The Cover-up
1. Regardless of the outcome, should the President of the United States have a right to privacy in regards to the Oval Office tapes? Explain.
The President of the United States should not have a right in regards to the oval office tapes because as President he gives up certain rights of privacy in order to serve the American people. The public deserves to have knowlage of what is on the tapes if it could be used to clear up an issue about the presidency, or if they could be used in court. It is very simular to the police searching a home, if it could help the case than it is nessessary to do.
2. Was President Nixon justified when he fired special prosecutor Archibald Cox? Explain.
Nixon was no justified when he fired SP Cox because if he was in a normal trial than he would basicaly be the defendant fireing the prosecution because he didn't like them. This means that he was above the law, which no one is.
3. Was Nixon creating a Constitutional crisis by refusing to hand-over the tapes? Explain.
Nixon was creating a Constitutional crisis be refusing to hand-over the tapes because he did something no other president had done in a situation that no other president had been in, and claimed that things that were to be used in a case were dangeorus for national security, and that they were his own property.
Closure
4. Why do you think the American public was so outraged by Watergate?
The American public was so outraged with Watergate because Nixon had lied to them for so long and that he would try to fix an election.
5. Do you think President Nixon should have resigned? Explain.
I do think that Nixon should have resigned because he had tarnished the presidency, and would only have done this further if he was impeached, being the first president to be done that to.
6. Do you think President Nixon should have been prosecuted? Explain.
I do think that Nixon should have been prosecuted because no one is above the law, and if he wasn't prosecuted it would have been saying that he was.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Watergate: Nixon's Downfall
1. How were the "plumbers" connected to President Nixon?
NOT IN READING
2. Who was the judge? Why did he hand out maximum sentences?
The judge was John Sirica
3. How were Mitchell and Dean connected to Nixon?
Mitchell was Nixon's former attorny general, he was also the director of CRP, Dean was a White House councel and he was the first to start to convict Nixon.
4. How were Haldeman and Erlichman connected to Nixon?
Halderman was the White House Chief of Staff and Erlichman was the cheif domestic advisor to the president.
5. What did the following men tell the Senate about Nixon?
a. Dean
Dean to told the Senate that Nixon was deeply involved in the cover up.
b. Butterfield
Butterfield revealed that the president had taped all of his conversations as president.
6. Who was fired or forced to resign in the "massacre"?
In the massacre Richardson, Cox, and Jaworski had to leave office.
7. Why weren't investigators satisified with the transcripts?
The investigaters weren't satisfied with the trascripts because they were eddited, and were not of all of the tapes.
8. What did the tapes reveal?
The tapes confermed that the allagations against Nixon were all true, and that he did try to coverup the break it.
9. Why did Vice President Spiro Agnew resign?
Agnew resigned because he had accepted bribes from engeneering firms while govemer of Maryland.
10. What did the House Judiciary Committee charge President Nixon with?
The house judiciary committee charged Nixon with obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of congress.
11. How did the Watergate scandal create a constitutional crisis?
The Watergate scandal created a constitutional problem because Nixon claimed that they were his personal properaty, and that they were a matter of national security.
NOT IN READING
2. Who was the judge? Why did he hand out maximum sentences?
The judge was John Sirica
3. How were Mitchell and Dean connected to Nixon?
Mitchell was Nixon's former attorny general, he was also the director of CRP, Dean was a White House councel and he was the first to start to convict Nixon.
4. How were Haldeman and Erlichman connected to Nixon?
Halderman was the White House Chief of Staff and Erlichman was the cheif domestic advisor to the president.
5. What did the following men tell the Senate about Nixon?
a. Dean
Dean to told the Senate that Nixon was deeply involved in the cover up.
b. Butterfield
Butterfield revealed that the president had taped all of his conversations as president.
6. Who was fired or forced to resign in the "massacre"?
In the massacre Richardson, Cox, and Jaworski had to leave office.
7. Why weren't investigators satisified with the transcripts?
The investigaters weren't satisfied with the trascripts because they were eddited, and were not of all of the tapes.
8. What did the tapes reveal?
The tapes confermed that the allagations against Nixon were all true, and that he did try to coverup the break it.
9. Why did Vice President Spiro Agnew resign?
Agnew resigned because he had accepted bribes from engeneering firms while govemer of Maryland.
10. What did the House Judiciary Committee charge President Nixon with?
The house judiciary committee charged Nixon with obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of congress.
11. How did the Watergate scandal create a constitutional crisis?
The Watergate scandal created a constitutional problem because Nixon claimed that they were his personal properaty, and that they were a matter of national security.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Women Fight for Equality
Directions: As you read about the rise of a new women’s movement, take notes to explain how each of the following helped to create or advance the movement.
1. Experiences in the workplace
Women's experiences in the workplace caused them to feel like they deserved to work in the same jobs and for the same wages as men, and that they shouldn't be discriminated against in the work place because of their gender
2. Experiences in social activism
Many women involved in social activism were discriminated against even there, so some decided to form small groups that discussed their experiences with discrimination.
3. "Consciousness raising"
Consciousness raising sessions showed women that there were other women that also faced discrimination, and that they were not alone in their plight.
4. Feminism
Feminism was a product of the movement that made women feel that they were equal to men in all ways and deserved to be treated as such.
5. Betty Friedan and The Feminine Mystique
Betty Friedan and the Feminine Mysitque was a magazine that captured the feelings of many discontent women, and helped bring attention to the movement by people who otherwise may have not noticed it, and strengthened the resolve of those who belonged to it.
6. Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Ace of 1964 not only prevented racial discrimination, but also prevented that of gender, allowing many women to get jobs and be payed better.
7. National Organization for Women (NOW)
The National Organization for Women promoted women's advancement through things such as daycare facilities which allowed women to do things outside of the house, as well as pushing for equal working rights.
8. Gloria Steinem and Ms. Magazine
Gloria Steinem formed a political group for women who were running for political office, she also formed Ms. Magazine, which organized protests and also showed people that women writers could write about more than trivial things.
9. Congress
Congress passed a ban on using gender discrimination in educational programs or any activities that were government founded.
10. Supreme Court
The Supreme Court decided on Roe vs Wade on the matter of abortion, however this issue is still not resolved to this day.
11. The Equal rights Amendment would have guaranteed equal rights under the law, regardless of gender. Who opposed this amendment? Why?
The Equal Rights Amendment was opposed by Phyllis Schafly because she felt that it would cause women to experience the bad things men got as well as the good such as the draft, an end to homemakers care, an end to the husband providing for the family, and same sex marriage.
1. Experiences in the workplace
Women's experiences in the workplace caused them to feel like they deserved to work in the same jobs and for the same wages as men, and that they shouldn't be discriminated against in the work place because of their gender
2. Experiences in social activism
Many women involved in social activism were discriminated against even there, so some decided to form small groups that discussed their experiences with discrimination.
3. "Consciousness raising"
Consciousness raising sessions showed women that there were other women that also faced discrimination, and that they were not alone in their plight.
4. Feminism
Feminism was a product of the movement that made women feel that they were equal to men in all ways and deserved to be treated as such.
5. Betty Friedan and The Feminine Mystique
Betty Friedan and the Feminine Mysitque was a magazine that captured the feelings of many discontent women, and helped bring attention to the movement by people who otherwise may have not noticed it, and strengthened the resolve of those who belonged to it.
6. Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Ace of 1964 not only prevented racial discrimination, but also prevented that of gender, allowing many women to get jobs and be payed better.
7. National Organization for Women (NOW)
The National Organization for Women promoted women's advancement through things such as daycare facilities which allowed women to do things outside of the house, as well as pushing for equal working rights.
8. Gloria Steinem and Ms. Magazine
Gloria Steinem formed a political group for women who were running for political office, she also formed Ms. Magazine, which organized protests and also showed people that women writers could write about more than trivial things.
9. Congress
Congress passed a ban on using gender discrimination in educational programs or any activities that were government founded.
10. Supreme Court
The Supreme Court decided on Roe vs Wade on the matter of abortion, however this issue is still not resolved to this day.
11. The Equal rights Amendment would have guaranteed equal rights under the law, regardless of gender. Who opposed this amendment? Why?
The Equal Rights Amendment was opposed by Phyllis Schafly because she felt that it would cause women to experience the bad things men got as well as the good such as the draft, an end to homemakers care, an end to the husband providing for the family, and same sex marriage.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Why did the USA lose the Vietnam War?
Why did the USA lose the Vietnam War?
The Americans did not lose purely for military reasons. There were other factors as well.
Write an explanation AND cite a source which shows the importance of the following six factors:
1. US military tactics in Vietnam
These military tactics caused many acts of inhumanity that shocked the American public. For example, the My Lai massacre. These caused the public to wonder what was actually happening in Vietnam, and if it was worth it. Also, the tactics were less effective in the jungle conditions in Vietnam, then that of the Vietcong, which were more suited for fighting in the confusing conditions of the dense jungle.
2. The unpopularity of the South Vietnamese regime
The South Vietnamese regime was very corrupt, and treated its people horribly, so much so that there were monks that burned themselves in protest to the intolerance of their religion. This caused the South Vietnamese at large to dislike their government, thus making them partial to the North. Furthermore, US public did not approve of the actions of the South Vietnamese government, lowering public opinion in support of the war.
3. The experience of the Viet Cong and the inexperience of the American soldiers
The soldiers in the Vietcong had to fight the entire war, making most, if not all of them veterans, and also had less of a chance to return home and influence public opinion. The US troops on the other hand cycled once a year, just as the troops were becoming accustomed to the war and also were able to come home and influence the public opinion again the war by sharing stories.
4. Domestic opposition to the war in the U.S.
The domestic opposition against the war in the US played a very large part in ending the war. First, there were extremely large antiwar protests, and second, most of the protesters were the young men who were scheduled to be drafted and go and fight in the war, making them unmotivated to fight, and want to fight the draft even harder. Finally, some refused to go to the war all together, and had to be arrested.
5. Chinese and Soviet support for the Viet Cong
The Chinese and Soviet support for the Vietcong gave them access to state of the art supplies from the Soviets, that while they were not as good as the American's, definitely helped them keep from being completely being overwhelmed by the American superior technology. As well as providing for the support of nuclear weapons support.
6. 'But did they really lose?' Summarize the argument put forward in Source 57, and your view on it.
The US did not actually loose the war for a few reasons. First the US left, the South Vietnamese lost afterwards, and the only reason the US left was public opinion, not military defeats. So, in essence I do agree with Source 57, but that does not mean agree with the war, just that there was no loose on the US's part. Also, it was not a war from the US's standpoint, just an 'armed conflict', so the US technically could not loose anyway.
Add other if you think there are factors you should consider.
The Americans did not lose purely for military reasons. There were other factors as well.
Write an explanation AND cite a source which shows the importance of the following six factors:
1. US military tactics in Vietnam
These military tactics caused many acts of inhumanity that shocked the American public. For example, the My Lai massacre. These caused the public to wonder what was actually happening in Vietnam, and if it was worth it. Also, the tactics were less effective in the jungle conditions in Vietnam, then that of the Vietcong, which were more suited for fighting in the confusing conditions of the dense jungle.
2. The unpopularity of the South Vietnamese regime
The South Vietnamese regime was very corrupt, and treated its people horribly, so much so that there were monks that burned themselves in protest to the intolerance of their religion. This caused the South Vietnamese at large to dislike their government, thus making them partial to the North. Furthermore, US public did not approve of the actions of the South Vietnamese government, lowering public opinion in support of the war.
