1. What was Wilson's 14th Point?
The League Of Nations (a precursor to the United Nations).
2. What terms of the treaty specifically affected Germany?
Well the Treaty in general was directed at Germany. It did not have any positive effects on Germany. It forced the germans to give back land to surrounding (ally) nations. This was part of Wilson's 14 Points that different ethnic groups had a right to form their on country or to join an existing country. The treaty also forced germany to pay millions of dollars in reparations to the ally nations. In short, Germany took sole blame for the war, the ally powers were unwilling to be forgiving. Especially Georges Clemenceau ("The Tiger") who believed that the treaty was too lenient with germany and that it should be shown little mercy.
3. What were the weaknesses of the treaty?
It was to hard on Germany. It asked way too much from its battered economy. It also angered the germans, nearly all of whom believed that the treaty was very unfair.
4. Why did Henry Cabot Lodge object to the treaty?
Well Lodge was a republican and despised Wilson. He also believed that the League of Nations would be the downfall of america, that by involving america in european problems would only be bad for america.
5. How did Wilson help bring about the Senate's rejection of the treaty?
Wilson didn't do a very good job of pleasing the republicans when it came to the Treaty of Versailles and therefore he lost a lot of vote for it.
6. What circumstances at this time would eventually lead many Germans to support Adolf Hitler?
After the war hatred only grew between european nations. Particularly between the ally powers and Germany. Germany soon got sick of taking the blame for the war and paying millions of dollars to countries that they so deeply hated. Eventually Hitler would use the germans hatred and want for revenge to gain power. Not to long after the Great War the great depression came and germany plunged even deeper into debt. Adolf Hilter promised the people of Germany that he would get them out of their great debt and lead them once again as a powerful european nation.
7. Who is Georges Clemenceau?
Georges Clemenceau (often referred to as "the Tiger" was a french Premier who saw Woodrow Wilson as to much of an idealst.
Clemeceau also saw the Treaty of Versailles as being to soft on Germany. Being french his country had suffered much damage at the hands of the germans and he desperately wanted retribution for germany.
8. Who is David Lloyd George?
George was british Prime Minister during the peace conferences in Paris.
9. Describe the participation of Russia at the peace conference.
Russia changed its borders and boundary to accommodate the treaty of versailles and the 14 points.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
1. How did the United States raise an army?
At first Woodrow Wilson had wanted the american forces fighting in the Great War to consist only of volunteers unfortunately by the time the US declared war on the central powers it was clear that the US army did not have enough volunteers to have any chance of winning the war. A draft was put into affect so that there would be enough soldiers.
2. How did U.S. soldiers help win the war?
When the US entered the war morale on the allied side was increased this helped them win the war. In addition to being a morale buster it also was a huge increase in fresh men who had not been fighting for 4 years in trenches.
3. What were the estimated economic costs of the war?
The war cost an approximate $338 billion.
4. What did the war cost in terms of the number of civilian deaths; military deaths?; injuries?; and refugees?
The Great War cost the world 22 million lives (half of which were civilians) and 20 million injuries.
5. Define armistice.
An armistice is an agreement made by opposing sides in a war to stop fighting at the same time like a truce. It comes from the latin arms meaning weapons + stitium meaning stoppage.
At first Woodrow Wilson had wanted the american forces fighting in the Great War to consist only of volunteers unfortunately by the time the US declared war on the central powers it was clear that the US army did not have enough volunteers to have any chance of winning the war. A draft was put into affect so that there would be enough soldiers.
2. How did U.S. soldiers help win the war?
When the US entered the war morale on the allied side was increased this helped them win the war. In addition to being a morale buster it also was a huge increase in fresh men who had not been fighting for 4 years in trenches.
3. What were the estimated economic costs of the war?
The war cost an approximate $338 billion.
4. What did the war cost in terms of the number of civilian deaths; military deaths?; injuries?; and refugees?
The Great War cost the world 22 million lives (half of which were civilians) and 20 million injuries.
5. Define armistice.
An armistice is an agreement made by opposing sides in a war to stop fighting at the same time like a truce. It comes from the latin arms meaning weapons + stitium meaning stoppage.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
World War I Begins
1. What are the four main causes of World War I? Give an example for each as to why it was a cause.
-Military growth: European countries were expanding their militaries to match the size of their rival nations.
