Brinkley Chapter 21 Study Guide

What were the general and immediate motivations for the proclamation of the Roosevelt Corollary? What pattern of Latin American policy and intervention did it establish?

A crisis in the Dominican Republic was the immediate motivation. They took control of customs from the Dominican government which was corrupt and bankrupt. The United States had the right to oppose European intervention in the Western Hemisphere and the right to intervene in domestic affairs of its neighbors.

Which nations were referred to as the Allies and Central Powers in World War I?

Allies: Britain, France, Russia, Italy and the United States Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria

Describe the methods that the United States used to acquire rights to construct the Panama Canal? Why were these actions criticized?

America pressured the Colombian diplomats into allowing construction to begin without delay in exchange for a fee and rental. When they refused to accept, John Hay went to cause a revolution in Panama. When Panama became independent they quickly agreed to the project terms.

What led to the string of race riots during and shortly after the war? What were the riots like, and where was the first episode?

Blacks returning from the war felt they deserved respect from whites, but whites though otherwise. The main riot was the Chicago race riot of 1919. Longstanding racial tensions between whites and blacks exploded in five days of violence that started on July 27, 1919. On that hot summer day, on a segregated Chicago beach, a white man was throwing rocks at black swimmers in the water at a beach on the South Side which resulted in Eugene Williams' death. Tensions escalated when a white police officer not only failed to arrest the white man responsible for Williams' death, but arrested a black man instead. Objections by black observers were met with violence by whites. Attacks between white and black mobs erupted swiftly. At one point, a white mob threatened Provident Hospital, many of whose patients were African American. The police successfully held them off. The Chicago riot lasted almost a week, ending only after the government had deployed nearly 6,000 National Guard infantrymen.

What inspired the labor unrest of 1919, and what were the most important strikes? What was the public reaction to the wave of strikes?

Employers aggravated the resentment by using the end of the war to rescind benefits that had been forced to give workers in 1917 and 1918; right of Unions were taken back. Some important ones were: Boston Police Strike: Strike by poorly paid Boston policemen in the fall of 1919 in which policemen abandoned their work and chaos ensued so the government called in the National Guard to restore order. Steelworkers' strike: Workers represented by the American Federation of Labor went on strike against the United States Steel Corporation ; workers at other companies joined the strike ; labor unrest eventually involved more than 350,000 workers ; known as the Great Steel Strike of 1919 ; huge work stoppage Some labor strikes contributed to the fear of communism and anarchy during the Red Scare.

What happened to the American economy in the postwar years, 1919-1921?

For the short term effect the US economy grew in the buildup to the war and during its prosecution. From 1915 the US made tons of loans to the UK to help them in their war effort. It is not a stretch to say that WWI was the major factor in contributing to the "Roaring 20s" when the US economy boomed. After the peace the economy dropped temporarily and this is most likely attributable to the stopping of war material production. However, at that point in the timeline the US was the only country that had not been completely devastated by the effects of the war. US companies were able to expand their reach around the world, and domestic consumption in the US increased, hence the name "The Roaring 20s." So the short term effect was that the US economy grew a large amount due to their involvement in WWI. The long term effect was that US involvement in the war lead directly to the Great Depression and WWII. The Treaty of Versailles led to a system where the US was cashing in its wartime loans to the UK, which in turn was using the wartime reparations it received from Germany to pay off the US. This system collapsed when the Germany economy succumbed to hyperinflation and died. That paired with Black Tuesday, which was driven by rampant stock speculation from tons of US citizens flush with cash led to the Great Depression. Since the world was still reeling from the effects of WWI when Germany fell, everything else fell apart. This event was directly attributable to WWI.

What key events early in 1917 combined to finally bring the United States fully into World War I?

Germany's submarine warfare, Lusitania, Zimmerman telegram, and the Russian revolution were some of the major events that contributed to the US' involvement in the war.

What obstacles did Wilson face in getting the European leaders to accept his approach to peace? What domestic development weakened his position?

He provided no formula for deciding how to implement the national self-determination that he promised for subjugated peoples. He said little about economic rivalries and their effect on international relations, even though such economic tensions have been in large part responsible for the war. The Allies reacted unhappily when Wilson refused to make the US their "ally" but had kept his distance as an "associate" of his European partners. Britain and France had a lot of bitterness toward Germany and were in no mood for a benign peace. The Republicans were elected to the presidency and they has their own reasons for opposing Wilson.

What was the central focus of William Howard Taft's foreign policy? What nickname was it given?

His goal was to extend American investments into less developed areas. This was known as "Dollar Diplomacy".

What impact did events in Russia have on the need for American land forces in Europe?

It put an end to major fighting on the Eastern Front of WWI.

