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The Good: Proclamation of Neutrality
Image SourceOn August 4, 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared a Proclamation of Neutrality during WWI. During this time he warned US citizens against taking sides in the war for fear that it may disrupt the United States' policy. The proclamation kept America out of the war until 1917 when Germany sank several US merchant ships. -
The Bad: Epidemic of 1918
Image Source During World War 1 Fort Riley was an active army base and housed roughly 26,000 men and thousands of horses and mules. In order to keep the base clean, soliders burned the animal manure which created a yellow haze. This yellow haze caused a flu outbreak, so when soldiers were shipped over seas they brought the flu with them. This outbreak killed about 675,000 americans alone. -
The Bad: Stock Market Crash
Image SourceDuring 1920-1929 stocks quadrupled in value. Many investors believed that their stocks were safe and sound for the future so they invested more money in the market. By 1929 the stock market bubble burst. The stock market started crashing and people tried to sell all of their shares. People stopped buying as many goods because their losses in the stock market made them feel poor. They also stopped buying new stocks. -
The Bad: The Great Depression
Image SourceThe Great Depression started with the crash of the stock market. It was followed by the Dust Bowl. Then, many people were out of work so they left town in search of a job. The following year, during presidential elections, Franklin D. Roosevelt won and began to stabilize the economy. Finally, the Great Depression ended with the entrance of the US in WWII. -
The Bad: The Dust Bowl
Image SourceDuring the 1930's the midwest experienced an extreme drought. The lack of rain, however, was just one of the factors that contributed to the production of The Dust Bowl. Farmers in the '30s were working towards increased profit which led to the overproduction of wheat in the midwest. The constant cycle of planting and plowing left unused fields bare. When bare fields coupled with high winds and high temperatures you have the perfect recipe for diaster. -
The Good: World War II Agriculture
Image Source The agricultural production in Europe was interrupted by World War II, leaving the US with a major business opportunity. The United States could sell crops and livestock to Europe in hopes of increasing their standard of living and income. Then, in 1941 Britian's demands for food increased which increased agricultural prices. -
The Bad: Pearl Harbor
Image Source On December 7, 1941 Japan led an attack on a naval base in the United States, Pearl Harbor. This attack killed 2,500 men and injured over 1,000. However, the attack left vital facilities, such as, oil storage depots, repair shops, shipyards, and submarine docks unharmed. The next day the United States entered World War II. -
The Good: Germany Surrenders
Image Source Germany surrenders to WWII after Berlin is invaded and taken over by the United States and Russia. Germany began the war with an attack on Poland and followed with brutal extermination camps. They surrendered to the West in order to continue their battle with Russia in the East. Dwight D. Eisnhower then ordered Germany to sign an unconditional surrender. -
The Good: End of WWII
Image SourceIn 1945 the US ordered a "Potsdam Declaration" that demanded Japan to unconditionally surrender to the US. If Japan fails to surrender under the specified terms than that would mean "the complete destruction of the Japanese armed forces and the utter devastation of the Japanese homeland." The Japanese didn't surrender which led the US to drop an stomic bomb on Hiroshima. The majority continued to resist peace so the US dropped another bomb on Nagasaki. When Japan finally surrendered it ended WW2 -
The Good: After WWII
Image Source When soldiers returned from WWII they had plans of moving on with their lives. They increased the demand for single family houses and cars. The workforce also flourished with soldiers looking for work. Farming, however, was faced with tough times. More employees increased productivity which led to agricultural overproduction.
