Social Studies (391)

Texas EC-6 Certification SS.

Facism

a far-right, authoritarian political ideology that promotes dictatorial power, extreme nationalism, suppression of opposition, and often the belief in the supremacy of one nation or race.

The Scopes Monkey Trial

A landmark trial in 1925 that sought to overturn the Butler Act. While it did not, it is seen as an important trial that paved the way for teaching evolution in public schools.

Trickle-Down Economics

Economic theory, believed that focusing on the supply-side and loosening regulations for businesses would allow them to create and invest more, leading them to hire more people and eventually kickstart the economy.

Chinese Civil War

fought between the Chinese Communist Party and the Republic of China (1945-1949); resulted in the creation of the People’s Republic of China

Hector Garcia

1st Mexican-American to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

World War II (WWII)

Fought from 1939-1945 between the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) and Allied Powers (France, Great Britain, the US, and the Soviet Union).

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR)

32nd U.S. President serving from 1933-1945. Known for his New Deal to try to fix the Great Depression and leading the US during World War II. Only President to serve more than 2 terms,he implemented significant economic and social programs.

Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act

Tariffs passed in 1930 on over 20,000 imported goods with the intention of protecting American jobs, but resulted in decreased international trade.

Wagner Act

Guaranteed the basic rights of workers to organize into unions, engage in collective bargaining, and strike if necessary; also known as the National Labor Relations Act of 1935.It was a landmark piece of labor legislation that aimed to protect the rights of organized labor and improve labor conditions during the Great Depression.

Labor Day

A federal holiday passed by Congress in 1984 to celebrate the labor movement and American workers.

Kim II-Sung

Communist leader who ruled North Korea (during the Cold War Era) from its establishment in 1948 until his death in 1994. He established a totalitarian regime and pursued policies of self-reliance and militarization.

Progressivism

A political movement in the early 1900s focusing on the social change or an increase in the power of the US Federal Govt.

Second Industrial Revolution

the unprecedented increase in economic productivity during the late 1800s. Included large leaps forward in technology with expansion of use of electricity, petroleum, steel, and transportation.

18th Amendment

Ratified in 1917 and established the prohibition of alcohol. (remember with: you can’t drink @ 18). Was repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933.

Marshall Plan

An American aid plan for Western Europe after World War II

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)/ Star Wars

Ronal Reagan’s attempted anti-missile system that could stop missiles coming from space.

Trench Warfare

A style of fighting used in WWI, in which troops lived in thousands of miles of trench line.

Vietnam War

1955-1975, United States intervened on the part of the non-communist regime, however, under enormous pressure from home, the United States finally pulled out of the war, allowing the North Vietnamese to easily overcome the stunted South Vietnamese army.

Harper’s Ferry

Location of a United States weapon arsenal in Virginia raided by abolitionist John Brown and his followers.

Truman Doctrine

pledge by President Truman to support any nation against communism

Mexican Revolution

Began as a revolt against Porfirio Diaz whose 34-year term as President of Mexico violated the Mexican Constitution and resulted in a changed social and economic system with a new business class.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Became a national hero for civil rights in the Montgomery Bus Boycott; a reverend with a PhD in systematic theology, his activism employed philosophical ideas of racial equity within society that resonated with many Americans.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that all powers of government ultimately rest in the people.

Appeasement

The failed approach by the League of Nations, led by US President Woodrow Wilson, to prevent nationalist leaders in Europe from increasing aggression, but resulted in Germany’s invasion of Poland and the beginning of World War II

Sojourner Truth

A former slave who argued for abolition of slavery and women’s rights.

Susan B. Anthony

Advocated for women’s rights specifically suffrage and property rights.

Knights of Labor

First major labor organization; organized both skilled and unskilled workers; wanted to form a cooperative society in which the laborers owned the industries in which they worked.

March on Washington

A march for the passage of the Civil Rights Act in which more than 200,000 people marched alonside Martin Luther King, Jr.

Underground Railroad

A secret network of routes and safe houses used by escaped slaves to reach freedom in the 19th century.

Globalism

A social, political, and economic system that advocates for the interconnectedness and interdependence of nations and cultures, promoting global cooperation and trade.

United Nations

An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries. (Following World War II)

Holocaust

The genocide of approximately six million Jewish people of Europe- by Nazi Germany during World War II, along with the persecution of millions of others, including Romani people and political dissidents.

Isolationism

A national policy of avoiding political or economic entanglements with other countries, often leading to a focus on domestic affairs. Usually involves putting one’s countries needs above foreign involvement.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

An American author and abolitionist best known for her novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which depicted the harsh realities of slavery and helped galvanize the anti-slavery movement in the United States.

World War I (WWI)

A global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918, involving many of the world's great powers divided into two opposing alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers. It was characterized by trench warfare and significant loss of life.

Axis Powers of WWII

Nazi Germany, Japan, Italy

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It aimed to end segregation in schools, workplaces, and public accommodations.

