Chapter 22: Becoming a World Partner

Chapter 22: Becoming a World Partner

1. What were the causes of the Spanish American War?

As Roosevelt approached the 20th century he realized the depression had greatly stripped America from its vast wealth and prosperity. Even despite the objections of America valuing power of liberty, Roosevelt moved forward and took an opportunity to imperialize and take over the world trade. In 1898, America went to war with Spain exposing an opportunity to upgrade its military, acquire more colonies, and be an influence to Europe and Asia.

2. Over what countries did the US exert control between 1898 and 1917 and what were the mechanisms of control?

The US exerted control over the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and Cuba through imperial acquisition and military, specifically naval force.

3. What were the similarities and differences in the foreign policies of Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson?

All three were progressive reformers however their foreign policies had their similarities and differences. Roosevelt sought out a square deal, and was essentially an advocate of war. He believed that the US was superior and in turn needed to exercise its ability and build a military superior to other. He sought a balance of power amongst the industrial nations through negotiation rather than war. William Howard Taft seemed to direct toward expanding corporate investment overseas which many called "the dollar diplomacy". Essentially he supported friendly governments, sought to expand economic investments overseas, and maintained order in Latin America. Woodrow Wilson sought to safeguard the US's foreign investment while supporting and pushing democracy onto the other nations. In Mexico Wilson believed that a US style democratic government would that the property rights would be respected and US investments would stay secure.

Terms:

Queen Liliuokalani:

The queen who was put into power after the Hawaiian king was deposed during the political and economic instability of Hawaii caused by the tensions of American sugar plantations. However the queen sought to establish independence from America and evidently, her regime too was overthrown.

Frederick Jackson:

A famous American Historian who was famous for his vision of the frontier he delivered at the American Historical Association of Chicago in 1893 entitled "The significance of the Frontier in American History". He claimed that the expansion into the frontier expanded nationalism, democracy, individualism, and further expanded opportunities of advancement.

Alfred Thayer Mahan:

One of the most popular imperialists, known for his novel " The Influence of Sea Power Upon History", exclaimed that all great powers beginning with Rome had a strong naval military and controlled the seas. He also called to America to strengthen their naval power and exert their power to be known internationally. He also explained the necessity for a canal across Central America for US ships to cut through quickly for war. Evidently this became the Panama Canal.

Randolph Hearst:

Owner of the New York journal, Hearst revolutionized the newspaper by seeking out sensational and shocking stories to illustrate them in lurid detail. However they were accused of compelling readers with their titillating detail when true reports did not appear dramatic enough to boost circulation.

John Hay:

The secretary of state during John McKinley’s presidency that played a large role in the diplomatic tactics toward the Chinese and the open door policy. He sent open door notes asking the powers to grant reasonable harbor fees, respect China's sovereignty by enforcing their tariff duties and open it's Chinese sphere of influence to the merchants.

Rough Riders:

Much decorated Calvary unit organized Roosevelt to fight Cuba in 1898. During the Spanish American war 1 million men volunteered to fight. Amongst the Calvary was a regiment of Rough Riders who fought along side Negros. However, despite the great brevity their role was greatly downplayed.

Treaty of Paris:

The Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolutionary war and established America's independence from Great Britain.

Open Door:

In order to achieve America’s foreign policy objectives, John Hays opted to diplomatic strategy as opposed to military strategy. To prevent break up and to preserve the economic access to the whole of China, America sent open door notes asking the powers to grant reasonable harbor fees, respect China's sovereignty by enforcing their tariff duties and open it's Chinese sphere of influence to the merchants.

Roosevelt Corollary:

Ensuring US dominance of the Western Hemisphere was once of Roosevelt's first prioritized foreign policy objectives. As a result he established a corollary to the Monroe doctrine, which stated that any intervention in American politics would be considered hostility against the states. Roosevelt further declared that the US had the right to intervene in domestic affairs of nations in the Western Hemisphere to obstruct European advancement and prevent disorder. It was similar to the policy set against Cuba and Guam.

Hay-Pauncefote Treaty:

The Hay-Pauncefote Treaty released the prohibition of either country building a Central American Canal without the others participation (GB).  Roosevelt then immediately asked his advisers to construct a route across Nicaragua. However the owner of the already nearly finished Panamanian Canal asked 100 million for the territory, later on the price went down to 40 million and congress approved. This became later known as the Panama Canal.

