Following the conclusion of World War I, Americans assimilated into a nation that was greatly transformed. At the time, The United States of America was at a peak of its global leadership, a flourishing economy, and worldwide guidance, but only after having experienced a period of substantial economic changes. In the Great Depression of the 1930s, Americans encountered the vastest economic crisis in the history of the U.S., and as a result, more than ¼ of the nationwide workforce became unemployed. Just like the Civil War and the Revolutionary War, the Great Depression was one of the significant moments that defined the nation. Consequently, Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs enacted between 1933-1936 strived to put Americans back to work in order to convert nationwide opinions toward the federal government. Therefore, in accordance, significant challenges and crises developed from the World War and Great Depression created greater opportunities for Progressive ideas, as well as values to take hold in the United States of America.
After the U.S. entered World War I, President Wilson initiated a temporary prohibition, in addition, the same year Congress established the 18th amendment, which banned the transportation, sale, and manufacturing of alcohol. The federal government struggled to implement Prohibition over the course of the 1920s. According to Document #2, a Prohibition poster titled “The Railroad that Leads from Earth to Hell” by Milton W. Garnes & Co. was released in 1894, it illustrates a drunkard on the “railroad” to failure and hell. As portrayed in the artwork, the drunken man passes the “Devil's Office” and a “Bar and Pool Room”, as well as a healthy “Tree of Live” being guarded by a guardian angel. At the bottom appears the alphabet showing each letter the declines and guilts the individual inhabits during his declining. At the top right of the artwork appears a poem stating, “Let him who may think, it is well to drink, a health in wine to a friend, reflect on the way, he’s starting that day, and look to his future end.” Expressing that the beginning of alcoholism is the end of one’s life. Milton W. Garnes leaves a message by saying “I was saved and today I present you this picture to show everyone the road I have traveled, and to warn every man and woman of the dangers that beset him or her on the road” explaining his own personal journey of alcoholism and encourages others to not take upon the failures he has endured.
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Next, we examine Document #6 which is a letter from the Commissioner of Prohibition, J.M. Doran, to the National Chairman of Law Observance and Enforcement, George Wickersham in late 1929. The letter describes a habitation that was transformed into a large distillery in Chicago. In the letter, the Commissioner discloses information to Wickersham about an illicit distilling operation taking place. He states they will have difficult access under the search warrant provisions of the National Prohibition Act and the Willis-Campbell Act that was passed in 1921. With the examination and analysis of these two documents, it is illustrated that the nationwide constitutional ban on alcohol was a serious time in U.S. history. Although Prohibition was considered a positive aspect during this time, in so it enabled a better health style for citizens and less crime rates. The downfall was economic effects of prohibition were solely negative due to the closing of distilleries leading to the elimination of tax revenues and the loss of thousands of jobs.
During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt instituted a progression of projects and programs to assist in restoring prosperity and well-being to U.S. citizens by providing jobs for unemployed people. One of these programs was the WPA, Works Progress Administration. The WPA assisted in employing millions of jobs by providing public working projects. For example, constructing and building structures such as bridges, post offices, schools, highways, and parks. Additionally, the WPA also gave jobs to artists, writers, and musicians. During this time period, the WPA screened many advertising posters. They were designed to publicize health and safety programs, music/art performances, tourism, educational, and lastly, community activities. Document #5, shows WPA posters, created on behalf of state and local health agencies in 1938. Document 5B illustrates a poster encouraging cancer patients to seek details from different agencies whether state or local. It says, “Don’t fight cancer alone” and “Ask these agencies for advice” urging them to not act alone and take action. It depicts a woman holding a caduceus, often mistaken as a symbol of medicine, and the woman appears to be standing on a crab. Next, 5A examines the syphilis epidemic that occurred during this time in Chicago. The poster states “Chicago will control syphilis” in large words; therefore, urging people to have a free blood test performed with complete confidentiality. With the WPA utilizing these boldly colored, diverse posters, they were able to publicize programs with strong importance and persistence.
Furthermore, Document #4 is centralized on the WPA Report on Folk Music collecting in California. The purpose was one of the earliest attempts to collect, document, and preserve the folk music we know today. In the document it constitutes instructions situated by Sidney Robertson Cowell for the WPA workers on documenting the traditional music gathered contributing to the Northern California Folk Music Project. This enabled a cultural and musical impact on California heritage throughout this time period of immigration. Last but not least, we analyze Document #7. This picture is very well-known throughout our nation, it was taken by photographer Dorothea Lang while documenting the Great Depression. The image she achieved portrayed significant emotions and was deeply personal. By looking at the mother's face, it is obvious the sadness and helpless as she wants to provide for her children. With this photo, one can visualize the reflection of times that were occurring during the Great Depression which puts a sense of realization into perspective.
In conclusion, America’s involvement in World War I resulted in many challenges. One resulting in a significant impact on the economy and working class of the United States. It affected the lives of American citizens politically, financially, and collectively. It had a tremendous impact on almost every aspect of society eventually resulting in an economic crash, the Great Depression. However, I believe the statement in the struggles we endured did in fact greater opportunities and values for our country. With the establishment of the New Deals, Congress passed many values, acts, and administrations that help boost the States’ economy on a road to recovery shaping us into the thriving country we know today.
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