Wilson and continuing tensions and divisions Flashcards
What were existing tensions and divisions within the US exposed by?
Wilson’s Progressive reforms and by the impact of the war ‘over there’ in Europe.
What did these divisions reveal?
The attitudes towards mass immigration, moral standards in society, the position of African-Americans, industrial relations, and attitudes towards US involvement in the war.
What did the European war interrupt?
The flow of immigrants into the US. It also focused attention on the integration, or failure to integrate, of immigrant communities.
Give examples of the divided loyalties with immigration.
There were German-Americans, Irish-Americans and recent immigrants from the Russian Empire.
What were the trade union leaders like Samuel Gompers attitude towards immigration?
They had always tended to oppose unrestricted immigration to avoid jobs and wages being undercut; now these pressures were intensified.
What strong element did Progressivism include?
A strong moral element, as was shown in the energetic campaigning for Prohibition.
What did these moral issues spill over into?
Political and economic tensions - political opposition to US support for Britain and the Allies was influenced by pacifists and women’s leaders, such as Jane Addams.
What happened to African-Americans from 1910?
There were the beginnings of the great northward migration of African-Americans from the South to the urban centres in the North.
What happened to the African-Americans once they moved north?
Many found jobs and joined unions but there was a political and economic backlash, with racial tensions between white and black workers, and the revival of the KKK as a political force.
Why was Wilson beginning to face problems?
- Revival of Republicans after disasters of 1912 (made gains in the 1914 mid-term elections)
- Some of Wilson’s supporters disappointed with the slackening pace of reforms, and with his increased willingness to compromise with business.
- Also criticised for his military interventions in Mexico (the occupation of Vera Cruz in 1914 and General Pershing’s expedition of 1916).
Describe the situation with the allies by the time of the election in November 1916.
- Powerful forces in American society and politics were pulling towards closer and closer economic links with Britain and the Allies.
- Yet equally powerful forces (including the instincts of President Wilson himself) were pulling towards isolationism and neutrality.
Describe Wilson’s peaceful attitude towards the war.
He believed that the US should be a peacemaker and that he himself was the man to mediate a just settlement between warring powers.
What did the British government make clear at the end of 1916?
That Britain was unable to continue financing the war and that American help was vital.
What did the German government announce in early 1917?
That they would resume unrestricted submarine warfare (which would mean sinking neutral American ships on the high seas).
When and what did Wilson’s speech to Congress declare?
2 April 1917 - it marked US entry into the First World War. The era of Wilson the Progressive president was ending; the era of Wilson the World Statesman was beginning.