Chinese exclusion act:

The land of opportunity was quite compelling for a vast number of immigrants, however many of the immigrants populated from Asia, specifically China and Japan. As a result of the overload of Chinese and Japanese immigrants, the US government put a halt to their immigration. The Chinese exclusion act was implemented in 1882 restricting Asians from migrating to the US. Further on, society would not condone the migration and began to segregate Asian school children releasing to the press that it would "contaminate" the other white students. Japan then reached a "gentleman's agreement" with the US and halted immigration. As a result Roosevelt pledge for Japanese equality.

Porfirio Diaz:

Diaz was the dictator of Mexico who was overthrown by democratic forces led by Francisco Madero leading to the Mexican Revolution in 1910. However, the US was not happy as Madero spoke of democratic reform scaring the foreign investors whom owned 90% of it's real estate, oil reserves, real estate, etc. As a result Madero was assassinated.

Chapter 21: Progressivism

Chapter 21: Progressivism

1. What was Progressivism, and which groups spearheaded the movement?

Simply put, Progressivism was a reformation movement. With a goal to cleanse and rejuvenate the America they saw in political and societal declination. Retaining a libertarian aspect, they fought prostitution, gambling, drinking and other vices. They made their first appearances ousting crooked mayors and breaking up local monopolies. They believed in having an active government to identify and resolve political, economic and social wrongs. Originating from a group of reformers and those who gathered around the lead of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.

2. What were the key similarities and differences in the progressive politics of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson?

Both presidents’ had a significant role in the progressive era, rejuvenating and reforming the societal and political flaws in America. Wilson was a democrat while Roosevelt was a republican, Wilson sought to break trusts where Roosevelt sought to regulate and increase power in the ICC, Roosevelt was an advocate of war and Wilson was not, Roosevelt fought to increase wages for miners. Both presidents’ gave hope to African Americans, re-evaluated the tariff act, and reformed the economic system establishing the Federal Reserve act for more federal banks and currency.

3. Why did Anti-Alcohol ideas gain momentum in the Progressive era?

By definition itself, the progressive movement sought to reform, rejuvenate, and abolish all vices including alcohol which they saw similar too prostitution. It was a cultural conservatism with similar attitudes seen in Jane Addams and others on female sexuality. They saw alcohol as an unmitigated evil that caused violence and fights; they sought to shut down the saloons. Evidently the immigrants opposed the prohibition movement, as they did not desire to be "reformed".

4. What did Progressive reformers mean by a 'virtuous electorate'?

Progressive reformers were on the brink of shifting America into the new generation. They sought to disenfranchise the voters who were deemed vulnerable to corruption and coercion. They wanted to build an electorate pool of citizens who understood the significance of their vote and were deterred from intimidation and coercion. By doing such, the government has great power over regulating the elections.

5. Which states granted women the right to vote prior to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment?

Wyoming
Colorado
Utah
Idaho
Washington
California
Arizona
Kansas
Oregon
Montana
Nevada
New York
Michigan
Oklahoma
South Dakota 

6. Why were public lands protected by Progressive administrations?

During the conversationalist movement and the apex of Roosevelt’s presidency, Roosevelt sought to preserve America’s roots and destiny by establishing 5 national parks in the west. Not only that but he appointed the Public lands commission to survey, inventory and regulate the use of lands. Not only that, but he also authorized scientists to take place of the politicians in the distribution of land as an objective scientific aspect of distribution is preferred over political connection leading to corruption and misuse of public lands for monopolies.

7. Why did Roosevelt challenge for the Presidency in 1912?

Roosevelt originally found Taft as his secretary of war and ideal successor. They worked together on foreign and domestic and policies. When Taft's candidacy for president challenged and was detrimental his competitor, Roosevelt quickly announced his own candidacy.

Terms:

Muckrakers:

At the epicenter of realizing America's dilemmas, this class exposed the foundation of vices and issues the Progressivism era sought to reform. Members of the Muckrakers or investigative journalists sent corrupt government officials to jail by putting pressure on the city and state government. They also sought out to expose and prosecute sources of vice and corruption. As a result, the government became involved launching several investigations on prostitution and the "Trusts" or the power in the hands of large industries and financiers.

