History of USA 1.

Lecture 1
02.12.
COUNTRY PROFILE: BASIC DATA & NATIONAL SYMBOLS
Besides your notes taken at the first lecture, you can also consult the following websites in order to fill in any missing information: The
White House, US Department of State, US Department of the Interior, CIA World Factbook, US Census Bureau/American Factfinder,
The PEW Research Center, Encyclopedia Britannica, etc. DO AVOID SOURCES OF UNRELIABLE ACADEMIC CONTENT, SUCH
AS

WIKIPEDIA!

PROCEED

TO THE LINKS

IT OFFERS

TO AMERICAN

GOVERNMENT OR ACADEMIC

WEBSITES!

1. The U.S. is the world's 3. largest country by size and the 3. largest by population.
Territory of the U.S.: 9.8 million square kms _
Its borders and their length: total 12 000 km, CAN 8800 km, MEX 3100 km _
Its length (N-S): ar. 2500 km Its width (E-W): ar. 4300 km _
2. Highest peak/height/location: Mt. McKinley (Alaska) 6000 m; Mt. Whitney (Calif.) 4400 m
Lowest point/depth/location: Death Valley, -86 m _
Largest lake: Lake Superior (shared w Canada)/ Lake Michigan _
Longest river/length: Mississippi, 3766 km _
Natural hazards/locations: tsunamis [western coastline, Pacific Basin]; volcanic activities [mainly western US,
Cascade Arc]; earthquakes [western coastline, Pacific Basin]; hurricanes [Florida, Caribbean, South-East];
tornadoes [Mid-West, The Prairie, Nebraska, Kansas]; mud-slides [California]; forest fires [South-West]; flooding
[eastern part, river systems]; permafrost [Alaska] _
3. Population of the U.S.: 320 million _Growth rate: +0,77% (bc of immigration) _
Fertility rate: 2.01 children/ household _ Life expectancy: 79 (81 w, 77 m) _
Language(s): NO OFFICIAL! English (80%), Spanish (12%), French, Native Am. etc. _
Religions: Christian 78% (Protestant 51%, Rom. Cath. 23%, Mormon), Jewish, Buddhist, Islam etc.
Racial distribution: 77% white; 13% Afro-American; 5% Asian; 1,4% Native American, 3,6% Other --16% Latino mixed from the above _
4. Form of government: federal republic (based on a constitution) _
Current U.S. administration: President/Party Barack Obama, democratic party _
Vice President Joseph R Biden _Secretary of State John F. Kerry _
Secr. of the Treasury Jacob J. Lew _ Secr. of Defense Ashton Carter _

Attorney General Loretta Lynch _Secr. of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson _

Current party system: two-party system Democratic and Republican _
5. Current capital of U.S.: Washington DC _ Previous capital(s): Philadelphia, NYC, etc. (9) _
Number of states: 50+1 (DC) _
13 original colonies/states: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts,
Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island _
Largest state(s): Alaska/ Texas _ Smallest state(s): Rhode Island _
Most populous state(s): California (37 mill) _ Least populous state(s): Wyoming _
Youngest states: Hawaii, Alaska _ Would-be state: Puerto Rico _
Most populous cities: New York City (8 mill), Los Angeles, Chicago _
Dependant territories (min. 5): Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), American Samoa,
Midway Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands _
6. Official symbol of the U.S.: bald eagle _
Popular symbol(s) of the U.S.: Statue of Liberty, Uncle Sam, McDonalds, Coca Cola, The Stars and Stripes
etc. _
The flag: The Stars and Stripes, Old Glory _
Motto(s) of the U.S.: E Pluribus Unum (From many to one); In God We Trust _
National anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner _
The Statue of Liberty: NYC Harbor, Liberty Island, gift from France, a symbol of the US _
National holiday: July 4th, Independence Day _
7. Cultural regions of the U.S. (5 regions): New England, Mid-Atlantic, South, Mid-West (The Prairie), West _
Belts in the U.S. (min. 5): frost/snow belt sun belt; farm/corn/grain/wheat belt -> Mid-West; black belt
(soil) -> Mississippi area; cotton/tobacco/rice belt; rust belt -> northern parts, Great Lakes; Bible belt -> South
East; Jell-O belt/Mormon corridor; gun belt (historically the South West)_

Geographical dimensions:

Period of Settlement along eastern coastline moving slowly to the west

American militarism is based in Indian Wars invasion
The Frontiers Period
the ocean separated the US so it was safer isolation is part of the foreign policy
the country has various climates, weather, soil etc. independence is possible
system of water ways mobility

mass immigration is a defining part of US

conquering America was slow and painful
optimism, always somewhere to go sense of freedom comes from geography
climate:
huge extremes cold and hot winds can enter the country alike
mountains and oceans define climate humid/dry

Lecture 2.
02.19.
COLONIAL AMERICA AND THE FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE
The First Americans
Native Americans (American Indians) even they were immigrants
Ice Age land bridge first tribes arrived from Asia, 8000 years ago
during the 15-16th c., 10 mill natives lived in the Americas, 3 mill were the Northerners
major Southern cultures were Aztec, Mayan, and Inca
there were cultures in the valley of Mississippi, the Cahokia, in the South West the Anasazi
Iroquois the League of the Five Nations lived in federacy in the East
Mound-builders South East the ancestors of many civilized tribes like Cherokees or
Navahos
the Plains Indians were eg. the Dakotas (the buffalo-hunters :D)
Pueblo Indians they were living in cities, similar the Mid and South American cultures
the major tribes never connected, they fought each other, spoke different languages etc.
totem poles, canoes, and tents belonged to three different Indian tribes
isolation from diseases with the appearance of the white people new diseases killed Indians
out of 10 Indians, 9 would die (Typhus, Tuberculosis, Smallpox, Plague, Influenza etc.)
diseases were most of the time quicker to kill Indians than armies
the settlers already found dying villages
(Indians gave us syphilis)
plants/animals from and to America:
paprika, potato, tomato, beans, corn, turkey
most livestock was introduced by Spanish soldiers like cows, horses etc.
importation of African slaves
because of the huge lands that needed farming
the discoveries leaded to drastic changes in the lives of American Indians
What leads to the discoveries?
ships and developments make it possible
French mercantilism, population growth (after the Great Plague), Ottoman expansion, the need to
find a new way to India and China pushes for colonization
Christopher Columbus believed the Earth to be smaller
after 10 weeks on the ocean he arrived at the Bahamas, thinking they reached China, or East
Indies, and he called the people there Indians
(the very first discoverers of America were the Vikings c. 1000, but they couldnt survive the
weather and the Indian attacks proof of the Vikings found in Vinland)
Americas name comes from Amerigo Vespuccis names feminine form
he was the first to assume they found a new land
Columbus was followed by military man, the conquistadors making sure the occupying was final
[Pizzaro, Colorado (found the Grand Canyon).]
everybody was looking for gold, because of the mass amount of it in the Aztec Empire
because of the gold there was an economical imbalance, thus Spanish, Portuguese and
English royal and noble families financed these trips so they would have a share
as a result of explorations European countries were able to lay claim on territories
Sir Walter Raleigh 1587 he established a colony at todays North Carolina, named the colony
Roanoke he started to call the territory Virginia to honor Queen Elizabeth I.
he left settlers there, but three years later they disappeared (Lost Colony)

 potatos import to Europe solved famine, and gave a push to population growth and colonization
Push-factors:
lack of economic opportunities in Europe no lands, huge demand for wool, not enough fields for
sheep new land meant new business opportunities
growing population
fight for markets European markets became crowded
religious motivations protestants, puritans starting a new life (political motivations strongly
belong here) religious freedom
Pull-factors:
Spanish and English colonization style was different
English stayed away from locals
Spanish mixed with them
Colonies were directly linked to motherland in the economical way but indirectly in the political
way
eg. an English colony could only trade with a Spanish colony through the mother country,
and had to pay taxes
Royal colonies great majority of todays US
First was Virginia
Royal governor was the leader, but real power laid with the Assemblies
Proprietary colonies private colonies eg. Pennsylvania by William Penn, he got it
because the King had a debt to his father
London merchants founded Southern explorations and establishments
Plymouth merchants financed Northern explorations and establishments
Beginnings of the US
first success Virginia (London Company)
the goal was to find gold
1607 first ship arrives at Chesapeake Bay, they called their settlement Jamestown (survived)
they were so busy looking for gold, they didnt prepare for winter
of 300 colonies 60 survived the first 2-3 yrs
Powhatan tribe was the neighbor of these settlers and they were violent (Pocahontas)
there was no gold in the East (the first gold-rush was in the 19th century, in California)
they found iron and coal it was the foundation of a great economy
also, tobacco was a very popular product on the European market gave a boost to Southern
colonization it demands a lot of hand-work tropical diseases caused lots of deaths, so the
Americas wasnt really popular Headright system huge land for free or very cheap to
attract settlers from Europe
1619 House of Burgesses the worlds first a...?
shortage of labor need for additional working hands African slaves, Dutch started to bring
them in
the African slaves were skilled people in agriculture (rice, etc.) they contributed to the growth
of American economy (also American Indians didnt make good slaves, they refused to work)
Plymouth merchants wanted to settle a colony in the Northern part pilgrims: radical puritans,
Mayflower, 1620 arrived further North than planned, in North East, Massachusetts, at Cape Cod,
in the beginning of November tough winter, survival is uncertain Mayflower Compact, 1620:
rules for the future community and for the survival

 leader: William Bradford

called non-pilgrims strangers
they met friendly Indians, who helped them survive the first winter they commemorated it in
1621, invited Indians first Thanksgiving
two first colonies (Jamestown and Plymouth Company) compared religious and economic
reasons for colonization already a differentiation between North and South
North: trading, fishing, industry
South: tobacco, cotton, rice plantation

