American History Chapters 18-19

Chapter 18: Robber Barons and the Rise of Industry

• Andrew Carnegie, a prominent industrialist, exemplified the "robber baron" era, characterized by rapid industrial growth and consolidation of wealth.
• Social Darwinism, a concept emphasized during this period, justified business practices based on "survival of the fittest" principles.
• John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil dominated the petroleum industry, forming a vast trust.
• The American Federation of Labor (AFL) and Knights of Labor were prominent labor organizations advocating for workers' rights.
• The Haymarket affair was a significant labor dispute, involving violence and clashes between labor activists and police.

Chapter 19: Urbanization and Immigration

• Rapid urbanization characterized the period, with massive population growth in cities.
• Jacob Riis's book, "How the Other Half Lives," exposed the poverty and harsh living conditions of urban slums.
• Settlement houses, such as those established by Jane Addams, offered social services and support to impoverished communities.
• Significant immigration, both "old" and "new," shaped the nation's demographics and led to social and cultural adjustments.
• The Great Migration, a significant movement of African Americans from the South to the North, occurred during the early 20th century.

Chapter 20: The Gilded Age and Populism

• The Gilded Age, a period of industrial growth, was marked by significant disparities in wealth and social problems.
• The Populist party emerged as a political force advocating for the rights of farmers and workers.
• The Pullman Strike, a significant labor action, highlights challenges faced during the late 19th century.

Chapter 21: Progressivism and Reform

• Progressivism, a movement with diverse political ideas and actions, aimed to address social and political issues.
• Muckrakers, investigative journalists, exposed corruption and societal problems.
• The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire exemplified the plight of workers and sparked reform efforts.
• Women's suffrage movements sought to establish voting rights for women.
• The Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation in the South.
• Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois addressed the challenges faced by African Americans in different approaches.
• The NAACP, an important organization, advocated for racial equality.
• Theodore Roosevelt promoted conservation and trust-busting efforts.

Chapter 22: American Imperialism

• Imperialism, a drive to expand America's influence and power abroad, shaped foreign policy.
• The Spanish-American War marked a significant escalation of American power.
• Yellow journalism emphasized sensationalized news to boost readership and influence public opinion.
• The Open Door policy sought to ensure equal trade access with China.
• The Panama Canal was a critical achievement that connected oceans.
• The Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary established American dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

Chapter 23: World War I and its Aftermath

• World War I and its aftermath profoundly impacted American society and foreign policy.
• The use of submarines (U-boats) and the Lusitania incident were significant developments leading up to America's entry into the war.
• Neutrality was a policy America initially pursued before entering the war.
• The Espionage and Sedition Acts curtailed freedom of speech during wartime.
• Prohibition, a ban on alcohol, stemmed from this period.
• The 19th Amendment granted women suffrage.
• President Woodrow Wilson proposed the Fourteen Points and championed the League of Nations.
• Post-war isolationism and the Red Scare characterized the aftermath.

Chapter 24: The Roaring Twenties

• Henry Ford's innovations, including the assembly line, transformed the automotive industry and society.
• Automobiles, movies, and radio contributed to a burgeoning consumer culture.
• Waves of nativism, characterized by anti-immigrant sentiment, emerged.
• The Sacco and Vanzetti trial exemplified anxieties surrounding radical social change.
• The National Origins Act limited immigration based on nationality.
• The Ku Klux Klan, a racist organization, reemerged in the United States.
• The Scopes Trial reflected conflicts between religious and scientific views.
• The "New Woman" and flapper culture signify societal changes during this period.
• The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement of African Americans

Chapter 25: The Great Depression

• The Stock Market Crash of 1929 triggered the Great Depression, a period of widespread economic hardship.
• Herbert Hoover's policies emphasized individualism and voluntary cooperation during the crisis.
• Hoovervilles, makeshift shantytowns, emerged as a symbol of poverty.
• The Dust Bowl, a severe drought, worsened the economic hardships.
• Hoover also faced the Bonus Army, who protested for better treatment.

Chapter 26: The New Deal

• Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies aimed to combat the Great Depression.
• The Bank Holiday was an initial step, stabilizing the financial system.
• The FDIC was created, providing banking protections.
• The Hundred Days witnessed rapid action passing numerous New Deal programs.
• The SEC and the CCC and TVA were major initiatives that attempted to stabilize and recover the economy.
• The AAA, NRA, and other programs addressed the economic situations in different sectors.
• Huey Long criticized the New Deal’s effectiveness. The welfare state expanded through legislation.
• Legislation such as the Wagner Act and WPA boosted employment.
• The Social Security Act established a system for retirement and unemployment benefits.

