American Expansion

Purchase of Alaska, also known as Seward's Folly, was motivated by the desire to increase American presence in the Pacific Ocean (Asia).

Cuba, the last Spanish outpost in the Americas, had a lucrative tobacco and sugar industry and a history of recent revolutions with American investors

The Spanish-American War resulted in the U.S. defeating Spain in the Philippines and Cuba.

Teddy Roosevelt led the US acquisition of Cuba, the Philippines, and Guam

American businessmen led a coup that overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy.

Yellow journalism is characterized by exaggerated stories and huge headlines

The sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898, which was believed to be caused by the Spanish, led to war.

The Teller Amendment promised that the U.S. would not intervene in Cuban affairs.

The Platt Amendment allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuba and acquire Guantanamo Bay and sparked outrage.

The U.S. annexed the Philippines for $20 million, leading to a Filipino rebellion that was suppressed by the U.S.

The Rough Riders, led by Teddy Roosevelt, played a vital role in the victory at the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba.

Xenophobia, the fear or hatred of foreigners, increased due to yellow journalism.

Jingoism is extreme nationalism expressed through aggressive foreign policy.

The Boxer Rebellion, in which Chinese students fought against foreigners, resulted in the Open Door policy, ensuring no single entity could monopolize trade with China.

The De Lome Letter, written by Spanish officials criticizing President McKinley, boosted support for the Spanish-American War.

Teddy Roosevelt supported Panama's revolt against Colombia and sent marines to block the Colombian Navy, leading to America's permission to build the Panama Canal.

The Roosevelt Corollary, an extension of the Monroe Doctrine, justified U.S. intervention in Latin American affairs to "protect" them.

The Russo-Japanese War, fought over Manchuria and Korea, resulted in a Japanese victory and was mediated by the U.S.

The Great White Fleet was the nickname for the U.S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet battleships that circumnavigated the globe from 1907 to 1909 under President Theodore Roosevelt’s order.

Dollar diplomacy, under President Taft, used economic means to promote American commercial interests and stability abroad.

Theodore Roosevelt's Square Deal promoted conservation, corporate law, and consumer protection

Roosevelt's New Nationalism advocated active federal intervention to promote social justice and economic welfare, especially for the underprivileged.

Wilson's New Freedom, a political ideology and campaign platform in the 1912 presidential election, emphasized social justice by targeting big business

Progressivism was a reform movement from 1900 to 1920 that shaped American politics, society, and the economy.

Scientific management sought to improve economic efficiency and workplace productivity through workflow analysis.

Muckrakers were reform-minded journalists during the Progressive Era

The secret ballot ensures that voters' information is kept confidential.

Initiative allows citizens to propose a new law

Referendum allows citizens to approve/veto laws passed by the legislature.

Recall enables citizens to petition and vote to remove elected officials from office

Trust busting refers to government efforts to dissolve trusts or monopolies

The 16th Amendment established federal income tax, where the government takes a percentage of everyone's income.

The Payne-Aldrich Tariff of 1909, under President Taft, raised tariffs and angered Roosevelt.

The Underwood Tariff of 1913, under President Wilson, lowered tariffs.

The Bull Moose Party was the nickname for the Progressive Republican ticket.

The Niagara Movement and NAACP advocated for full civil and political rights for African Americans

The National Women's Party used militant tactics, like picketing and hunger strikes, to advocate for women's suffrage and an Equal Rights Amendment.

The 17th Amendment established the direct election of U.S. Senators.

The 18th Amendment prohibited the sale, production, and distribution of alcoholic beverages

The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan American nonprofit political organization.

The sinking of the Lusitania, a British passenger ship, by a German U-boat angered Americans.

The Sussex Pledge stipulated that Germany would only sink merchant ships if contraband materials were found on board.

The Zimmermann Telegram proposed that if Mexico joined Germany and it was victorious, Mexico would regain land lost to the U.S.

The Russian Revolution during WWI led to Russia's withdrawal from the war

The Senate Treaty Debate concerned the approval or rejection of international treaties like the League of Nations.

