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Reconcentration Camps
Cuba killed many innocent people. Mothers and children were killed. Many people were left dead. The letter written by Fitzhugh Lee said, "From all this we deduct that the numbers of death among the reconcentrados has amounted to 77 percent" America became concerned about Cuba and wanted to protect them. This demonstrates Future 2. -
Sinking of the USS Maine
The sinking of the USS Maine united the American people against Spain. Spain was seen as treacherous and barbarious The song by Mary Elizabeth Lamb helped further this feeling by calling for vengeance: "Awake! it is no dream; Dost hear the sailors scream? Comrades will you go? Avenge the cruel blow!" This represents future 2 because the United States is declaring war on Spain and invading Cuba as a direct response to an attack to our assets. -
President Wilson's Declaration of Neutrality
Wilson says that the people are responsible for choosing sides. He states, "The people of the United States are drawn from many nations, and chiefly from the nations now at war". He realizes America is made up of many different people and he didn't want to choose a side because he thought it would cause unrest. His final decision was to stay neutral. This demonstrates Future 4 because Wilson did not want to get involved. -
President Wilson's "Peace Without Victory" Speech
President Wilson was calling for the countries in Europe to become more peaceful. "I am proposing that all nations henceforth avoid entangling alliances which would draw them into competitions of power". He's seen war and how destructive it could be. He wants governments to run themselves and adopt the foundations of the Monroe Doctrine.
This demonstrates Future 3 because Wilson wants to build a more cooperative world where everyone works together. -
President Wilson's 14 Points
President was once again advocating for peace in Europe. He wanted lasting peace. "It will be our wish and purpose that the processes of peace, when they are begun, shall be absolutely open and that they shall involve and permit henceforth no secret understandings of any kind". Wilson does not want governments to have secret alliances. He wants everyone to work together.
This demonstrates Future 3 because he wants to world to be cooperative. -
Covenant of the League of Nations
The Covenant of the League of Nations was a series of conferences where world peace became a topic of discussion. The document starts off by stating, "In order to promote international co-operation and to achieve international peace and security". After WW1, people wanted world peace and this was supposed to bring it.
This demonstrates Future 3 because many countries came together to try and make the world a better place. -
FDR: Day of Infamy
Japan conducted a surprise attack on the US naval base Pearl Harbor. This attack killed 1,177 crewman. "With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God". America declared war on Japan and told America they would win.
This demonstrates Future 4 because America did not start the war. They were attacked on the homeland and America did something about it. -
FDR on War on Japan
FDR speaks to America about the war they are about to go through. He gives a hopeful message. "We are now in this war. We are all in it—all the way". Along with giving hope to the Americans, FDR renewed American sense of pride.
This demonstrates Future 4 because Americans are taking action about the war and have a new sense of pride. -
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a secret project where America developed the first ever nuclear weapon. This project was led by America and supported by Canada and the U.K. "On July 16, 1945, at TRINITY SITE near ALAMOGORDO, NEW MEXICO, scientists of the Manhattan Project readied themselves to watch the detonation of the world's first atomic bomb" After 3 years, America tested the first nuclear weapon.
This demonstrates Future 1 because America became a world leader building this weapon. -
America Uses Atomic Bombs
America and Japan were at war for a long time now. The Japanese were not going to surrender anytime soon. Using the atomic bomb would end the war and cause the Japanese to surrender. Truman stated, "We have used it to shorten the agony of the war". The bomb did end the war, but for a pretty high cost.
This demonstrates Future 1 because America took control of the war and became a superpower after using it. -
Truman Doctrine
Truman did not want communism to spread. He knew it was a bad idea so he stepped up and did something about it. He offered 400 million dollars to Greece and Turkey so the Soviet Union would not easily take those vulnerable countries. Truman stated, "The free peoples of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms". Countries became reliant on America.
This demonstrates Future 1 because America is trying to prevent the spread of communism and giving foreign aid. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall plan was a proposal by secretary Marshall. The proposal wanted to provide foreign aid to the countries in Western Europe. Secretary Marshall stated, "the United States Government can proceed much further in its efforts to alleviate the situation and help start the European world on its way to recovery". He knew America could do a lot more to help, so he stepped up.
This demonstrates Future 1 because America is giving foreign aid to other countries. -
NATO
NATO is a defensive military alliance. The way it works is, "if one country gets attacked, others will come to assist the attacked country". This was made because countries were afraid of Soviet aggression. America was no longer able to stay isolated.
This demonstrates Future 3 because America joined an alliance with other countries to prevent communism from spreading. -
Truman Sends Forces To South Korea
North Korea was supported by the communists and South Korea was supported by Americans. Truman sent troops to South Korea to counter any invasion by North Korea. Truman implied, "America would intervene in the Korean conflict in order to prevent the conquest of an independent nation by communism". The reason for sending troops is to prevent the spread of communism.
Future 1 is demonstrated here because America is sending troops to another country to deal with worldwide issues. -
Armistice Ends the Korean War
After three years of fighting a bloody war, America decided to sign an armistice with all the countries involved in the Korean War. The war was going nowhere and it was highly criticized."A new border between North and South Korea was drawn". This new border became very tense and still is today.
This demonstrates Future 3 because America was able to negotiate a deal with other countries. -
Cold War and Domino Theory
The United States' foreign policy during the Cold War played a major role in Vietnam.Their foreign policy was dominated by the "domino theory". "the "fall" of North Vietnam to Communism might trigger all of Southeast Asia to fall". This caused America to support more anti-communist efforts.
This demonstrates Future 1 because America is trying to prevent the spread of communism. -
The Antiwar Movement
Many citizens back home in America did not approve of the war in Vietnam. "the antiwar movement within the United States gained momentum as student protesters, countercultural hippies, and even many mainstream Americans denounced the war". The war was not supported by a lot of people. These protests led to violence in some occasions.
This demonstrates Future 4 because the people of America do not want to be sending troops to Vietnam. -
The "Credibility Gap"
America has invested a lot of time and energy into fighting the communists from North Vietnam. Many people started criticizing America's efforts in the war. "U.S. spending in support of the war had reached record levels, costing the government an estimated $3 billion a month". This shows that America was committed to winning the war.
This demonstrates Future 1 because America is investing a lot of money in another country to try and stop the spread of communism. -
Paris Peace Accords
This document was supposed to bring the end of the Vietnam War. That's what it was made for. “An Agreement Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam”. This document included a cease-fire throughout Vietnam.
This demonstrates Future 3 because America was being a cooperative country and tried to bring more peace into the world. -
The Fall of Saigon
America has been gradually pulling troops out of Vietnam. Along with pulling troops out, they started to give less money to South Vietnam. "North Vietnamese forces stepped up their attacks on the South and finally launched an all-out offensive in the spring of 1975". America losing interest in the war is what caused South Vietnam to be taken over by the North.
This demonstrates Future 2 because South Vietnam was still a place of interest to America, but it was not full out support.