Lecture 3.
02.26.
ONE FROM MANY: A NATION BORN
South Jamestown 1607
North Plymouth Company, Massachusetts
important differences:
the cause of coming to America (religious/economic)
Massachusetts puritans had a lasting effect on the later US
colonies:
the church and the lawful affairs were run by the same people
Roger Williams minister in Salem idea of separation of church and state friend
with Indians, treated them as equals persecuted, escaped to the South, and followed by
others Rhode Island, 1644 Roger Ws ideas will be made here also, complete
religious freedom to anyone
private colonies idea: William Penn belonged to a pacifist sect Quakers Penn got
lots of land in America from the British King (as a payback for his fathers loan to the King)
Philadelphia (brotherly love) many immigrants, famous also for religious tolerance
13 colonies established by 1733, it was Georgia
Tide water area??
Appalachians block mountain westward movement was really slow at the beginning
Wilderness Road Daniel Boone he and his man found a gap in the mountains, 1775
after that, larger communities are able to move westward
New England colonies:
centered on Massachusetts, than New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island real
Yankees
depended on the climate very few chances for agriculture fishing and timber/building
is important shipbuilders started to emerge
Boston is a developed center harbor Trans-Atlantic and Triangular trade
Triangular trade: Massachusetts (distilleries rum) -- Caribbean (sugar cane) West Africa
(slaves) New England colonies become very prosperous
they werent too welcoming to newcomers immigrants mostly from the British Isles
Middle colonies (Mid-Atlantic):
Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware
better soil, better chances for agriculture, weather is milder
trade is central Philadelphia
welcoming to newcomers open to immigrants from all over the world
New York City was a Dutch colony (New Amsterdam Wall Street)

 there were Swedish and German (Pennsylvania Dutch they werent Dutch!) colonies also
active Trans-Atlantic and Inter-American (between colonies) trade
largest cities at the time are here NYC (25 000), Philadelphia (28 000)
Southern colonies:
Maryland, Virginia, North & South Carolina, Georgia
agriculture tobacco, cotton (M,V,NC) and rice (SC,G)
House of Burgesses local representation, election
Trans-Atlantic trade all manufactured goods coming from England
not welcoming of immigrants partly because of slavery, partly because of a conservative
attitude slaves were easy to control whereas newcomers needed a payment etc.
Englandcontrol and trade:
the colonies were controlled by England
smugglers were everywhere
salutary neglect / Let the sleeping dogs lie policy Sir Robert Walpole, 1720s-40s very
typical attitude in trading and politics England didnt really interfere with the colonies inner
politics
other colonies Florida (Spanish), Louisiana (French), Alaska (Russian) etc.
major colonial conflict:
French vs. British over the Great Lakes area ends up in a war French and Indian war,
1754 by 1756 it became a global war, or the Seven Years War ended with the Peace of
Paris, British won they got everything in North-America except New Orleans, also got
Quebec the war exhausted the British treasury harsh, strict taxes were collected from
the colonies Proclamation of 1763 (this was when the war ended) its goal is to stop
westward movement
why did the King wanted to stop it? Britain didnt want another war (with eg.
Spanish) as the treasury was empty a movement to any direction would end up in
war
Sugar Act taxing sugar imports
Stamp Act duties on every piece of paper that had text on
these acts lead to major outrage
no representation without taxation
Stamp Act Congress (1765) with the leadership of Virginia (Georgia didnt attend)
point is to put down in words the dissatisfaction and send to the King the King
decided to withdraw the Stamp Act
Quartering Act making colonies responsible for the stationing of troops, if not
carried out, than the troops would force it
new chancellor Charles Townshend Townshend Duties (1767) major riots
again withdrawing it news to Boston arrived later Boston Massacre (1770)
Samuel Adams was a leading character of these riots
the tax on tea remained monopoly of the British Company 1773, Boston Tea
Party (ruining a shiploads of tea) suspending workers, closing down Boston
Harbor end of livelihood for the colonies
colonies realize that the Kings acts jeopardize their freedom and living First C.
Congress (MAS) starting to organize arms, military British were determined to
stop them
1775 Mas, Lexington and Conroy(?) start of the War of Independence (till 1781)
The War of Independence:
conflict with England and conflict between colonies

brutal war, involving civilians mostly ambush and guerrilla warfare

shifting from traditional war to a war for liberation
conflict between colonies what way to go independence from Britain or not
Second Continental Congress, 1775 functioning as a kind of national government
deciding to set up a Continental Army, with George Washington as a commander (42 yrs.
old, Virginian, slave-holder) sending olive-branch petition to the King, the reaction was a
close-down (blockade) of the entire coastline of the colonies 1776, Thomas Paines
pamphlet Common Sense everything that is right calls for independence
1776, Thomas Jefferson (lawyer, Virginian) wrote a Declaration of Independence 4th of
July Birth of the USA set out the ideas behind the change, claimed that all men had
natural rights (happiness, freedom etc.), all acts should be consulted with the government of
the colonies ideas go back to Enlightening and John Lockes ideas
when they signed the DoI the war was far from order, the outcome was not sure those
who signed the document they risked everything
the army was small and not organized, more like an armed mob
most colonies were not accustomed to obeying rules
Washington asked for foreign consultants Lafayette and a Russian guy
diplomats to the French, to negotiate with the French King for helping them he wasnt
really keen to help, as the colonies werent really successful
the war brought together colonies
first success: Saratoga, 1777 Benjamin Franklin could get the French King to help
French ships, munitions etc. started to pour in the US (Statue of Liberty)
1781, The Battle of Yorktown final battle defeating the British
1783, the Treaty of Paris Great Britain recognizes the independence of American
colonies US got territories (Mississippi Valley at the West)
many British supporter fled from the colonies to GrB or Canada (first bigger English
speaking groups)
the war and the success of the colonies was a shock to Europe
Aftermaths of the War:
the USA was just a term at this time, the people were more loyal to their colonies (even
today theres a very strong sense of allegiances of state)
the direction wasnt clear each state had their own constitution and acted as independent
countries
national governments question nobody wanted a strong central government 1777, the
states decided on the Articles of Confederation, later became official first constitution of
US, loose union, huge degree of independence of the states only national authority is
Congress (no president, no executive, no judicial power these were local)
Confederation
the AoC had the power of but didnt have the power to tax! soon there were problems
with paying back war debts
it had the power to set up a navy and army but didnt have the right to recruit!
1781-89 Critical Period very low reputation, British were laughing need for a
stronger government
bankrupt farmers rebelled in Massachusetts Shays Rebellion convinces many to join
in the state matters again and to work out a way of governing Constitutional , 1787
half a year debate, and a document at the end the Constitution of 1787
got ratified by 1789

