Studied by 64 people
Chinese Exclusion Act
1882 legislation that effectively barred Chinese entry into America. This was the first major restriction of a race from entering America. It was ultimately uprooted in 1943.
Compromise of 1877
The Compromise effectively stopped more infighting from occurring when Rutherford B. Hayes was elected into office. The South would see a withdrawal of federal troops from their states. The South would effectively return to a White-Only, Democratic portion of America.
Credit Mobilier Scandal
A construction company was formed by the owners/higher-ups of the Union Pacific Railroad (UPR). They hired themselves back into the UPR at inflated prices to earn extra money. In 1872, they were outed by a journalist—in which it was stated the company bribed congressman and the vice president to keep up the act.
Homestead Strike
A strike at a steel plant in Homestead, PA. Devolved into a brutal fight between strikers. Federal troops were also involved. Showed labor unrest and inappropriate behavior of unionist—it indirectly helped the Populist movement.
Panic of 1873
Under Grant’s administration—One of the worst depressions after a pinnacle bank declared sudden bankruptcy, leading to thousands of other banks and businesses to collapse. Debtors called for inflationary measures such as printing more paper money and the coinage of silver. Money was the primary influence in politics come the late 19th century. Ended the reconstruction era!
Tweed Ring “Boss Tweed”
A symbol of gilded age corruption, “Boss” Tweed and his patrons ran the NY Democratic Party and swayed everything into their favor. Showed horrible ethics during the time.
American Federation of Labor
A group of ‘union’ workers filled with skilled workers established around 1886. The AFL was headed by Samuel Grouper for around 40ish years. Comprised of primarily white men, they argued for better/fairer capitalism that favored their better skill assets with higher wages, hours, and conditions.
Haymarket Square Riots
Riots that erupted after a bomb was tossed in the middle of a police meeting in Chicago. Many people blamed the Knights of Labor for their ‘thin’ affiliation to the incident and shunned the group. 8 people were arrested for conspiracy contributions, 3 of which were murdered, 1 committed suicide, and the rest pardoned by the city mayor around a decade later.
Horizontal Integration
An idea/competitive trick coined by John D. Rockefeller which involved a company aligning themselves with another one in a pivotal part of a phase of production to monopolize a market. Such as in the oil market, controlling some part of that process!
Knights of Labor
A successor to the NLU (National Labor Union), they were a secret society in 1869 and opened publicly in 1881. While many people were united under the union regardless of race, skills, or sex, there was too much infighting and bad reputation from the excessive strikes that gave unions bad names back then.
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
A law forbidding trusts/combinations in business signed in 1890. This became landmark legislation as this was the first attempt to curb monopolization of businesses for the public good. It was then revised in 1914 to improve its efficacy against large corporations in court. Prevented conspiracies in trading and criminal violations with horizontal integration.
Social Darwinists
Philosophy first popularized by a Yale professor, it stated that the rich were naturally more “fit” than the poor. The wealthy had more natural talent than the poor, therefore they deserved to stay in that socioeconomic status. It began to bring about the idea of ‘settling for your class’ and was a staple of grounding beliefs.
Vertical Integration
The practice of becoming both the producer and the industrialist, making your company self sufficient. Popularized by Andrew Carnegie. Many businesses use similar business models today to limit competition and improve production earnings.
National American Woman Suffrage Association
Organization founded in 1890 to demand for woman suffrage. They argued because of their household responsibilities that they have a say in public affairs. Supported the war effort during WWI and gained recognition from the government—ultimately granted woman suffrage in the 19th amendment. Was a combination of two prominent woman’s suffrage association groups.
“New Immigrants” (1880s-1924)
A huge wave from 1880-1924 of Southern European immigrants that rivaled the Eastern Europe immigrants. Many congregated into ethnic neighborhoods in order to build community and settle within a still nativist America. Many nativists attempted to launch anti-immigrant campaigns. Some Americans attempted to make programs to help them assimilate
Tuskegee Institute
A normal and industrial school ran by Booker T. Washington in Tuskegee, AL. Focused on teaching young black students about trades and agriculture to become economically successful. The first step to racial equality was vocational training, although Washington was criticized.
