Key = Key Vocab Facts Names/Places Quotes
1F – In search of the American Dream: the USA, c1917-1996 - NOTES
The changing political environment, 1917-1980
The quest for civil rights, 1917-1980
Society and culture in change, 1917-1980
The changing quality of life, 1917-1980
State Government – looks after everyday life e.g. property, crime, health and education.
Federal Government – responsible for foreign policy, the military, the economy and federal
employees.
Executive command – President.
Judicial command - Supreme Court.
Legislative command - Congress (State and House of Representatives).
The Declaration of Independence 1776 – what it means to live in the USA.
The American Constitution – conditions about how America should be governed and the rights of its
people.
The Bill of Rights – Amendments made to the American Constitution.
The Democrats c1796
– FDR led the Democrats into a more liberal/ social minded approach with his New Deal
– Social justice advocated
– Civil Rights Act ‘lost the Democrats the southern votes for the next three generations’
- Support from minority groups.
The Republicans c1854
– Originally anti-slavery and popular in the North
– Dominant in the 1920s, believed in lack of government intervention in economics
– After the Civil Rights Act they took a more conservative approach and became more popular in
the South
– They follow traditional ideas of Christianity and believe in strong defence.
Why did Wilson win in 1912 and 1916?
1
,Key = Key Vocab Facts Names/Places Quotes
Wilson was the only Democrat to win between 1896-1932
Theodore Roosevelt created a ‘progressive’ faction of the Republican party, splitting their
1912 votes.
Neutrality in WW1 ideology
Internationalism – no political involvement with other countries, only economic.
Anti -imperialism – to oppose any form of colonialism (1898 American Anti-Imperialist League).
Isolationism – reluctance to act like Europeans ‘old way’ by involving itself in their wars & alliances.
Manifest Destiny 1845 – Americans ‘allowed’ by God to take over any North-American land.
Monroe Doctrine 1823 – If any European country tries to interfere with the Americas, it was an
attack on the USA itself.
Why did America go to War in 1917?
The USA believed the war in Europe was a ‘dispute over the balance of power in the
continent’.
Wilson’s desire for neutrality was impossible as he was still trading with the combatants.
To Allies To Germany
Trade increased with UK + FR from: Trade decreased with Germany* from:
$753 million to $2.75 billion $345 million to $29 million
US banks loaned the allies: US banks loaned Germany:
$2.3 billion $27 million
*due to British blockade of German ports.
USA declared war on Germany on 6th April 1917 due to a ‘growing sense of German
militarism threatening American ideals of a democratic world’.
Zimmerman telegram 25th February 1917 decoded, showed Germany propositioning Mexico
to recover their lost territory of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The telegram also spoke of
the Germany’s intent to ‘begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare’.
What did the War mean for the people in the USA?
Industrial growth – strongest industrial power in the world, war mobilised workers and
production was increased, women and Afro-Americans created new labour sources.
Influenza virus spread rapidly – 700,000 US deaths.
Failure to join League of Nations.
A series of bombings in summer 1919 led to the Red Scare (the wholesale arrest and jailing
of 6000 aliens).
Chicago riots of 1919 (also held in 25 other cities) comprised of shootings and lynching of
black Americans by white Americans for labour competition and scarce housing.
48,909 US soldier deaths, 230,000 wounded.
1917 new immigration law meant a literacy test must be taken to enter the USA.
Women’s suffrage – 19th amendment passed in 1918 , first presidential vote in 1920. Fought
for by NAWSA (National American Woman’s Suffrage Association).
2
, Key = Key Vocab Facts Names/Places Quotes
KKK re-emerged in 1915 due to the ‘Birth of a Nation video’ by 1920 there were 4 million
members.
Booming middle class, traditional views encouraged.
Wilson loss of credibility as he backpedalled on neutrality.
Reduced acceptance of non-WASPS.
What is Europe like post WW1?
Large decrease in male population.
Arable land in France + Belgium ruined by extensive bombing, had to rely on American
agriculture.
Large debts, mainly to USA.
Russian revolution 1917, rise of Communism.
Treaty of Versailles created in 1919.
League of Nations created 1920.
What was American policy between 1920-1928?
Normalcy (Isolation) Intervention
Another major war would disrupt trade and Active support for ‘open-door’ Chinese trading
domestic stability. policy.
US does not join League of Nations. Washington Conference 1921-22*
US never ratifies the Treaty of Versailles despite Offers of humanitarian aid to suffering Soviet-
Pres. Wilson helping write it. Union families in 1923.
Gave more freedom to individual states. 1924 Dawes plan – reduced DEU reparations.
1925 Locarno Pact – boundaries guarantor.
1928 Kellog-Briand Pact – promise to settle
disputes peacefully.
- Washington Conference 1921-22*
The Four Power Treaty – limited navy tonnage of US, UK, JAP, FR & IT.
The Five Power Treaty – ended Anglo-Japanese alliance, instead offering FR, US, UK & JAP
consultation in event of Asian crisis.
The Nine Power Treaty – ‘Open Door Policy’ (system of Chinese trade equal to all countries)
regarded as International law by CHI, BEL, NED, UK, USA, POR, FR, IT & JAP.
Why did the Republicans win the Presidential Elections in 1920?
Big businesses supported the Republicans allowing them to spend four times as much as the
Democrats on their campaign.
Anti-league of Nations feeling.
Democrats were blamed for WW1 (German immigrants refused to vote for them).
Wilson had attacked Irish Immigrants in many speeches, prohibition further isolated the Irish
and Italian voters.
