U.S Ultimatum to Germany regarding U-Boats

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Bhaskara

This here is a document from Woodrow Wilson giving an ultimatum to the German Government. This document is dated April 18, 1916.  Germany’s policy of unrestricted submarine warfare led the the sinking of the Sussex, a merchant ship traveling on the English Channel. Germany would later withdraw their policy and would warn vessels first before sinking them. But in 1917, Germany would reinsert this policy, thus breaking off diplomatic relations between the U.S and Germany.

http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/uboat1916_usultimatum.htm

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Child Labor in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Monique

This photo was found under a collection called National Child Labor Committee Collection.  The photo was taken by Louis Wickes Hine 1916 who published over 5,000 photos depicting child labor. This 16 year old child whose name was Louis Pelissier was mentally challenged and didn’t know where he was supposed to work so he made his way to a mill and they couldn’t help him. He was a sweeper but the work was too hard for him.

Posted in 1900-1916, June 28 assignment, Social History | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

New York City in the 1920s

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Yana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud5wk-5NRNM.

Here is the video of New York City in the twenties. The documentary movie is implemented with short descriptions of every scene. I thought it would be interesting to see how the City lived more than 90 years ago.

Resources: Ira H. Gallen Video Resources that have spent over 30 collecting and restoring from 16mm & 35mm Film Prints and Kinescopes some of the rarest and in many cases one of a kind FILMS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAKd_hCTqus

Posted in 1920-1932, Cultural History, June 28 assignment | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Wilson and Sussex Pledge

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Barry

The document that I have linked here is then President Woodrow Wilson delivering  a speech to Congress on April 19, 1916 regarding the German attack on a French passenger ship called the Sussex.

Germany had a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare on armed ships but not passenger ships.  When the German U-Boats shot down the Sussex, the US had Germany make the Sussex Pledge which said that if Germany were to continue in this manner of firing on passenger ships, then the US would have no choice but to join the war in order to stop them.

In 1917, Germany felt that they could successfully destroy British shipping boats and end the war without the US having time to respond. They were very wrong. Upon the breaking of the Sussex Pledge, and a few other actions such as the Zimmerman note, the US joined World War I on the side of the Allies and Triple Entente.

The US was trying to maintain a stance of isolationism, but the Germans forced the US’s hand, and the US helped the Allies end the war.

http://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Wilson_on_the_Sussex_Case

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Bonnie and Clyde

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Yana

Bonnie Parker (October 1, 1910 – May 23, 1934) and Clyde Barrow (March 24, 1909 – May 23, 1934) were well known outlaws, robbers and criminals who, with their gang, traveled the Central United States during the Great Depression. The photo above was found in their hiding place in Missouri.

Their exploits captured the attention of the American public during what is sometimes referred to as the “public enemy era” between 1931 and 1934. Though known today for his dozen-or-so bank robberies, Barrow in fact preferred to rob small stores or rural gas stations. The gang is believed to have killed at least nine police officers and committed several civilian murders. They were eventually ambushed and killed in Louisiana by law officers. The video below is the scene after their death. Bonnie and Clyde have become a symbol of dangerously in love couple and an inspiration for numerous movies, theater plays and songs.

Posted in 1920-1932, June 28 assignment, Social History | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Child Labor

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Sora

This is a picture taken by Lewis W. Hine in Tampa, Florida during the early nineteenth century. Hine, an investigator of National Child Labor Committee exposed pictures of many youngsters who were being exploited as a source of cheap labor. The picture reveals young workers who were all under the age of 14 at the cigar making company. These pictures left a great rermark for the Americans and revealed how rapid industrialization and a lack of regulation left these kids in such a state.

Posted in 1900-1916, Economic History, June 29 assignment, Social History | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

League Of Nations

Posted on June 28, 2010 by David

League of Nations was established on February 14 1919 as a result of the First World War. It was spearheaded by the 26th President Woodrow Wilson in his famous ‘fourteen point’ speech.  The fourteen point plan outlined plans to reduce imperialism around the world, give colonies freedom and lay the foundations for the League of Nations. The main goals of the League of Nations was to establish international peace and not resort to wars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-Uz0e4KJG0

Posted in 1916-1920, June 28 assignment, Political history, Social History, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The First Nobel Prizes Awarded – 1901

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Johnny

Alfred Nobel created dynamite. Since he didn’t want to be remebered as a creator of such a deadly device, Nobel created a will that left a bulk of his fortune to the establishment of five prizes; physics, chemistry, medicine or physiology, peace and literature. On December 10, 1901, five years after Alfred Nobel’s death, the first five Nobel Prizes were awarded. Since it’s only awarded to people who had done a great deed, we can easily see and recorgnize who has done what. Also awards usually boost people to achieve a better result.

Posted in 1900-1916, Economic History, June 28 assignment, Social History | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Harlem Hellfighters

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Thomas

The United States officially entered World War I on April 6, 1917. One of the first infantry regiments to arrive in France was the 369th Infantry. This infantry is more commonly known as the “Harlem Hellfighters.” This infantry was entirely made up of African Americans under the command of white officers. The Harlem Hellfighters fought with the French at Chateau-Thierry and Belleau Wood. These two battles stopped the Germans from advancing which led to a counterattack on the Germans. The Harlem Hellfighters fought in combat for 191 days, longer than any other American regiment.

The United States army drafted both black and white men but served in segregated regiments. More than 200,000 African American soldiers were sent abroad during the war. Besides fighting on the front-lines, they also played an essential supporting role in building trenches, bridges, and roads.

The Harlem Hellfighters Return Home

Image taken from the National Archives.

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1916-1932 The fight for freedom of speech on Glasglow Green

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Esmeralda

The history of the successful struggle to restore freedom of speech and assembly in one of Britain’s oldest parks after it was banned in 1922.     On April 13th 1916 Glasgow Corporation repealed a bye-law passed in 1896 covering the regulation of City parks and replaced it with bye-law 20, restricting the right of free assembly. The bye-law was not invoked until 1922 when it became responsible for a considerable number of riotous disturbances of the 1920s and 30s.

It toke 8 years to be heard and amendend, even then they were able to assemble outside the gates of the Greens of Joycelyn Square.

The information was located at – http://libcom.org/history/articles/glasgow-green-free-speech-fight.

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