The United States involvement in the Vietnam War changed the United States social and political views of society as a whole. America’s beliefs of Communism cost them thousands of lives and ruined thousands of others. The Democratic United States hated Communist nations just as much as most white people hated black people in the early 1900’s. The United States was willing to cut off all political relationships with communist nations. The government had the public’s support until the death total began to rise higher than it was expected to.
The Vietnam War started with President Dwight B. Eisenhower, but it ended four terms later with Richard Nixon. The War was between 1959-1973. President Johnson heightened America’s involvement in the Vietnam War. “To yield to force in Viet-Nam would weaken that confidence, would undermine the independence of many lands,” which was said by Lyndon Johnson in his State of Union Address on January 12, 1966. Johnson and much of America believe in the Domino Theory. Unfortunately, because of Johnson’s political beliefs, and lack of military strategy 58,209 American soldiers died and an estimated 430,000 American soldiers received the posttraumatic stress disorder. This took some men away from his family, and I know this because I don’t know my biological grandfather because of it. Luckily, America voted in a President who planned on getting them out of the war and away from communism. That President was Richard Nixon and his Vietnamization theory. This theory didn’t work either, but Nixon’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) is part of the base of America’s modern-day defense plan. Senator J. William Fulbright was 100% correct when he said, “...We are trying to remake Vietnamese society, a task which certainly cannot be accomplished by force and which probably cannot be accomplished by any means available outsiders...” in The Arrogance of Power. If other politicians actually listened to him the most of the war would have been avoided, and many deaths would not have happened.
Society began questioning its involvement with in the war when the death toll began rising higher than expected. On November 30, 1965 Vietnam Protestors stood outside the White House and demanded that the soldiers be brought home. This was as sign to the government from society that we don’t like what’s going on and it needs to be changed. The significant part about this was that this was before a significant amount of soldiers were dying. In, addition in a comic by Bill Mauldin of the Chicago Sun Times drew a man walking blindfolded up a ladder with a sign that said “ESCALATE! There is no substitute for victory”. That man was the government’s strategy. While another man had his head in a box holding a sign that said “REPENT Asia is none of our business”. That man of American society. If researchers looked all through out history whatever public wanted to do the government did the opposite when following the ideals of the public was the solution. The public has the solution to everything. In a way, the American public is smarter than the people in office, because the American public is wiser than the government. If politicians paid any attention to a simple comic. Millions of dollars would not have been owed and thousands of lives would have been saved. It’s ironic how a simple comic could have changed the world.
The Vietnam War was the climax of the Cold War. After the government realized that couldn’t contain communism they decided to back off. Communism began to fade from their conscious. In present-day communism doesn’t phase anyone. I think that if another dictatorship like Adolph Hitler came into affect then there would another war similar to the Vietnam War.
April 26, 2007
April 22, 2007
Containment in the Cold War
Immediately following World War II another type of war, known as the Cold War came about. The Cold War was a period of conflict and competition between the United States, the Soviet Union, and their allies. The primary reason for the start of the Cold War was the fact that the US was a democracy and that the Soviets was communist. The US did all in its power to contain the spread of communism. They did this by having containment in Europe and Asia.
The Soviets were in control of Eastern Europe. This part of Europe was called the Soviet Bloc which consisted of East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, Albania, Romania, and Yugoslavia. George Kennan introduced the idea of containment on communism to the US in order to prevent the it from spreading. The US did this by creating North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Truman Doctrine, and Marshall’s Plan. NATO was a group of Eastern European countries and the United States who agreed that if the Soviet Union were to attack any member of the group that the other members would all attack the Soviet Union. This became NATO vs. the USSR, which were two groups who had Nuclear weapons. The Truman Doctrine provided $400 million dollars to Greece and Turkey to prevent communist from overthrowing the government. The Marshall Plan was a plan to divide $12 billion dollars evenly between the United States’ primary economic partners in order to restore their fallen economy. John Foster Dulles didn’t believe that this was enough and thought that communism should be destroyed all together. He believed that brinkmanship and massive retaliation was enough.
