Critical Thinking 18-4 #4

In my opinion, it was a good idea to become involved in the affairs of countries such as Nicaragua, Mexico, and Colombia. In most cases, the United States' involvement seemed to be in the best interest of these Latin American countries. Also, by helping these countries, the United States gained power in the form of recognition as an international police nation. This was an effect of the Roosevelt Corollary, which said that America had the right to use force to protect its interests in the Latin America. Another effect of Roosevelt's policy was the fact that European countries would stay out of western affairs, which decreased the chances of competition for power in Latin America. To help justify this, the U.S. used dollar diplomacy, the policy of using the government to guarantee loans by Americans to foreign countries. In addition to dollar diplomacy, President Wilson added a moral aspect to the Monroe doctrine, saying that it was the responsibility of the United States to police the area around it. In the case of the Mexican Revolution, Latin American countries, including Argentina, Chile, and Brazil, seemed to agree with Wilson. While some may see our country's involvement in Latin American affairs as unnecessary or unfair, there is no doubt that it was an intelligent move in the United States' interests, helping the country gain more power and influence in the western hemisphere.

Critical Thinking 18-4 #3

During the early 1900's, America decided to remind Europe of the Monroe Doctrine. President James Monroe stated in 1823 that European nations had to stay out of the affairs of the western hemisphere, particularly those of Latin America. President Roosevelt noticed that Latin American countries had made deals with European banks, which could result in Europe intervening in western affairs. To strengthen the Monroe Doctrine, Roosevelt added the Roosevelt Corollary, which was also known as his "Big Stick Policy" because of the proverb it was based on: "Speak softly and carry a big stick." This policy announced to the world that America had a right to use force in order to protect its interests in Latin America. This basically made the United States the police of the western hemisphere.
Later, President Woodrow Wilson made another change to the Monroe Doctrine in adding a moral message to it. Wilson claimed that it was the United States' responsibility to police Latin America, and that governments should not be recognized if they were oppressive or hostile, encouraging countries to adopt democratic governments. Wilson's policy was similar to Roosevelt's because they were both formed for the purpose of improving the Monroe Doctrine. However, they were applied in different ways. Roosevelt's policy seemed more like a warning or threat, probably to emphasize the fact that America had power. Wilson's was more of a statement of fact and morals, and this policy was tested by the Mexican Revolution. The policy proved to be effective, but it also slightly detracted from the message that America had the right police Latin America only because it had the power to so.

Current Events Summary #3

China is currently becoming an economic power. However, with this success, the country must deal with a number of problems that face it. These include disagreements with other powerful countries, as well as with the territories that are trying to gain independence from their Chinese motherland.
China's rise to power has drawn the world's attention. Because of this, other nations seem to be urging China to be more open about itself. The country is no longer able to easily work in secret, making deals with political or military groups without the world knowing. Such deals had been made in the past, and some of them were disapproved of by many people.
Meanwhile, both Taiwan and Tibet are moving closer toward their goal of complete independence from their motherland. Unfortunately, China is not willing to recognize either territory as a separate country. Taiwan has been constantly threatened by the mainland, which is increasing the amount of military power pointed at the nearby island. However, Taiwan refused to accept China's peace agreement, which was seen as more of a "surrender agreement" by Taiwan's leaders, causing tensions to rise between the island and its motherland. China was also outraged by the recent event at which the U.S. Congress praised the Dalai Lama, a Tibetan spiritual leader, giving him one of the highest possible honors for him to receive. While China will not forgive the Dalai Lama for his support of separatism, the Dalai Lama said that he regrets the tensions with China.

Critical Thinking 18-3 #5

The United States' change in foreign policy greatly affected the country's actions toward China. America was interested in China for economic reasons. China was a good place for an American market, which would be very successful. Railroad companies also realized that there was a lot of land that could be used for the construction of railroads. Influence in China would be a great help to the United States' economy.
Unfortunately, European nations were already competing for such influence. Americans were afraid that they would be left out if Europe had control over China's trade. John Hay, the Secretary of State at the time, decided to protect American interest by sending "Open Door notes" to the leaders of imperialist nations. These were letters that suggested that the nations share the trade with the United States. Europe agreed to do this.
Meanwhile, China had begun to dislike the idea of basically being ruled by Europe. The Chinese people wanted to take back their country, and so they formed organizations dedicated to driving out foreigners. When Europe reacted to this violent rebellion, America joined in, hoping to increase its chances of gaining influence. After the rebellion was ended, Hay sent out another bunch of Open Door notes, further protecting American interest. This would be the beginning of America's influence in Asia.

Critical Thinking 18-3 #3

After the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico became part of the United States. American rule of the area had some negative effects and some positive ones. Some Puerto Ricans were against this change. They were afraid that they would lose the freedom to govern themselves that they had when they were ruled by Spain. Some of these people called for independence, the freedom given to Cuba and Panama. The United States made no promises of independence to Puerto Rico, because it had strategic value to the nation. However, there were some good aspects to the change. Puerto Rico was controlled by the military for a time, so at least the new territory would be protected and held together. In 1900, a civil government was set up to replace the military rule, giving a little more freedom to the people of Puerto Rico. Eventually, Puerto Ricans were recognized as true U.S. citizens, gaining rights and the freedom to elect both houses of their legislature.

