U.S. Political Concepts and History

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was the primary purpose of the Selective Service Act?

To limit immigration during wartime

To provide support for war industries

To establish the League of Nations

To implement a draft for military service (correct)

Which new technology had the most significant impact on warfare during World War I?

Poison Gas

Machine Guns (correct)

Airplanes

Tanks

What was the primary focus of the War Industries Board during World War I?

Recruiting soldiers

Establishing peace treaties

Coordinating the production of war materials (correct)

Boosting agricultural production

Which of the following was NOT a part of Wilson's 14 Points?

Imposing reparations on the Central Powers Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Schenck v. United States?

It established limits on free speech during wartime Signup and view all the answers

What did the Treaty of Versailles primarily enforce?

Disarmament of the Central Powers and reparations Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of John Locke's philosophy?

The importance of individual rights Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the mass movement of African Americans from rural Southern areas to urban Northern cities?

Great Migration Signup and view all the answers

What document formally declared the American colonies' independence from Britain?

The Declaration of Independence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms refers to the illegal production and distribution of alcohol during Prohibition?

Bootlegger Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the League of Nations?

To promote world peace and prevent conflicts Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of the Marbury v. Madison case?

Established the power of judicial review Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following amendments abolished slavery in the United States?

13th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment to the United States Constitution instituted Prohibition?

18th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

Which event is most closely associated with the suffrage movement in the United States?

The Seneca Falls Convention Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Dawes Act?

To encourage Native American land ownership Signup and view all the answers

What principle did the Monroe Doctrine establish regarding European colonization in the Americas?

Opposition to European colonization in the Western Hemisphere Signup and view all the answers

What was a major effect of the Industrial Revolution in the United States?

Growth of factory systems and manufacturing Signup and view all the answers

Which process is associated with the mass production of steel in the late 19th century?

Bessemer process Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of the Progressive Movement in the early 20th century?

Social reform and improvements in government Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant result of the Mexican-American War for the United States?

It led to the acquisition of new territories. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main issue that the Compromise of 1850 aimed to address?

Slavery in newly acquired territories. Signup and view all the answers

What major social challenge did Reconstruction face after the Civil War?

Addressing the needs of former slaves. Signup and view all the answers

Which event foreshadowed the impending Civil War due to escalating tensions?

The Dred Scott decision. Signup and view all the answers

Which was a hallmark of the Gilded Age in the United States?

Economic growth paired with social inequality. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary aims of Progressive reformers?

To address social problems and corruption. Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the social changes during the Roaring Twenties?

Technological advancements and cultural growth. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant impact of World War I on the United States?

It resulted in the U.S. becoming a leading global power. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to political corruption during the Gilded Age?

The emergence of a wealthy elite class. Signup and view all the answers

What economic condition marked the end of the Roaring Twenties?

The stock market boom and subsequent crash. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key difference between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans during the early republic?

Federalists advocated for a strong central government, whereas Democratic-Republicans championed states' rights. Signup and view all the answers

What event highlighted the challenges of enforcing federal laws in the early republic?

The Whiskey Rebellion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a result of the Missouri Compromise of 1820?

It maintained the balance between free and slave states for a time. Signup and view all the answers

Which reform movement sought to improve the legal and social status of women during the early 19th century?

Women's rights movement Signup and view all the answers

What was the ideology that fueled westward expansion and the acquisition of territories like Texas and Oregon?

Manifest Destiny Signup and view all the answers

Which policy during Andrew Jackson's presidency had controversial consequences for Native Americans?

Indian Removal Act Signup and view all the answers

What underlying issue was masked by the national unity during Monroe's Era of Good Feelings?

Sectional conflicts over slavery Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following events tested the resolve of the early United States and ultimately boosted American nationalism?

The War of 1812 Signup and view all the answers

Which economic institution did Andrew Jackson target during his presidency due to its policies?

The Second Bank of the United States Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant impact of the growing reform movements during the early republic?

Increased public awareness of social issues Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mercantilism

Economic system emphasizing government regulation to increase national wealth through exports.

Enlightenment

18th-century intellectual movement emphasizing reason and individualism.

John Locke

Enlightenment philosopher advocating natural rights and limited government.

Common Sense

Pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating for American independence.

Declaration of Independence

Formal document declaring the American colonies independent from Great Britain.

Federalism

System of government dividing power between national and state governments.

Checks and Balances

System where different branches of government limit each other's power.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing fundamental rights.

