420: Unit 2
History 420: United States, 1861-1941, Winter, 2022-23
Part II: Progressive Era
14. America in the World
READ: Yawp, 82-96; and 420 Docs, 93-100
To what extent do the facts, as reported in Yawp, support the “patriotic views” promoted by Schweichart and Allen? Consider the motives behind American interventions, the methods used and the impact of US involvement in world affairs. Were Americans unanimous in their foreign policy views?
15. Progressive Origins and Ideals. A format did this on Friday. D and C will do it on Monday, Jan. 23
READ 420 Docs, 100-109 (bottom); We will read these in class: 124-125 (Rauschenbusch & Susman)
Use the "phrases" worksheet and your notes to identify the contradictions and tensions in Progressivism. Can these be resolved? As you read the narrative, you will notice it makes several suggestions for doing further exploration. Please follow at least one of these suggestions using a library database. Consult the relevant libguide on the library website.
16. Progressive Presidents. All of my formats doing this Tuesday, Jan. 24
READ 420 Docs, 110-123 (bottom)
In class we will read Docs, 125-128 & Appendix, "Taft Opens Attack on the Third Party, 1912.
"New Nationalism vs. New Freedom: which best embodies the values of progressivism? To what extent did the progressive presidents live up to the ideals of progressivism? Is Taft a progressive or a conservative? Use primary documents to answer these questions.
17. America in the First World War
READ Yawp, 140-144, 154-157; & Docs, 135-139
How did Wilson applied progressive aims, methods or beliefs to international relations in his proposals for a post-war world?
Note: This unit has been whittled way down from two classes into one shorter unit, focusing on one particular aspect of the war, which has had lasting impact on international relations. There's lot more to know about World War One: the events that led to America's entry, how the government used a combination of propaganda and suppression of dissent to get the the population behind an unpopular cause; Supreme Court rulings on government suppression of free speech; the impact on the home front including race relations, women (they got the vote), government bureaucracies; the flu pandemic; the violent aftermath of the war; and more. I'll talk more about this in class.
18. 1920s: The First Modern Decade? C FORMAT WILL SKIP THIS READING
READ Yawp, 181-185 & 420 Docs, 146-154
Provocation: The culture war is nothing more than enlightened modernism vs bigotry and ignorance.
Monday, Jan 1 for C and D;
Tuesday, Jan 31 for A
20. In class essay.
Tuesday, Jan. 31 for D and C;
Wednesday, Feb. 1 for A