Even though the United States were successful in containing communism in the Western Europe they still had other parts of the world to protect. Asia was a primary part. The US tried to intervene in the Chinese Civil War, Korean War, and Vietnam War. The Chinese Civil War was between the anti-communist and the communist. The US tried to send over $12 million dollars to the anti-communist, but by that time the communist had won. At the end of WW2, Korea divided into North and South Korea. The Soviets occupying the North while the Americans occupied the South. The North tried to invade and conquer the South which was unsuccessful and started a war. Despite back and forth battles the War ended in a stalemate. During the Vietnam War the American soldiers tried to teach South Vietnamese to fight, or Vietnamization in order for the American soldiers to leave. However, because of the Tet offensive the US was forced to withdraw permanently.
The Cold War lasted 50 years. Overall, the Cold War seemed purposeless. Atomic bombs and space travel were some useful things that came out of the war. Everything else seemed pointless. If the US and the Soviet Union actually talked to each other like adults maybe the Korean and Vietnam War could have been prevented. Millions of lives might not have been killed. If the Cold War never happened the World would be different today.
The Soviets were in control of Eastern Europe. This part of Europe was called the Soviet Bloc which consisted of East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, Albania, Romania, and Yugoslavia. George Kennan introduced the idea of containment on communism to the US in order to prevent the it from spreading. The US did this by creating North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Truman Doctrine, and Marshall’s Plan. NATO was a group of Eastern European countries and the United States who agreed that if the Soviet Union were to attack any member of the group that the other members would all attack the Soviet Union. This became NATO vs. the USSR, which were two groups who had Nuclear weapons. The Truman Doctrine provided $400 million dollars to Greece and Turkey to prevent communist from overthrowing the government. The Marshall Plan was a plan to divide $12 billion dollars evenly between the United States’ primary economic partners in order to restore their fallen economy. John Foster Dulles didn’t believe that this was enough and thought that communism should be destroyed all together. He believed that brinkmanship and massive retaliation was enough.
Even though the United States were successful in containing communism in the Western Europe they still had other parts of the world to protect. Asia was a primary part. The US tried to intervene in the Chinese Civil War, Korean War, and Vietnam War. The Chinese Civil War was between the anti-communist and the communist. The US tried to send over $12 million dollars to the anti-communist, but by that time the communist had won. At the end of WW2, Korea divided into North and South Korea. The Soviets occupying the North while the Americans occupied the South. The North tried to invade and conquer the South which was unsuccessful and started a war. Despite back and forth battles the War ended in a stalemate. During the Vietnam War the American soldiers tried to teach South Vietnamese to fight, or Vietnamization in order for the American soldiers to leave. However, because of the Tet offensive the US was forced to withdraw permanently.
The Cold War lasted 50 years. Overall, the Cold War seemed purposeless. Atomic bombs and space travel were some useful things that came out of the war. Everything else seemed pointless. If the US and the Soviet Union actually talked to each other like adults maybe the Korean and Vietnam War could have been prevented. Millions of lives might not have been killed. If the Cold War never happened the World would be different today.
April 14, 2007
Racism Lives On
Racism in the United States between World War I through the 1960’s was common. African-Americans had voting and desegregation rights, but these rights were unfairly used especially in the South. Even though slavery ending in President Lincoln’s term, African-Americans were still brutally punished by racist White Americans. In addition, some Americans helped one another when they wrongly treated African-Americans.
In the southern half of the United States voting-rights were given to African-Americans, however they were rarely able to use it. This was because the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) threatened them through lynching. In 1965 in Mississippi 6% of the total African-American population was voting. This reveals how powerful the KKK was. Ignorant African-Americans still aren’t voting, but for another reason. They believe that their vote didn’t count. This idea is completely false and is foolish. In addition, segregation in schools stopped because of the trial Brown vs. Board of Education. In Mississippi in 1964 0% of schools were desegregated. However, prestigious schools such as Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, MIT are predominately populated by White Americans. Unfortunately, African-Americans who are qualified to get into those don’t get in and the less qualified white American does get in.
Despite slavery being over many African-Americans were still physically abused by White Americans. In 1960 some African-Americans arranged a sit-in which included some White Americans. Sadly, food and drinks were poured on the African-Americans but not the White-Americans. The group known as the KKK was a prime example of physical abuse. They lynched thousands of African-Americans. In 1916 White Americans burned Jesse Washington. The next day some White observers of the tragedy snickered and laughed at what happened. Another example of this was the lynching of Emmett Till. The murderers still haven’t gone to trial for the death.