Marbury v. Madison

Landmark Supreme Court case establishing judicial review.

Judicial Review

Power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of laws.

Louisiana Purchase

1803 acquisition of vast territory from France.

Monroe Doctrine

U.S. foreign policy opposing European colonization in the Americas.

Manifest Destiny

Belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across North America.

Market Revolution

19th-century transformation of the U.S. economy through innovations and trade.

Morse Code

System of dots and dashes for telegraph communication.

Steamboat

Improved transportation method using steam power, impacting trade and travel.

Strike (workplace)

Organized work stoppage by employees to demand better wages, working conditions, or other rights.

Abolition

Movement to end slavery.

Economy of the North

Primarily industrial and manufacturing-based economy.

Economy of the South

Primarily agricultural economy heavily reliant on enslaved labor.

Cotton Gin and Slavery

Invention of the cotton gin increased demand for enslaved labor in the South.

Seneca Falls Convention

1848 gathering advocating for women's rights.

13th, 14th, 15th Amendments

Constitutional amendments abolishing slavery, granting citizenship and equal protection, and protecting voting rights.

Ku Klux Klan

White supremacist terrorist organization opposing civil rights.

Assimilation

Process of adopting the culture of a dominant group.

Dawes Act

Legislation aiming to assimilate Native Americans by dividing tribal land.

Wounded Knee

Site of a massacre of Lakota Sioux.

Long Horn Cattle & Long Drive

Cattle herding across long distances to markets.

Barbed Wire

Invention revolutionizing ranching and land boundaries.

Homestead Act

Law that encouraged westward expansion.

Steel Plow

Agricultural tool for preparing the soil.

Industrialization

Period of technological and economic change driven by machines.

Bessemer Process

Process for mass production of steel.

Thomas Edison

Inventor of the light bulb and numerous other innovations.

Transcontinental Railroad

Railroad connecting the East and West coasts of the U.S.

Andrew Carnegie

Industrialist, steel magnate involved in vertical integration.

Vertical and Horizontal Integration

Methods used by industrialists to control their industries.

Misapplication of Darwin's theory to justify social inequality.

John D. Rockefeller

Industrialist, oil magnate famous for controlling monopolies.

Monopoly

Exclusive control of a company in a particular market.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act

Legislation designed to prevent monopolies.

Samuel Gompers

Labor leader and founder of the American Federation of Labor.

American Federation of Labor

Organization for skilled workers advocating for better wages and conditions.

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

Tragic workplace incident highlighting unsafe factory conditions.

Old Immigration

Wave of immigrants arriving in the U.S. before the late 19th century.

Ellis Island/Angel Island

Immigrant processing centers in the New York Harbor and San Francisco Bay.

Nativism

Favoring native-born citizens over immigrants.

Chinese Exclusion Act

Legislation prohibiting Chinese immigration.

Gentlemen’s Agreement

Agreement between the U.S. and Japan restricting Japanese immigration.

Urbanization

Growth of cities and populations.

Americanization

Process of adopting American culture.

Tenement

Poorly built apartment building housing many people in urban areas.

Religious movement promoting social reform.

Settlement House

Community centers providing social services in urban areas.

Political Machine

Powerful political organization controlling city politics.

Boss Tweed

Corrupt political boss of Tammany Hall.

Pendleton Act

Legislation reforming the civil service system by introducing merit-based hiring.

Architecture in the turn of the century

Architectural styles influenced by industrialization and European trends.

The Wright Brothers

Inventors of the first successful airplane.

George Eastman

Inventor of the Kodak camera, revolutionizing photography.

Booker T. Washington

Advocate for African American education and economic advancement.

Tuskegee Institute

Historically black college founded by Booker T. Washington to prepare African Americans to participate in the economy.

W.E.B. Du Bois

Civil rights leader, Pan-Africanist, and influential scholar.

Jim Crow Laws

State and local laws enforcing racial segregation.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Supreme Court decision upholding racial segregation.

Poll Tax

Tax required for voting, used to disenfranchise African Americans

Grandfather Clause

Clause used to prevent African Americans from voting.

Segregation

Separating people based on race.

William Randolph Hearst

Newspaper magnate known for yellow journalism.

Joseph Pulitzer

Newspaper magnate known for yellow journalism.

Mark Twain

Author of prominent novels and essays commenting on American society.

Progressive Movement

Social and political reform movement.

Prohibition

Nationwide ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol.