Critical Thinking 18-2 #3

During the second war for Cuba's independence from Spain, American newspapers began to adopt new policies. They used different strategies to capture the attention of the people, and then try to convince them to side with the writer's opinions. This was known as yelow journalism.
Newspapers used yellow journalism in a war for popularity against each other. They tactics they wouuld use often involved the exaggeration of stories from Cuba. For example, James Creelman's reports of the war commented on it's violence and brutality. The newspapers exaggerated Creelman's remarks in a way that encouraged readers to antagonize Spain and call for war. Another example of yellow journalism was the article in the newspaper about the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine, which pointed the blame at Spain for no clear reason. When Frederic Remington was sent to draw sketches of Cuba, he stated that war with Spain didn't seem necessary, but the newspapers replied that they would "furnish the war."

Critical Thinking 18-1 #5

In the passage, Senator Albert J. Beveridge from Indiana explains what he believes to be the reason why U. S. needed to acquire new territories. Because he says that "fate has written our policy for us," it is made clear that the senator believed in manifest destiny, the belief that America was destined to expand. He also says that the U.S. "must" be in charge of the trade of the world, so that American products could be distributed across the world. In Beveridge's vision of the future, there would be "great colonies, governing themselves, flying our flag and trading with us," which would grow from American trading posts. The senator's words all seem to show a strong support for imperialism, which was, at that point, possible for America, which was just becoming a powerful nation.

Critical Thinking 18-1 #3

The idea of manifest destiny had a large amount of influence in American policy earlier in the 1800's, when America was settling the frontier. At that time, the belief that the country needed to grow was a major cause for western expansion. Later in the century, however, Americans began to use manifest destiny as a reason to extend their country's power by taking land from other nations. This was known as imperialism.
Examples of this imperialism can be seen in the United States' attempts to gain Hawaii and Cuba. These places were important for extra land and resources. Americans decided that it was a good time to take them, and that they had the right to do so. Hawaii soon became the 50th state of the United States, but Cuba refused to join the nation, even though it help the island gain independence from Spain. The imperialism of the late 19th century showed that Americans still believed in manifest destiny, and they would use it to help their country grow.

Critical Thinking 17-5 #4

Although Wilson was a progressive president, he failed to push for civil rights. There are several possible explanations for this. Presidents before him had also avoided the same issue, which may have discouraged Wilson from being the first in a while to stand up and argue against discrimination. However, Wilson declared that he would do his best to end discrimination. African Americans who supported him felt betrayed when he opposed antilynching legislation as a president. This failure to assist civil rights groups may have also been in part because of his background. Wilson was from the south, and southern prejudices would have made it difficult to support blacks. It may have also had to do with the people who were targeted by reform movements, and the fact that many of those people held power in the government. These factors added together show what may have been the reason for his lack of support for racial equality.

Critical Thinking 17-3 #5

Racial discrimination was a big issue in the 20th century. Many civil rights leaders tried to give more freedom to African Americans. However, some of these leaders disagreed with each other about how to do so. Two such people were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois.
Washington and Du Bois had different views on racial discrimination. Washington was head of an all-black school. Of all civil rights leaders at the time, he was the one most respected by powerful whites. This may be because, although he wanted civil rights, the fact that he was head of a black-only school showed his support racial segregation.
Du Bois opposed Washington for the same reason that others supported him. He did not believe that blacks and whites should be separate forever. Du Bois thought that doing so would encourage discrimination, and that all people should be able to mix together and have equal rights. He and those who agreed with him were unsatisfied with the lack of progress made in the matter of racial equality, and decided that they should work to achieve their goal.

Critical Thinking 17-2 #5

Women in the Progressive Era faced many difficulties. These included problems with education, housing, food and drug laws, and suffrage. Many women made efforts to improve these things. If I were a woman during this time period, I would use different methods to recruit others who would be willing to support such causes.
Women were not often well educated before the Progressive Era. In the late 1800's, however, new colleges were opened for the purpose of teaching women. To help recruit supporters of this change, I would have women from such colleges spread the news of their education, encouraging other women to follow in their footsteps. Housing was another issue, as houses were often small and unsanitary. In order to improve living conditions, I would remind women of how having sanitary homes would benefit them, because women were often in charge of domestic work then.
Food was also a problem. Many unhealthy things were mixed in with food in factories. Improving these factories would benefit everyone. Drugs and alcohol were also troublesome for women, who may have had to face others under the influences of those substances. Many women would have been much happier and safer without having to face drunken husbands. Finally, women desired the right to vote, which they had been deprived of for so long. Womens' Suffrage groups were formed with the goal of gaining this right. To recruit others for this cause, I would tell them of the possibility of having more freedom in being able to choose our country's leaders. Improvements to any or all of these things would greatly benefit women, and I would make them aware of this.

Curent Events Summary 2

China has recently gained a lot of power, due to its size and high population. Some people consider it to be a new superpower. However, the country has made some questionable decisions. Many countries doubt that China will use its new status responsibly.
The Chinese government has done some things that others would not agree with. One such thing is the sale of arms to certain violent regimes. Conflicts such as the ones in Sudan and in Burma are fueled almost completely by China's arms sales. Because it is such an important supporter of Burma's military, human-rights protesters have been targeting China, rather than Burma itself. They blame China for the violent reactions to protests in Burma, where the prices for fuel have greatly increased.
China is also currently in an argument with Taiwan. The nearby island claims to be a different country, but China will not admit that it is independent from the mainland. The Taiwanese government has supported rallies for independence, but such efforts are always condemned by the Chinese government. It refuses to accept Taiwan as a seperate country.
China has to face a number of problems now. These issues, along with the country's recent rise to power, will force China to defend its global reputation. Doing so may be very difficult. At the moment, few countries believe that China will use its power properly.