Chapter+Questions

Chapter 19 Questions:

1. Explain the Title of Chapter 19.

"From Stalemate to Crisis". In chess, stalemate means a draw or a tie, no winner, no loser. In this case it's referring to the draw in politics between the Republicans and the Democrats. There was a well balanced power in the United States, nearly 50/50, no one side dominating the other. However this "Stalemate" soon turned into a Crisis. The worst in the nations history, at the time, and constant fighting among the people over the economy. The nation turned into a chaotic panic which would preside over the country for years.

2. What was the general theme of outcomes of the Presidential elections of 1884, 1888, 1892, and 1896? Explain and analyze their outcomes.

1884: Grover Cleveland - Democrat 1888: Benjamin Harrison - Republican 1892: Grover Cleveland - Democrat 1896: William McKinley - Republican

Every four years the president would change from Republican to Democrat, to Republican and then to Democrat again. It was like the power of the presidency kept bouncing back and forth as one party tried to dominate the other, but neither could really gain the upper hand. It was an even race and a split between the people.

3. Explain the Farmers’ Alliance movement and the birth of the Populist Party. Evaluate their achievements.

The Farmers' Alliance movement led to the birth of the Populist Party. For the first time farmers were really joining together to fight for economic change and government regulation of big trusts such as the railroad companies. Populist became a third party facing against the two dominant existing parties - the Republicans and the Democrats. They fought for lower taxes on crops, regulation of railroads by the federal government, and the Free-Silver currency. These issues were controversial, especially Free-Silver which ultimately failed against gold as the currency. They did however gain temporary support by the people and managed to pass the Sherman AntiTrust Act and the Interstate Commerce Act. The Farmers' Alliance Movement had some achievement but ultimately failed to establish itself as a real third party threat against the Republicans and Democrats. Their downfall was their "Fusion" with the Democratic party candidate William Jennings Bryan who lost to McKinley and really put an end to the Farmers' Alliance Movement.

4. What were the major problems of 1890s America? How might they be solved?

America faced several problems in the 1890s. Among them the role the government should play in peoples lives and their intervention with big businesses. America also faced an economic Crisis, with the Panic of 1892, and the bankruptcy of several businesses and banks. Currency also posed problems for Americans and the argument of Gold vs. Silver. But above all America, in the 1890s, struggled with political power and the ongoing fight between Democrats, Republicans, and the up-and-coming Populists.

Chapter 20: Questions

1. What were the motivations for US imperialist activity in the late 19th/early 20th centuries? What were the justifications?

The U.S' motivation to imperialize in the late19th/early20th century was to extend it's control, spread Democracy, Capitalism, Christianity, and English, as well as to gain new natural resources, a new source of labor, more military bases, and finally to find trading posts/new markets. Their justification was their belief in Social Darwinism. They believed that "God wants this for us" because we live correctly. Democracy, Capitalism, and Christianity are correct. U.S History and Previous Wars + Precedent of Manifest Destiny led Americans to believe that this was ok, and that this was the right thing to do.

2. What was the main cause and main consequence of the Spanish-American War for the U.S.? Why was it called “A Splendid Little War?” Is that an accurate nickname?

The war was caused by the incidents surrounding Cuba. They were being oppressed and treated inhumanly by the Spanish. Cubans had seeked freedom from Spain for years, and Americans were sympathetic with the Cubans. Spain put Cubans in concentration camps and this was shocking to the American presses. Constant support from the press towards war pressured the president into going to war with Spain. However the president wanted to remain neutral. Two instances really tipped America into going to war - Letter from Dupuy de Lome and the sinking of the Maine. April 25 1898, the U.S declared war on Spain.

The Spanish American War became known as a "Splendid Little War" because of how the war went and its outcomes. It only lasted about 4 months, which relatively few casualties. It showed American dominance and as an added bonus gave Americans new territory. They were now in control of Cuba, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico. Although some might say that America was a hypocrite by fighting the Spanish off these lands and just replacing them, in the end, no matter how people view it, America won a war quickly and easily, and greatly prospered from the results.

3. Describe and analyze American interest and intervention in China.

All America wanted from China was to be able to trade freely, without the need of military aid. The other world super powers were already investing in China such as Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy, Great Britain, and France and the United States didn't want to be left behind. This resulted in the "Open Door Notes" which basically demanded the opportunity to trade with China and the other super powers. However China was not happy with all the foreigners in China which is how the Boxer Rebellion occurred. The United States quickly put an end to the Boxer Rebellion and got all the world Super Powers to approve of their Open Door Notes.