Lecture 4.
03.05.
THE WESTWARD MOVEMENT AND THE INDIAN QUESTION
Second constitution oldest constitution in the world Americans believe it to be the best still
1780s is about the Articles of Federation Federal Republic (state and local levels) theres a
federal government, but the states enjoy a kind of individuality
States Rights
system of checks and balances
separate judiciary, no federal judiciary system etc. based on the French revolutions ideas
the Second Constitution creates a bi-cameral system: two senates, and theres also a House of
Representatives according to the population of each state both houses have to accept laws
Judicial Power: US Supreme Court combination: peak and constitutional
the aim is that there wouldnt be tyranny
James Madison (lawyer) was the writer (also wrote Virginia const.) Lockian, Enlightenments
ideas, power branches can check on each other on federal, state and local level as well
two years needed to ratify the Constitution:
anti-federalists support state suvenirity, they wanted individual rights to be inclined,
didnt trust central government
federalists
NYS and Virginia was very important in the ratification agreeing if Bill of Rights is
added
Bill of Rights freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly; right to carry arms; trial, unbiased
jury 27 amendments
the Federal Constitution always comes first even in local problems
Power of judicial review, 1803 Supreme Court has the final decision, could not be questioned
John Marshall serving 34 years as Supreme Court Chief
Tenth amendment anything thats not stated in the Const. can be determined by the states (e.g.
driving license, education, taxes, death penalties etc.)
state vs. federal laws first American political party system the anti-federalists and the
federalists became the first one: Federalists and Democratic-Republicans 1790s
unspoken rule a president cant be in office for more than two terms (4 years is one term)
John Adams presidency saw the first party system emerging John Adams and Alexander
Hamilton (Federalist) vs. Thomas Jefferson (Dem.-Repub.)
soon the differences disappear between the two parties
New England was the center of Federalists but the westward movement changed it leads to the
emerge of DR party DR party ruled for the very long time Era of Good Feelings, 1817-1824
(James Monroe) by the 1810-20s the DR party started to have its own fractions, clashing with
each other Andrew Jackson vs. John Q. Adams split within the DR party, 1829 NationalRepublican party (JQA) vs. Democratic party (todays Democratic party is the oldest party in the
world!)
National-Republican party wasnt successful, so they became the Whig party in the 1830s
major problem westward movement economic differences between US parts, slavery issue
Whigs couldnt hold up by the 1850s a new party the Republicans presidency for a very
long time
stable political system
Western Movement, reaching todays size:

 state rights and federal law had a major conflict, huge differences
after the WoI US territory goes up to the Mississippi line, different nations colonies all around
first thing is to settle Mississippi valley New Orleans is French territory, but leads to the
sea, so its a crucial issue
western movement massive movement
the Prairie and Louisiana was given to the French delegation went to Paris to negotiate
with Napoleon on the matter of Louisiana the Americans bought Louisiana and the whole
Prairie (Middle America!), 1803 DRs were happy as they wanted to expanse
important for keeping out other nations, also for economic reasons
The War of 1812 American expansionists wanted Canada, also, Indian tribes were a problem and
the British supported Indians Washington DC and the center was bombarded down Americans
lose but it brought the specifying of the Canada-US borderline
Florida Indian tribes often raided, slaves escaped from US to Florida Indians used guerilla
technique Andrew Jackson entered Florida, chasing Indians (Seminole tribe lived there)
Jackson invaded Florida, Spanish gave it up, the Adams-Ons Treaty (1819) settled it
US promised Spain the South West (Texas etc.) Mexicans lived there cotton plantations are
important there American immigrants, bringing slaves Mexicans increase taxes Texas
independence (1836, on their own) and applying admission to the US, but wasnt accepted until
1845 because of the slavery issue (US always accepted two states at the time, one slaveholder, one
non-slaver) Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with the US, also borders werent clear
Mexican-American War, 1846-48 Americans invade Mexican cities etc. Americans
leave Mexico after taking them down in Mexico a mixture of Indians and Spanish lived
and America shouldve given them rights, but they didnt wanted to give it them, so they left
South-Western states born of it
in the meantime there was an issue with Britain over Oregon country propaganda so that people
would move to Oregon and outnumber British people there Manifest Destiny (God-given right to
have the West) by the 1840s, Americans outnumbered the British there diplomatic solutions:
Oregon Treaty, 1846 cutting Oregon in half, Washington, Montana, Oregon was born out of it
Gadsden Purchase, 1853 Arizona and New Mexico buying this territory
The US reached its present size by 1850s
purchase of Alaska, 1867 from Russia was seen as a wasteland later oil
by the 1850s they get to the end of the Frontier

Organizing:
the newly bought/linked parts were called territories, not states! acceptance is not automatic
question: old states expand or new states created?
integrating new territories into the US system it was needed, because states had equal rights
Frontier declared closed by the Census Bureau
Lecture 5.
03.12.
THE ISSUE OF SLAVERY AND THE CIVIL WAR
Westward Movement lead to various major crisis
how to handle the Indians peaceful coexistence (noble savages) initial plan was
respecting them, leaving them in peace

 farmers, people who wanted to settle there wasnt very peaceful Indians became
uncivilizable Indians have to yield or disappear separation (not integration
like in Latin-America)
Bureau of Indian Affairs relocating Indians Indian Relocation Act 5
civilized tribes (Cherokees were the most civilized with constitution, alphabet etc.)
Oklahoma = Indian Country the tribes were relocated there Cherokees resisted,
applied to the Supreme Court which said theyre right Cherokees were forced
anyway to todays Georgia Trail of Tears Cherokees had to force walk in the
winter to Georgia thousands died
reservations resistance went on till the end of 19th century, still a question today
The Battle of the Little Big Horn, 1876 one of the last battles of the Indian Wars
Apaches were the last tribes to hold on, Geronimo was their leader (New Mexico,
Arizona part) all of them died as prisoners of war as most Indian tribes were
nomadic tribes, closing them in reservations meant the end of their culture
Ghost Dance movement last of the movement which tried to make Indians to rise
up Wounded Knee Massacre, 1890
nowadays more and more people claim that theyre Indians, it became something to
be proud of
The Civil War
Northern and Southern US developed in very different ways climate, ways of farming
North:
cold weather
small farms
industrial
quickly developing farm belt
South:
warm weather
big plantations, based on slave labor (SE) AND a booming frontier region (SW)
cotton is crucial to the South cotton gin an engine that helps speeding up the
processing of cotton (separating cotton from seeds) 8000 times more cotton could
be produced slavery was needed for cotton producing
slavery and the south economy system was called The Peculiar Institution, and
was popular in use before the Civil War, as calling it slavery was seen improper
Mason-Dixon line: between Pennsylvania (N) and Maryland (S)
cotton was very important at the time it was very dependent on the slavery
South grew economically, but didnt develop they just produced raw cotton and exported
it
protective tariffs its an issue
1832, Nullification Ordinance declares these tariffs uncostitutional
the real issue was the development of North and South
South wasnt a solid block, slave-keepers were a minority, majority was farmers
upper South not typically slave-holding areas
lower South strong interest in slavery and plantation system it was economically
successful
slavery had different types
few slaves, little farm, slaves were like family
hundreds of slaves, huge plantation, sometimes awful circumstances
HOWEVER, slaves had no rights at all!!!

 after the end of Westward movement, the Wests position was a question more like North or
South
first major constitutional crisis:
Missouris joining wanted to join as a slave-holder balance! (see earlier)
Maine was chosen as a counterpart Missouri Compromise, 1820 slavery was
forbidden North of Missouri!
second major crisis:
the problem of territories taken from Mexico California is the first to join
(because of the gold-rush they had the needed population in a year) they wasnt
slave-holders
The Compromise of 1850 ends slave trade in DC; fugitive slaves couldnt flee to
the North; new concept: Popular s California entered as a free state
Free Soilers moved to the Republican party later
Underground Railroad safe-places, safe routes were used to help slaves escape to
Canada, where they couldnt be captured anymore
emancipation movement grows, mainly in the North against slavery because of morals, and
because it held development back abolitionism
most black people lived in the South either on plantations as slaves or in the cities as free people
free women typically worked as maids, nannies, in kitchens
free men learned some trades, like blacksmith or carpenter
1854-59 new territories open up for settlement (Kansas, Nebraska opening) two groups in
Kansas start to fight each other, bleeding Kansas mini Civil War (this lead to the
disappearance of the Weed Party, and the emerging of Free Soilers)
North and South democrats anti-slaverists vs slaverists
some wanted slavery to leave as it is, but dont let to spread, others (like A Lincoln) thought it was
immoral thoroughly, and there should be a conversion of Southern economy into the Northern one
Dred Scott vs. Sandford case, 1857 DS was a slave, and he was moved with his owners to a
Northern state, so he claimed, he is free, but Supreme Court said, he is a property either way
Abraham Lincoln Lincoln-Douglas debates made him famous becomes the presidential
candidate at the next elections Southern states said, that they would leave if he wins
he wins Southern radicals (Fire Eaters) started to rise up, so the Southern states would leave the
US only five states voted to stay (West Virginia was born than) Southern states decide to
make Confederate States of America (CSA), Richmond is the capital, Jefferson Davis is the
president
April, 1861, Charleston, Fort Sumter the federal governments fort, attacked by Southerners
uneven war, North leads, but at the beginning it cannot be seen, the first phase is full of Southern
victories they fought a defensive war, fought for their liberty, they were really committed to the
war, they had the advance of homeland, Northerners opinions were divided, they counted on
European support the longer they fought, the lesser their chances were
South wasnt producing food so they had to import, they were dependent on incoming shipments,
while the North was stable, had its own food, heavy industry, economy blooming, strong enough to
support the westward movement at the same time
South 11 states 9 mill (3,5 million slaves!), no immigrants; 20%; 9000 (miles?
transportation?)
North 23 states 22 mill people, lots of soldiers, and immigrants kept coming; 80%; 22,000
(miles? transportation?)
at first voluntaries, two years later official recruiting
paper money appeared
Southern and Northern soldiers knew each other, so friends fought friends, families were torn etc.