Concentration Camps

Detention centers used during the Holocaust and other genocides for the imprisonment and extermination of specific groups.

Treaty of Versailles (1919)

The peace treaty that ended World War I and imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany. Signed on June 28, 1919.

Industrial Revolution

A major period of industrial growth that began in the late 18th century, characterized by the shift from agrarian economies to industrialized and urbanized societies. This transformation involved advancements in manufacturing processes, technology, and infrastructure. Began in Great Britain in the mid-1700s

Butler Act

A 1925 law in Tennessee that prohibited the teaching of evolution in public schools, aiming to uphold a literal interpretation of the Bible.

Sarah Grimke

American abolitionist and women's rights advocate, known for her writings and lectures on social reform in the 19th century. Argued for equal educational opportunities and equal pay for women.

Dust Bowl

A severe drought during the 1930s that affected the Great Plains, leading to massive soil erosion and agricultural collapse. Drove many agricultural migrants from Oklahoma to Texas to California in search of work.

European Union (EU)

A political and economic union of 27 European countries that are located primarily in Europe, established to foster integration and cooperation among its members. Includes a shared currency, the Euro.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

A novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe that highlighted the brutal realities of slavery in the United States, contributing to anti-slavery sentiment in the 19th century.

White Flight

The phenomenon where white residents move out of neighborhoods as African American or other minority populations move in, often leading to racial segregation and changes in local demographics.

Baby Boomers

The demographic cohort born between 1946 and 1964, following World War II, characterized by a significant increase in birth rates in the United States and other countries. Their concerns became the primary concerns of the nation.

Allied Powers of WWII

Included the United Kingdom, France, Soviet Union, the United States, and Canada.

OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries)

An intergovernmental organization of oil-producing countries that coordinates and unifies petroleum policies to stabilize oil markets and secure a steady supply of oil. Current member states range in location from South America to central Africa with the majority of member states located in the Middle East.

National Interstate and Defense Highways Act of 1956

Legislation that authorized the construction of a nationwide network of interstate highways in the United States to improve transportation and facilitate defense mobilization.

Progressive Movement

A middle-class movement to correct changes in a system that had been corrupted by an abuse of power by the wealthy.

Women’s Rights Movement

A social and political campaign aimed at achieving equal rights and opportunities for women, including issues like voting, owning property, retaining their earnings, participating in labor organizations, education, and reproductive rights.

Pullman Strike

A significant labor strike in 1894 led by railroad workers protesting wage cuts and high rents in company housing, which escalated into a nationwide boycott of trains carrying Pullman cars.

Great Depression

A severe worldwide economic downturn that lasted from October 1929 until the late 1930s, marked by high unemployment, deflation, and a significant decline in global trade. Started with the US stock market crash and ended due to a combination of the New Deal and World War II.

Temperance

A movement that began in the 1840’s, dedicated to promoting moderation and even abstinence in the consumption of alcohol. The movement sought to address the social issues caused by alcohol, advocating for laws to limit or ban its production and sale.

Alliances

Formations among countries to provide mutual support and defense, often leading to increased tensions and conflicts, notably during World War I.

Albert Einstein

a famed scientist who left Germany during World War II and settled in the US, he warned world leaders of the dangers of nuclear weapons.

Abby Kelley Foster

An American abolitionist and women's rights advocate, notably active in the anti-slavery movement and known for her powerful speeches and writings promoting equality. Worked with abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison.

Railway Labor Act

A 1926 US law that established regulations for labor relations in the railroad industry, ensuring workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. Didn’t allow for railroad or airline industries to strike, but allowed bargaining, arbitration, and mediation.

Harriet Tubman

an American abolitionist known for her role in the Underground Railroad. She led numerous enslaved people to freedom and was also a civil rights activist. Escaped to freedom in 1849.

Haymarket Square

a labor protest rally that turned violent in Chicago in 1886, advocating for workers' rights and the eight-hour workday. It symbolized the struggle for labor rights in the United States.

Bleeding Kansas

a series of violent confrontations in the mid-1850s between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in Kansas, influencing the national debate over slavery and leading to significant conflict leading up to the Civil War.

Abolitionists

individuals who advocated for the end of slavery, often engaging in activism to promote freedom and equality for enslaved people. They played a crucial role in the anti-slavery movement in the United States.

Great Society

a series of domestic programs launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960s aimed at addressing poverty, improving education, and promoting civil rights in the United States. (Medicare and Medicaid)

American Federation of Labor

a national organization of labor unions founded in 1886 that aimed to represent skilled workers and promote their interests through collective bargaining and political advocacy. Came together to negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions.

Woman’s Suffrage

The right of women to vote in political elections.

Rosa Parks

A civil rights activist known for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man, leading to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Her actions became a pivotal moment in the struggle for racial equality in the United States.

