Homework Outline

1. Demonstrate the evolution of the concepts of personal freedom, individual responsibility, and respect for human dignity.


USII.25 Analyze the origins, goals, and key events of the Civil Rights movement. Ch. 21&21
USII.26 Describe the accomplishments of the civil rights movement. Ch. 20&21
USII.21 Analyze how the failure of communist economic policies as well as U.S. sponsored resistance to Soviet military and diplomatic initiatives contributed to the ending of the Cold War.
USII.17 Explain important domestic events that took place during WWII. Ch. 24&25

Ch. 23, sec. 5 critical thinking # 3 & 4

Ch. 23, sec. 2 critical thinking, omit part B

Ch. 22 sec. 3 critical thinking #3

How did Hoover's belief in "rugged individualism" shape his policies during the Great Depression?

"Rugged individualism is the idea that people should succeed through their own efforts. They should take care of themselves and their families, rather than depend on the government to bail them out." (p. 685)

President Hoover's philosophy was to not provide any form of federal welfare or direct relief to the needy. During the Great Depression he did provide any help for the poor, instead, he called on local organizations to supply the poor with their needs. He did provide jobs during the Boulder Dam project. This belief only shaped his policies during the beginning of the Great Depression, towards the end he attempted to help the American people, but his efforts fell short.

Current Events Summary #4

Due to the 17.6% increase in food prices as a result of food shortages, inflation has risen .3% to 6.5%. This is the highest increase in over 11 years. The main cause of this increase is the 55% price increase of pork, which is a key ingredient in many Chinese dishes. In an attempt to lower inflation banks are now keeping more money in the reserves in order to allow for less available for loans.
On a brighter note China's trade surplus has reached a new high, rising 13.6% more than last month. The trade is now at $27bn. PetroChina, an olil company, saw its shares increase by more than double, rising from 16.7 to 43.96 yuan. This increase gives the company a market value of about $1 trillion.
China raised fuel prices by 10% in an attempt to to ease the countries depleted supply. They hope this increase will cause refiners to increase production, which in turn, would ease the rationing at the stations.

Ch. 22 sec. 2 critical thinking #4

How was what happened to men during the Great Depression different from what happened to women? children?

When the Great Depression hit it affected many people, but it might have affected the men worse, at least it affected them a great deal differently than the women and children. The men, as the head of the house, were expected to feed, provide for, and protect his family. When the Great Depression hit it was incredibly hard for the men to provide enough means to get by for their family. Many families barely made $2.00 a week. That number includes the amount the women working outside of the homes made. Men would go out for hours on end in search odf jobs. Many men, who had been sturgy and self-repcting men, were having trouble keeping their hopes up, and in the end many gave up trying to find jobs or left their families behind.
But the women went out and found jobs and worked to save every penny they could. Many women partnered up with neighbors to split the payments for food and take turns paying for more or less. But instead of beggin out on the streets many women were starving in cold attics and rooming houses because they were too ashamed to show reveal their hardships.
Children also suffered during this time of hardship. Many children had serious health problems due to lack of proper hygiene and healthcare. They had poor diets and as a result the nation saw a dramatic increase in malnutrition and diet-related diseases. As a result of falling tax revenues many schools had to shorten the school year and in some cases even close schools all together. Many teenagers looked for a way out of their troubles and hopped trains traveling across the country looking for adventure and jobs. Many teenagers left home to ease the stress on their parents and provide one less mouth to feed.
Men, women, and children all suffered, but men suffered the most emotionally because they were unable to provide for their families and they felt ashamed and that they had let down their families.

Ch. 22 sec. 1 critical thinking #4

Judging from the events of the late 1920's and early 1930's, how important do you think public confidence is to the health of the economy?

Public confidence in the economy is crucial to the survival and stability of it. The stock market crashed in 1929 because people were not well-educated in the stock market business and when the prices began to fall instead of waiting it out,a portion of the country panicked and sold their stocks. When other stock holders saw this huge sellout they decided to sellout, but with so many people selling there wasn't enough people buying and the stock market crashed. If stock holders had been confident that with every decrease of prices there would be an increase because thats what always happens, they would not have sold out. Another part of the economy that needs alot of trust and confidence is family income. At this time more than 70% of families annual income was lower than $2500, but with the steady increase in new household products and electricity becoming more and more available families were overcome with the lack of money to buy these new products.The way to get through this need is not to panic, but instead save as much as you can to build up and be able to support your family.

Ch. 21 sec. 1 critical thinking #5

Do you think the passage of the Volstead Act and the ruling in the Scope's trial represented genuine triumphs for traditional values?