Reservationists were Senators willing to ratify the Treaty of Versailles.

Irreconcilables staunchly opposed the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations.

The Red Scare was the fear of immigrants, especially communists/socialists, infiltrating the U.S. economy

The Palmer Raids, conducted by Attorney General Palmer, aimed to deport and arrest foreigners

The Teapot Dome Scandal involved political corruption and bribery during President Warren G. Harding's administration

The assembly line is a production method that increased efficiency, revolutionized by Henry Ford.

Consumerism in the 1920s, driven by products like cars and radios, elevated the standards of living

Fundamentalism is strict adherence to a set of beliefs

The Scopes Trial of 1923 debated the teaching of evolution in public schools, highlighting the clash between religious fundamentalism and scientific inquiry

The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement in Harlem, New York City, in the 1920s and 1930s, focused on African American culture.

The trial and execution of Italian immigrants Sacco & Vanzetti exposed unfairness in the American justice system

During Prohibition, organized crime in urban cities produced and distributed alcohol, leading to bootlegging

The KKK revival was fueled by cultural conflict, modernization, and refugees.

Heavy borrowing to invest in the stock market led to its crash in 1929.

Overproduction in agriculture led to lowered prices.

Buying on margin involved getting a loan to buy stocks and paying it back with profits.

The Clayton Act aimed to promote fair competition by preventing monopolies and cartels

The Federal Reserve Act created a national bank that urged private banks to join, for stability.

Standard Oil violated the Sherman Antitrust Act through monopolistic practices, leading to its breakup.

The Coal Strike of 1902, involving 147,000 coal miners in eastern Pennsylvania, sought better wages, shorter workdays, and union recognition and led to federal intervention due to its damaging effects on railroads

The Schenck v. U.S. Supreme Court case ruled that freedom of speech could be limited during times of war

Alfred Mahan advocated for the U.S. to strengthen its navy to become a global superpower in "The Influence of Sea Power upon History"

Theodore Roosevelt was a preservationist president.

William McKinley was president before Roosevelt and supported the Gold Standard Act.

William H. Taft improved the economy and built roads and schools

Woodrow Wilson led the U.S. into World War I and proposed the 14 points and the League of Nations.

Warren G. Harding was the 29th President of the United States (1921-1923). Focused on a return to normality after WW1 and political scandals.

Calvin Coolidge focused on fiscal conservatism and business-friendly policies, fostering economic prosperity

Herbert Hoover promised prosperity but struggled to deal with the Depression

Henry Cabot Lodge and Hiram Borah opposed the League of Nations.

Hiram Borah viewed the League of Nations as a trap that would involve the U.S. in European conflicts

Pancho Villa was a figure in the Mexican Revolution

John J. Pershing was a general for the American army during WWI

Frederick Taylor invented scientific management.

Ida Tarbell, a muckraker, exposed John D. Rockefeller in her journalism.

Jacob Riis, a photojournalist, documented poor living conditions of NYC immigrants in the 1890s.

Robert La Follette was an American leader of the Progressive reform

W.E.B. Du Bois advocated equality to self-sufficiency

Booker T. Washington promoted self-sufficiency to political equality

Alice Paul was a suffragette.

George Clemenceau, Prime Minister of France during World War I, advocated for harsh punishment of Germany in the Treaty of Versailles.

A. Mitchell Palmer, as U.S. Attorney General, conducted the Palmer Raids on foreigners and socialists/communists.

J. Edgar Hoover founded the FBI.

Charles Lindberg was the first person to complete a solo, nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927

Henry Ford revolutionized the assembly line (cars)

Margaret Sanger was an American birth control activist and supported the first birth control pill.

Louis Armstrong was an American trumpeter.

Marcus Garvey was a Jamaican activist

Duke Ellington was an American pianist and composer.

Al Capone was a notorious gang leader during Prohibition.

William Randolph Hearst published the NY Journal newspaper

Joseph Pulitzer published the NY World newspaper