History Documents

(1897): This is a petition from a Hawaiian Political Group to the US Government asking it to remove troops from the islands. It says that the US has no right being in the islands and they have never been accepted by the people. Under this unwanted rule, the people have no voice. It says that if it were up to a vote, Americans would see that Hawaiians don't want them there.

(1898): Albert Beveridge lays out his justifications on why America should continue to expand. He mentions that they can expand the US market as well as give them democracy. He talks about how America has ruled over unfit races, such as the Indians, many times and imperialism is no different. He also points out that other large nations will scoop them up if the US doesn't. His main point however is the vast amount of resources in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines that the US can accumulate.

(1906): This article shows Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines as children all hungry for "prosperity pudding" from Uncle Sam. Both Cuba and Puerto Rico have already had a serving and Philippines is just watching hungrily. This cartoon is stating that America is big enough to help all these countries in need and should help the Philippines too.

(1899): This letter is from a woman to a Republican magazine a month after the Philippines declare war on the US. In the letter, she says that America is being a bully to smaller countries and no longer helping the world but rather, trying to control it. She says this is a war of sin and killing Filipinos by the hundreds is wrong.

(1898): This cartoon shows President McKinley looking at a map trying to decide where he would like to send troops next but behind his black Americans are being lynched and killed. This poster points out how Americans want to "fix" everyone else in the world but they can't even control the political and social struggles in their own country. Who are they to say how anyone else should live?

(1918): Mollie Steimer was 19 years old when she was arrested in violation of the Espionage Act and Sedition Act for handing out antiwar pamphlets. She had moved to America when she was 15 and was trapped in the hard monotonous life of the lower class. She was also part of the Frayhayt (Freedom) group. In the excerpt, she very strongly speaks about how she is an anarchist and hopes that one day the workers of the world will unite and each man will govern himself. BIG PIC: Government scared that people like her are going to try to over throw the government.

(1918): This pamphlet was handed out by the Frayhayt and urged Russian Americans to stand up for Russia and not give into American propaganda. It says the Americans are against Russia and their revolution. "An open challenge only will let the government know that not only the Russian worker fights for freedom, but also here in America lives the spirit of Revolution."

(1919): Holmes is for allowing free speech. He compares free speech to capitalism in that the good ideas will stick and nobody will listen to the bad ideas. He says the only time freedom of speech should be controlled is in the case of a clear and present danger. He said, "The defendants were deprived of their rights under the constitution."

(1919): Chafee is a Harvard Law Professor who points out that the pamphlets in the Abrams cases were not to entice violence, and there for be a threat, but rather to point out the US's interference in other nations affairs. He argues that freedom of speech should be protected, even in wartime. He points out the some of the bill of rights of specifically to protect the people during war, therefore other amendments should not be taken away during wars because the forefathers intended out rights to be at any time.

(1919): This is a cartoon of Uncle Sam scooping communist ideas out of the melting pot. Billy Ireland is suggesting that not all ideas should become assimilated in the American culture.

(1920): This excerpt is of A. Mitchell Palmer defending the Palmer Raids where 6,000 people were arrested and held without causation because they were believed to be anarchists, communists and foreign radicals. Most were released.

June 16, 1945: This excerpt comes from a recommendation from the scientific advisory panel. It recommends that the atomic bombs be used in order to save American lives in the Japanese war. They do admit that this is not a unanimous view and some scientists urge for it not to be used.

July 17, 1945: This is a petition to President Truman to not use the bomb but rather find an alternative was written the day after a trial bomb was set off in New Mexico. In the excerpt, they ask that the Japanese be fully aware of the destruction the bombs will cause so that they have a chance to surrender. They say that "a nation which sets the precedent of using these newly liberated forces of nature for purposes of destruction may have to bear the responsibility of opening the door to an era of devastation on an unimaginable scale."

August 6, 1945: This excerpt is from a press release given after the first atomic bomb was dropped and before the second. It made clear that Japan had started this war, refused to surrender when given the chance a few weeks before, and would continue to be annihilated if they did not surrender. Truman also made it clear that normally they would allow scientific research to be shared however they will keep the production of these bombs secret in order to keep America safe.