I don't think it represented triumphs. It represented attempts to preserve traditional values. By the beginning of the 1920's many people were moving away from rural areas were traditional values were upheld to the city where many things once thought to be sinful were now common occurences and the norm. People went to speakeasies and movie theaters all the time. Women dressed scantily, died their hair, and wore short skirts. Everyone drank. You did not eat home much. The time you went out most was at night.
In rural areas you stayed home at night. You had a meal with the whole family, went to church on sundays and so on. Prohibition groups were formed to attempt to stop the manufacture and sale of alcohol. But this attempt quickly opened the doors for criminal acts, speakeasies, and illegal manufacture and transportation of alcohol. People just wanted to enjoy their lives.
The ruling in the Scope's trial did uphold traditional family values. Scopes was teaching about evolution and was arrested as a result. He was found guilty. This ruling showed that the court and government stil upheld the creation theory which many rural families stil believed in. But overall the traditional family values were being pushed farther and farther under the rug and people were now beginning to live their life the way they wanted.

Ch. 20 Sec. 1 Critical Thinking #3

Do you think Americans were justified in their fear of radicals and foreigners in the decade following WWI?

-goals of leaders of Russian Revolution
-challenges facing U.S.

The Americans were justified in their fear of the radicals and foreigners following WWI. Communism was rising in Russia. Communism was a radical form of government which really came into play when revolutionaries overthrew the czar, Vladmir Lenin and the Bolsheviks established a new communist state called the Soviet Union. The U.S. was in the midst of being influenced by the Ku Klux Klan, which was a radical group, who hated everyone except middle aged white males. Thousands of people flocked to join this group, that marched up and down the road next to the capital and White House. The country was also having trouble keeping the amount of immigrants down, until Congress passed the Quota system, which limited the amount of immigrants allowed to enter the U.S. The immigrants were forming communist parties in the U.S. which threatened to take over the government if it got to strong.

Ch. 19 sec 3 #3

How did the war affect government power?

In 1917 Congress passed the Espionage and Sedition Acts which stated that a person could be fined yp to $10,000 and sentenced to 20 years in prison for interfering with the war effort or for saying anything disloyal, profane, or abusive about the government or the war effort. This new law targeted socialists and labor leaders. The U.S. spent around $35.5 billion on the war effort. One-third of this was raised through taxes. Most of the taxes were on high-income families. The government gave Wilson more power as well. He establish the War Industries Board. This board raised industrial production by 20%, but applied price controls at the wholesale level.

Ch. 19-2 #3

In what ways did WWI represent a frightening new kind of warfare?

The casualty figures in the U.S. were 48,000 men lost, 62,000 men dead due to disease, and 200,000 wounded. New tanks that ran on catapillar treads were built of steel in which bullets bounced off. The officers also learned how to use the tanks to clear out large portions of barbed wire fencing to allow the infantry to move across fields with relative ease. Airplanes now dropped bombs and poison gas that would destroy the inside of one's body. New machine guns that could put out 600 rounds each minute. These new weapons produced a devastating effect on the casualty numbers of the war and the war became more of a massacre than anything.

Ch. 19, sec. 1 critical thinking # 4 & 5

Why were America's ties with the Allies stronger than its ties with the Central Powers?

Many people still had ties with countries from which they had emigrated. For example, people who came to the U.S. from Germany sympathized with the Germans and people from Ireland remembered British oppression and saw the war as a chance for Ireland to gain independence.

But, likewise, many people still felt close to Britain. They shared the same language and many had common ancestry. Germany's aggressive sweep through Belgium increased their sympathy for the allies.

America also had stronger economic ties with the allies than with the Central Powers. Before the war, America's trade with Britain and France was more than double it's trade with Germany. During the first two years of the war, the allies flooded American manufacturers with orders for war supplies. The United States shipped millions of dolllars worth of supplies to the allied forces.
Because of the economic stance and backround with the allies, the U.S. was far more tied to the allied forces than with the Central Power.

Why do you think Germany escalated its U-boat attacks in 1917?

Germany escalated its U-boat attacks due to military build-up. They wanted to be superior to Britain. They also did not want any power trading with it's enemies. They did it in an attempt to ruin Britain's economy and provent them from sending forces to aid their allies in continental Europe.

Ch. 18 Sec. 3 #3, #4 & #5

How did American rule of Puerto Rico harm Puerto Ricans. How did it help Puerto Ricans? Do you think the benefits outweighed the harmful effects? Why or why not.