 Lee surrenders to Grant end of the war new period of the USA

Lecture 6.
03.19.
RECONSTRUCTION AND THE GILDED AGE
Civil War:
South was in military advantage, they had enthusiasm
three stages of CW: East Center Western (most important part, because of the food)
areas
largest battle (ever in the US) the battle of Gettysburg, 1863 July, more than 16?000
soldiers dead
the battle of Vicksburg
Norths territories wasnt affected by the war, whereas the South was demolished
creating enthusiasm in the North:
Lincoln knew its crucial
Sept 1862 Emancipation proclamation all slaves were made to be free in the
South freeing slaves without authority gives additional aim to the war
clarifying good and bad guys
preserving union and abolishing slavery are now the main goals
by the end of the CW
it was decided that the US was one nation, not to be separated by any means
slavery ends in the US Jan 1865 Congress votes for the abolishment of slavery
13th amendment speed ratification
immediate consequences of the CW:
terrible destruction, huge numbers of dead (more death than in any other wars fought by the
US)
the American nation crystallized into a solid union

Reconstruction (1865-1877):
bitterness and controversy
attempts to reunite the US shattered nation, different views in the South and North
North inflicts humiliation and revenge on the South
North: the only way to reconstruct the nation is a strict control of the South, determined to stop the
South creating another situation like the one which lead to CW
vicious tyranny in the South, conservative program
by 1877 black Americans were once again abandoned and second class citizens
negotiations were hard to come by, Southern states couldnt be simply reunited with the North
wasnt clear how it should be done
during this period the South was under total military control, it was a desolate place, population lost
their valuables, homes, money, there was starvation, homelessness
most blacks left plantations, first enjoying freedom, but then ended up with nothing
attempt to restore the previous state, Southerners are determined to keep slavery blacks
on the other hand want lands, education, the right to vote struggle between black and
white people black people had the support of the Northern federal government

1865 March Freed Mens Bureau protection to blacks and poor whites establishing
schools, teachers are missionaries
South should be reinvented, reorganized on the picture of the North
Republicans had three groups within the party huge disagreements on reconstruction
Conservatives
Radicals: wants to punish the military leaders of the South, Southerners right to vote
should be taken away, black should be highly protected, all wealth of the wealthy
Southerners should be confiscated and redistributed(??) among the poor
Moderates: didnt want to punish the South, offering generous peace
Lincoln liked the views of Moderates and Conservatives
presidential plan amnesty, reconstruction and pardons with just a few exceptions
Radicals demand an oath of loyalty from the Southerners Lincoln didnt accept, but
thought some parts of their demands should be in the agreement
Lincoln was shot in the Ford Theater by a Southern actor (sic semper tyrannis) same day
the secretary of state was fired upon and there was another conspiracy
Andrew Johnson was the new president offers amnesty to all leaders of the South
by the end of 1865 all Southern states had their own government
Southerners were terrified by the thought of giving their former slaves equal rights
keeping black in an inferior position the Black Codes, 1865 laws passed by
Southern states to restrict freed slaves rights unemployed blacks arrested, hired
out to plantations, no right to vote, serve as juries, no right to buy or rent land
blacks are continued to be slaves Radicals thought the liberation of blacks was the
most important aim of the CW Freed Mens Bureau was lengthened from one
year
April 1866 radical reconstruction was passed in the Congress first civil right
act anyone born on the US land would be a citizen to the US blacks declared
citizens of US government has the right to interfere if citizens needed protection
(so blacks as well)
the Civil Rights Act became valid in 1866 14th amendment of the Constitution,
1868 no state would be able to join the States from the South if they dont
approve to the 14th amendment
from the 11 states of the South only one accepted Tennessee
military governors lead the Southern states until they accepted the 14th amendment
15th amendment the right to vote (for blacks as well)
widespread opposition and resistance in the South military government seen as corrupt
Freedmen freed slaves
Scalawags people who cooperated with the North were called that (good-for-nothing)
Carpetbaggers Northerners who went to the South working to the governments
Bourbons conservative Democrats / Redeemers southern wing of Bourbon
Democrats, wanted to cooperate with the North
period of corruption in the South in every part of life
Ulysses Grant became president Grantism
Ku Klux Klan, 1866 organization that wanted to plant fear in the black people
strong brotherhood, secrecy
using economical pressure blacks werent able to rent land, werent given credit in bank
physical aggression
aim is making blacks not want to claim their rights
1877 Reconstruction comes to an end troops withdrawn in the South Compromise of 1877
Southern democrats brought an end to this era
realizing that local industry in the South should be strengthened

South starts to develop by the end of the century industry

for blacks on the level of law, rights were granted, but they wasnt seen as equals
most of the confiscated lands go back to original owners, but 20% of the lands goes to the freed
men still most continues to be an agricultural laborer or rented land and shared the crop with the
owner
public education: entirely closed before to blacks, by the end of Reconstruction black children
could go to public schools
blacks werent treated equally
Grandfather clauses only those was given the right to vote whose grandfather was free
only have the right to vote if they could read and recite the constitution
poor tax
taking away other rights:
laws of radical separation
Jim Crow Laws segregation of blacks in public places (schools, trains,
restaurants, cemeteries etc.) 1896 Supreme Court sanctions legal segregation
Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896 separate but equal as long as the service is equal the
segregation is alright stays that way till the 1960s not only in the South!!
blacks who tried to break the laws were severely punished or even killed 190
blacks killed or lynched per year in the end of the 19th century
first black PhD at Harvard DuBois Massachusetts NAACD crucial organization for the
rights of oppressed people (not only black)
the Civil Rights Movement has started here at the end of Civil War

Gilded Age (1865-1914/17):

time of American industrial revolution, the time of the US becoming a world power etc.
name comes from literature Mark Twain means its only good on the surface
era of corruption nation-wide
era of reform Progressive Era (1890-1917)
factors of growth:
ongoing industrial and technological innovations economic expansion, fast
industrialization wealthy eastern industry the emergence of big business
gold rush in the West, Sierra Nevada California becomes a state in a year even
foreigners come to the US mining industry develop (silver, gold, precious metals)
connecting the East and the West becomes important building a transcontinental railway
line by 1869 it is completed
transcontinental railway the middle of the country starts to become populated
Homestead Act, 1862 giving a homestead to any family who was willing to settle down in
the prairie settling in this middle section farmers are able to settle down because of
the inventions of the time (watering system, still plows, etc.) necessary innovations for
settling this part of the continent are available bread basket of the US grains compete
with other countries products railway is crucial in transportation of the crops
canal building era connecting different sections of rivers Erie Canal, 1825
Erie to Hudson River connecting a great lake to New York City
meat processing industry beef brings more money to the US than gold
international market
traditional farmers replaced with commercial farmers depending on faraway
market globalizing starts here (till World War I)
industrial business becomes crucial fast development is because of the huge number of
raw materials

massive immigration from Europe

emergence of a social layer Robber Barons/Captains of Industry ruthless, using their
workers 100% most important industrial leaders of the time
nation of inventors hundreds of patents issued Edison, telephone, trans-Atlantic cable
by the 1890s more than 500 000 telephones in the US
automobiles Henry Fords T Model first mass-produced car
separating work in sections heightened production rate
rich families, companies, bankers appear at the time, names that are still known
trusts by the end of the 19th century it controls the market

