The Great Depression was a time of hardship and misfortune in United States history with over one quarter of the work force unemployed and financial turmoil ever present. Many Americans struggled to make ends meet, resorting to government subsidies and soup kitchens to stay alive.  Although the film Cinderella Man directed by Ron Howard accurately depicts the character of James Braddock and his personal struggles, it ultimately does a much better job of telling an emotional and inspirational "fairy tale" centered around one man than it does exposing audiences to facts about the Great Depression.

Arguably, the biggest flaw of the film was the depiction of Max Baer, James Braddock's opponent in the championship match. He was portrayed as a remorseless, crude villain who took pleasure in harming others. In the film, Baer threatens Braddock, telling him to drop the fight or he will end up dying int he ring like his previous two victims. Baer tells Braddock that he will sleep with his then widowed wife, but the actual Max Baer was nothing like this. In actuality, Baer only saw boxing as an inescapable evil to earn a living. He explicitly preferred partying to boxing. In response to the film, Max Baer's son spoke out: "The portrayal of my father in Cinderella Man couldn't have been more wrong and inaccurate. They turned a good0hearted, fun loving, friendly and warm human being who hated boxing into Mr. T from Rocky III with no redeemable characteristics." Furthermore, Baer's fighting only killed one person, not two as the film depicts.

In 1930, Baer accidentally killed Frankie Campbell after a boxing match. The film pretends that Baer felt nothing after the death of Campbell, but, in reality, he fell into a depression that would lead him to start drinking and smoking. He cried and had troubling nightmares long after the incident and lost four of his next five fights. He even raised $10,000 for Campbell's family during an exhibition match. The second victim, Ernie Schaaf, actually died after a fight with Primo Carnera. The film claims that Schaaf died instantly when his brain became detached from his spinal cord from one of Baer's famous right hooks, but Scaaf actually passed away four days after the fight. The autopsy determined the cause of death to be brain swelling and meningitis from a recent encounter with the flu.

Director  Ron Howard even went to the extent of altering the Start of David stitching on the front of Baer's boxing shorts. In the actual fight between Braddock and Baer, the insignia was clearly visible, but it is hardly noticeable int he film adaptation. Baer's connection to Judaism is shaky, but to leave out a symbol Baer had become widely known for is a huge injustice to factual accuracy. Howard's inaccurate depiction of Baer is questionable at the very least, but it makes sense from a production standpoint. Perhaps Howard wanted to prevent the film from being associated with antisemetic ideals by removing the Jewish star from the antagonist's costumes or to avoid offending sensitive audience members. However, the real effects of this distortion lead the film to ultimately do a better job at telling an intense and emotional story than exposing audiences to real facts about the Great Depression. Howard likely wanted his audience to relate to and support Braddock, and there is no better way of doing this than by making his enemy as evil as possible. Max Baer's son describe's his outrage over Howard's decision making: "Anyone who knew my father, even slightly, liked him. In making a good movie, being true to the main characters is absolutely mandatory. By the same token, taking the adversary and turning him into a hateful cartoon was unnecessary, especially when that person was a real human being with a real reputation. Before this movie, I thought a lot more of Ron Howard." Baer even becomes a distraction away from the setting in the Great Depression. The film quickly becomes about Braddock's preparation for the fight and his fear associated with it.

The character of Mike Wilson, although a minor inaccuracy, further draw the film away from factual depiction of the Great Depression. James Braddock's friend, Mike Wilson is a completely fictional character. Scenes with Mike and Braddock only server to showcase Braddock's work ethic and persistent mentality. Rather than using the Wilson to further the audience's knowledge of the Great Depression, Howard chose to use Wilson to develop Braddock's character. Wilson appears only a few times throughout the film, lightly complaining about the government's mistake's, but the real focus is on Braddock's reaction. Howard misused a great opportunity to explain public opinion during the Great Depression, choosing instead to focus on Braddock's story. Although Braddock was accurately characterized by the film in this sense, Howard is employing fiction to explain a truth, which is still a technical inaccuracy.

Cinderella Man does an excellent job of explaining James Braddock's character traits and personal adversities, but the fiction it employs to create an entertaining story draw the film away from accurate depiction of the Great Depression. Both characters of Max Baer and Mike Wilson were missed opportunities to teach history. Max Baer was nothing like his counterpart portrayed in the film, and he only served to create an interesting challenge for Braddock to overcome. Mike Wilson never actually existed. Howard neglected the facts in order to tell a more compelling and emotional story when he could have focused more on the environment and time period. Although some may argue that the hardship of the Great Depression was conveyed in the film, Cinderella Man focuses more on the individual story of James Braddock than it does on the Great Depression.

Sources:

Columbia-Cinderella Man

US History in Film- Cinderella Man

Boxing Scene- The biggest thing ‘Cinderella Man’ got wrong

The true Max Baer

WWI Propaganda Exercise

WWI Poster Analysis

IMAGE 1

1 1. In the first image, a young woman dressed in red white and blue is asleep on a chair while what looks like black smoke rises in the background. The text “Wake up, America! Civilization calls every man, woman, and child!” The sleeping woman represents America’s inactivity in World War I. She is the focus of the image, located at the center of the image.

2 2. The artist hoped to alert America to the threat and their need to help. The artist displays America in a shameful position of inactivity while the world around her falls into chaos. The image is designed to convince Americans to joint he war through guilt.

3 3. The audience of this image does not seem to be a specific group of people. Rather, the image seems to be directed at all levels of society. Anyone who is informed of the violence and troubles of World War I would understand the message of this propaganda.

IMAGE 2

1 1. In the second image, a grotesque gorilla, depicting Germany, carries a half naked woman who looks distressed and helpless. The gorilla looks directly at the audience and appears to be screaming. The picture is mostly gray with other dark colors, setting an eerie seen for the action. The gorilla carries a bloodied club named “kultur” or culture while walking on the shore labeled “America”. The words “Destroy this mad brute” and “Enlist. U.S. Army” stretch across the top and bottom of the picture. A war torn city lies in the background, representing the destroyed Europe. Germany appears to be changing its focus to America.

2 2. The artist hoped to scare Americans into enlisting into the U.S. Army. Germany appears to be moving on from its successful conquests in Europe and focusing on invading the United States. It also holds some anti-immigration themes as the gorilla carries the club of “culture” with it into America. He is trying to state that Germany could further spread its culture into America if they are not opposed in World War I. The naked woman further helps to instill fear in the directed audience as it makes it seems like Germany will hurt America’s women as well.

3 3. This propaganda is directed at men who are worried about German victories in the war and who dislike German immigrants and foreigners in the United States. The club of culture and the advertisement to “enlist” in the “U.S. Army” led me to this conclusion.

IMAGE 3

1 1.The third image is similar to the second as it depicts Germany as a dark, evil being directing its focus towards the United States. An Asian “hun” with bloodied hands and bayonet, clutching its conquered lands in Europe, looks over to the United States across the Atlantic Ocean. Black smoke rises from Europe. The hun stares directly at the viewer. The words “Beat back the Hun with liberty bonds” stretch across the majority of the picture. The words “Liberty Bonds” are contrasted with larger yellow font.

2 2.  The artist hoped to scare Americans with the proposition that Germany could invade the United States but give them hope of stopping this by buying “liberty bonds”. Germany has conquered and destroyed Europe in the image, as it spreads across it with its bloody hands and bayonet, but it aims to continue its conquests into the U.S.

3 3. This poster is directed at anyone in the United States who has money to pay for Liberty Bonds and cares about World War I. Even if Americans are indifferent towards the war, the picture aims to create an interest in it by threatening its audience with the possibility of a war on the home front. The picture is aimed to convince Americans to buy Liberty Bonds, therefore, its audience is anyone who has money to support the government with.

Questions about WWI

1. World War I, or the Great War, began on June 28, 1914 after Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, Bosnia. This was the immediate cause. The war was fought between the Central Powers of Germany, the Ottoman Empire, and Austria-Hungary, and the Allied Powers of Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Japan, and later the United States in 1917.

2. The United States entered the war in February 1917 due to German submarine aggression in the Atlantic Ocean. After the sinking of British ocean liner Lusitania in May 1915, American public opinion was turned against Germany, and Congress passed a $250 million appropriation to prepare for war. Furthermore, Germany sunk  four more US merchant ships headed for Britain.

