The Progressive Era

SUMMARY The Progressive Era marked a time of close elections between Democrats, Republicans, and the new People’s Party. Each differentiating themselves through their views of protective tariffs vs. income taxes, the role of government on the economy, and reform. From the election of Garfield in 1880 to Wilson’s election in 1912, there were 9 different presidents. Republican leaders took steps into destroying trusts but failed to protect voting rights for African Americans. As in the south, Blacks were prevented from voting through various clause that were very obviously targeting them. This did not stop leaders such as W.E.B. Du Bois from taking a stand to fight for the rights of millions through the NAACP. Cries for labor reform heightened during the economic depression of the 1890s and conflict arrived from a switch from the gold standard to the free silver, which was blocked. New labor unions such as the Industrial Workers of the World (Wobblies) emerged but were quickly labelled as anarchist movements, and “anti-American.” Although the Progressive Era brought the 19th Amendment (women’s suffrage) in 1919, this time period did not mean reform for all.

SUMMARY Imagine a supervillain plotting to take over the world, now that supervillain is the United States. Very self-aware of its lack of control oversees and in the Pacific, the U.S. aimed to acquire more land. From the annexation of Hawaii, to Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, and partial control over Cuba, the US was rampant with war fever. Hoping to access the Asian market, the US pushed for an open door policy with China as they have yet to have a foothold on the east. Trade with China severely impacted Japan’s relationship with America, the relationship Roosevelt strengthened, was destroyed by Wilson leading to decades of animosity. The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand at the hands of a Serb started the greatest war the world had yet seen. America’s desire to remain neutral