What was the course of relations between the United States and Japan during Roosevelt's presidency?

Japan staged a surprise attack on Russian Fleet on a Chinese port that they both wanted to control. Roosevelt, in order to prevent either nation from becoming dominant there, agreed to a Japanese request to end the conflict. He negotiated a secret agreement with the Japanese to ensure that the United States could continue to trade freely in the region. Japan rose as the naval power and they began to exclude the US from trade. Roosevelt took no direct action, but he sent out a fleet to make sure they recognized the power of the US.

Describe how African-American military and industrial contributions during World War I raised black aspirations. What resulted after the war?

Many African Americans viewed the war as a chance to exhibit patriotism and gain respect from whites. However, there was perhaps even more violence from whites after the war because African Americans "dared" to even think of being respected.

Who were the main domestic opponents of American entry into the League of Nations? What were the two categories of opponents? How much of the blame for the treaty's defeat must be laid on Wilson himself?

Most Republicans opposed the joining of the League of Nations because of Article X, which said that they must "protect" other nations in the League should they be attacked. The two categories were irreconcilables and reservationists. Many people do blame the treaty's defeat on Wilson because he was so unwilling to compromise.

What role did American ground forces play in the conflict?

Most of the American troops were on the ground, they helped to blockade Germany in the Navy.

What were the new technologies used in World War I? How did they change the nature of warfare?

Reflected a trend toward industrialism and the application of mass-production methods to weapons and to the technology of warfare in general. 1) Trench warfare: Infantry rifles, rifled artillery, hydraulic recoil mechanisms, zigzag trenches and machine guns, hand grenade, high explosive shells, led to the development of the concrete pill box, a hardened blockhouse that could be used to deliver machine gun fire 2)Artillery: "box barrage" (the use of a three- or four-sided curtain of shell-fire to prevent the movement of enemy infantry), wire-cutting No. 106 fuse was developed, anti-aircraft guns, indirect counter-battery fire, artillery sound ranging and flash spotting, creeping barrage was perfected, weather, air temperature, and barrel wear could for the first time be accurately measured and taken into account when firing indirectly, Forward observers were used to direct artillery positioned out of direct line of sight from the targets, and sophisticated communications and fire plans were developed, forward observers were used to direct artillery positioned out of direct line of sight from the targets, sophisticated communications and fire plans were developed 3)Poison Gas: Germany had the most advanced chemical industry at the start of the war, Britain and France soon followed suit. 4)Command and Control: Runners, flashing lights, and mirrors were often used to communicate, "contact patrols" could also carry messages 5)Railways: men and material could be moved to the front at an unprecedented rate, but lacked flexibility of motor transport. 6)War of Attrition: manufacture of weapons and ammunition, women played a key role 7)Air Warfare: Interrupter gear allowed a machine gun to be mounted behind the propeller so the pilot could fire directly ahead, along the plane's flight path. Manned observation balloons were used as stationary reconnaissance points. 8)Tanks: The idea of tanks showed great potential, but early tanks were unreliable. 9)Naval Warfare: larger, more advanced ships, UK had the largest surface fleet so Germany turned to submarines. 10)Mobility: Germany moved many troops to Western Front; cyclist infantry and machine guns mounted on motor cycle sidecars. 11)Small Arms: Chauchat M1915 automatic rifle, Lewis Gun, MG08/15, M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle 12)Flame Throwers: Used by the German army. Two main types: Kleinflammenwerfer (Single person version) and Grossflammenwerfer (Larger multiple person configuration).

Explain Roosevelt's distinction between "civilized" and "uncivilized" nations. How did sea power fit into his vision?

Roosevelt believed civilized nations were predominantly white and Anglo-Saxon or Teutonic and uncivilized nations were generally non-white. He believed a civilized society had the right and duty to intervene in the affairs of a "backward" nation to preserve order and stability.

On what aspect of the war did American entry have the most immediate effect? Explain.

Sea warfare because Americans helped the British fight against German subs, among other things.

What private acts created a climate of repression during the war?

State and local governments, corporations, universities, and private citizens contributed to the climate of repression.

What did the results of the election of 1920 indicate about the mood of the American people?

That they wanted a return to normalcy and the era of reform for women was over.

Into what three major categories did the Fourteen Points fall?

The 14 pts were specific recommendations for adjusting postwar boundaries and for re-establishing new nations to replace the defunct Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires (8), (5) general principles to govern international conduct in the future, and (1) proposal for a league of nations to implement these new principles and territorial adjustments and resolve future controversies. It reflected his belief, strongly rooted in the ideas of progressivism, that the world was as capable of just and efficient government as were individual nations; that once the international community accepted certain basic principles of conduct, and once it's constructed modern institutions to implement them, the human race could live in peace.