Yellow Journalism
A journalism style from the Gilded Age that developed from the battle between New York World and New York Journal. The term refers to sensationalist (exaggerated and often majorly untrue) journalism that was unethical. Many popular media outlets today use such methods to popularize stories and exaggerate events that would eventually lead to situations such as the Spanish-American war.
Jacob Riis
Danish-American journalist who cried for public urban reform with his journalism and photography. It would bring about awareness to poor city conditions for immigrants.
Dawes Severity Act
An act that broke up Indian reservations and distributed lands to individual homeowners in an effort to civilize Native Americans. It effectively broke Native American tribal codes and traditions and was a deep reflection of progressive assimilationists failures.
Homestead Act of 1862
A law born during the Civil War—stated that as long as a citizen did not attack against the US Government that they would be able to get up to 160 acres of land westward. Was meant to stimulate economic and agricultural development westwards.
George Custer
Popular for his ‘last stand’ as the general of an Immigrant troop at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was an avid ‘Indian Fighter’ and held a grudge towards them ever since Fetterman’s massacre. When he ultimately was humiliated at Little Bighorn, the U.S. army went back to avenge him.
Battle of Wounded Knee
A battle between the Dakota Sioux and American Army. It was considered a massacre on the Sioux side as several hundreds defenseless were murdered. Tensions worsened between Native Americans and the Federal Government according to their practice of “Ghost Dancing” and if the DSA (Dawes) would affect their terrain.
Hay-Pauncefote Treaty
Treaty signed between America and Great Britain allowing for America to build the Panama Canal in Central America. Violated the original precedent set by the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty which stated neither America/Britain could grab land in Central America.
U.S.S. Maine
American battleship meant to keep eye on Cuba. Blew up in Havana harbor randomly. Many Americans used this as an excuse to go against the Spanish—blaming it on a Spanish Submarine Mine.
McKinley Tariff
Pushed by President William McKinley. Raised duties on Hawaiian sugar—set off efforts to annex Hawaii. Brought about the short lived “Republic of Hawaii”
Open Door Note
Sets of diplomatic letters by Secretary of State John Hay, sought to seek respect for Chinese markets in the open sphere of influence. Secured the United States’ access to the Chinese market—which would be influential later.
Roosevelt Corollary
Policy of “preventative intervention” by Roosevelt talked about in his Annual Message to Congress (1904). Stated that America would intervene in Latin American affairs to maintain and restore militant and financial order. It was a change/tag-on to the Monroe Doctrine.
Theodore Roosevelt
Cowboy hero during the Cuban Campaign with his Rough Riders. Became politically popular in New York and became Vice President thereafter. He became president after McKinley’s assassination and was reelected in 1904.
Rough Riders
A group of diverse American cowboys to ivy-educated individuals formed by U.S. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt. They charged at the battle of Kettle Hill and El Caney, earning a brisk victory and allowed for more American advances into the heartland of Santiago, ultimately helping win back Cuba.
Initiative (as in voting)
Allowed for voters to petition a law on the general ballot. It allowed for policies and decisions to be implemented directly from the people—effectively bringing democracy “to them.” Effectively eliminated ‘political machines’
Meat Inspection Act
Law passed by congress subjecting meat transported across state lines to federal inspection. People were horrified by descriptions of slaughterhouses and meatpacking plants, causing the government to step in to quell those fears.
William Randolph Hearst
The owner of one of the largest newspaper/magazine networks in cities across America (Hearst Corporation). He was in part responsible for Yellow Journalisms rise.
Allies (WWI)
Alliance between UK, Russia, France, Italy, Japan, US to fight off the Central Powers during WWI
Central Powers
Germany and Austria-Hungary—joined by Turkey and Bulgaria fighting against the Allied powers
Lusitania
The sinking of a large British passenger liner—around 100 Americans died in the tragedy pushing the U.S. to join the Allied cause.
U-Boats
German boats (Unterseeboot) that caused chaos for ships passing around the war zone. Attacks from U-Boats primarily drove America closer to war.