Muckraker

Investigative journalists exposing social ills.

Scientific Management

Business theory prioritizing efficiency in the workplace.

Upton Sinclair/The Jungle

Novel exposing unsanitary conditions in American meatpacking plants.

Teddy Roosevelt

Progressive president famous for conservationism.

Meat Inspection Act

Federal law regulating the meat packing industry.

Pure Food and Drug Act

Federal law regulating the labeling and ingredients of foods and drugs.

Conservation

Protecting natural resources and environments.

NAACP

Civil rights organization working for racial equality.

Taft and Progressivism

Presidency of William Howard Taft and its stance on progressive issues.

Woodrow Wilson and Progressivism

Presidency of Woodrow Wilson and his approach to progressive reforms.

Federal Trade Commission

Independent agency ensuring fair business practices.

Federal Reserve System

Central bank of the U.S., regulating the economy.

19th Amendment

Amendment granting women the right to vote.

Imperialism

Policy of extending a nation's power through diplomacy or military force.

Hawaii

Island nation annexed by the U.S.

Queen Liliuokalani

Last monarch of Hawaii.

Sanford Dole

Businessman involved in overthrow of Hawaiian monarchy.

Alfred T. Mayan

Naval strategist that promoted U.S. expansion and naval power.

Alaska

Territory purchased from Russia.

Seward's Folly

Nickname for the purchase of Alaska.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalist journalism often exaggerating or distorting facts.

Jose Marti

Cuban revolutionary.

Valeriano Wyler

Spanish General during the Spanish-American War.

U.S.S. Maine

U.S. battleship that exploded in Havana Bay.

Commander Dewey

Admiral who led the U.S. naval victory in the Philippine island.

Rough Riders

Volunteer cavalry unit fighting in Spanish American War.

Spanish American War Victory Territories

Territories acquired by the U.S. following the Spanish American War.

Protectorate

Relationship where a stronger nation controls a weaker nation for its benefit.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Filipino revolutionary and political leader.

Open Door Policy

U.S. policy advocating for equal access to trade in China.

Boxer Rebellion

Anti-foreign uprising in China.

Panama Canal

Canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Roosevelt Corollary

Addition to the Monroe Doctrine asserting U.S. right to intervene in Latin America.

Dollar Diplomacy

U.S. foreign policy using economic power instead of military power to influence other nations.

Pancho Villa

Mexican revolutionary leader.

Emiliano Zapata

Mexican revolutionary leader.

General Pershing

U.S. General leading the expedition into Mexico.

Nationalism

Devotion to one's nation.

Militarism

Glorification of the military and its use.

Allies

Countries allied against the Central Powers in WWI.

Central Powers

Countries allied against the Allies in WWI.

Frank Ferdinand

Archduke of Austria whose assassination triggered WWI.

No Man’s Land

Area between opposing trenches in WWI.

Trench Warfare

Form of warfare where soldiers fight from trenches.

Lusitania

British passenger liner sunk by a German submarine, influencing U.S. opinion.

Zimmerman Telegram

Secret communication proposing an alliance that influenced U.S. entry into WWI.

Selective Service Act

Law establishing a draft for military service.

Convoy System

Military strategy protecting ships through escorted groups.

American Expeditionary Force

U.S. troops fighting in WWI.

WWI New Technology Impact: Machine Gun, Airplanes, Poison Gas, Tanks

Innovations in weaponry and warfare.

War Industries Board

Government agency regulating war production.

Propaganda

Spreading information or ideas to influence public opinion.

Espionage & Sedition Act

Laws restricting dissent and criticism during wartime.

Great Migration

Movement of African Americans from the South to the North.

Schenck v. United States

Supreme Court case regarding free speech restrictions during wartime.

Wilson’s 14 Points

President Wilson's peace plan aiming for post-war stability.

League of Nations

International organization aiming for peace after WWI.

Treaty of Versailles

Treaty ending WWI, imposing harsh reparations on Germany.

New Immigration

Wave of immigrants arriving post-late 19th century.

Reparations

Payments for war damages.

Isolationism

Policy of avoiding involvement in international affairs.

Communism

Political ideology advocating for a classless society.

Capitalism

Economic system based on private ownership of resources and means of production.

Socialism

Economic system advocating for social ownership of resources.

Anarchist

Individual who opposes all forms of government.

Sacco & Vanzetti

Italian immigrants wrongly convicted and executed.

Quota Act

Immigration laws restricting immigration based on quotas.