-Ally system: Many European nations formed alliances with other countries in order to protect themselves from countries they saw as threatening. This is the reason the war escalated to a world war so rapidly. Once a nation had declared war on an other nation its allies were obligated to not only support its desition but to also declare war against their ally's enemy.
-Imperialism lead to emense competition between the European countries for more land and resources.
-Nationalism was taken to the extreme durin the time before WWI each nation and each ethnic group wanted their own indipendent nation and each of them were eager to join the war when it came because they saw it as an opportunity to win their freedom.
2. How did the June 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand become the spark for WWI?
-Franz Ferdinand was the archduke of Austria and when he was killed be a serbian it was a perfect excuse to declare war against serbia and ultimately against Russia, France and Britain. Because many of the powerful European nations had formed alliances with each other they had no choice but to join the war.
3. What happened within the first few months of fighting?
Well Germany had what it believed to be a brilliant plan to capture both France and Russia all with in a few months. It involved crossing over the western border into Belgium then on to France where they were to seize Paris gain supplies and solders then swiftly move east across Germany and invade Russia. Unfortunately for Germany this plan relied to heavily on precise timing on the soldiers' part and had over looked or underestimated the power and speed at which the British army would come to the aid of Belgium. At any rate the Germans never even got as far as France as they were crossing Belgium the British met them and for four years neither side was able to advance much more than a few yards. All in all the plan epically failed for the Germans.
4. Generally, why did the United States want to stay out of the war?
THey didn't want to get involved in a war of that magnitude they would much rather stay out of the batle line and subtly help the side that they liked best.
5. Specifically, Why did the following groups of Americans tend to oppose U.S. participation in the war? Naturalized citizens; socialists; pacifists.
Neutralized citizens wanted nothing to do with the war they had no or mixed feeling on who they believed should win the war and therefore didn't want to get involved. The thought that if the US got invovled it would only make a biger mess in Europe and with in America.
Socialists believed that the war had been brought about by imperialistic competition between the vaarious powers of Europe they believed that America should stay neutral throughout the war.
Pacifists didn't want the US fighting in the war because they oppose to all violence and didn't want people to die.
6. How did Germany respond to the British naval blockade of Germany’s ports? What was the U.S. response?
They used their U -boats which were like submarines and could sneak up and attack a ship with out it ever being able to see it. The Germans inflicted much more damage to the British ships but Britain maintained its control of the water.
7. What forced the United States into the war?
Germany was attacking U.S. civilian ships.
-Military growth: European countries were expanding their militaries to match the size of their rival nations.
-Ally system: Many European nations formed alliances with other countries in order to protect themselves from countries they saw as threatening. This is the reason the war escalated to a world war so rapidly. Once a nation had declared war on an other nation its allies were obligated to not only support its desition but to also declare war against their ally's enemy.
-Imperialism lead to emense competition between the European countries for more land and resources.
-Nationalism was taken to the extreme durin the time before WWI each nation and each ethnic group wanted their own indipendent nation and each of them were eager to join the war when it came because they saw it as an opportunity to win their freedom.
2. How did the June 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand become the spark for WWI?
-Franz Ferdinand was the archduke of Austria and when he was killed be a serbian it was a perfect excuse to declare war against serbia and ultimately against Russia, France and Britain. Because many of the powerful European nations had formed alliances with each other they had no choice but to join the war.
3. What happened within the first few months of fighting?
Well Germany had what it believed to be a brilliant plan to capture both France and Russia all with in a few months. It involved crossing over the western border into Belgium then on to France where they were to seize Paris gain supplies and solders then swiftly move east across Germany and invade Russia. Unfortunately for Germany this plan relied to heavily on precise timing on the soldiers' part and had over looked or underestimated the power and speed at which the British army would come to the aid of Belgium. At any rate the Germans never even got as far as France as they were crossing Belgium the British met them and for four years neither side was able to advance much more than a few yards. All in all the plan epically failed for the Germans.
4. Generally, why did the United States want to stay out of the war?
THey didn't want to get involved in a war of that magnitude they would much rather stay out of the batle line and subtly help the side that they liked best.
5. Specifically, Why did the following groups of Americans tend to oppose U.S. participation in the war? Naturalized citizens; socialists; pacifists.
Neutralized citizens wanted nothing to do with the war they had no or mixed feeling on who they believed should win the war and therefore didn't want to get involved. The thought that if the US got invovled it would only make a biger mess in Europe and with in America.