3. The experience of the Viet Cong and the inexperience of the American soldiers
The soldiers in the Vietcong had to fight the entire war, making most, if not all of them veterans, and also had less of a chance to return home and influence public opinion. The US troops on the other hand cycled once a year, just as the troops were becoming accustomed to the war and also were able to come home and influence the public opinion again the war by sharing stories.
4. Domestic opposition to the war in the U.S.
The domestic opposition against the war in the US played a very large part in ending the war. First, there were extremely large antiwar protests, and second, most of the protesters were the young men who were scheduled to be drafted and go and fight in the war, making them unmotivated to fight, and want to fight the draft even harder. Finally, some refused to go to the war all together, and had to be arrested.
5. Chinese and Soviet support for the Viet Cong
The Chinese and Soviet support for the Vietcong gave them access to state of the art supplies from the Soviets, that while they were not as good as the American's, definitely helped them keep from being completely being overwhelmed by the American superior technology. As well as providing for the support of nuclear weapons support.
6. 'But did they really lose?' Summarize the argument put forward in Source 57, and your view on it.
The US did not actually loose the war for a few reasons. First the US left, the South Vietnamese lost afterwards, and the only reason the US left was public opinion, not military defeats. So, in essence I do agree with Source 57, but that does not mean agree with the war, just that there was no loose on the US's part. Also, it was not a war from the US's standpoint, just an 'armed conflict', so the US technically could not loose anyway.
Add other if you think there are factors you should consider.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Vietnam War Opposition
You are an opponent of American involvement in Vietnam. Use the evidence in this chapter to begin formulating ideas to make a poster or a leaflet putting forward your views. You will work on this in class on Friday. You can include stories and images from pages 353-61. However, you must also include an explanation that will convince the supporters of containment that the policy is not working in Vietnam. OPTIONAL: Instead of opposing the war, you can support it. Feel free to make a COUNTER-ARGUMENT that the war is necessary to contain Communism.
1. Note all of the reasons why you feel the war in Vietnam is wrong.
-no reason to be there; let them solve their own problems
-killing millions
-wasting billions of dollars
-isn't morally justified
-far away from the US
-domino effect is absurd
2. Note what you re trying to achieve with this poster. (e.g. to convince people to write to their Congressmen to get the troops out.)
-convince people to vote out congressmen who support the war
-convince people the war is wrong
-get people to join the antiwar movement
-get people to talk to their congressmen about it
3. List possible images for your poster. Think about: background (e.g. destroyed villages); the central image (e.g. picture of a young soldier); whether you will need words to explain your image.
-monks burning themselves; this is what the US backs
-My Lai massacre
-young soldier
-burning forests and villages
-dead bodies
-peace symbol
-south Vietnamese police officer killing the young Vietcong man
4. List some possible slogans for your poster.
-Hey hey LBJ...
-make love not war
-End the War Today
-Stop the Atrocities Now
1. Note all of the reasons why you feel the war in Vietnam is wrong.
-no reason to be there; let them solve their own problems
-killing millions
-wasting billions of dollars
-isn't morally justified
-far away from the US
-domino effect is absurd
2. Note what you re trying to achieve with this poster. (e.g. to convince people to write to their Congressmen to get the troops out.)
-convince people to vote out congressmen who support the war
-convince people the war is wrong
-get people to join the antiwar movement
-get people to talk to their congressmen about it
3. List possible images for your poster. Think about: background (e.g. destroyed villages); the central image (e.g. picture of a young soldier); whether you will need words to explain your image.
-monks burning themselves; this is what the US backs
-My Lai massacre
-young soldier
-burning forests and villages
-dead bodies
-peace symbol
-south Vietnamese police officer killing the young Vietcong man
4. List some possible slogans for your poster.
-Hey hey LBJ...
-make love not war
-End the War Today
-Stop the Atrocities Now
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Vietnam War Turning Points
1. Why was the Tet Offensive a turning point? Explain your answer.
The Tet Offensive was not a turning point. Neither side gained anything from it, in fact both sides probably lost an equivalent amount of man power and resources as a result of it. Furthermore, it did not sway public opinion in the US to thoroughly, and public opinion was what in the end decided the outcome of the war. However it was around the point that Johnson decided that the war could not be won militarily, however his successor, Richard Nixon did not share this belief continued to fight in Vietnam. NOTE: The article does not agree with this but Nixon's own memoirs admit that he tried to end the war with the US in a honorable way, however this was not going to be possible without further involvement in Vietnam.
2. Are Sources 51 and 52 making the same point about the My Lai Massacre?
Sources 52 and 2 do not agree. 51 is opposes the reasons behind the My Lai Massacre, calling it a Nazi thing to do. However, it also says that many of the soldiers did not know what they were doing. Source 52 says that it was not a massacre of people at all, just the killing of pawns who supported a bad idea; communism.
3. Why do you think it took 12 months for
anyone to do anything about the massacre?
It probably took 12 months for anything to be done about the massacre because 1), manny people thought that nothing incredibly inhumane or different from anything else in war had happened, and 2) it was greatly discrediting to the US military and would have enraged many antiwar protesters who were already angry about the war.
4. Why was the massacre so shocking to
the American public?
The massacre was so shocking to the American public because no one thought that the US military would ever do something so evil as to kill around 400 innocent civilians, and it was done by ordinary Americans, many who were drafted into the war. Furthermore, it was the type of thing that they were led to believe that Communists would do, not Americans.
The Tet Offensive was not a turning point. Neither side gained anything from it, in fact both sides probably lost an equivalent amount of man power and resources as a result of it. Furthermore, it did not sway public opinion in the US to thoroughly, and public opinion was what in the end decided the outcome of the war. However it was around the point that Johnson decided that the war could not be won militarily, however his successor, Richard Nixon did not share this belief continued to fight in Vietnam. NOTE: The article does not agree with this but Nixon's own memoirs admit that he tried to end the war with the US in a honorable way, however this was not going to be possible without further involvement in Vietnam.
2. Are Sources 51 and 52 making the same point about the My Lai Massacre?
Sources 52 and 2 do not agree. 51 is opposes the reasons behind the My Lai Massacre, calling it a Nazi thing to do. However, it also says that many of the soldiers did not know what they were doing. Source 52 says that it was not a massacre of people at all, just the killing of pawns who supported a bad idea; communism.
3. Why do you think it took 12 months for
anyone to do anything about the massacre?
It probably took 12 months for anything to be done about the massacre because 1), manny people thought that nothing incredibly inhumane or different from anything else in war had happened, and 2) it was greatly discrediting to the US military and would have enraged many antiwar protesters who were already angry about the war.
4. Why was the massacre so shocking to
the American public?
The massacre was so shocking to the American public because no one thought that the US military would ever do something so evil as to kill around 400 innocent civilians, and it was done by ordinary Americans, many who were drafted into the war. Furthermore, it was the type of thing that they were led to believe that Communists would do, not Americans.
The U.S. struggles against the Communist in Vietnam
1a) Were the armies finely balanced or was the balance strongly weighted to one side or the other?
In size and technological advantage, the US army was heavily superior to that of the Vietcong. However, the Vietcong managed their army and resources much better than the US did, as well as using better tactics for the situation. Thus army wise the US was superior, but in reality they were either balanced, or even tipped in the favor of the Vietcong.
1b) Which quality was most important in determining who won the war? Was one feature so important that being ahead in that area meant that other advantages or disadvantages did not matter?
The one feature that was the most important in determining who won the war was the strategy each side used. The only feature that could come close to having in itself won the war was the way the Vietcong managed to use guerilla tactics to negate the US's advantages in numbers and technology. They did this by evading US forces by retreting, hiding in the Jungle and using tunnel networks.
Stage 3: Explaining your conclusions
The failure of the U.S. army to beat the Communist in Vietnam was the result of its own weaknesses and Viet Cong strengths.
2. Now write up your answer. Use this structure:
a. The U.S. weaknesses were: the anti war movement, and the fact that it tried to fight guerilla tactics with either conventional or inhumane tactics.
b. At the same time, the Communist strengths were:
motivation, the use of good tactics, and the support of the peasants as well as not caring if they used inhumane means to an end.
c. The U.S. forces did have some successes. For example:
They repelled the Tet offensive, they destroyed many Vietcong supply routs, and they did destroy some of the Vietcong tunnels.
d. However, there were some major failures as well. Examples of these were:
Their strategy was terrible, they lost the war in the end, they caused many civilian casualties, and the loss to gain ratio many times was not worth it.
e. The Viet Cong had some major successes, such as:
They were able to fend off the US with significantly less troops, they did not allow the US to gain any North Vietnam land and they did eventually conquer the South.
f. However, they also suffered defeats, for example:
The Tet offensive failed causing a major loss of troops and supplies as well as not gaining any ground, they also were not able to acutely drive the US out, the US chose to leave based on public opinion in the US.
g. If I had to identify one major American weakness, it would be the anti war movement because it demotivated US soldiers, who were mainly draftees that did not want to be there or to fight, caused public opinion in the US to go against the war, made the war seem evil, and caused many to refuse to be drafted, or resist once they were, or flee the country.
h. The key Viet Cong strength the use of guerilla tactics because: It allowed them to avoid direct contact with the superior US forces, and the use of tunnels (a guerilla tactic) allowed them to menuver troops without letting the US know and provided protection from bombing raids, and other assaults, as well as providing a place to retreat that the US could not follow them into.
In size and technological advantage, the US army was heavily superior to that of the Vietcong. However, the Vietcong managed their army and resources much better than the US did, as well as using better tactics for the situation. Thus army wise the US was superior, but in reality they were either balanced, or even tipped in the favor of the Vietcong.
1b) Which quality was most important in determining who won the war? Was one feature so important that being ahead in that area meant that other advantages or disadvantages did not matter?
The one feature that was the most important in determining who won the war was the strategy each side used. The only feature that could come close to having in itself won the war was the way the Vietcong managed to use guerilla tactics to negate the US's advantages in numbers and technology. They did this by evading US forces by retreting, hiding in the Jungle and using tunnel networks.
Stage 3: Explaining your conclusions
The failure of the U.S. army to beat the Communist in Vietnam was the result of its own weaknesses and Viet Cong strengths.
2. Now write up your answer. Use this structure:
a. The U.S. weaknesses were: the anti war movement, and the fact that it tried to fight guerilla tactics with either conventional or inhumane tactics.
b. At the same time, the Communist strengths were:
motivation, the use of good tactics, and the support of the peasants as well as not caring if they used inhumane means to an end.
c. The U.S. forces did have some successes. For example:
They repelled the Tet offensive, they destroyed many Vietcong supply routs, and they did destroy some of the Vietcong tunnels.
d. However, there were some major failures as well. Examples of these were:
Their strategy was terrible, they lost the war in the end, they caused many civilian casualties, and the loss to gain ratio many times was not worth it.
e. The Viet Cong had some major successes, such as:
They were able to fend off the US with significantly less troops, they did not allow the US to gain any North Vietnam land and they did eventually conquer the South.
f. However, they also suffered defeats, for example:
The Tet offensive failed causing a major loss of troops and supplies as well as not gaining any ground, they also were not able to acutely drive the US out, the US chose to leave based on public opinion in the US.
g. If I had to identify one major American weakness, it would be the anti war movement because it demotivated US soldiers, who were mainly draftees that did not want to be there or to fight, caused public opinion in the US to go against the war, made the war seem evil, and caused many to refuse to be drafted, or resist once they were, or flee the country.
h. The key Viet Cong strength the use of guerilla tactics because: It allowed them to avoid direct contact with the superior US forces, and the use of tunnels (a guerilla tactic) allowed them to menuver troops without letting the US know and provided protection from bombing raids, and other assaults, as well as providing a place to retreat that the US could not follow them into.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The U.S. Enters the Vietnam War
1. Many neutral observers in Vietnam were critical of US policy. Explain why.
Many people were critical of US policy because their tactic of opposing the communist North Vietnamis was to back anti-communist governments in South Vietnam, and these were generally corrupt and did not treat the general populace very well. Also, the US did not allow the Vietnamis to have free elections.