Billy Sunday:

Significant for being one of the precedent "ministers of reform", Billy Sunday grew up in the middle class and felt outcast by his society. Amongst many others, Billy was raised in a protestant home. Evidently, he was expected to be a minister and did in fact become one of the most theatrical evangelical priests of his day opposing saloons and the liquor trust. However he was also a major league baseball player.

Jane Addams:

Amidst the progressive era where all vices and corruption had seemed to plague society, Jane Addams and Ellen Starr established the first settlement house. They provided food, education, entertainment, and many other social services to the community. They also inspired many young extraordinary women to enlist. Their services included a nursery for mothers, a penny savings bank, employment bureau and several social clubs. This in turn widened the reformers circle of talented intellectuals, artist, and politicians to contribute to their enterprise.

Mann Act:

Reformers of the progressive era, specifically feminists sought to equate female sexuality and abolish prostitution. These attitudes carried on through Jane Addams and many other zealous feminists. Unfortunately, the problem was exaggerated leading to questionable legislation, The Mann act of 1910. This act made it illegal to transport a woman across state lines for immoral purposes, or rather prostitution and human trafficking. However it also enable government interference in private consenting sexual relation of adults. This further pushed into attitudes opposing alcohol and saloons.

17th Amendment:

Preceding the Progressive era, populist proposed direct election of US senators and initiative and referendum. Initiative enabled the right to put in legislative proposals to voters in the general elections without having the state legislatures to act. Referendum gave voters in general election to repeal an unpopular to act that a state legislature had passed. It essentially mandated the direct election of senator by general voters, balancing political honesty and strengthening the vote of citizens.

Australian Ballot:

In the progressive era government regulation of citizens societal, economic, and political influence toward a better and reformed America was essential. Aside from the many vices, voting had also become corrupt, lobbyists would bribe voters with offerings of alcohol, food, and other objects to steer their vote. However the government adopted the secret ballot in which each voter was required to vote in private under the supervision of a party official eliminating the chance of a bribed vote. This was revolutionary in the fact that the secret ballot was predated to the progressive era.

NAACP:Seeking to better America into a modern day land of opportunity, many progressives realized the inequality and discriminatory barriers set to deter African Americans and those of color. Immigrants and African Americans struggled for societal and political equality. However Du Bois and many young black activists met at Niagara Falls to announce their political agenda, demanding the right to vote and the abolishment of segregation. Later on the Springfield riot of 1908 shook up several whites. In order to sufficiently fight racial prejudice and discrimination the progressives established the National Association of Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Essentially the NAACP marked the beginning of the modern civil rights movement. Not only did gain a list of employment opportunities, but it also enable housing, and eased the adjustment of rural migrants.

18th Amendment:

In the attempts to rejuvenate America and cleanse society of all vices and corruption, the 18th amendment was set in place. It consists of three sections. The first prohibits the transportation, sale, and manufacturing of alcohol. The second justifies the power for congress to enforce the article under appropriate legislation. The third, exclaims that the article is only effective if established as an amendment and processed and approved to the constitution by the legislature of several states. Essentially this disable the use of alcoholic beverages and brought the attitude seen by Jane Addams and many feminists had toward prostitution to alcohol and saloon. Evidently immigrants rejected this attempt of reformation.

Volstead Act:

During the progressive era negative attitudes toward liquor began. Liquor was seen as an intoxicated vice that had to be abolished. Wayne Wheeler sought to abolish the liquor monopoly by approaching the saloons. He later collected several members for his anti-saloon league and managed to gain enough votes to approve the 18the amendment restricting the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol.

NAWSA:

During the late 19th century the women's rights movement lead to a group of suffragists coming together to form the National American Women's Suffrage Association. With the ratification of the 19th amendment they saw to fight for the rights and equality of women. Although it had been established that men and women were equal, NAWSA tried to exclaim that women were different. Rather, that they possessed a moral nurturing quality that men lacked.

19th Amendment:

Square Deal:

Evidently, during the industrial era, much of the workers suffered long workday, terrible working condition, and insufficient wages. However, President Roosevelt amidst the progressive era took initiative. He displayed such by protecting the economically weak, specifically the coal miners of PA. When miners demanded recognition of their union (UMW) and were rejected they went on strike. Roosevelt then summoned the president of the company and managed to get them to go along with the requests. The fact that the federal government ordered employers to compromise with employees gained a vast amount of support. Essentially he used the slogan a square deal as the epitome of helping working class Americans.