Socialists believed that the war had been brought about by imperialistic competition between the vaarious powers of Europe they believed that America should stay neutral throughout the war.
Pacifists didn't want the US fighting in the war because they oppose to all violence and didn't want people to die.
6. How did Germany respond to the British naval blockade of Germany’s ports? What was the U.S. response?
They used their U -boats which were like submarines and could sneak up and attack a ship with out it ever being able to see it. The Germans inflicted much more damage to the British ships but Britain maintained its control of the water.
7. What forced the United States into the war?
Germany was attacking U.S. civilian ships.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
1. a. After the Spanish were forced out of the Philippines, why did fighting break out between American and Filipino forces?
-The Filipinos expected that once america had defeated Spain in the Spanish-American war they would be as good as free (national independence) indeed many of the Filipinos helped the American army fight against the Spanish because the believed so strongly that America, who had once been a colony itself and fought for its freedom, would surely grant them freedom. Soon after the Spanish-AMerican war the Filipinos realized that they had been gravely mistaken. America had no intention of freeing the Philippines. This angered the Filipinos and many of them fought against the americans.
b. How was this a different kind of warfare for American forces?
-Filipinos did not recognize "civilized" battle etiquette or the "rules of war that generally prevailed in battles involving Western nations" They used "quick-striking gorilla movement[s]".
2. Why were many African-Americans strong critics of the war against Filipino nationalists?
-They were against the racist view that many americans had about the Filipinos. Even the black soldiers in fighting for America were discriminated against by other white soldiers. They were banned from many of the places on the islands, such as barber shops.
3. Explain two reasons why the United States lost some of its enthusiasm for imperialism in the early 1900s.
a. America had a very racist and harsh view of the Filipinos (and any other ethnic group that wasn't angelo saxon) this lost a lot of the enthusiasm of the black americans.
b. American literature and media was criticizing imperialism.
4. What were the positive effects of American occupation in Puerto Rico and Cuba?
-more trading
-more naval bases
5. After the Spanish-American War, the United States insisted that Cuba only receive independence after agreeing to several limitations set forth in the Platt Amendment. Four restrictions on Cuban independence set forth in the Platt Amendment were:
a. Cuba had to lease or sell certain land to the United States.
b. Cuba could not get into so much debt that it would not be able to pay back.
c. Cuba Coudn't get into a war with out consulting the United States.
d.
Was the United States justified in making these demands? Explain your reasoning.
- Well I guess that America was kind of justified in the these demands. They had, after all just fought a war against spain and they kind of deserved at least some of the benefits of the prosperous land of Cuba. But with all these limitations on the Cuban government its hardly what I would really consider independence.
-The Filipinos expected that once america had defeated Spain in the Spanish-American war they would be as good as free (national independence) indeed many of the Filipinos helped the American army fight against the Spanish because the believed so strongly that America, who had once been a colony itself and fought for its freedom, would surely grant them freedom. Soon after the Spanish-AMerican war the Filipinos realized that they had been gravely mistaken. America had no intention of freeing the Philippines. This angered the Filipinos and many of them fought against the americans.
b. How was this a different kind of warfare for American forces?
-Filipinos did not recognize "civilized" battle etiquette or the "rules of war that generally prevailed in battles involving Western nations" They used "quick-striking gorilla movement[s]".
2. Why were many African-Americans strong critics of the war against Filipino nationalists?
-They were against the racist view that many americans had about the Filipinos. Even the black soldiers in fighting for America were discriminated against by other white soldiers. They were banned from many of the places on the islands, such as barber shops.
3. Explain two reasons why the United States lost some of its enthusiasm for imperialism in the early 1900s.
a. America had a very racist and harsh view of the Filipinos (and any other ethnic group that wasn't angelo saxon) this lost a lot of the enthusiasm of the black americans.
b. American literature and media was criticizing imperialism.
4. What were the positive effects of American occupation in Puerto Rico and Cuba?
-more trading
-more naval bases
5. After the Spanish-American War, the United States insisted that Cuba only receive independence after agreeing to several limitations set forth in the Platt Amendment. Four restrictions on Cuban independence set forth in the Platt Amendment were:
a. Cuba had to lease or sell certain land to the United States.
b. Cuba could not get into so much debt that it would not be able to pay back.
c. Cuba Coudn't get into a war with out consulting the United States.
d.