2. Explain how US politicians would have defended their policies.
The US politicians would have defended their policies by saying that they were just to stop the spread of communism, they would say that if Vietnam fell, than it would create a domino effect and other South Asian countries would also fall to communism.
3. The following events are not listed in correct date order. Place them in the correct chronological order. (Write the year inside the parenthesis, i.e. (1965). Then note the reason for each U.S. action, and how it brought the U.S. into deeper involvement in Vietnam.
The reasons you can choose from are: No direct involvement; financial support; political involvement; military involvement. Also, note what events triggered the increased involvement.
1954) U.S. stops elections in Vietnam: political involvement.
The US feared that if the people of Vietnam were allowed to have their own elections then they would vote communist, so they refused to allow them to have elections.
(1955) Formation of South Vietnam: political involvement and financial support.
The US needed to support South Vietnam against the communists in the North if it had any chance of containing communism. This meant that the US backed all of the governments in South Vietnam and that it gave financial support to them.
(1960) Viet Cong formed: No direct involvement.
The Viet Cong was a guerrilla force made up of communists from North Vietnam. This forced the US to send military aide to the South in order to counter act this group, at first this was in the form of "advisers"
(1961) Viet Cong attacks on U.S. and South Vietnam bases: military involvement
The Viet Cong attacks on U.S and South Vietnam bases forced the US to respond with immediate military involvement so as to defend the U.S's world standing and its troops already there.
(1962) JFK sends military advisers: military involvement.
The military advisers helped train the military in South Vietnam. This dragged the US farther and farther into the conflict as it became a target and it had obligations to fulfill.
(1962) Number of 'advisers' reaches over 11,500: military involvement.
This caused tensions in Vietnam to soar because there were so many military advisers that it was like a small army was occupying South Vietnam.
(1963) U.S. supports South Vietnam government after army overthrow Diem: financial aid.
This caused the US to have to back yet another corrupt government, as well as continue to give it aide.
(1963) Assassination of JFK - Johnson becomes president: no direct involvement
US policy towards Vietnam under Johnson became much more aggressive and he was ready to act at the slightest provocation.
(1964) Gulf of Tonkin Incident: Military involvement
This caused the US to send 3500 marines to Vietnam.
(1965) U.S. Marines land at Da Nang: military involvement.
This meant that the US was now unofficially involved in a war in Vietnam.
4. Choose two events that you think were critical in getting the U.S. involved in a war in Vietnam. Explain
your choice.
Two events that were critical in getting the U.S involved in the Vietnam war were the assassination of JFK, and the U.S support of South Vietnamis governments. The assassination of JFK caused LBJ to assume the presidency, and he had a much more aggressive stance to the North Vietnamis. He was prepared to go to war at the slightest provocation. The U.S support of the different governments that appeared in South Vietnam caused it to get involved in the war because these governments were hated by the people and thus the North Veitnamis grew bold and support for them grew.
Many people were critical of US policy because their tactic of opposing the communist North Vietnamis was to back anti-communist governments in South Vietnam, and these were generally corrupt and did not treat the general populace very well. Also, the US did not allow the Vietnamis to have free elections.
2. Explain how US politicians would have defended their policies.
The US politicians would have defended their policies by saying that they were just to stop the spread of communism, they would say that if Vietnam fell, than it would create a domino effect and other South Asian countries would also fall to communism.
3. The following events are not listed in correct date order. Place them in the correct chronological order. (Write the year inside the parenthesis, i.e. (1965). Then note the reason for each U.S. action, and how it brought the U.S. into deeper involvement in Vietnam.
The reasons you can choose from are: No direct involvement; financial support; political involvement; military involvement. Also, note what events triggered the increased involvement.
1954) U.S. stops elections in Vietnam: political involvement.
The US feared that if the people of Vietnam were allowed to have their own elections then they would vote communist, so they refused to allow them to have elections.
(1955) Formation of South Vietnam: political involvement and financial support.
The US needed to support South Vietnam against the communists in the North if it had any chance of containing communism. This meant that the US backed all of the governments in South Vietnam and that it gave financial support to them.
(1960) Viet Cong formed: No direct involvement.
The Viet Cong was a guerrilla force made up of communists from North Vietnam. This forced the US to send military aide to the South in order to counter act this group, at first this was in the form of "advisers"
(1961) Viet Cong attacks on U.S. and South Vietnam bases: military involvement
The Viet Cong attacks on U.S and South Vietnam bases forced the US to respond with immediate military involvement so as to defend the U.S's world standing and its troops already there.
(1962) JFK sends military advisers: military involvement.
The military advisers helped train the military in South Vietnam. This dragged the US farther and farther into the conflict as it became a target and it had obligations to fulfill.
(1962) Number of 'advisers' reaches over 11,500: military involvement.
This caused tensions in Vietnam to soar because there were so many military advisers that it was like a small army was occupying South Vietnam.
(1963) U.S. supports South Vietnam government after army overthrow Diem: financial aid.
This caused the US to have to back yet another corrupt government, as well as continue to give it aide.
(1963) Assassination of JFK - Johnson becomes president: no direct involvement
US policy towards Vietnam under Johnson became much more aggressive and he was ready to act at the slightest provocation.
(1964) Gulf of Tonkin Incident: Military involvement
This caused the US to send 3500 marines to Vietnam.
(1965) U.S. Marines land at Da Nang: military involvement.
This meant that the US was now unofficially involved in a war in Vietnam.
4. Choose two events that you think were critical in getting the U.S. involved in a war in Vietnam. Explain
your choice.
Two events that were critical in getting the U.S involved in the Vietnam war were the assassination of JFK, and the U.S support of South Vietnamis governments. The assassination of JFK caused LBJ to assume the presidency, and he had a much more aggressive stance to the North Vietnamis. He was prepared to go to war at the slightest provocation. The U.S support of the different governments that appeared in South Vietnam caused it to get involved in the war because these governments were hated by the people and thus the North Veitnamis grew bold and support for them grew.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Cuban Missile Crisis
1. Kennedy described Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 27 as the darkest days of the crisis. Use the information on page 350 to explain why.
Kennedy described these days as the darkest days of the crisis because on the 24th war was a very real threat; if the Soviet ships attacked the blockade, then there would have been war. The 27th seemed to suggest that there would be no way for the situation to be resolved diplomatically because there would be no way that Kennedy could accept the terms offered.
2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
I think that nuclear war was certainly a possibility during the crisis. If either country decided to take military action to resolve the conflict than nuclear war would have erupted.
3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
Source six is probably an American cartoon. First, it seems to incriminate both leaders as wanting nuclear war, and highlights this danger, the communist society in the USSR probably wouldn't have allowed this. Second, there is an H written on the bombs, not a Russian character.
4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.
To bargain with the US
-tried to get the US to remove missiles in Turkey
-didn't try to hard to get deals done
-would have been very reckless
To test US
-already thought Kennedy was weak
-bad way to do this as it could lead to mutual destruction
To trap US
-could subvert other nations
-very close to US
-not really necessary; more risk than gain, didn't fight to hard to maintain it.
Why did the Soviet Union place nuclear missiles on Cuba?
To get the upper hand in the arms race
-close to US
-balances US installments in Europe and Turkey
-still a chance of retaliation
To defend Cuba
-didn't do it for other satellites
-no reason for nuclear weapons
5. Choose the explanation(s) that you think best fit what you have found out about the crisis. Explain your choice.
I think that the most likely explanation would be that Kruschev was trying to get an upper hand in the arms race. At this point in the race, the US and its allies had missiles placed much closer to the USSR than the USSR did to the US. Also, even if the Americans did not know it, the Soviets would have had no time to respond to an American missile launch, and having missiles in Cuba may have reduced that time. Moreover, short to medium range missiles in Cuba could hit both Washington D.C and New York, meaning that ICBMs were not required to hit at least some of the major cities in the U.S.
Kennedy described these days as the darkest days of the crisis because on the 24th war was a very real threat; if the Soviet ships attacked the blockade, then there would have been war. The 27th seemed to suggest that there would be no way for the situation to be resolved diplomatically because there would be no way that Kennedy could accept the terms offered.
2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
I think that nuclear war was certainly a possibility during the crisis. If either country decided to take military action to resolve the conflict than nuclear war would have erupted.
3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
Source six is probably an American cartoon. First, it seems to incriminate both leaders as wanting nuclear war, and highlights this danger, the communist society in the USSR probably wouldn't have allowed this. Second, there is an H written on the bombs, not a Russian character.
4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.
To bargain with the US
-tried to get the US to remove missiles in Turkey
-didn't try to hard to get deals done
-would have been very reckless
To test US
-already thought Kennedy was weak
-bad way to do this as it could lead to mutual destruction
To trap US
-could subvert other nations
-very close to US
-not really necessary; more risk than gain, didn't fight to hard to maintain it.
Why did the Soviet Union place nuclear missiles on Cuba?
To get the upper hand in the arms race
-close to US
-balances US installments in Europe and Turkey
-still a chance of retaliation
To defend Cuba
-didn't do it for other satellites
-no reason for nuclear weapons
5. Choose the explanation(s) that you think best fit what you have found out about the crisis. Explain your choice.
I think that the most likely explanation would be that Kruschev was trying to get an upper hand in the arms race. At this point in the race, the US and its allies had missiles placed much closer to the USSR than the USSR did to the US. Also, even if the Americans did not know it, the Soviets would have had no time to respond to an American missile launch, and having missiles in Cuba may have reduced that time. Moreover, short to medium range missiles in Cuba could hit both Washington D.C and New York, meaning that ICBMs were not required to hit at least some of the major cities in the U.S.
Monday, April 26, 2010
The U.S. Attempts to Contain Cuba
1. Why was Cuba so important to the United States?
Cuba was important to the United States because it was very close to the US and if it became a communist nation, than the Soviets would be able to use it as a military base. From Cuba they could invade the Southern US, although this was unlikley, but the USSR could use it to influence events in South and Latin America, so that the US would not have full control over them. Cuba could also, and was, used as a sight to house nuclear weapons, weapons that could be used to easily bomb the US without having to be ICBMs, rather short or medium range missiles.
2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
I think that the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than directly invade Cuba because if they lost, the US would not be directly affected beyond taking a little political flak, and the US had successfully done this in other South American countries. Also, the US would not directly involve itself in the war, and thus would not tempt the Soviet Union to do so as well.
3. Why did the invasion fail?
The invasion failed because the rebels were outnumbered almost twenty to one, Castro was well equipped with Soviet technology and the invaders were not as well equipped.
4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
The presence of missiles on Cuba changed the balence of power drasticly. Suddenly, the Soviet Union was able to attack the US with nuclear weapons from a much smaller distance, and the US would still need to send the missiles over the Atlantic. This meant that the Soviets could attack the US more quickly that the Americans could attack them (or so the Americans thought at the time, we now know the Soviets still probably would have had no time to launch their missiles in time), meaning that the Soviets had a very large advantage, and might be able to overcome the threat of mutual destruction because of it.
Cuba was important to the United States because it was very close to the US and if it became a communist nation, than the Soviets would be able to use it as a military base. From Cuba they could invade the Southern US, although this was unlikley, but the USSR could use it to influence events in South and Latin America, so that the US would not have full control over them. Cuba could also, and was, used as a sight to house nuclear weapons, weapons that could be used to easily bomb the US without having to be ICBMs, rather short or medium range missiles.
