America's Transformation Into a Great Country - Coursework Example

Many in the 19th century believed that for the US to transform into a great country, America must have interest in overseas by not only getting involved in the economics of other countries but also owning swathes of land abroad. This proved to be the case in the Spanish-American battle whereby the US was attempting to attain the status of Pacific Power by freeing Cuba from the rule of the Spaniards. Winning the battle enabled the US to surrender autonomy to Puerto Rico, Philippines and Guam. The US in addition occupied the Hawaii during the war. By virtue of acquiring all this territory in the Pacific and Caribbean Island, the US could now concentrate on gaining economic and strategic interests within the Asian region (Combs, 2015).

During President Roosevelt's term, America turned her focus to China. Although America lacked any territorial interest, nonetheless, she had commercial interests and after assisting crush the Boxer Rebellion, the US developed Open Door Notes which facilitated open trade in Chinese territory to all countries. Other nations desired special trading rights within the region known as "spheres of influence", however the Open Door Notes ensured this would not materialize. In 1914, FDR also negotiated the Panama Canal-a waterway linking the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific. The waterway enabled faster travel across the Indian ocean for America. FDR also signaled the US as the globe's "police men" in a way when he declared that America could join any Latin American conflict in case there existed "chronic wrongdoing", without clearly telling what he really meant. Moreover when the Dominic Republic failed to pay debts to other nations and these nations issued threats of invading, FDR took over their customs department and assisted the country in managing its debts. FDR was convinced that the US must quickly act and exert more authority in conflicts, concluding his policy with " Speak softly and carry a big stick" (Combs, 2015).

When President William Howard Taft took over power, he was convinced that pressing forward with US commercial interests was the most significant thing for propelling America as a global superpower. During President Taft, the US owned railroads and banks in Columbia and initiated plans to fund a railroad in Manchuria. Even though it never worked out, this portrayed Taft's aggressiveness in growing America's commercial interests overseas (Combs, 2015). Nonetheless, many aspects of the US foreign policy changed upon the ascension of Wilson to the presidency. President Wilson disapproved of the expansionists policies pursued by the Republicans. Even though Wilson had sworn he would not look for additional territories through conquest, he nevertheless got involved in Latin America following the conflict that broke out in the Dominic Republic and Haiti. Moreover after the Mexican government was deposed, Wilson did not acknowledge the new leadership and instead sent in troops to assist in restoration of order in the country (Combs, 2015).

The US by constantly engaging herself overseas, proved that she wanted to attain international order while being involved both economically and politically. Whereas FDR, Wilson and Taft all pursued various strategies to attaining success abroad, they were all of the opinion that America had a role to play in policing other nations. FDR was convinced that America should do anything within its power and that war is not a bad thing. On the other hand, Taft believed in dollar supremacy which concentrated on widening commercial interests abroad. Wilson envisioned world order, and even though it did not entail the involvement of the US as much as the two past presidents, Wilson was still of the belief that America needed to be involved in some capacities. (Combs, 2015).

Part two

After the First World War, the US politically shifted to a much more business focused strategy since many individuals were unsettled by the fast social transformation in that era, before and during the conflict. Several Americans believed it would be best to return to their conventional culture, and thus conservative leaders appealed more to them. This led to the reduction of the political powers of would be reformers and progressives (Venzon, 2013).

In 1920, Warren G Harding, Republican became president and presided over a reign of full of corruption and which never lasted long. President Harding passed on in 1923 while vacationing paving way for Calvin Coolidge to be sworn in as president. Coolidge's administration aimed at raising local business by increasing tariffs, and lowering taxes on the rich. The Supreme Court overturned several Progressive Movements. Since there were many corrupt cabinet members in Harding's administration, Coolidge ensured he got rid of all dirty deals in his government. Thus for instance Coolidge vetoed McNavy-Haugen Bill that allowed government to buy the excess farm commodities from farmers since he wanted very minimal government involvement. Overseas, Coolidge fought for autonomous internationalism, in addition to pushing for Germany and Allied Powers to compensate the US 22 billion dollars, in spite of their impoverished economies. Following the war, politics turned Conservative very fast since many believed that the US needed to stabilize and return to its traditional origins. There was a wedge in Democratic camp too hence there was minimal push back from the Progressives (Venzon, 2013).

