Short Answers in American History - Essay Example

? of American History Explain how profits, piety, and politics affected American foreign policy in the late 19th century. Answer: Profits: The US, at that time, was producing enormous amounts, even more than the required consumption; moreover, they needed the market for their exports. Furthermore, they had secured several sites for minerals and coals and had invested heavily in foreign markets. US had developed access to sugar, rubber, oil and fruits along with the minerals due to acquisition of several colonies. Piety: The beliefs, in that era, were driven by religious motives, hence, the US felt the need of a strong sense of duty, and therefore, it had promoted missionaries abroad and funded the expansion of Protestantism and political liberty. Large number of missionaries went abroad. Politics: Public had been constantly supporting several things which included Cuban Rebels and working against Spain. 2. Briefly discuss the major problems of American society that concerned the social justice progressives and explain how they tried to confront these issues. Also, what was the one thing that the Progressives lacked in their vision? Answer: The problems of the American Society which had concerned the progressives were the distribution of wealth and racism. When the American economy was transforming from agrarian society to urban society, the natives were at the top being rich while all the poor people were at the bottom including dark skinned people. The progressives had taken the responsibility to improve the society and remove all the vices which had been embodied in the society due to freedom of expression of the American economy. The progressives addressed the issues of prostitution, Alcohol, abortion and child labor, however, they ignored basic issues which caused more trouble namely finance problems, foreign policy and racism. Progressives ignored the issues regarding the country and showed interest in societal problem due to which other parties became upper hand, due to which, the progressives failed. Progressives lacked vision. 3. Discuss the reasons the United States government announced a policy of neutrality at the outbreak of the war in Europe in 1914, as well as the difficulties the U.S. had in maintaining such a policy prior to its entry into the war in 1917. What do you think the outcome of the Great War would have been if the U.S. did not get involved? Answer: US remained impartial during WWI, primarily, due to the impartiality policy which had been adopted by the US against the Europeans. US had a strong European Market due to which it did not participate in the European War. US adopted the policy mainly because of the business markets it had established over there. The main objective was to keep the business going with Europe, since; it included a great deal of money. However, Germany and UK created troubles which had resulted in lost cargo and blockades of ships as well as several ships being damaged. Thus, when violence increased against the American Trade, America stepped into war and joined with the Allies. US would have remained neutral if there was no trade policy, nevertheless, the Germans started blocking and British men also blocked the German supplies in retaliation which affected US trade negatively. This is when the US decided to step in. 4. Why do you feel the New Deal was or was not successful in solving the problems of the Great Depression? Answer: The New Deal was not able to meet the objectives of freeing the country from unemployment and restoring the economic strength. The New Deal only had short term effects and was not sustainable. America got out of economic Trouble from WWII and the New Deal only helped in gaining momentum, however, the New Deal was a short term approach towards problem solving, moreover, there was no Long term planning involved in correcting the issues related to financial sector of the economy. New Deal helped in reviving the economy and production, as a result, consumption increased. Private investment came into the economy. However, economists used the unemployment figures to negate the effects of the New Deal and believed that it did not do any good at all. 5. Should the United States have used the atomic bomb to end World War II? Answer: The US dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima was an experiment which showed the power of nuclear weapons. Similarly, if US wouldn’t have bombed Hiroshima, the Russians would have invaded Japan and made it a communist country unlike US. The bombing also led to redevelopment of Japan. The bombing on Hiroshima was also retaliation from the United States against the Japanese attacks on US army in Vietnam. 6. What impact did the Cold War have on society at home? Answer: Cold War had a major impact on the American Society. The recognition of two separate powers was seen by the world which is the capitalist and communist countries. The cold war also led to cultural war in the American society where American movie makers started producing movies against the communism and Russians in favor of it. The cold War triggered the fear of communism being spread. When British were decolonizing and there was a vacuum of power, both the countries started promoting their own beliefs with America talking about Capitalism while Russia was intent on decolonization. It had also led to improved internal affairs of the American Society which included elimination of racism desegregation schools and much of budget being diverted towards the military spending which had affected several people in the country. 7. Pretend that you are preparing a television documentary about the Civil Rights movement during the 1960's. What events would you show? Who would you interview or discuss? Answer: I will be showing the events of Brown vs. Board which is the landmark event that changed the course of schools in the United States. I will also include Rosa Parks and Montgomery Bus Boycott, Integration of Mississippi universities, King’s Assassination and Poor people’s march in Washington. I will be covering all the speeches done by Martin Luther King. On my interview list I will interview with Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and Robert Williams. Emmet Till death was also to be covered in the documentary as it raised several questions against the white people in the United States. 8. Do you think the quest for social reform in the 1970's succeeded? Why or why not? Answer: I believe that the quest for social reforms succeeded in the United States. Black people started to get their rights and many of the issues in the society were being resolved. Free speech movement started during this course and Civil rights movement also started which had been one of the landmark movements in the history of the United States. During the era of Cold War, several changes were brought into the American Society which led to America having an impact on the worldly affairs. Women were granted freedom and several other improvements were made in the society in terms of welfare. 9. on balance, what have been the three most influential changes in U.S. society since the end of World War II? What evidence causes you to select these and not others? Answer: The three most influential changes which had been brought into the American Society were the treatment with black people, women empowerment and promoting the capitalist structure in every field of life. Civil Rights Movement was one of the greatest movements of all times and prior to that Black people were only held slaves who worked on the lands of White people and were unable to enjoy even the basic amenities of life. Women Empowerment is also a strong initiative which led to change in the status of women in the society. Previously, they had been suppressed and treated with brutality. Furthermore, the promotion of capitalist structure across the globe and declaring war against communists and monarchs in the global arena. Due to this Russians and Americans were unable to come at equal footing. Read More