Imperialism and the Spanish-American War

The World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893) displayed a stark racial hierarchy, showcasing "exotic" non-white peoples alongside the advancements of Western civilization. This implied that the progress of white civilizations should be shared with the world, justifying imperialism under a guise of 'uplifting' other nations.

Christian missionaries fueled American expansion, seeking to spread their faith, particularly in China's large population, often alongside American political and economic interests.

American missionaries arrived in Hawaii in the 1820s, followed by businessmen who established sugar plantations. This economic dominance led to conflict with Queen Liliuokalani, creating tension and paving the way for American annexation.

Cuba's struggle for independence from Spain led to the Spanish-American War (1898), where the United States intervened and emerged victorious. This victory resulted in territorial gains, including the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

The Treaty of Paris (1898) formally ended the Spanish-American War, granting the United States control over the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam, marking significant imperial expansion.

The Open Door Policy asserted that all nations should have equal access to trade with China. This stance, championed by Secretary of State John Hay, sought to maintain China's territorial integrity while securing economic advantages for the United States.

The Boxer Rebellion (1900) was a violent uprising against foreigners, particularly missionaries, in China. The United States, alongside other nations, intervened to rescue Westerners held hostage and suppress the rebellion, further demonstrating its imperial ambitions.

The Panama Canal, built under American influence, aimed to provide a quicker route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, facilitating trade and supporting American imperial ambitions in the Pacific and Asia.

The movement to reform society in response to rapid industrialization, political corruption, and urbanization. Middle-class Americans, particularly college graduates, were at the forefront of this movement.

The idea that the government should not interfere in economic activities. This was a popular belief among industrialists and their allies.

The ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920 granted women the right to vote, a significant milestone in the fight for women's suffrage.

Theodore Roosevelt's approach to antitrust legislation, focusing on 'bad trusts' that interfered with commerce, regardless of their size.

Established in 1913, this system aimed to address concerns about the financial system's dependence on private bankers and to ensure the stability of the nation's banking system.

The movement advocating for the prohibition of alcohol, associating it with the fight for democracy and purity.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was the immediate trigger for World War I.

A secret telegram from German foreign minister, Arthur Zimmerman, promising Mexico to help regain territory lost to the U.S. if Mexico joined Germany in the war. This news angered Americans and shifted public opinion towards war.

The U.S. military forces sent to Europe to help the Allied powers (Great Britain and France) during World War I. Their arrival proved crucial in pushing back against the Central Powers.

A cease-fire agreement signed on November 11, 1918, effectively ending World War I. It marked the conclusion of the war.

President Wilson's proposal for a post-war world order, based on international cooperation, freedom of the seas, and self-determination for nations. It aimed to prevent future wars.

These wartime acts aimed to suppress antiwar speech and dissent. The Espionage Act targeted interference with the war effort, while the Sedition Act expanded the reach of the Espionage Act.

A wave of fear and anti-radical sentiment targeting Communists, anarchists, and other radical groups, often extending to labor movements.

A surge in opposition to immigration, particularly during World War I, fueled by a sense of national identity and anxieties about foreign influence.

A period of severe economic hardship in the United States, the Great Depression saw increased support for the Communist Party, largely due to dissatisfaction with the existing capitalist system and the perceived successes of the Soviet Union.

Introduced by President Roosevelt in response to ongoing economic hardship and political pressure, the Second New Deal shifted the focus from economic restructuring to providing direct assistance and support to the working class.

The ‘Roosevelt Recession’ was a significant economic downturn that occurred in 1938, largely attributed to President Roosevelt's decision to cut spending on New Deal programs.

The Dust Bowl was a severe environmental disaster that ravaged the Great Plains region from 1934 to 1937 due to a combination of unsustainable farming practices and a devastating drought.

The Dust Bowl was caused by unsustainable farming methods, which depleted the natural grass cover of the Great Plains, leaving the fertile topsoil vulnerable to wind erosion during the severe drought.

Government propaganda during World War I often portrayed Germans as ruthless killers, using terms like "Huns" to demonize them and encourage American support for the war effort.

The Great Migration was a mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North. This migration occurred in two main waves, during World War I and then again during and after World War II, driven by the need for industrial labor and the promise of greater opportunities.

The assembly line, pioneered by Henry Ford, revolutionized car production in the 1920s. It made cars more affordable for the middle class but also displaced skilled mechanics.

The 1920s saw a rise in advertising that directly appealed to the public's subconscious using Freudian psychology and emerging ideas around crowd psychology.

The 1920s witnessed a cultural shift marked by the "flappers", independent young women who defied traditional Victorian social norms and embraced a new style of dress and behavior.

The nativist movement emerged during and after World War I. Many Americans resented the large wave of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, driven by perceived threats to religion and culture.

The Harlem Renaissance was a flourishing period of African American arts, literature, and thought centered in Harlem, New York City. The Great Migration played a key role in creating the conditions for this important cultural movement.

The "Lost Generation" was a group of American writers during the 1920s who expressed disillusionment with society, often reflecting on the trauma of World War I and the materialism and superficiality of American life.

The Ku Klux Klan, a racist and violent organization with a long history, experienced a resurgence in the 1920s, gaining millions of members and promoting white supremacy and anti-immigrant sentiments.

The Panic of 1893 was the worst economic depression in American history before the Great Depression, triggered by major bankruptcies and widespread bank failures. It led to a decline in stock prices and a decline in the economy.

The Panic of 1907 resulted in a stock market crash due to a lack of confidence in major New York banks. This panic involved a fall in stock prices and several bank failures.

Black Thursday (October 24, 1929) marked the dramatic crash of the stock market. This event, along with the following week's events, wiped out many investors' holdings and led to the Great Depression.

Rugged Individualism was President Hoover's belief that individual Americans should solve their own economic problems. He argued that relying on the federal government was not the solution to the Great Depression.

The New Deal was a series of programs launched by President Roosevelt during the Great Depression to combat poverty, unemployment, and economic hardship. It involved government intervention to provide relief, recovery, and reform.

The Glass-Steagall Act created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which insures bank deposits. This protects people's savings even if their bank fails.