2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
I think that the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than directly invade Cuba because if they lost, the US would not be directly affected beyond taking a little political flak, and the US had successfully done this in other South American countries. Also, the US would not directly involve itself in the war, and thus would not tempt the Soviet Union to do so as well.
3. Why did the invasion fail?
The invasion failed because the rebels were outnumbered almost twenty to one, Castro was well equipped with Soviet technology and the invaders were not as well equipped.
4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
The presence of missiles on Cuba changed the balence of power drasticly. Suddenly, the Soviet Union was able to attack the US with nuclear weapons from a much smaller distance, and the US would still need to send the missiles over the Atlantic. This meant that the Soviets could attack the US more quickly that the Americans could attack them (or so the Americans thought at the time, we now know the Soviets still probably would have had no time to launch their missiles in time), meaning that the Soviets had a very large advantage, and might be able to overcome the threat of mutual destruction because of it.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The American Dream in the 1950s
1. Baby Boom
This was significant because it vastly increased the population size. It also caused advances in medicine, and the economy (toy sales etc).
2. Dr. Jonas Salk
Dr. Salk developed a vaccine for polio.
3. Interstate Highway System
The Interstate Highway System unified the nation and allowed for one culture to exist across the entire nation. It also allowed people to move farther from cities, caused a decline in the use of public transportation and rail roads, and caused towns away from them to decline.
4. Franchise
Franchise was important because it allowed people to make lots of money easily, and also made workers not have to think, just be part of the system.
5. In a paragraph, describe in detail how Americans spent their leisure time in the 1950s
In the 1950's, people had much more leisure time than before because of advances in transportation, appliances such as washing machines and dryers, and worked less than before as well as getting vacation time. Thus, in 1953, Americans spent $30 billion on leisure products and activities. These included reading, playing and watching sports, television, and in-home projects. People also read more magazines and comic books. Moreover, because of the rise in automobiles and the interstate highways, people went to drive in theaters, as well as driving and maintaining cars.
This was significant because it vastly increased the population size. It also caused advances in medicine, and the economy (toy sales etc).
2. Dr. Jonas Salk
Dr. Salk developed a vaccine for polio.
3. Interstate Highway System
The Interstate Highway System unified the nation and allowed for one culture to exist across the entire nation. It also allowed people to move farther from cities, caused a decline in the use of public transportation and rail roads, and caused towns away from them to decline.
4. Franchise
Franchise was important because it allowed people to make lots of money easily, and also made workers not have to think, just be part of the system.
5. In a paragraph, describe in detail how Americans spent their leisure time in the 1950s
In the 1950's, people had much more leisure time than before because of advances in transportation, appliances such as washing machines and dryers, and worked less than before as well as getting vacation time. Thus, in 1953, Americans spent $30 billion on leisure products and activities. These included reading, playing and watching sports, television, and in-home projects. People also read more magazines and comic books. Moreover, because of the rise in automobiles and the interstate highways, people went to drive in theaters, as well as driving and maintaining cars.
Friday, April 9, 2010
The Arms Race
1. Read Source 12. What methods do you think Dulles had in mind to 'liberate captive peoples' without a war?
Some ways Dulles may have in mind that would liberate 'captive peoples' short of war could be diplomacy, espionage, or overthrowing governments, like in Central and South America.
2. Look at Source 13. Would you agree that the Communist world was encircled? Explain your answer.
I do not agree that the Communist world was encircled, especialy in Asia. I think this because Aisia was predominantly Communist, and only a smal section of it in the far South East belonged to SEATO, which did not pose a threat to the USSR, or China. In the West however, the Communist world was sorounded. Most of Europe blonged to NATO, and most of the Middle East belonged to CENTO. However, the Soviets controlled an equal amount of Eastern Europe through the Warsaw Pact, as was in NATO in the West. So, it is not fair to say that the Communist world was encircled based on the Massive amount of land they controlled, and the fact that their enemies were only in a small perimiter in only small sections of their border.
3. Carefully examine the verticle timeline on page 343. Then look back at Source 12. Do you think the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles might have had in mind?
I do not think that the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles might have had in mind. This is because to use them would most certainly be an act of war, and he specificaly said there were ways to do it without war. On the other hand, he could have meant that there would be no need fo rconventional war if the bombs destroyed the Soviet Union first. However, it is unlikely that Dulles could have known the path that the race for the best bomb was going to take when he made that statment in 1952. Thus, if Dulles ever intended for the further development of nuclear weapons to be a way to liberate nations peacfully, it likly happend after he made this statment.
4. Look at Source 16. What is the Soviet cartoon saying about the U-2 plane?
Source 16 is saying that the U.S is using the U2 as a way to spy on the Soviets, something that the cartoonist obviously saw as wrong judging from the evil looking expression on the face of the American.
5. Read the Factfile on page 344. Explain why the USSR was so angry about the US spy flights.
The USSR was so angry about the US spy flights because it was an invasion of Soviet airspace, President Eisenhower refused to apologise or stop the flights when he was asked to by the Soviets. These things caused the Soviets to feel both threatened and insulted by the United States.
6. How would the USA justify this violation of Soviet territory?
The USA justified this violation of Soviet territory by
7. If the USSR had had U-2 planes, do you think it would have used them? Why?
The USSR would definatly have used U-2 planes if they had had them. They would have used them because they were already using people to spy on the U.S and the jump to planes is not a great one, and would lower the cost of human life on the Soviet Side.
8. Look at Source 17. Why do you think the USA had missiles based in Europe?
The US had missle sites in Europe so that they couldd more easily and quikly defend the European allies as well as respond to Soviet threats more quikly.
9. Define the term 'nuclear deterrent' in not more than 20 words.
Neuclear Deterennt is the idea that if a country has neucleear wepon, another will not attack with nuclear weopns for fear of retaliation.
Some ways Dulles may have in mind that would liberate 'captive peoples' short of war could be diplomacy, espionage, or overthrowing governments, like in Central and South America.
2. Look at Source 13. Would you agree that the Communist world was encircled? Explain your answer.
I do not agree that the Communist world was encircled, especialy in Asia. I think this because Aisia was predominantly Communist, and only a smal section of it in the far South East belonged to SEATO, which did not pose a threat to the USSR, or China. In the West however, the Communist world was sorounded. Most of Europe blonged to NATO, and most of the Middle East belonged to CENTO. However, the Soviets controlled an equal amount of Eastern Europe through the Warsaw Pact, as was in NATO in the West. So, it is not fair to say that the Communist world was encircled based on the Massive amount of land they controlled, and the fact that their enemies were only in a small perimiter in only small sections of their border.
3. Carefully examine the verticle timeline on page 343. Then look back at Source 12. Do you think the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles might have had in mind?
I do not think that the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles might have had in mind. This is because to use them would most certainly be an act of war, and he specificaly said there were ways to do it without war. On the other hand, he could have meant that there would be no need fo rconventional war if the bombs destroyed the Soviet Union first. However, it is unlikely that Dulles could have known the path that the race for the best bomb was going to take when he made that statment in 1952. Thus, if Dulles ever intended for the further development of nuclear weapons to be a way to liberate nations peacfully, it likly happend after he made this statment.
4. Look at Source 16. What is the Soviet cartoon saying about the U-2 plane?
Source 16 is saying that the U.S is using the U2 as a way to spy on the Soviets, something that the cartoonist obviously saw as wrong judging from the evil looking expression on the face of the American.
5. Read the Factfile on page 344. Explain why the USSR was so angry about the US spy flights.
The USSR was so angry about the US spy flights because it was an invasion of Soviet airspace, President Eisenhower refused to apologise or stop the flights when he was asked to by the Soviets. These things caused the Soviets to feel both threatened and insulted by the United States.
6. How would the USA justify this violation of Soviet territory?
The USA justified this violation of Soviet territory by
7. If the USSR had had U-2 planes, do you think it would have used them? Why?
The USSR would definatly have used U-2 planes if they had had them. They would have used them because they were already using people to spy on the U.S and the jump to planes is not a great one, and would lower the cost of human life on the Soviet Side.
8. Look at Source 17. Why do you think the USA had missiles based in Europe?
The US had missle sites in Europe so that they couldd more easily and quikly defend the European allies as well as respond to Soviet threats more quikly.
9. Define the term 'nuclear deterrent' in not more than 20 words.
Neuclear Deterennt is the idea that if a country has neucleear wepon, another will not attack with nuclear weopns for fear of retaliation.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Eisenhower & The Cold War
How did the United States react to the following 7 events, and why?
1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.
The U.S reacted to the Soviet Unions explosion of their first atomic bomb by beginning and winning the race for the Hydrogen bomb. The U.S also implemented programs to help people survive nuclear fallout. It also entered the policy of brinkmanship. The U.S did the first and last listed in order to deter the Soviets from attacking. The programs were implemented because they were supposed to help people survive if the deterrents weren't enough.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
The U.S used the CIA and money lending to the old government counter the new regime. It did this because it feared that without the money from the oil, the new government would ask the Soviet Union for aid.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
The U.S reacted to this by having the CIA train an army and have it invade Guatemala. It did this because it believed the Guatemalan government had Communist sympathies.
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
The U.S did not really react to this, however the U.N did act to stop the fighting. The U.S however did initiate this conflict because it did not give a loan to Egypt, which caused it to nationalize the Suez Canal.
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
The United States did nothing about this, despite the Truman doctrine.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
The U.S responded to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik by rushing to develop its own satellite, and did so at the end of January 1958.
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
The U.S responded to this by saying that they would stop the flight, something that they planed to do any way. However they refused to apologize, and the arms race talks with the Soviet Union were canceled.
1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.
The U.S reacted to the Soviet Unions explosion of their first atomic bomb by beginning and winning the race for the Hydrogen bomb. The U.S also implemented programs to help people survive nuclear fallout. It also entered the policy of brinkmanship. The U.S did the first and last listed in order to deter the Soviets from attacking. The programs were implemented because they were supposed to help people survive if the deterrents weren't enough.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
The U.S used the CIA and money lending to the old government counter the new regime. It did this because it feared that without the money from the oil, the new government would ask the Soviet Union for aid.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
The U.S reacted to this by having the CIA train an army and have it invade Guatemala. It did this because it believed the Guatemalan government had Communist sympathies.
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
The U.S did not really react to this, however the U.N did act to stop the fighting. The U.S however did initiate this conflict because it did not give a loan to Egypt, which caused it to nationalize the Suez Canal.
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
The United States did nothing about this, despite the Truman doctrine.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
The U.S responded to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik by rushing to develop its own satellite, and did so at the end of January 1958.
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
The U.S responded to this by saying that they would stop the flight, something that they planed to do any way. However they refused to apologize, and the arms race talks with the Soviet Union were canceled.
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Red Scare (1950s)
For each term or name, write a concise sentence or two explaining its significance.
1. HUAC
HUAC was an orginazation that investigated people that were suspected of being Communists. It is most famous for its investigation of the movie industry and the Hollywood 10.
2. Blacklist
Blacklist was a list of people who were considered by the government to have a Communist background.
3. Alger Hiss
A man who was accused of spying for the Soviet Union. Too many years had passed for prossecuters to prove his guilt for espionage but he was convicted of purgery. Richard Nixon uesd this case to gain popularity.
4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg
The Rosenbergs were people who were minor activists in the Communist Party in the U.S and were sentenced to death for leaking information to the Soviets on the Atomic Bomb.
5. Joseph McCarthy
Joseph McCarthy was an American Senator who accused many people of being Communists as well as starting many witch hunts against supposed communists. He thought that Communists were taking over the government.
