Chapter 17

Commodore George Dewey

Commander of the U.S. Pacific fleet that was stationed on the coast of China at Hong Kong.

Theodore Roosevelt

Assistant Secretary of the Navy who cabled Dewey to proceed to the Philippines and capture or destroy the Spanish fleet.

Robert M. La Follette

One of the earliest Progressive leaders who earned the nickname 'Battlin' Bob' for his fight for good government.

Henry Ford

Revolutionized the American auto industry.

Wilbur and Orville Wright

Owners of a bicycle shop who aimed to achieve powered flight.

Colonel William Gorgas

Organized the sanitation department in Havana, Cuba, after the Spanish-American War.

Colonel George Washington Goethals

Took charge of the Army Corps of Engineers overseeing a major project.

William H. Taft

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary of war and close friend.

Thomas Woodrow Wilson

Nominated as the Progressive Governor of New Jersey.

General John Pershing

Sent 6,000 American troops into Mexico to capture Pancho Villa.

Robert E. Peary and Matthew Henson

Explorers who sailed to Ellesmere Island and ventured over the ice by sled and dog team.

Charles Darwin

Proposed the philosophy of evolution and the survival of the fittest.

John Dewey

The father of progressive education in America.

San Juan Hill

The site in Cuba where American forces charged and captured the hill during the Spanish-American War.

Canal Zone

Was to remain a possession of the United States forever.

Monroe Doctrine

Proclaimed that the U.S. would oppose any European interference in Latin America.

Venezuelan Boundary Dispute

The U.S. enforced the Monroe Doctrine without relying on British navy power.

Yellow journalism

The printing of sensational stories intended to excite the reader.

Delome letter

A letter that was published in the New York Journal, which stirred public sentiment.

Teller Resolution

Stated that the U.S. intended to free Cuba from tyranny without seeking control.

Treaty of Paris

Formally ended the Spanish-American War and recognized Cuban independence.

Imperialist

A person who wants to control the governments and resources of other nations.

Platt Amendment

Provided for Cuban independence under certain conditions, including U.S. intervention rights.

Hepburn Act

Gave the government authority to determine railroad shipping rates.

Meat Inspection Act

Granted authorities the power to inspect all meat shipped in interstate commerce.

Pure Food and Drug Act

Required all foods and medicines to be properly labeled.

Assembly line

Dramatically increased the speed of production and cut costs.

Newlands Reclamation Act

Used money from land sales for irrigation projects in the West.

Open Door Policy

Request for nations to respect trade rights and not discriminate against each other's citizens.

Russo-Japanese War

Conflict from 1904 to 1905 over control of Manchuria and Korea, won by Japan.

Gentlemen's Agreement

A compromise made with Japan.

Great White Fleet

A goodwill mission to the ports of the world demonstrating America's naval power.

Hay-Pauncefote Treaty

An agreement that allowed the U.S. to build and police a canal.

Dollar Diplomacy

Taft’s policy to promote foreign relations through economic ties.

Bull Moose Party

The Progressive Party formed by Theodore Roosevelt advocating for various reforms.

16th Amendment

Gave Congress the power to tax personal incomes.

17th Amendment

Called for the direct election of U.S. senators.

Federal Reserve Act

Created a privately controlled central banking system.

Titanic

The largest passenger liner that sank on its maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg.