Timeline:
Primary Sources:
Summary: This photograph of the police examining the brewery depicts them enforcing the 18th amendment--prohibition. This law was ratified in 1919 arousing much anger and disbelief from many Americans. It was pushed for by some women advocates and religious groups. Passing this law was controversial and couldn't be enforced well because the nation never thought of it as a crime and they were understaffed.
Significance: It is significant because this illustrates one of the few instances in which law enforcement actually enforced the ridiculous law. These officers, unlike appear to not have been corrupted by bribes and illegal drinking as many others were accustomed to which is significant. Student: Megan J. Summary: This source is from the Chinese Vanguard who is giving a status reports of sorts on their current situation to the public. They talk about how the Americans are willing to help but don't know where to start, but is starting to get the idea of what they need - like "material assistance." This was written to inform the public what their current status with America was and that they had Congressman Scott's support for more aid from America.
Significance: This is significant because it gives a perspective on what the Chinese felt and how they were doing their best to get America to aid them. In addition to that, it also shows an account of American support without the biased voice speaking for them. Student: Priscilla Lieu |
Summary: This is Woodrow Wilson's speach declaring to others that through everything America has stayed neutral and has contiued on with the work in foreign countries peacfully through this time, therefore he wants America to remain neutral and continue in the peacful grounds that we obtained with everyone.
Significance: This is important because this is the point where America stand her ground and remains neutral in all of the craziness that is going on. this enables America to continue it production for trade and also to contiue its trade with foreign countries enabling supplies we need to be attainable. Lastly this keeps America safer from attack because we declared neutrality so no one should think we are schemeing with anyone. Student: Rilley R. Summary: This poem by Flora Robertson gives a glimpse into the trials faced by people originally from the middle of the country who now are affected by not only the stock market crash but the dustbowl. The crops wouldn't grow since the wind completely ravaged the land and made the soil unproductive. The grasshopper travels across the entire state to escape the coming storm but the families and their land and livestock cannot escape so easily. At this point, the narrator decides that they will make the journey to California.
Significance: This is important because it was very common for large families to sell almost all of their belongs and move west to the land of milk and honey, just as in John Steinbeck's The grapes of Wrath. Many farmers had little money in the first place due to the stock market crash of 1929 but the dustbowl also impacted their financial well being. Even though California was not all that it was made up to be, migrant families went with small hopes that their conditions would improve. Student: Melissa H. |