The US officially turned into an urban country in 1920 when the urban population surpassed its rural population, leading to many social transformations, with the biggest being the discovery of the automobile which led to the creation of plenty of jobs. Thus, assembly lines created many jobs, further opening up markets for oil. Automobiles also led to the creation of roadside diners and tourist cabins. Moreover, automobiles provided people with the freedom of movement since they no longer needed to rely on fixed train schedules and could now travel whenever they desired. The use of electric power in the US also rose at this time and this combined with automobiles impacted the environment negatively (Venzon, 2013).

Mass entertainment also spiked up during this period with radio, movies and magazines becoming extremely popular as did the obsession of Americans with celebrities. One of the causes of this popularity was media diversity. Several farmers tuned to their radios to listen to weather reports whereas town dwellers wanted entertainment after work. This variety in media ensured that everyone had something to enjoy. The rise of the pop culture led to an increased interest in the lives of the celebrities including skilled athletes. For instance Babe Ruth as well as other athletes turned out to be role models for Americans and people regularly strived to be like her (Newton-Matza, 2009).

During this time also jazz music became such a hit and commonplace and contained sexual overturns with blacks and whites loving it in equal measure. This alongside sex-symbolized celebrities led to a "sexual revolution" which disgusted traditionalists at the time. In addition, the freedom that was brought about by the automobiles enabled people to not only party but also consume bootleg alcohol only encouraged more revolution. Several individuals resented this rapid shift in culture and went up in protest of this new social path America had chosen making some people to become extremely anti-immigrant and led to the rise of Ku Klux Klan. This was a socially tumultuous time for the US since there are those that yearned to alter the culture, while other believed such an alteration would be bad. Nonetheless, in spite of all this confusion, the US was able to find a stable middle ground (Newton-Matza, 2009).

Part 3

During the administration of President Taft, Dollar Diplomacy policy was employed to encourage the foreign commercial interest of the US. The US through this policy would act as a guarantor to nations in East Asia and Latin America. Taft also supported and promoted American enterprises in securing opportunities overseas. He believed that the dollar diplomacy policy would be helpful to both American investors and foreigners as well. Nevertheless, not ever nation perceived it that way, and for instance Latin Americans would constantly utilize this phrase in a negative way referring to how America "forced" its way into overseas markets (Munro, 2016).

The Fourteen Points

The Fourteen Points were written by President Wilson to share his plan for an enhanced standard of living in the world. This plan was to be utilized for negotiating for peace after WWI. Wilson through it provided reasons for the US to take part in the war. The points helped in convincing those who believed that taking part in the war was ill-conceived by demonstrating that America was in war for noble reasons and not selfish ones. President Wilson demonstrated how the War would result to a world with reduced armaments, free trade, free navigations, as well as treaties that were openly negotiated, coupled with a "general association of countries" to peacefully resolve conflicts.

The Scopes Trial

Tennessee in 1925 declared that The Theory of Evolution should not be taught in public schools. The American Civil Liberties Union decided to defend teachers who taught. Local entrepreneurs urged John T. Scopes (high school substitute teacher) to instruct evolution so as to promote Dyton, Tennessee (Lienesch, 2007). Consequently, Scopes summarized Darwin's theory and was arrested. Several prominent lawyers travelled to fight it out in court. Scopes Trial turned into a national sensation as Fundamentalists who took Bible literally dismissed evolution, squared off with modernists, who claimed that evolution was not consistent with religion. After the trial, Scopes was fined $100 by the court, nonetheless, fundamentalism was ridiculed following the trial (Lienesch, 2007).

KDKA

Mass production in entertainment started during the 1920s as Americans tried escaping from their jobs. Books and magazines began prospering, and then history was made when Pittsburgh's KDKA radio station broadcast the election of Warren Harding. In a span of the next 2 years over 500 new radio stations were started as the US was gripped by radio fever. Radio could do many things such as sharing news, entertaining Americans and promoting products (Berg, 2013).

Lusitania incident

A German U-Boat sunk a British boat on 7th May 1915 killing 1,198 passengers aboard, including 128 US citizens. Earlier one, the German embassy had warned US citizens not to use British or French vessels while travelling. Nevertheless, the Lusitania incident still brought out a big wedge in public opinion of Americans. Whereas several Americans felt provoked and felt they should go to war over this incident, others thought a war would lead to many negative consequences. Even though it was 2 years until the US joined the War officially, this episode began changing the opinions of Americans (Peifer, 2016).