3
1F – In search of the American Dream: the USA, c1917-1996 - NOTES
The changing political environment, 1917-1980
The quest for civil rights, 1917-1980
Society and culture in change, 1917-1980
The changing quality of life, 1917-1980
State Government – looks after everyday life e.g. property, crime, health and education.
Federal Government – responsible for foreign policy, the military, the economy and federal
employees.
Executive command – President.
Judicial command - Supreme Court.
Legislative command - Congress (State and House of Representatives).
The Declaration of Independence 1776 – what it means to live in the USA.
The American Constitution – conditions about how America should be governed and the rights of its
people.
The Bill of Rights – Amendments made to the American Constitution.
The Democrats c1796
– FDR led the Democrats into a more liberal/ social minded approach with his New Deal
– Social justice advocated
– Civil Rights Act ‘lost the Democrats the southern votes for the next three generations’
- Support from minority groups.
The Republicans c1854
– Originally anti-slavery and popular in the North
– Dominant in the 1920s, believed in lack of government intervention in economics
– After the Civil Rights Act they took a more conservative approach and became more popular in
the South
– They follow traditional ideas of Christianity and believe in strong defence.
Why did Wilson win in 1912 and 1916?
1
,Key = Key Vocab Facts Names/Places Quotes
Wilson was the only Democrat to win between 1896-1932
Theodore Roosevelt created a ‘progressive’ faction of the Republican party, splitting their
1912 votes.
Neutrality in WW1 ideology
Internationalism – no political involvement with other countries, only economic.
Anti -imperialism – to oppose any form of colonialism (1898 American Anti-Imperialist League).
Isolationism – reluctance to act like Europeans ‘old way’ by involving itself in their wars & alliances.
Manifest Destiny 1845 – Americans ‘allowed’ by God to take over any North-American land.
Monroe Doctrine 1823 – If any European country tries to interfere with the Americas, it was an
attack on the USA itself.
Why did America go to War in 1917?
The USA believed the war in Europe was a ‘dispute over the balance of power in the
continent’.
Wilson’s desire for neutrality was impossible as he was still trading with the combatants.
To Allies To Germany
Trade increased with UK + FR from: Trade decreased with Germany* from:
$753 million to $2.75 billion $345 million to $29 million
US banks loaned the allies: US banks loaned Germany:
$2.3 billion $27 million
*due to British blockade of German ports.
USA declared war on Germany on 6th April 1917 due to a ‘growing sense of German
militarism threatening American ideals of a democratic world’.
Zimmerman telegram 25th February 1917 decoded, showed Germany propositioning Mexico
to recover their lost territory of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The telegram also spoke of
the Germany’s intent to ‘begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare’.
What did the War mean for the people in the USA?
Industrial growth – strongest industrial power in the world, war mobilised workers and
production was increased, women and Afro-Americans created new labour sources.
Influenza virus spread rapidly – 700,000 US deaths.
Failure to join League of Nations.
A series of bombings in summer 1919 led to the Red Scare (the wholesale arrest and jailing
of 6000 aliens).
Chicago riots of 1919 (also held in 25 other cities) comprised of shootings and lynching of
black Americans by white Americans for labour competition and scarce housing.
48,909 US soldier deaths, 230,000 wounded.
1917 new immigration law meant a literacy test must be taken to enter the USA.
Women’s suffrage – 19th amendment passed in 1918 , first presidential vote in 1920. Fought
for by NAWSA (National American Woman’s Suffrage Association).
2
, Key = Key Vocab Facts Names/Places Quotes
KKK re-emerged in 1915 due to the ‘Birth of a Nation video’ by 1920 there were 4 million
members.
Booming middle class, traditional views encouraged.
Wilson loss of credibility as he backpedalled on neutrality.
Reduced acceptance of non-WASPS.
What is Europe like post WW1?
Large decrease in male population.
Arable land in France + Belgium ruined by extensive bombing, had to rely on American
agriculture.
Large debts, mainly to USA.
Russian revolution 1917, rise of Communism.
Treaty of Versailles created in 1919.
League of Nations created 1920.
What was American policy between 1920-1928?
Normalcy (Isolation) Intervention
Another major war would disrupt trade and Active support for ‘open-door’ Chinese trading
domestic stability. policy.
US does not join League of Nations. Washington Conference 1921-22*
US never ratifies the Treaty of Versailles despite Offers of humanitarian aid to suffering Soviet-
Pres. Wilson helping write it. Union families in 1923.
Gave more freedom to individual states. 1924 Dawes plan – reduced DEU reparations.
1925 Locarno Pact – boundaries guarantor.
1928 Kellog-Briand Pact – promise to settle
disputes peacefully.
- Washington Conference 1921-22*
The Four Power Treaty – limited navy tonnage of US, UK, JAP, FR & IT.
The Five Power Treaty – ended Anglo-Japanese alliance, instead offering FR, US, UK & JAP
consultation in event of Asian crisis.
The Nine Power Treaty – ‘Open Door Policy’ (system of Chinese trade equal to all countries)
regarded as International law by CHI, BEL, NED, UK, USA, POR, FR, IT & JAP.
Why did the Republicans win the Presidential Elections in 1920?
Big businesses supported the Republicans allowing them to spend four times as much as the
Democrats on their campaign.
Anti-league of Nations feeling.
Democrats were blamed for WW1 (German immigrants refused to vote for them).
Wilson had attacked Irish Immigrants in many speeches, prohibition further isolated the Irish
and Italian voters.
3