'Trust-Buster':

During his presidency, Roosevelt pursued several monopolies and became the first American president to utilize the Sherman Anti-trust act to break up business monopolies. He ordered the justice department to prosecute the Northern Securities companies, a 400 million dollar monopoly that controlled all railroad lines. As a result JP Morgan rushed to the white house told him "if we have done anything wrong, send you man to man and we can fix it" and Roosevelt said, "there will be no fixing".

ICC:

As Roosevelt sought to extend government regulation of economic affairs, he proposed to give the government power to set shipping rates on railroads, eliminate the markets discriminatory practices. The ICC is a regulatory body established by Congress in 1887 that the courts had weakened to a point of futility. However Roosevelt managed to increase ICC's power through the Hepburn act.

Ballinger-Pinchot controversy:

After Roosevelt's administration had bought acres of land under federal protection, Richard Ballinger released 1 million acres for private commercial use. As a result, this raised the suspicion of the progressives. Gifford Pinchot then obtained info of Ballinger selling Alaskan coal deposits to private syndicates. He also discovered that Ballinger profited from the sale to Taft. Taft defended him but his hopes were shattered when Roosevelt returned.

Bull Moose:

Bull moose was used as an adjective to define Roosevelt's persistence and strength. His candidacy in 1912 gained many supporters whom called themselves bullmoosers. However they knew that their mission was futile, as they had to gain the approval of many Republican insurgents that were skeptical to begin with.

Federal Reserve Act:

The Federal Reserve act was the most significant law passed in president's Wilson's administration. It established 12 regional banks under the control of the private banks in its region. It also required every bank to deposit 6% on average of its assets to the regional federal bank in order to issue federal notes and loans. Not only that, but it eased flow, demand, and distress of credit under any situation. This system strengthened the nation's financial structure, but it seemed as if Wilson was retreating from his New Freedom pledge.

New Nationalism:

During his Presidency, Wilson not only fought to eliminate the monopolization of large industries, but he also made things easier on the middle class.  Wilson supported the Federal Trade commission, which governmentally regulated the industrial behavior, in such terms Wilson became known as a new nationalist. He also denied the insistence of the implementation of the Clay Antitrust act that exempted antitrust prosecutions toward labor and farmer organizations, all in all his left wing strategy aided his re-election in 1916.

Upton Sinclair:

Detachment, skepticism, and objectivity are the characteristics America's middles class sought as they grew intellectually. It was a movement toward realism; they criticized the emulation of European styles and demanded reconstruction of their modern day literature. Inevitably Artist, philosophers, and novelists were reinventing themselves toward a truer and more integral representation of American society. One of the significant contributors was Upton Sinclair, a famous novelist.

Chapter 20: An Industrial Society 1890-1920

Chapter 20: An Industrial Society 1890-1920

1. How did corporations and workers respond to the social and economic turmoil of the late 19th century?

Evidently during the late 19th century the depression had begun to fade away as corporations and workers began to advance technologically. Railroads were built from country to country, factories eliminated unemployment, skyscrapers signified the newly revolutionized production and employment. The internal combustion engine began what is known as today's car. It began as Ford's dream to one day has an automobile society beginning with his affordable Model T. The automobile industry exploded and nearly quadrupled over the years creating was also known as today's assembly line. However production was not the only aspect that had advanced, management too branched off in sophisticated sectors that efficiently managed the workers of big industries. Later on, corporations began approaching management techniques more scientifically.

2. What is meant by the term  'scientific management?

Management had become essential in a time of vast economic and technological advancement. Corporations established a hierarchy to efficiently manage the employees and industries. However one man had a vision of perfection, to reduce the amount of down time and utilize the machines and skilled/unskilled laborers for mass production. Frederick Winslow Taylor examined each and every human task with great analysis, observing "Time and motion" to evaluate each action performed and it's duration. Scientific management was essentially a revolutionized paradigm of the conventional management of laborers.

3. Why were Americans concerned about physical fitness in the 1890's and what remedies did they seek?

In 1899 Theodore Roosevelt wrote an essay "the strenuous life", where he emphasized the importance in testing ones physical strength and endurance through competitive sports as well as recreational activities; hiking, hunting, climbing, running, etc. This articulated a way of life that not only the wealthy elites but also the middle class of America adopted and cherished. Such heightened enthusiasm set the streets for bicyclists, runners, competitive sports, physical fitness, and outdoor activities. Women even began to lose their corsets and dresses to wear more comfortable sportier apparel.