Was the United States justified in making these demands? Explain your reasoning.
- Well I guess that America was kind of justified in the these demands. They had, after all just fought a war against spain and they kind of deserved at least some of the benefits of the prosperous land of Cuba. But with all these limitations on the Cuban government its hardly what I would really consider independence.
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Spanish American War
1. What connections did the U.S. have to Cuba in the late 1800s? List at least two.
-Thoughout the late 19th century America had been slowly gaining control of Cuba. So by 1890 there were many plantations owned by american citizens, growing crops such as sugar and coffee. By the late 1890s the United States had a huge interest in Cuba but could not fully control it because it was a Spanish Colony. Fortunatly Spain was a dying empire and was no match far the U.S. in the Spanish-American war. At the end of which (1898) the U.S. gained not total control but highly restricted the independence of the new free nation of Cuba.
2. What were the Spanish “reconcentration camps”?
-In 1896 Spain sends over a military general named Valeriano Weyler. His job is to keep the people of Cuba under (Spanish) control. He does this by rounding up thousands of native Cubans and forcing them into reconcentration camps. The intention is to separate the Cuban rebels from the rest of the population, therefore making it harder for the rebels to get supplies. Not only do they separate them but the conditions within the concentrations camps are so bad that thousands of cubans die of starvation or desease because the living conditions are so poor.
3. List three reasons why the United States went to war with Spain in Cuba.
a. The explosion of the U.S.S. Maine. This was an excuse and an incentive more than an actual actack against the U.S. by Spain.
b. Americans were eager to own Cuba and other Spanish colonies and by defeating Spain in a war they would surely gain much more control of them.
c. The De Lome letter was a huge incentive to go to war with Spain. This letter angered americans and anti-spanish sentiment grew.
4. Which do you believe was the most important reason? Why?
One of the more important reasons was that americans were so eager to gain control of spanish colonies. It was the end of the western frontier in america and many americans felt that with the death of the frontier they would lose values they asosiated with the wild west and the frontier. Bravery, ingenuity and patriotism were seen as key american values and if america lost those values or foriegn countries ceased to see america as having those values then americans would lose there true americaness. So the wild west was no longer wild, America stretched from coast to coast. But americans weren't satisfied with coast to coast any more and wanted to go further. This is when imperialism came about. The belief that America was to expand its boundry to the pacific and Latin America. This was a key factor in starting a war against Spain because America was so eager to gain Cuba and other spanish colonies that it didn't really need a real reason to attack. So they egsagerated the De Lome letter and acused the Spanish of attacking the Maine and that was good enough for americans to go to war with Spain.
5. What did the Teller Amendment say?
-Named after the U.S. senetor Henry Teller the Teller Amendment was a bill that said america had no interest in gaining control of the Cuban government. That Cuba was a free nation. However shortly after this the Platt Amendment was signed which greatly limitted the Cuban government without actualy defying* the Teller Amendment.
6. Why was a portion of the Spanish-American War fought in the Philippines?
- The first american attack in the Spanish-American war was in the Philippines, a Spanish colony with relitivly few spanish troops actually inhabiting it. This was a surprise for the spanish, who had not been expecting america to attack there.
7. Dewey’s victory in the Philippines sparked an outpouring of american pride in the United States.
8. Why did Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders want to fight in Cuba?
After Dewey's victory in Manilla boosted American pride and caused a serge in volunteers for the war. Among these volunteers was future president Theodore Roosevelt who had resigned from his previous job in the Mckinley administration to form a cavalry regiment called the rough riders.saadddd
9.
a. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?
Many African-Americans saw the opportunity to fight in the Spanish-American war as a chance to "elevate their status" in the U.S. There was a lot of discrimination against blacks in America and they were hoping to change that by fighting for their country.
b. What forms of discrimination and prejudice did they encounter?
-Only one of the black volunteer regiments was allowed to participate in the war in the Caribbean.
-At first only three states let black volunteers into the army.
-
10. How did racism influence American perceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines? Give two examples of events where racism affected U.S. policy after the war.
a. Well America's attitude toward these countries in general was a very racist one. Americans saw the people of these lands as barbaric and primitive compared to themselves, unfit to dress or act properly therefore unfit to govern themselves. None of these islands resieved pure indipendence. America either completly controled them or granted a very limitted independence. The Platt Amendment is one example of Americas belief that Cubans were unable to fully govern themselves. It limitted their government so that Cuba was practically but not aficially part of the United States.
b. An other example is the fact that we bought the Philippines for $20,000 from Spain. Without letting the Filipinos have any say in their own countries future. We took over and if any of them rebelled the U.S. army would soon quell any efforts to overthrow american power in the Philippines.
