INPI History of the USA – Module V
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Module V: The Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930)
"On the farms, in the large metropolitan areas, in the smaller cities and in the villages, millions of our
citizens cherish the hope that their old standards of living and of thought have not gone forever. Those
millions cannot and shall not hope in vain. I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American
people."
Roosevelt accepting the Democratic nomination for president, 1933
--- Introduction
1. Explore The Mindomo Map This conceptual map shows all the topics developed in this module. Click on
the link and take part in the classroom activity.
2. Read the article The Emergence of Modern America and answer:
What main characteristics of the early 20th c can you mention?
3. Read the article “The rise of Big Businesses in the late 19th c” and answer:
a. What does the phrase “big businesses” refer to?
b. Big businesses emerged with the government’s approval. Do you agree?
c. Why did the government impose new regulation policies towards big corporations?
Practical Assignments. Group work.
Group A: Progressivism
Group B: The role of the USA in the Great War
Group C: The roaring twenties and the great depression
--- GROUP A. The Progressive Era (1900-1920)
Introduction. Progressivism. What social bases did Progressivism emerge from?
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At the end of the nineteenth century, Progressivism emerged as a political movement in response
to significant economic, social, and political inequalities. Previously, the general consensus was that social
or economic ills were best solved through private efforts. However, by the turn of the century, more and
more progressive activists called upon governments to deal with the complex social ills.
A significant force in fostering the spirit of progressivism was the growing familiarity with socialist doctrines,
which criticized the living and working conditions. In addition, the actions of some journalists and
intellectuals, who exposed sordid facts about the new urban-industrial society, helped progressive ideas
achieve a widespread support. Some events in the presidencies of Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft and
Woodrow Wilson were examples of the Progressive period.
1. Read the suggested material:
- Pages 890 to 898 in G.B. TINDALL & D.E.SHI (2004) America a Narrative History, volume 2.
- The article: The Progressive Presidents.
- The article Political and Social Reforms during the Progressive Era.
2. Complete the True/False exercise available from this link. Provide arguments that support your answers.
Assignment. Create a digital wall that includes point 3. Include at least two images and a video that
illustrate the topic.
3. Read the questions below and organize the information in a graph:

Define Progressivism.

Which reforms – in general - did Progressives promote in the political, economic and social areas?

What examples can be provided? (Mention some Progressive Presidents – include the 3 new
Constitutional Amendments)

Present-day policies: surf the internet and choose some of President Obama’s policies. State you
opinion towards his administration. Answer: would you say that his policies have favoured social
justice? Support your answer.
INPI History of the USA – Module V
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--- GROUP B. The USA role in the Great War.
1. Read the material listed below.
Pages 936 to 939 and 943 to 948 in G.B. TINDALL & D.E.SHI (2004) America a Narrative
History, volume 2.
Click on the following link: The USA at War or look for alternative articles about the topic on the
internet.
President Wilson’s efforts for peace.
On November 7th, 1916, Wilson won the presidential election. To many Americans he was still
seen as a man of peace. Wilson spent the next few months trying to set up a way in which America could
lead peace negotiations that would end the war. He sent out a simple question to both sides - what would it
take for them to be willing to end the war? Britain and France sent back replies that stated their terms terms that could only be met with a decisive military victory. Germany's reply was vague and evasive.
Regardless of this, Wilson continued to fight for peace based around the idea of a League of Nations. He
believed that the peace must be based upon the principles of democratic government, freedom of the
seas, and disarmament, and those ideals must be enforced by an international league for peace. In midJanuary 1917, he set up secret negotiations with both Britain and Germany to obtain their agreement for
America's mediation in a peace plan. Wilson had a very clear idea of what he wanted:
"Peace had to be a peace of reconciliation, a peace without victory, for a victor's peace
would leave a sting, a resentment, a bitter memory upon which terms of peace would rest,
not permanently, but only as upon quicksand."
Quote available from this link.
However, things were moving away from the peace negotiations until it came the time when the
USA entered the war.
2. Assignment. Create a Google Drive Doc that includes points A and B below. The presentation
should go beyond a collection of information. Include some meaningful questions or quotes that
foster reflection on the topic.
A. Answer the following questions.

