American History after 1865 - Coursework Example

American History After 1865 Part A Was Theodore Roosevelt’s reputation as a “trust buster” deserved? President Theodore Roosevelt did not deserve the reputation “trust buster”. Many people frequently used this title on Roosevelt but he did not really deserve it (Divine et al., 666). One of the reasons to support this fact is that President William Howard Taft who succeeded Roosevelt managed to initiate many anti-trust indictments and possibly, he was the one who deserved the title “trust buster”. For example, Taft initiated 43 anti-trust indictments in 4 years compared to the 24 that Roosevelt initiated in 7 years of his leadership as the president (Divine et al., 666). History indicates that Roosevelt used antitrust threats with the aim of keeping various businesses within bounds (Divine et al., 667). 2. How did Roosevelt and Wilson differ on regulating big business? Wilson did not trust in the opinions given by Roosevelt about business growth (Divine et al., 675). On his side, Roosevelt managed to lay out various reform programs that favored the growth of big businesses. Some of these reform programs included railroad regulations, and greater control over various corporations. Other reform programs included laws regulating child labor and factory inspections (Divine et al., 668). Another significant issue concerning Roosevelt in the business sector is that he always said that there was a need to enhance various regulations and legislation in a way of prohibiting big business from conducting evil. For example, Roosevelt ordered the army to prepare to seize the mines that were not corresponding with various regulations (Divine et al., 667). Wilson had various views that differed with those of Roosevelt. He viewed that most of the monopolistic big businesses were enacting various operations that subjected the economy of America. He viewed that most of the operations that big businesses were carrying only oppressed the poor. In favor big businesses, Wilson refused to support the bill that would enhance provision of minimum wages for women workers (Divine et al., 667). He also sidetracked the child labor bill that was proposed by Roosevelt stating that the bill was unconstitutional (Divine et al., 667). 3. What were the major features of Wilson’s progressive reform program? One of the major features is that Wilson led the Congress in enacting major pieces of legislation into law. One of these pieces of legislation was the Underwood Tariff Act in 1913 (Divine et al., 675). The significance of the Act was that it lowered the tariff rates to about 15%. Moreover, the act also assisted in removing duties from sugar, wool and several other consumer goods (Divine et al., 675). The other piece of legislation that Wilson managed to pass was the Federal Reserve Act. The act was of significant importance to the American government in the sense that it provided a sound and flexible currency. The act also assisted in establishing the first efficient banking system in the country (Divine et al., 675). The other piece of legislation was the Clayton Antitrust Act that he managed to pass in 1914 (Divine et al., 676). The Act was of significance importance because it prohibited unfair trade practices. 4. How did the Progressive movement manifest itself at the level of city government? The progressives managed to help most of the poor citizens uplift themselves. However, they viewed that there were two groups of poor people. There were those who were worthy of an uplift and there were those who posed as a threat to economic health and growth in the country. The progressives managed to advocate for labor in order the poor can managed to uplift their living conditions. Moreover, the progressives managed to advocate for various women rights. They also advocated a vision for better economic and family life. According to the progressives, this would enable most of the women come out from the labor force and meet their family obligations. The progressives also advocated for regulatory commissions and city improvements (Divine et al., 681). Another significant issue that helped the progressive movement to manifest itself is that they advocated for child labor laws and this marked as one of the important reforms (Divine et al., 681). 5. How did the Progressive movement manifest itself at the level of state government? The progressives manifested themselves at the level of state government through assisting the institution of the presidency to expand. In order to accomplish this obligation, the progressives assisted the institution to expand from White House to and radiated to various executive departments that assisted in enacting a number of important government activities. Through the expansion of the president institution, the progressives assisted in developing independent commissions. Moreover, the progressives assisted the government in operating within a number of flexible laws. Moreover, the government was able to operate within supplemented executive laws. Another significant aspect is that the progressives believed in human potential, peace and progress that helped the government to achieve most of the set objectives. Part 1 (B) What was Washington’s philosophy towards achieving reform in the South? In order to achieve reform in the south, Washington believed in his philosophy that the black people had an obligation of working harder and gain property. This would contribute to the Whites in accepting them. Washington believed that the blacks had to apply all means possible in order to achieve economic success in the south. He did not support the fact that the blacks had to agitate for social equality in order to be accepted by the whites in the south. Having born as a slave Washington well understood what the blacks were going through in the south and therefore he encouraged them to work hard and change their image as people who can be able to achieve the same as the whites. Moreover, Washington believed in education and he demonstrated to the black Americans the importance of joining various institutions