American Experience from 1865 to 1945 - Essay Example

America's Experience World War 11 Introduction America has been very active in matters relating to war and other political issues. For decades, America has been in the forefront in trying to solve conflicts between warring nations and at times igniting conflicts with those nations appearing to be a threat to America and the whole world at large. This paper gives an analysis to the America's experience from 1865 to 1945 - World War II as authored by Paxson (1948) in his book titled America Democracy and the World War. This book touches on many issues about America in the given period starting with how America was involved in civil war that led to signing of agreement (Monroe Doctrine) with involved nations, as the key events. The analysis looks at the Spanish-American war which took place in 1898. This war is said to have been started by Cuba following its urge for independence. The key figures include President Woodrow Wilson and Charles Evans (who was the secretary of state). However, the book gives much emphasis on the Second World War. At this period, America opted at adjusting neutrality laws a move that was to favor its allies i.e. France and Britain. An event like the Swedish emigration to North America between 1840 and 1920 is well captured by the author. The real cause for this emigration was poverty and Swedish were trying to run away from it. The highest number migrated in 1869 and1887. He approximates the number of Swedish to be about half a million, most of who settled in Canada, Australia and Brazil. They left Sweden by boat from Gothenburg and traveled to Liverpool from where they were ferried to New York and Boston by the emigrant ships. One of the authors Vilhelm Moberg (1898-1973) who even wrote a book titled the emigrants. It is also features Buchanan's (1856) whose art compromise skills led him to be the only president in America to be from Pennsylvanian. He ruled for four years and declined to take another term. He was succeeded by Abraham Lincoln. It was the informal agreements between Buchanan himself and South Carolina that kept was on hold. All these writings by this author acts as an eye opener to the reader giving him/her a chance to clearly examine rationalization and the inner thoughts as portrayed by the author. This can help in documenting the America's history and the changing spheres that can perpetually change America's history and its connection with the today's world1. This paper incorporates analysis from the book titled The Colonial Period of American History that was authored by Andrews and published in 1930. Materials from this book are meant to appear as confirmation to the author's information so as not to come up with conflicting history regarding the America's experience. The book concentrates more on the events that took place between 1865 and 1918, thus covering up to the first world war. America's Experience World War 11 For many years the United States has been largely involved in the world war. During the year 1865 America was involved in the civil war with its principal problems being: - Preservations of Monroe Doctrine integrity - The doctrine were a treaty that pledged signatories to a joint control of any future, unfortified isthmian canal dominion by one of the involved parties. Preventing the southern independence recognition by France and Britain. Holding those powers to proper observance of being neutral and Seeing their acquiescence in the imperfect blockade that was established by President Lincoln initially with inadequate naval forces along the entire southern coastline. While the United States was convulsed with civil war, European powers flouted the Monroe Doctrine the same way Britain had done on the Isthmus during the Mexican war. In 1866, after the victory of the union forces in the civil war was assured, Seward successfully demanded the withdrawal of French forces from Mexico and let Spain know that the United States would not accept but would rather resist the Peruvian territory seizure. In 1896, Britain facing the rise of the German Navy and the possibility of war with the Boer republic accepted demands put across by President Cleveland to arbitrate a boundary dispute between British Guiana and Venezuela which was similar to the former dispute that had increased the territory of British Honduras at the expense of Guatemala. Cleveland's diplomatic victory was a triumph for Monroe Doctrine, Anglo - American conciliation and even rapprochement that led to similar peaceful settlement by the 1893 arbitration of the for - seals controversy in the Bering sea decided against the United States, the 1903 Alaska Boundary Dispute that was decided in favor of the United States and the worth Atlantic fisheries dispute that was compromised by the decision of 1910.2 In the period 1867 - 1871, the Russian stockholder (Czar Alexander II) in what was financially unprofitable Russian - American company felt powerless to protect Russian American case of war with England, he therefore sold the vast territory to the United States in 1867 for 7.2 million dollars. The United States was concerned since it was a sole assignment, a brilliant coup that was executed by Secretary Seward who was the Republican apostle of Manifest Destiny. Reactions towards Manifest Destiny that set in after the civil frustrated other expansionist projects in the Caribbean. However, Alaska was acquired and midway Island in the pacific was occupied. Later, Seward's son, Fredrick, assistant secretary of state under President Hayes in 1878 signed a most favored - nation treaty of amity, naval privilege, extra territoriality and Quasi protection with the native government of Samoa. The 1898 Spanish - American war completed the process of American expansion. The war was ignited by Cuba's thirst for independence and the Isthmians question which involved the United States security as a transcontinental republic in the new order of power. This later brought about the rise of Germany and Japan. The quick America's victory demonstrated the power of what was the newly created American Navy. Puerto Rico annexation and Cuba's protectorate earned the hegemony of the Untied States in the Caribbean area. Annexation of Hawaiian Islands of the Pacific Ocean and sovereignty over Pago Pago