What tactics did the Committee on Public Information (CPI) employ to propagandize the American people into unquestioning support of the war effort?

The CPI fed newspapers the story that ships escorting the First Division to Europe sank several German submarines, a story discredited when newsmen interviewed the ships' officers in England. Republican Senator Boies Penrose of Pennsylvania called for an investigation and The New York Times called the CPI "the Committee on Public Misinformation." The incident turned the once compliant news publishing industry into skeptics. Early in 1918, the CPI made a premature announcement that "the first American built battle planes are today en route to the front in France," but newspapers learned that the accompanying pictures were fake, there was only one plane, and it was still being tested. At other times, though the CPI could control in large measure what newspapers printed, its exaggerations were challenged and mocked in Congressional hearings. The Committee's overall tone also changed with time, shifting from its original belief in the power of facts to mobilization based on hate, like the slogan "Stop the Hun!" on posters showing a U.S. soldier taking hold of a German soldier in the act of terrorizing a mother and child, all in support of war bond sales.

What inspired the Red Scare of 1919 to 1920? Was the threat real or imagined?

The Red Scare was inspired by the fear of Bolshevik influence in the US, and labor strikes contributed to this fear as well. The threat was mostly imagined.

In what ways did the government use the Sedition Act and related legislation to suppress criticism? Who suffered most?

The Sedition Act of 1918 was an Act of the United States Congress that extended the Espionage Act of 1917 to cover a broader range of offenses, notably speech and the expression of opinion that cast the government or the war effort in a negative light or interfered with the sale of government bonds. It forbade the use of "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about the United States government, its flag, or its armed forces or that caused others to view the American government or its institutions with contempt. In April 1918, the government arrested industrialist William Edenborn, a naturalized citizen from Germany, at his railroad business in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was accused of speaking "disloyally" when he allegedly belittled the threat of Germany to the security of the United States. In June 1918, the Socialist Party figure Eugene V. Debs of Indiana was arrested for violating the Sedition Act by undermining the government's conscription efforts. So they often used the Sedition Act to suppress criticism, stating that they are simply preventing unrest.

Why did Wilson take sides in the Mexican government turmoil? Describe the two interventions and their results.

The U.S. had lots of businesses in Mexico. The American admiral demanded that the Huerta forces fire a salute to the American flag as penance, but the Mexicans refused, thus Wilson seized the port of Veracruz. General Pershing was ordered to lead an expeditionary force across the Mexican border in pursuit of Villa. They found Carranza and engaged in two skirmishes. Wilson quietly withdrew American troops and granted formal recognition to the Carranza regime.

What were Wilson's actions in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nicaragua? Were they consistent with the Roosevelt Corollary?

The United states established a military government in the Dominican Republic when they refused to accept a treaty. Marines were landed in Haiti and stayed for nearly twenty years. Treaty was signed in Nicaragua to ensure no other nation would build a canal there This was quite similar to the Roosevelt Corollary.

Despite President Wilson's disappointments at Versailles, what was his most visible triumph?

The creation of the League of Nations (even though the US never joined)

What general influences and German actions forced President Woodrow Wilson out of his professed stance of true neutality?

The main events that brought the U.S. out of neutrality were the German's attacks on ships. Especially after the Lusitania, in which many were killed. The Germans promised not to attack ships without warning anymore, yet they still did, so Congress decided to declare war on Germany.

How and where did World War I begin?

The trigger for the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, by Yugoslav nationalist Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914. Within weeks, the major powers were at war and the conflict soon spread around the world.

On what two methods did the Wilson administration depend to finance the war effort? How did the war cost compare with the typical peacetime budgets of that era?

The two methods were liberty bonds and new taxes. The war was incredibly expensive.

Describe how the various "war boards" were organized. What were the roles of the War Industries Board (WIB) and the National War Labor Board?

War Boards such as the WIB were organized in order to manage labor disputes. It was organized by Woodrow Wilson. The purpose of the WIB was to coordinate the purchase of war supplies between the War Department (Department of the Army) and the Navy Department. The purpose of the NWLB was to prevent strikes that would disrupt production in war industries.

Before 1917, how did Wilson balance the demands for preparedness and the cries for peace? What effect did his position have on the 1916 election?

Wilson at first sided with the antipreparedness forces, denouncing the idea of an American military buildup as needless and provocative, but as tensions between the US and Germany grew, he changed his mind. He endorsed an ambitious proposal for a large and rapid increase in the nation's armed forces. He worked hard to win approval of it, even embarking on a national speaking tour to arouse support for the proposal. "He kept us out of war" became Wilson's 1916 campaign slogan.