20th Century Pros And Cons

Many pros and cons influenced the domestic and international developments during the early part of the 20th century. Which contributes to the idea of progress being a zero sum game. From families including men women and children living in abandoned homes and tents due to the breakdown of the economy during the 1920s, or the red scare of socialists uprising and coming to ruin the Democratic America. These all contribute positives and negatives that greatly impact and grow the American identity of ambition, through innovation and imperialism for the American people.

The idea of Imperialism, in America, began in 1838 when “Washington, D.C., had decreed that they must be driven west and their lands given to the white man” (“The Cherokee Removal

Through the Eyes of a Private Soldier”) during this period of time 7000 soldiers, some regulars others volunteers, marched westward into Indian country.

This introduced the idea of “Manifest Destiny”, that it was there (American People) God given right to expand from sea to shining sea. For the American people, this sparked sense of opportunity. For some it meant restarting their lives, for others in search of a new one. By 1840, nearly 40 percent of Americans had settled in the West (history.com). During this time, the expansion Westward truly described the Land of Opportunity. While, 7 million ambitious Americans were expanding West in search of a new life, 4,000 Indians were paying the price (pbs.org). Deemed the, “Trail of Tears”, John G. Burnett describes his encounter in, “The Cherokee Removal through the Eyes of a Private Soldier”, as, “However, murder is murder whether committed by the villain skulking in the dark or by uniformed men stepping to the strains of martial music. Murder is murder, and somebody must answer,

Somebody must explain the streams of blood that flowed in the Indian country in the summer of 1828. Somebody must explain the 4000 silent graves that mark the trail of the cherokees to their exile. I wish I could forget it all, but the picture of 645 wagons lumbering over the frozen ground with their Cargo of suffering humanity still lingers in my memory”. This excerpt, shows how in some cases our ambition can drive ourselves so much that we will go to any cost to achieve want we want. While others view this as greed, they saw it as an opportunity too good to pass up.
Just 50 years later, a similar situation presented itself.

This time on an international scale. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge wrote in a magazine article, “In the interests of our commerce… we should build the Nicaragua canal, and for the protection of that canal and for the sake of our commercial supremacy in the Pacific we should control the Hawaiian islands and maintain our influence in Samoa… and when the Nicaraguan canal is built, the island of Cuba… will become a necessity…” This idea from Henry Cabot Lodge proved why the government felt they had to do this, to protect the best interest of the American people. Before elected President, William McKinley said: “We want a foreign market for our surplus products… American factories are making more than the American people can use’ American soil is producing more than they can consume. Fate has written our policy for us; the trade of the world must and shall be ours.” This is economical and commercial ambition that is done for the best interest of the people. The Cuban invasion was viewed, by the Americans, as a reminder of what they had gone through with the British. Cuba at the time was fighting for independance from the Spanish. After the US helped defeat the Spanish, they moved into Cuba to assure that their Economic influence was established in Cuba. The only way to be sure this was done correctly was to settle in Cuba. The American business Cuba was influenced greatly due to the trade of surplus sources (farmers etc). To

stretch this idea, the US moved to the Philippines which was the gateway to what Senator Albert Beveridge calls, “China’s illimitable markets”. This was an even bigger commercial and economical market, that the US had to secure. The Filipino rebel army retaliated, but we crushed the rebellion to protect our foreign investments for major economical reasons.
The amount of drive and determination we had for both the imperialism of Cuba, the Philippines and the idea of Manifest Destiny each had a direct correlation with how we, the people of America, feel about when we want something.If we want something, we’ll go out and get it. Especially if that goal will positively influence the entire nation
During the 1920s and part of the 30s innovation was leading the country to a brighter and more advanced society. Form government innovation to social innovation, it seemed as if the old saying “The future is now” was infact true. In 1919, during the end of the end of WWI, the governments of the US, France, Great Britain and Italy each came together to create ‘The league of Nations’. This was part of a peace plan that president Woodrow Wilson proposed, which had never been done in history. Like the invasions of Cuba and the Philippines, this was for the good of the people. Not only for the American people but on a much larger international scale that proved how innovative, and well thought out this idea really was. The league helped: prevent wars, settle international disputes (before they lead to war) and help solve social issues. The ‘League of Nations’ lasted 26 years until the United Nations (UN) replaced it after WWII, which is still used today. This shows the lasting impact that the proposed League has even now.
Technology, construction, fast paced, ambition, innovation. These are just a few words that describe what life was like in the early part of the 1920s. The social structure of society had forever changed the US which, like the League of Nations, also still have a long lasting impact today. During the 1920s the stock market had a huge impact on how Americans governed their money. The “white collar” attitude of wealthy, dominant figures rose to prominence and the idea that you could start from ground zero and work your way up to a higher class of lifestyle. This is where the idea of ambition and innovation in America took off, and when people had a realization of all that they could achieve in this free land.
Sports played a huge factor in the early-mid 1920s, with baseball and boxing dominating the sports market. The social impact was just as big as the economical impact. When Jack Dempsey attempted a rematch with Gene Tunney (professional boxing), the frenzy was so large that one store sold $90,000 worth of radios. That translates to $1,180,618.99 in radio costs today. A professional baseball broadcaster, when asked about Babe Ruth, said of Ruth, “He wasn’t a baseball player. He was a worldwide celebrity, an international star, the likes of which baseball has never seen since.” Baseball and boxing was seen largely as a form of entertainment, a social norm set by the wealthy and established by the poor. The social innovations of the early part of the 20th century would aptly be described as glamorous, lavish, innovative and yes. Ambitious.
The American people from the beginning of our country's existence in the 1700s have always been characterized as hard nosed people who will do anything to get what they want within the constraints of our morals. Sometimes our ambitions will get in the way of what is morally right, like the invasions of Philippines, Cuba and the Trail of Tears. But, with advancements of technology, social and governmental innovations, this part of our identity is what pushes us forward to strive for a better society.