U.S. History Review: Post-Civil War to World War I

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on U.S. history from the post-Civil War era to World War I, focusing on political developments, social movements, and significant figures.

Democratic Strongholds

Areas where Democrats were strongest after the Civil War, primarily in the South, supported mainly by white farmers and former Confederates.

Republican Strongholds

Regions where Republicans were strongest, notably in the North and West, backed by business owners and Union veterans.

Roscoe Conkling

A powerful Republican leader from New York who was a leader of the Stalwarts and supported the spoils system.

James Blaine

A Republican leader of the Half-Breeds who supported moderate civil service reform and ran for president in 1884 to Cleveland.

Stalwarts

A faction within the Republican Party that supported the spoils system and opposed civil service reform.

Half-Breeds

A faction within the Republican Party that supported civil service reform and sought to limit corruption.

Civil Service Reform

Efforts aimed at replacing the spoils system with merit-based hiring for government positions. Ability > Political Loyalty

Rutherford B. Hayes

President who ended Reconstruction by removing federal troops from the South (allowed southern democrats to gain control).

James Garfield

Garfield supported civil service reform but was assassinated in 1881 by a disappointed office seeker, which increased public support for reform.

Chester Arthur

President after Garfield's death, who surprisingly supported the Pendleton Civil Service Act, requiring exams for certain government jobs.

Grover Cleveland

First Democratic president after the Civil War, known for opposing corruption and advocating limited government.

Mugwumps

Republican reformers who supported Democrat Grover Cleveland in the 1884 election due to opposition to corruption.

Benjamin Harrison

Harrison was a Republican president who supported high tariffs and expanded the navy, but his policies led to higher prices and public dissatisfaction.

William McKinley

President who supported high tariffs and led the U.S. during the Spanish-American War.

Theodore Roosevelt

Became president after McKinley's assassination, known for trust-busting and conservation efforts.

Sherman Antitrust Act

Law aimed at breaking up monopolies and trusts that limited competition, initially weakly enforced.

Yellow Journalism

Journalism that uses sensationalism, exaggeration, and sometimes false information to attract readers, notably to increased support for the Spanish-American War.

General Valeriano Weyler

Weyler was a Spanish general in Cuba who forced civilians into camps, leading Americans to criticize Spain for cruelty.

Dupuy de Lome

De Lome was a Spanish diplomat whose letter insulting President McKinley angered Americans and increased tensions with Spain

Battleship Maine

The U.S. battleship Maine exploded in Havana Harbor in 1898, and many Americans blamed Spain, pushing the U.S. toward war

“A Splendid Little War”

This phrase described the Spanish-American War, which was short and resulted in a quick U.S. victory.

Secretary of State John Hay

John Hay helped develop the Open Door Policy, which aimed to keep trade in China open to all nations.

George Dewey

Dewey led the U.S. Navy to victory in the Battle of Manila Bay, defeating Spanish forces in the Philippines

The Rough Riders

Volunteer cavalry unit led by Theodore Roosevelt that gained fame during the charge up San Juan Hill.

Imperialism: Reasons for and Against

Supporters believed imperialism expanded trade and national power, while opponents argued it violated democratic ideals and exploited other nations.

William Jennings Bryan

Bryan was a Democratic leader who opposed imperialism but supported U.S. expansion of democracy abroad. William Jennings Bryan ran for president three times (1896, 1900, and 1908) but never won. He became famous for his Cross of Gold speech, which supported free silver and argued the gold standard hurt farmers and workers, and he opposed imperialism because he believed it went against democratic ideals.

Leaders in the Imperialism Fight

Pro-imperialist leaders included Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge, and Alfred Thayer Mahan. They supported imperialism because they believed it would expand trade, strengthen the navy, and increase U.S. world power. Anti-imperialists included figures like Mark Twain and Andrew Carnegie, who believed imperialism was morally wrong.

Platt Amendment

Allowed U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs and established control over Guantanamo Bay.

The Philippine War

After the Spanish-American War, Filipinos fought the U.S. for independence in a brutal conflict that lasted several years.

Emilio Aquinaldo

Aguinaldo was the leader of Filipino forces fighting for independence from U.S. rule.

The Open Door

The Open Door Policy allowed equal trading rights in China and prevented any single country from controlling Chinese markets

The Boxer Rebellion

This was a Chinese uprising against foreign influence, which was crushed by an international military force that included U.S. troops.

The US and Hawaii

The U.S. annexed Hawaii in 1898 after American business leaders overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy.

