The American Empire in the 20th Century: 1901-50
This class begins with a description of Theodore Rosevelt’s “Great White Fleet” that was sent on a world tour to impress other countries with America’s naval might and distract Americans from economic downturns resulting from several major recessions between 1896 and 1914.
We will discuss the outbreak of WWI. President Wilson initially promised to keep America out of the war, but later enthusiastically pushed for entry. This was paired with anti-German propaganda campaigns to overcome domestic disinterest and opposition. Later the Espionage Act of 1917 would provide criminal penalties for voicing disapproval of the war.
Finally, we will consider several of the unfortunate legacies of WWI including the ill-conceived partition of the Middle East into imaginary countries and the domestic Red Scares that initiated government surveillance of American citizens.
