Live Q and A session - recap

Session 1 – Unit 3: Foreign Policy 1: Change and continuity in US foreign policy 1890-1941 (A Doughton)

​

Session 2 – Unit 3 Foreign Policy 2: The impact of US involvement in the Second World war and the Cold War 1941-75 (A Doughton)

​

Session 3 – Unit 3 Civil Rights 1 (A Morel)

​

Session 4 – Unit 3 Civil Rights 2 (A Morel)

​

Live session with A Doughton and A Morel

​

​

UNIT 3

THE AMERICAN CENTURY c.1890-1990

The struggle for Civil Rights, c.1890-1990

Making of a superpower, c.1890-1990

Unit 3 – Option 8 (The American Century, 1890-1990)

Possible questions on changes and continuity in US foreign policy 1890-1941

• To what extent was American foreign policy mainly influenced by imperialism in the period 1890-1929? (30)
• To what extent did American governments pursue a consistent approach to foreign policy in the period from 1898 to 1941? (30)
• How far do you agree that US foreign policy was mainly isolationist in the period from 1918 to 1941? (30)
• To what extent did the experience of the First World War influence US foreign policy during the period from 1917 to 1941? (30)

​

Topic 1 – Change and continuity in US foreign policy 1890-1941

Key issues and content

• American imperialism in the late nineteenth century.
• The Spanish American war and the Panama canal.
• The problem of neutrality and entry into the First World War.
• American contribution to victory 1917-1918.
• USA and the peace treaties.
• Isolationism in the 1920s and 1930s

​

American foreign policy before 1890

• Before 1890, aimed to stay isolationist.
• Monroe Doctrine, 1823 – Avoid European affairs, unless they interfered with the Americas.
• Manifest Destiny – Westward expansion

American imperialism in the late nineteenth century – key words/details�

• Manifest Destiny
• Monroe Doctrine, 1823
• Motives – Social Darwinism / Preclusive Imperialism / Economic motives.
• Annexed Hawaii
• Philippines
• Organic Act of 1900 (Puerto Rico)

​

​

​

The Spanish American War, 1898

• Cuban independence.
• Strong support from US.
• USS Maine
• Yellow Press
• Teller Amendment was agreed.
• 4 months.
• A peace treaty signed in Paris in December 1898 recognised Cuban independence and the American annexation of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and the Pacific Island of Guam.

The Panama Canal

• USA long supported the building of a canal to connect Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
• Colombia demands money
• Support for Panama revolt.
• Panama achieved independence
• Accept $10 million

The problem of neutrality and entry into the First World War.�

• Public opinion
• Unrestricted submarine warfare
• Zimmerman Telegram
• Resumptions of unrestricted submarine warfare

American contribution to victory 1917-1918�

• America’s industrial and financial strength
• America’s powerful navy joined the Royal Navy.
• The American army was rapidly built up after May 1917. By March 1918 there were 300,000 US troops in France and by November 1918 there were 2 million.
• The US army also played its part in the series of Allied offensives on the Western Front which broke German resistance in the autumn of 1918.

​

USA and the peace treaties.�

• Wilson’s Fourteen Points
• France and Britain were not willing to accept these.
• Wilson had to compromise.
• League of Nations

• WW1. Economic downturn. Fear of Communism.
• Rejection of the L of N.
• Immigration Acts.
• Naval Disarmament Conference in Washington in 1921
• Fordney McCumber Tariffs
• Dawes and Young Plans
• Latin America – Haiti and Nicragua
• Neutrality Acts
• Quarantine speech, 1937

​

​

Isolationism in the 1920s and 1930s

Next session - The impact of US involvement in the Second World war and the Cold War 1941-75

Key issues and content

• F D Roosevelt and the entry into the Second World War.
• The USA and the Second World War.
• The Cold War and relations with the USSR and China 1945-1972.
• The Vietnam war and its impact.

Possible questions on the impact of US involvement in the Second World war and the Cold War 1941-75

• ‘Kennedy was the president who most successfully met the challenges of the Cold War in the period from 1945 to 1975.’ Discuss.
• To what extent was US policy towards communism in Asia in the years 1949-1975 a consistent failure?
• How successfully did American presidents meet the challenge of the Cold War in the period 1945-1975?

​

F D Roosevelt and the entry into the Second World War.�

• 1939 Neutrality Act – Cash and Carry
• By May 1941, Lend-lease
• August 1941, the Atlantic Charter
• 1941 – Pearl Harbour Attack
• US declares war on Japan.

