To End All Wars?: Versailles Treaty--A Truce, Not Peace, The
The Versailles Treaty marks the end of World War I between the Allies and Germany. Germany refuses to accept full responsibility for the war, new countries are established in Eastern Europe, and not all Allies agree with the terms of the treaty, mak...
To End All Wars?: Paris Peace Conference, The
President Woodrow Wilson's vision clashes with the hard realities of international politics at the Paris Peace Conference. He compromises territorial settlements in the Far East and Poland in order to save the idea of the League of Nations.
Meeting Ground, The: Chinese Migration, The
Like generations of immigrants before them, the Chinese cross the Pacific looking for a better life than they could hope to find in their homeland. Relatively few arrive in California before the Gold Rush, but after 1848 the numbers increase dramati...
Imperial Ambition: Business Interests Push U.S. Involvement Overseas
Great Britain amasses vast colonies in Asia and Africa in the second half of 19th century. With the exception of the United States, other countries scramble to join race. Many Americans loath the idea of imperialism and want the U. S. to remain focu...
Taking the Offensive: Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, The
Different alternatives are available to ending the war in the Pacific. Truman's decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki is still being debated. Harvard historian Akira Iriye talks about the shock of the bombing, the Soviet Union's entry into the war...
Taking the Offensive: Truman's Terrible Decision: Atomic Warfare?
Truman succeeds Roosevelt upon the president's death in April 1945. As fighting rages on between the Allies and Japan, Truman declares an ultimatum to the Japanese to surrender unconditionally by August 3, 1945. But Japan wants one condition, to kee...
Taking the Offensive: Focus of War Shifts to Asian Theater
After Germany surrenders in 1944, the war focus shifts to the Pacific. The United States gain victories in Japan, surrounding islands, and in the Philippine Islands. The Special Division that negotiates the exchange of prisoners and civilians under ...
Taking the Offensive: U.S. Ships and Troops Circle Closer to Japan
The capture of Iwo Jima and Okinawa moves U.S. troops closer to Tokyo. In desperation, the Japanese launch suicide kamikaze attacks. The firebombing of Tokyo and the anticipation of a final battle on the mainland prompts the Japanese government to e...
Between the Wars: Roosevelt Focuses on Economic Crisis
Roosevelt says little about foreign affairs in the 1932 presidential campaign. Six weeks after Roosevelt's inauguration Adolph Hitler becomes Germany's Chancellor. Roosevelt continues a nationalist policy from 1933 to 1935, showing little interest i...
Between the Wars: Tripartite Pact, The
Japan takes advantage of the European crisis to extend its power in the Pacific. In September of 1940, Japan signs the Tripartite Pact, a loose defense alliance among Japan, Germany, and Italy, becoming what some call the Axis of Evil. Japan wants t...