3. World War I came to an end after the Central Powers began losing battles along the  two fronts. The Ottoman economy and land was ruined by the war, and they were forced to sign an armistice in October 1918. Austria-Hungary signed an armistice on November 4, 1918 due to the growing nationalist movements within its borders. Germany signed an armistice on November 11, 1918, ending the war. German citizens stopped supporting the war effort and the loss of its allies left Germany with little choice but to surrender.

4. Signed on June 28, 1919, the Versailles Treaty officially ended the war under the terms that Germany give back lands it previously took from Russia, and the nation had divide up a portion of its land among France, Belgium, Poland, Denmark, and Czechoslovakia. Germany also had to reduce its army to 100,000 men, take full responsibility for the war, and pay a huge sum of money to the Allies. As part of the treaty and negotiated by President Woodrow Wilson, the League of Nations was to be formed for all nations excluding Germany. However, the United States did not ratify the treaty because joining the League of Nations would force it to give up a sizable amount of power.

5. How did World War I contribute to the commencement of World War II?
The harsh treatment of Germany under the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I led to building hatred and anger among the German populace that would later contribute to the start of World War II.

Sources:
Note: It was difficult to find a single source that covered all of the questions and their different parts. HISTORY covered the majority of the questions, but did not list the terms of the agreement nor the reason that the United States abstained from ratification.
1. World War I History- HISTORY
2. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History 

Diplomates gather for the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Texas Tech Today

After the Japanese sunk over 22 Russian naval vessels in two attacks in the Pacific, Japan reigned as the dominant fighting force in the Pacific, threatening the United States' Pacific trade and the newly acquired Philippines. In 1907, a fleet of 16 white-painted battleships, carrying 1,010 officers and 18,978 men, embarked on an journey around the world. It was the most innovative uses of propaganda of its time, revolutionizing combat communications, building lasting relationships through collaboration, and persuading the world to respect the United States. 

The voyage was officially referred to as a "practice cruise", but the real purposes behind the venture were much more serious. The voyage stunned and impressed the world, as the National Tribune reflects: "For Europe and Asia are alike interested in the cruise, by which the naval strength of the United States on the Pacific Ocean will exceed the naval strength of Japan or any other Nation", but the effects of the voyage would long outlive the two year venture.

Throughout the venture, from conception to completion, persuasion was a prominent goal. The voyage was undoubtably a move by the United States to gain global prestige and presence. As Richard Teare writes: "In a climate of tension, [...] Roosevelt launched [...] one of the country's most effective and long-lasting propaganda operations". Tensions were rising in the Pacific, and the German and British navies were steadily growing during this time. However the United States only possessed a small fleet located in the Atlantic and poorly defended settlements and ports in the Pacific. The United States wanted European powers to recognize its naval strength and the Japanese to see its power projection capabilities, so a fleet was built and launched. The plan was not guaranteed to work, but it was sure that the world would learn of the United State's military might. 

 Even more persuasive than the initiation of the voyage were the docking locations of the fleet. The navy entertained hundreds of requests, but it made sure to dock in Japan. In a 1907 article, the National Tribune reports: "Friendly visits to Japanese ports may be encouraged [...] for the purpose of demonstrating to the Japanese [...] the character of our Navy." After sailing thousands of miles and stopping in Japan, the fleet engaged in target practice. Thousands watched as the United States Navy proved that it could cross the world combat ready. An article in Military History states: "Many regard the voyage of the Great White Fleet as a practice in politics as usual: the United States mixing military muscle with diplomacy". 

  Domestically, the success of the Great White fleet was used to persuade Congress to increase the Navy's budget. Politicians, war enthusiasts, and navy officers alike saw the Great White Fleet as an opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of a large navy to Congress. General Benjamin F. Tracy, former secretary of the navy, was quoted saying: "A navy that is largely inferior to another is of no use because a larger navy will destroy it at the first onslaught. If I were in Congress, I should vote for four battleships of 26,000 tons each [...] We need them." The Great White Fleet was designed to persuade the world as well as the government of the United States. 

