Discuss how the 1920's represented social, economis, and cultural discord among Americans.

The period between the end of World War I and the fall of the nation's economy in the 1920's was spoke of as the "Roaring Twenties". Despite experiencing debt, the 1920's witnessed many cultural transformations that would ultimately affect America civilization. Although contradictions had been made such as the constancy of subordination of women, blacks, and the burst of cultural development. The new decade would be a time of change for everyone even if it was not always meant to be a satisfying one. The close of World War I saw the United States to a horrible stance, President Wilson's efforts, the Senate refuse to ratify the Versailles Peace Treaty that ended World War I, and the U.S. failing to join the League of Nations. Elected president in 1920, Harding promoted a "return to normalcy," which was used as a reassurance of nativism, isolationism, and rejection of the Progressive Era (which became unwanted by the people since all the demands had been fulfilled already ). Harding's policies reflected a conservative attitude, his administration was controlled by scandals, but most of them did not surface or unfold until the following his death of a stroke in office. Coolidge was Harding's vice president. When the presidency fell with Harding's death, he moved swiftly to sew up the nomination and mend the effects of the administration's scandals. Coolidge administration policies included various of ideas such as high tariffs, federal tax cuts which were generally approved of during his four years, and also his do little plan in office. Hoover was elected to the presidency in 1928, his personal popularity suffered, however with his "do nothing" plan. Hoover had been in office just a few years when the Great Depression began to carve into the nation's economy. His early relief efforts were generally viewed to be inadequate. With all the tension going on in the 1920's, it still remained a lively decade full of inventions, new ages, dances, amendments, laws, just a decade full of cultural innovations. The 1920's represented a social, economic and cultural discord among Americans with the different religious and science views, traditions, rural and urban disputes, and the red scare the fear of Communism.


After WWI it seemed to those who lived in rural areas of America, the nation's cities represented vice and sin. Even though the nation was to enter into the decade of sale, distribution, and consumption of alcohol drinks (which was outlawed by the eighteenth amendment). The Constitution had prohibited the manufacture, transport and sale of intoxicating liquor. Prohibitionists anticipated that Prohibition would elevate social problems and riots in the economy. However, many people disliked the law and turned to unlawful nightclubs called speakeasies. Gangsters took control of bootlegging (illegal spread of liquor) and violent lawlessness erupted. Lacking public support, the federal government was unable to enforce Prohibition. Rurals viewed the lifestyle as something exceedingly stimulating. Yet the attitude of urban women was represented by their clothing and behavior. Women began smoking, wearing cosmetics, and even having higher hemlines. Youthful "Flapper" were what women were know as who provoked older people with brief skirts and bobbed hair.


The United States was converting from a wartime to peacetime economy. When weapons for World War I were no longer needed, there was a temporary stall in the economy. After a few years, the country did prospered. In this decade, America became the richest nation on Earth and a culture of consumerism was born. It was the time of the $5 workday, good worker pay for those days. People spent money for better roads, tourism, and holiday resorts. Until the unsuspected stock market crash. Consequently causing a huge amount of debt which had not even existed until then. The market was giving to much money and not receiving enough and eventually it crashed, devastating millions leading to the Great Depression.


Though Darwin's ideas on evolution were no longer new in the 1920's, the evolutionary theory was well-established in public schools. Fundamentalists launched campaigns in several states to abolish what they considered to be false and teaching which was whatever was not in harmony with the Bible. Yet in Tennessee a teacher was arrested in1925 for teaching on the subject of Darwin's theory of evolution against the states rule. The case provided the fundamentalist the opportunity to check who ever questioned the theory of creation in the book of Genesis. Then it pitted the ideals and ideas of Urban's against religious fundamentalism of rural protestant America. The teacher dd lose the case yet, the verdict was overturned.


The end of the fighting in Europe did not bring peace and security to the United States. Hatred was quickly replaced by a fear of governmental control, communists and immigrants. Following the triumph of the Bolsheviks in Russia (Russian Revolution) and the establishment of the Soviet Union, efforts were made by communist to promote revolution in Western Europe and the United States. Various events of the1920's were the first of a series of “red scares” in American history. Bombs exploded outside the home of Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, killing 38 people. These attacks were blamed on by communists known as the "red scare".


