The American Civil War, Coursework Example

Chapter 22

What central issues drew the United States deeper into international politics in the early years of the century? How did the American presidents justify a more expansive role? What diplomatic and military policies did they exploit for these ends?

The United States entered deep into international politics to advance their quest to enlarge imperialism. In so doing, they strove to establish the American hegemony in the western hemisphere[1]. It is also important to note that the Americans participated in the international politics to increase their political and economic stature. In order to attain its objectives, the American president sought to strengthen its military. They also employed the business investment technique.

Compare the arguments for and against the American participation in the Great War. Which Americans were most likely to support the entry? Which were most likely to oppose it?

The participation of America in the Great War drew support from the religious leaders, the prominent public figures, and the state legislatures[2]. Conversely, the ordinary Americans were unwilling to participate in the war.

How did mobilizing of war change the economy and its relationship to government? Which of these changes if any, spilled over to postwar years?

The mobilizing of the war deemed expensive for the government and this led to the failure of the American economy. This made the congress to pass the Food and Fuel acts, which informed the state in the distributions and production of fuel, and food that sustained the war effort[3]. The price control techniques were imposed on agricultural commodities to succumb by the ailing economy. The organizational shifts towards corporatism in American business are a major change, which spilled over to postwar.

How did the war affect political life in the United States? What techniques were used to stifle dissent? What was the war’s political legacy?

It is imperative that the war led to the political dislocation of the United States. In order to stifle the dissent, the republican political leaders enacted the wartime partnership between the industry and the government[4]. This ensured the fostering of the peacetime policy cooperation between the business and the status. The turning of the United States into the major global force is the political legacy of the war.

Analyze the impact of the war on American workers. How did the conflict affect the lives of African Americans and women?

The war influenced positively on the lives of women and the African Americans in that it enabled them switch from their low paying jobs such as domestic ones, and secure highly paying industrial ones. It is imperative that during the war, fewer women and black Americans discriminated against the highly paying jobs.

What principles guided Woodrow Wilson’s fourteen points? How would you explain the United States failure to ratify the Treaty of Versailles?

In his quest to discredit the war, Woodrow Wilson drafted the fourteen points based on three elements as follows. First, he based on the right of the American people to national self-determination. In order to achieve this, he came up with proposals of setting up the post war boundaries in Europe whilst creating new countries out of the collapsed empires[5]. Secondly, he based the points on the principle for governing international conduct such as the open covenants and free trade instead of treaties[6]. Thirdly, Woodrow Wilson considered the League of Nations as an important aspect of postwar vision. I would say that the president was justified not to ratify the treaty in that the flaws that existed in the international relations contributed to unhealthy climate that revolved into war.

Chapter 23

Describe the impact of the “second industrial revolution” on American business workers and consumers. Which technological and economic changes had the biggest impact on American society?

It is apparent that the “second industrial revolution” enabled the American business workers to increase their productivity with minimal labor force[7]. The major technological changes such as the use of electricity in place of steam as a source of power increased the efficiency in production in the American industries hence the ability of the consumers to access adequate products. It is important to note that the innovation of these machinery led to the production of durable consumer goods. The mass production of commodities led to the improved economy.

Analyze the uneven distribution of the 1920’s economic prosperity. Which Americans gained the most, and which were largely left?

It is evident that the dominance of the republicans in the national politics in 1920’s led to their gains in economic prosperity[8]. In this case, the democrats were left out. This was enhanced by the close relationship between the government and American businessmen who embraced the republican policies in both foreign and domestic affairs.

How did an expanding mass culture change the economy of everyday life in the decade following World War 1? What role did new technologies of mass communication play in shaping these changes? What connections can you draw between the “culture of consumption” then and today?

The expanding mass culture changed the economy owing to the exportation of the new mass culture to the economically developed world. This led to the production, distribution, and exhibition of films[9]. In order to infiltrate into European markets, the new technologies of mass communication were employed to establish the production facilities abroad. In this regard, the foreign actors used technology to dub the American films to other languages. It is apparent that the culture of consumption then was relatively higher than it is today.

What are the key policies and goals attributed by republican political leaders of the 1920’s? How did they apply this to both domestic and foreign affairs?

The republican leaders embraced goals that aimed at expanding the American economic activity in foreign policies. These policies were mainly the expansion of markets and the creation of the dynamic capitalist economies[10]. In order to make this a reality, the republican political leaders encouraged the close cooperation between the government and the bankers in order to expand the American investment cum economic influence abroad.

How did some Americans resist the rapid changes taking place in the post-world war 1 world? What cultural and political strategies did they employ?

Among the rapid changes that took place in the post World War 1 was the production, distribution, and the exhibition of the Hollywood movies that appeared to dent the sexual morality of the American people. In their bid to resist this, the Americans in the rural areas employed their culture to attack the permissiveness relating to Hollywood life. On the other hand, various states employed political strategies, which included the creation of censorship boards that allowed the screening of movies before showing them in theaters[11].

Discuss the 1928 election as a mirror of the divisions in American society.

The 1928 elections is a mirror of the divisions in the American society in that the election featured two candidates Al smith who was a democrat and Herbert Hoover who was a republican nominee[12]. It emerges from the election that the electorates voted them based on various aspects. These aspects include ethnic, religious, and their home backgrounds.

Bibliography

Faragher et al. Out of Many: TLC Version. 6th Ed.Vol. 2

[1] Faragher et al. Out of Many: TLC Version. 6th Ed.Vol. 2

[2] Faragher et al. Out of Many: TLC Version. 6th Ed.Vol. 2

[3] Faragher et al. Out of Many: TLC Version. 6th Ed.Vol. 2

[4] Faragher et al. Out of Many: TLC Version. 6th Ed.Vol. 2

[5] Faragher et al. Out of Many: TLC Version. 6th Ed.Vol. 2

[6] Faragher et al. Out of Many: TLC Version. 6th Ed.Vol. 2

[7] Faragher et al. Out of Many: TLC Version. 6th Ed.Vol. 2

[8] Faragher et al. Out of Many: TLC Version. 6th Ed.Vol. 2

[9] Faragher et al. Out of Many: TLC Version. 6th Ed.Vol. 2

[10] Faragher et al. Out of Many: TLC Version. 6th Ed.Vol. 2

[11] Faragher et al. Out of Many: TLC Version. 6th Ed.Vol. 2

[12] Faragher et al. Out of Many: TLC Version. 6th Ed.Vol. 2