John Brown

An American abolitionist who believed in armed insurrection as a means to end slavery. Known for his raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, which aimed to incite a slave revolt. Most controversial abolitionist.

The Jungle

A novel by Upton Sinclair that exposes the harsh conditions and exploitation of immigrants in the meatpacking industry in early 20th-century America. Prompted federal regulation of food.

17th Amendment

This amendment established the direct election of United States Senators by popular vote, rather than by state legislatures.

Sarah G. Bagley

A prominent labor leader and advocate for women's rights in the 19th century, known for her work in the Lowell mill strikes and for founding the Female Labor Reform Association in 1844.

Suffrage/Franchise

The right to vote in political elections, particularly regarding women's voting rights in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Allied Powers of WWI

Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Japan, and the US. These nations fought against the Central Powers during World War I.

Little Rock 9

A group of nine African American students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957, facing significant resistance and requiring federal intervention. (After Brown v. Topeka Board of Education)

Lucretia Mott

A women's rights activist and abolitionist who played a key role in the early suffrage movement in the United States, co-organizing the Seneca Falls Convention and the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments with Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Matilda Joslyn Gage

An important suffragist and abolitionist in the United States, known for her advocacy for women's rights and her work with the National Woman Suffrage Association. She challenged societal norms and contributed to the fight for equality. Co-Founder, along with Anthony Stanton, of the National Woman Suffrage Association in 1869.

Urbanization

The process by which cities grow as populations move from rural areas to urban centers, often resulting in social, economic, and environmental changes. (Moving away from rural living)

National Park System

President Theodore Roosevelt doubled the size of the National Park System. He also passed the legislation allowing himself and future presidents to declare sites and structures as historical landmarks that would then be owned and protected by the federal government.

U-Boats

German submarines used in World War I and World War II, known for their effectiveness in naval warfare.

NAACP

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Founded in 1909, the NAACP is a civil rights organization that aims to achieve equality and eliminate racial discrimination through advocacy, education, and legal action.

Communism

A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society where all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs. (Vietnam)

People’s Republic of China

The founding government of China in 1949, established after the Chinese Civil War. It is characterized by a one-party socialist system led by the Communist Party.

Theodore Roosevelt/Teddy Roosevelt

The 26th President of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909, known for his progressive reforms and strong leadership, particularly in trust-busting and conservation. Known for his leadership in the Progressive Movement.

21st Amendment

Constitutional amendment ratified in 1933 that repealed the 18th Amendment, thus ending Prohibition in the United States. (Remember with: you need to be 21 to drink)

Ronald Reagan

Elected in 1981, giving a strong boost to the conservative movement. He served as the 40th President of the United States until 1989, known for his policies of deregulation, tax cuts, and a strong anti-communist stance during the Cold War.

The Liberator

A newspaper dedicated to the abolition of slavery.

Taft-Hartley Act

Legislation enacted in 1947 that restricted the activities and power of labor unions in the United States. Also called the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947.

Russian Revolution

A battle over political party power between the socialist movement (Mensheviks) and the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party (Bolsheviks) in Russia. It led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the establishment of a communist government.

Korean War

1950-1953. A proxy war for the cold war. North and South Korea fought for control over the entire peninsula. United States intervened on the part of the South non-communist regime. It ended in stalemate/armistice, with the temporary division between North and South Korea becoming a permanent boundary between two separate countries. This conflict involved international powers, with China supporting the North and the United Nations backing the South, making it a significant event in Cold War history.

Vladimir Lenin

Leader of the Bolshevik Party who played a key role in the Russian Revolution and was the first head of the Soviet state in 1922.

Fugitive Slave Act

A law passed in 1850 that required citizens to assist in the capture of runaway slaves and imposed penalties on those who aided escaped slaves. It heightened tensions between the North and South leading up to the Civil War.

Prohibition

A nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States, enacted by the 18th Amendment in 1920 and repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933.

Progressive Era

A period of social activism and political reform in the United States that lasted from the 1890s to the 1920s, aiming to address issues caused by industrialization, urbanization, and corruption. (Rapid economic expansion of the Second Industrial Revolution).

Fair Labor Standards Act

A 1938 US law that set standards for minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, youth employment, and harmful labor conditions.

Bay of Pigs

A failed military invasion of Cuba by US-backed Cuban exiles in April 1961.

Labor Unions

Organizations formed by workers to advocate for better working conditions, wages, and labor rights. They often engage in collective bargaining with employers to negotiate improved terms of employment and may organize strikes to achieve their goals.

Militarism

The belief that a country should maintain a strong military and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests. Countries building up their armed forces.

William Lloyd Garrison

A prominent American abolitionist, journalist, and social reformer, Garrison is best known for his radical newspaper, The Liberator, which advocated for the immediate emancipation of all slaves. Founder of the American Anti-Slavery Society.

Mao Zedong

Communist leader who declared power over the People’s Republic of China in 1949.