Lecture 7.
03.19.
THE ROLE OF IMMIGRATION IN U.S. HISTORY
Gilded Ages economy very much depends on the immigration
Prairies cultivation (todays corn belt) became possible in the middle and second half of 19th
century
not only gold but coal and iron in very huge amounts
iron birth of heavy industry
USA enters the world market by the 1890s
business speculation, adventurousness
new types of business
by the end of 1890s new business structure was born, Robber Barons (their companies) start to
control industry power is in the hands of a selected few idea of inequality is not living
every 20 years there are recession periods, when the economy starts to struggle (1873, 1893)
these periods strengthens monopolies and draws attention to these selected fews position
social reform movements in the 1890s
government starts to act against big business trust-busting policy
in the US labor unions werent strong cheap labor force strikes were simply useless AFL
(American Federal Labor..sg)
urbanization
direct result of industrialization and factory system
US used to be a rural society this changes by the end of the 19th century by then more
people were employed in industry than in agriculture
population concentrated in the big cities birth of modern cities, suburbs, public transport
etc.
ghettoization birth of slums place of the newly arrived immigrants (Italians, Chinese
etc.) crowded, not really safe, bad sanitary conditions and hygiene, city fires (Chicago,
Boston, San Francisco etc.) political bosses, urban machine corruption, police involved
birth of charity Salvation Army (helping homeless, hungry women and children)
progressivism both parties in Congress involved
1893 panic creates the progressive movement many strikes, agitations
progressivism was an optimistic, positive movement
the Democratic and Republican parties became open to progression
industrialization advantages and disadvantages
using labor force for very little money
muckrakers e.g. Upton Sinclair
writers speak up against the injustices of industrialization

 women start to become politically active suffragette movements 1920 right to vote
Theodore Roosevelts presidency:
trust-busting is attached to his name (regulation, not destruction)
government becomes an arbiter between big business and employees
Square Deal improve life-conditions of everyday people, Christian values, dignity of
labor, influence of companies
Conservationism protection of the environment from the massive industrialization (e.g.
killing of the buffalos) very first national park in the world Yellowstone National Park
(mostly in Wyoming), 1872 followed by Yosemite National Park (California)
after Roosevelt, his vice president became the head of the White House not so open to reforms
tries to divide Republicans Democrats get the power
Woodrow Wilson, a Democratic became president
The New Freedom he wants to destroy the trusts at first
increasing international competition in the market lowering the trusts power
Graduated Income tax
more governmental supervision to the issues relating to business and employees
he supported the womens right movement
the progressive movement starts to decline, but it achieved many things:
it improved living circumstances
made federal government more responsive to the problems
children and womens labor controlled
by the 1910s the US became a very big power, ready to join the international market

Immigration:
immigration in the history of US itself technically everybody is an immigrant or the descendant
of an immigrant
the US is the most heterogeneous society on the world
immigration becomes massive in the middle of the 19th century due to development of transport
since then it hasnt lost its massive character
about 80 million people migrated to the US from the colonial time to nowadays
1820 the first year we have exact numbers of migration
only late in the 19th century the federal government becomes involved in the process of migration
who is an immigrant?
most important part of population growth in the US
when the US became independent the population was around 3 million people
in the 1820s it was about 10 million
1910-20s it was 100 million! immigration is crucial in this growth but natural fertility is
the most important by the end of the 20th century immigration becomes the most
important (without immigration there wouldnt be population growth)
Mexico gave the most immigrants to the US, Germany is the second, Italy is the third (5.4 mill), UK
is the fourth, Ireland is the fifth (4.7 mill), Canada is the sixth (4.6 mill), Austria-Hungary is the
seventh (1.8 mill - 1.6 mill), Soviet Union/Russia is the eighth then Norway and Sweden, and the
tenth are the Philippines, eleventh is China
we dont have data on colonial immigration
first major wave Old Immigration, 1820s-1880s
15 million people

it became massive around the 1840s

during this era immigration was free but limited (health and moral conditions qualitative
restrictions)
by 1875, the first exclusion laws were issued still qualitative list of diseases (mental,
contagious); moral restrictions this law started to grow more and more undesirable
immigrants
after the Napoleonic era there was a population boom in Europe, also transportation
developments railroad, steamships etc.
political unrest, revolutions, social problems America fever
Irish dominate the first half of immigration more than 2 million arrived at this time in
the 1840s was the peak as the result of the famine and the potato blight (800 000 Irish died)
artisans, farmers, settled down on the Northeast they came even during the Civil War
the potato blight also affected the Netherlands and parts of Germany
Germans dominate the second half of this era economic and political factors farmers
and intellectuals settling down mostly in Northeast and Northwest
Mexicans as the result of American-Mexican war mostly western states
first Chinese came during the gold rush, then kept on coming because of the need of work
they faced major opposition from white workers they worked for lower fee and
accepted worse conditions it was a local issue in California the Chinese Exclusion
Act, 1882 stopped immigration from China to the US
Restrictionists/Nativists WASP (white Anglo-Saxon protestants) immigration
would turn the US un-American
fear of immigrants the Immigration Restricting Movement
second major wave New Immigration, 1890s-1920s
22 million people
explosion in the number of immigrants answer for need of labor and working hands
Southern and Eastern European nations dominate not Anglo-Saxons, not protestants
Italians more than 5 million establishing little Italies
Austro-Hungarians mostly to Northeast and Midwest, typically miners or working in
heavy industry
Jews from all countries, but mainly Russia concentrated in NYS driven by pogroms
and persecutions refugee movement
stronger reactions higher demand for restrictions and making it not free Restrictionists
were strong in Congress 1917 - Immigration Act have to be able to read and write
(still qualitative measure)
highly organizing immigration becomes the responsibility of the federal government
major reception centers, e.g. Alice Island in NYC harbor
by the 1910s as the result of the development of public education, most people could read so
the literacy restriction wasnt working anymore
Angel Island (San Francisco bay), from the South there was no border control
in 1917(?) visa for immigration
three major laws were issued by the 1920s worldwide to control global migration
Immigration Quota Laws:
1924 Quota Act next to the qualitative measures, ethnicity was added
racially biased law the national origins matter
o highest quotas were given to the Northern-Western European
countries
o major cut in immigration only 150 000 could enter the US as
immigrant
1924 Oriental Exclusion Act its roots are in the Chinese Exclusion Act

 global migration starts to rise again in the 1950s

Recent Immigration, 1950s-2000s no longer Anglo-Saxon or white, most immigrants are
from Latin-America and Asia
the 1924 laws ended in 1965
Mexico is the most important, along with Cuba, Dominican Republic and El Salvador
from Asia the Philippines (they are part of the US)
US becomes the nation of colored people California is the trend-maker
Impact on society:
integration is a major issue and for a long time now
becomes a nationally discussed issue around the turn of 19-20th century
approaches to assimilation:
melting pot after a play written by a Jewish-American playwright
everybodys expected to melt into American society and culture it never worked
dual allegiance feeling loyalty for both the mother country and America
pizza different ingredients form a unity
mosaic from far you see the larger picture, from close you see the different
details
kaleidoscope
multicultural society
society that is defined by cultural pluralism
transnationalism dual citizenships etc.

Lecture 8.
04.09.
THE BEGINNINGS OF WORLD POWER
real success story in a very short time
militarily the US still the most powerful country in the world
The beginnings:
the Americas (N and South) are the only continents in the western hemisphere isolation has a
geographic explanation
until the nuclear age, the US was pretty safe from extra continental invasions
weak neighbors USs neighbors never been able to challenge their power
feeling superior to the rest of the world (society and political system should be copied etc.)
Washington warned fellow politicians to stay away from the issues of Europe root of
isolationism
why? a nationality to be born needs internal stability and a common enemy Indians
are the enemies stability is only possible if the nationalities dont quarrel over
European issues thats why they shouldnt be involved with European issues remaining
an isolationist power until 1917 (World War I) after the World War I the US retreats back
to strict isolation
in the 1820s it became a full-fleshed policy birth of the Latin American nations (inspired
by American and French revolution) the US is interested in it, but remains neutral US
is the first country to recognize the Latin American countries; Spain is not able to reconquer
its colonies US didnt want to see the recolonization by other countries official
statement against the Holy Alliance keeping out extra-continental invasions from the
whole Americas becomes a major aim

Lecture 9.

