Key Innovations and Railroads in the Late 1800s

The power of large companies to influence government decisions for their own benefit, often through lobbying or donations.

A law passed in 1890 that aimed to prevent monopolies and promote competition in the marketplace.

The act of taking control of a country or region by another, usually for economic or political reasons.

The desire for new markets to sell industrial goods and acquire raw materials, often driving imperialism.

A period of intense rivalry among European powers, fueled by nationalism and a desire for expanding their influence.

An uprising in China against foreign powers in the early 20th century, showcasing the backlash against imperialism.

A policy aimed at ensuring equal trading rights for all countries in China.

The combination of workers into organizations to improve working conditions, wages, and rights.

A production method using high heat to remove impurities from iron, making steel much cheaper and more available.

A business strategy where a company controls all aspects of production, from raw materials to distribution. It helps reduce costs and increase efficiency.

This strategy involves a company acquiring or merging with its competitors in the same industry to increase market share and dominance.

A business that controls nearly all of a particular market, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced quality due to the lack of competition.

Laws designed to prevent monopolies and encourage competition in the marketplace, by limiting the power of large corporations.

The rapid increase in the use of railroads across the United States, contributing to increased connectivity, economic growth, and urbanization.

The trend of people living outside of cities and commuting to work in urban centers, made possible by the development of railroads.

The movement of people and goods westward across the United States, often influenced by the expansion of railroads and the exploration of new territories.

The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba, in 1898, which was blamed on Spain, fueled American public outrage and ignited the Spanish-American War.

The acquisition of territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines by the U.S. after the Spanish-American War, marking a shift in U.S. foreign policy towards imperialism.

Theodore Roosevelt, who served as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy during the war, was instrumental in the conflict's outcome and gained fame as a symbol of American military strength.

The Panama Canal, built by the U.S., was a strategic waterway crucial for international trade and U.S. naval dominance by creating a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Thomas Edison was a renowned inventor who revolutionized industries with inventions like the light bulb, which transformed lighting technology.

Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone in 1876 dramatically changed communication and revolutionized the world by enabling instant voice communication.

Andrew Carnegie was a prominent industrialist who built a steel empire through vertical integration, controlling all aspects of production from raw materials to distribution.

The Homestead Strike of 1892, a major labor dispute at Carnegie Steel, involved violent clashes between striking workers and private security forces, highlighting the tensions and conflicts between labor and management in the late 19th century.

A business strategy where a company controls all stages of production, from raw materials to the final product.

A business strategy where a company acquires or merges with competitors to increase market share.

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914, by Gavrilo Princip, which triggered a chain reaction of diplomatic crises and alliances, leading to the start of World War I.

The 28th president of the United States who initially advocated for neutrality but later led the U.S. into World War I in 1917, emphasizing the need for a moral approach to foreign policy.

A German general who devised the Schlieffen Plan, aimed for a quick victory over France before turning to Russia, ultimately failing and leading to trench warfare.

The rapid growth of cities due to industrialization and migration from rural areas.

The increased productivity and safety in workplaces due to the invention of a new technology.

Nations competed for colonies and resources, leading to conflicts and rivalries.

Extreme pride in one's nation led to conflicts as countries sought to assert dominance and independence, particularly in the Balkans.

The arms race and glorification of military power created a tense environment in Europe, where nations built up their armies and navies, believing that military solutions were preferable to diplomatic ones.

This alliance, comprised of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire, fought against the Allies and was characterized by aggressive military strategies.

France, Great Britain, and Russia formed this alliance, opposing the Central Powers during the war.

A brutal form of combat that defined WWI where soldiers fought from deep trenches, leading to horrific living conditions and high casualty rates.

The sinking of the British ocean liner by a German U-boat in 1915, which killed 1,198 passengers, including 128 Americans, increased public outrage in the U.S. and shifted opinion towards joining the war.

A secret diplomatic communication from Germany to Mexico proposing a military alliance against the U.S., which was intercepted and contributed to American entry into the war.

The extreme conditions soldiers faced include shelling, lack of food, disease like dysentery, and the psychological trauma from constant bombardment and the threat of death.

The unsanitary and dangerous environment of the trenches, including lice infestations and exposure to gas attacks, created difficult living conditions for soldiers.

Soldiers experienced mental strain due to the psychological toll of warfare. They reported feelings of weakness, fear, and the impact of shell shock on their mental health.

War posters often presented a romanticized and heroic image of war to encourage enlistment and support, while soldiers' experiences revealed the harsh realities of combat.

The gap between idealized war and the harsh realities faced by soldiers led to a change in public attitudes towards military conflict as the war progressed.

The war greatly influenced literature, art, and public discourse, leading to a more critical outlook on nationalism and militarism in the post-war period.

Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the U.S., led the country during World War I and advocated for neutrality before ultimately entering the war.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 triggered the outbreak of World War I.

The sinking of the Lusitania, a British liner by a German U-boat in 1915, shaped American public opinion against Germany.

The Zimmermann Note, a secret communication from Germany to Mexico proposing a military alliance in 1917, angered Americans and contributed to U.S. entry into the war.

The Selective Service Act of 1917 required men to register for the draft, leading to the conscription of soldiers for World War I.

The Espionage and Sedition Acts of 1917-1918 limited free speech and allowed the government to silence dissent against the war.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 triggered the outbreak of World War I.