While some ways a lively decade was portrayed in the 1920's and other included discords among social, economic and cultural Americans it was represented as a era of innovation. Various tensions arose during this decade such as the Scopes Monkey Trial, "red scare", urban gangs, scandals in office and countless more. Rural America continued to represent tradition and stability. While urban areas were culturally different, and rural were not yet they were religiously. The era embodied the beginning of modern America. Numerous Americans felt uplifted following World War I. America had survived a deadly worldwide war and now can come home to a new beginning. The new decade would be a time of change for everyone.

Was the U.S ever neutral in the conflict, and if so, when did it change to a policy favoring Allies?

Three years after War World I began the United States fully enter into the War, yet before entering there existed four major factors that brought the European powers into conflict. These four conflicts were the rise of nationalism, growth of imperialism, formation of secret military alliances, and the increase of militarism. The rise nationalism were the rise of ethnic groups that had been taken in by European power and in turn began to seek their interest and self determination. The growth of imperialism was growth of power every nation wanted land just to be in control which led to tension between nations. The formation of secret military alliances were countries forming together becoming threats to the other countries. Finally the increase of militarism was a chance for countries to gain back revenge such as France against Germany from the Franco-Prussian War. With the rise of each this was the stage to be set for war. The only thing needed to start the war was that one spark which was the assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Francis Ferdinand in June of 1914. On July 28 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia thus beginning WWI. When WWI broke out, the United States declared its policy of neutrality. The United States was neutral in the conflict Wilson declared them neutral when it first began, they were force into the war by the German military power, and they were still trading with the Allies and Central powers.


When war first broke out Wilson was determined to keep the U.S out of the war. He somehow believed that a neutral U.S would mediate the war and end it, which seemed also impossible to set terms of peace between the countries. Wilson felt that the "U.S from many nations" (Doc A.) so he did not want to get into the conflict knowing that those countries now fight were those people apart of the U.S., this would only erupt more conflict in his own nation. The division in the U.S would be fatal to the peace that they had in the nation, so remaining neutral would be the best idea.


During the war the U.S remained trading with both the Allies and Central Powers which they sometimes would tend to interrupt each other's expansion trade relationships including the U.S. The British would blockade Germany in the hope of cutting off supplies to the Central Powers. Then the British would have these ships examined at sea which could be seized by the Royal Navy. "Neutral ships were intercepted" (Doc C.) the British recognized that the U.S was neutral and thus explained to them that the blockading was just for the use of stopping the Germans. The Germans also communicated with the U.S and warned them to what they were up against "voyage liable to destruction" (Doc E.). Being neutral called for the other nations to take notce of them being neutral which was recognized by them.


In return to the British blockading the Germans declared British waters a war zone and that all shipping in the area to be attacked by the Germans. Germans felt this should have been a warning for the the U.S to keep out of the waters yet they had to continue trading and did not expect to be harmed. That same year that the British began to blockade Germans declared waters a war zone and a British passenger line the Lusitania was sunk by Germans including 128 Americas. Wilson threatened to cut off relations if Germany continued to sink ships "neutrals take stand now"(Doc G.).


As Wilson made his declaration to the Germans he lost his Secretary of State William J. Bryan who resigned in protest that Wilson would lead them to war with his declaration to the Germans. Wilson tried to "keep U.S neutral"(Doc H.) Yet with Germany sinking made it more difficult. The sinking of the Sussex where Wilson told Germans this was it if they do continue to do so relations are over. The Germans reailzing the importance the U.S made the Sussex Pledge where promised to stop booming ships.

As the U.S continued to stay out Germany made it once again a challenge to stay out "German military power"(Doc I.) Germany was beginning to take over. Beginning with the Zimmerman Note, Germany proclaim to Mexico could regain lost land that was lost in the Mexican -American War. This made it to difficult for the U.S to stay out of the war or else there land would be lost.Wilson's idea was to stay neutral during the war there just existed to many challenge to keep out without hurt their country.

When World War I broke out the first thought of the U.S was to stay out of the war. To make sure the U.S would not get into the conflict the U.S made sure they trading with each nation, lent 3 million dollars to Britain and France, and even Wilson's League of Nations which was a universal cooperation. The idea to keep the U.S neutral became harder with Germany's decision to renew attacks on neutral shipping, the Zimmerman Note, and the Russian Revolution. The U.S did not chose to to get into the conflict they wanted to remain neutral although they were forced.

