of people-usually different in different states-petition the Legislature of the State for a law, a bill must be submitted to the people for approval or disapproval. If the Legislature passes a law, and the people for any reason oppose it, and a required number sign a petition against it, the law must be submitted to popular vote. The first method is called the Initiative and the second the Referendum. 3. The Commission Form of Government for Cities. This plan reduces the city government from many elective officers to a few who are held responsible for its management.

600. Relations with Mexico (1914-1915). Ever since the Civil War ($502) the people of the United States have shown a particularly friendly interest in Mexico. Many of our people have gone there to live. But since Madero succeeded in driving Diaz out of the presidential office, affairs in Mexico have been in a turbulent state, while the safety of American and other foreign residents has been endangered, their lives sometimes sacrificed, and their rights violated.

Madero, after a few months in the president's office, was forced out and killed. Some mystery surrounded Madero's death and his successor, Huerta, was suspected of conniving at it. Awaiting a solution of the mystery, our government withheld recognition of Huerta as president. This resulted in considerable bitterness toward the United States on the part of Huerta's followers. After more than a year of watching and waiting on the part of our government, some of Huerta's officers offered a deliberate insult to our flag. The demand for an apology being ignored, President Wilson ordered the occupation of the city of Vera Cruz to enforce respect for the American flag. Huerta was finally forced by the revolutionary Mexican armies, under Carranza and Villa, to flee from the country and soon thereafter the

United States forces withdrew from Mexico.

Turmoil and bloodshed between the various factions still continue without any indication of peace.

601. Panicky Conditions Improve (1914-1915). Business conditions in 1914 showed two interesting phases: First the President and his supporters asserted that there was no cause for a panic except the fear and belief in the minds of many people that it could not be avoided; second, certain business men who had been hard hit by the lowering of the tariff declared that the business of the country was rapidly being injured. But these tendencies toward a panic were largely stopped by the record-breaking crops, the confidence brought about by the establishment of the Federal Reserve banks, and the sudden outbreak of the European war.

602. The United States a Neutral (1914-1915). Late in July, 1914, the most stupendous war in the world's history broke out in Europe. The leading nations of Europe were swept into a great struggle involving their colonies and dependencies in all parts of the world. Millions of men were called from peaceful occupations to face each other on the battlefield. Japan, as the ally of England, joined forces with the allies (England, France, and Russia), and Turkey after some hesitation attacked Russia on the side of Germany and Austria. Later, after prolonged negotiations with AustriaHungary, Italy declared for war and at once led her armies across the border in an attack on her ancient enemy, Austria. The United States declared neutrality ($286.)

In the United States the cost of food products and of many other commodities increased because of the war. Wheat and other grains were especially affected. The business of certain great exporters and importers was crippled or destroyed. The cotton market was especially

hard hit. The ruin of the cotton growers was prevented by a "cotton loan" of $150,000,000, subscribed by the banks of the country. In order to meet the deficit in customs revenue, Congress levied a "war tax" amounting to over $100,000,000.

As time elapsed, the feeling of insecurity aroused in the first months of the war gradually disappeared, and prices became more nearly normal. Vast quantities of food stuffs and products of all kinds were bought by agents of the warring nations. Many of the securities held in foreign countries were transferred to American hands, and indications for the future point to greater independent financial stability in the United States than ever existed heretofore.

603. Facing the Future. Our country was really born on that morning in 1492 when Columbus sighted land. We have seen it grow from a few scattered settlements to thirteen colonies, from thirteen colonies to forty-eight states, from a group of dependencies on the Atlantic coast to a nation occupying half a continent, from a union of states to a world power. We have studied about the great things that it has done, the noble history it has made, and the lofty principles it has established.

Year by year we shall each have an increasing opportunity to play a part in determining what the future history of our country shall be; if we have profited by the study of its past, we shall not be unworthy of its future.

The patriotism and the devotion which have made possible the dramatic story of our country's growth should quicken the hearts of the boys and girls who are to be the men and women of a great to-morrow.

The Appendir

STUDY QUESTIONS AND COLLATERAL

READING

(The black-letter figures refer in all cases to the sections of the text.)

(1-13.) 7. Make a list of the reasons why Europeans wanted to get to India. 2. Explain just what the Crusades, Marco Polo, and Prince Henry each did to help along the discovery of America. 3. Make a list of the leading early explorers and tell where each got his knowledge of the sea. 4. Tell what hindered and what helped Columbus. 5. Name the nations which refused the chance of discovering America. 6. Trace Columbus' route on a map. 7. What difference might it have made to us had Columbus gone directly west from Spain? 8. Make a "continuous picture" of the first voyage. 9. Show how Columbus' discovery influenced other nations. 10. How do you account for Spain's ill treatment of Columbus? II. What advantages for discovery did Spain and Portugal have over other countries?

Histories: Fiske's Discovery of America, I., 164-171 (Northmen); 280-284 (Marco Polo); II., 4-7 (John Cabot). Wright's Stories of American History, 27-37 (Northmen); 38-60 (Columbus). Irving's Life of Columbus, I. Hale's Stories of Discovery, 34-58 (Da Gama). Towle's Heroes of History.

Sources: Hart's Source Book, 1-6. American History Leaflets, Nos. 3 and 9. Old South Leaflets, II., Nos. 29, 31, 32, 33; III., 71.

(14-26.) 7. What must each nation do to make good its claims to new territory? 2. Why were the Indians an exception? 3. Make a list of Spanish explorers, with names of regions visited. 4. If Columbus had lived in 1522, what would he have learned about his own discoveries? 5. What causes drew the Spaniards southward? 6. What difference would it probably have made if they had gone northward? 7. What was the main motive of the Spaniard? Prove. 8. Draw a line across the map of North America through the most northerly points reached by Spain. 9. What led the Frenchmen to the St. Lawrence region? 10. What other region did the French try to settle, and why did they fail? II. Why is Champlain called the "Father" of New France? 12. Name the causes why England took new interest in America in Elizabeth's time. 13. Prove that Drake and

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