2017 Ap United States History Dbq

The 2017 AP United States History Document-Based Question (DBQ) delved into the complex and multifaceted issue of the expansion of presidential power from 1900 to 1945. This era, encompassing the Progressive Era, World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and World War II, witnessed significant shifts in the relationship between the executive branch and the other branches of government, as well as the American populace. The DBQ presented students with a collection of primary and secondary sources, challenging them to analyze the factors that contributed to this expansion and the consequences it had on American society. Successfully navigating this question required a nuanced understanding of historical context, analytical prowess, and the ability to synthesize information from a variety of perspectives.

Understanding the Context: 1900-1945

The period between 1900 and 1945 was a transformative era in American history. Several key developments shaped the political landscape and paved the way for an expansion of presidential authority:

• The Progressive Era (1900-1920): This period was marked by a surge of reform movements aimed at addressing social and economic problems caused by industrialization and urbanization. Presidents like Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson actively championed progressive reforms, using their executive power to regulate corporations, protect consumers, and promote social welfare.
• World War I (1917-1918): The United States' involvement in World War I necessitated a significant expansion of federal power. President Woodrow Wilson assumed broad authority to mobilize the nation's resources, regulate the economy, and suppress dissent.
• The Roaring Twenties (1920-1929): While this decade is often associated with economic prosperity and cultural change, it also witnessed the rise of corporate power and widening income inequality. Although the government generally adopted a laissez-faire approach to the economy, the seeds were sown for future government intervention.
• The Great Depression (1929-1939): The stock market crash of 1929 plunged the United States into the worst economic crisis in its history. President Franklin D. Roosevelt responded with the New Deal, a series of programs and policies designed to alleviate suffering, stimulate the economy, and reform the capitalist system. The New Deal dramatically expanded the role of the federal government and the power of the presidency.
• World War II (1939-1945): As with World War I, World War II required a massive mobilization of resources and manpower. President Franklin D. Roosevelt exercised unprecedented authority to direct the war effort, manage the economy, and shape public opinion.

Analyzing the Documents

The 2017 DBQ provided students with a range of documents that offered different perspectives on the expansion of presidential power. A careful analysis of these documents is crucial for constructing a strong and persuasive argument. Here's a breakdown of potential document interpretations and connections:

Document 1: Theodore Roosevelt, "The New Nationalism" Speech (1910)

• Content: Roosevelt argues for a strong federal government to regulate corporations and protect the public interest. He advocates for a "square deal" for all Americans, regardless of their social or economic status.
• Interpretation: This document illustrates the progressive impulse to use government power to address social and economic problems. Roosevelt's call for a "New Nationalism" reflects a belief in a more active and interventionist presidency.
• Connection: This document can be connected to the Progressive Era, the rise of reform movements, and the belief in using government power to promote social justice. It can also be contrasted with earlier conceptions of limited government.

Document 2: Woodrow Wilson, Address to Congress Requesting a Declaration of War (1917)

• Content: Wilson argues for the United States to enter World War I to "make the world safe for democracy." He emphasizes the threat posed by German aggression and the need to defend American ideals.
• Interpretation: This document demonstrates how wartime emergencies can lead to an expansion of presidential power. Wilson's call for war justified the mobilization of resources and the suppression of dissent.
• Connection: This document can be connected to World War I, the expansion of federal power during wartime, and the debate over American interventionism. It can also be linked to the Espionage and Sedition Acts, which limited civil liberties during the war.

Document 3: Herbert Hoover, Speech on the Role of Government in Economic Life (1922)

• Content: Hoover emphasizes the importance of individual initiative and limited government intervention in the economy. He warns against the dangers of government bureaucracy and the erosion of individual liberty.
• Interpretation: This document represents a more conservative perspective on the role of government. Hoover's emphasis on laissez-faire economics reflects a belief in the power of the free market to solve economic problems.
• Connection: This document can be connected to the Roaring Twenties, the rise of corporate power, and the debate over government regulation. It can also be contrasted with the New Deal policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Document 4: Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Inaugural Address (1933)

• Content: Roosevelt declares that the only thing Americans have to fear is "fear itself." He promises to take bold action to combat the Great Depression, including government intervention in the economy.
• Interpretation: This document signals a dramatic shift in the role of the federal government. Roosevelt's call for action reflects a belief that government has a responsibility to address economic crises and provide for the welfare of its citizens.
• Connection: This document can be connected to the Great Depression, the New Deal, and the expansion of the welfare state. It can also be linked to specific New Deal programs, such as the Social Security Act and the Works Progress Administration.

Document 5: A.L.A. Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States (1935)

• Content: The Supreme Court declared the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) unconstitutional, arguing that it delegated too much power to the executive branch and exceeded the federal government's authority to regulate interstate commerce.
• Interpretation: This document illustrates the limits of presidential power and the role of the judiciary in checking the executive branch. The Supreme Court's decision in Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States represented a setback for the New Deal and a reaffirmation of the principle of separation of powers.
• Connection: This document can be connected to the New Deal, the debate over the constitutionality of government intervention in the economy, and the tension between the executive and judicial branches.