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



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What policy did the USA follow at the beginning of the war?
What happened to the Lusitania? What was the U.S. government reaction?
What important message from Germany to Mexico was intercepted by the British in 1917?
What was the U.S. government reaction?
What were Wilson’s reasons for giving aid to the Allied Powers?
What was the USA role in the war? (Include the four contributions to the Allied Powers on
pages 945-946)
How did the war end?
What changes did the American labour force undergo during the war?
B. Visual aids
i. Look for at least two suitable images that can illustrate the topic
ii. Include a video or another interactive aid that briefly describes USA role in WWI.
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--- GROUP C. The Roaring 1920s. The Great Depression and the New Deal in the
early 1930s.
1. Introduction
After World War I ended, higher wages, lower prices, instalment buying, and new technological
advances helped spread the delight of consumption. Americans also spent more money on leisure and by
1928, one-fourth of the national income went to leisure items.
Why have historians insisted on viewing the period as so distinctive? Because an analysis of the decade’s
events and concerns reveals so clearly the transformation of the American culture as it emerged as a
“modern” society. In the 20s America continued the process of becoming more “modern” – more
organized, more bureaucratic, more complex. In general, the 1920s were marked by a sense of prosperity
and a get-rich-quick mentality that affected prosperous Americans’ sense of a new era of unlimited material
progress.
The faith in prosperity powerfully shaped the politics of the decade, in which politicians celebrated Big
Business as the saviour of American enterprise and democracy. Strong business/government cooperation
was promoted, which led to almost uncontrolled corporate power.
The 1920s also showed a clash of civilizations as Americans struggled to reconcile the prosperous
modernity of the city with the impoverished traditionalism of the country. Rural Americans—overwhelmingly
native-born, white Protestants—found the modern, sexualized, multi-ethnic culture of the cities deeply
offensive to their traditional beliefs.
The most enduring image of this period is perhaps that of a fast life propelled by riches and rapidly
changing social values. Americans in the 1920s appear to be reactionary, hedonistic, and self-centred and
the stock market crash brings to an end a morality play, with the Great Depression -- the nation’s
punishment for its sins of excess and selfishness.
Article adapted from The Modern Temper: American Culture and Society in the 1920s.
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2. Read and collect information.
Read pages 984 to 988, 1000 to 1002 and 1012 to 1015 in G.B. TINDALL & D.E.SHI (2004)
America a Narrative History, volume 2.
- Watch the video about 1920s inventions.
- The roaring twenties: a distinctive period.
- The characteristics of the Roaring 20’s. The 1920’s Fashion – The 1920’s Dances
About the depression and the New Deal:
Pages 975 to 979, (984 to 988), 1023 to 1026 in G.B. TINDALL & D.E.SHI (2004) America a
Narrative History, volume 2. (Optional: pages 1029 to 1036)
Click on this link to view The Great Depression, causes and effects
Watch the video The Wall Street Crash
Read the following articles: Roosevelt’s policies in the New Deal. and Franklin Roosevelt’s plan: the
three “R’s”.
The New Deal
The 1932 election brought a sweeping victory for Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt, and a new
direction for American government. He had the difficult task of rescuing the economy from Depression.
American foreign policy had been isolationist before the Depression. However, under Roosevelt
policy became even more isolationist as politicians were more interested in rebuilding the American
economy. Roosevelt called for a New Deal for America. This New Deal policy was based on government
spending on public projects and government help for businesses and farmers. Roosevelt needed the
support of extreme isolationists in the US Congress for the success of his plan.
3. Assignment. Create an online graph or a mind map that shows the main topics in the questions
below. In addition, include meaningful questions or quotes that foster reflection on the topic.
Use the graph below – or an alternative mind map.
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The roaring 20's
Characteristics
Economy out of
control
The consumer
culture
The Wall Street crash
and depression
The New Deal
These questions can help you organize the information.
1. What new values and lifestyle characterized the 1920s?
2. What was the so-called “clash of cultures”?
3. Describe briefly the economic practices that caused the depression.
4. What was the NEW DEAL?
Provide some examples of federal programs that restored hope to the nation.
5. What effect did the New Deal have on the American economy?
The illustration shows a newspaper headline of the Crash.
Available from this link.
INPI History of the USA – Module V
Available from this link.
Critical Thinking
In your opinion, was the New Deal a success or a failure? Support your answer.
List of links to articles in this Module and in the Mindomo map.
1. The Mindomo Map
2. Article about The Emergence of Modern America.
3. Article “The rise of Big Businesses in the late 19 th c”
4. The article: The Progressive Presidents.
5. The article Political and Social Reforms during the Progressive Era.
6. True/False exercise about Progressivism
7. The Great War: The USA at War
8. Video about 1920s inventions.
9. The roaring twenties: a distinctive period.
10. The characteristics of the Roaring 20’s. The 1920’s Fashion – The 1920’s Dances
11. Video about The Great Depression, causes and effects
12. Video The Wall Street Crash
13. Article about Roosevelt’s policies in the New Deal.
14. Article Franklin Roosevelt’s plan: the three “R’s”.
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