Final Exam Study Guide: America: The Story of Us & Give Me Liberty!

Flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture notes for review and exam preparation.

Why were Chinese workers primarily chosen to build the western portion of the transcontinental railroad?

They were excellent workers and cheaper to transport across the Pacific Ocean than other laborers.

According to Episode 6: Heartland, how much of America’s land was given away under the Homestead Act?

50%.

Who had the first mail-order catalog processing 35,000 orders a day?

Sears.

Between 1880 and 1930, nearly how many new immigrants arrived in the U.S.?

30 million.

Who brought the Bessemer Process to America in 1872?

Andrew Carnegie.

What was the primary problem with tenements?

They lacked sufficient fire escapes and proper sanitation, leading to disease and disaster.

By 1930, how many automobiles were on American roads?

Over 20 million.

What was the Great Migration?

African Americans moved north to cities like Chicago in search of mass production jobs during WWI.

What was the amount Al Capone made per minute during Prohibition from bootlegging?

$1,500.

What event drove people west during the Dust Bowl?

Years of intensive plowing and severe drought.

What was one side-effect of the Hoover Dam construction?

Las Vegas boomed as construction workers traveled for parties and gambling.

What was the impact of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on the U.S.?

It changed the nation from an isolationist continent to a global player.

What was the role of 'Rosie the Riveters' during WWII?

Symbolized female patriotism and industrial capability.

By 1944, what percentage of the world’s armaments was produced by the U.S.?

40%.

How often were babies born in America during the Baby Boom in 1946?

One baby every 10 seconds.

Which American president wanted to improve the highway system after seeing Germany’s efficient roads during WWII?

Dwight Eisenhower.

What was the major currency of international trade at the beginning of the 20th century?

The American dollar.

By 1914, which country emerged as the leading industrial power?

The United States.

What ideology had the greatest impact on fighting during WW I?

Nationalism.

What did the Zimmermann Telegram entail?

It was a German invitation to Mexico to join the war against the U.S.

What was the impact of the federal government during WWI?

It accumulated power and influenced the everyday lives of Americans.

What was one true statement about immigration policy during WWI?

Congress exempted Europeans from the literacy test.

Who argued against discrimination in federal agencies during Woodrow Wilson’s presidency?

Woodrow Wilson's administration dismissed numerous black employees.

What does the melting-pot theory imply?

It assumed that immigrants would eventually join the American mainstream.

Why did the U.S. not join the League of Nations?

The Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles.

What sentiment did Eugenics give to anti-immigrant attitudes?

An air of professional expertise.

What did the Treaty of Versailles fail to guarantee?

Future peace in Europe.

What was the main characteristic of the 1920s political scene?

Conservatism.

What was the backbone of economic growth in the 1920s?

The automobile.

During the Great Depression, what did many Americans live in?

Hoovervilles.