Compare and Contrast the three presidents during the Progressive Era. Which was the best in reforms?

The early 20th century was an era of business expansion and progressive reform in the United States. Know as the Progressive era dominated by the middle class. They worked to clean up corrupt city governments, to improve the working conditions in factories, and to better living conditions for those who lived in dreadful areas. During this time which consists of three progressive presidents Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson. Who each contributed at least one aspect to the U.S. Roosevelt accomplished much especially in the areas of protecting public health, protecting the rights of workers, and even the safeguarding the nation's environmental resources. Wilson proceeded under the New Freedom to pass a program of domestic reform, including the Federal Reserve Act, the Clayton Antitrust Act, and the establishment of the Federal Trade Commission. Taft was most notable for trust-busting, in which he broke up large businesses that had too much control over the economy. Taft also expanded civil service, fixed up the United States Postal Service and promoted world peace as well. Yet throughout the Progressive Era the most progressive president was Theodore Roosevelt. He was considered a trust-buster, attacked big business, applied his square, and promoted the conservation movement.



Teddy Roosevelt although he was part of the Republican party he did a lot with relation to industry and capitalism that had turned the United States into a superpower. He was able to gain ground as a trust-buster; going after extremely powerful businessmen. He also helped to pass the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 and the Meat Inspection Act of 1906. The country had gone to industry and they especially had to be regard to food, safety and quality. Since he passed the clean food act he threatened to take away the property of companies, and he brought some trusts to court and won, and he eventually established a national park system. Theodore Roosevelt was the most important and effective progressive president he conserved land and forest being a conservationist who loved outdoors wanted to conserve wildlife. One of the things that he did was to urge congress to develop the United States Forest Service. He did the Panama Canal, resolved issues in the Russo Japanese war, and made the Open Door Policy.


Roosevelt also introduced his Square Deal which was fair treatment not to just one race or social class but to all, equal treatment. It also ended the Laissez Faire. During his presidency there were many Acts passed, the Sherman Anti trust Act, Elkins Act which made it illegal for the railroads and shippers to offer rebates. The Hepburn Act which gave the ICC the power to set maximum railroad rates, the Pure Food and Drug Act, and Meat Inspection Act.


Woodrow set up FTC or Federal Trade Commission to investigate illegal business practices. The FTC could put a halt to the illegal business practices by issuing different orders. Wilson also had a part in certain Acts and amendments for instance the sixteenth which provided the feral income tax, the eighteenth amendments which helped institute alcohol, and the nineteenth which gave women the right to vote. Wilson also had a strong belief in peace which was ironic since the United States entered World War I, Wilson provided effective wartime leadership, and he put effort in his skill to the postwar peace agreement for a new League of Nations. This even won him a Noble Peace Prize.



Taft was most notable for trust-busting, where he broke up large businesses that had too much control over the economy. Taft also who was the successor of Roosevelt seemed to be a slight disappointment to him. He was the complete opposite of Roosevelt, who wanted low tariffs Taft chose high, which resulted in the Payne-Aldrich tariff. Unlike Roosevelt, Taft never attacked business or businessmen, yet he did launch 80 anti trusts including one against U.S Steel. One thing in common with the presidents was the goal to promote peace.


Theodore Roosevelt although a republican was the most progressive president during the Progressive Era since he applied the square deal in his presidency, turned the U.S into a superpower, attacked big businesses, established different types of Acts, tariffs, and trust. Compared to the other presidents Roosevelt accomplished more than the other two did. Wilson promoted peace then went to war; Taft even went against his own party. Thus Roosevelt proved to be the most progressive.

To what extent is this statement correct? The primary factor in the United States adopting a policy of imperialism was economic.

