Current Events Summary # 3

Domestic Policies of West Africa

Sierra Leone has recently elected a new president to term named Ernest Bai Koroma. Mr. Koroma's main goal is to "tackle" corruption. By this Mr. Koroma basically means that he will not allow people to act in such a manner that is dishonest practice. He told the BBC that he would even be onto his own family members if they were part of a corrupt act. Beforehand, Mr. Koroma won a very close battle in an election. Mr. Koroma's actions and loyalty shows the dedication that the country's democracy is receiving. Even though Sierra Leone had a very poor government, Mr. Koroma claims that the government will develop and be enhanced. Making the effort to establish a stronger, better government, Mr. Koroma stated that he and his office will not make the same mistakes that have been made over the last 20 years. As is shown, Mr. Koroma seems to give a positive position for the people of Sierra Leone and the governance.

While the new president of Sierra Leone promises he will deal with corruption, the Nigerian government, and people of Nigeria, are struggling with this act. The governance of Nigeria doesn't seem to be democratic but is as if a resemblance of criminal activity is being portrayed. In Nigeria, hundreds of people have lost their lives and oil revenues have been corrupt or "misplaced". Having the political office use the violence of gangs to recruit politicians is obviously getting too out of control. To make a positive change, the president, Umaru Yar'Adua, and the government of Nigeria would have to take charge of things right away. This country has no time to spare. Reforming the government of Nigeria will be a difficult task, but in order to repair and save the human lives and the political system, control over corruption has to be made.

As a result, within Western Africa, many countries have been dealing with the act of corruption. Whether the effort to change the circumstances they are in have been positive or negative, each region is dealing with the same problems.

Chapter 18-4: Critical Thinking # 4

In your opinion, should the United States have become involved in the affairs of Colombia, Nicaragua, and Mexico during the early 1900s? Support your answer with details. Think About:

• the effect of Roosevelt Corollary
• the results of dollar diplomacy
• the implication of Wilson's missionary diplomacy

I think that the United States made a poor decision when they became involved in the affairs of Columbia, Nicaragua, and Mexico during the early 1900s. These countries did not hold anything against the United States and didn't cause any trouble. The United States would have had a lot less on their hands if they were to stay out of their affairs. Also, becoming involved in these affairs, I think that the United States went in thinking of all the more power they would have. The United States seemed to have taken advantage of these countries, in order to stay in control. In the end, the United States shouldn't have become involved in the affairs of Columbia, Nicaragua, and Mexico.

Chapter 18-4: Critical Thinking # 3

What do you think were the similarities and differences between Roosevelt's Big Stick policy and Wilson's missionary diplomacy? Use evidence from the text to support your response. Think About:

• the goal of each of these foreign policies
• how the policies defined the role of U.S. intervention in international affairs
• how the policies were applied

Roosevelt's Big Stick policy stood for how Roosevelt threatened violence among the countries to gain authority in the Caribbean and Central America. Roosevelt was so determined to make the United States the predominant power of each region (p.568). He quoted, "Speak softly and carry a big stick, you will go far" (p.568) While Roosevelt used the "Big Stick" policy, Wilson used something called "missionary diplomacy". Wilson's "missionary diplomacy" stated that "the United States had a moral responsibility to deny recognition to any Latin American government it viewed oppressive, undemocratic or hostile to U.S. interests" (p.559). Wilson's policy pressured nations into the West to develop democratic governments. In the end, Roosevelt and Wilson had different tactics, but their goals were the same; determined to make the United States the predominant power in the Caribbean and Central America.

Chapter 18-3: Critical Thinking # 4

How was U.S. policy toward China different from U.S. policy toward the Philippines? To what can you attribute the difference?

The U.S. policy toward China was different from the U.S. policy toward the Philippines. The policy towards the Philippines was very similar to what had happened to Puerto Rico. Once many African American soldiers had rebelled and became friends with the Philippines, the United States took three years to get everything back under control. Once the power was back into their hands, they established a government, like they did for Puerto Rico, where they would appoint a governor, who would appoint the legislature's upper house. The Philippines could only elect the lower house of the legislature. After a while of the Americans ruling the Philippines, they finally became independent and became a republic on July 7, 1946 (p.561).
While the U.S. had ruled the Philippines, like Puerto Rico, they saw China as a potential market for American products. Even though China was weaker at this time, from war and foreign intervention, the United States feared that China would turn into different colonies and American traders would be left out (p.562). In fear, the U.S. Secretary of State John Hay enforced letter that were called the Open Door notes, to protect American interests.
While China could keep its freedom, the Philippines were controlled differently by the United States because they were seen as the "gateway to the rest of Asia" (p.562). Basically, China did not get over-powered by the U.S. government because the United States needed to remain on their good side for economical growth.

Chapter 18-3: Critical Thinking # 3

How did American rule of Puerto Rico harm Puerto Ricans? How did it help Puerto Ricans? Do you think the benefits outweighed the harmful effects? Why or why not?