The USA and the Second World War (Europe)�

• Churchill convinced Roosevelt to support in Europe.
• Support in North Africa
• The US supplied weapons and food
• 6 June 1944 ‘D-Day’.
• By March 1945, Allied troops had crossed the Rhine and entered Germany.
• After Hitler committed suicide, the German armed forces surrendered on 8 May 1945.
• Island hopped to Japan
• Atomic bombs

The Cold War and relations with the USSR and China 1945-1972.�

• Long term issues – ideological differences. Suspicions.
• Yalta 1945 – division of Germany. USSR support for US in Japan. Poland still an issue.
• Potsdam, 1945 conferences – Disagreements over elections.
• Truman suspicious of Stalin.
• Truman Doctrine – Policy of containment. Belief in the Domino theory.
• Marshall Plan – Economic aid to Europe.
• Berlin blockade
• China and Japan
• Korean War
• Berlin Wall
• Cuban Missile Crisis

​

The Vietnam War and its impact

• Domino theory
• Stop spread of communism to South Vietnam
• The Viet Cong were fighting for Vietnamese reunification. They began their campaign in 1959 in South Vietnam, using a mixture of terrorist attacks against government targets and recruiting people to their cause.
• The US sent money, weapons and then military advisers to support the South Vietnamese government.
• Two incidents in August 1964 in the Gulf of Tonkin led to escalated US involvement in Vietnam. Used by the US to justify full US military involvement in Vietnam. In response, Congress gave President Johnson the power to use the US military to prevent South Vietnam and its neighbours Cambodia and Laos from becoming communist. This led to a huge build-up of US forces in South Vietnam.
• Search and destroy, operation rolling thunder, chemical weapons.
• Guerrilla campaign
• Huge cost
• Nixon elected
• The US continued to provide support to South Vietnam, but in 1975, the army of North Vietnam completely overran the South.

​

Mr Andrew Morel

BA, MA, PGCE, MEd

Ysgol Uwchradd Llanidloes High School

History A2 Spring 2024 Sessions:

​

• Session 1: Unit 3 Option 8 Theme 2 Making of the USA as a super power 1890-1990 (1) Mr A. Doughton
• Session 2: Unit 3 Option 8 Theme 2 Making of the USA as a super power 1890-1990 (2) Mr A. Doughton
• Session 3: Unit 3 Option 8 Theme 2 The struggle for civil rights in the USA 1890-1990 (1) Mr A. Morel
• Session 4: Unit 3 Option 8 Theme 2 The struggle for civil rights in the USA 1890-1990 (2) Mr A. Morel

• Reconstruction period: The period after the 1865 end of the US Civil War which sought to unite the country and give rights to previously enslaved African Americans.
• Segregation: A society where people are separated because of race, especially in education, housing and transportation
• Migration: The movement, in large numbers, away from one area and to another.

​

​

​

Significant Individuals

Suggested revision Task: For each Significant Individual highlighted in the specification or that you have studied draw up the following:

Minor Impact

Major Impact

Significant Individual:

Booker T Washington

Detailed Explanation (focused on long term impact):

​

​

Minor Impact

Major Impact

Significant Individual:

W E Du Bois

Detailed Explanation (focused on long term impact):

​

​

By doing this for each significant individual you will be able to directly compare them!

Turning Point

Suggested revision Task: For each turning point (turning point is one at which there is a clear and fundamental change) highlighted in the specification or that you have studied draw up the following:

Minor Impact

Major Impact

Turning Point:

Formation of the NAACP

Detailed Explanation (focused on long term impact):

​

​

​

​

​

​

By doing this for each Turning Point you will be able to directly compare them!

Essay question that exemplifies this (Option 8) How far do you agree that the work of President Johnson had the most significant influence upon the achievement of civil rights for African Americans in the period 1941-1968? [30]

Cause and Consequence

1. Use your knowledge to explain the causes of each event
2. 2. Use your work/revision to add to it
3. Highlight links in consequences between them by drawing an arrow and write on the arrow the link

​

​

Essay question that exemplifies this (Option 8) How far do you agree that the work of President Johnson had the most significant influence upon the achievement of civil rights for African Americans in the period 1941-1968? [30]

We will hold a Live Question and Answer session on Wednesday 7th February 2024 between 18.30 and 19.15. Join us to ask anything you are unsure of.

Thank you very much for using this resource as I have shared with you some tips to succeed in your History A level. All the very best in your exams!