The U.S imperialism theory was to extend the rule or authority of their nation over foreign countries, or to acquire more land for the U.S. This would involve some form of economic factors such as expansion across the continent, industry, and immigration.
Which would be of great importance considering that the economic factors is what contributed to the Untied States wealth; it brought in the states money as well as the states commodities and raw materials. Even though the economic factors of imperialism were important there were also other important reasons for it such as the increasing of wages for workers, cultural objectives, and imperatives as well. Other countries for instance Germany, Japan, and Great Britain were extremely advanced at trade while they have not crushed or even stayed in the increase of the United States external trade, their competition made it more and more difficult to full the surplus of U.S manufactures at a profit. There was vast population that lived and was capable of growing economic needs which U.S manufactures and merchants could supply. Just as the U.S were seizing and annexing territories rivals were also doing so for similar purposes, and when they had annexed them they were closed to the U.S trade. Which was a demand for foreign markets and for manufactures and for investments which was responsible for the adoption of Imperialism as a political policy. The primary factor in the United States adopting a policy of imperialism was economic to a certain extent there were sociopolitical and cultural objectives and imperatives even Social Darwinism for expansion, and the desire to develop a hegemonic relationship with other countries.


There has been numerous of theories to why the U.S adopted imperialism and some have included the ideas of those such as John Hobson. Who felt it was adopted due to the under consumption or overproduction which convinced the government to adopt the policy. The colony would become a source of demand for trade that would go unsold in imperialist nations. Then there was V.I. Lenin who believed that from the cause of profits falling in the capitalist class new markets were sought out for and interimperialist rivals were the result. Luxemburg however claimed that once supply exceeded over demand new markets must be found. Schumpeter on the other hand held that under consumption led to imperialism.

With the many sociopolitical, cultural objectives and imperatives out just as Social Darwinism which the advocates of imperialism supported the idea that U.S was superior to any other country. These advocates maintained that the United States was simply biologically supreme to other cultures and people that they dominated. Which it is obvious that imperialism was a reflection of superiority.

Other ideas that existed then were the hegemonic relationship with the other countries. This hegemonic relationship with a country such as Latin American was were the U.S had political, economic, and military control over them. These Latin American’s were in complete subjection to the U.S, where the United States could intervene on any affair Latin America was having.


The United States desire to create a global empire was as strong as to put Spain at expense. Going as far as war with Spain which made the U.S a global empire in possession of overseas empire. From the U.S imperialism policy there were many causes and in turn had many effects which is why the U.S is one of the dominate world powers today.


The primary factor of the United States adopting a policy of imperialism was for numerous of reasons economic, the fall of capitalism, under consumption, overproduction, and also the influence of the many scholars around that time frame. Social Darwinism the justification for expansion, hegemonic relationships the dominance of other countries, and the United States desire to be or create a world/global empire were also reasons for adopting the policy of imperialism along with economic reasons.

How effective was The Populist Party?

The Populist Party (also known as the People's Party) was a relatively short-lived political party in the United States in the late 19th century. It flourished particularly among western farmers, based largely on its opposition to the gold standard. The Populist Party grew out of the agrarian revolt that rose to the collapse of agriculture prices following the Panic of 1873. The Farmers' Alliance, formed in 1876, promoted economic action by farmers and achieved widespread popularity in the South and Great Plains. The Populists were in alliance with forms of groups, unions, and political parties like Grangers, Framers’ Alliance, former Greenback party members, Knights of Labor, socialists, Frees Sliver party members, prohibitionists, women ’s rights groups, and anarchists. The Populist Party was over all strong if the party suffered from internal divisiveness, its members were deeply passionate about their organization’s effort to address the problems that undermined their livelihood. The Populist Party was somewhat
Effective considering that they were effective in replacing the fixed income tax, the free unlimited coining of sliver, and the government owner ships.

The Farmers' Alliance was ultimately unable to achieve its wider economic goals of collective economic action against brokers, railroads, and merchants, and many in the movement agitated for changes in national policy. By the late 1880s, the Alliance had developed a political agenda that called for regulation and reform in national politics, most notably an opposition to the gold standard to counter the decrease in agricultural prices. The drive to create a new political party out of the movement arose from the refusal of both Democrats and Republicans to take up and promote the policies advocated by the Alliance, notably in regard to the Populists' call for unlimited coinage of silver. The Populist Party was formed by members of the Alliance with the Knights of Labor.