in Samoa afforded naval bases for the protection of western approaches to the future isthmian canal. Acquisition of Philippine Islands purchased by the United States in the Spain's peace treaty was not anticipated by the American nationals a thing that created problems in foreign policy. The Spanish - American war had broken down the traditional isolation of American foreign policy behind the two oceans ramparts.3 The Anglo - German - Italian Venezuela naval blockade that was imposed in collection of repudiated contract debts was a warning to the United States of what could happen near Panama Canal.4From 1904 to 1905 a similar situation developed in the Dominican Republic calling for the intervention of President Theodore Roosevelt who cleared up the Dominican defaults, scaled down its foreign debt and established a treaty toward financial protection over that country. The political & geographical isolation, peaceful ideals and psychology of the American people made the European war a surprise to them. Leaders from all corners of the world initially supported President Wilson proclamation of neutrality. America civil war precedents mitigated resentment over British procedure. British measures at most injured American properly, for which damages could be arbitrated after the war. German violations through unrestricted submarine warfare brought about the irreparable loss of American lives I the May 7th 1915 Lusitania disaster. Woodrow Wilson had a choice to make between two policies both of which were within the realm of neutrality, they were: - 1) To defend American citizens traveling under a foreign flag, even under a foreign belligerent flag flying over and armed merchant ship, against violations of international law perpetrated against that flag. 2) To leave American citizens to the protection of the flag under which they voyaged on the high seas. Wilson chose the first policy through a note sent to Germany on 10th February 1915. When it was challenged by Germany, the United States was brought into the war on the side of the Allies which ensured their victory. Germany started its attack on ships flying the American flags without warning.5For the period between the two world wars (1921 - 1939), United States was faced with the congress unwillingness a thing that reflected public opinion in supporting a war with Japan over the question of China and responding to Britain's desire to avoid naval rivalry with the United States. Secretary of state Charles Evans Hughes called for international conference at Washington on the limitations of ornaments and to deal with far Eastern affairs. The resulting 1922 Washington treaty ended the Anglo - Japanese Alliance and left Japan in secure control of far eastern waters as against anyone power, a status that was granted in return for Japan's promise to observe the open door and the integrity of China. Between 1933 - 1944 president Wilson planted the seeds of good neighbor policy in Latin American. This was later cultivated by his Republican successors, Harding, Coolidge among others. In 1933 two treaties were signed i.e. rights and duties of states treaty and the Saaredra Lamas anti war pact, another agreements and resolutions created an Inter-American peace structure and a moral union which incorporated the non - intervention doctrine and rested on the sovereign and judicial equality of each of the American republics. It was after accepting the doctrine of nonintervention in 1937 that the Untied States terminated its treaty rights of intervention in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Panama.6 During the 2nd world war (1939 - 1945) decided to revise the neutrality laws in favor of France and Britain during the early periods of the war. This was after the realization that U.S had everything to lose from a defeat of its allies. Americans were interested in bringing the Germany's defeat. Assisted by Britain the US swung deliberately further and further from neutrality since they feared the results of a Germany victory. Japanese conquests in Asia and German conquest in Europe aimed at preventing United States from entering the war to save England or China had completely upset power balance in the old world. In the course of Washington's negotiations aimed at seeking a peace formula, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec 7 1941 without warning a violation of the 1907 Hague convention. This made the Congress to declare on Japan on 8th Dec 1941. At the same time Germany and Italy speedily declared war on the Us in accordance with the 1940 tripartite alliance (Germany, Japan and Italy).This war oriented the United States foreign policy making the American realize that isolation was no longer possible and oceans were no longer barrier to long - range guided missiles and bombers.7 In 1944 Britain, Soviet Union and China met at Washington to work out a provisional charter for maintaining peace. In February 1945 at the Yalta conference president Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Marshal Joseph Stalin agreed on holding a conference aimed at developing and adopting official charter of the United Nations organizations. Contrary to the idea of the United States in July 1945 ratified the United Nations charter; both houses of the Congress enacted by large majorities the Breton woods legislation designed at securing international economic and financial co- operation. Actions by congress, that was taken before the final defect of Japan reflected the overwhelming demand for the America people and it brought World War II to an end.8 Conclusion The book gives a very vivid history concerning the America's experience in the given period. Most of these activities by the America's took place in Germany and Cuba as discussed above. The war history was well researched by the author and he has given a good history on America's experience touching on the civil war, revolutionary war and the America's ethnic diversity. There is a legacy today as per the outcomes of the book description. The reason was that the author predicted continued conflict among nations with America being in the front line. This is exactly what is witnessed in the today's world and thus a bequest. Reference Paxson, F. (1948): American Democracy and the world war:, Houghton, University of Cali. Press Read More