December 1823 Monroe Doctrine quarterstone for American foreign policy

making clear that any attempt at recolonizing would be taken as an unfriendly move against
the US isolationism comes with regionalism
at the time the US wasnt a big power, Europe didnt take it seriously, challenges is
if theyre not aware, someone comes in (e.g. France in Mexico)
the Monroe Doctrine was a bluff at its time they didnt have the army to defend
Latin America they count on the British Royal Navy as they had the same
interests
change in policies end of 19th century, after the industrial revolution becoming a major
economic power need for new markets competing with other nations launching a
major navy-building program becoming a major heavy industry power the US starts to
invoke the Monroe Doctrine in international issues
Venezuelas border disputes with British Guyana first time the invocation takes
place the US acts arrogantly and aggressively
ideology behind recolonization Darwinism used by sociologist to project
the survive of the strongest to society and world policy relations
racially higher ranked countries should lead the world scientific racism
behind the recolonization
business interests in Latin America and Asia interest in keeping them free jumping on
the first possibility Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines and Guam remained Spanish colonies
independence movements 1895 brutal second war for independence (the idea of
concentration camps introduced in this war) born of yellow journalism in the US
jingoism (pro-war policy in the US) becomes important US should move on the world sea
overseas become the new Frontier! expansionism
the president wasnt willing to get the US in war sending USS Maine to Havana
to show sympathy blown up claiming war against Spain (Remember the
Maine)
April 1898 Spanish-American war
the first war is not fought in Cuba but in Manila Bay (Philippines) taking
over the Philippines the war wasnt just for Cuba!
in 10 weeks the US won over Spanish colonies (Splendid Little War/Last
Gentlemens War)
Cuba becomes an American dependency (so technically a colony), the Philippines
keep on fighting now against the US they become a colony until 1945
possessing territories in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean becoming a World Power!
establishing regional power by interventions
Roosevelt Corollary, 1904 official embodiment of the Big Stick Policy (1903)
Roosevelt believed a strong navy was the key to a strong US
talk softly, and have a big stick with you
reassuring stability in Latin America by military interventions
by the 1920s the US was a stabile major hegemony international police power
taking over debts of the Latin American nations
American imperialism is called economic imperialism President Taft introduces Dollar
Diplomacy (1912) investing in American interests (e.g. Latin America, Philippines etc.)
thereby economically set foot there using Navy to protect these interests
becoming an anti-revolutionary power counter-revolutionary policy

04.23.
THE FIRST WORLD WAR AND THE ROARING TWENTIES
rivalry between Great Britain and Germany
nationality issues of Austro-Hungarian Monarchy
assassination in Sarajevo
alliances allies vs. central powers
World War I was the largest ever war until then
president at the time: Woodrow Wilson
large majority of Americans sympathize with the British and French trade interest and cultural
affinity still the US remained neutral
1915 American factories produce weapons for the Allies
Germany threatens the US but they ignore it Wilson issues protest against Germany
Lusitania incident 1915 passenger ship, huge number of American passengers
issuing strong protest public opinion goes towards the Allies
major debates amongst pacifists and pro-wars
they didnt declare a war on Germany because of the Lusitania!
they re-elect Wilson sending a message to the war-participants
Germany starts to attack neutral ships too
the Western parts of the US were anti-war they felt its no related to them
public opinion is not united
March 1st 1917 a telegram (the Zimmermann Telegram) from Germany to Mexico to the German
ambassador if the US joins the war at the side of the Allies than Mexico will attack with the
support of Germany from the South and they would get their territories back
Germany also contacts with Japan
these news changes the opinions of Western population
April 6th 1917 the US declares war on Germany
for Wilson saw the war as a crusade to ensure the future peace of the world
sending ground troops to Europe 5 million soldiers!!! (3 recruited, 2 volunteered)
short but tense participation
the US technically joined in very late (spring of 1918)
November 1918 was the end of the war
53 000 deaths on the behalf of the US (in the war 10 000 000 people died), cost 32 billion dollars
new, higher taxes, reorganizing economy, centralizing etc.
protective leagues, united public opinion (by propaganda)
suspicious atmosphere
Wilson had an ideal plan on the peace-treaty for a long-lasting peace Fourteen Points, 1918
replace the European balance of power economically free, politically self-determined
(anti-colonial step)
offer a liberal alternative to bolshevism (it started to appear all over the world)
how to adjust the boundaries and establish new nations
he suggests national self-determination the population should vote on where they
want to belong
general principals of international relations e.g. neutralism of the seas, free trade, open
diplomatic, equal adjustment of colonial claims etc.
establishment of a League of Nations place for discussion of international differences
resolve any kind of conflicts that would end up in another major war
Wilsonian idealism had a long-lasting effect still his ideas were not supported politically!
the British and the French stood against the Fourteen Points, while Germany supported it

Britain and France planned to outmaneuver Wilsons points

Wilson was very popular in Paris
Paris the Big Four: Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd George, Clemenceau, Vittorio Orlando
(Russia unrepresented)
vindictive peace conference mood of taking revenge most of Wilsons ideas rejected
Britain and France try to make Germany paralyzed
Wilson insisted on he fought against the German leaders not the people so they should not
be punished
George and Clemenceau wanted to cripple Germany so they wouldnt ever have the power
to go to war
Wilsons only point that was completely accepted the League of Nations (established in
Switzerland, 1919)
the winners didnt consulted with the losers!
Versailles Peace Treaty 1919
the Kingdom of Hungary disappears (Treaty of Trianon, 1920) losing 59% of
population, 2/3 of territory revisionism
the Treaty had to be ratified by the Senate with a 2/3 majority
there was a suspicious mood about joining an international league it could drag the US
into major quarrels
the Senates (lead by Senator Henry) are against it, they want to go back to isolation
the Treaty of Versailles was not ratified by the Senate
the US didnt sign the Versailles Treaty but signed individual treaties with each nations Treaty of
Berlin, 1921

After the War:

social and political problems unemployment, inflation (1919-1920 15%) etc.
labor unrest, demonstrations, a wave of strikes suspicious mood against Bolsheviks
the strike movement collapsed!
red scare hysteria, panic over communist revolution in Russia aiming to export
bolshevism all over the world
1919 5 bombs in 5 cities exploding at the same time radical actions to eliminate
communists more than 6 000 people were arrested, but very few weapons found
racial unrest great migration from the South to the North and West
African-American veterans killed
major urban disorders (biggest in Chicago)
result: the next election sees the victory on Republicans Warren Harding promises to return to
isolation
3 republican presidents in a row new era emergence of the US as a modern nation
The Roaring Twenties:
Jazz Age, New Era era of conservatism, cultural frivolity
the USs major rivals were out of the picture as they were weakened or totally defeated the US
became a creditor nation
turning into an urban, highly industrialized nation economy characterized by mass production
the Roaring Twenties comes from the partying, loud music, etc.
car industry becomes the most important and leading industry changes the lifestyle mobility
11 mill 20 mill 1920 30 mill beg1930s
beginning of road building, suburbia

 electric industry fridges, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, radio beginnings of consuming
society
1919-1922 economic expansion severe inequalities
overproduction was known to be dangerous causing recession still nothing was done
most people couldnt buy/sell their products
European nations start a protective trading raising tariffs
industrial workers lived on low wages couldnt buy stuff
a new way to buy things credit the whole Era fuel reckless spending covering debts by
making more debts
Great Depression
appearance of the new woman
right to vote in 1920, education, taking job during World War I
still less opportunities
lower class women still stay at home
first methods of birth control (diaphragm abortion is illegal)
women start to go out, smoke, drink, dance, wear shorter skirts, make-up, short hair the
Flapper still depending on men
appearance of the New Negro
an appreciation of Afro-American cultural heritage
advertising industrys beginnings
communication radios, first silent films and first loud films 1920 first commercial radio
state in Pennsylvania 1927 first national radio station unifying experience movies
consuming society
Lost Generation artists, poets moving to Paris
revival of the Ku-Klux-Klan
in 1915 reorganized 4 million members!
the largest group could be found in the Mid-West
against blacks, Catholics, etc.
religious fundamentalism
immigration restriction Quota Laws, Immigration Acts
Prohibition 1919-1933
the noble experimentation
alcohol doesnt disappear they just sell it illegally and more cheaper
gangster-era, gangs
alcohol business was major income for the states and federal government goes to the
hands of organized crime bootleggers worked in gangs they got extremely rich,
bribe policemen
illegal bars speak-easies in NYC 32 000
long-lasting harm law-breaking becomes an everyday activity for a citizen
foreign political issues:
all 3 republican presidents prefer isolationism
Dollar Diplomacy (Taft) 1912
American businessmen got influence over certain regions the government
promises protection
becomes prominent in the 1920s
Hoovers presidency
promises unprecedented wealth and prospect popular
after his election Great Depression determining the next decade!