Collaboration was also a goal of the fleet. The battleships stopped in parts of China in an attempt to cool tensions between China and Japan, clearly demonstrate to Japan the United State's intentions to protect its trade, and to foster the relationship between Japan and China. Japanese ships were often encouraged to make an appearance at Chinese ports, representing the geopolitical philosophy of international collaboration that was one of the fleet's purpose. 

The visit to Australia is perhaps the most obvious example of collaboration. While the United States impressed hundreds of thousands of Australian spectators with the might of its navy, the Australians benefited from the message of the United State's visit. Australia, with its newly gained independence, displayed its strategic importance to the United States and showed that it was capable of operating in the diplomatic world. This simple collaboration would lead to years of partnership between the United States and Australia. 

Arguably the most innovative aspect of the journey was its unprecedented take to military communications by the Great White Fleet. For the first time in history, wireless telephones were used on battleships to send and receive orders. Twenty eight of these telephones were installed throughout the Great White Fleet, making the "American Navy [...] the first to possess and adopt the wireless telephone", according to the Washington Times. The use of this communication device made moving supplies, organizing repairs, and directing maneuvers in rough waters much easier. The Washington Times reported: "In the fiercest gales, in storms at night, and in the densest fogs [...] ship may talk with ship or with a dozen ships at once as easily as if they were anchored along a city street". As opposed to the previous method of flag signaling, the wireless telephone was a clear winner. Flag signals only were effective when ships were in sighting distance of one another and visibility was clear, but the telephone allowed operators to talk up to eleven miles apart. The telephone offered a solution tot he long standing problem in the Navy: communication during combat and movements. 

The Great White Fleet truly was an innovative approach to propaganda and diplomacy. The voyage is often referred to by historians, such as Sebastian Lukasik, as "one of the crowning achievements of the Roosevelt presidency". President Roosevelt was able to display America's fierce military capabilities, calm political tensions in the Pacific region and prevent war with Japan, build lasting foreign relationships through collaboration, and impress potential enemies of the United States with its industrial and technological achievements. Although the mission was peaceful,  General Tracy reflected after the conclusion of the journey that "the trip is sure to attach a great reputation to our navy. There is no doubt at all that the experience and competency of our officers and men gained through the cruise will be invaluable to the service". The voyage developed the framework that guided foreign policy into the next century and successfully persuaded Congress to expand the US Navy. As General Tracy stated: "It has taught the public the necessity of a large and powerful fleet. If no other end was served [the cruise] has been invaluable to the American nation in that way". In the years to come, bases in the Philippines, Guam, and Japan would be constructed. 

1. Primary- Library of Congress: National Tribune

Annotation: I used this source to gather information on the purpose for the Great White Fleet’s venture around the world. The article is published on the Library of Congress’ database. This site is an excellent source for legitimate documents on any time period and contains useful information for my topic. I found political, practical, and ideological reasons for sending the fleet to the Pacific.

2. Primary- Library of Congress: Los Angeles herald

Annotation: This article proved to an invaluable source for quotes. I used quotations from General Benjamin F. Tracy as he described the success of the venture shortly after its conclusion in 1909. N one of his comments, General Tracy tries to persuade Congress to increase the size of the Navy. I found this article on the Library of Congress’ archive, a credible source for academic material.

3. Primary- Wireless Phones Make Battleships One Gigantic Chain

Annotation: I used this article to take notes on the communication aspect of the Great White Fleet. The article provided me with information about the wireless telephone, its adoption by the US navy, and the issues it helps overcome. This article was perfect for the objectives of this project. Written by the Washington Times in 1907 and documented on the Library of Congress, this is a legitimate source.

4. Secondary- The U.S. Navy's Great White Fleet served a foreign policy purpose in 1907.

Annotation: This article was posted on EBSCO Publishing and was written by Thomas Lohr in the Military History magazine. Thomas Lohr is a published author of several magazine and academic journal articles. I used this site to better understand the narrative and significance of the Great White Fleet’s voyage. This article helped me with the innovation requirement of the project. 