The party's platform called for the abolition of national banks, a graduated income tax, direct election of Senators, civil service reform, a working day of eight hours and Government control of all railroads, telegraphs, and telephones. In the1892 Presidential election, James B. Weaver received 1million votes. The Populist Party flourished most among farmers in the Southwest and Great Plains, as well as making significant gains in the South, where they faced a battle given by the firmly entrenched monopoly of the Democratic Party. Opposition to the gold standard was especially strong among western farmers, who viewed the inherent scarcity of gold, as an instrument of Eastern banking interests who could force mass bankruptcies among farmers. Many western farmers rallied around the Populist. Free silver platform received widespread support across class lines in the Mountain states, where the economy was heavily dependent upon silver mining.


The Populists were the first political party in the United States to actively include women in their affairs. At a time when cultural attitudes of white supremacy were permeating all aspects of American life, a number of southern Populists including Thomas E. Watson openly talked of the need for poor blacks and poor whites to set aside their racial differences in the name of shared economic self-interest. Regardless however of apparel, racism did not evade the Populist Party. In fact, after the party's disintegration.



By 1896, the Democratic Party took up many of the Populist Party's causes at the national level, and the party began to fade from national prominence. In that year’s presidential election, the Populists nominated Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryan; he backed the Populist opposition to the gold. Bryan lost to William McKinley by a number of votes. The effects of fusion with the Democrats were disastrous to the Party in the South. Collaboration with the Democratic establishment effectively ended the Populist/Republican alliance which had governed North Carolina with the support of African Americans. By 1898, the Populists were attempting to out-flank the Democrats with a campaign.


In conclusion The Populist Party was in a way effective in that they had support from many people on some of their political objectives like free and unlimited coining of silver, fixed income tax with a graduated income tax, and government ownership. The Populist Party was indeed unique in the history of the nation’s political evolution. Populist maintained was an obstacle to humanity’s efforts to triumph over it’s own shortcomings

How successful was the trade union movement in the post-Civil War era? In terms of organizing workers and achieving economic goals.

A trade union or labor union is an organization of workers. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiate labor contracts with employers. So the negotiation of wages, work rules, complaint procedures, rules governing hiring, firing and promotion of workers, benefits, workplace safety and policies were usually included. Most unions were very particular with who was in the unions. The unions had the authority to determine who could be a member of the union and who could not. Most unions asserted the right to mandate that only its members, and no others, may be permitted to work at certain jobs. Furthermore, the union contract was exclusive with regard to the employer, the employers were generally not permitted to seek out the services of another labor union or hire another competing labor union even if he or she was dissatisfied with the performance of the current labor union. These unions were very selective with organizing workers yet for the unions goals they were not very clear in that area. There were four major labor unions: National Labor Union (NLU), Knights of Labor, American Federation of Labor (AFL), and Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). The trade union movement in the post-Civil War era had a limited success; when it came to organizing the workers the unions were extremely successful (the unions were each defined by their diversity, skill, and class), then when it came to achieving economic goals the unions were not particularly successful (the main goal was to eliminate private ownerships of the means of production). The National Labor Union was the first national union in the United States. It was created in 1834 and included many types of workers. This union did not accomplish any significant gains. After this union crumbled, the Knights of Labor became the leading countrywide union in the 1860s. This union did not include Chinese, and partially included blacks and women. The Knights of Labor was founded in the United States in 1869. Eventually over thousands of workers joined the Knights. They opposed child labor and demanded the eight-hour day. They hoped their union would give workers a proper share of the wealth, more free time, and generally more benefits of society(which did not come to play in that era). They also tried to set up companies owned by the workers themselves. Although the Knights were against strikes, some radical members went on strike anyway when the railroads cut wages in 1884. After they won the fight, membership in the Knights highly increased but then, at the time of the Haymarket riots, a fearful public opinion grouped them with anarchists and membership then rapidly declined. The American Federation of Labor (AFL) was founded by Samuel Gompers. By 1904, AFL-affiliated unions had a membership of over 1million nationwide. Under Gompers's leadership, the AFL advocated an approach known as business or pure and simple unionism, which emphasized collective bargaining to reach its goals. Demands were centered around improvements to the immediate work environment, like better wages, hours and working conditions (which was not immediate effect). The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW, or "the Wobblies"), founded in 1905, represented mainly unskilled workers. The Wobblies, a force in American labor, usually included radicals imbued with a revolutionary spirit and willing to challenge the owners for control of the factories and businesses. Increased wages was not even considered a good enough goal for them; ownership of the means of production by the working class was the only solution to the wage labor system, they believed (this means of production was not a successful goal). The IWW was at times violent the others victimized by the government, and presented a perspective of labor and social agitation hat few unions could match. The growth of industry and corporate capitalism during and after the Civil War led to tensions between the capitalists and their employees. Considering the fact that the government was allied with businesses there were many strikes against labors unions some more violent than others yet most not extremely violent. The trade unions had some that were more radical than others; some were exclusionary based on race or skill level. Yet the economic goals that many unions tried to achieve such as ownership of the production by working class, higher wages, and the shut down of private businesses were not accomplished in that time. Thus trade unions were generally successful in organizing workers but not particularly successful in achieving their goals.