that were available in order to learn. He believed that education would play an important role in transformation of African Americans lives that were living in the south. Part 1 (C) Political Cartoon What is the message of this cartoon? The political cartoon demonstrates Roosevelt using all the energy he has to bust the bad trusts that existed during his period. The cartoon demonstrates that it was not easy for Roosevelt to bust the bad trust and he had to use all the mechanism and power he had to control them. According to the cartoon, the bad trusts, which were great corporations, had acquired most of the public money. Roosevelt tried to uncover and correct various business evils that were enacted by the bad trusts. The political cartoon also features a happy man who represents the American citizens who were supportive to the actions of Roosevelt in busting the bad trusts. However, it seems that the Americans were not sure if Roosevelt would win in his war of fighting the bad trusts. The significant issue related to the bad trusts according to the cartoon is that Roosevelt was making progress in his fight by getting the money they had taken from the public. The cartoon demonstrates that Roosevelt as the president had all the power to fix all the bad trust as they had nothing to do or to stop him. Part 1 (D) Responses Response to FAIZA MOHAMMED Views I tend to disagree with Mohammed on his views that Washington’s philosophy was more effective to do it in secret. It is clear that Washington played a significant role in encouraging the African Americans to work hard in order they can improve their economic status. He managed to do this in various meetings that he held with the African Americans. This indicates that his philosophy would not be a secret one because it entailed encouraging the black community as a whole. Moreover, Washington emphasized hard on the need for the blacks to acquire education. Most of them were former slaves and had no idea on the importance of education. This means that Washington could not achieve his goal while working in secrets. Response to ROLAND GARRIDO Views I agree with the views presented by Garrido that the political cartoon demonstrates the fight that Roosevelt was playing in fixing the bad trusts. Garrido is true on the opinion that Roosevelt considered that the corporations holding the bad trusts were making the wealth to be with only few people while the rest were becoming poorer. It is true that Roosevelt wanted to shape the bad trusts and make them the way they were supposed to be. This means that the corporations would enact their businesses without causing negative economic impact to the common citizens. Moreover, Garrido is true on his view that the cartoon demonstrates Roosevelt as an active man ready to put his efforts in fixing the bad trusts. Part 2 (A) 1. What major factors motivated U.S. foreign policy towards Latin America between 1900 and 1920? A number of factors that motivated U.S foreign policy towards Latin America in the period between 1900 and 1920 include protecting the canal (Divine et al., 692). The other significant factor was to promote regional stability. Moreover, the U.S government also wanted to gain other foreign influences in the region. However, that was a huge problem worrying the American policymakers during this period. The problem was about the scale of Latin American debts to European powers (Divine et al., 692). America tried with all the power it had to save most of the islands that the Europeans were ready to seize because of the unpaid debt (Divine et al., 692). 2. How did Wilson’s foreign policy differ from that of Theodore Roosevelt? Wilson did not have great knowledge about the foreign policy compared to Roosevelt (Divine et al., 694). He did not have much influence on the foreign policy and he mentioned it only when it affected domestic concerns. Wilson was self-motivated and he conducted his own diplomacy. History indicates that Wilson managed to conduct a number of diplomatic notes on his own typewriter. He also sent personal emissaries abroad and carried various negotiations with foreign countries without the knowledge of many people including his secretaries of the state (Divine et al., 694). Wilson chose moral diplomacy as the best course that would bring right to the world (Divine et al., 694). On the other hand, Roosevelt took most of his time in prepare America for world power (Divine et al., 691). Roosevelt took an active role regarding foreign relations compared to Wilson. He managed to reject isolationists but tried to adopt balancing of power in the nation. He tried with all his mighty protecting American interests from the rest of the world. 3. How did World War I affect the situation of labor, women, and minorities between 1914 and 1920? The war marked a shift in the economic power of United States (Divine et al., 712). The American government emerged from the war as a strongest economic power. For example, in 1914, the American government owed foreign investors an amount of money of about $ 3 million (Divine et al., 712). This is a clear indication that the war shifted the labor situation in the country where many citizens managed to secure employment. Business profits also managed to grow and factory expanded as an effect of the war. Moreover, many of the industries turned out huge amount of war goods and therefore the amount of labor increased (Divine et al., 712). Women were able to make various gains because they were employed because of the increase in labor and to replace some of the men who had gone into the war (Divine et al., 712). Another significant issue is that most of the minorities managed to uplift their living conditions because the society assimilated to some of the shifts that occurred during this particular period. 