August 6, 1945: This picture shows a man looking at the destruction of the first atomic bomb in Hiroshima that very same day. The whole area had been completely flattened and destroyed. The first bomb killed 70,000-80,000 people and destroyed 5 square miles.

1946: This survey was designed by Truman to see the effectiveness of the atomic bomb and the reasons behind the surrender of Japan. After this survey it was clear that the Japanese government had wanted to move toward peace long before the bombs had been dropped or threats of invasion. Japan had actually been pursuing peace before the collapse of Germany. Therefor the bombs had been unnecessary.

1945: In this account, the priest describes how he and others went to help the wounded but no official rescue team had gone until 30 hours after the bombing. There was an insufficient amount of workers to help because an emergency of this magnitude had never occurred or been planned for. Many unnecessary deaths occurred solely because there was not enough help to go around. Many people who did not suffer severe wounds died from radiation poisoning in the weeks that followed. Also, workers who went to go help died from the radiation even if they were not there when the bombs went off.

1947 Who: Ronald Regan, President of Screen Actors Guild What: Appearing before HUAC Where: When: During WWII Why: Regan does not believe a political party should be eliminated because of freedom of speech unless they were breaking the law. Regan was a part of the "friendly" people asking to testify in order to confirm communists were in the entertainment business.

1947: Who: Lawson was the founder of Screen Writers Guild, Communists What: part of "unfriendly" ten brought before HUAC Where: When: 1947 Why: Lawson was imprisoned, blackmailed and fined for not complying with HUAC. He says they are trying to destroy the motion picture industry because of their influence and ability to corrupt youth is they wanted.

1949: Who: Herbert Lawrence Block, Editorial Cartoonists What: Cartoon name "Fire!" published in the Washington Post. A man is yelling fire and running to put out the flame of the Statue of Liberty torch. When: 1949 Where: Why: Block did not like McCarthy and this cartoon represents the hysteria smothering freedom and civil rights of the people.

1952: Who: Lillian Hellman, Playwright What: After being asked to come before HUAC, she wrote a letter saying she would give any knowledge about herself they wished but would not incriminate others. Therefore if they did not promise to refrain from asking about others, she would plead the 5th amendment. When: 1952 Where: Why: Lillian Hellman felt that she had nothing to hide when going before the HUAC committee but she also refused to drag innocent people into the line of fire. HUAC wanted to find communists, and Hellman was certainly a leftist, but she would not let them force her into hurting other people. Hellman was blacklisted after pleading the 5th.

2000: Who: Arthur Miller, Playwright What: Reflects on HUAC and connects McCarthyism to the Witch Hunts When: 2000 Where: Why: Miller connected the Witch hunts to McCarthyism in that is you spoke out or disagreed that someone was a witch or witches existed you were immediately imprisoned or even killed. This was very similar to the hundreds of people who if believed to communists, had their entire lives ruined. Both scenarios were driven by hysteria.

1959: Who: Dick Clark, TV host and disc jockey What: Your Happiest Years is a book giving advice to teenagers Where: When: 1959 Why: This book would gave advice on relationships with friends, parents and even romantic relationships. This book served as a good representation of the ideals at the time on how a clean cut teen should act.

1957: Who: Market Researches developed strategies to sell to the new market of teenager consumers What: Describes the new trends in a Teenager Market Where: US When: 1957 Why: This shows a significant shift in American culture. Teenagers are becoming the knowledgeable people when it comes to new technology, music and trends. This excerpt claims teenagers have even started influencing the housing market.

1954: Who: Chevrolet Manufacturers What: An Ad for a new yellow sports car Where: US When: 1954 Why: This ad's slogan is "you only live twice" referencing older people who want to recapture or sustain their youth. This time of advertisement supports the growing trend that having youth is something to be cherished and that teenagers are much more up to date with trends and technology such as these new cars.

1957: Who: Charlotte Jones, Elvis Fanatic What: Writes a letter to a newspaper columnists who had criticized Elvis Where: When: 1957 Why: Shows a breakoff of taste between the older and teenage generations living in the 50's. Many older people disliked the new age of music, the teenagers were infatuated with Elvis and other singers.

1987: Who: Todd Gitlin, Teenager What: Leaning about Politics Where: Bronx When: 1950's Why: Political knowledge