6. McCarthyism
McCarthyism was the accusation of people of being communism with no evidence.
7. In a paragraph, describe the motivations and actions of Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s. What prompted his actions? What did he do? What happened as a result of his actions?
McCarthy's actions were prompted by his desire to retain his seet in the Senate, and saw the nations fear of communism as a way to gain support. He also saw communism as dangeorus to the world and the U.S. Thus, he started accusing people of being communists whithout any evidence, and started McCarthyism. He also insulted and accused many of these people in the Senate floor, so he could not be accused of slander, but still put forth baseless accusations. His actions caused many people to have to take loyalty oaths and undergo investigations. It also caused many people to not want to speak out for fear of this, as well as causing anti-Communism to be the main focus of foreighn policy.
1. HUAC
HUAC was an orginazation that investigated people that were suspected of being Communists. It is most famous for its investigation of the movie industry and the Hollywood 10.
2. Blacklist
Blacklist was a list of people who were considered by the government to have a Communist background.
3. Alger Hiss
A man who was accused of spying for the Soviet Union. Too many years had passed for prossecuters to prove his guilt for espionage but he was convicted of purgery. Richard Nixon uesd this case to gain popularity.
4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg
The Rosenbergs were people who were minor activists in the Communist Party in the U.S and were sentenced to death for leaking information to the Soviets on the Atomic Bomb.
5. Joseph McCarthy
Joseph McCarthy was an American Senator who accused many people of being Communists as well as starting many witch hunts against supposed communists. He thought that Communists were taking over the government.
6. McCarthyism
McCarthyism was the accusation of people of being communism with no evidence.
7. In a paragraph, describe the motivations and actions of Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s. What prompted his actions? What did he do? What happened as a result of his actions?
McCarthy's actions were prompted by his desire to retain his seet in the Senate, and saw the nations fear of communism as a way to gain support. He also saw communism as dangeorus to the world and the U.S. Thus, he started accusing people of being communists whithout any evidence, and started McCarthyism. He also insulted and accused many of these people in the Senate floor, so he could not be accused of slander, but still put forth baseless accusations. His actions caused many people to have to take loyalty oaths and undergo investigations. It also caused many people to not want to speak out for fear of this, as well as causing anti-Communism to be the main focus of foreighn policy.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Korean War Lessons
It is 1952. A new president, Eisenhower, has been elected in the US. Your task is to write a report for him on what lessons the United States can learn from the war. Your report should advise the President on:
the US aims in Korea
how the support of the UN helped
how far the US achieved its aims
whether MacArthur should have been allowed to invade North Korea
why MacArthur was removed
the military and civilian cost of war
Finally, make up your own mind as to whether, on balance, the policy of containment succeeded and then write up your ideas as a balanced report.
The United States partially succeeded on its policy of containment. In the years after WWII, many countries fell to Communism, the most important being China. China's fall to Communism was a great blow to the U.S and its policy of containment; it had always thought that China was one of its major supporters in Asia. The spread of Communism was contained in North Korea however. It was able to push North Korea out of South Korea, which were its goals as stated in the UN. However, MacArther did not follow the strategy, and continued into North Korea against warnings from the UN, and U.S officials. He caused China to enter the war, and caused many civilian and military casualties that were not necessary, as well as loosing all of North Korea again to the Communists anyway. The decision to remove him was a good one, but could have been better if he had been removed after he secured South Korea, and not have been allowed to invade North Korea. This caused casualties that were much larger than one would expect for the actual size of the war; 1.4 million. Granted, the majority of these were Communist casualties (both civilian and military), but the fact remains that the conflict should not have been allowed to reach this level, but was necessary up to the point of attacking North Korea. The lesson to be learned from this is not to trust that enemy militaries are lesser than our own, because the Soviet Union will help them gain modern militaries very quickly. Just as important as the U.S meeting its goal to push North Korea out of South Korea, the U.S also was able to gain support from the UN, and have an American lead the UN forces against North Korea. The U.S was able to do this because it supported the attacked nation, not the attacker. This also proved that the U.S had the support of other Nations in its fight against Communism, which was very important. However, even though the UN forces did help the Americans, the Americans still bore the brunt of the burden in fighting North Korea.
the US aims in Korea
how the support of the UN helped
how far the US achieved its aims
whether MacArthur should have been allowed to invade North Korea
why MacArthur was removed
the military and civilian cost of war
Finally, make up your own mind as to whether, on balance, the policy of containment succeeded and then write up your ideas as a balanced report.
The United States partially succeeded on its policy of containment. In the years after WWII, many countries fell to Communism, the most important being China. China's fall to Communism was a great blow to the U.S and its policy of containment; it had always thought that China was one of its major supporters in Asia. The spread of Communism was contained in North Korea however. It was able to push North Korea out of South Korea, which were its goals as stated in the UN. However, MacArther did not follow the strategy, and continued into North Korea against warnings from the UN, and U.S officials. He caused China to enter the war, and caused many civilian and military casualties that were not necessary, as well as loosing all of North Korea again to the Communists anyway. The decision to remove him was a good one, but could have been better if he had been removed after he secured South Korea, and not have been allowed to invade North Korea. This caused casualties that were much larger than one would expect for the actual size of the war; 1.4 million. Granted, the majority of these were Communist casualties (both civilian and military), but the fact remains that the conflict should not have been allowed to reach this level, but was necessary up to the point of attacking North Korea. The lesson to be learned from this is not to trust that enemy militaries are lesser than our own, because the Soviet Union will help them gain modern militaries very quickly. Just as important as the U.S meeting its goal to push North Korea out of South Korea, the U.S also was able to gain support from the UN, and have an American lead the UN forces against North Korea. The U.S was able to do this because it supported the attacked nation, not the attacker. This also proved that the U.S had the support of other Nations in its fight against Communism, which was very important. However, even though the UN forces did help the Americans, the Americans still bore the brunt of the burden in fighting North Korea.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
War in the Pacific
1. What was the importance of the Battle of Midway?
At the Battle of Midway the American's turned back the Japanese assault there, destroying over 200 Japanese planes, 4 aircraft carriers, and a cursor. Moreover, it marked a turning point in the war in the Pacific because afterwards the Allies, mostly Americans with some Australians, began a campaign of island hoping towards Japan.
2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
The United States adopted the strategy or island hopping. They would advance island by island, slowly pushing the Japanese back towards mainland Japan.
3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
Th Japanese fought so hard on Iwo Jima because it was the only thing that prevented the U.S from attacking the island of Okanawa, the last obstacle before mainland Japan. Also, there were the most defenders on the island than almost anywhere else on Earth, making it very difficult fighting for the Americans.
4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
The Allies believed that Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan because the if fighting for that island was so intense, and the enemy would rather die than surrender there, the fighting for their homeland would be even fiercer.
5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan Project was the project to build the Atomic Bomb, and was done in order to avoid an invasion of Japan.
6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
President Truman decided to drop the atomic bombs on Japan so that millions of Americans would not need to die assaulting Japan.
At the Battle of Midway the American's turned back the Japanese assault there, destroying over 200 Japanese planes, 4 aircraft carriers, and a cursor. Moreover, it marked a turning point in the war in the Pacific because afterwards the Allies, mostly Americans with some Australians, began a campaign of island hoping towards Japan.
2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
The United States adopted the strategy or island hopping. They would advance island by island, slowly pushing the Japanese back towards mainland Japan.
3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
Th Japanese fought so hard on Iwo Jima because it was the only thing that prevented the U.S from attacking the island of Okanawa, the last obstacle before mainland Japan. Also, there were the most defenders on the island than almost anywhere else on Earth, making it very difficult fighting for the Americans.
4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
The Allies believed that Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan because the if fighting for that island was so intense, and the enemy would rather die than surrender there, the fighting for their homeland would be even fiercer.
5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan Project was the project to build the Atomic Bomb, and was done in order to avoid an invasion of Japan.
6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
President Truman decided to drop the atomic bombs on Japan so that millions of Americans would not need to die assaulting Japan.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
War for Europe and North Africa - Part II
6. What was D-Day?
D-Day was an invasion by the Allies accross the English Channel. They specificaly attacked three beaches at Normandy with aroung 3 million troops.There were also paratroopers that attacked the night before as well as a large navel bombardment. This wa the largest land-sea-air operation in recorded history.
7. What happened at the Battle of the Bulge?
At the Battle of the Bulge Hitler tried one last offensive to try and defeat the Allies. His attack formed a bulge into the Allied lines, trying to split the Americans from the British. It lasted for a month and eventualy the Germans were defeted and pushed back. They would never have the resources or men to mount an attack again.
8. What did Allied troops find in Germany?
The Allied troops found the Death Camps in Germany, where thousands of people were kille din each.
9. What happened to Hitler? What happened to F.D. Roosevelt? Who became U.S. President?
Hitler commited suicide after giving one last speach in which he blamed every one else for the war and its failure. F.D.R died shortly into his fourth term as president from a stroke before V-E Day. Harry S. Truman became the next President.
D-Day was an invasion by the Allies accross the English Channel. They specificaly attacked three beaches at Normandy with aroung 3 million troops.There were also paratroopers that attacked the night before as well as a large navel bombardment. This wa the largest land-sea-air operation in recorded history.
7. What happened at the Battle of the Bulge?
At the Battle of the Bulge Hitler tried one last offensive to try and defeat the Allies. His attack formed a bulge into the Allied lines, trying to split the Americans from the British. It lasted for a month and eventualy the Germans were defeted and pushed back. They would never have the resources or men to mount an attack again.
8. What did Allied troops find in Germany?
The Allied troops found the Death Camps in Germany, where thousands of people were kille din each.
9. What happened to Hitler? What happened to F.D. Roosevelt? Who became U.S. President?
Hitler commited suicide after giving one last speach in which he blamed every one else for the war and its failure. F.D.R died shortly into his fourth term as president from a stroke before V-E Day. Harry S. Truman became the next President.
Monday, March 8, 2010
War for Europe & North Africa
1. To what did Roosevelt and Churchill agree early in the war?
Roosevelt and Churchill agreed that the U.S would focus on Hitler before the Pacific because Churchill felt it was more important.
2. Why was winning the Battle of the Atlantic so crucial to the fortunes of the Allies?
Winning the Battle of the Atlantic was so crucial to the Allies because it allowed ships carrying troops and supplies to safely cross the Atlantic. Also they could focus their navel resources elsewhere.
3. Why was the Battle of Stalingrad so important?
The battle of Stalingrad was so important because it marked a turning point in the Eastern Front. During the battle Hitler lost an entire army and because of this any hopes of ever conquering the USSR. Furthermore it opened another front Germany had to defend on against many angry Soviets rather than an easy attack.
4. What happened in the war in North Africa?
In the war in North Africa the Allied armies, predominantly American, went to help the British already their defend against Rommel as well as continue the attack from another side (the west). This allowed the Allies to open another front in order to try to divert some pressure from the Soviet Union, as well as provide a staging ground from which they would be able to attack Sicily, then Italy, and finally Germany from the South if they were able. They weren't but it did also prevent Hitler from focusing all of his troops on the Western Front to defend against D-day once D-day occurred.
5. What happened after the Allies invaded Italy?
After the Allies invaded Italy the Italian people and their king overthrew Mussolini and thought that they had been removed from the war. Unfortunately, the Germans remained in Italy trying to fight off the Allies until close to the end of the war and some very tough and bloody battles were fought there.
Roosevelt and Churchill agreed that the U.S would focus on Hitler before the Pacific because Churchill felt it was more important.