In 1919 a Chicago police officer named Daniel Callahan refused to arrest a white man named George Stuber who killed a 13-year-old black boy named Eugene Williams. A mob of 50 men chased Callahan until he was able to call for back up to help him. This was unjust, because Callahan knew Stuber had killed Williams, but didn’t do anything about it. If Williams had killed Stuber then Callahan might have either arrested Williams or killed Williams himself, because he’s a racist. Some White Americans are cognizant of interaction between White Americans and African-Americans. Especially African-American men and white women. An example of this was the situation with Emmett Till. He supposedly whistled at a White and his punishment was death. That proved this idea of White Americans being cognizant of African-Americans.
Racism in the United States was still common even after slavery. Presently voting-rights and desegregation isn’t a problem. Wrongful treatment of African-Americans is still a factor. Physical abuse is no longer a problem, but verbal abuse is. A radio-host named Don Imus called the Rutgers Women's basketball team a "bunch of nappy-headed hoes.” Unfortunately this racism is still a problem amongst society.
In the southern half of the United States voting-rights were given to African-Americans, however they were rarely able to use it. This was because the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) threatened them through lynching. In 1965 in Mississippi 6% of the total African-American population was voting. This reveals how powerful the KKK was. Ignorant African-Americans still aren’t voting, but for another reason. They believe that their vote didn’t count. This idea is completely false and is foolish. In addition, segregation in schools stopped because of the trial Brown vs. Board of Education. In Mississippi in 1964 0% of schools were desegregated. However, prestigious schools such as Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, MIT are predominately populated by White Americans. Unfortunately, African-Americans who are qualified to get into those don’t get in and the less qualified white American does get in.
Despite slavery being over many African-Americans were still physically abused by White Americans. In 1960 some African-Americans arranged a sit-in which included some White Americans. Sadly, food and drinks were poured on the African-Americans but not the White-Americans. The group known as the KKK was a prime example of physical abuse. They lynched thousands of African-Americans. In 1916 White Americans burned Jesse Washington. The next day some White observers of the tragedy snickered and laughed at what happened. Another example of this was the lynching of Emmett Till. The murderers still haven’t gone to trial for the death.
In 1919 a Chicago police officer named Daniel Callahan refused to arrest a white man named George Stuber who killed a 13-year-old black boy named Eugene Williams. A mob of 50 men chased Callahan until he was able to call for back up to help him. This was unjust, because Callahan knew Stuber had killed Williams, but didn’t do anything about it. If Williams had killed Stuber then Callahan might have either arrested Williams or killed Williams himself, because he’s a racist. Some White Americans are cognizant of interaction between White Americans and African-Americans. Especially African-American men and white women. An example of this was the situation with Emmett Till. He supposedly whistled at a White and his punishment was death. That proved this idea of White Americans being cognizant of African-Americans.
Racism in the United States was still common even after slavery. Presently voting-rights and desegregation isn’t a problem. Wrongful treatment of African-Americans is still a factor. Physical abuse is no longer a problem, but verbal abuse is. A radio-host named Don Imus called the Rutgers Women's basketball team a "bunch of nappy-headed hoes.” Unfortunately this racism is still a problem amongst society.
March 25, 2007
A.P. Test
On May 11, I am expecting what hasn't been on the test so far to be on there. As far as essays and DBQ's go I think they will mainly focus on
- Intervention in World War II
- Containment of Slavery
- The New Deal/FDR
- Jacksonian Democracy
March 18, 2007
Intervention in World War II
During World War II, Germany was slowly but surely conquering neighboring nations. One of the few nations they had yet to control in Europe was Great Britain. President Franklin Roosevelt thought that if Great Britain were to fall Europe would be completely controlled by Germany. However, the Neutrality Acts prevented the US from intervening. The America First Committee (AFC) and Charles Lindbergh tried to prevent the US from entering, let alone intervening in the war. Eventually, President Roosevelt was able to help Great Britain without violating the Neutrality Acts.
The Neutrality Acts had a lot of restrictions on the US from assisting any foreign nation during the war. The Neutrality Act of 1935 forbade the US from selling arms to foreign countries. However, materials needed to make weapons such as steel and oil could be traded. The Neutrality Act of 1936 stopped the US from giving out loans and credit to foreign countries. The Neutrality Act of 1937 restricted oversea traveling. Lastly, the Neutrality Act of 1939 allowed foreigners to but raw materials from the US but only in cash and they had to transport their materials themselves. All four of these Acts put an extreme barrier around all aspects of intervention. However, President Roosevelt was able to work around them.
The America First Committee and Charles Lindbergh tried everything they could to stop President Roosevelt from interfering in the war. The AFC was a large group with about 800,000 members who didn’t support entering or getting involved in World War II. They strongly agreed with every Neutrality Acts. They started a petition to enforce the original Neutrality Act of 1939 because it was amended in 1941. In addition, Charles Lindbergh tried to manipulate people away from the supposed “manipulation” of the government into intervening in the war. Lindbergh believed that the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans would prevent the any nation from going to war with the US. However, this assumption is false. If Germany conquered Great Britain Germany would have had control of the Atlantic Ocean. Then Germany could have attacked the US from the east then had Japan attack from the west.
President Roosevelt was able to come up with three policies to help Great Britain without breaking the Neutrality Acts. The “Cash and Carry” policy allowed any foreign country to by weapons from the US as long as they paid with cash and transported it themselves. This mainly helped Great Britain because the controlled the sea. The “Lend-lease” policy gave Britain credit for supplies, and it cancelled out the “Cash and Carry” policy. This actually broke the Neutrality Act of 1936 because the US was indeed giving out loans. The “Destroyers for Bases” policy gave Britain 50 US Navy destroyers in return to establish military bases on British-controlled Caribbean Islands. This was a much needed asset, because many British ships were being sunk by German submarines.
Overall, even though President Roosevelt had many obstacles in his path he was able to maneuver his way around them. Germany had two things that could have helped them succeed. The Neutrality Acts would have helped, but President Roosevelt was able to work around them. In addition, the America First Committee and Charles Lindbergh would have helped, but they didn’t. Germany’s effort in trying to control all of Europe came to a halt with President Roosevelt’s three policies.
The Neutrality Acts had a lot of restrictions on the US from assisting any foreign nation during the war. The Neutrality Act of 1935 forbade the US from selling arms to foreign countries. However, materials needed to make weapons such as steel and oil could be traded. The Neutrality Act of 1936 stopped the US from giving out loans and credit to foreign countries. The Neutrality Act of 1937 restricted oversea traveling. Lastly, the Neutrality Act of 1939 allowed foreigners to but raw materials from the US but only in cash and they had to transport their materials themselves. All four of these Acts put an extreme barrier around all aspects of intervention. However, President Roosevelt was able to work around them.
The America First Committee and Charles Lindbergh tried everything they could to stop President Roosevelt from interfering in the war. The AFC was a large group with about 800,000 members who didn’t support entering or getting involved in World War II. They strongly agreed with every Neutrality Acts. They started a petition to enforce the original Neutrality Act of 1939 because it was amended in 1941. In addition, Charles Lindbergh tried to manipulate people away from the supposed “manipulation” of the government into intervening in the war. Lindbergh believed that the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans would prevent the any nation from going to war with the US. However, this assumption is false. If Germany conquered Great Britain Germany would have had control of the Atlantic Ocean. Then Germany could have attacked the US from the east then had Japan attack from the west.
President Roosevelt was able to come up with three policies to help Great Britain without breaking the Neutrality Acts. The “Cash and Carry” policy allowed any foreign country to by weapons from the US as long as they paid with cash and transported it themselves. This mainly helped Great Britain because the controlled the sea. The “Lend-lease” policy gave Britain credit for supplies, and it cancelled out the “Cash and Carry” policy. This actually broke the Neutrality Act of 1936 because the US was indeed giving out loans. The “Destroyers for Bases” policy gave Britain 50 US Navy destroyers in return to establish military bases on British-controlled Caribbean Islands. This was a much needed asset, because many British ships were being sunk by German submarines.
Overall, even though President Roosevelt had many obstacles in his path he was able to maneuver his way around them. Germany had two things that could have helped them succeed. The Neutrality Acts would have helped, but President Roosevelt was able to work around them. In addition, the America First Committee and Charles Lindbergh would have helped, but they didn’t. Germany’s effort in trying to control all of Europe came to a halt with President Roosevelt’s three policies.
February 24, 2007
Roaring Twenties
The United States experienced an extreme cultural change in the 1920’s. This decade was called “The Roaring twenties”, because the US had an economic boom. Some citizen’s like Henry Ford helped increase the economy by creating the automobile, and the assembly line. However, the 1920’s was a period in time where modernism clashed against tradition. Urban vs. rural, religion vs. science, and Americans vs. communism (the red scare) are examples of this.
As the US entered the 1920’s modern urban communities and traditional rural communities clashed. Rural areas thought that all urban areas were places of sin. This was mainly because of alcohol, gangs, and “inappropriate” dressed women. Liquor was made illegal because of the ratification of the 18th amendment. It was made illegal, because crime and death rates increased during the beginning of the 1920’s. Al Capone of Chicago ran an infamous gang which scared numerous people. In addition, urban women were called flappers because they wore dresses with higher hemlines, drank alcohol, and smoked cigarettes. This angered traditional women.
Another clash was science vs. religion. All traditionalist believed in the word of God over anything else. However, modernist proved that that could be wrong. Traditionalist believed that in order to survive you have to believe in God. A man named Darrow taught his student’s Darwin’s theory of evolution. Darwin’s theory supports that life is based on the survival of the fittest. Darrow was eventually arrested and trailed for teaching the theory against state law. The ironic part of the trial was that the jury ruled Darrow guilty, but the verdict was overturned
Many Americans got scared after the success of the Russian Revolution. Many were afraid that communism might eventually spread to the United States. This became known as the red scare. Practically all Americans became afraid of immigrants fearing they might introduce communism to the American way of life. Many of these Americans call themselves the 100 percenters, which meant they had no affiliation with anyone who was foreign to the US. In addition, the KKK reemerged except not only causing terror to African-Americans they caused terror to all foreigners. The US passed four acts that would limit the amount of total immigrants per year. A major incident regarding immigrants was the Sacco-Vinzetti trail. This was about two Italian men were arrested and convicted of murder. Even though there was inconclusive evidence the two men were executed.
Overall, the Roaring Twenties was good and bad. The US experienced an economic boom. New technologies were created such as: television, sound movies, automobiles, and the assembly line. However, modernism clashed with tradition. Urban vs. rural, religion vs. science, and Americans vs. communism (the red scare) are examples of this.
As the US entered the 1920’s modern urban communities and traditional rural communities clashed. Rural areas thought that all urban areas were places of sin. This was mainly because of alcohol, gangs, and “inappropriate” dressed women. Liquor was made illegal because of the ratification of the 18th amendment. It was made illegal, because crime and death rates increased during the beginning of the 1920’s. Al Capone of Chicago ran an infamous gang which scared numerous people. In addition, urban women were called flappers because they wore dresses with higher hemlines, drank alcohol, and smoked cigarettes. This angered traditional women.
Another clash was science vs. religion. All traditionalist believed in the word of God over anything else. However, modernist proved that that could be wrong. Traditionalist believed that in order to survive you have to believe in God. A man named Darrow taught his student’s Darwin’s theory of evolution. Darwin’s theory supports that life is based on the survival of the fittest. Darrow was eventually arrested and trailed for teaching the theory against state law. The ironic part of the trial was that the jury ruled Darrow guilty, but the verdict was overturned
Many Americans got scared after the success of the Russian Revolution. Many were afraid that communism might eventually spread to the United States. This became known as the red scare. Practically all Americans became afraid of immigrants fearing they might introduce communism to the American way of life. Many of these Americans call themselves the 100 percenters, which meant they had no affiliation with anyone who was foreign to the US. In addition, the KKK reemerged except not only causing terror to African-Americans they caused terror to all foreigners. The US passed four acts that would limit the amount of total immigrants per year. A major incident regarding immigrants was the Sacco-Vinzetti trail. This was about two Italian men were arrested and convicted of murder. Even though there was inconclusive evidence the two men were executed.