The Foraker Act ended military rule and set up a civil government, but the U.S. president and not the citizens of Puerto Rico the power to appoint their governor and members of the upper house of its legislature. The citizens had only the power to elect members of the legislature's lower house. While the U.S. had military control of Puerto Rico, the citizens did not have to worry about any attacks from other countries. This was a morale booster for the rebuilding community.

I think the harmful effects outweighed the benefits because overtime the Puerto Ricans became hostile towards the U.S. even venturing as far as to kill military personnel.

How was U.S. policy toward China different from U.S. policy toward the Phillipines? To what can you attribute the difference?

The U.S. set up a government in the Phillipines just like the one in Puerto Rico. The U.S. government would appoint the governor, then the governor would appoiont the Upper House of the Legislature. Filipinos only had the power to elect the Lower House. This was much different from the policy towards China because the U.S. had not fought a war against China and the U.S. was not occupying China with military. The U.S. had no political power in China. They had only power to set up trade with China.

How did U.S. foreign policy at the turn of the century affect actions taken by the United States toward China?

The U.S. saw China as a "vast potential market for American goods." (p.562) Investors saw new oppurtunities for large-scale railroad construction. The U.S. government also published the Open Door Notes, which stated that no imperialist power could have a monopoly on trade with China. The U.S. was trying to force its way into trade with the world and put U.S. goods into the hands of people globally.
Once again after the Boxer Rebellion the U.S. published a second set Open Door Notes. This policy stated that the U.S. would "safeguard for the world the principle of equal and impartial trade with all parts of the Chinese Empire." (p.563) This made it easier for the U.S. to have a greater influence in Asia.

Ch. 18 Sec. 2 #3

What do you think were the unstated editorial policies of yellow journalism?

The unstated editorial policies were to blame Spain for everything and try and stir up the readers as much as possible to push them to encourage the war. Slander Spain. Lie about them. Basically do anything that will invoke negative feelings toward Spain.

Ch. 18 Sec. 1 #5

In the following passage, how does Indiana senator Albert j beverage explain the need for the us to acquire new territories?
"Fate has written our policy for us; the trade of the world must and shall be ours... we will establish trading posts throughout the world as distributing points for american products... great colonies governing themselves, flying our flag and trading with us, will grow about our posts of trade."

He explains that the U.S. must establish trading posts around the world in order to survive. These trading posts will be a means of getting the U.S. into every culture. H ealso says the trade of the world must be ours.

Current Events Summary #3

The South African government decided not to fix bread prices. The wheat price in South Africa has risen by 75% to R1 320 per ton since August 2006. High food price increases over the last ten years have seriously affected the availability and affordability of bread in the South African area. Southern African has had to recall hundreds of toys tainted with lead. "Lead, a highly toxic element, can cause severe nerve damage, especially in children. Under US regulations, children's products found to have more than .06% lead accessible to users are subject to a recall." (News24.com) Between 1990 and 2005, 23 African nations and over $18bn have been the cost of wars. The government hopes to restrict the amount guns being channeled to African conflict zones, which will lower the amount of money being poured into the wars. After 3,200 miners were trapped when a gold mine collapsed in Johannesburg, South Africa, the government has shut down the mine for 6 weeks, completely halting the flow the gold into the economy. This will no doubt cause a ripple in the economy as will the rising cost of wheat and the recall of toys in South Africa. The future of this economy is bleak.

Ch. 18 Sec. 1 Critical Thinking #3

Manifest destiny greatly influenced American policy during the first half of the 19Th century. How do you think manifest destiny set the stage for American imperialism at the end of the century?



Manifest destiny was the belief that the United States would inevitably expand into the west, the pacific islands and Mexico, and have the right to govern and control western countries.
Imperialism was the policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories.
Manifest destiny was America's way of justifying Westward Expansion. We exersized imperialism by taking over Hawaii, Puerto Rico and many other Pacific islands.

Ch. 17 Sec. 2 Critical Thinking #5

Explain how you might recruit other women to support the following causes, improving good education, housing reform, food and drug laws, the right to vote?

Many women of the previous century had to home school their children. One thing that might attract women to help would be free and better education if they worked in the schools. This could allow them to work an easier job and not have to teach their kids. Another part of education would be women's colleges. With good education being offered women now had the opportunity to hold better positions and have better jobs. In the previous century women would have to boil their own water and which was time consuming, they also did not have a stove in their houses and if they did it was not a very sanitary stove, such as having a chimney. In the new houses called tenements, hot water and working stoves were readily available. Congress passed the Food and Drug Laws, which in theory, eliminated the opium, cocaine, and alcohol from children's medicines; also the laws, attempted to eliminate the amount of foreign substances being put into food produce. This would be increasingly desirable by women, especially; mothers. The right to vote is definitely a given. Women in the previous centuries were completely restricted and prohibited from partaking in any political matters. Women would jump at the idea of having some form of political power.