Elihu Root

Root reorganized the U.S. Army and improved the government structure in territories gained after the Spanish-American War.

Progressivism

Progressivism was a reform movement in the late 1800s and early 1900s that aimed to fix problems caused by industrialization, such as poverty, corruption, and unsafe working conditions.

Anti-Progressivisms

Some people opposed Progressive reforms because they believed government regulation interfered with businesses and individual freedom.

Muckrakers

Muckrakers were journalists who exposed corruption, unsafe working conditions, and social problems to push for reform.

Social Gospel Movement

This movement applied Christian teachings to social problems, encouraging people to fight poverty and improve living conditions.

Settlement Houses

Settlement houses were community centers that provided services like education, childcare, and healthcare to poor immigrants

Jane Addams and The Hull House

Jane Addams founded Hull House in Chicago, which provided support for immigrants and became a model for settlement houses nationwide.

American Medical Association

The AMA worked to improve medical education and professional standards for doctors.

Female Dominated Professions and Change for Women

Women entered professions like teaching and nursing, which gave them more independence and helped expand women's roles in society.

Stanton and Catt

Elizabeth Cady Stanton helped start the women’s suffrage movement and organized

early conventions like Seneca Falls to demand voting rights. Carrie Chapman Catt later

led NAWSA and organized nationwide campaigns that helped win passage of the 19th

Amendment.

NAWSA

The National American Woman Suffrage Association worked to gain voting rights for

women through peaceful campaigns and state-by-state efforts.

W.E.B. Du Bois

African American leader who fought for civil rights and helped found the NAACP.

19th Amendment

Ratified in 1920, granting women the right to vote in the United States.

Municipal Reform

Municipal reform targeted corruption in city governments and improved services like sanitation and transportation.

Robert La Follette

Robert M. La Follette was a Wisconsin governor and later senator who pushed Progressive reforms like regulating railroads and expanding voter power. He later ran for president as a Progressive in 1924 and was seen by critics as extreme or radical in his reform ideas.

Initiative and Referendum and Recall

These reforms allowed citizens to propose laws (initiative), vote on laws (referendum), and remove officials from office (recall).

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

A 1911 factory fire in New York killed many workers, leading to stronger workplace safety laws.

NAACP

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People worked to end segregation and discrimination.

Lynching

Lynching was the illegal killing of African Americans, often used to enforce racial control in the South.

Ida Wells Barnett

Ida B. Wells was a journalist who wrote newspaper articles exposing the horrors of lynching and helped lead the fight for civil rights and anti-lynching laws.

Temperance Crusade

This movement pushed to ban alcohol because it was believed to cause crime and family problems.

18th Amendment

Ratified in 1919, this amendment banned the production and sale of alcohol (Prohibition).

Immigration

Large numbers of immigrants came from southern and eastern Europe, creating cultural diversity but also tension.

Eugenics

A movement that promoted the idea of improving society by limiting reproduction of certain groups.

Nativism

nativism favored native-born Americans over immigrants

Socialism

Political and economic theory advocating for public ownership of key industries and greater economic equality.

Eugene V Debs

Eugene V. Debs was a labor leader and socialist who ran for president several times

Wobblies

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), called Wobblies, organized unskilled workers and supported labor strikes.

Louis Brandeis

Louis Brandeis supported Progressive reforms and helped regulate big business.

President Theodore Roosevelt

Roosevelt supported Progressive reforms, trust-busting, and stronger government regulation of business.

Square Deal

Roosevelt’s Square Deal promised fairness for workers, consumers, and businesses

Roosevelt and Conservation

Roosevelt protected natural resources by creating national

Hetch Hetchy

A controversy over building a dam in Yosemite showed conflict between conservationists and developers.

John Muir

John Muir worked to protect wilderness areas and helped create national parks

President William Howard Taft

Taft continued trust-busting but angered Progressives by supporting higher tariffs and weakening conservation policies.

The Election of 1912

Roosevelt split from Taft and ran as a Progressive (“Bull Moose”), allowing Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win.

New Nationalism and the Return of Roosevelt

Roosevelt’s New Nationalism supported stronger federal government regulation of business and social welfare programs.

President Woodrow Wilson

Wilson supported Progressive reforms like lowering tariffs, regulating banks, and breaking up trusts.

Excerpt from The Jungle Document

This 1906 novel exposed the brutal working conditions and exploitation of immigrant laborers in the meatpacking industry, highlighting unsafe practices and unsanitary food production. Sinclair’s vivid accounts shocked the public, leading to support for labor reform and government regulation of food safety. The story also emphasized the importance of unions as a way for workers to fight for their rights.