-Thoughout the late 19th century America had been slowly gaining control of Cuba. So by 1890 there were many plantations owned by american citizens, growing crops such as sugar and coffee. By the late 1890s the United States had a huge interest in Cuba but could not fully control it because it was a Spanish Colony. Fortunatly Spain was a dying empire and was no match far the U.S. in the Spanish-American war. At the end of which (1898) the U.S. gained not total control but highly restricted the independence of the new free nation of Cuba.
2. What were the Spanish “reconcentration camps”?
-In 1896 Spain sends over a military general named Valeriano Weyler. His job is to keep the people of Cuba under (Spanish) control. He does this by rounding up thousands of native Cubans and forcing them into reconcentration camps. The intention is to separate the Cuban rebels from the rest of the population, therefore making it harder for the rebels to get supplies. Not only do they separate them but the conditions within the concentrations camps are so bad that thousands of cubans die of starvation or desease because the living conditions are so poor.
3. List three reasons why the United States went to war with Spain in Cuba.
a. The explosion of the U.S.S. Maine. This was an excuse and an incentive more than an actual actack against the U.S. by Spain.
b. Americans were eager to own Cuba and other Spanish colonies and by defeating Spain in a war they would surely gain much more control of them.
c. The De Lome letter was a huge incentive to go to war with Spain. This letter angered americans and anti-spanish sentiment grew.
4. Which do you believe was the most important reason? Why?
One of the more important reasons was that americans were so eager to gain control of spanish colonies. It was the end of the western frontier in america and many americans felt that with the death of the frontier they would lose values they asosiated with the wild west and the frontier. Bravery, ingenuity and patriotism were seen as key american values and if america lost those values or foriegn countries ceased to see america as having those values then americans would lose there true americaness. So the wild west was no longer wild, America stretched from coast to coast. But americans weren't satisfied with coast to coast any more and wanted to go further. This is when imperialism came about. The belief that America was to expand its boundry to the pacific and Latin America. This was a key factor in starting a war against Spain because America was so eager to gain Cuba and other spanish colonies that it didn't really need a real reason to attack. So they egsagerated the De Lome letter and acused the Spanish of attacking the Maine and that was good enough for americans to go to war with Spain.
5. What did the Teller Amendment say?
-Named after the U.S. senetor Henry Teller the Teller Amendment was a bill that said america had no interest in gaining control of the Cuban government. That Cuba was a free nation. However shortly after this the Platt Amendment was signed which greatly limitted the Cuban government without actualy defying* the Teller Amendment.
6. Why was a portion of the Spanish-American War fought in the Philippines?
- The first american attack in the Spanish-American war was in the Philippines, a Spanish colony with relitivly few spanish troops actually inhabiting it. This was a surprise for the spanish, who had not been expecting america to attack there.
7. Dewey’s victory in the Philippines sparked an outpouring of american pride in the United States.
8. Why did Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders want to fight in Cuba?
After Dewey's victory in Manilla boosted American pride and caused a serge in volunteers for the war. Among these volunteers was future president Theodore Roosevelt who had resigned from his previous job in the Mckinley administration to form a cavalry regiment called the rough riders.saadddd
9.
a. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?
Many African-Americans saw the opportunity to fight in the Spanish-American war as a chance to "elevate their status" in the U.S. There was a lot of discrimination against blacks in America and they were hoping to change that by fighting for their country.
b. What forms of discrimination and prejudice did they encounter?
-Only one of the black volunteer regiments was allowed to participate in the war in the Caribbean.
-At first only three states let black volunteers into the army.