2. Why was winning the Battle of the Atlantic so crucial to the fortunes of the Allies?
Winning the Battle of the Atlantic was so crucial to the Allies because it allowed ships carrying troops and supplies to safely cross the Atlantic. Also they could focus their navel resources elsewhere.
3. Why was the Battle of Stalingrad so important?
The battle of Stalingrad was so important because it marked a turning point in the Eastern Front. During the battle Hitler lost an entire army and because of this any hopes of ever conquering the USSR. Furthermore it opened another front Germany had to defend on against many angry Soviets rather than an easy attack.
4. What happened in the war in North Africa?
In the war in North Africa the Allied armies, predominantly American, went to help the British already their defend against Rommel as well as continue the attack from another side (the west). This allowed the Allies to open another front in order to try to divert some pressure from the Soviet Union, as well as provide a staging ground from which they would be able to attack Sicily, then Italy, and finally Germany from the South if they were able. They weren't but it did also prevent Hitler from focusing all of his troops on the Western Front to defend against D-day once D-day occurred.
5. What happened after the Allies invaded Italy?
After the Allies invaded Italy the Italian people and their king overthrew Mussolini and thought that they had been removed from the war. Unfortunately, the Germans remained in Italy trying to fight off the Allies until close to the end of the war and some very tough and bloody battles were fought there.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Mobilizing for WWII
1. Selective Service System
The Selective Service System provided 10 million men for the war. This helped the U.S be able to fight the war on both fronts.
2. Women
Women did many noncombat positions such as nurses, ambulance drivers, radio operators, electricians, and pilots.
3. Minorities
Around a million and a half men who belonged to minorities joined the army during WWII, and around 75 thousand Japanese American's served as spies in the Pacific.
4. Manufacturers
The automobile plants in the country made vehicles and airplanes for the military. Other factories also made supplies for the military. Shipyards made war boats as well.
5. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)
The OSRD made many improvements in radar and sonar, and most importantly, the Atomic Bomb.
6 Entertainment industry
The entertainment industry made propaganda, and other war movies in order to gain support for the war movement.
7. Office of Price Administration (OPA)
The OPA froze the froze prices domestic goods, raised taxes, and encouraged the buying of war bonds and rationing.
8. War Production Board (WPB)
The WPB transformed the peacetime industries into wartime industries by giving them supplies and money as well as creating drives for materials.
9. Rationing
Rationing was a way to allot goods that were scarce fairly to civilian families, however many of theses goods were sold on the black market anyway.
The Selective Service System provided 10 million men for the war. This helped the U.S be able to fight the war on both fronts.
2. Women
Women did many noncombat positions such as nurses, ambulance drivers, radio operators, electricians, and pilots.
3. Minorities
Around a million and a half men who belonged to minorities joined the army during WWII, and around 75 thousand Japanese American's served as spies in the Pacific.
4. Manufacturers
The automobile plants in the country made vehicles and airplanes for the military. Other factories also made supplies for the military. Shipyards made war boats as well.
5. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)
The OSRD made many improvements in radar and sonar, and most importantly, the Atomic Bomb.
6 Entertainment industry
The entertainment industry made propaganda, and other war movies in order to gain support for the war movement.
7. Office of Price Administration (OPA)
The OPA froze the froze prices domestic goods, raised taxes, and encouraged the buying of war bonds and rationing.
8. War Production Board (WPB)
The WPB transformed the peacetime industries into wartime industries by giving them supplies and money as well as creating drives for materials.
9. Rationing
Rationing was a way to allot goods that were scarce fairly to civilian families, however many of theses goods were sold on the black market anyway.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Japan and U.S. Relations in 1941
Japan and U.S. Relations in 1941
Document A
-Japan should attack south
-going south would bring America, England, the Soviet Union, and Asia to their knees and Japan will have little resistance.
Document B
-America is being encircled by Japan
Document C
-Japan cannot negotiate with America
-Japan is being, and has been oppressed by America
-Japan has been sacrificing for the sake of peace for years
Document D
-Japan is at a crossroads for either destruction or glory
-Japan should support the Emperor and the Military because the owe it to them
Document E
-Japan instigated the war- attacked first
-Japan sought to deceive Americans with talks of peace
-America needs to go to war with Japan
Document A
-Japan should attack south
-going south would bring America, England, the Soviet Union, and Asia to their knees and Japan will have little resistance.
Document B
-America is being encircled by Japan
Document C
-Japan cannot negotiate with America
-Japan is being, and has been oppressed by America
-Japan has been sacrificing for the sake of peace for years
Document D
-Japan is at a crossroads for either destruction or glory
-Japan should support the Emperor and the Military because the owe it to them
Document E
-Japan instigated the war- attacked first
-Japan sought to deceive Americans with talks of peace
-America needs to go to war with Japan
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
1. What did the 1939 Neutrality Act allow? 2. Who were the Axis powers? 3. What did the Lend-Lease Act do? 4. What pledges were contained in the At
1. What did the 1939 Neutrality Act allow?
The 1939 Neutrality Act allowed belligerents to trade with the U.S as long as they payed for and collected the goods themselves.
2. Who were the Axis powers?
The Axis powers were Germany, Italy, and Japan.
3. What did the Lend-Lease Act do?
The Lend-Lease Act allowed the U.S to lend arms to any country whose defense was vital to the U.S.
4. What pledges were contained in the Atlantic Charter?
The pledges contained in the Atlantic Charter were collective security, disarmament, self-determination, economic cooperation and freedom of the seas.
5. Who were the Allies?
The Allies were a group of 26 nations lead by Great Britain, the U.S, France and the Soviet Union.
6. What did the attack at Pearl Harbor do to the U.S. Pacific fleet?
The attack at Pearl Harbor greatly decreased the size of the Pacific fleet. Namely by around 3500 men killed or wounded, and 21 ships including 8 battleships. however three aircraft carriers escaped.
7. Why did Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.?
Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S because the U.S declared war on Japan. However, it is imposible to know exactly why when they did not actually need to do so.
The 1939 Neutrality Act allowed belligerents to trade with the U.S as long as they payed for and collected the goods themselves.
2. Who were the Axis powers?
The Axis powers were Germany, Italy, and Japan.
3. What did the Lend-Lease Act do?
The Lend-Lease Act allowed the U.S to lend arms to any country whose defense was vital to the U.S.
4. What pledges were contained in the Atlantic Charter?
The pledges contained in the Atlantic Charter were collective security, disarmament, self-determination, economic cooperation and freedom of the seas.
5. Who were the Allies?
The Allies were a group of 26 nations lead by Great Britain, the U.S, France and the Soviet Union.
6. What did the attack at Pearl Harbor do to the U.S. Pacific fleet?
The attack at Pearl Harbor greatly decreased the size of the Pacific fleet. Namely by around 3500 men killed or wounded, and 21 ships including 8 battleships. however three aircraft carriers escaped.
7. Why did Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.?
Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S because the U.S declared war on Japan. However, it is imposible to know exactly why when they did not actually need to do so.
Monday, March 1, 2010
"Isolationism" and FDR (1935 - 1941)
1. What were the goals of the isolationists? Why is "isolationism" a misleading term?
The isolationsist wanted to keep America out of future wars in Europe. Isolationism is a misleading word because it seems to suggest compleat isolation but in reality is just millitary isolation.
2. What did some isolationists feel that there was no need for Americans to feel threatened by developments in Europe and Asia?
Some isolationists felt that there was no need to feel threatened by developments in Europe and Asia because the Atlantic and Pacific oceans would prevent America from geting involved in anything across them.
3. What were the purposes of the Nye Committee hearings?
The Nye Committee hearings were hearings that investigated the reasons why America entered the first world war. Nye hoped that they would prevent entry into WWII
4. List two impressions that the Nye Committee hearings created.
The Nye Committee hearings created the impressions that the US entered the war so that componies could gain priffits from it as well as the feeling that big buissines and banks would get them into the second world war.
5. What were the purposes of the Neutrality Acts?
The Neutrality Acts were created to maintain U.S neutrality from the wars by preventing commerce for a little while. However their were many loopholes.
6. List two reasons that some Americans considered Roosevelt's leadership radical and dangerous.
Two reasons that American's felt that Roosevelt's leadership was radical and dangerous were hies attempt to pack the Supreem Court and that he tryed for a third term at president
7. What was "Cash and Carry"?
"Cash and Carry" allowed the U.S to trade with beligerants as long as they payed for and took the goods themselves.
8. Why did President Roosevelt freeze Japanese assets in the United States?
Roosevelt froze Japanese assets in the U.S in order to stop further Japanese agression by denying them resources.
9. What was the purpose of the America First Committee?
The America First Committee was created in order to keep the U.S out of war, while still protecting the U.S from foreighn threat.
The isolationsist wanted to keep America out of future wars in Europe. Isolationism is a misleading word because it seems to suggest compleat isolation but in reality is just millitary isolation.
2. What did some isolationists feel that there was no need for Americans to feel threatened by developments in Europe and Asia?
Some isolationists felt that there was no need to feel threatened by developments in Europe and Asia because the Atlantic and Pacific oceans would prevent America from geting involved in anything across them.
3. What were the purposes of the Nye Committee hearings?
The Nye Committee hearings were hearings that investigated the reasons why America entered the first world war. Nye hoped that they would prevent entry into WWII
4. List two impressions that the Nye Committee hearings created.
The Nye Committee hearings created the impressions that the US entered the war so that componies could gain priffits from it as well as the feeling that big buissines and banks would get them into the second world war.
5. What were the purposes of the Neutrality Acts?
The Neutrality Acts were created to maintain U.S neutrality from the wars by preventing commerce for a little while. However their were many loopholes.
6. List two reasons that some Americans considered Roosevelt's leadership radical and dangerous.
Two reasons that American's felt that Roosevelt's leadership was radical and dangerous were hies attempt to pack the Supreem Court and that he tryed for a third term at president
7. What was "Cash and Carry"?
"Cash and Carry" allowed the U.S to trade with beligerants as long as they payed for and took the goods themselves.
8. Why did President Roosevelt freeze Japanese assets in the United States?
Roosevelt froze Japanese assets in the U.S in order to stop further Japanese agression by denying them resources.
9. What was the purpose of the America First Committee?
The America First Committee was created in order to keep the U.S out of war, while still protecting the U.S from foreighn threat.
Monday, February 22, 2010
World Events Set Stage for Isolationism
1. What was the Japanese reaction to the Treaty of Versailles? (pgs. 4 - 5)
The Japanese were outraged at the treaty of Versailles because the entire conference was very racist against them and they did not gain anything from it. Furthermore, they felt like the other nations did not have any interest in the well being of Japan.
2. Read the pull-out box on page 4 entitled, "Japan Becomes a Great Power." Cite specific evidence Japan was becoming a strong power that rivaled European & American interests. And, why specifically was Japan threatened by U.S. actions?
Japan was becoming a strong power because they began to trade with the rest of the world. Also, they based their banking on the U.S, government and military on Prussia, and their navy on Great Britain. Finally, they won a war with Russia and began to expand their empire into Korea. They felt threatened by the U.S because the U.S began to conquer islands near Japan and they felt like they were to close to Japan.
3. Why was the Washington Naval Conference convened and what was accomplished? (pg. 6) (Note: Japan signs the agreement.)
The Washington Navel Conference was convened to limit the extent of a Navel arms race because of Japan's growing power. The conference limited the size of ships, put a maximum on the number of battle ships, and established an open trade policy with China.
4. The Senate's willingness to ratify the Kellogg-Briand Pact relected two strong and widely held sentiments. What were they? (pgs. 6 - 7)
The two strong and widely held sentiments were the U.S could act militarily in self defense and the U.S did not need to act militarily against those that broke the treaty.