Lecture 10
04.30.
THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND THE NEW DEAL
The Great Depression
longer than we count it today
worst years were 1929-1933
president: Hoover
New York Stock Exchange at Wall Street (there used to be a wall there)
Wall Street Crash, 1929 november?, Black Tuesday the beginning of the GD
panic starts in one day the stock values fall by 50%
it ends the prosperous Roaring Twenties
it showed the weaknesses of the system
weaknesses of the American system:
lack of diversity
most important industries were car industry and constructions start to decline by
the end of the 20s
mal-distribution of the purchasing power
decline in the consumer demand
serious overproduction
European countries start to revive from World War I but still has no money to buy
from the US also protective tarifs
in the US they thought the world trade is weak because of Germany missing
from it
bad economic and credit structure
population deeply indebted
many banks go bankrupt
also the US loans a lot of money to European countries
by the end of the 20s world trade fell immensely!
the 1930s were mostly about the depression all around the world
effects of the Great Depression
unemployment and loosing property starvation
Hoover didnt want to create a welfare country he thought it would make people
lazy absolutely unwilling to interfere with economy
most difficult thing to deal with was unemployment by 1933 12 million American
was unemployed during the Great Depression unemployment was an average
15%
migration turns around more people leave the country than come in
bread-lines government starts feeding people
heightened income tax introduced
1932 unemployment is 25%, huge amount of homeless people, shanty(?) towns (
Hoovervilles) elections of 1932 Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) elected with the largest
majority of the history of US he was very popular longest serving president 12 years (3
complete terms), he died at the beginning of his 4th term (1945)
promises a new deal its identified with DRs policies
hes the first president to use media regular broadcasts Fireside Chats
along big business emerges big labor
he couldnt solve the Great Depression but could handle it and give hope to the people

New Deal
restoring peoples confidence in the American finance system bank holiday banks closed for
4 days emergency banking act support banks with federal money so they wont go bankrupt
people start to put their money back in to the banks
reducing federal employees salaries
erasing Prohibition alcohol income was always an important part of the US budget
agencies
Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), 1933 May
first New Deal
Great Depression affected agriculture the most still overproducing, farmers
bankrupt
major drought for years Dust Bowl
providing relief to the farmers paying farmers so they wouldnt produce
anything/much less
reaction in a year prices starts to go up, economy is a bit more stable
the concept of the act was attacked in 1936 the AAA was shut down by Supreme
Court
National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), 1933 June
the backbone of the New Deal
prices controlled and stabilized
make firms pay fair wages and charge fair prices first time to introduce a
minimum wage and a maximum work week in the US, abolition of child work
allowing employees to bargain collectively with the employers
Public Works Administration (PWA)
decrease unemployment with public work building bridges, schools etc.
public building projects
major problem is that they were based on private interest
also struck down by the Supreme Court
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), 1933
regional planning most successful plan of the New Deal
the Tennessee Valley had lots of floods as the river was really winding low
population
the aim is to rehabilitate the Tennessee Valley
reforestation
dams were built producing electricity electricity prices drop
soil made fertile again
most celebrated accomplishment of the New Deal
strengthening of the executive power during this time attacking the New Deal because of not
being radical enough or being too radical
unemployment was still a problem
young men were carrying out rehabilitation activities and got food and one dollar/day
feeling useful, regaining self-confidence and hope
still the unemployment never went under 15% the real solution will be World War II
Social Security Act - 1935 spring and summer
creating a welfare system
most important social welfare legislation in the history of the US
creating pension funds
unemployment insurance
federal aid to the disabled

federal aid to dependent children and single mothers

changing peoples views of the federal government creating the idea that the government is there
to help if people need them
Roosevelt is reelected in 1936
the federal government sees things got better starts to retreat from many programs those
programs start to fall back
the New Deal is ended by 1936 Roosevelt try to persuade everyone to prepare for war

Before World War II

after World War I the US goes back to isolation theyre not a member of the League of Nations
apart from some diplomatic gestures, not part of international events
the Hoover administration already prepared to make peace with neighboring countries trying to
end American interventionism
1933 Good Neighbor Policy
ends interventionism, Dollar Diplomacy
within a few years Latin America felt the effects by the time of the World War II Latin
America stood behind the US economically and diplomatically
the population didnt want to get involved in an international conflict
Neutrality Acts, 1935-1939
people look to the US administration to keep the country out of war also sympathizing
with Britain and France
being neutral without crippling US economy
1939 September Germany invades Poland, World War II broke out
the US remained neutral for the first 2 years
1937 Cash & Carry Policy favoring British and French
by 1940 Britain was on the verge of bankruptcy and also standing alone against Germany
Roosevelt proposes the Lend Lease Plan, 1941 March
gave the right to lend or lease military equipment to any country that was deemed
vital to protect the US Britain, Soviet Union
meeting Churchill, 1942
Atlantic Charter war and peace plans of the allies (resembling Wilsons 14 points)
aim of the Atlantic Charter is to eliminate Nazi Germany and Japan
Japan is very aggressive in Asia invading Eastern China determined to establish a Pacific
empire occupying Thailand, Burma, French Indo-China etc.
they offended American business interests in the area e.g. oil exports, scrap metal exports
weakness of Japan lack of resources they expend in the direction of oil (in Indonesia)
the American intelligence knew that Japan planned an attack on the US but didnt know
where or when
attacking the USs major base in Hawaii, Honolulu, Pearl Harbor December 7,
1941
many deaths, ships destroyed
the attack on Pearl Harbor erases isolationism in the US once and for all
declaring war on Japan and Germany December 1941 the US enters World War II
changes after the declaration of war at the home front:
major demand for American product overproduction is no longer a problem,
unemployment ends
economic boom
centralizing production on war
most of the New Deal programs were suspended

the war affected women the most no longer pink color jobs construction of
weapons, etc. they were needed, as 16 million men served in the army
African-Americans, Indians entering the army
segregation starts to break down in the military African-American veterans didnt let
people to treat them the same as before, they demand respect it breaks down out of
necessity
Congress of Racial Equality is created at this time
helps produce the civil right movements
Navahos producing code talker Japanese are unable to break the code the
Americans broke Japanese codes knowing about everything (planned attacks, munitions
etc.)
Japanese Americans suffered the most during this time 107 000 Japanese in America,
large majority in California
propagandistic picture of the Japanese violent, aggressive
first and second generation Japanese (born in the US) were treated very badly
national hysteria two month after entering the war the government orders the
creation of relocation centers internment camps similar to prisons, harsh
environment but no brutality
Japanese were compensated in the 80s

Lecture 11
05.07.
WORLD WAR II (cont.)
The Beginning of World War II
European theater of the war
primary aim is to defeat Germany
Roosevelt promises Molotov, the Russian foreign minister, that there would be an alliance to
relieve the pressure on them also promises Stalin something
between Oct 1942 and Rommels troops in Northern Africa defeated these troops
move to Sicily than to Rome
Roosevelt goes for the landing in Normandy
June 6 1944 landing in German occupied Normandy, Omaha Beach D-day for
Deliverance
May 8 1945 European phase of World War II was over
Pacific theater of the war
in 6 months Japan overtakes Southeast Asia, also occupies Guam and Marianne Islands
by 1942 they threatened Australia
US plans two offenses
from Australia and from New Zealand?
Japanese first stopped at the Coral Sea in May 1942
Western Pacific, Battle of Midway, June 1942 Japanese losing their best pilots
landing at Guadalcanal from there on Japanese were forced to retreat
island hopping tactic navy captures strategically important island one by one
Japanese put up resistance to the last man
retaking the Philippines, starting to plan the invasion of Japan it would involve fighting
from door to door, from street to street Tokyo was fire bombed (80 000 deaths)
in the meantime in the US they start to create atomic bombs (first the Nazis idea)

 Little Boy first working atomic bomb

Roosevelt dies, his vice president, Truman takes over
August 6 1945 Hiroshima the first atomic bomb entering the nuclear age
the Japanese didnt surrender
August 9 1945 Nagasaki second atomic bomb Japanese only surrender at the
intervention of the emperor
Sept 2 1945 peace treaty signed, World War II was over
problem of the atomic bomb
morally wrong, but in theory it saved lives by ending the war
in Hiroshima and Nagasaki hundreds of thousands died even after decades due to
radioactivity
more than 55 million(?) died, millions injured and disappeared
billions were invested in the war
future is still uncertain existence of nuclear weapons
the Cold War started during World War II nuclear weapons secret Stalin was afraid the US
would use it against the SU
biggest conferences during the war
Teheran, Iran, November 1943 Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt
agreeing to the landing in Normandy
world organization established
Polish borders determined
Yalta, February 1945 Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt
before the defeat of Germany
Stalin promises they will join the war against Japan after defeating Germany
Germanys dividing into zones for occupying
Yalta accords establishing pro-communist centers in Eastern Europe
Potsdam, July 1945 Stalin, Truman, Attlee
Truman was really suspicious of the Soviets
issues of operations
pressure on Stalin to recognize a non-communist leader to China (not Mao Ce Tung)
Potsdam Declaration rejected by Japan
first news of working atomic bombs
Cold War (1941-1991)
the alliance between the Soviet Union and Britain, US was uncertain, they knew, the minute
Germany is defeated the alliance will break down SU and US emerges as superpowers from
World War II two different political systems
proxy wars wars fought by the two superpowers allies
national hysteria over communism
eras of the Cold War
the classical Cold War (1947-1962)
made the US the strongest country in the world biggest economy, navy, army and
the only nation with atomic bomb
second strongest is the SU occupying all of Eastern Europe local communist
forces emerge in the countries Churchill already talks about the iron curtain in
1946
Truman suspected Stalins plan to convert Eastern Europe to communism
radical departure from earlier American foreign policies they have to commit
themselves to the protection of the Western world