History of Standard Oil Document

This 1904 exposé by Ida Tarbell detailed how John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil monopolized the oil industry through aggressive and often unethical business tactics. The work highlighted the dangers of corporate monopolies and influenced public opinion toward antitrust reforms.

Shame on the Cities Document

Steffens exposed corruption in American city governments, arguing that “big business” men in politics often perpetuate graft because they approach politics like business—focused on profit, not civic duty. He claimed reform can’t come from replacing politicians with businessmen, but there is hope if citizens create a steady demand for good government, forcing politicians to respond.

Social Gospel Document

The Social Gospel was a late 19th–early 20th century Protestant movement advocating for applying Christian ethics to social problems, such as poverty, inequality, and labor abuses. Leaders promoted social justice reforms and encouraged churches to address societal issues directly.

Twenty Years at Hull House Document

Jane Addams’ memoir describes her work at Hull House in Chicago, emphasizing settlement houses as centers for social reform and assistance to immigrants. The book illustrates the link between social activism, education, and improving living conditions in urban areas.

Alice Paul: Suffrage Militant Document

Alice Paul led the more radical branch of the women’s suffrage movement, organizing protests, hunger strikes, and lobbying efforts to secure the 19th Amendment. She emphasized direct action and political pressure to achieve voting rights for women

Niagara Movement Speech Document

The Niagara Movement, led by W.E.B. Du Bois in 1905, called for full civil rights, equality before the law, and an end to racial discrimination, criticizing gradualist approaches. It laid the groundwork for future civil rights activism and the NAACP.

Declaration of Principles Document

The Women’s Christian Temperance Union advocated for temperance, social reform, and moral improvement, linking alcohol abuse to broader societal problems. Their platform combined moral activism with public health and social welfare initiatives.

18th Amendment Document

Ratified in 1919, the 18th Amendment prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the U.S. It aimed to reduce social problems associated with alcohol but eventually led to widespread illegal bootlegging.

The Passing of The Great Race Document

Madison Grant was a prominent early 20th-century eugenicist who promoted racial hierarchy theories and influenced immigration restriction and conservation policies. His ideas reflected the era’s pseudo-scientific racism and had lasting social implications.

William P. Dillingham Document

The Dillingham Commission investigated U.S. immigration and concluded that southern and eastern Europeans posed a threat to American society. Its findings influenced restrictive immigration laws in the 1920s

Social Party Platform of 1912 Document

The Socialist Party platform advocated for public ownership of industry, workers’ rights, and social welfare reforms to reduce inequality. It represented growing labor activism and criticism of capitalism in the Progressive Era.

New Nationalism Document

Read

Child Labor and Women’s Suffrage Document

This speech connected child labor reform to women’s suffrage, arguing that women voters could protect children and promote social welfare. Catt highlighted the moral and civic responsibility of enfranchising women.

March of the Flag Document

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Carl Schurz Document

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William McKinley

McKinley supported high tariffs and led the U.S. during the Spanish-American War, which expanded U.S. influence overseas. He was assassinated in 1901.

Theodore Roosevelt

Roosevelt promoted a strong military, trust-busting, conservation, and an active foreign policy. He expanded U.S. influence overseas and supported reforms at home.

William Howard Taft

Taft continued trust-busting but angered Progressives by supporting high tariffs and weakening conservation policies.

Woodrow Wilson

Wilson led the U.S. during World War I and supported reforms like banking regulation and lower tariffs. He later promoted his Fourteen Points and the League of Nations.

Warren G. Harding

Harding supported a “return to normalcy” after World War I but his presidency became known for corruption scandals among his officials.

Franz Ferdinand

His assassination in 1914 triggered World War I by causing Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia.

Henry Cabot Lodge

Henry Cabot Lodge opposed the Treaty of Versailles because he feared the League of Nations would limit U.S. sovereignty and commit the country to foreign wars without Congress’s approval.

B. Baruch

Baruch helped manage wartime production as head of the War Industries Board.

H. Hoover (before presidency)

Before becoming president, Hoover led efforts to provide food relief to Europe during WWI

Marcus Garvey

Garvey promoted Black pride, economic independence, and a return to Africa movement.

John J. Pershing

John J. Pershing commanded the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. He led U.S. troops in major battles like Cantigny, Château-Thierry, and the Meuse-Argonne offensive and insisted that American units fight as separate forces rather than being absorbed into French and British armies.

A. Mitchell Palmer

Palmer led raids against suspected radicals during the Red Scare.