5. Why did Hitler enjoy popular support in Germany for most of the 1930s? Give three reasons. (pgs. 9 - 10)
Hitler enjoyed popular support in Germany for most of the 1930's because he promised and tried to get back Germany's political and territorial status before WW1 as well as helping to get Germany out of its economic depression. Moreover, Hitler was able to put the blame for Germany's humiliation after WWI on different groups to help cement his power. He also restored the pride of many German's.
6. Japan voiced its intentions to invade China for what two reasons? (pg. 10)
Japan voiced its intentions to invade China in order to expand its power and gain raw materials and natural recourses so it didn't have to rely on trade alone for them.
7. Compare the Reichstag fire and the explosion on the Japanese railway in Manchuria. What did they accompllish?
The Reichstag fire and the explosion on the railway in Manchuria were similar because both gave the party that was damaged a reason to advance its goals and both may have been caused by the ones it "hurt" in order to blame the people they didn't like and thus advance their goals.
8. Why was the united States unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930s with a significant military force? (pgs. 11 - 12)
The U.S was unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930s with a significant military force because it had reduced its military from around 3 million troops to less than 3 hundred thousand.
9. Describe the major similarities and differences among liberal democracy, fascism, and socialism. (pg. 8)
The major differences between liberal democracy and fascism and socialism are in a liberal democracy the people control the government and in the other two the government controls everything. Also in fascism and in a democracy the people are allowed to own property, but in socialism the government owns everything. They are similar in that the government does not control every aspect of ones life as in communism. Also, fascism and socialism both generally have dictators or people who act as such.
The Japanese were outraged at the treaty of Versailles because the entire conference was very racist against them and they did not gain anything from it. Furthermore, they felt like the other nations did not have any interest in the well being of Japan.
2. Read the pull-out box on page 4 entitled, "Japan Becomes a Great Power." Cite specific evidence Japan was becoming a strong power that rivaled European & American interests. And, why specifically was Japan threatened by U.S. actions?
Japan was becoming a strong power because they began to trade with the rest of the world. Also, they based their banking on the U.S, government and military on Prussia, and their navy on Great Britain. Finally, they won a war with Russia and began to expand their empire into Korea. They felt threatened by the U.S because the U.S began to conquer islands near Japan and they felt like they were to close to Japan.
3. Why was the Washington Naval Conference convened and what was accomplished? (pg. 6) (Note: Japan signs the agreement.)
The Washington Navel Conference was convened to limit the extent of a Navel arms race because of Japan's growing power. The conference limited the size of ships, put a maximum on the number of battle ships, and established an open trade policy with China.
4. The Senate's willingness to ratify the Kellogg-Briand Pact relected two strong and widely held sentiments. What were they? (pgs. 6 - 7)
The two strong and widely held sentiments were the U.S could act militarily in self defense and the U.S did not need to act militarily against those that broke the treaty.
5. Why did Hitler enjoy popular support in Germany for most of the 1930s? Give three reasons. (pgs. 9 - 10)
Hitler enjoyed popular support in Germany for most of the 1930's because he promised and tried to get back Germany's political and territorial status before WW1 as well as helping to get Germany out of its economic depression. Moreover, Hitler was able to put the blame for Germany's humiliation after WWI on different groups to help cement his power. He also restored the pride of many German's.
6. Japan voiced its intentions to invade China for what two reasons? (pg. 10)
Japan voiced its intentions to invade China in order to expand its power and gain raw materials and natural recourses so it didn't have to rely on trade alone for them.
7. Compare the Reichstag fire and the explosion on the Japanese railway in Manchuria. What did they accompllish?
The Reichstag fire and the explosion on the railway in Manchuria were similar because both gave the party that was damaged a reason to advance its goals and both may have been caused by the ones it "hurt" in order to blame the people they didn't like and thus advance their goals.
8. Why was the united States unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930s with a significant military force? (pgs. 11 - 12)
The U.S was unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930s with a significant military force because it had reduced its military from around 3 million troops to less than 3 hundred thousand.
9. Describe the major similarities and differences among liberal democracy, fascism, and socialism. (pg. 8)
The major differences between liberal democracy and fascism and socialism are in a liberal democracy the people control the government and in the other two the government controls everything. Also in fascism and in a democracy the people are allowed to own property, but in socialism the government owns everything. They are similar in that the government does not control every aspect of ones life as in communism. Also, fascism and socialism both generally have dictators or people who act as such.
Monday, February 8, 2010
New Deal Essay Outline
A strong, well-developed thesis statement that provides a structured framework for an argument.
The nature and scale of the problem facing Roosevelt
The action he took through the 1930s (the "Hows")
The impact of the New Deal on Americans (Successes / Failures / In-betweens)
The reasons for opposition to the New Deal (Counter-argument)
Your own judgement on its success. (To what extent... / with what success...)
Thesis: The New Deal did very little to help solve the Great depression. This is shown throught the unconstitutional laws involved, the packing of the supreem court, and the socialistic ideas involved.
Unconstitutional laws:
-AAA
-NRA
-the laws didn't help because they were not allowed to exist
-the laws violated the constitution, so even if they helped, the hurt citizens in other ways
Packing the Supreem Court:
-grab for power
-limited support for other laws
-showed FDR only wanted more power, and not to help the people
Socialistic ideas:
-wanted to spread wealth, not help all American's, just poor
-could change U.S to communism, more dangorous than the Depression
-socialism deprives rights, and puts many into povorty
Counter-created jobs:
-did create jobs, but they were unnecessary
-also destroyed others ie. in the AAA(less land, less jobs)
-jobs promoted FDR's agendas, not America's needs
The nature and scale of the problem facing Roosevelt
The action he took through the 1930s (the "Hows")
The impact of the New Deal on Americans (Successes / Failures / In-betweens)
The reasons for opposition to the New Deal (Counter-argument)
Your own judgement on its success. (To what extent... / with what success...)
Thesis: The New Deal did very little to help solve the Great depression. This is shown throught the unconstitutional laws involved, the packing of the supreem court, and the socialistic ideas involved.
Unconstitutional laws:
-AAA
-NRA
-the laws didn't help because they were not allowed to exist
-the laws violated the constitution, so even if they helped, the hurt citizens in other ways
Packing the Supreem Court:
-grab for power
-limited support for other laws
-showed FDR only wanted more power, and not to help the people
Socialistic ideas:
-wanted to spread wealth, not help all American's, just poor
-could change U.S to communism, more dangorous than the Depression
-socialism deprives rights, and puts many into povorty
Counter-created jobs:
-did create jobs, but they were unnecessary
-also destroyed others ie. in the AAA(less land, less jobs)
-jobs promoted FDR's agendas, not America's needs
Monday, February 1, 2010
FDR & the New Deal
1. Describe how people struggled to survive during the depression.
People struggled to survive during the depression by creating shantytowns, begged, dug through garbage, whent to soup kitchens and bread lines, moved, familial support.
2. How was what happened to men during the Great Depression different from what happened to women? Children?
Men became brocken by the lack of work, and those that weren't speant post of their time loking for new jobs and manny were unable to cope with not being able to support their families. Some were driven to andon their families all together. Women would do things such as mend clothing and can foods so that their famileis would not not have to spend as much money. Also, they could not find work because many didn't beleive that women should work if their husband was unemployed. Children could not be properly nurished and thus suffered many health problems. Also school years were shortened and some young people left on trains to search for work.
3. Describe the causes and effects (on people) because of the Dust Bowl.
The causes of the dustbowl was over farming because of the large influx of money. The effects were widespread poverty, mass exodus's of people, and a lack of food.
Objective: Summarize the initial steps Franklin D. Roosevelt took to reform banking and finance.
4. What was the New Deal and its three general goals? (The 3 Rs)
The new deal was FDR's way to fix the depresion, its goals were releif for the needy, economic recovery and financial reform.
5. What did Roosevelt do during the Hundred Days?
Roosevelt passed over 15 maajor peices of legislation to start the New deal. Some of these focused on banking.
6. Why were Roosevelt's fireside chats significant?
Roosevelt's fireside chats were significant because it was the first use of the radio by a president to talk to the American people, and many felt as though he were talking directly to them and were prone to listen to what he said and act on it.
7. Describe four significant agencies and/or bills that tightened regulation of banking and finance.
One significant bill that tightened regulation of banking and finance was the Glass-Steagall Act which espablished the FDIC. The FDIC provided federal insurences for banck accounts. Another was the Federal securities act which requiered corporations to report on their stock offerings and be liable to missinterpritation. An agency created was the Securities and Exchange commision which regulated the stock market.
People struggled to survive during the depression by creating shantytowns, begged, dug through garbage, whent to soup kitchens and bread lines, moved, familial support.
2. How was what happened to men during the Great Depression different from what happened to women? Children?
Men became brocken by the lack of work, and those that weren't speant post of their time loking for new jobs and manny were unable to cope with not being able to support their families. Some were driven to andon their families all together. Women would do things such as mend clothing and can foods so that their famileis would not not have to spend as much money. Also, they could not find work because many didn't beleive that women should work if their husband was unemployed. Children could not be properly nurished and thus suffered many health problems. Also school years were shortened and some young people left on trains to search for work.
3. Describe the causes and effects (on people) because of the Dust Bowl.
The causes of the dustbowl was over farming because of the large influx of money. The effects were widespread poverty, mass exodus's of people, and a lack of food.
Objective: Summarize the initial steps Franklin D. Roosevelt took to reform banking and finance.
4. What was the New Deal and its three general goals? (The 3 Rs)
The new deal was FDR's way to fix the depresion, its goals were releif for the needy, economic recovery and financial reform.
5. What did Roosevelt do during the Hundred Days?
Roosevelt passed over 15 maajor peices of legislation to start the New deal. Some of these focused on banking.
6. Why were Roosevelt's fireside chats significant?
Roosevelt's fireside chats were significant because it was the first use of the radio by a president to talk to the American people, and many felt as though he were talking directly to them and were prone to listen to what he said and act on it.
7. Describe four significant agencies and/or bills that tightened regulation of banking and finance.
One significant bill that tightened regulation of banking and finance was the Glass-Steagall Act which espablished the FDIC. The FDIC provided federal insurences for banck accounts. Another was the Federal securities act which requiered corporations to report on their stock offerings and be liable to missinterpritation. An agency created was the Securities and Exchange commision which regulated the stock market.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Causes of the Great Depression Outline
To what extent was the Wall Street Crash a cause of the Great Depression of 1929? Support your argument with specific examples.
The wall street crash was one of four major causes of the Great Depression. The other three being agricultural failures, industrial failures, and foreign tariffs.
Stock Market Crash
-people loose money
-can't pay off debts
-no spending
Agricultural Failures
-farmers buy many farm implements
-demand for farming suddenly drops after WW1
-don't make money and can't pay off debts
Industrial Failures
-demand goes down
-industries make less money
-people get laid off and wages don't increase
-no spending
Foreign Tariffs
-prevent American businesses from exporting
-people are laid off because companies aren't making money
-economy becomes stagnant ie, no spending
The wall street crash was one of four major causes of the Great Depression. The other three being agricultural failures, industrial failures, and foreign tariffs.
Stock Market Crash
-people loose money
-can't pay off debts
-no spending
Agricultural Failures
-farmers buy many farm implements
-demand for farming suddenly drops after WW1
-don't make money and can't pay off debts
Industrial Failures
-demand goes down
-industries make less money
-people get laid off and wages don't increase
-no spending
Foreign Tariffs
-prevent American businesses from exporting
-people are laid off because companies aren't making money
-economy becomes stagnant ie, no spending
Monday, January 25, 2010
Causes & Early Effects of the Great Depression
1. What happened on "Black Tuesday"?
On Black Tuesday the stock market crashed and people began to sell all their stocks before prices dropped even lower. People were stuck with debt and with nothing to repay it, and others lost all of their savings.
