AMERICAN ISOLATIONISM
CENTER TARGETI can explain American isolationism during the early years of World War I.
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READ ABOUT IT!
Welcome to the American Isolationism During World War I Virtual Center. The first thing your group needs to do is read about American Isolationism before World War I. After you read, you need to work together to complete the American Isolationism Policy Center Page in your Lesson Chronicles.
THE ELECTION OF 1916
 Woodrow Wilson's Campaign Pins
As war raged across the Atlantic Ocean, America geared up for its 1916 presidential election. The Democratic Party supported the democratic president who had already served one term and was on the ballot for a second term; Woodrow Wilson. His campaign slogan was “He kept us out of war.” Along with that straight-forward, isolationist message, Wilson also vowed to continue his progressive reforms at home.
 President Woodrow Wilson
President Wilson had led the nation in practicing the policy of isolationism when World War I broke out in Europe. Isolationism is a policy of remaining neutral in other nations' conflicts and wars. He had seen the devastation caused by wars before. He felt it was best for America to stay out of war. He wanted to work on domestic issues. He worked to implement progressive reforms and strengthen the US economy.
 President William Howard Taft
The Republican Party wanted Theodore Roosevelt to run again. Theodore Roosevelt was the president from 1901 - 1909 and William Howard Taft became president in the next election. Roosevelt was greatly disappointed in Taft as a president and decided he would run for president again in 1912. The Republican Party supported Taft. Taft was more willing to do what the Republican Party wanted him to do whether he agreed with them or not. Roosevelt would not do anything that went against his beliefs.
 President Theodore Roosevelt
So Roosevelt created a new political party called the Progressive Party. Many people agreed with Roosevelt, but when they voted for him, it split the Republican party in half. Half of the nation's Republicans supported Taft and the Republican Party and the other half supported Rosevelt and the Progressive Party. This allowed the Democrat who was running, Woodrow Wilson to get the majority of the votes because all of the democrats voted for him.
 Charles Evans Hughes
After splitting the party’s votes to help Wilson win in 1912, Roosevelt did not want to repeat the same mistake. So, the Republican Party nominated Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes. Though Roosevelt did not run for president, he did campaign for America to join World War I. He gave fiery speeches calling for war. The Germans had violated international agreements and had attacked neutral U.S. merchant ships and passenger ships to keep supplies from getting to the Allies. He felt that isolationism made America look weak.
 Charles Evans Hughes Campaign Pin
Roosevelt’s absence left a two-man race between Hughes and Wilson. Hughes was more comfortable as a judge than on the campaign trail. He never presented a clear position on the war during his campaign. He made pro-war speeches in areas of the country that were anti-German, or against Germany, and vowed to stay neutral to people with isolationist views. The Republican candidate’s wishy-washy stance earned him the nickname “Charles Evasive Hughes” among critics.
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TOOL BOX
Important Vocabulary
cannon fodder: soldiers who are sent into battle even though it is likely that they will die
Charles Evans Hughes: a supreme court justice who ran as the Republican Party candidate for the presidency in the election of 1916 Democratic Party: U.S. political party that favors big government and high taxes in order to provide the most services to the most people domestic issues: all the matters, concerns, and needs within your nation Electoral College: a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president. evasive: to avoid someone or something isolationism: a policy of remaining neutral in other nations' conflicts and wars isolationist: a person who believes in remaining neutral in other nations' conflicts and wars progressive: favoring change, reform and protecting civil rights Progressive Party: a U.S. political Party started by Theodore Roosevelt that favored change, reform, and civil rights while favoring a large, well funded military in order to protect citizens pro-war: in favor of going to war Republican Party: U.S. political party that favors small government and low taxes in order to interfere as little as possible in the lives of individual citizens Theodore Roosevelt: president of the United States from 1901 to 1909 who practiced Big Stick Diplomacy; established the Progressive Party in 1912; and supported U.S. involvement in World War I William Howard Taft: Republican President from 1909 - 1913 who became president after Theodore Roosevelt and then was challenged by Roosevelt for the presidency in the 1912 election Woodrow Wilson: the democratic President of the United States that served two terms from 1913 - 1921 who believed in U.S. isolationism but ended up involving the U.S. in World War I to make the world safe for Democracy |
A map showing each state's number of electoral college votes
Wilson’s supporters warned the public that if Hughes was elected, Roosevelt and the Republican party would convince Hughes to become involved in the war. One campaign advertisement read, “You are working – not fighting! Alive and happy -- not cannon fodder. Wilson and peace with honor? Or Hughes with Roosevelt and War?” While Wilson didn’t explicitly promise to keep the country out of the war, many voters “heard that message.” Wilson won by a narrow margin: 277 to 254 in the Electoral College and fewer than 600,000 popular votes.
ANALYZE IT!
In today's Analyze It Activity, you will analyze the different views of Democrats and Republicans. To begin, each student will take the political typology quiz to find out what your own political view is. I will read each choice to you and explain what they mean in kid language. You will answer 23 survey questions to determine your political view. Then you will copy the Democrat vs. Republican Chart into your Lesson Chronicles. To get started, click on the icon below. I have created a group page that will average everyone's results to show the overall political view of the sixth grade class at Moody Middle School.
Pictographs
The following pictures are pictographs that help to further explain the differences in Democrats and Republicans and the spectrum of political views. Look over these in your groups. Write down any questions you have about Democrats and Republicans for class discussion.
Democrat vs. Republican
Below you will see a chart showing the views and beliefs of republicans and democrats. Copy the chart into your Lesson Chronicles. This information will be on your test.
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Topics and issues
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Democrats
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Republicans
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Overall Views
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Views About Government
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Views About the Economy
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Views About Taxes and Services
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Views About Society
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Views About Immigration
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PROVE IT!
You just learned about American isolationism before World War I and you analyzed the differences between democrats and republicans. Now you need to show off what you know. Complete the Center Check by clicking on the Center Check Icon below and answering the questions.
CENTER COMPLETE!
You have completed the American Isolationism Center. Click on the button below to go back to the Lesson 3 - America Enters World War I.