4. In what ways were immigrants welcomed and in what ways did Americans attempt to bar the entry of migrants in this period?

During the late 19th century, the technological and economic growth had become exponential. European and Asian immigrants had suffered from poverty, religious execution, and industrialization that diminished their market and rural areas. As a result, immigrants sought to utilize the "land of opportunity" to attain a higher economic standing. Many had a mindset of returning, as they did not see Americas as home. This explained the vast immigration of men as opposed to women and children. However, racial prejudice did in fact bar much of a specific group of immigrants. The Chinese exclusion act of 1882 restricted Americas two largest migrant groups from settling, Japanese and Chinese.

Terms:

Henry Ford:

Beginning as an eccentric 37-year-old mechanic who built race cars, Tom ford had a dream to create an automobile civilization. Soon enough he produced his first Model T that was affordable and reliable enough to travel hundreds of miles without a single service. Inevitably his car sold by the millions and he watched his dream come true. Amongst the simplification and advancement of transportation came benefits in the job market. His stimulus to the economy nearly eliminated unemployment as well as he built several factories to produce the many materials and resources required to produce his cars. Through out the factories the first assembly line was also established simplifying the efficiency of production amongst workers and specialized laborers.

James Buchanan Duke:

During a time domestic markets had much potential but could not market or distribute adequately, James Duke set the example with his aggressive methods. Renown for being America's smoking tobacco manufacturer, James duke transformed the cigarette into one of the best selling commodities. He invested greatly in Bonsack cigarette machines that produced vast amounts  of about 120k cigarettes a day. To correlate with his vast production of products he set out regional sales officers and sales representatives to disperse the market throughout the country. As a result, sales sky rocketed and in order to sustain the high demand, Duke merged with four competitors to make American Tobacco Company.

J.P. Morgan:

An investment banker of the late 19th century and early 20th century who possessed capital and financial skills to engineer complex stock transfers and renegotiations for mergers. He worked with Andrew Carnegie to reform the U.S. Steel Corp.

Frederick Winslow Taylor:

Gospel of wealth:

Originally coined and epitomized by the steel baron, Andrew Carnegie, he essentially established for the wealthy that all income in excess of necessities were to be a "trust fund" for their community. Andrew himself withdrew from his company and continued his philanthropic ventures as he set the example for several other renowned philanthropists.

Old immigrants:

A term that came into play in the late 19th century to distinguish between the incoming immigrants and those who had settle prior to 1880. They were referred to as racially fit, culturally sophisticated, and politically mature. They came from Northwestern Europe: Great Britain, Scandinavia, and Germany.

New Immigrants:

A term that came into play in the late 19th century to distinguish between the incoming immigrants and those who had settle prior to 1880. They were referred to as racially inferior, culturally impoverished, and incapable of assimilating to American culture/traditions. However both came for the same reasons, they were either being religious persecute or need to escape from their falling economy.

Chinese Exclusion Act:

With the vast flow of immigrants, and the two most common and growing being the Japanese and Chinese; in 1882 the U.S. government excluded immigration of Chinese/Japanese laborers into the US. The exclusions carried on until the 1950's. The rural population grew faster in those countries than the labor requirements of the agricultural sector. Essentially they had similar motive to the European to flee the country.

AFL:

Essentially a union within a union, the American Federation of Labor fought for the rights, working conditions, and wages of skilled laborers. It's president, Samuel Gompers, led the way to much growth as many unskilled laborers and unions joined. They emphasized bread and butter issues and had prejudice against blacks and unskilled laborers.

IWW:

As the AFL failed to organize the laborers, immigrants sought out to find other unions. One of the most significant led by "big bill" was the Industrial Workers of the World. It rejected AFL's principle of craft organization and countered with the hope of one big union. Against capitalism, IWW refused to sign employer agreements stating that it would further benefit the capitalist system and trap workers into capitalist properties that should have been overthrown. The Ludlow massacre and IWW protests that occurred exemplified that the workers and employers did not yet have a way of peacefully resolving their dilemmas.

Margaret Sanger:

A social activists, feminist, author of "Woman Rebel, and advocate of birth control, lectured women to enjoy sexual relations without worrying of pregnancy. Amongst one of the first feminists she was put on trial for dispersing her advocating of birth control via mail.