Discuss how the 1920s represented social, economic, and cultural discord among Americans.

The 1920s, also known as the "Roaring Twenties" was a time of cultural innovations. The decade expierenced transformations that affected the nation's youth, its African-American population, and women. Though the "Roaring Twenties" were a culturally prosperous time, there were still its negatives. Women were still subordinated alongside Blacks and the nation was led by conservative presidents representing social,cultural, economic, and political status quo. Also, political relations prevailed, bringing radicals and trade unions in direct confrontation with government. Four of the most important and influential aspects of the 1920s would include mass consumerism, urban versus rural attitudes, science versus religion, and navatism versus immigration.

Mass consumerism has had a lasting effect on American today. Purchasing on credit was introduced during the 1920s and has prospered since. It created a system where people could "buy now and pay later". Though it was great in allowing many people to buy things they could originally not afford such as home appliances, it left a plentiful amount of Americans in debt. Catalogs such as Sears, Roebuck and Montgomery Ward, made it possible for people to order commodities they were inable to access before. Also the introduction of radio allowed a new form of entertainment, news, and advertisement. Also, the production of the automobile boomed. Twenty percent of Americans owned cars by 1930. It was by the mid 1920s where Americans began associating their social status with the car they owned.

Social scientists view the 20s as a time when modernism clashed with tradition. One conflict drawn from this was urban versus rural conflicts. Rural America viwed the natons citied as covered in "vice and sin". It just so happened that as the 20s came along, the 18th Amendment banned alcoholic beverages leading to illegal distribution and the rise of crime lords such as Al Capone, who got his start through illegal distribution of alcohol. It was said that liquor caused crime, poverty, poor health, and broken families. Speakeasies began to pop up throughout cities due to prohibition. There, it was required to know the secret code word to enter and jazz would burst on the inside, also known as "devils music". Rural America also looked down upon city womens' clothing. It was considered as provacative, promiscuos, and innapropriate. City women were known to where short skirts known as "flappers" that went against the original view of a Victorian comportment for women.

Another major conflict was science versus religion. In 1925 a Tennessee teacher was arrested for teaching Darwin's theory of evolution, despite the law. It became known as the Scopes Monkey Trial. It was then that Christians silenced those whom questioned the divine theory of creation as described in the Book of Genesis. It yet again put urban America against rural America. Urban America was known to hold its own modern views on religion. Rurual America sticked strictly to Protestant tradition. It was then that the teaching of religion became an issue. It is still an issue to this day and even illegal in some cities.

America developed a strong sense of anxiety when it came to the immigratoin issue. Restrictions began to rise. The Literacy Test Act of 1917 required immigrants to pass a literacy test in English or their own native tongue. Emergency Quota Act of 1921 reduced southern and eastern immigration. The Immigration Act of 1924 provided a national origins plan that restricted immigration to 2% for each nationality in the 1890 census. It was based on the idea that immigrants from easter and southern Europe were more dificult to assimilate. Last, the Chinese Exclusion Act 1882 limited Asian immigration which was not changed until 1965.


The 20s are practically a direct reflection of today. As rap music and urban city now could be compared to jazz and urban city then. The music has only gotten louder and the skirts shorter. Unfortunately the 20s came to an immediate halt once the stock market crashed. It immediately brought down the nation's economy. Also, America entered the Great Depression as lives began to deteriorate. Lives that were prosperous in the 1920s would be completely opposite come the next decade. Overall, As,four of the most important and influential aspects of the 1920s would include mass consumerism, urban versus rural attitudes, science versus religion, and navatism versus immigration.

Was the United States ever neutral in WW1? If so, when did it change to a policy favoring the Allies?

In a time of "Germaphobia",WW1 was caused by imperialism,nationalism, and militarism. It was ignited by the assassination of Franz Fernidad the heir of the Austro-Hungarian throne by a Serb nationalist. The two opposing forces in WW1 were to be known as the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire) and the Triple Entente (Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and Japan. The main causes of America entering the war include the interception of the Zimmerman Note and Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare. The United States was originally neutral come the beginning of WW1, but was forced to enter by imperialism, economics with the Allies, and nationalism.