League of Nations
A world organizations proposed by Woodrow Wilson—established the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. Many American isolationists heavily detested the concept of the League of Nations—causing a lag in signing the Treaty of Versailles
Nineteenth Amendment
Simply put, passed in 1919, granted woman suffrage. Woman’s calls were answered 70 years since the first call for woman’s suffrage at Seneca
“Lost Generation”
A group of expatriates American writers and artists finding shelter in Europe post-WWI.
Henry Ford
Pioneered the Model T Ford. Founded the Ford Motor Company which would boost automobile production and market in America.
Langston Hughes
African American poet during the Harlem Renaissance. An icon who helped develop black voices in literature during the twentieth century.
Immigration Act of 1924
Aka “National Origins Act”, establish immigration quotas in the U.S. It filtered Immigrants from southern/eastern Europe heavily and completely shutdown Asian immigration to the US.
Ku Klux Klan (1920s)
Spawned after the postwar reformations, however it was more of an issue of nativism. They spread rapidly through protestant white American communities gaining vast political influence in their numbers. It was abruptly stopped after many of the members and congress discovered that the groups heads were embezzling large sums of money.
“Palmer Raids”
Using force and illegitimate forms of detainment, the U.S. government cracked down on “communists/socialists” through a stint of almost 9 months to quell the growing ‘sovietism’ of America.
Marcus Garvey
The first president of the UNIA, his platform was so great that he spoke about black heroes and preached about independent black development and reform for economic sanctity. Inspired several other communities of black people.
Volstead Act
Federal act which helped perpetuate and enforce the prohibitionist 18th amendment. It also helped define the potency of liquor/alcohol that violated the amendment.
Kellogg-Briand Pact
A sentiment that echoed American cry for the “outlawry of war”. Frank B. Kellogg drafted an agreement/treatise that was ratified by 62 nations in order to prevent war from happening besides defensive ones. Would ultimately be broken and mean nothing.
Teapot Dome Scandal
Involved the naval oil reserves in Teapot Dome, WO and Elk Hills, CA. Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall convinced that these reserves be transferred to his department. He then leased these two reserves for a substantial sum of money.
Black Tuesday
Helped usher in the Great Depression as on October 29th, 1929, approximately 16,410,030 stocks were sold on Wall Street.
Bonus Army
A demonstration by thousands of U.S. WWI veterans who demanded for early cash redemption and compensation as they were hit hard from the ordeal. They protested and stood on vacant lots in front of government property—only leaving when they were forced to by Washington police.
Atlantic Charter
President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill met on a warship just outside of Newfoundland. Established disarmament peace and policies of general (and permanent) security. Would ultimately cause for the United Nations to form to raise awareness of humanitarian issues post-WWII
Lend Lease Bill
A law that allowed Americans to sell nations any amount of supplies to defend against the Axis powers. This was acclaimed to be the law that mainly kept the U.S. out of the conflict for a while.
Quarantine Speech
Revolutionary speech made by Franklin Roosevelt that called for the quarantine of dictators—via economic sanctions/embargoes. This blew up isolationist politics. An addition onto Washington’s neutrality, as well as stating that America is a nonfascist nation.
ABC-1 Agreement
Agreement between the U.K. And U.S. during a conference at D.C. that effectively declared if the U.S. entered the conflict that their allies and themselves would coordinate military plans. A priority was to defend the U.K. which meant getting Germany first and playing defensively.
Bracero Program
Mexican-American agreement that allowed Mexicans to work in agricultural fields far west to make up for labor shortages during war. Ended in 1964. Around 4.5 million border crossings.
CORE (Congress of Racial Equality)
Passive civil rights organization founded in 1942. Believed in victory against fascism and racism. Would become core components in the civil rights movement post WWII.
Executive Order No. 9066
Signed by Franklin Roosevelt in February 1942. Led to internment camps of those who came from Japanese ancestry in America. Rescinded in 1944 and an apology was issued in 1988.
Manhattan Project
Codename of a commissioned atomic bomb in 1942 for America. This project would create the two bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Potsdam Conference
Meetings between President Harry Truman , Leader Joseph Stalin, and Prime Ministers Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee during July 17 - Aug 2, 1945. Delivered in ultimatum to Japan: surrender or be destroyed.