4. Describe the forces that did not favor a policy of neutrality towards the First World War? One of the forces that did not favor the policy of neutrality was the Great Britain. History indicates that Great Britain extended its limitation just before a day of the election date (Divine et al., 700). Germany also did not favor the policy of neutrality. For example, the Germans renewed their laws of unrestricted submarine warfare (Divine et al., 700). The Germans took advantage of the situation in the manner that they would win because the British were asking for negotiations and therefore they wanted to acquire various territories in Eastern Europe, Africa, Belgium and France (Divine et al., 700). 5. Why did the United States not ratify the Treaty of Versailles? The United States did not ratify the Treaty of Versailles because first, the congress did not support the fourteen points that were proposed by Wilson (Divine et al., 713). Some of the foreign countries like French were not also supporting the fourteen points proposed by Wilson. For example, one of the French Premier known as Georges Clemenceau ones stated that he was not sure that as they failed to adhere with God’s ten commandments, they could manage to follow the rules set by Wilson on the fourteen points (Divine et al., 713). Another factor that led the United States not to support the Treaty of Versailles was the fact that the England and France were against it. Both of the two countries wanted Germany disarmed and crippled. There was disagreement about the fate of Germany and therefore United States was not in a position to ratify the treaty (Divine et al., 713). Part 2 B World War One Spy What was the impact of the revelation of these types of German operations in the United States? The revelation s revealed from the spies provided the Americans with means of ejecting German. The revelations made the Americans to limit their operations with most of the German individuals who were operating in various government offices in America. The revelations also made the American president, Wilson to authorize surveillance of all German Embassy personnel. The revelations also managed to warn the American travelers not to bond any of the British ships because of the risk that they were facing during that time. The other impact of the revelations was that the Americans were no longer interested with the operations of the German ships because they believed that their operations were not genuine. Part 2 (C) The cartoon demonstrates that England was eligible of the destruction that resulted to neutral commerce. They had already caused significant effects on the American trade for not supporting the neutral commerce. The cartoon demonstrates that England was now ready to attack the Germans in order not to cooperate in the neutral commerce with the Americans. Moreover, the cartoon demonstrates Wilson trying to find a solution for the problem because most of the trade operations including the American shipping were depending on him but it seems that he could not do much about the situation because England had more power over the trade. Part 2 (D) Response to William Russell views I agree with Russell’s views that the impact of revelation of German spies in America revealed that the Germans were not neutral but rather they emerged to be enemies. The Germans had a hidden agenda that was negative and a threat to the American government. For example, it is true that the Germans had plans of getting Americans involved with the Mexican war. This demonstrates that they had ill motives towards American leadership while at the same time pretending to be close friends. Moreover, it is also true that the revelation of Germans spying activities made the American Government to withdraw its sympathy towards the Germans. This made the two countries to develop hostile against each other. The former friendship disappeared and the American government started to scrutinize every operation that the Germans carried in the country. Response to Roland Garrido views about political cartoon. I agree with the Garrido’s views that the political cartoon demonstrates the issue related to England’s heavy-handed naval policies and tactics, namely the blockade. According to Garrido’s views, it is true that the political cartoon demonstrates that the England’s ill policies and tactics were also directed to Germans during World War I. The policies and tactics did not support the neutral commerce. However, the American government led by Wilson was in full support of the neutral commerce but it could not control England not to go against the agenda. Moreover, it is also true that England’s activities and operations of trying to stop the neutral commerce affected the American economy. Part 3(A) 1. How would you characterize the federal government’s attitude towards business in the 1920’s? The federal government failed to play a significant role in supporting various businesses in the 1920’s. There were low production in consumer goods and many traditional industries declined (Divine et al., 722). The federal government also failed to provide the recommended management in relation to railroad industries. The railroads were poorly managed. Moreover, the railroads industry suffered from various internal woes that developed because of competition with the growing truck industry (Divine et al., 722). The coal industry also declined in its operations because of the development of petroleum and natural gas industries. The use of cotton declined and various farm exports declined. The federal government did not contribute much in securing the business from following down. 2. What factors contributed to the rise of fundamentalism in the United States during the 1920’s? One of the factors that led to the rise of fundamentalism was the emergency of new urban culture that most of the fundamentalists considered it conflicted with traditional religious culture (Divine et al., 737). The other factor that led to the rise of fundamentalism was the development of evolution teachings that were taught in the public schools (Divine et al., 737). Many of the fundamentalists tried to advocate for retaining of original culture and believes that were being outdone by the emergence of a new culture that mostly existed in urban areas. The fundamentalists felt that the secular culture was contributing in a large extent to change the moral believes of the society and therefore they rose to protect it (Divine et al., 745). 