Germany's unrestriced submarine warfare was killing American civilians and Wilson stepped in to try and mediate the situation. Wilson's 14 Points was describe Democracy as the ability to have open seas. In, (Doc. I) Germany was found to be doing the exact opposite. American was neutral until then. It was the actions of other countries that began having an effect on America's imperialism. Wilson was bound to decide. Showing Wilson’s decision was not only in the hands of other countries but the American citizens would be the quote “Neutrality depends on citizens” (Doc. A). Germany was destroying any vessel in their waters. (Doc. G) shows Wilson's decision to side with the Allies.

Wilson came to side on with public decision. Allied forces including Britain were attempting to keep American ships out of the German waters(Doc. C). Wilson felt that with the international connections the war would end soon. Germany's plan was eliminate America's political status in WW1,(Doc. E). American ships were being sunk by the Germans including the Lusitania, carrying contraband to the Allied forces, (Doc. F).


The Germans soon realized that Wilson was supplying Allied forces with surplus goods since the beginning of the war,(Doc. D). Three major corporations played a big role on where America would enter the war. They were The War Industries, Food Administration, and the War Labor boards. Not siding with the Allies would have damage economic ties with the Eastern hemisphere. Wilson would have to fight to sustain democracy.

Nationalism was a major cause of World War 1.“How come neutrality” (Doc. B.), was the universal phrase come the 3rd year of WW1. With America as Pro-British and Anti-German Wilson declared war on the Central powers April 4th, 1917. With this decision “U.S.A. neutral” (Doc. H), was ended and then came their entrance to "the war to end all war", a propoganda phrase used to hype American civilian support.

The United States was neutral come the beginning of WW1 but soon dismissed "neutrality" entered on the side of the Allies. They were forced to enter with the presence of imperialism, economics with the Allies, and nationalism. Though the war ended, and America expierenced the "Roaring Twenties", the Great Depression and instavility and rise in militarism in Europe and Asia was soon let people know that the peace would not last long.

Which president do you believe was best at reform during the Progressive Era and why?

By the 1900s, due to the United States involvement in foreign affairs, it had become a world power as intended. Still, America's upper class and businesses were on top of the economy. Businesses were rarely disturbed by government and practically operated on their own. Though the upper-class was prosperous, it left the rest of the population, other than the middle-class, in a slum lifestyle. Farmers experienced foreclosure, Blacks were "second-class", and women were still not allowed to vote or run for political office. They were still considered as subordinate to men. It was reform minded middle-class citizens, that made an effort to address the faults undermining American society. This became to be known as the Progressive Era. People such as Jacob Riis (How the Other Half Lives), Upton Sinclair (The Jungle), Ida Tarbell (History of the Standard Oil Company), and Frank Norris (The Ocopus), show how some of American society viewed the plight of the civilization. Three presidents played important roles in the Progressive Era. They were Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson. All three presidents played important roles of trying to reform society. Of the three presidents, Theodore Roosevelt was the most important and sucessful in reforming society with his Northern Securities suits, regulation of railroads, his involvement in the reform of big business, and care for the environment.


During Roosevelt's presidency, many reforms were passed intended to better society and was in light of the Progressives. In 1903, the Department of Commerce and Labor was created. Also, Passage of the Elkins Act (1903) strengthed the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. It required railroad companies to charge published rates. Also, the Bureau of Corporations was created, intended to investigate anitrust violations. One percent of corporations were responsible for producing 40 percent of manufactured goods. An important example of fighting monopolies would be Northern Securities v. United States(1904) where a railroad company controlled all long-distance railroads west of Chicago.

Regulation of railroads was an imporant aspect of Roosevelts reform movement. The Hepburn Act (1906) empowered the ICC. It set maximum railroad rates and establishe other regulations. Railroad companies did not favor government intervention but did not disagree with fair rules of competition. Also, Passage of the Mann-Elkins Act (1910) strengthed the ICC(William Taft, Roosevelt's successor). It gave the ICC power to regulate new communications industries. Also, the ICC was given more authority to regulate railroad companies haul rates. Railroad companies usually charged higher prices for transportation of passengers and commodities for a longer journey.