Ohio Gang

Group of advisors and political supporters to President Warren G. Harding accused of corruption.

Teapot Dome Scandal

Scandal involving corruption in the Harding administration.

Urban Sprawl

Uncontrolled outward growth of cities.

Commercial Travel

Travel for business or shopping.

Modern Conveniences

New inventions easing daily life.

Advertising Industry

Growing industry promoting goods and services.

Credit/Installment Plan

Payment schemes for goods over time.

18th Amendment

Amendment establishing Prohibition.

Speakeasy

Secret bars operating during Prohibition.

Bootlegger

Person illegally making and selling alcohol.

Fundamentalism

Belief in literal interpretation of religious texts.

Scopes Trial

Court case highlighting tension between science and religious beliefs.

Flappers

Women who embraced new fashions and social freedoms.

The Mob

Organized crime groups during Prohibition.

Charles Lindbergh

First person to fly solo across the Atlantic.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Author known for novels about the Roaring Twenties.

Ernest Hemingway

Author known for his writing style and stories about war and the human condition.

Jazz Music

Musical genre born in African American communities and gained popularity.

Cotton Club

Famous Harlem nightclub hosting jazz performances.

Spectator Sports

Organized sports events for entertainment.

Harlem Renaissance

Period of cultural flourishing for African Americans.

Zora Hurston

African American writer and anthropologist.

Langston Hughes

Important American writer and poet of the Harlem Renaissance.

Louis Armstrong

Important trumpet player and singer.

Bessie Smith

Important American blues singer.

Early Republic (Post-Constitution)

Challenges included defining federal-state power balance, developing a national economy, and handling international relations.
Federalists (strong central government) and Democratic-Republicans (states' rights and agriculture) clashed.
Whiskey Rebellion tested federal law enforcement.
Louisiana Purchase drastically expanded territory and raised questions about westward expansion and enslaved people.
War of 1812 strengthened American nationalism.

Era of Good Feelings

Monroe's presidency saw apparent national unity and optimism, though slavery tensions were simmering beneath the surface.
Missouri Compromise (1820) attempted to address slavery's expansion but was temporary.
Corrupt bargain of 1824 showcased sectionalism and political maneuvering.

Jacksonian Democracy

Andrew Jackson's presidency shifted power to a more democratic ideal, benefiting common people.
Indian Removal Act and rise of political parties were controversial actions.
Second Bank of the United States shaped economic policies.

Reform Movements

Driven by religious revivalism, social awareness, and moral improvement, reform movements included abolitionism, women's rights, education reform, and others.

Manifest Destiny and Expansion

Belief in Manifest Destiny fueled westward expansion (Texas, Oregon, Mexican Cession).
Expansion created tensions over slavery, Native American treatment, and shaping new territories.
Mexican-American War significantly expanded U.S. territory.

Sectionalism and the Road to Civil War

Slavery tensions between North and South intensified.
Compromise of 1850 (temporary solution) failed to resolve slavery in new territories.
Bleeding Kansas and escalating events foreshadowed the Civil War.
Dred Scott decision fueled sectional divisions.

Civil War and Reconstruction

The Civil War deeply divided the nation.
Reconstruction aimed for unification and former slave integration.
Challenges of land distribution, slave treatment, and Southern resistance plagued Reconstruction.

Industrial Revolution

Industrialization transformed the U.S., accelerating economic growth and urbanization.
Rail expansion and factory growth spurred new industries.

Gilded Age

Rapid economic growth masked significant social inequalities.
Industrialists amassed fortunes, creating a wealthy elite and a large working class.
Political corruption and social unrest were rampant.
Immigration from many countries increased.

Progressive Era

Progressive reformers addressed social problems (corruption, unsafe working conditions, economic inequality).
Muckrakers and reforms in various aspects of life emerged.

World War I

U.S. entrance into WWI significantly shifted the nation's global involvement.
War impacted the U.S. economy and society profoundly.

The 1920s (Roaring Twenties)

The 1920s saw social and cultural changes, including increased consumerism, technological advancements, and a flourishing arts and entertainment scene.
Racial tensions and fundamentalism were present.
Stock market boom and subsequent crash foreshadowed future economic instability.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers key concepts of early American political philosophy and government structure, including mercantilism, federalism, and landmark documents like the Declaration of Independence. Test your knowledge on influential figures such as John Locke and pivotal cases like Marbury v. Madison.