Compare and Contrast the three major Reconstruction plans: Lincoln's, Johnson's, and the radical Republicans. Which was the most logical?

Reconstruction era began in the middle of the Civil War and ended in the late 1870’s. Reconstruction was in a way a success and in others failure. It was more than just a civil rights movement yet it re-created the South, expanded capitalism, temporarily led to the division of one political party, the breakdown of another, and had moving forces that would have long-term consequences for the nation. The Reconstruction had three major plans Lincoln, Johnson, and the Radical Republicans. Both Lincoln and Johnson’s plan sought to a quick readmission process. Lincoln maintained that the political leadership of the South had seceded. The radical Republicans believed n a punitive Reconstruction plan that would also guarantee the rights of blacks. The Republicans in Congress wanted to enfranchise blacks and provide economic aid in the South for two main reasons, to keep blacks in the South so t would not harm or compete with whites in the North, and to create a center for the Southern Republican party. The Reconstruction plan that seemed the most logical was Lincoln’s plan on Reconstruction. His plan was logical due to the fact that it was reasonable he knew that since the government was divisible secession was impossible, he did not exclude people like Johnson did, and was not partial like the radical republicans who sought to look out only for white Northerners. Lincoln’s plan for Reconstructing the South back into the Union was reasonable in every sense, definitely n comparison with the radical Republicans and Johnson. Lincoln’s successor Andrew Johnson applied a plan which was similar to Lincoln’s yet Johnson’s plan brought him into direct confrontation with the radical Republicans. This confrontation soon set for a quarrel with executive and legislative branches over how best to reconstruct the South and address the status of black Americans. Lincoln’s plan for reconstructing was to be quick and painless. He wanted to painlessly reincorporate the South back into the Union. He reasoned that since the South did not secede their economic and political leaders initiated the secession and the war. He argued that due to the fact that the government was indivisible secession was politically impossible. The past Civil war had been a rebellion by a small group who violated the authority and laws of government. Knowing this one of his designs for the reconstruction was before a state could be readmitted in the Union 10 percent of voters needed to take oath to the U.S. This is logical since the government was indivisible no more than probably 10 percent would agree on one thing, so the radical’s plan of 50 percent would not be really logical. Johnson plan which was similar to Lincoln’s had a few differences. Johnson’s plan did have the same ideas as Lincoln yet he did have certain ambiguities one included the right to grant pardons to the same people that he claimed he wanted exclude power from. Doing this did not help the reconstruction plan it only irritated Northerners who saw senators of former offices in the Confederacy reclaiming their places in U.S. senates. This was not very logical on Johnson’s part of a plan. The radical Republicans only sought to help white Northerners. That is why they would create a Black Code, or even suggest that blacks stay in the South. If the blacks were to come to the North it would probably mean fewer jobs for white Northerners, or even competing for them. For a political group to want something so badly that they would consider hurt a people for their own benefit it seems cruel. Lincoln’s reconstruction plan probably did not go into full effect but it was still more logical than the other two plans. Lincoln’s reconstruction plan was the most logical due to facts that he had thought put into the plan he knew no more that 10 percent of people would all have a loyalty oath, there was no exceptions in his plan whatever was said was done, and he did create laws for his own personal benefit. Lincoln’s reconstruction plan sought to reincorporate the South back into the Union, and was for an enhancement of the U.S.