Unit 5

Imperial Powers and WWI

Immigration and Society

• Eastern and Southern Europeans made up more than half of the immigrants in the 1890s

• The Workingman’s party was formed in CA to fight Chinese immigration; coming to work on the R.R.s

• The Supreme Court paved the way for legalized segregation by overturning the Civil Rights Act of 1875

• Schenck v. U.S.- Freedom of speech is curbed during wartime.

• In 1885, the 1st skyscraper (10 stories) was built• Subways were built to relieve city street congestion

Causes of American Imperialism

• Belief in the superiority of American Culture• Belief that the U.S. needed a large navy for security of

our interests, with bases overseas• Belief that the economy needed overseas markets.• PROTECTORATE- imperial power allowed the local rulers

to stay in control and protected them against rebellion and invasion (Platt Amendment made Cuba an American protectorate)

• Imperialism- economic and political domination of a strong nation over a weaker one.

U.S. in the Pacific and in Latin America

• U.S. wanted Pan-American delegates to agree to a union with Latin America that would lower tariffs

• Economic crisis hit newly independent Cuba when the U.S. passed a sugar tariff (After Spanish American War)

• Europe and America were looking overseas to sell their products because tariffs were high in industrial nations.

• Perry went to Japan to promote peace and trade• U.S. Marines backed the planter class in Hawaii to

overthrow to monarchy.• Platt Amendment gave U.S. much control over Cuba

The Spanish-American War

• Newspapers published sensational stories about Spanish cruelty to Cubans, prompting support for Cuban rebels (yellow Journalism)

• U.S. government wanted to protect it’s investments in Cuba and the Philippines

• The MAINE was sent to Cuba to rescue Americans there, but was destroyed

• Treaty of Paris in 1898 ended the war.

Effects of the Spanish-American War

• Cuba officially becomes an independent nation; though the U.S. kept a lot of influence and control on foreign and internal politics.

• U.S. acquired Guam, Philippines, and Puerto Rico.

• U.S. debated morality of being an imperial nation.

• U.S. fought a three year war to secure control over the Philippines.

Mexican Revolution

• In 1911 Mexico exploded into Rebellion against the dictator and his outsourcing

• Wilson disliked the rebellion leader and did not aid him, but hindered the rebellion

• Pancho Villa and others disagreed fought against Americans trying to antagonize them

• Wilson used troops to invade and look for Villa; led to a negative look at U.S. foreign policy

United States Acts as a World Power

• U.S. constructed the Panama Canal; first they considered Nicaragua but eventually set the stage for Phillippe Bunau-Varilla to use his army for an uprising.

• Roosevelt wins Nobel Peace Prize for ending a war between Japan and Russia

The World in China

• The U.S. pursued an open door policy in China to allow all nations access to China’s markets.

• War had erupted between Japan and China over Korea; Japan won and got Manchuria but Russia demanded they return it; Korea=free

• Sphere of influence- an area where a foreign nation controlled economic development

• Russia, Germany, France, Britain and U.S. has leases in China with spheres of influence

What is the Open Door Policy?

1. Within it’s Sphere of Influence, each power agreed not to interfere with any existing business interests or port treaties of other powers.

2. Existing Chinese tariffs would remain unchanged in all spheres of influence and would be collected by the Chinese gov.

3. Harbor fees and R.R. charges would be the same for all countries.

• Boxer Rebellion- China rebelled against the “colonization” killing more than 200 foreigners, but was defeated by all nations

Roosevelt’s Diplomacy

• President Roosevelt and Taft continued to support a policy of expanding the U.S. influence around the world.

• Roosevelt Corollary- addition to the Monroe Doctrine saying the U.S. would intervene in Latin American affairs when necessary to maintain economic and political stability.

• Dollar diplomacy- Taft wished to help Latin American industry; U.S. business would increase if Latin American rose from poverty and disorder

Progressives

• Progressives tried to solve social problems that arose as the U.S. became urbanized.

• Muckrakers- journalists who investigated social conditions and political corruption

• Progressives tried to make government more efficient and more responsive to citizens.

• Direct primary- all party members can vote for a candidate to run in a general election.

Suffrage

• Suffrage- the right to vote• Women pushed during this time with the

progressives.• Many publications and social progressives

pushed for woman rights in the workplace and in the government.

• Why would women oppose the womens’ suffrage movement?

Roosevelt and Taft

• Theodore Roosevelt believed in progressive ideas for America; “Teddy” took on big business and consumer protection.

• He passed new legislation for the federal government to conserve natural resources

• William Howard Taft broke with Progressives on tariff and conservation issues.

• Taft fought child labor and promoted conservation even more so than Teddy

Election of 1912• Included a former President, current President and an

ex-college professor.Progressives (Bull-Moose Party): RooseveltDemocrats: Woodrow WilsonRepublicans: William Howard Taft• Roosevelt’s New Nationalism: Accepted Big Trusts

and pushed for regulations; women and child rights in labor and compensation

• Wilson’s New Freedom: Did not support trusts and thought Teddy gave the Fed. too much power

• Taft and Roosevelt split GOP votes; Wilson wins

Political Cartoons• Include gestures, characters, symbolism, exaggeration,

labeling, analogy (comparing different things), agendas, etc.• When looking at a political cartoon, we need to ask certain

questions to understand it.1. Symbols are used in cartoons. Many such as Uncle Sam are

widely recognized. What symbols are used in this cartoon?2. Cartoonists use humor to soften their meaning. Does this

cartoon use humor to make its point? If so, how? Is it sarcastic? Ironic? Ridiculing?