Smith-Connally Anti-Strike Act
People were afraid of production deficits from strikes during wartimes. Allowed the government to seize and control companies and criminalized workers who strike against government-ran companies.
WACS (Woman’s Army Corps)
Apart of several Woman’s wartime efforts branches (U.S. Army). Women served in noncombatant jobs and could participate as roles beyond nurses in the U.S. Army. Replaced many industrial jobs such as cartographies and secretaries to help maximize production during the war effort.
WPB (War Production Board)
Established in 1942 by executive order—directed all war production and procurement of materials to maximize American potential. Was a board that held the entire economy of the U.S. in its hands. Disestablished after Japan’s surrender in 1945.
Berlin Airlift
Aided in what was considered the first crisis of the war—airlifting food and supplies to barricaded West Berliners.
Bretton Woods Conference
Meeting of Western allies to help establish post-war economic orders to avoid crisis such as those that spawned WWII. Created the IMF (International Money Fund) and a World Bank. They regulated currency levels and helped underdeveloped countries
Containment Doctrine
Based on George Kennan’s ideas. Declared that Soviet Union communism was expansionist and needed to be stopped from spreading through military and political pressure. Guided American policy during most of the Cold War.
Employment Act of 1946
Legislation focusing on maximizing employment, production, purchasing power, and keeping inflation low. Created the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) to advise presidents with data recommendations and economic policy.
GI Bill
Known as the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act. Would help WWII servicemen reintegrate into civilian life by securing mortgages, farm loans, and setting up business. Gave servicemen stipends and tuition for schooling and job programs. Was meant to help soothe veteran woes and boost economic gains.
HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee)
Meant to prevent and curb subversion (undermining of government politics). Establish in 1938. Attempted to expose communist influence in government—especially through Alger Hiss’ trial.
Truman Doctrine
Harry S. Truman’s pledge/support to fight any communist threat. Presented the doctrine to government in 1947 as well as a $400 million request to help defend Greece and Turkey from Soviet insurgencies.
Yalta Conference
Meeting between Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin in February 1945. Talked about the European division of power post-WWII, namely Soviet annexation of Germany.
Beat Generation
A small group of bohemian writers in the mid-twentieth century that hated bourgeois conformity, instead advocating for free experimentation, expression, and literature.
Checkers Speech
Televised address by Vice President Richard Nixon. He defended himself against corruption allegations. Saved his place on the ticket—saying the only campaign gift he received was a dog named Checkers.
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
French conflict with their colony Vietnam that ended their grasp on the country—allowing for American entrance.
Operation Wetback
A government program that rounded up about 1 million illegal Mexican domestic workers. One of the largest deportation events in American history, even if supported by the Mexican government. Brought upon concern about non-European immigrants.
OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)
Cartel of Middle Eastern states and Venezuela in 1960. Attempted to weaken the Western Oil trade and companies to monopolize the market. Ironically strengthened non-Western powers hands on the mainstage.
Sputnik
Soviet satellite launched into orbit in 1957. First man-made object to go to space and put Russia ahead of America in the space race. Sputnik II would be launched a while after—which made America double their efforts in the space race.
Suez Crisis
Crisis when Egyptian president nationalized the Suez Canal—primarily owned by French and British stockholders. Attack was made on Egypt, ultimately failed because the U.S. did not help. Boosted the importance of oil in the main-stage of the world.
The Feminine Mystique
A book published by Betty Friedan. Challenged feminine societal norms of a housewife and sparked a second wave of feminism in America.
Black Panther Party
Organization of armed black militants formed in 1966, Oakland, CA, to protect black rights. Showed the dissatisfaction of nonviolent protest and signaled a change in direction of protesting for civil rights after 1964/1965 legislative victories.
Freedom Summer
Voter registration drive in Mississippi driven by civil rights groups. United several white and black civil rights workers. Marred by the death of workers (3) by white racists.
Great Society
Lyndon B. Johnson’s form of domestic policy agenda while in office. Aimed to improve American prosperity in all facets by promoting civil rights and cutting down on poverty. Programs made such as the War on Poverty, Social Security system (Medicare/Medicaid). Signed laws to protect consumers and empowered community organizations.
