U.S. History: Key Concepts and Events

A policy of protecting the interests of native-born or established inhabitants against those of immigrants.

A farm, business, or other organization which is owned and run jointly by its members, who share the profits or benefits.

Foreign policy of staying isolated (alone) from other countries. After WWI, the U.S. wanted to stay isolated from world affairs.

To stay neutral means to not take sides—not support either side of the conflict.

Laws, rules, or processes that limits, steers, or otherwise controls the actions and choices of companies and/or individuals.

The 18th Amendment (DRINK): prohibition (ban) on alcohol.

When one company controls an entire industry, it is considered a monopoly. Monopolies were prominent in the Gilded Age and they were unhealthy for the economy because they decreased competition and therefore, increase prices.

In the 1920s, the U.S. was concerned that communist ideas were taking root in America, as they had in Russia. This fear of communism led to the violation of civil rights—people were questioned and sometimes deported just for being suspected of being communists. This fear and hysteria caused people to question the loyalty of immigrants to the U.S.

The right to vote in political elections.

A social movement that advocated for moderation or complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages.

A style of journalism characterized by sensationalism, exaggeration, and often misleading or fabricated stories.

A formal document declaring the independence of the thirteen American colonies from British rule.

The supreme law of the United States, outlining the structure and powers of the federal government.

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing basic rights and freedoms.

A 19th-century movement that aimed to address social problems and corruption, particularly in urban areas.

A period of rapid industrialization and economic growth in the United States, marked by technological advancements and expansion of businesses.

A period of economic prosperity and cultural change in the United States, following World War I, characterized by jazz music, new technologies, and social shifts.

An economic downturn that spanned the 1930s, characterized by high unemployment, bank failures, and widespread poverty.

An act passed in 1890 aimed at curbing monopolies and promoting competition in the marketplace.

A law that raised tariffs on imported goods, intended to protect American businesses but also contributing to the global economic downturn.

A policy that called for equal access to Chinese markets for all foreign powers.

Laws passed during World War I that restricted freedom of speech and expression, particularly for those opposing the war effort.

A period of significant technological advancements, including the development of new inventions and industries.

A political system where politicians bribe voters with public services like trash collection or medical care in exchange for their votes, often targeting poor immigrants.

The 17th Amendment allowed for the direct election of senators by the people, instead of being chosen by state legislatures. It gave more power to the people, as they now had a direct say in who represented them in the Senate.

The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, ending a long struggle for suffrage. This significantly increased women's political power and participation in the democratic process.

The belief that the United States was destined to expand across the entire North American continent. It fueled westward expansion and often justified the displacement of Native Americans.

The Homestead Act of 1862 offered 160 acres of free land to settlers who agreed to live on it and cultivate it for five years. This incentivised westward migration and helped settle the frontier.

The Transcontinental Railroad, completed in 1869, connected the eastern and western US. It facilitated faster and more efficient transportation of goods and people, driving further settlement and economic development in the West.

The rapid growth of cities, often due to industrialization and immigration. It led to increased demand for housing, jobs, and social services, while also causing problems like overcrowding and poverty.

The process of developing industries and manufacturing, often accompanied by technological advancements. This created jobs and opportunities, attracting people to cities and leading to urbanization.

Immigrants were drawn to cities by job opportunities created by industrialization. However, they often faced challenges like long hours, poor working conditions, and crowded housing in tenements.

The growth of factories and industries created demand for workers, leading to women joining the workforce in large numbers. They faced similar challenges to immigrants, but some became entrepreneurs, creating new opportunities for themselves and others.

Industrialization and subsequent urbanization led to the growth of families moving to cities. However, due to the harsh living conditions and limited resources, family sizes often decreased, opting for smaller families.

The Populist Movement arose primarily from the concerns of farmers who felt disadvantaged by the powerful railroad and banking industries. They advocated for reforms like government regulation and control over these monopolies.

The Progressive Movement was a broader reform movement that addressed various issues such as corruption, inequality, and social problems. They aimed for government intervention to improve the lives of ordinary people, particularly in urban areas.

Muckrakers were investigative journalists who exposed corruption and social injustices in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They published articles and books that sparked public awareness and influenced social reform.

The Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act were passed in 1906 to address concerns about food safety and hygiene. They enforced regulations on food production and labeling, safeguarding public health.

Labor unions were formed by workers to advocate for better wages, safer working conditions, and shorter hours. They gained strength through collective bargaining and strikes, promoting worker rights and improving their overall situation.

A law passed in 1906 that prohibited the sale of adulterated or misbranded meat products and ensured sanitary slaughtering and processing of livestock. It aimed to improve the safety and quality of meat consumed by the public.

A law passed in 1906 that prohibited the sale of adulterated or misbranded food and drugs. It played a major role in establishing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a vital agency for protecting consumers.

A U.S. cabinet-level department established in 1913 to promote the welfare of working people, improve their work conditions, and enhance their job opportunities.

A set of domestic policies championed by President Theodore Roosevelt, focusing on consumer protection, corporate regulation, and conservation of natural resources.

The sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898 was a major contributing factor to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. The incident, although the cause is disputed, fueled American outrage and public demand for war.

The U.S. acquired the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam as a result of the Spanish-American War. These territories provided the U.S. with strategic access to the Pacific and Caribbean regions, solidifying its role as a global power.

American landowners in Hawaii overthrew Queen Liliuokalani in 1893, leading to the establishment of a republic under Sanford Dole. The U.S. coveted Hawaii for its strategic location and fertile land, eventually annexing it in 1898.

In 1867, the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Initially criticized as a foolish purchase, 'Seward's Folly,' it later proved a bargain due to its abundant resources, including oil, forests, and gold.

The Zimmerman Telegram, a coded message intercepted by the British, proposed a German-Mexican alliance against the U.S. in 1917. This incident, along with other factors, fueled U.S. public sentiment against Germany and contributed to its entry into World War I.

The unrestricted submarine warfare employed by Germany during World War I, which involved attacking any ship, including neutral vessels, in the Atlantic Ocean, directly challenged U.S. neutrality and ultimately played a significant role in its entry into the war.

The American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) were U.S. troops, led by General John J. Pershing, who fought bravely in World War I. Their arrival on the Western Front was instrumental in breaking the stalemate and helping the Allied forces to victory.

The Great Migration refers to the massive movement of African Americans from the segregated and oppressed Jim Crow South to the industrialized North during the early 20th century. They sought better job opportunities, greater social and economic mobility, and a chance to escape racial violence and discrimination.

The Harlem Renaissance was a flourishing cultural movement during the 1920s, centered in the Harlem neighborhood of NYC. It celebrated African American art, music, literature, and intellectual thought.

Women gained access to traditionally male-dominated jobs during World War I, especially when men were away fighting. After the war, many women were pushed out of these roles, leading to social and economic challenges. This fueled a desire for more equality and contributed to the rise of the flapper movement.

After WWI, Germany was forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed reparations and the war guilt clause. These harsh terms fueled German resentment and contributed to the rise of extremism and ultimately, to World War II.

A dramatic period of economic hardship in the United States, characterized by widespread unemployment, poverty, and business failures.

The act of buying stocks with borrowed money, hoping to make a profit when the price of the stock rises. It heightened speculation, leading to overvaluation and ultimately the crash.

The sudden and dramatic decline in the value of stocks and securities traded on the stock market, leading to widespread financial instability and the Great Depression.

This policy of raising tariffs on imported goods, intended to protect domestic industries, ultimately backfired by causing a decline in trade and exacerbating the Great Depression.

The New Deal was a series of programs and reforms implemented by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression. It aimed to provide relief to the unemployed, stimulate economic recovery, and reform financial systems.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was a key New Deal program that provided temporary jobs on public works projects, such as road construction, building infrastructure and creating artwork.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was a New Deal program that brought electricity to rural areas of the Tennessee Valley, impacting the lives of millions and fostering economic development.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was a key New Deal program that insured deposits in banks up to a certain amount, restoring confidence in the financial system and preventing bank runs.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) was a key New Deal program that provided income to retired citizens, people with disabilities, and survivors of deceased workers, creating a social safety net.

The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) was a New Deal program that provided mortgage insurance, making homeownership more accessible to people and stimulating the housing market.