-
10. How did racism influence American perceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines? Give two examples of events where racism affected U.S. policy after the war.
a. Well America's attitude toward these countries in general was a very racist one. Americans saw the people of these lands as barbaric and primitive compared to themselves, unfit to dress or act properly therefore unfit to govern themselves. None of these islands resieved pure indipendence. America either completly controled them or granted a very limitted independence. The Platt Amendment is one example of Americas belief that Cubans were unable to fully govern themselves. It limitted their government so that Cuba was practically but not aficially part of the United States.
b. An other example is the fact that we bought the Philippines for $20,000 from Spain. Without letting the Filipinos have any say in their own countries future. We took over and if any of them rebelled the U.S. army would soon quell any efforts to overthrow american power in the Philippines.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
1. Why did American plantation owners and U.S. Marines topple Hawaii’s queen in 1893? Why was Hawaii considered to be a valuable prize? What was President Grover Cleveland’s reaction? Do you agree or disagree with his quote on page 1?
-U.S. Plantation owners (with the help of the U.S. Marines) took over the Hawaiian government because they wanted to put Hawaii under American power.
-Hawaii was half way between the U.S. and Asia therefore a perfect place for american ships to stop and refuel. It also had rich soil and was excelant for planting coffee, pineapple and sugar.
-The new government of Hawaii (the one that had reccently just took over) offered a peace treaty with the United State and president Clevland refused to sign the treaty because he believed it "would corrupt traditional american values" and that Hawaii had been unjustly robbed of its queen.
-I agree with Cleveland.
2. Identify five important changes that transformed American in the nineteenth century. How did these five changes affect Americans?
- Increase in urban population: became crowded and had poor transportation, sanitation, and crime.
-Increase in immigration: the american population became composed of many different ethnic groups this cause a lot of discrimination but also help to influence a lot of what american culture is today (the melting pot)
-1893 Economic Depression: many americans realized how "vulnerable they were in an economy based on industry and manufacturing.
-The end of westward expantion: american longed for new territory to explore and colonize.
3. How did the economic depression that began in 1893 deepen the divisions in American society? Which groups suffered the most during the depression?
The 1893 depression deepened the division in american society because it affected a specific group of people, businessmen and laborers whereas farmers were relatively unaffected.
4. What were the values many Americans attached to the frontier? Why did many Americans fear that the closing of the frontier would harm America’s national character?
Americans asosiated the frontier with several values: resourcefulness, bravery, pragmatism, ingenuity, individualism, egalitarianism, and patriotism.
Americans felt that if they lost the frontier they would also loose these vallues and the world would also see the U.S. as lacking all these virtues.
5. Why did some Americans suggest greater involvement overseas?
Some americans wanted greater involvement overseas because the pacific island were perfect for planting curtain crops that would not grow in america. Others wanted it because America would gain military power (by having naval bases all over the world).
6. What policy did expansionists say would ensure the economic success of the United States? What did imperialists say?
The Monroe Doctrine.
7. How did the theories of social Darwinism and scientific racism lend support to the cause of American imperialism? How were these pseudo-scientific theories used to justify racist policies and imperialism? Are they still used today?
Imperialists used racist excuses to take over countries such as Hawaii, Cuba and the Philippines. They said that it was americas obligation to control these countries because the native people were not civilized enough to do so themselves.
8. What did many Protestant churches say was America’s role in the world?
To spread christianity to the rest of the world.
9. Why did the United States become involved in several Latin American nations in the nineteenth century? Summarize why the United States became involved in Samoa, Hawaii, and other Latin American nations.
Because it was relitively easy to do so, most of these nations were under the Spanish Empire, which at this time in history was dying, and the islands themselves had no military of there own. Also many of these nations thought that if america liberated them from Spain that they would be given independence.
10. Why was the United States concerned about British involvement in Venezuela? What concept did U.S. Secretary of State Richard Olney invoke in response?
Olney was worried that if any European nation took over Venizuela that america would loose control over south america which had great amounts of gold and other useful resources.
-U.S. Plantation owners (with the help of the U.S. Marines) took over the Hawaiian government because they wanted to put Hawaii under American power.
-Hawaii was half way between the U.S. and Asia therefore a perfect place for american ships to stop and refuel. It also had rich soil and was excelant for planting coffee, pineapple and sugar.
-The new government of Hawaii (the one that had reccently just took over) offered a peace treaty with the United State and president Clevland refused to sign the treaty because he believed it "would corrupt traditional american values" and that Hawaii had been unjustly robbed of its queen.
-I agree with Cleveland.
2. Identify five important changes that transformed American in the nineteenth century. How did these five changes affect Americans?
- Increase in urban population: became crowded and had poor transportation, sanitation, and crime.