Six-Day War
Military conflict between Israel and Arab neighbors (Syria, Egypt, Jordan). Israeli victory—granted expansion into the Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip, and West Bank. The territorial disputes developed an ongoing issue today for those regions. Led to Israel becoming a global superpower.
Detente (Cold War)
French for “reduced tension” (U.S. and Soviet Union), marked a departure from policies of proportional response, mutually assured destruction, and containment that defined the early years of the Cold War. Under presidents Nixon, Ford, and Carter.
My Lai Massacre
American Soldiers on March 16th, 1968 murdered hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians (mainly women/children). Reduced American support and caused outrage, although America tried to cover it up in 1969.
Pentagon Papers
Secret U.S. government report leaked to the New York Times in 1971 that showed planning and policy making regarding Vietnam under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Showed government incompetence at prosecution of the war and federal lies.
Vietnamization
Military strategy by Nixon in 1969, reduced American combat troops in Vietnam and left a majority to the South Vietnamese—who were amply supplied.
“Smoking Guns” Tape
Recordings made in the Oval Office in June 1972 that ultimately showed Nixon’s conviction and guilt—knowing about the Watergate break-in and trying to cover it up. This broke all hope of any form of congressional support for him.
ERA (Equal Rights Administration)
Amendment that declared full constitutional equality for women. Although passed in 1972, anti-feminist groups led by Phyllis Schlafly persuaded against ratification. Failed to become apart of the constitution.
SALT II
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty agreement between Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and President Jimmy Carter. The agreement limited weapons between the countries—but ultimately fell after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.
Iranian Hostage Crisis
American embassy workers held captive by Iranian revolutionists November 1979 - January 1981. Iranian fundamentalists overthrew the oppressive regime, deeming America as “the Great Satan”. Triggered an energy crisis and cutting off Iranian oil. Showed botched and ineffective diplomacy as well as rescue from president Jimmy Carter. Permanently damaged Iranian/American relations—but the hostages were released the day Reagan was inaugurated.
Black Monday
October 19, 1987. The day of the largest decline in the Dow Jones IA until September 2001. Showed instability in the hustling business culture of the 80s, but proved not serious.
Iran-Contra Affair
Reagan’s second term scandal in 1986, where Iran was given arms in exchange for Americans getting hostages. This helped support the contras (Anti-scandinista fighters) in the Nicaraguan civil war. Ruined Reagan’s credibility.
Glasnost/Perestroika
Openness Restructuring; Soviet president Mikhali Gorbachev helped reform the USSR in the 80s, allowing for market liberalization, access to the west, and ending communist rule.
Reaganomics
Ronald Reagan’s crusade to shrink government, decrease bureaucracy, and create freer markets. This unironically helped strengthen relationships with Britain (Margaret Thatcher) and showed the horrible reception communism gets.
SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative)
Reagan administration announced in 1983 a missile-defense system to prevent nuclear attack over America. Perpetuated copious amounts of defense spending in America to keep neutrality.
NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreemenet)
A symbol that increased people’s beliefs of the reality of a globalized marketplace—the treaty passed while protectionists and labor leaders detested it. Includes Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.
Whitewater
Clinton administration scandals that came from failed real estate investments that apparently the Clintons had profited from. Declared and classified a new role: a special federal prosecutor. No indictments, however.
Al Qaeda
A foreign terrorist group comprised of extremist islamic individuals as well as afghani veterans in the midwest. The group was headed by the contetious and controversial Osama Bin Laden. They are said to be responsible for one of the most infamous terrorist attack on the United States, 9/11, and were an indirect cause of the ‘War on Terror’
Guantanamo Detention Camp
Prison facility after the Afghani invasion sparked from 9/11. Located on American territory. Not apart of the states. Served as a legal holding area for suspected terrorists.
WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction)
Term coined after nuclear weapons introduced during the Cold War. Refers to any weapon that had the potential to cause large destruction to life or property. Unironically used as a scapegoat for the Bush’s administration’s rush into the “War on Terror”.
Note 
Flashcard (53)