Overall, the Roaring Twenties was good and bad. The US experienced an economic boom. New technologies were created such as: television, sound movies, automobiles, and the assembly line. However, modernism clashed with tradition. Urban vs. rural, religion vs. science, and Americans vs. communism (the red scare) are examples of this.
February 17, 2007
DBQ
World War I began and ended with the United States. Even though the United States officially entered the war two years after the war began the United States were still somewhat involved. The Americans could have said that they were neutral and convinced themselves that they were neutral, but in actuality they weren’t. There were specific and events general events that lead up to the US entering the war.
Some specific events involving the United States proved that they weren’t neutral. Those events were the use of German U-boats, the sinking of the Lusitania, the Sussex pledge, the Zimmerman note, and the Russian Revolution. While the US was trading with the Allies German U-boats sunk the Lusitania, an American ship. This caused tension between the US and Germany, which resulted in the Sussex pledge. Another factor Arthur Zimmerman promising lost land to Mexico from the United States, and Russia preserving Democracy in the Russian Revolution.
There were three factors that tried to prove that the US were neutral. those acts were: not lending money, British blockage, and William Jennings Bryan’s resigning. A US policy mandated that the US would not lend any money to the Allies nor Central Powers. Unfortunately this policy was broken once J.P. Morgan loaned money to France who was on the Allies side. Another factor was British blockage. The British seized any and all ships that they thought would be carrying contraband to the Central Powers. The US declared that in violation of the international shipping law. This was because the US wanted to trade with everyone. William Jennings Bryan resigned because he was afraid that the United States would enter the war. He knew that German U-boats, the Zimmerman note, and J.P. Morgan’s three billion dollars would force the US into war.
Hugo Munsterburg from Harvard University claimed that, “By permitting this new interpretation the United States practically supports the starving out policy of the Allies...” This is true because the United States were close to the Allies. An example of this was J.P. Morgan giving France three billion dollars. The United States had problems against Germany and the Central powers. When Germany resumed using U-boats the United States entered the war. Many events proved that the US was indeed not neutral, however they tried to do things that proved that they were.
Once World War I began the United States had nothing to do with it. They declared themselves neutral because of the fact that they didn’t have anything to do with the war. The United States were too involved with most of the warring countries prior to the war. In addition, there were too many events involving the United States with the warring countries. This lead up to the United States entering World War I.
Some specific events involving the United States proved that they weren’t neutral. Those events were the use of German U-boats, the sinking of the Lusitania, the Sussex pledge, the Zimmerman note, and the Russian Revolution. While the US was trading with the Allies German U-boats sunk the Lusitania, an American ship. This caused tension between the US and Germany, which resulted in the Sussex pledge. Another factor Arthur Zimmerman promising lost land to Mexico from the United States, and Russia preserving Democracy in the Russian Revolution.
There were three factors that tried to prove that the US were neutral. those acts were: not lending money, British blockage, and William Jennings Bryan’s resigning. A US policy mandated that the US would not lend any money to the Allies nor Central Powers. Unfortunately this policy was broken once J.P. Morgan loaned money to France who was on the Allies side. Another factor was British blockage. The British seized any and all ships that they thought would be carrying contraband to the Central Powers. The US declared that in violation of the international shipping law. This was because the US wanted to trade with everyone. William Jennings Bryan resigned because he was afraid that the United States would enter the war. He knew that German U-boats, the Zimmerman note, and J.P. Morgan’s three billion dollars would force the US into war.
Hugo Munsterburg from Harvard University claimed that, “By permitting this new interpretation the United States practically supports the starving out policy of the Allies...” This is true because the United States were close to the Allies. An example of this was J.P. Morgan giving France three billion dollars. The United States had problems against Germany and the Central powers. When Germany resumed using U-boats the United States entered the war. Many events proved that the US was indeed not neutral, however they tried to do things that proved that they were.
Once World War I began the United States had nothing to do with it. They declared themselves neutral because of the fact that they didn’t have anything to do with the war. The United States were too involved with most of the warring countries prior to the war. In addition, there were too many events involving the United States with the warring countries. This lead up to the United States entering World War I.
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