3. Exaggeration is what sets editorial cartoons apart; they must grab the reader and deliver a message in a few seconds. What is exaggerated in this cartoon, and what purpose does it serve?

LET’S PRACTICE SOME!!!

• http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/election-cartoons/images/anti-third-term.gif

• http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/election-cartoons/images/mother-of-presidents.gif

• http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/election-cartoons/images/progressive-fallacies.gif

• http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/election-cartoons/images/how-theyre-acting.gif

Your Turn Now!• I want you to be able to make your own political

cartoon to practice what you’ve learned today.1. Pick up the political cartoon activity w.s.2. Pick up a newspaper or magazine.3. In your seat, find an issue, debate or problem

that interests you for your political cartoon.4. Create your cartoon and explain it in the spaces

provided in the worksheet.• Start with a single, clear idea. Avoid cluttering the cartoon with too

many elements (unless central to its meaning). Use words and visual elements to make a single point. Be sure that the most important visual element stands out. Exaggerate for a reason, and don't overdo it. Avoid using too many words, and make sure the ones you use are legible.

Causes of the Great War

• Old Alliances and nationalist sentiments among European nations set the stage for WWI.

• ALLIANCES- brought most of the entire continent of Europe to war

• MILITARISM-aggressive build up of armed forces to intimidate and threaten others.

• NATIONALISM- feeling of intense pride in one’s homeland.

• IMPERIALISM-idea that a country could increase its power and wealth by controlling other people and land.

• Events pushing the U.S. to war:1. Balkan Crisis2. Alliance System3. Naval Race4. Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

PROPAGANDA: information designed to influence opinion

U-Boats

• “Underwater boats” AKA submarines • Germans announced that they would sink any

ship in the waters surrounding Britain• Germans sink the Lusitania, an “innocent”

American passenger ship that also had cargo destined for the Britain war effort.

• SUSSEX PLEDGE- Germany promised not to sink any more merchant ships without warning.

Zimmerman Telegram

• Britain intercepted this telegram from Germany to Mexico.

• It stated that, if Mexico would ally themselves with Germany in a war against the U.S., Germany would give them back the New Mexico, Texas and Arizona Territories.

• Germany then resumed unrestricted submarine warfare

• The U.S. joined the war April 6, 1917• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKhgrCDkm0s

AMERICA DECLARES WAR

• British propaganda and business interests led most Americans to a pro-British stance on the war.

• Cargo ships started getting inspected for contraband (goods prohibited from shipment to Germany or it’s allies)

• Germany started using it’s naval force

Organizing the Economy

• The U.S. Government used progressive ideas to manage the economy and pay for the war.

• War Industry Board was established to coordinate the production of war materials.

• Victory gardens- families grew their own food to conserve food for war effort.

Progressives

• Believed: 1. industrialization and urbanization created social

problems; 2. free market is unable to fix these problems; 3. government should address these social problems; 4. government needs to be reformed; 5. business should be regulated; 6. scientific principles useful in fixing these social

problems

Building the Military

• Selective Service- Men from 21 – 30 registered for the draft; lottery determined who went.

• 2 million men volunteered• 50,000 Americans died in combat; 60,000 dies of

disease; 200,000 wounded in total.• 42,000 African American soldiers fought overseas

as combat troops.• Women served in non-combat positions, mostly

clerical duties and as nurses.

Combat in WWI

• New technologies = the 1st modern war• TRENCH WARFARE- troops dug trenches to

protect themselves against artillery• NO-MAN’S-LAND- space between trenches• Those who made it across had to fight in

trenches with grenades, gas, bayonets, knives, pistols, fists, etc.

Here comes the U.S.!• Americans changed the war and helped the allies win

eventually• John J. Pershing was commander of U.S. troops and arrived in

Paris July 4th, 1917.• 93rd infantry, all African American, was first to enter combat.• March 21, 1918 German launched a huge offensive getting

within 40 miles of Paris; U.S. aided in fighting this off.• Alvin York- bravely killed 9-25 Germans, captured the machine

guns and took 132 prisoners.• Eddie Rickenbacker- fought in 134 air battles and shot down

26 aircraft.

The War Ends

• Oct. 1918, Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia declared independence.

• Nov. 1918, Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire surrender to the Allies.

• German Emperor stepped down due to revolution and Germany became a republic.

• 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918, the fighting stopped.

The Treaty of Versailles

• January 1919, 27 countries agreed and signed this treaty.

• 14 points of what Wilson wanted• League of Nations began to help preserve

peace by respecting and protecting each others’ territories.

• Germany forced to pay reparations.

Wilson’s 14 Points

1. End secret diplomacy and treaties among nations.2. Guarantee freedom of navigation on the seas for all

nations.3. Create free trade among nations.4. Reduce armed forces except for domestic safety.5. Settle colonial claims fairly, taking into account the

colonial people as well.6. Germany withdraws from Russia and returns all

territory.7. Restore Belgium’s independence.

Wilson’s 14 points (cont.)

8. Restore all French territory occupied by Germany.9. Adjust Italy’s borders based on where Italians lived. 10. Divide Austria-Hungary into new nations for each

ethnic groups.11. Base borders of Balkan states on nationality.12. Break up the Ottoman Empire and make Turkey a

separate country.13. Independent Poland.14. Create a League of Nations.

Results of WWI• Four empires were dismantled as a result of WWI and the

peace negotiations: Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Russian Empire, The Ottoman Empire and the German Empire.

• Created 9 new European Nations: Austria, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Yugoslavia.

• Senate rejected the Treaty; some looked at it as the “entangling” that the founding fathers warned about.

• Germany paid reparations and took blame for the War. • The Senate negotiated separate treaties with the Central

Powers and the League of Nations began without the U.S.