In 1906, big business was attacked when the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspetion Acts barred sale of contaminated and adultered food. A book by Upton Sinclair intitled The Jungle also attacked the meat industry. It made society aware of the conditions in meat packing industries. Conditions in meat packing industries became so disgusting that fingers were being found in meat.

Roosevelt aslo felt for Americas environment. He felt there should be a balance between industries and America's natural resources. He was a part of the Newlands Reclamation Act Bill. It added 150 million acres to national forest reserve. The establishment of Conservation Congress meant to address national conservation. Also, appointment of Gifford Pinchot to head Department of Agriculture's Division of Forestry.

Roosevelts became known as "trust buster". Though his succesor, William Taft busted twice as many trust in four years as Roosevelt did in eight. Theodore Roosevelt had good intentions for American society and felt that he was making the right decision be designating Taft as his successor, though this turned to be a big mistake. Taft was a "weak president and a weak man"-P.Brush. Though some felt that the only reason Roosevelt challenged corporate giants and seemed in favor of the worker was to protect the economy, regardless, Roosevelt had best intentions and outcome of his presidency.

In Conlusion, this is how president Theodore Roosevelt was the best president during the Progressive Era. His involvemnet in American society and big business made a difference in society. Overall, it was Theodore Roosevelt who was most important in reforming society with his Northern Securities suits, regulation of railroads, his involvement in the reform of big business, and care for the environment. Which all reflect on society today.

DEMOCRATIC DEBATE 08'

OMG!!!!!!! Did anyone else watch the debate!!??? That was the most entertaining part of the presidental election so far. This debate was better than the last!! Obama was a cannon against Hillary and John Edwards amazed me when he began to speak up! I guess he's realized that the main aspect of his campaign that he's lack is popularity! He's surely going to be the "talk of the town" after that. He put his foot down and stood up against Obama and Clinton. If I was able to vote, I don't know who I's choose now!!! That debate has surely left me on edge.

To what extent was economics the primary factor in the U.S. adopting a policy of imperialsim?

Imperialism is what caused the U.S. to want to become a "world power" soon to make the world one United States. Imperialism is the idea of extending rule or influence toward another nation or foreign country.Ideas from Rosa Luxemburg, Joseph Schumpeter and John Hobson can be accounted on introducing imperialism. There were two forms of imperialism, Formal and Informal imperialsim. Formal being by force as Informal by logic. Imperialist ideas eventually led to the Spanish-American War. The Spanish-American War was clearly Formal imperialism. Spain’s treatment of Cuba caused the United States to intervene. Other main factors causing the Spanish-American War include Yellow Journalism and DeLome Letter. The statement "The primary factor in the United States adopting a policy of imperialism was economic" is partially correct, yet in better wording, The U.S.'s reasoning for adopting imperialist policies was primarily social and somewhat economic due to the spread of Social Darwinism, use of religious justificaton to cover economic intentions, and the attack on Hawaii for its foreign commodity, sugar.

A sense of nationalism and pride took over the United States. They soon became to believe they were superior to the other nations. This could be related to Manifest Destiny. It was thought that it was America's duty to crown itself as the "world power". Republican morals and values were soon to change after the introduction of Social Darwinism. America's triumphs through a Revolution and Civil war sent pride and arrogance throughout the nation becoming one of the most important causes of the U.S. adopting imperialist policies.

In 50 years, from the Civil War to World War I, the U.S. was to take its stand on becoming a world power. This should be concedered the main reason the U.S. adopted imperialist polices soley because of the repition of America's arrogance leading to reasoning of expansion. Other cases such as Manifest Destiny show how pride and nationalism boost American spirits to the point where they feel they are the best nation, though they were indeed the product of a greater nation, Britain.


It was said that imperialism was to Christianize foregin countries and save foreigners from hell. It is not new that religion has been the reasong for U.S. expansion. Reverend Josiah Strong was an advocate for using religion to justify imperialism. It was said that imperialism allowed "civilized" Christian cultures opporotunity to spread their religion to the "lesser". This was by all means a farce. It was an attempt to hide the U.S.'s economic hunger. It was obvious that more land would eventually lead to more capital. Religion was mearly a way of muting criticism and was used often used.