American rule of Puerto Rico harmed Puerto Ricans because America could not promise them their independence. Puerto Rico was important to the U.S. to be able to remain in the Caribbean and for protecting a future canal that American leaders wanted to build(p.559). For this reason, Puerto Rico was controlled by the military, unless Congress decided to change the arrangements. While the United States had complete control over Puerto Rico, this harmed them the most. The government of Puerto Rico was not a real government. Even the people had little participation; only being able to vote for the legislature's lower house(p.559). Even though American rule of Puerto Rico had many disadvantages, it protected them. In the end it also gave Puerto Ricans their U.S. citizenship, being able to move between the island and the mainland(p.559). I do think that the benefits outweighed the harmful effects because in the end Puerto Rico regained their government back, which was civilized, and they became U.S. citizens.

Chapter 18-2: Critical Thinking # 3

What do you think were the unstated editorial policies of yellow journalism? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

• James Creelman's account of Spanish atrocities against Cubans (page552)
• Hearst's remark to Remington
• the Journal headline about the explosion of the battleship Maine

Yellow journalism is a piece of writing that exaggerates the news to grab people's attention and enrage the readers. I think that the unstated editorial policies of yellow journalism was writers competing with one another. Each writer would use their bias opinions and write things that may not have been true, or were just overly exaggerated. The unstated work concentrated on human interests and material. Once Hearst and Pulitzer began to print accounts that were overly exaggerated by reporters, like James Creelman, newspaper circulation was filled with yellow journalism (probably leading to many "wars" (competition) between many different newspapers). Also, a huge factor that had an effect on newspapers and editorials during this time were the banner headlines and illustrations.

Chapter 18-1:Critical Thinking # 5

In the following passage, how does Indiana Senator Albert J. Beveridge explain the need for the U.S. to acquire new territories?

Fate has written our policy for us; the trade of the world must and shall be ours... we will establish trading posts throughout the world as distributing points for American products... Great colonies governing themselves, flying our flag and trading with us, will grow about our posts of trade.

In this passage Indiana Senator Albert J. Beveridge explains the need for the U.S. to acquire new territories by suggesting how it is the American responsibility to expand. Beveridge gives reasons to why the U.S. needs new territories. He mentions how the fate of America is to expand into new territories and the trade should and must be in the hands of Americans. Beveridge also states that with new territories, the ability to create trading posts around the world would be available for Americans to distribute their products. With these beneficial posts, the trade and sale of American products would aid to the world and unite everyone through trade. Without the expansion into new territories, each region would have less of a chance to thrive for success. Albert J. Beveridge ends his statement by saying how each colony would still be able to govern themselves, but in that process, everyone would also have a better trading position to rely on.

Chapter 18-1: Critical Thinking # 3

Manifest destiny greatly influenced American policy during the first half of the 19th century. How do you think manifest destiny set the stage for American imperialism at the end of the century?

Manifest destiny set the stage for American imperialism at the end of the 19th century because the Americans took over land that belonged to the Native Americans, leaving them with hardly anything. While gaining land, the act of imperialism was a trend for the Americans because they were able to spread their economic, political, and military control into newer territories. Becoming more world wide, the Americans would continue to be able to make a difference/improvement with their economics, politics, and their military. Having the power to claim land as their own, the Americans would continue to spread through the region. Once land was taken over and the population grew, due to manifest destiny, the Americans had a stronger want for more markets. With more markets they had a larger variety to sell goods from and to the people, as well as a larger population and area to trade goods/appliances with. The political views of America were also influenced by manifest destiny because the Americans viewed themselves as stronger, more powerful individuals, making them strive for more. Lastly, the military gained strength due to manifest destiny. Establishing a better military, America would be able to have more control and protections of things.. They could also use the seas for transportation, now having more land to have camps and more variety of protection to go to.

Chapter 17-5: Critical Thinking # 4

Why do you think Wilson failed to push for equality for African Americans, despite his progressive reforms? Think About:

• progressive presidents before Wilson
• Wilson's background
• the primary group of people progressive reforms targeted

I think that Wilson failed to push for equality for African Americans because growing up with a Southern background, he had a strict view when it came to politics. Being a former governor of New Jersey, Wilson probably knew that supporting equality for African Americans was very hard to achieve. Many white votes would over throw his voice and shut it right down. The prejudice against African Americans would prevent him to use his federal power to give civil rights to African Americans. Also, the primary group of people progressive reforms targeted were those who were "average" people. These people that were targeted most likely owned a large business, company, and/or industry. Therefore, seeing how progressive reforms targeted the white poplulation, Wilson would not have as much support if he were to support the equality for African Americans in the economy.

Chapter 17-3: Critical Thinking # 5

Why dud W.E.B. Du Bois oppose Booker T. Washington's views on racial discrimination?

W.E.B. Du Bois opposed Booker T. Washington's views on racial discrimination because Booker T. Washington thought that African Americans should have a separate economy from the "whites". While Washington believed that segregation and black poverty was a blame on African Americans, W.E.B. Du Bois thought that African Americans deserved social and economic equality; it didn't matter that they were a different skin color. W.E.B. Du Bois opposed Washingtons views because he didn't think any less of African Americans. Instead of discriminating against African Americans because of their racial difference, W.E.B. Du Bois wanted to give every single person the same rights as the next guy.