Chapter 27: World War II

• The Nye Committee and increasing European tensions contributed to American isolationism.
• Lend-lease strengthened international cooperation and material support to allies before WWII.
• Pearl Harbor prompted America's entry into WWII.
• Japanese internment, a controversial policy, occurred during the war's progression.
• Women's role in the war effort was symbolized by "Rosie the Riveter."
• The "March on Washington" (1941) advocated for defense mobilization and fair treatment to African Americans.
• The Double V campaign highlighted the desire for both war victory and racial equality.
• The Holocaust and other atrocities emerged during the war.
• The Yalta Conference and the creation of the United Nations.
• The use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki concluded the war.

Chapter 28: The Post-War Era

• The GI Bill provided benefits to returning veterans.
• The Cold War emerged, a global geopolitical rivalry between the US and Soviet Union.
• Containment was a US strategy to curb the spread of communism.
• The Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan supported Western Europe against communist insurgencies.
• McCarthyism and the Red Scare characterized anxieties and accusations of communism in America.
• The Korean War marked a significant conflict in the Cold War.
• Dwight Eisenhower, president during this time period, emphasized the military-industrial complex.
• The Space Race was a major competition involving the development and launches of space technology.
• The growth of consumer culture, including the rise of Levittown and the baby boom, also characterize the period.
• Rock and roll marked resistance to conformity.
• Civil rights movements started taking place.
• Brown v. Board of Education and the Little Rock Nine represent pivotal court cases and societal events.
• Emmitt Till's murder highlighted the realities of racial injustice.
• Rosa Parks' actions and the Montgomery Bus Boycott catalyzed the Civil Rights Movement.

Chapter 29: The 1960s and the Civil Rights Movement

• John F. Kennedy's presidency involved handling the Cuban Missile Crisis.
• The Sun Belt experienced significant population growth and economic development.
• The Vietnam War escalated while the Gulf of Tonkin resolution expanded military actions in Southeast Asia.
• Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency, and the Great Society programs, included a significant war on poverty.
• Key milestones in the civil rights era included the Selma march and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
• The Tet Offensive altered public opinion about the Vietnam War.
• Key figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and the Black Panthers contributed significantly to the momentum.
• Civil Rights activism and the broader social movements greatly influenced American society.

Chapter 30: The 1970s and Beyond

• The Counterculture movement, marked by events like Woodstock, reflected social and political upheaval.
• The Gay Rights movement emerged, with Stonewall signifying a crucial moment.
• The Equal Rights Amendment, aiming for gender equality, had its movement underway.
• The Roe v. Wade decision shaped legal precedent on abortion.
• Richard Nixon's presidency encompassed the Southern strategy.
• Economic challenges, including stagflation, and energy crises marked this period.
• OPEC, a significant oil-producing cartel, strongly impacted Western society.
• Détente, a period of improved relations with the Soviet Union during Nixon's presidency.
• The Vietnam War, through Nixon's Vietnamization policy, continued to impact American politics and society.
• Anti-war protests escalated. The My Lai massacre represented a dark chapter in the Vietnam War.
• The War Powers Act limited presidential power.
• Jimmy Carter's presidency saw the Iran hostage crisis.

Chapter 31: The Late 20th Century and Beyond

• Ronald Reagan pursued conservative policies.
• Reaganomics and the Christian Right shaped political discourse.
• AIDS emerged as a major public health crisis.
• The "War on Drugs" became a significant social policy.
• The end of the Vietnam War and Post-Vietnam Syndrome shaped the US political landscape.
• Bill Clinton's presidency brought the Contract with America and other social and political realities.
• The Oklahoma City bombing signified domestic terrorism in the United States.
• The September 11th attacks and reactions thereof significantly shaped foreign policy and domestic politics for the 21st century.
• The Election of 2000 was a controversial election.

Explore the themes of industrialism and urbanization in Chapters 18 and 19 of American History. This quiz covers key figures like Carnegie and Rockefeller, the impact of Social Darwinism, and the evolution of labor movements alongside the challenges of urban immigration and slums. Test your knowledge on these pivotal moments in American history.