-Increase in immigration: the american population became composed of many different ethnic groups this cause a lot of discrimination but also help to influence a lot of what american culture is today (the melting pot)
-1893 Economic Depression: many americans realized how "vulnerable they were in an economy based on industry and manufacturing.
-The end of westward expantion: american longed for new territory to explore and colonize.
3. How did the economic depression that began in 1893 deepen the divisions in American society? Which groups suffered the most during the depression?
The 1893 depression deepened the division in american society because it affected a specific group of people, businessmen and laborers whereas farmers were relatively unaffected.
4. What were the values many Americans attached to the frontier? Why did many Americans fear that the closing of the frontier would harm America’s national character?
Americans asosiated the frontier with several values: resourcefulness, bravery, pragmatism, ingenuity, individualism, egalitarianism, and patriotism.
Americans felt that if they lost the frontier they would also loose these vallues and the world would also see the U.S. as lacking all these virtues.
5. Why did some Americans suggest greater involvement overseas?
Some americans wanted greater involvement overseas because the pacific island were perfect for planting curtain crops that would not grow in america. Others wanted it because America would gain military power (by having naval bases all over the world).
6. What policy did expansionists say would ensure the economic success of the United States? What did imperialists say?
The Monroe Doctrine.
7. How did the theories of social Darwinism and scientific racism lend support to the cause of American imperialism? How were these pseudo-scientific theories used to justify racist policies and imperialism? Are they still used today?
Imperialists used racist excuses to take over countries such as Hawaii, Cuba and the Philippines. They said that it was americas obligation to control these countries because the native people were not civilized enough to do so themselves.
8. What did many Protestant churches say was America’s role in the world?
To spread christianity to the rest of the world.
9. Why did the United States become involved in several Latin American nations in the nineteenth century? Summarize why the United States became involved in Samoa, Hawaii, and other Latin American nations.
Because it was relitively easy to do so, most of these nations were under the Spanish Empire, which at this time in history was dying, and the islands themselves had no military of there own. Also many of these nations thought that if america liberated them from Spain that they would be given independence.
10. Why was the United States concerned about British involvement in Venezuela? What concept did U.S. Secretary of State Richard Olney invoke in response?
Olney was worried that if any European nation took over Venizuela that america would loose control over south america which had great amounts of gold and other useful resources.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Spanish-American War (1898)
Causes: How did each of the following help to cause the outbreak of the Spanish-American War?
1. American business owners
2. José Martí
Born in Cuba and help spread awareness and support for Cuban indipendence. Died at age 42.
3. Valeriano Weyler
Born in spain. At age 16 he went to military school and soon be came a lieutenant in the spanish army. When he was promoted to captain he asked to help spain fight in Cuba. Here he helped round up thousands of cuban farmers into reconcentrados.
4. Yellow journalism
Yellow Journalism is when the press egsagerates the trueth in order to get a headline that will grab the readers atention. There fore making them want to buy the paper more.
5. De Lôme letter
A letter from a spanish diplomat that insulted the american president William McKinley and caused a great surge in american approval of Cuban independence.
6. U.S.S. Maine
A U.S. ship that exploded in Havana, Cuba and caused a lot of commotion in America. This is where the saying remember the Maine comes from.
Effects: What happened to each of the following territories as a result of the Spanish-American War?
7. Cuba
Becomes an independent country.
8. Puerto Rico
9. Guam
10. Philippine Islands
1. American business owners
2. José Martí
Born in Cuba and help spread awareness and support for Cuban indipendence. Died at age 42.
3. Valeriano Weyler
Born in spain. At age 16 he went to military school and soon be came a lieutenant in the spanish army. When he was promoted to captain he asked to help spain fight in Cuba. Here he helped round up thousands of cuban farmers into reconcentrados.
4. Yellow journalism
Yellow Journalism is when the press egsagerates the trueth in order to get a headline that will grab the readers atention. There fore making them want to buy the paper more.
5. De Lôme letter
A letter from a spanish diplomat that insulted the american president William McKinley and caused a great surge in american approval of Cuban independence.
6. U.S.S. Maine
A U.S. ship that exploded in Havana, Cuba and caused a lot of commotion in America. This is where the saying remember the Maine comes from.
Effects: What happened to each of the following territories as a result of the Spanish-American War?
7. Cuba
Becomes an independent country.
8. Puerto Rico
9. Guam
10. Philippine Islands
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