American History - 7 - Essay Example

The United States in World War 1 The Great War began in August 1914 Both Allies and Central powers expected quick victory Weapons had changed drastically from the Napoleonic war But the tactics remained largely the same Combat on the Western Front evolved into trench warfare Casualties in a single battle often numbered into hundreds of thousands President Wilson tried to maintain a policy of neutrality The war transformed the American society as the government grew Wartime labor shortage increased opportunities for everyone 3.

Wartime propaganda Posters were used to spread war propaganda They propagandized the war for a number of purposes The purposes were both general and specific They were used mainly To rebut opposition messages To encourage the purchase of government bonds To ensure compliance with various wartime programs The programs also included food conservation To create support for the warfront They were put in public places 4. The Wartime Industries Board Was central to management of industries during war time Curtailment plans were carried out by agreement Conservation schedules were made by the board Savings in the agricultural implement industry were the most affected Motor vehicles and textile industries were also affected The practices were later seen as costing the consumer more without enriching the producers Lessons were learnt that could be applied to peace time The problem was mainly bringing adjustment of the industrial process Demand was made for vigorous enforcement of all proper measures for suppression of unfair competition Policies for curbing vicious practices were to be supplemented with positive programs 5.

Woman Suffrage Brought forward the concept that it was politics that made America the cradle of democracy Also shows the slow nature that women took to assume equal rights Men believed what they wanted to believe that women did not desire votes In 1916, 38000 women signed petitions to the electors asking for votes There were more women who wanted to vote than there were men willing to grant them the privilege Lax election laws and methods often opened doors for corruption The alleged rejection of suffrage became an indication of an adverse public sentiment Party suffrage endorsement was won after forty eight years of unceasing effort Women fought one of the bravest, strongest battles for the purpose of enfranchisement The inaction of the public gave a mandate for further political evasion of the question Part Two: Essays After reading the chapters, write three essay/discussion questions: 1.

Explain the course of World War one 2. What was to be the basis of a German-Mexican alliance? 3. What lessons for postwar America did Baruch play in the operations of the WIB? From the above list, respond to one of the above questions: 1. Explain the course of World War one The First World War began in August 1914, both the Allies and the Central Powers expected Victory within a matter of weeks, but the war would go on for four years, claiming 10 million lives. In the Napoleonic Wars a century before, opposing armies had fired at one another with muskets across an open field.