Referendum against Progressive Era - Essay Example

Essay One A referendum against Progressive Era was done in 1920 through Presidential elections. Give detailed reason using specific examples on why or why not this was the case to support your decision. The presidential election of 1920 in the United States of America were surrounded by the outcome of the First World War, this period was characterized by worldwide tension , which further facilitated to the rise of mass movements like communism, fascism, and national socialism. The first council of the League of Nations was held in Paris where President Wilson convoked it as per the League provision for the summoning of the first assembly by the U.S president. This marked the last official participation of the U.S in the history of the League of Nations. It led to a hostile response to certain policies and the intent reaction against the reform enthusiasm of the Progressive Era. Diplomats and Politicians argued in reference to the peace treaties and the entry of America in the League of Nations, which at the point did not work due to the isolationist opinion that had dominated (Norton 623). On the other hand, the progressive era in America was dominated by reforms in politics and social activism. Its main agenda was to purify the government by bringing to light those political figures that were involved in major corruption. Through this era, there were major reforms in the government, finance, industry and other areas. For example, there was the ‘nineteenth Amendment of 1920 that guaranteed female suffrage a reform that was essential in ensuring that enough votes had been consolidated from them especially then that women had been allowed to vote in all the 48 states. (Norton 624) Essentially, around 1919, there were chief strikes in the meatpacking and steel industries and large –scale race riots that were witnessed in Chicago and other cities. Wall streets had terrorist attacks, which culminated to fears of radicals and terrorists. For example, the community of German and the Irish Catholic community were disappointed in the foreign policy that had been brought up by the democratic president Wilson leading to a critical weakening of his political position especially after he was said to have suffered from a severe stroke. Thus, it was evident that the presidential elections came as a referendum that was meant to go against the progressive era, which basically fought for the right on most of the citizens in America (Norton 625). In 1920 many Americans were exhausted of war, and the constant attempts to have reforms including the passing of moral legislation. It is at about this time that Harding came up with a policy of returning things to normalcy, which he attempted to capitalize on so as to curb the feelings of the populist. Essay Two Explain in detail the differences between President Franklin Roosevelt’s First and Second Newdeals. What did each focus on and why or why not do you feel they were successful? During the campaigns for the presidency, Franklin .D. Roosevelt promised the people of the United States of America ‘New Deal’ due to the economic depression that was witnessed. Hence, there was a dire need to end the depression as the most important political issue. As soon as he was voted in as a democrat Roosevelt, a former governor of the New York had two deals (Norton 745). The first new deal was the reverse of the financial system of America, institute relief programs, as well as, the crisis that had been witnessed in agriculture and industry. Essentially, the Democratic Party under the leadership of Roosevelt provided relief food for the poor, and gave a balance to the traditional policies of the federal budget, supported the gold standard and led to the reduction of the size of the government. This new deal was successful because it gave direct payment to the poor and unemployed, and there was the revival of manufacturing which contributed to the end of the depression (Norton 746). The second new deal was dominated by the continuation of the Great Depression plus the wheezing of the national economy. There was persistence in unemployment as people grew angrier, and desperate. In light with this, Roosevelt launched a second federal program series that was more aggressive. Essentially, he came up with a Works Progress Administration (WPA) which was meant to provide jobs to the people without necessarily competing with the private industry. This was the reaction to the criticism and judicial setbacks by keeping the Congress in session with another set of reforms. Some critics complained that FDR’s plans were too radical while the rest were for the opinion that Roosevelt had not done much. The threats emerged from the financial and business communities who rejected the idea. There was the formation of huge national social welfare and unions took a new role in the country’s political economy among other issues. However, this second new idea only saved capitalism but it did not end the Great Depression that was continually being witnessed. Never the less, FDN signed a Social Security Act of 1935 which guaranteed pensions to million of Americans .An insurance for the unemployment was set up and the federal government pledged to assist in looking after the needy children and the disabled. (Norton 747). Essay Three Explain why relations between the United States and Japan deteriorated to the point where war became almost certain. What policies and actions did both nations employ and why? In 1937, the relationship between Japan and the United states began deteriorating soon after subsequent military attempts that were associated with Japan colonization, for instance, the atrocities like the Nanking Massacre in China. On the other hand, the fact that the United States of America was powerful opened more opportunity for friendly relations with Europe and Netherland. In unison, these countries boycotted a trade restriction that had been placed by Japan in the trade market. In response, Japan used military power so as to be able to obtain the raw materials which the country required for it industries to continue existing. Moreover, it concluded that, if it had to be more successful in the treaty of the Pacific, then Japan had to argue out the possibility of the United States being incapable of efficiently working within the Pacific region, an issue that led to emergence of war over the Pearl Harbor (Norton 779). Conversely, aircrafts carriers in the pacific had to be destroyed to prevent Japan from losing the war. There was a belief that the western powers viewed Japan as inferior. In fact, the use of diplomacy by Japan did not change the fact that United States was opposed towards Japan expansion. This led to wearing down in communication between the two countries, and signs of war became event (Norton 801). Never the less, the United States and Japan decided to solve their differences through the intervention of high level personalities from the two countries where the came up with solutions concerning the Pearl Harbor and the pacific war. Japan had to seize their military attacks while the United States were expected to lift their ban against Japan, as well as, provide trade links with them. This way, their relationship would work to their interests (Norton 803). Works cited; Norton, Mary et al. A people and a Nation: a history of the United States. Bostan, MA: Wadsworth, 2012. Print. Read More