Document 6: Franklin D. Roosevelt, "Fireside Chat" (1933)

• Content: Roosevelt explains the banking crisis to the American people in a clear and reassuring manner. He urges them to deposit their money in banks and expresses confidence in the stability of the financial system.
• Interpretation: This document demonstrates Roosevelt's ability to communicate directly with the American people and build public support for his policies. The "fireside chats" were an important tool for shaping public opinion and expanding the president's influence.
• Connection: This document can be connected to the New Deal, the use of mass media to shape public opinion, and the growing importance of communication in presidential leadership.

Document 7: Charles Lindbergh, Radio Address (1941)

• Content: Lindbergh argues against American intervention in World War II, warning that it would lead to the loss of American lives and the erosion of American democracy.
• Interpretation: This document represents the isolationist perspective on foreign policy. Lindbergh's opposition to intervention reflects a fear of entanglement in foreign conflicts and a desire to protect American interests at home.
• Connection: This document can be connected to World War II, the debate over American interventionism, and the tension between isolationism and internationalism.

Document 8: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Message to Congress Requesting a Declaration of War (1941)

• Content: Roosevelt asks Congress to declare war on Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes the attack as a "date which will live in infamy" and argues that the United States has no choice but to defend itself.
• Interpretation: This document demonstrates the president's role as commander-in-chief and his power to lead the nation in times of crisis. Roosevelt's call for war unified the country and justified the mobilization of resources for the war effort.
• Connection: This document can be connected to World War II, the expansion of presidential power during wartime, and the shift in American foreign policy from isolationism to global leadership.

Constructing an Argument

Based on the analysis of these documents, a strong argument can be made that the expansion of presidential power from 1900 to 1945 was driven by a combination of factors, including:

• Progressive Reform: The Progressive Era saw presidents actively use their power to regulate corporations, protect consumers, and promote social welfare.
• Wartime Emergencies: World War I and World War II necessitated a significant expansion of federal power, with presidents assuming broad authority to mobilize resources and direct the war effort.
• Economic Crisis: The Great Depression led to the New Deal, a series of programs and policies that dramatically expanded the role of the federal government and the power of the presidency.
• Changing Public Expectations: As the role of government expanded, Americans increasingly looked to the president to address their problems and provide leadership in times of crisis.

However, it is also important to acknowledge the limits of presidential power. The Supreme Court's decision in Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States demonstrated that the judiciary could check the executive branch. Furthermore, the debate over American intervention in World War II highlighted the tension between presidential leadership and public opinion.

Beyond the Documents

To strengthen the argument, it is essential to bring in outside information that is not included in the documents. This might include:

• The Espionage and Sedition Acts: These laws, passed during World War I, restricted civil liberties and allowed the government to suppress dissent.
• The Social Security Act: This landmark legislation, passed as part of the New Deal, established a system of old-age insurance and unemployment compensation.
• The Lend-Lease Act: This law, passed during World War II, allowed the United States to provide military aid to Allied countries without requiring immediate payment.
• The rise of the military-industrial complex: The increasing size and influence of the military establishment had profound implications for American society and politics.
• The impact of the media on presidential power: Radio and other forms of mass media allowed presidents to communicate directly with the American people and shape public opinion.
• Comparing presidential power before and after the period: A consideration of the powers wielded by presidents prior to 1900 (such as during the Civil War) and the powers of presidents in the Cold War era can help provide a broader context for understanding the changes that occurred during 1900-1945.

Potential Thesis Statements

Here are a few examples of potential thesis statements that could be used to frame an essay on the 2017 AP U.S. History DBQ:

• "From 1900 to 1945, the power of the presidency in the United States expanded significantly due to a combination of progressive reforms, wartime exigencies, and the economic crisis of the Great Depression, leading to a more active and interventionist federal government, albeit with occasional checks from the judiciary and public dissent."
• "The expansion of presidential power between 1900 and 1945 was a response to the challenges of industrialization, war, and economic collapse, as presidents like Roosevelt and Wilson utilized executive authority to address national crises and shape public opinion, fundamentally altering the relationship between the government and the governed."
• "While the period of 1900-1945 witnessed a marked increase in presidential authority in the United States, driven by the Progressive Era, World Wars I & II, and the New Deal, this expansion was not without its limits, as evidenced by Supreme Court challenges and ongoing debates over the appropriate role of government intervention in both domestic and foreign affairs."

Conclusion

The 2017 AP United States History DBQ on the expansion of presidential power from 1900 to 1945 required students to analyze a variety of historical documents and construct a well-supported argument. By understanding the historical context, carefully analyzing the documents, bringing in outside information, and crafting a clear and persuasive thesis statement, students could successfully navigate this challenging question and demonstrate their mastery of American history. This period represents a critical juncture in the evolution of the American presidency, shaping the role of the executive branch in the 20th and 21st centuries. The expansion of powers, driven by diverse factors, fundamentally altered the relationship between the president, the government, and the American people, leaving a lasting legacy on the nation's political landscape.