The United States of America

From the journal of "HI" a marvellous teleporting, space wizard sent from the future. (This explains my knowledge of future events, and why I never use conventional means of transportation. This also helps explain the apparent typo in the title of the blog.)

 

 

 

 

America has been nothing but problems. It had made sense to me why a multitude of Immigration Acts had been implemented to Protect America's identity, and its traditions. A major concern among Americans was that the immigrants would not be assimilated properly if too many entered at once. Therefore it seemed very logical to restrict newcomers, especially if your country is on the line. In those days America was all for isolation, and the citizens supported them for it. Isolation was one of America's shields, like President Harding said, "America's present need is… not submergence in internationality, but sustainment in triumphant nationality." It made sense, the last thing America wanted was to become something it wasn't or become divided by foreign customs, and traditions. Like all beliefs, some twisted America's nationalism, and took it too far. This was the case for Wesley Evans and his Ku Klux Klan, a group of white Protestants who believed in preserving America's identity through violent means. This included tar and feathering and beatings that were mainly directed towards blacks, Jews and non-English speaking immigrants. It was quite disturbing how quickly their influence spread through America. It became very apparent very quickly that America was distancing itself from anything non-American. It was occurring both within Parliament and on the everyday streets.

Those heavy immigration restrictions apparently were not enough for the United States government, who encouraged a ban on alcohol. Campaigns flooded the streets, and to my shock Congress would amend the Constitution which prohibited alcohol. I had always thought alcohol turned good men bad, but I was terribly mistaken. A lack of alcohol turned hundreds of seemingly decent men into rebels, and gangsters. The opportunity to make a fortune had presented itself in the form of illegally producing and distributing alcohol. It was an opportunity some couldn't pass up on. Thankfully the prohibitions have recently been lifted. Although some made fortunes illegally through the underground liquor industry, the majority became prosperous through America's industrialization in the twenties.

America was producing goods at alarming rate everything from telephones, to vacuum cleaners to cars. This production era also marked the beginning of an economic dependence on oil, as automobile production erupted. This was severely augmented by Americans viewing trade unions as "Anti-American." America was in the middle of an era dedicated to preserving identity, and industrializing. Trade unions prevented both from being accomplished rather effectively. An array of products was now out on the market, but few could afford such luxuries. That is when a credit system was made, which allowed Americans to spend money they didn't have. This opened the door for another door for quick money-making which was the stock market. The allure from the stock market was unassailable; it was the ultimate "get rich quick" scheme. Thousands invested causing brokers' loans to jump five million dollars. However it became apparent America was slowing down by the late twenties. Fewer goods were being produced, but the stock market took no notice. The stock Market crashed. Banks went bust. Soon countries needed money and the presumed "powerhouse" of the world could not keep up with the loans America was dishing out. America continued its isolation by putting preposterous tariffs on imports, forcing countries to buy local. This made it difficult for other countries to pay back American loans. America could continue on this path because it had a wealthy domestic market in which to grow. A World Bank was suggested to aid countries during harsh economic times. However America refused to join, which caused its collapse.

In short, America`s fixation on isolating themselves from the world in the 1920's and their desire to become rich quick prompted: a limitation on immigrants, extreme nationalism and racism, economic catastrophe, and no solution to the continuing economic conundrums. Had America chosen not to isolate themselves both in terms of population and in terms of international affairs they may have been able to examine economic failures other countries experienced and learned from them. They might also have been able to ease the effects of the Depression and make steps to finding a solution.