Significant APUSH Period 7 Presidents & Key Concepts

William McKinley 1897-1901

Preached imperialism, leading the US into the Span-Am & Phillipine-Am War

Theodore Roosevelt 1901-1909

Championed Big Stick policy regarding imperialism, utilizing military to protect US foreign interests. Was also known as the first progressive president who championed the “square deal” which focused on balancing the interests of consumers and business owners. He was a trustbuster (enforced the Sherman Antitrust Act), protector of consumers, and conservationist.

William Taft 1909-1913

Known for his Dollar Diplomacy (investment in other countries economies to serve the economic interests of the US). Was also a trust buster

Woodrow Wilson 1913-1921

Known for his moral diplomacy (less harsh) and his commitment to the common people (trustbuster). Passed the Clayton Antitrust Act.

African Americans in the Progressive Era

Racial segregation was still the norm, often ignored, and Plessy v. Ferguson would not be overturned until the 1960s. NAACP was founded by white progressives.

Herbert Hoover 1929-1933

President as the Great Depression started. Believed the economy would fix itself, realized he was wrong, acted too late. A lot of people shamed him for doing nothing, hence “Hoovervilles”.

FDR 1933-1945

President for 4 terms, preached New Deal methodology to bring immediate relief to struggling people, long-term reform (doesn’t happen again), and recovery at a more moderate rate (economy back up). Also led the US through most of WWII.

Harry Truman 1945-1953

Made the decision to drop atom bombs on Japan, ended the war.