From the League of Nations to Pearl Harbor: Measuring Isolationism in the Interwar Period 1918-1939

The complicated and contradictory task of balancing the isolationist foreign policy backed by public-opinion and political pressures, while remaining influential and involvement in international affairs, is best exemplified in the early years of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency. In his first few months in office, Roosevelt positioned himself as an internationalist and moved to expand American influence overseas. In 1933, Roosevelt recognized the Soviet Union and pushed for arms embargos on aggressor nations. In 1934, Roosevelt passed the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act to boost international trade. In 1935, Roosevelt pushed for the US to join the World Court to extend American reach in foreign diplomacy. In August of the same year, Roosevelt approved the first of the Neutrality Acts. His statement on neutrality read: “I have given my approval to S. J. Resolution 173—the neutrality legislation which passed the Congress last week. I have approved this Joint Resolution because it was intended as an expression of the fixed desire of the Government and the people of the United States to avoid any action which might involve us in war.” It is this desire of the American public and its politicians for non-intervention, non-involvement, and isolation that led Roosevelt to reluctantly to push neutrality legislation and suppress his internationalist urges. The interwar period was marked by the tug-of-war between internationalist and isolationist policymakers. This struggle limited American participation in foreign affairs in between the wars, and ultimately led to American foreign policy of the period commonly being misidentified as isolationist

Behind the Curtain: The Influence of Tourism and Production Costs on Broadway Success

Broadway’s success is closely tied to the fluctuating dynamics of tourism and the rising costs of production. This paper explores how the growth in NYC tourism impacts Broadway’s profitability and the challenges producers face as production costs (lumber and cotton) continue to soar. Through an analysis of various sources, this study highlights the key role tourism plays in sustaining Broadway’s revenue and the vulnerabilities created by its unpredictability. It also examines the increasing financial burden of mounting Broadway productions, exploring how producers are adapting to stay financially viable. The paper identifies key strategies for managing these challenges, including innovative cost management practices and diversifying audience outreach. The findings aim to offer valuable insights into how Broadway can maintain its iconic status while navigating the economic pressures of a changing industry

The Overlooked Civil Rights Movement in South Carolina

This paper examines the overlooked but critical role of South Carolina in the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting the contributions of student-led activism, landmark legal cases, and influential grassroots leaders. Focusing on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) like Claflin University, Allen University, Benedict College, South Carolina State University, and the Avery Institute, the study explores how students catalyzed local movements through sit-ins, marches, and organized protests. It also investigates the legal and social ramifications of desegregation efforts following Brown v. Board of Education, including the resistance from public institutions and the emergence of segregation academies. Key civil rights events—such as the Friendship Nine sit-in, the Charleston Hospital Workers\u27 Strike, and the New Year’s Day March with Jackie Robinson—are analyzed alongside the contributions of South Carolina activists and the roles of organizations like SNCC, NAACP, CORE, and SCLC. Through court cases such as Briggs v. Elliott, Edwards v. South Carolina, and Newman v. Piggie Park Enterprises, the paper illustrates how South Carolina’s legal battles helped redefine civil rights jurisprudence. By restoring South Carolina’s rightful place in the broader narrative, the study offers a more complete and nuanced understanding of the Civil Rights Movement in the American South

Gettysburg Historical Journal 2024

Complete Issue of the Gettysburg Historical Journal 202

The Page 99 Test for Indigenous Ecocinema

The Page 99 Test asks authors to open their books to page 99 and assess if the page provides a good sense of the book\u27s overarching themes. In this blog post, Monani conducts this test on her own book, Indigenous Ecocinema, providing interested readers with a snapshot review of the book as a whole

Lost Lutherans: Perspectives on American Religious Decline

Lost Lutherans: Perspectives on American Religious Decline offers a straightforward look at change in American religion. Chris Suehr presents the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) as an example of religious change in a way that is welcoming to interested readers and fulfilling to social scientists. By amplifying real voices, this book presents the social science, but also explores the stories behind its statistics—the people who have left, their reasons, their beliefs, and their quests. Lost Lutherans is a useful resource on specific areas of American religion—from the history of the Mainline to the voices of modern people who have left it. This book examines the gradual changes in society, culture, and institutions that have led to this religious transformation.https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/books/1208/thumbnail.jp