4. What were the negatives and positives of American imperialistic activity between 1880 and 1910?

__**Positives**__
 * American expanded its territories. More land.
 * With new land, comes more natural resources and labor.
 * Spread Capitalism, Democracy, and Christianity, all benefit the U.S. Spread of American culture.
 * Stronger, more dominate, a world super power.

__**Negatives**__
 * Imposed on other people.
 * Lives lost for military gains.
 * Growth of greed and corruption.

Chapter 21: Questions

1. In what ways are progressives, muckrakers, and government officials connected?

The Progressives were the protesters in the movement which consisted of journalists, everyday citizens, and politicians. They, along with the muckrakers, who were the journalists that exposed injustices and corruption worked together to obtain what they wanted and to achieve their goals. It's like a cycle that is all connected, leading back to the governments response to the people and their demands.

2. Who were the 3 most important people of the progressive era? Explain.


 * Jane Adams** was by no means the spokesperson for women during the progressive Era but she did become a symbol for women. Hey efforts in creating Hull Houses helped countless immigrants. However Progressives weren't just women and their suffrage, it was reform for the better of all and the leading spokesperson for African American was **W.E Du Bois**. Unlike Booker T. Washington he didn't want compromise, he wanted the white to eliminate racism and prejudice. He truly tried to better the lives of African Americans. The last "person", and perhaps the most important, is no one single individual but the group of people known as the **muckrakers**. The journalists as well as the everyday citizen who exposed corruption and pushed for change. Without them, the Progressive Movement would not have been made possible.

3. To what extent was the capitalist order of big business America being challenged in the progressive era? How successful were the challengers?

The point of the Progressive Era was to try to eliminate corruption by exposing political machines and bosses. There was so much corruption at the time, that all of this was being challenged by the people. The "Wobblies" dealt with Industrialization and companies, the women mostly pushed for prohibition and suffrage, W.E Du Bois aimed at improving African Americans rights and living standards, and the muckrakers challenged the government. Each in their own way gained something, however progress is slow and steady and is still being improved today.

4. Who were the winners and loser of the progressive era? Explain.

__**Winners:**__
 * Women got the right to vote
 * Working condition improved, "slave wage" abolished. (Wobblies)
 * Immigrants, through Jane Adams' Hull Houses.
 * Prohibition supporters - alcohol was banned. (temporarily)
 * Workers. Safety laws were put in place to prevent things like Triangle Shirtwaist Fire from happening again.

__**Losers**__
 * Prohibition was revoked
 * Still inequality, racism, and prejudice between Whites and African Americans.
 * Women were still looked down upon as "inferior"
 * Working conditions were slowly improving but still a lot to be done.
 * Government was still corrupt.

Chapter 22: Questions

<span style="font-size: 110%; color: #f75008;">1. To what extent can we call Theodore Roosevelt a “progressive president?”

Roosevelt was a strong pusher for progress and reform. Not as much as Wilson's radical views on reform but a lot more than McKinley and Taft. Although a republican he came to be known as a trust buster and the "people's president". Roosevelt intervened in the coal miners strike and was willing to go to war if necessary. When he later returned to politics, eventually loosing to Woodrow Wilson, he was much more of a progressive, being open to many policies he previously opposed, however he was not the president but still an influential public speaker.

<span style="font-size: 110%; color: #f75008;">2. To what extent did the role of the federal government in American life expand during the Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson presidencies?

During the terms of these 3 presidents, the government became much more involved in the peoples lives and a less conservative government than before. They broke up monopolies, passed laws to raise tariffs, pushed for more equality, and fair deals to their people. Some more successful than others, all 3 presidents played a huge role in the lives of American in the early 20th century.

<span style="font-size: 110%; color: #f75008;">3. Compare Roosevelt’s New Nationalism to Wilson’s New Freedom.

Roosevelt's New Nationalism was aimed toward controlling and regulating big business as apposed to Wilson's New Freedom which was much more radical and called for the complete annihilation of monopolies and trusts. There was a fine line between being a reformer and helping consumers and the people like Roosevelt, and completely trying to destroy big businesses and anger American companies that are essential to the nation's economy.

<span style="font-size: 110%; color: #f75008;">4. How did Theodore Roosevelt change American foreign policy? How did Taft and Wilson approach foreign policy (compared to Roosevelt)?

Roosevelt was all for intervening in other countries and going to war if necessary. He was known as a "war-hawk" and had no problem supporting military action. He himself resigned as secretary of the navy in order to go fight in the Spanish American War, leading the Rough Riders to a victory at San Juan Hill. He also believed in "talking softly and carrying a Big Stick". However Taft and Wilson were less inclined to go to war so easily. Taft was more of a conservative and handled national problems, Wilson was hesitant to go to war, but he would if necessary.