3. What reasons did the Democratic Party have for looking to the future with optimism? The democrats had various reasons that made them to look the future with optimism. One of the reasons is that they were far better in political strength than their opponents indicated. For example, by the year 1922, the party had managed to make heavy inroads to the GOP majority in congress (Divine et al., 740). During this particular period, the democrats managed to take away seventy-eight seats from the republicans after the election. The other reason that made the democrats have to look the future with optimism is that they managed to pick more nine seats in the House of metropolitan areas (Divine et al., 740). The party only required to have a charismatic leader in order to rule for the rest of the future. 4. In what ways did the automobile contribute to economic growth in the 1920’s? With the development of the automobile industry, America managed to experience a significant economic growth in the 1920’s. One of the effects of the automobiles is that they managed to contribute growth in other industries. Some of these industries include the steel industry due to the higher demand of sheet steel for car bodies (Divine et al., 721). The other industry that was promoted by the development of automobiles was the Rubber factories because of the high demand of vehicle tires (Divine et al., 721). Moreover, the paints and glass industries also managed to grow in a significant manner. Automobiles also contributed to the economic growth because of the development of the filing stations (Divine et al., 721). This means that automobiles contributed to the need of more petroleum and diesels fuels therefore promoting economic growth. 5. In what ways did the automobile contribute to social change in the 1920’s? Development of the automobiles contributed to social change in various ways. One of this ways is that many of the American citizens managed to secure employment in various industries that emerged because of the automobiles. Another significant social change that emerged because of the automobiles was the development of highways. The federal government managed to contribute funds for making highways because the automobiles required better roads. The development of the automobiles also contributed to easy transport of consumer goods. Therefore, many of the American citizens particularly farmers managed to uplift their living standards because of the sales they made to urban areas (Divine et al., 720). Part 3 (B) Sacco & Vanzetti What impact did this trial have on the cultural war of the 1920’s? The results of trial expanded and became an international issue of increasing turbulence where most people viewed that the two convicts were executed because of political differences. Many people believed that the two convicts were innocent and therefore this resulted to various demonstrations in European countries. The trial that was viewed as full of prejudice contributed many of the Europeans engaging in a cultural war against the Americans. Many people lost their lives without being tried. Moreover, the case turned from a criminal one to political Judge Thayer who was in charge of the case showed to have hatred for anarchists. Several incidents occurred after the trial that were related to cultural war. For example, a bomb exploded before the day of execution. Many protesters moved to the streets. Part 3 (C) LEAGUE OF NATIONS Political Cartoon The political cartoon demonstrates how the League of Nations seemed to be after the end of World War 1. According to the political cartoon, the American President of the time Woodrow Wilsons seems like he did not want to join the League of Nations. This makes other nations that were supporting the idea try to influence America in joining it. Some of the nations shown in the political cartoon include England, Empire of Japan, European nations and other foreign nations. However, the cartoon demonstrates that Wilson stood firm not willing to accept any of the offer of joining the league. The reason why other nations in the League wanted American to join it was that they needed powerful nations to contribute in various support towards ensuring that was peace in future. America seems to be the powerful nation is it is demonstrated being in the top of the world on the cartoon. Part 3 (D) Responses Response to GEORGIA-LI HEWITT Views I agree with Georgia-Li Hewitt views that America is demonstrated to be in bondage of other nations by the political cartoon. America had attained much than all other nations in the world and hence posed as one of the best nations to help in activities enacted within the League of Nations. According to Georgia-Li Hewitt, it is true that all other nations sown in the political cartoon were trying to see whether they could achieve what America had already attained. However, the American president of the time, Wilson, was reluctant to offer any contribution to the needs of other nations as demonstrated in the political cartoon. Response to FAIZA MOHAMMED I agree with the Mohammed’s View that the trial related to Vanzetti was a symbol of how authorities were mishandling various cases of innocent men. The authorities did not take into consideration the pleas that were presented by both Nicola Sacco and Vanzetti. Their arrest and conviction demonstrated that there was no possibility of common person getting justice with the judicial fraternity. I also agree with Mohammed’s view that both of the two men’s conviction and execution attracted and influenced many opinions within different people in America and beyond. There was full of frustrations and anger among many people because of the execution of the two foreign men. It is also true that both of the anarchists were elevated to sainthood after their execution. Works Cited Divine Robert, Breen Timothy, Fredrickson George, Williams Hal, Gross Ariela & Brands Henry. America Past and Present: Unbound for Books a La Carte Plus. New York: Pearson College Div. 2007, Print. Read More