Ch. 17, sec. 3 critical thinking #5

Why did W. E. B. Du Bois oppose Booker T. Washington's views on racial discrimination?


W.E.B. Du Bois did not agree with Washington's "accomidation of segregationists and for blaming black poverty on blacks and urging them to accept discrimination" (p. 531) He believed that Washington did not value the privelage and duty of voting and said he apologized for the injustices done to him. He also said he oppose dthe higher training and ambition of our mind.

Chapter 17, section 1 critical thinking #3 & 4

#3
In what ways might Illinois, Wisconsin, and Oregon all be considered trailblazers in Progressive Reform?

Wisconson's Robert M. La Follete made a difference by not showing favor to big railroad companies. In fact he did just the opposite, he targeted them and made sure they were treated just like any other person or corporation. He taxed them the same as other businesses, set up a commission to regulate taxes, and forbade them from giving government officials free passes. William S. U'Ren of Oregon initiated the Australian Ballot, the initiative, the referendum, and the recall. The initiative and referendum gave citizens the power to create laws. Once citizens petitioned to place an initiative, the voters would accept or reject it by referendum. The recall stated that voters could remove public officials from office if enough voters wanted it, by having another election before the end of that officials term.

#4
This cartoon shows Carry Nation inside a saloon that she has attack. Do you think the cartoonist had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of this prohibitionist?

The cartoonist most likely had an unfavorable opinion of Carry Nation. The cartoon only shows the broken glass, plates, mirrors and pictures. It shows nothing of the liquor or the result of her prohibition. It would have a been a little more unbiased if the cartoonist had shown whether or not her actions had a positive or negative effect on the American Culture.

Current Events Summary #2

Once again inflation in South Africa has risen 0.5%, but economists believe this is a historical mark rather than a bright future. High food prices are the main cause of this rise and many banks have been forced to raise interest rates to 10% in an attempt to curb the rising inflation. Veering off topic, but what could potentially be an economic gain, an enormous gem donned with the prestige of “The World’s Largest Diamond” has been found in South Africa. The gem is over 6,000 carats. According to reporters, when put on a garage grinder the, rock did not chip, it did not even scratch. Many people believe it is a diamond, while the experts and inspectors believe it cannot be one. "The crystal looks far too perfect and it looks like it's a fluorite crystal or something else. I'd be extremely surprised if it was a diamond." Said James Allan. This gem could be a spark in the economy of South Africa because it could sell for a lot of money, but overall with the rise of inflation, South Africa’s economy is plummeting out of control at an ever increasing rate. The future of South Africa’s economy is looking very grim.

Ch. 17, sec. 5 critical thinking #4

Why do you think Wilson failed to push for equality for African Americans, despite his Progressive reforms?

Wilson said that he had made no promises other than to do them justice. So what he did by enforcing segregation was to him justice. He also might have done what most politicians do. They promise the people what they want to get their vote and once in office they turn their backs on what they said and do what they really wanted to do from the beginning.

Ch. 15, sec. 2 critical thinking # 4

#4. Which solution or (attempted solution) to an urban problem discussed in this section do you think had the most impact? Why?

The government built urban dwellings called, tenements. The tenements added ventilation and better plumbing. But even though the ventilation helepd for a little while, the rotting garbage from outside would produce and stench defeating the purpose of the new windows.

Ch. 15, sec. 1 critical thinking # 3 &4

#3 Which immigrants do you think faced the greatest challenges in the United States?

The Asians faced the greatest challenges. They had to endure harsh questioning and be locked up in "filthy ramshackle buildings" before they found out if they were admitted int o the country or not. In 1882 Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. Banning entry to all Chinese except students, teachers, merchants, tourists, and government officials. (p. 465)

#4 What were the effects of the massive influx of immigrants to the U.S. in the late 1800s?