World Bank is born as well as IMF

1944 United Nations in the place of the League of Nations center is in New
York City 51 states were members of it today it has 193 members
balance of power politics the West works on countering the communist
expansion
Turkey & Greece, 1947 local governments under heavy attack from the
communists
Truman creates a new framework to a new policy Soviet expansion should
be stopped Truman embraces the containment policy = Truman Doctrine,
March 1947 Soviet expansion should be contained in its boundaries
World War II and Containment Policy reforms views on the USs defense
National Security Act
Integrated Department of Defense (Pentagon)
National Security Council (NSC) advisory board for the President
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), 1947 independent agency // FBI
created much earlier
assistance given to Europe Marshall Plan, 1947-52 the Soviet Block rejects it
but 16 Western European countries participate
make communism less appealing
humanitarian efforts
economy
avoiding depression and unemployment both in the US and Europe
o USs economic growth continues but big inflations also happen at the
same time
problem of gender, race and segregation
women dont want to leave their work
war veterans demand respect
Berlin, 1948 first major crisis of the Cold War
ending the zones of occupation uniting West Germany
Stalin responses with the blockade of West Germany
they use airplanes to bring food to West Berlin
spring of 1949 Stalin ends the blockade
after this the Western countries feared an attack from behind the iron curtain
military alliance, 1949, 12 countries sign it NATO an attack against a member
is an attack against every member today 28 members
first commander is General Eisenhower
Warsaw pact a response to NATO from the communist countries
the SU finally created their own atomic bomb USs nuclear monopoly is over
China turns into a communism Mao Ce Tung (former leader escapes to Taiwan)
Japan revives, restrictions and occupation lifted, rapid economic growth follows
dream of an open and free world wasnt possible strong pro-American interest
sphere as well as a communist sphere
the US stops every attempt of expanding communism
Dtente (1962-1979)
little Cold War/ second Cold War (1979-1989/91)

Lecture 12.

05.14.
THE US IN THE COLD WAR: DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES
by the 1950s, the dream of building an open world wouldnt work
building a system of alliances instead
the US is the leader of non-communist world trying to stop the spreading of communism
Korean War 1950-53
first major military action of the Cold War
Korea is under Japanese rule during World War II
power vacuum after the war Soviet Union North communist // US South
democratic
two leaders of the Koreas try to unite the two parts Soviet Union and Chinas interest is
in a communist Korea
June 1950 South Korea occupied by Soviet Union the United Nations vote on an intervention
counterattack
intervention becomes the first keyword of new US foreign policy from containment to
liberation
Truman believed in a liberation-approach
Korea prompts China to intervene Truman has to reconsider his plans trench warfare for 3
years
people expect the US to finish the war quickly doesnt happen in the 1953 elections
Eisenhower is elected
hinting the usage of atomic bomb
Stalin dies in 1953
first H-bomb 1952 one year later the soviets make an H-bomb too (spy?)
both parties wanted to end the Korean case restoring pre-war situation
USs international prestige is questioned
both sides claim to win the war
Domestic issues in the US
anxiety over the USs abilities
loss of the atomic secret
need for NATO
Soviet Union has an H-bomb one year later spies
red scare renewed
national hysteria
communist party was full of the Soviet Unions people
loyalty programs to federal workers Truman starts it because of Republican attacks
Internal Security Act, 1950 all communist organizations must register and suspicious
people can be investigated and even their citizenship could be taken away
investigation of federal leaders
proving: not enough was done on communist threats
Alger Hiss sentenced to prison
public thinks communists infiltrated the government spying
search for spies
Klaus Fuchs confesses arrested in Great Britain

Ethel & Julius Rosenberg passing documents to Fuchs during World War II
executed in 1953
Senator McCarthy used the scare to go upward Lincoln Day speech in 1950
long line of investigations start
McCarthy witch-hunts/McCarthyism 1951-54
Eisenhower saw him as a bully and embarrassment
ultimately he couldnt provide evidences and once he stepped over the line they
investigated him turns out he lied loses position
McCarthys effect is crucial of understanding the red scare
Eisenhower has two terms of presidency
Dullis secretary of state // his brother is the leader of CIA
Dullis hated communism thought Truman was weak wanted an offensive on
communists Eisenhower is more moderate
propaganda liberation of captive nations
massive retaliation US would retaliate with full force if needed building a
nuclear arsenal is crucial
all of this remains at a propagandistic, rhetoric level both parties would be able to
destroy the other instead: balance of terror not stepping in to avoid a WWIII
because of this not stepping in on Hungarian Revolution and Suez Crisis in
1956 Twin Crisis
US is a major disappointment to allies

Cuban Missile Crisis, Oct 1962

Space Race Russians were more forward Sputnik its racket could carry nuclear weapons
US starts developing fast ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles), nuclear submarines
1958, manned space programs Yuri Gagarin (1961, Soviet Union) is the first man in
space
1969 first landing on the Moon
by 1962 it was clear that a nuclear war wouldnt have winners
Cubas US friendly leader Battista is overthrown by Fidel Castro in 1959 wants to free Cuba
from US power same case in all Latin American countries (US friendly dictators) results in
anti-Americanism and pro-communism
American interests in Cuba
Castro wasnt a communist at first the US expects him to go the same way Battista has but he
wants to end American influence in 1961 he announces that hes a communist
Kennedy (president from 1961) Alliance for Progress, 1961 major execution of containment
policy
improving Latin American living conditions to stop communism from spreading
the US starts to train Cuban exiles to overthrow Castro
Bay of Pigs invasion, Apr 17 1961
the Cuban exiles land in BoP despite the expected, Cuban people didnt join the
rebellion invasion fails
major fiasco exiles killed or imprisoned
Castro asks for weapons from the Soviet Union so he could stop further interventions US SU
relationship gets to a low point
Oct 1962 signs of major constructions for missile launching in Cuba Cuba is so close
to the US that their Early Warning System wouldnt work with rackets launched from Cuba
for 13 days the world waits for the outbreak of WWIII
deal between US and Soviet Union:

 Soviet Union stops the missiles

US doesnt invade and interfere in Cuba
the crisis turns out crucial for peaceful coexistence beginning of dtente
Dtente - Indochina wars
First Indochina War
Indochina occupied by Japan during World War II Ho Chi Minh trying to collaborate
with the US against Japan the US doesnt help as hes a communist when the
Japanese lost France wants to return to their colony US supports France French are
defeated
Vietnam is divided by the 17th parallel North controlled by communist Ho Chi Minh,
South controlled by France-friendly leader
Second Indochina War/ Vietnam War
Vietnam has a power vacuum, and is divided
elections are promised but never take place
the war takes place between 1957-1975; US involved between 1964-1973
domino theory:
if a country fall for communism, neighbors follow brings about US military
involvement
its a showcase for the US fighting against communism Kennedy only sends a few
troops and military advisers (16 000)
after the death of Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson quickly becomes president and deploys
American troops in Vietnam
the war is originally popular in the US but soon turns into an embarrassment anti-war
movements
TET offensive turning point
by 1967 student anti-war movements turn into political forces protests all over the US
76% of Americans rejected the war
economy also suffers from it
Civil Right movements, hippie movements, racial, religious movements at the same
time
tense atmosphere in the US Johnson didnt go for presidency again
Republicans win the elections Richard Nixon, 1969-74
he knew Vietnam was a crucial issue
also, most Americans were fed up with riots and movements
Nixons presidency is a stabilization push to dtente
solution to Vietnam relying on Henry Kissinger
Vietnamization program
withdrawing troops gradually
Nixon-doctrine, 1969 the US is willing to assist allies but they should
stand up for themselves Vietnam syndrome
slow process
Paris Peace Accords, 1973 ending US involvement, ending conflict between
North and South Vietnam
1973 US troops leave Vietnam
evacuating Vietnam major refugee movement of the Vietnamese refugee
program
the war was a huge blow to American self-esteem and confidence
ar. 60 000 Americans die

 ar. 1,6 million Vietnamese die

other parts of Indochina
secret war in Cambodia
after it comes out to the open there are huge protests in some states ban on
demonstrations students die in a shooting
also sending troops to Laos
Second/ Little Cold War
dtente comes to an end with the Soviet Unions engagement in Afghanistan
SALT treaty, 1972 agreement between the Soviet Union and the US on limiting the
number of offensive intercontinental missiles
Reagan steps up Little Cold War
SDI program another space race mostly a bluff but pushes the Soviet Union to the verge of
economic collision
1985 Gorbachevs perestroika and glasnost policy opening to the capitalist world
1989 collapse of the bipolar world and Soviet Union Cold War comes to an end
quick end, nobody expects it this soon
beginning of the multipolar world fight against terrorism