5. Secondary- A Note on Australian-American Security Relations

Annotation: This a journal article was published in the Australasian Journal of American Studies and was posted on the JSTOR database. Richard Teare, a member of the US Foreign Service for 39 years, wrote the article. Teare devoted much of his career to Southeast Asia studies and held many other important positions in politics. I used this source to find information supporting the political purpose of the Great White Fleet. It went into great detail on how he voyage served as propaganda for the United States and Theodore Roosevelt.

6. Secondary- The Eagle and the Kangaroo: The Great White Fleet's Visit to Australia.

Annotation: This article is posted on the Alabama Virtual Library and was written by Dr. David Stevens, a naval historian published in various journals and magazines. I used this source to learn about how collaboration with the United States helped US-Australia relations and how Australia used the visit to become a major world player. This article really shows that the effects of the voyage long outlived the actual event.

7. Secondary- The Great White Fleet: Reassessing America’s Rise to Power

Annotation: This essay was written by Sebastian H. Lukasik and was published on Auburn University’s research database. Lukasik is a Assistant Professor of Comparative Military History at the U.S. Air Force Air University. Lukasik received a PhD. in history from Duke University and was an assistant visiting professor in the Department of History at Duke before coming to Air University. I used this essay to further my knowledge on the effects of the Great White as it discussed it impact of US foreign policy for the next century.

8. Textbook- pg 604-606

Annotation: The textbook briefly covered the events leading up to the Great White Fleet. This information was already covered in my other sources, but this helped reinforce the facts. I used this source to gain a better understanding on the military and economic reasons behind the voyage as it discussed the Russo-Japanese war and Pacific trade.

The Great White Fleet arrives in San Diego America’s Navy

The Great White Fleet sets sail, the message of “Welcome! Come In” representing its peaceful mission and its move for improved foreign relations. Library of Congress

These images show the course of the Great White Fleet in the Pacific and Europe. The Pacific section is arguably the most important piece of the journey. Library of Congress (top) Library of Congress (bottom)

 

The firepower, weight, and speeds of all the warships are listed, publicizing the US Navy’s might. Library of Congress 

Australians gather to see the Great White Fleet pass by U.S. Naval Historical Center

How do you analyze a political cartoon?

The best way to analyze a political cartoon is to pay attention to the details. Little words in the corners, facial expressions, or even different levels of shading can conote meaning. The meaning of a lot of political cartoons lies in the tinniest features. For example, the placement of characters, exaggeration of physical features, or language used will explain the meaning of the picture. However the broad ideas are also important. Oftentimes, knowledge about world events, pop culture, or important actions is needed to understand the cartoons in the first place. The details then lead the viewer to understand the artists intentions.

According to westirondequoit.org, the best way to analyze a political cartoon is to first recognize the subject of the cartoon. Next, analyze the meaning of the symbols in the cartoon, read the title and caption, and then pay attention to the movement, actions, and changes in the scene. Finally, determine the authors point of view, the purpose of making the cartoon, and then the theme. I learned that the theme, symbols, and captions are important features of a political cartoon. I already knew that the words, actions, title, subject, and author's point of view were important. I plan to follow this guide as I look at political cartoons in the future. The method this blog uses is SCAMS: Symbols, Captions, Activities, Message, Subject.

This political cartoon by Louis Dalrymple is taken from the Library of Congress. Dalrymple is trying to spread support for US involvement in Cuba. The caption reads "The duty of the hour; - to save her not only from Spain, but from a worse fate". The symbol of the frying pan "Spanish Misrule" paints Spain as the antagonist that is harming Cuba, represented by the woman held over the fire of anarchy. The subject of this cartoon is that the US should get involved as it is its "duty".

This political cartoon by Winsor McCay is taken from Tidewater Community College. Winsor McCay is representing an anti-imperialism opinion. Uncle sam, a symbol of the Unites States, gets tangled up on the tree of imperialism while trying to control a wild donkey labeled Philippines. The donkey is a symbol of the Filipinos protesting imperial rule. A man symbolizing Spain walks into the distance with a bag labeled $20,000,000. This cartoon makes the point that only Spain benefited from the transaction, and the US is stuck with a problem. Uncle Sam is entangled and is sweating as he struggles with the donkey. Spain leaves with millions of dollars while the US is labeled as an imperialist nation and must deal with the resistant Filipinos.

