Foundations of America Exam Review

These flashcards cover key concepts from the Foundations of America exam review, focusing on political, social, and economic topics throughout U.S. history.

Northwest Ordinance

Legislation that established a framework for the creation of new states and provided freedoms that were included in the Constitution.

Federalism

A political system where power is shared between national government and state governments.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written to promote the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Federalists vs. Anti-federalists

Federalists supported a strong national government, while Anti-federalists favored states' rights and a weaker central authority.

Social Contract

An agreement where individuals surrender certain natural rights in exchange for security and protection of civil rights.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Compromise of 1877

An agreement that resolved the disputed 1876 presidential election, leading to the end of Reconstruction and institutionalized racism.

Jim Crow Laws

State laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States.

Miscegenation Laws

Laws that made it illegal to marry someone of a different race.

Reconstruction Amendments

The 13th (abolished slavery), 14th (equal protection under the law), and 15th (voting rights for all men over 21) Amendments.

Plessy v. Ferguson

A Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Assimilation

The process by which a minority group adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture.

Carlisle Indian Industrial School

A school aimed at assimilating Native American children into American culture.

Battle of Little Bighorn

A significant battle between the U.S. Army and Native American tribes, resulting in a major victory for the Native Americans.

Wounded Knee

The site of a massacre that marked the end of the Indian Wars in the U.S.

Ghost Dance Movement

A religious movement among Native Americans aimed at restoring their way of life and bringing about a revival through spiritual practices.

Tenements

Overcrowded and often unsanitary multi-family urban dwellings.

Ethnic Enclave

A territory that is culturally distinct from the surrounding area.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of beliefs and social activities from one culture to another.

1965 Immigration Act

Legislation that abolished the national origins quota system and changed U.S. immigration policy.

Urbanization

The process of more people moving from rural areas to cities.

Assembly Line

A manufacturing process that divides labor into simple steps to improve productivity.

Labor Unions

Organizations that formed to advocate for workers’ rights and better working conditions.

Homestead Lockout & Strike (1892)

A violent labor dispute that led to the involvement of state militia to suppress the strike.

Laissez-Faire

An economic theory that advocates minimal government intervention in the economy.

The Jungle

A novel by Upton Sinclair exposing the harsh conditions of the meatpacking industry, leading to regulatory reforms.

Pure Food & Drug Act

Legislation aimed at preventing the sale of contaminated food and drugs.

Muckraker

Journalists who exposed corruption and misconduct in politics and business.

Sherman Antitrust Act

A law prohibiting monopolistic business practices and promoting fair trade.

Imperialism vs. Isolationism

Imperialism seeks to expand a nation's influence through colonialism, while isolationism focuses on avoiding foreign conflicts.

Spanish-American War

Conflict that resulted in the U.S. becoming a major world power and acquiring territories.

Great Migration

The movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban centers in the North for better opportunities.

Harlem Renaissance

A cultural, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem during the 1920s.

First Red Scare

A period of intense fear of communism and radical leftism in the U.S., leading to anti-communist sentiments.

Nativism

A policy of favoring native-born individuals over immigrants.

Sacco & Vanzetti Trial

A controversial trial where Italian immigrants were convicted of murder, reflecting the era's nativist sentiments.

18th Amendment

Prohibition amendment that banned alcohol.

21st Amendment

Repealed the 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition.

Mass Production of Automobiles

Significantly reduced car prices and spurred economic growth in the U.S.

Stock Market Crash of 1929

A major financial crisis leading to widespread economic downturn.

Buying Stocks on Margin

Purchasing stocks with borrowed money, increasing the risk of loss.

Great Depression Causes

Factors include stock market crash, bank failures, reduced consumer spending, and tight monetary policy.

New Deal

A series of programs created by FDR to promote economic recovery during the Great Depression.

Federal Reserve and the Great Depression

Tight monetary policy contributed to the economic downturn by reducing liquidity.

SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)

Regulatory agency created to oversee and stabilize the stock market.

FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)

Agency that provides insurance for bank deposits to restore trust in the banking system.

Social Security

A government program that provides financial assistance to the elderly and unemployed.

CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps)

A New Deal program that provided jobs for young men in environmental conservation projects.

Neutrality Acts

Laws designed to prevent the U.S. from being drawn into foreign conflicts.

Lend-Lease Act

Allowed the U.S. to support Allied nations by providing military supplies during WWII.

Japanese Internment

The forced relocation of Japanese Americans during WWII due to wartime fears.

Purpose of Rationing during WWII

To manage limited resources and ensure adequate supplies for military and civilians.

Atomic Bombs on Japan

Dropping of bombs aimed to expedite Japan's surrender in WWII.

Results of Soviet Atomic Bomb

Initiated the nuclear arms race and heightened Cold War tensions.

Brown v. Board of Education

A landmark Supreme Court decision declaring segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

NAACP

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, instrumental in civil rights advocacy.

UFW (United Farm Workers)

Labor union for farmworkers founded by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.

AIM (American Indian Movement)

Organization advocating for Native American rights and sovereignty.

NOW (National Organization for Women)

Founded to advocate for women's rights and equality.

SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee)

Civil rights organization that coordinated nonviolent protests against segregation.

1964 Civil Rights Act

Legislation that banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

2nd Red Scare

A period marked by fear of communism in the U.S. following WWII.

McCarthyism

A campaign against alleged communists in the U.S. government and elsewhere during the early Cold War.

Chinese Civil War Results

Resulted in the establishment of the People's Republic of China and the retreat of the Nationalists to Taiwan.

Korean War Results

Resulted in a divided Korea and ongoing tensions between North and South.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

Failed U.S. attempt to overthrow the Cuban government.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A confrontation over Soviet missiles in Cuba that nearly escalated into nuclear war.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Military alliance formed to counter Soviet expansion.

Warsaw Pact

Military alliance of communist nations in Eastern Europe, established in response to NATO.

Truman Doctrine

U.S. policy to support countries resisting communism.

Marshall Plan

U.S. initiative to aid Western Europe in economic recovery after WWII.