Economically, Hawaii was known for its favorable good, sugar. As Queen Liliuokalani attempted to fight off America, imperialist policies grew. America viciously fought Hawaii for its sugar feigning for the economic growth the U.S. would recieve if they were to be in control. This is a main example of the U.S.'s using imperialism to prosper economically. These motivives were hidden to American people because of the U.S. using religion as its extreme justification.

In Conclusion, the U.S.'s reasoning for adopting imperialist policies were both social and economic due to Social Darwinism, Religion, and Foreign goods. Though America used religious justifications to hide economic hunger, social arrogance and pride is what truely caused America to impose imperialist policies. It is still to this day that America believes that we are the greatest nation and have no limits, which could also be connected to the reasoning why we are in Iraq. America has a long way to go to end our arrogant ways before it in all, ruins the United States.

REVISED:How Successful were the Populists?

The time between 1870 and 1896 was practically all about postwar politics and the populists. Though big business defeated the labor unions during the Industrial Era, the Populists sought to confront a variety of urban and rural problems. The Populists fused together with the Grange and Farmers' Alliance to contest big business control over the marketplace. The Populists and Democratic party also emerged in the 19th century. Republican administration did lots to support the rise of big business. The Populists were a representation of groups that had the same political platform. Though, unlike the labor unions of the Industrial Era, the Populists were quite successful in their goals such as influencing a reform towards the printing of money and influencing an income tax between 1900-1916(Progressive Era).

The industrial age made farmers more efficient. Just as the steel plow and the cotton gin had increased productivity, so did irrigation and the tractor. Farm production skyrocketed. As with any product the greater the supply, the lower the price. In response to this deflation farmers grew more crops. This time however, as production continued to increase, prices continued to fall. Farmers ended up making less money.

In 1900 America went on the Gold Standard. This meant every dollar was exchangeable for a dollar of gold. The US promised to have gold reserves equal to the amount of money in circulation. The issue was that this limits the amount of money in circulation while raising the value of money. This effect on farmers was further deflation. Their loans on farm acreage remained but their income dropped.

In response to the problems farmers were facing, they formed the Populist Party. They elected William Jennings Bryan as leader and first candidate for president. As a third party the Populists hoped to get their ideas at least viewd mainstream. They soon realized a Populist would never be elected president but they had a good chance that one of the major parties would incorporate the populist message into their platform.

Populists sought to eliminate of the gold standard. Populists supported the Silver Standards which would have made money cheaper and more available. This would have created inflationary pressure and raised prices. They wanted passage of an income tax. They wanted end of life tenure of Federal Judges. And last, the end of the printing of paper currency by nationally chartered private banks.

The Populist Party did not achieve all of their goals. The nation remained on the gold standard until 1933. By 1911 the the new Federal Reserve System took over the printing of money. An income tax was passed. And,most importantly they proved that a third party could influence national politics and generate legislation.

In end the Populist Party failed to survive. They did do well in 1892, yet lacked money, organization and candidates to follow-up in 1894. In that year their total vote was up 50%, but they made few electoral gains. Fusion with the Democratic Party seemed to be an answer, yet most Populists did not agree with this approach. Although in 1896 the Populists supported William Jennings Bryan for president, a Democratic candidate.

In Conclusion, though the Populists did not survive, its goals did. When comparing the goals in the Populist platform and then examining results in the Progressive Era, practically every goal was met. Any goal that was not met it was in the least adressed. In some situations the Populist party did not recieve everything they wanted but no one ever does. Unlike the labor unions of the Industrial Era, the Populists were successful in their goals especially between 1900-1916 and in all, the Populist party changed the landscape of America.

How sucessful was the trade union movement in the post-Civil War era?

The Industrial Era (1876-1900) was one of the most important times in American History. It was somewhat the beginning of what our society is today with the development and advancement of big businesses and capitalism. The Industrial Era was a key to great things such as modernization, industry, and urbanization, yet was also brought the rise of poverty, congestion, pollution, corruption, and crime. Big business vs. workers was an extreme aspect of the Industrial Era. State and federal government played major roles in the development of big business. The Executive as well as Judicial branch of goverment played the largest role in promoting business intrests. Big business against workers led to the development of trade unions. As big business prospered, they became in more control of society especially being allied with the government. Adam Smith published The Weath of Nations as practically a bible for those who felt government should not be associated with business. Big business continued to prosper and began to hire more and more workers to increase their profit. This led to businesses to have to lower wages. This was the main issue in the Industrial Era. Those whom were unsatisfied with their "poverty wages" as business owners stuffed their pockets with profits, formed into what is known as Labor Unions. Though Labor Unions were a great cause and way to fight big business, they were only sucessful in organization rather than making any long-term changes as they planned, meaning they were, as a whole, unsucessful in their goals.

The first major national trade union was formed right after the end of the Civil War. It was the National Labor Union (NLU). It was the first trade union to organize workers without specific requirements based upon race, gender, or level of skill. It was also open to workers of both agarian and industrial economy. Some of its goals included higher wages and the eight-hour worday. It was a time period where a ten-hour workday was average. Many workers worked longer than this. NLU was sucessful in winning eight-hour workdays for FEDERAL employees. The wages did not change nor did work hours for those in agarian or industrial work.

The Knights of Labor union was organized in 1869. Led by Terence Powderly it was somewhat opposite of the NLU. Though the NLU was in favor of equality amongst races and genders, Powderly believed in "arbitration to the strike". The Knights of Labor's objectives tended to be radical yet their approach was more modest. Membership rates of the Knights of Labor rapidly increased to three-quarters of a million members before the dreaded Haymarket riot in 1886. The Haymarket riot was was organized to protest the treatment of workers at the McCormick Harvester factory. During the protest, due to the police methods of stopping the riot an "unknown assailant", tossed a bomb klling officers ordered to stop the protest. This led to American society to blame labor unions for the violence.

The American Federation of Labor(AFL) was the union whose goals were set as "realistic". The leader of AFL was Samuel Gompers. AFL was open to skilled workers. Gompers used his membership powere to win concessions from management. It was more sucessful than the other unions. Though it was the most sucessful it was not as great as it would eventually become in the twentieth century.

Last was the Industrial Workers of the World(IWW). This union was for those with revolutionary views. The IWW was primarily radical. They were willing to challenge owners for control of the businesses. The were not satisfied with just rasing wages. They believed ownership by the working class was the only solution to the labor system. They were led by "Big Bill" Haywood.

The main advantage business had over workers and labor unions was the alliance with the government. Usage of government is mostly prominent in the reactions to riots and protests. There is a similarity between them all. Some type of police or military force is always called upon when there was a protest or riot. Examples include the Railroad Strike of 1877, Haymarket Square Riot of 1886, The Homestead Strike of 1892, and The Pullman Strike of 1894. They all either call upon military forces or government intervenes to stop the protest. Even the Supreme Court handed down decisions controlling unions and undoing legeslation that could affect capital accumulation.

Other tacticts were taken by businesses to stop unions. Replacement workers or "scabs" would be hired to replace workers that were protesting. They would often wokr for less pay. Blacklists were created to make unon organizers and activists unable to recieve a job somewhere else. Their name would be taken and sent to other industries. Immigrants, women, and children were employed. Division was created by pay seperation usually based upon race. Unions would try to retaliate by sabotaging company property, slowing down the production process which led to less profits. There were also "sit down" strikes where workers would occupy the workplace and...sit.

In Conclusion, despite the tactics unions used to retaliate, membership in U.S. trade unions never exceeded more than three percent. Although federal government failed to address the nation's workers, government did recognize workers by creating a holiday. In 1894 U.S. Congress made Labor Day a national holiday. In the end, though labor unions were a great cause and way to fight big business, they were only sucessful in organization rather than making any long-term changes as they planned, meaning they were, as a whole, unsucessful in their goals.