This political cartoon by Clifford Berryman is taken from MIT Open Course Ware. The symbol of the big boot represents American presence and the small man to the left represents Emilio Aguinaldo, the leader of the Philippine opposition. A sign reads "Notice: the US is requested t withdraw PDQ". The word "requested" implies that the Filipinos have no real power to control the United States' presence, and the size of the red and white striped boot compounds this fact. The giant boot of the US States is there to stay, despite any attempts by the Filipinos to remove it. Aguinaldo attempts to wedge the boot away, but it doesn't budge. The subject of the piece is that Aguinaldo's cause is helpless. 

US History- First Semester Summary Activity

Grant Armstrong

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Mrs. Lawson

First Semester Summary Speech

In United States History class this semester, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the resilience of people in hard times. Whether through the oppression of slavery before the Civil and segregation during Reconstruction, or the fight of Native Americans to keep their culture and homelands during Western Expansion, Americans were constantly fighting adversity. The American dream of hope and triumph was created by these figures of the past, and today, I can look at the obstacles in my life and conquer them.  Just as workers in the Age of the City fought against the corruption of immerging business ideals, I can push through the challenges in my life and succeed. Although these heroes of the past are long gone, their legacy is timeless and their lesson remains: greatness is achievable.

However, I was unpleasantly surprised to learn about the hatred and brutality that was shown towards blacks after the Civil War. The history of the United States was arguably at its worst during Reconstruction. Despite hundreds of thousands of soldiers dying to eventually achieve victory, the ideas that helped start the war would plague the country for decades. Groups such as the KKK actively and violently sought ways to intimidate and scare blacks. Jim Crow laws enforced segregation, and African-Americans were treated as unequal. Racism is the scar of our nations past, as I learned.

Ten years form now, I will likely remember the power of movies in the class room. Simply by exercising the skill of empathy, valuable information can be learned from a historically accurate film. I really enjoyed watching Glory and 12 Years a Slave. Although these films did not match the events of history completely, they provided information in a memorable format. I will surely remember the ideology taught by Glory and 12 Years a Slave for years to come.

During the emergence of industrial supremacy in the nineteenth century, native-born Americans struggled to be accepting of immigrants from across the globe. This remains a problem today. Just as immigrants from Europe and Asia were condemned and hated in the past, immigration to the United States today is occasionally looked down upon. Although some may support immigration, there are still opinions that it should cease and even be reversed. Immigrants in modern day society are stereotyped and judged as inadequate, just as in the Age of the City. Even if immigrants have nothing to hide, Americans may suspect the worst. Some Americans today hold the opinion that immigrants cause crime, take jobs, or even illegally enter the United States even though it is not always true. Hopefully this issue disappears in the years to come.

I would name the period of United States History from 1865 to 1920 the “Great Advancement”. On all levels, economic, social, and geographic, the United States advanced in the world. Reconstruction marked the end of the war and the first step towards equality. The settlement of the west made hundreds of thousands of square miles usable, and the Industrial Revolution brought America cities, groundbreaking technologies, and its modern corporation that produced the wealthiest men in history. Child labor and working conditions dramatically changed due to the efforts of worker’s unions and protestors. Despite the many difficulties and obstacles that troubled America during these years, the United States advanced to become a world superpower and a place of progress. 

Thinking About Success

Luck, Opportunity, Skill, Hard work

1. Hard work
2. Skill
3. Opportunity
4. Luck

Hard work is arguably the most important quality for economic success, far more than skill. An unskilled person who works tirelessly is completely able to surpass a skilled person who does very little. Personal skill means nothing if it is not put into action. Opportunity is ranked in the third position because without skill or hard work, opportunities for economic success will never arise or never go far. If a businessman wishes to be successful, he first has to be hard working and skilled before he can properly take advantage of his opportunities. Luck is listed lastly for obvious reasons. Luck is completely arbitrary and impossible to control. Someone may think they are "lucky", but fail time and time again or consider themselves "unlucky" and win the lottery. It is a mindset, rather than some situation changing variable. The existence of luck can even be argued. Every person on this planet makes conscious decisions for some reason or another, so why wouldn't everything happen for a reason?