2. How did the economic trends of the 1920s in industry, agriculture, and with consumers help cause the Great Depression? (Make sure you include significant details about each area in your answer. It should be at least a paragraph)
The economic trends of the 1920s in industry helped cause the great depression because many industries were not preforming well. There were some that during the war had done very well, and now were no longer needed, and others that just were not doing well. The agriculture helped cause the Great Depression because people did not need as much food after the war, and prices dropped significantly. Consumers helped cause the Depression because they did not have enough money to spend on goods and prices were increasing.
3. According to your reading, what are the major causes of the Great Depression?
The major causes of the Great Depression were over production, low wages, paying with credit, and lack of consumption.
4. What was Hoover’s philosophy of government?
Hoover's philosophy of government was that it should cause cooperation between competing groups in society. In other words that the government should make compromises for the groups that argued.
5. What was Hoover’s initial reaction to the stock market crash of 1929?
Hoover's initial reaction to the stock market crash of 1929 was to try to get the leaders in the American economy to try to work together and keep wages and such at there current place and demand no more or less of them, this didn't help. He also created the Hoover Dam which did somewhat help the economy.
6. What was the nation’s economic situation in 1930?
In 1930 the nation's economy was shrinking, unemployment was increasing, the number of homeless was rising, and shantytowns were popping up everywhere.
7. How did voters in 1930 respond to this situation?
Voters responded to this in 1930 by voting the Republicans out of Congress and voting anti-Hoover Democrats in.
8. What did Hoover do about the economic situation?
Hoover supported and helped create many cooperatives, and started to intervene directly in the form of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act, the Glass-Steagle Banking Act, and the Reconstruction Finance Corporation.
9. How did the economy respond to his efforts?
The economy did not respond at all to his efforts and if anything, kept getting worse than it already was.
On Black Tuesday the stock market crashed and people began to sell all their stocks before prices dropped even lower. People were stuck with debt and with nothing to repay it, and others lost all of their savings.
2. How did the economic trends of the 1920s in industry, agriculture, and with consumers help cause the Great Depression? (Make sure you include significant details about each area in your answer. It should be at least a paragraph)
The economic trends of the 1920s in industry helped cause the great depression because many industries were not preforming well. There were some that during the war had done very well, and now were no longer needed, and others that just were not doing well. The agriculture helped cause the Great Depression because people did not need as much food after the war, and prices dropped significantly. Consumers helped cause the Depression because they did not have enough money to spend on goods and prices were increasing.
3. According to your reading, what are the major causes of the Great Depression?
The major causes of the Great Depression were over production, low wages, paying with credit, and lack of consumption.
4. What was Hoover’s philosophy of government?
Hoover's philosophy of government was that it should cause cooperation between competing groups in society. In other words that the government should make compromises for the groups that argued.
5. What was Hoover’s initial reaction to the stock market crash of 1929?
Hoover's initial reaction to the stock market crash of 1929 was to try to get the leaders in the American economy to try to work together and keep wages and such at there current place and demand no more or less of them, this didn't help. He also created the Hoover Dam which did somewhat help the economy.
6. What was the nation’s economic situation in 1930?
In 1930 the nation's economy was shrinking, unemployment was increasing, the number of homeless was rising, and shantytowns were popping up everywhere.
7. How did voters in 1930 respond to this situation?
Voters responded to this in 1930 by voting the Republicans out of Congress and voting anti-Hoover Democrats in.
8. What did Hoover do about the economic situation?
Hoover supported and helped create many cooperatives, and started to intervene directly in the form of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act, the Glass-Steagle Banking Act, and the Reconstruction Finance Corporation.
9. How did the economy respond to his efforts?
The economy did not respond at all to his efforts and if anything, kept getting worse than it already was.
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Twenties Woman
1. Note two ways women's fashions changed.
Two ways woman's fashions changed were they wore shorter skirts and had shorter hair as well.
2. Note two ways women's social behavior changed.
Women also becasme much more asseritive, and also tried to be equal within marriage.
3. Note two words that describe the attitude reflected by these changes.
Two words that describe the attitude reflectid by these changes are rebelious and free.
4. Note one way women's work opportunities improved.
Women's work opportunities improved because they now were able to work as clerks and had other opportunities to be payed to work thhey didn't have before.
5. Note two ways women's home and family life improved.
Two ways women's home and family life improved were the many new inventions that allowed them to do houshold jobs easyer, and were able to do more things they wanted to do, such as spend time with their children.
6. Note three negative effects that accompanied women's changing roles in the 1920s.
Three negative effects that accompanied women's changing roles in the 1920's were rebellious teens, patterns of discrimination in the buisiness world were established and double standereds were set for women's behavior.
Two ways woman's fashions changed were they wore shorter skirts and had shorter hair as well.
2. Note two ways women's social behavior changed.
Women also becasme much more asseritive, and also tried to be equal within marriage.
3. Note two words that describe the attitude reflected by these changes.
Two words that describe the attitude reflectid by these changes are rebelious and free.
4. Note one way women's work opportunities improved.
Women's work opportunities improved because they now were able to work as clerks and had other opportunities to be payed to work thhey didn't have before.
5. Note two ways women's home and family life improved.
Two ways women's home and family life improved were the many new inventions that allowed them to do houshold jobs easyer, and were able to do more things they wanted to do, such as spend time with their children.
6. Note three negative effects that accompanied women's changing roles in the 1920s.
Three negative effects that accompanied women's changing roles in the 1920's were rebellious teens, patterns of discrimination in the buisiness world were established and double standereds were set for women's behavior.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Prohibition and the Scopes Trial
Do you think the passage of the Volstead Act and the ruling in the Scopes trial represented genuine triumphs for traditional values? Think About:
The Scopes trial was not a genuine triumphs for traditional values. For example the Scopes trial did not stop schools from teaching evolution in the future. So, all it did was slow the advance of untraditional values in one state for a short amount of time. Obviously not an advance of the traditional values. Also, the trial wasn't really a trial, it was more of a debate that didn't have an effect on legal issues So all it really did was just kept public opinion and law as it was.
The Volstead Act also was not a true advance for traditional values. All it did was allow the government to arrest people found with alcohol. For example, mobsters imported and bootlegged alcohol that they were able to sell to those who wanted it. Also, doctors were allowed to give alcohol to their patients and would if they wanted it. Furthermore, the government was not able to pay for the officials needed to enforce the job. Thus they could not enforce the Act and there fore it was not a triumph. Finally, the majority of Americans did not like the act, and mostly only women supported it. Therefore it wasn't even based on 'traditional' values, but more on the whims of women trying to prevent there husbands from spending money on alcohol.
• changes in urban life in the 1920s
• the effects of Prohibition
• the legacy of the Scopes trial
The Scopes trial was not a genuine triumphs for traditional values. For example the Scopes trial did not stop schools from teaching evolution in the future. So, all it did was slow the advance of untraditional values in one state for a short amount of time. Obviously not an advance of the traditional values. Also, the trial wasn't really a trial, it was more of a debate that didn't have an effect on legal issues So all it really did was just kept public opinion and law as it was.
The Volstead Act also was not a true advance for traditional values. All it did was allow the government to arrest people found with alcohol. For example, mobsters imported and bootlegged alcohol that they were able to sell to those who wanted it. Also, doctors were allowed to give alcohol to their patients and would if they wanted it. Furthermore, the government was not able to pay for the officials needed to enforce the job. Thus they could not enforce the Act and there fore it was not a triumph. Finally, the majority of Americans did not like the act, and mostly only women supported it. Therefore it wasn't even based on 'traditional' values, but more on the whims of women trying to prevent there husbands from spending money on alcohol.
• changes in urban life in the 1920s
• the effects of Prohibition
• the legacy of the Scopes trial
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Americans Struggle with Postwar Issues
After World War I, many Americans feared that Communists would take over the country.
1. How did the Justice Department under A. Mitchell Palmer respond to this fear?
Palmer responded to the fear by hunting down the communists, anarchists, and socialists in the U.S as well as invading peoples houses to find them. However, he was unsuccessful.
2. Why did Palmer eventually lose his standing with the American public?
Palmer eventually lost his standing with the American people because he didn't get any results and people began to think he was doing it for personal gain.
3. How did the Ku Klux Klan respond to this fear?
The Klan responded to this fear by harassing and killing people that wer unlike them as well as destroying anything they didn't like.
4. Why did the Klan eventually lose popularity and membership?
The Klan eventually lost popularity and membership because of its criminal activities.
5. Briefly describe how Sacco and Vanzetti became victims of the Red Scare.
Sacco and Vanzetti became victims of the Red Scare because a factory paymaster was robbed by two Italians and Sacco and Vanzetti were arrested for it. They provided evidence to their innocence but were sentenced to death by a prejudiced Judge and Jury.
Public opinion turned against labor unions as many Americans came to believe that unions encouraged communism.
6. Why was the strike by Boston police unpopular with the public?
The strike be Boston police was unpopular with the public because they felt that they were unprotected with out the police force seeing as they were on strike.
7. Why did Massachusetts governor Calvin Coolidge become so popular?
Coolidge became so popular because by ending the Boston police strike and stating that striking should never endanger the public people saw him as the protector of Boston. People also saw his actions as stopping the spread of Communism in Massachusetts and the U.S.
8. Why was the strike at U.S. Steel unpopular?
The strike at U.S Steel was unpopular because it was very violent and the strikers were portrayed as Communists.
9. How did President Wilson respond to the steel strike?
Wilson responded to the strike by requesting that the strikers and compony to refrain from violence during a time when America was trying to avoid war.
1. How did the Justice Department under A. Mitchell Palmer respond to this fear?
Palmer responded to the fear by hunting down the communists, anarchists, and socialists in the U.S as well as invading peoples houses to find them. However, he was unsuccessful.
2. Why did Palmer eventually lose his standing with the American public?
Palmer eventually lost his standing with the American people because he didn't get any results and people began to think he was doing it for personal gain.
3. How did the Ku Klux Klan respond to this fear?
The Klan responded to this fear by harassing and killing people that wer unlike them as well as destroying anything they didn't like.
4. Why did the Klan eventually lose popularity and membership?
The Klan eventually lost popularity and membership because of its criminal activities.
5. Briefly describe how Sacco and Vanzetti became victims of the Red Scare.
Sacco and Vanzetti became victims of the Red Scare because a factory paymaster was robbed by two Italians and Sacco and Vanzetti were arrested for it. They provided evidence to their innocence but were sentenced to death by a prejudiced Judge and Jury.
Public opinion turned against labor unions as many Americans came to believe that unions encouraged communism.
6. Why was the strike by Boston police unpopular with the public?
The strike be Boston police was unpopular with the public because they felt that they were unprotected with out the police force seeing as they were on strike.
7. Why did Massachusetts governor Calvin Coolidge become so popular?
Coolidge became so popular because by ending the Boston police strike and stating that striking should never endanger the public people saw him as the protector of Boston. People also saw his actions as stopping the spread of Communism in Massachusetts and the U.S.
8. Why was the strike at U.S. Steel unpopular?
The strike at U.S Steel was unpopular because it was very violent and the strikers were portrayed as Communists.
9. How did President Wilson respond to the steel strike?
Wilson responded to the strike by requesting that the strikers and compony to refrain from violence during a time when America was trying to avoid war.
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