Unit 6: Imperialism and WWI
Timeline
Trigger Words
Article 10- Article 10 of the Covenant of the League of Nations stated that assistance would be given to any League member who came under foreign aggression. This article was one of the main reasons the U.S. Senate refused to ratify the treaty, keeping the u.S. out of the League.
Birth of a Nation- A highly controversial silent film from 1915, the film protagonized the KKK and portrayed African Americans as unintelligent and animalistic. It is also believed to have helped the revival of the KKK as was used as a recruiting tool for them.
Dollar Diplomacy- President Taft's plan to encourage U.S. investors to invest in other countries (specifically China) in order to create economic spheres of influence.
Harlem Renaissance- An African-American cultural movement that originated in Harlem, New York in the late 1910's. This movement was essential in integrating African-American culture into mainstream American life.
KKK- A bunch of racists with funny hats. Originally tried to keep the newly-freed African American population from voting through intimidation; eventually deteriorated even further into a violent white power group.
Nativism- Basically anti-immigration, nativism was the thought that new immigrants were mostly thives, murderers, the insame, and anarchists, but in reality Nativists were worried that these new immigrants would disrupt their way of life.
Palmer Raids- Raids meant to deport or arrest suspected radical left-wingists in the late 1910's-early 1920's. These raids were conducted by then U.S. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer.
Schenck v. US- U.S. Supreme Court case in which the Espionage Act of 1917 was upheld, eliminating the right of U.S. citizens to speak against the draft.
Volstead Act- Named for the chairman of the House Judiciary Comittee, the Volstead act was carried out to enforce the new 18th amendment, with established prohibition.
Birth of a Nation- A highly controversial silent film from 1915, the film protagonized the KKK and portrayed African Americans as unintelligent and animalistic. It is also believed to have helped the revival of the KKK as was used as a recruiting tool for them.
Dollar Diplomacy- President Taft's plan to encourage U.S. investors to invest in other countries (specifically China) in order to create economic spheres of influence.
Harlem Renaissance- An African-American cultural movement that originated in Harlem, New York in the late 1910's. This movement was essential in integrating African-American culture into mainstream American life.
KKK- A bunch of racists with funny hats. Originally tried to keep the newly-freed African American population from voting through intimidation; eventually deteriorated even further into a violent white power group.
Nativism- Basically anti-immigration, nativism was the thought that new immigrants were mostly thives, murderers, the insame, and anarchists, but in reality Nativists were worried that these new immigrants would disrupt their way of life.
Palmer Raids- Raids meant to deport or arrest suspected radical left-wingists in the late 1910's-early 1920's. These raids were conducted by then U.S. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer.
Schenck v. US- U.S. Supreme Court case in which the Espionage Act of 1917 was upheld, eliminating the right of U.S. citizens to speak against the draft.
Volstead Act- Named for the chairman of the House Judiciary Comittee, the Volstead act was carried out to enforce the new 18th amendment, with established prohibition.
Primary Sources
Zimmerman Note
http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=60 This source shows the infamous Zimmerman Note, in which the German foreign minister Arthur Zimmerman told Mexico that if they joined the war on Germany's side, they would be able to attack the U.S. and take control of the states they lost in the Mexican- American war. It is significant because in addition to Germany's new unrestricted submarine warfare plan, the Zimmerman Note pushed Wilson and America over the edge and into the war to end all wars. JM |
McKinley Defends US Expansion
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5575/ In this 1903 interview, McKinley goes on to explain to the church leaders why he felt he had no choice but to claim the Philippines as a possession of America after the Spanish-American War. He states that he didn't know what he could reasonably do with the Philippines, arguing that he would be ethically unable to return them, give them away, or allow them to rule themselves. He says the decision was left to him alone. What stands out most in this passage are the religious references. This is partly because he was justifying his actions to church leaders, and partly because religion still played a major role in politics in the late 19th and early 20th century. It was evident that he saw the Philippines as a burden, unable to take care of itself and felt it was his moral duty as a Christian and as an American to care for the islands. America planned to make money from the Philippines, even if it meant exploiting them. JT |
Woodrow Wilsons First Inaugural Address
http://www.vlib.us/amdocs/texts/32wils1.htm In President Woodrow Wilson's first inaugural address, he claims that life is currently good and he intends to keep it that way, However, he says, there has been excessive waste in the American economy, and he wants to eliminate the waste by cutting tariffs, reforming industry, and nature conservation. The significance of this is that it shows what Wilson's plans are, and interestingly enough, shows absolutely nop mention of entering a world war. VJ |
Political Cartoon
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d4-PewGsSh8/TauUZ3ff07I/AAAAAAAAAAs/T5Ogz_yPzgI/s1600/ww1+zimmerman+cartoon.jpeg
This cartoon showcases the plan of Germany’s Zimmerman’s note. It was a an appeal to mexico asking if they joined forces with germany that they will gain american land like texas, arizona, and more. The Germans were afraid of America Intervening In the conquering of Europe so they needed american to be preoccupied or busy, so they wanted Mexico to battle with america so america had full hands. This cartoon shows the kaiser and stereotypical mexican in a big ol’ mexican hat and pancho. The kaiser is whispering the note, this shows that he is evil. Only dark secrets are whispered. He is an evil man and has a moustache. |