government was a driving and controlling force for settlement, as it granted generous amounts of land to people who decided to settle. Some adventuresome individuals that aspired for gold rode this government intervention and therefore had an easier process of transporting to the west in search for gold or a better life.

4. The “New South” conformed to its rhetoric because of the many changes it experienced. King Cotton was beginning to lose ground, as it was believed to be the cause of the South’s defeat.  Tobacco, rice, and cane sugar became a popular cash crop. This diversification of crops helped the south grow less dependent on cotton, and boosted its recovery. The South began to manufacture more, using cotton mills.  Coal, iron, and limestone also drove the New South, as steel was also produced. By the 1900, Southern coal production has increased by five million tons. The South also became more industrialized with hydroelectricity and more railroads. Paper was also greatly produced because the arm climate allowed for a quick regeneration of trees.

5. Blacks improved economically and politically. Emancipation and the passage of the 13^th, 14, and 15^th amendments gave blacks citizenship and let them have more opportunities economically. Yet, there was little improvement socially. This racism kept on living even after the Civil War, and inspired such things like the Black Codes, the KKK, and the Jim Crow Laws. The South’s loss in the Civil War and it’s struggles in reconstruction generated a lot of bad temper, which sought blacks as a scapegoat. The harsh racism and segregation made it hard for blacks to assimilate into society, and also proved that attitudes towards blacks had not changed so much from the antebellum times.

6. This high level of competitiveness can be contributed to many things. Post-war sentiments still float in the atmosphere and lead groups of 

different regions to despise each other. There were heavy economic and social issues in the country and different parties sought different ways to fix it. Also, the presidency of Grant and his administration proved to be an utter disaster, as corruption was rampant throughout. The Panic of 1873 made the situation worse, as the treasury was lacking funds. House of Representatives switched six times between 1869 and 1891. There was also a high level of voter turnout. Yet, despite the heavy competition, none of the parties provided worthy presidents, as there was an era of forgettable presidents.  Patronage and bribery dominated politics throughout the era. Garfield’s assassination by another office seeker only made the level of tension and competition worse.

APUSH Lesson V HW

Reactions to the end of the war and the death of President Lincoln were mixed, but ultimately, they became uniform. The North’s reaction to the end of the war was one of pride and happiness that the war was over. Their economy  was still intact and was running strong as ever. Also the North won, so they would be able to decide what to do with the South. Many abolitionists were glad that slavery would come to an end. The South’s reaction could also be said to be one of happiness since the war was over. It was long and took a heavy toll. The South’s economy was devastated after the war. Entire cities were burned to the ground. Free labor was not available anymore so plantations were collapsing. The South’s main export, cotton, could not be produced in such quantities as from before. The South also lost much of its youth and vigor to the war. It’s political power was also shattered due to the fact that they lost the war and were at the mercy of the North. So in overall, the North was happy that the war was over and it was still in good shape, and that it had a greater amount of political power. The South, on the other hand, was also happy the the war was over, but only because it would mean the end of the Union’s army destruction their farmlands and cities. Other than that, they could be described as very frustrated and angry because they lost a lot and now they still had to pay the price for losing the war.
At first, the reactions to Lincoln’s death were mixed, but eventually, those who found satisfaction in Lincoln’s death thought otherwise. Northerners became more bitter and hostile toward the South, particularly because they believed that Confederate leadership, including Jefferson Davis, had devised the assassination plot. But in all, the Northerners, particularly recently freed African Americans, mourned Lincoln’s death. Since Lincoln died at the height of his fame, he became a martyr for the nation and its struggle for equality. The South, at first was satisfied that Lincoln had died, due to the fact that they saw Lincoln as the man who ordered the destruction of their farmlands and cities. But eventually, they wished that Lincoln had not died, for Lincoln’s plans of Reconstruction were moderate, and thus far less severe than the Reconstruction plans of the radicals in Congress.