Chapter 21-4: Critical Thinking # 5

What did the Harlem Renaissance contribute to both black and general American history?

The Harlem Renaissance contributed to both black and general American history because they gained a lot of literature and musical culture to their every day life. During this time African American writers became more known for their work. Poems became a very popular aspect to the people. Performers of jazz also gained popularity, as well as performers of plays. Throughout the African American culture, the Harlem Renaissance gave African Americans a better life and set higher standards for African American life in the future.

Chapter 21-1: Critical Thinking # 5

Do you think the passage of the Volstead Act and the ruling in the Scopes trial represented genuine triumphs for traditional values? Think About:

• changes in urban life in the 1920s
• the effects of Prohibition
• the legacy of the Scopes trial

I think that the passage of the Volstead Act and the ruling in the Scopes trial did represent genuine triumphs for traditional values. During the Scopes trial people were fighting for their religious beliefs because a biology teacher tried to teach his student the theory of evolution. Since the theory of evolution was completly against their traditional values, the process of the Scopes trial was justifiable. The Volstead Act was also a genuine triumph for traditional values because the act actually worked. Even though Prohibition lead to many problems, the ending result, overall, did decline in the amount of alcohol that was consumed daily, which was the point of the act.

Chapter 20-1: Critical Thinking # 3

Do you think Americans were justified in their fear of radicals and foreigners in the decade following World War I? Explain our answer. Think About:

• the goals of the leaders of the Russian Revolution
• the challenges facing the United States

I do think that the Americans were justified in their fear of radicals and foreigners in the decade following the World War I. One threat that Americans dealt with was communism. Communism was an economic and political system based on a single-party government ruled by a dictatorship. Americans were right to act the way they did during the "Red Scare". During this time period things like sending bombs through the mail to the U.S government occured. Once a communist party had formed, it made sense that America acted they way it did. They feared that the Communists were going to take over the U.S.

Even though America seemed to have a logically reason for fearing radicals and foreigners, some actions they did were not justifiable. For instance, the KKK was a huge event that was overly exagerated. Also, the Palmer raids and quota system could have also been easier without.

Chapter19-4: Critical Thinking # 5

Predict Germany's reaction to the Treaty of Versailles. Give reasons for your predictions. Think About:

• What Germans thought of the war-guilt clause
• German reaction to reparations
• how Germans felt about the loss of territory

I think that the Germans reacted as if the Americans and other nations were trying to pin the whole war on them. As the term "war-guilt clause" takes affect, Germany didn't like the idea that they would have to admit to total responsibility for starting World War I. Germany must have been very angry and confused when they were told they had to pay the huge financial reparations, while other nations were involved in the war as well. Along with the complete blame of World War I and the responsibility of the war damages, the Germans also lost territory. They were required to give bach the region of Alsace-Lorriane.

Chapter 19-4: Critical Thinking # 3

Why didn't the Treaty of Versailles lay the foundations for a lasting peace?

The Treaty of Versailles established nine new nations which included Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia, and also shifted the boundaries of other nations. Although, the Treaty of Versailles didn't lay the foundations for a lasting peace because of the treatment of Germany. The treaty barred Germany from maintaining an army. It also made Germany return the region of Alsace-Lorraine to France and to pay for war damages to the Allies. Because the treaty had several flaws, it was weakened and eventually would lead to the Second World War because of its international problems.

Chapter 19-3: Critical Thinking # 5

Do you think that war had a positive or negative effect on American society? Think About:

• how the propaganda campaign influenced people's behavior
• the new job opportunities for African Americans and women
• how the government controlled industry

On the American society I think that the war had a negative effect. First of all, the propaganda campaigns made people filled with hatred and violations of the civil liberties of certain ethnic groups and opportunites of the war. Many pamphlets, booklets, and leaflets were intended to promot patriotism but instead filled many people with anger. The war also gave the government the power to control industries. It also left people without the option to speak negativily about the war. Over all, the war effected the American society mentally and physically. Although, the war did open up to job opportunities for African Americans and women. The war caused much more African American migration and less European immigration. When African Americans moved to the north, many jobs were open for them to take.

Chapter19-3: Critical Thinking # 3

How did the war affect government power? Think About:

• how private business worked with government
• how much control the president gained over the economy
• the Espionage and Sedition Acts

The war affected government power in many ways. First of all, the way that private businesses were ran changed. Instead of taking the risk of being totally taken over by the government during war, for example food administrations, private businesses came to many agreements with the government. The more that the economy focused on the war effort, the better off they were. Because industries weren't just dealing with their normal customers and were now dealing with war efforts, the government felt that they had to take over and process everything, expanding greatly. As for the president, the war affected his power very much. Due to the fact that World War I was such a conflict, the president gained power over the economy to fix and to regulate prices on certain war-related industries, which was even nationalized. Lastly, the war affected the government power because of the Espionage and Sedition Acts. With the Espionage and Sedition Acts a person could be fined up to $10,000 and sentenced to 20 years in prison for interfering with the war effort and government, whether they were disloyal, disrespectful or abusive about any matter.

Chapter 19-2: Critical Thinking # 3

In what ways did the WWI represent a frightening new kind of warfare? Think About:

• the casualty figures
• new military technology
• shell shock

World War I represented a frightening new kind of warfare in many ways. During World War I there were more deaths and it was the bloodiest war in history up to that time. The new weapons and tactics that were presented on the battlefields were very large-scale to what things used to be like. Being able to use such new and improved technology, soldiers could attack from greater distances than ever. The technology at war became much more advanced and was used to the greatest extent. World War I was a fright to the new kind of warfare because it introduced new hazards, becoming much more serious and deadly to each opponent.

Chapter 19-1: Critical Thinking # 5

Why do you think Germany escalated its U-boat attacks in 1917? Think About:

• Germany's military buildup
• the effects of the British blockade
• Germany's reason for using submarine warfare

Germany escalated its U-boat attacks in 1917 because of Germany's military buildup, the British blockade, and the use of submarine warfare. As war continued on land, Britain decided to use the tactic of the sea and their naval strength. Any ships that were found in the waters around Britain would be sunk. U-boats had the advantage of attacking ships without the crew or passangers having any knowledge. Also, when the British blockaded Germany, using submarines, Germany could counterblockade them back. The new use of submarine warfare was also probably escalated because it was a "sneaky" defending mechanism.

Chapter 19-1: Critical Thinking # 4

Why were America's ties with the Allies stronger than its ties with the Central Powers?

America's ties with the Allies were stronger than its ties with the Central Powers because it provided a worldwide security. Due to the fact that the Allies were not interested in breaking the balance of power with America, a bond was made. The Allies, which consisted of France, Britain and Russia, were mainly looking for protection and independence. The nations that were in alliance with America disliked the thought of domination but instead longed for their nations to become independent. A stronger tie between America and the Allies were also made because those who had emigrated to America, from Germany for instance, offered their condolences with their nation. While emigrants still sympathized with their nations, America tied into Britain because of common ancestry and language. Also, America's economic ties with the Allies were much stronger than its ties with the Central Powers.