There was a rise in Nativism . Nativism is favoritism towards native-born Americans, which led to anti-immigrant groups and soon led to immigration restrictions. Many native-born Americans were without jobs because the immigrants would work for less money. This led to the Depression of 1873 which intensified the anti-Chinese sentiment. (p. 464)

Current Events Summary

Recent data shows that inflation has risen from 4.5% to 6.5% in Johannesburg, South Africa. More data shows that the annual trade deficit has risen to R9.4bn. This data shows that another interest rate hike is on the table. Economists are worried that the recent interest hikes will “stunt the longest expansion in SA’s history.” (news24.com)
There has been a major fuel shortage in Africa forcing many buses off the road. This is a problem caused by the government when they ordered cuts of 50% to all prices of goods. The cuts were ordered in an attempt to halt the highest inflation in the world.
The African Rand strengthens against the U.S. dollar , trading at R7.47/%. Many economists believe this is a negative risk because food prices have been a major concern.

Ch. 14, sec. 3 critical thinking #3

Do you think that the tycoons of the late 19th century are best described as ruthless robber barons or as effective captains of industry?

-management tactics and business strategies
-contributions to economy
-attitude toward competition

effective captains
tactics
-horizontal /vertical integration
-social darwinism
-bribery of congress
-lassaize faire

effective captains
contributions to economy
-oil and steel easier to access
-vanderbilt RR spread commerce
-provided jobs

ruthless robbers
contributions to economy
-rockefeller raised prices/cut wages
-long hours/dangerous work environment/child labor

After looking at all the data, while the tycoons were ruthless in some aspects of their strategies, overall they were effective captains of industry and used their skills in business to maximize their oppurtunities and capital.

Ch. 14, sec. 2 critical thinking #4

The federal government gave land and made loans to the railroad companies. Why was the government so eager to promote the growth of railroads?

The government was corrupted in Congress by 20 representatives who were being given shares of stock earned by the railroad. The company doing this was called the Credit Mobilier. The railroads also made dreams of acquiring more land possible for the government. (p. 444)
Another benefit for the government was transportation. If the government would support the railroad it could get free transportation in return. This would be crucial in upcoming elections and campaigning strategies.
By giving out loans and giving land the government would in a sense have complete control over the growth of railroads. In 1887, Congress passed the Interstaet Commerce Act, establishing the right of the federal government to supervise railroad activities.(p. 445)

Ch. 14, sec. 1 critical thinking #5

Which invention or development described in this section had the greatest impact on society? Justify your choice.

The development that that had the greatest impact on society was the Bessemer Process. By injecting air into molten iron one manufacturers could remove carbon and other such impurities, thereby; decreasing the weight and chance of rust and increasing the flexibility of it. The metal that was form by using the Bellemer Process was called steel.(p.437)
Steel had many different uses. Railroads quickly became the biggest cutomers because of the thouasands of miles of track. But it was used for many other things as well. Joseph Glidden invented barbed wire using steel and McCormick and Deere invented farm machines to help turn dirt into fertile soil.(p. 438)
Steel was also the main factor in the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. Steel cables attached to high towers were used as the main weight-bearing component for the bridge. William Le Baron Jenney designed the first skyscraper with a steel frame, this allowed architects to build the buildings as high as they wished, unlike the weight bound iron clad buildings built before. (p. 438)
Steel was by far the most important development on society at this time.

Ch. 13, sec. 3 critical thinking #3

The most significant factors in bringing an end to the populist party were Lack of Money, William Mckinley, and Fear of Inflation.
William Mckinley was the Republican nominee for president. He was in favor of the gold standard and was incredibly wealthy. He was running against Democratic nominee William Jennings Bryan.
William Jennings Bryan in contrast had only meager funds. Bryan made up for the Lack of Money by campaigning in 27 states and making 20 speeches a day.(page429) Mckinley campagned on his front porch and had thousands of people giving speeches for him.
Fear of Inflation though was the biggest downfall of the Populist party. The party favored the silver standard which would increase inflation which drove the business owners to Mckinley. While Bryan recieved support from the South and the farm vote of the Mid-west, Mckinley recieved support from many business owners in the North and all of the East. Mckinley gained 7 million votes to win while Bryan only recieved 6.5 million. With this major loss the Populist party collapsed.

Ch. 13, sec. 2 critical thinking #3

How successful were government effort to promote settlement of the Great Plains?

The government was only mildly successful. It opened The Transcontinental Railroad and passed the Homestead Act.
The Transcontinental Railroad made for easier, quicker, but more expensive traveling from coast to coast. They used 170 million acres of land and spent half a billion dollars. The Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroad companies raced to lay tracks East and West to connect the United States.(p.420-421)
The Homestead Act was passed in an effort to lure citizens into getting more land. The law offered 160 acres of free land to anyone who was the head of a family. This sparked 600,000 families to leave their homes. But there were railroad and state government agents and farmers who claimed mines and built fences. Overall only 10% of the land was actually settled by families for whom it was intended.