The turn of the 20th Century occurred with America poised to rise to the forefront of the international community. A progressive spirit empowered by the Federal Government gripped the nation and reigned in the exploitation that defined the late 1800's. This optimism was curtailed following The Great War, and was replaced with a heavy dose of unbridled capitalism during the 1920's, complimented by a new consumer oriented society.

Due to over-speculation, the excesses of the 1920's ended with a stock market crash that plummeted America and much of the world into the worst economic disaster in history. America struggled throughout the Great Depression to find a fix to its economic woes, and did not take an active role in combating the fascist regimes that were developing in Europe and Asia.

With an attack by the Empire of Japan at Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, America for the second time in a quarter of a century declared war. The tremendous production capabilities of America ultimately ensured a victory for the Allies in what would be called the Second World War. The war cured the economic disease plaguing America, but polarized the world ushering in the start of what was called the Cold War.

EQ #11

The Progressive Era replaced exploitation with conservation, so valuable national assets, including our natural resources, democratic institutions, capatalistic economy, and societal structure might be preserved. Assess the validity of this statement.

EQ #12

The United States' failure to follow the Monroe Doctrine resulted in its involvement in WWI, and its zealous renewed adherence to it after WWI, enabled the rise of totalitarianism in Europe and Asia that ultimately led to WWII. Assess the validity of this statement.

EQ #13

Compare and contrast the Federal government's economic policies of the 1920's with those of the 1930's and analyze the positive and negative impacts they made on America.