US HISTORY FINAL EXAM

CONSTITUTION UNIT (1780s) (5 Terms) (Unit 1)

Separation of Powers

an act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies

Federalism

a system of government where there is one strong, central controlling authority, or the principles of a political party called the Federalists.

Checks & Balances

Checks and balances refer to the separation of power to avoid one entity or body wielding too much power.

Bill of Rights

the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791 and guaranteeing such rights as the freedoms of speech, assembly, and worship.

Elastic Clause

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers (Article I, Section 2, Clause 18), Congress stretch powers if need be

Sectionalism

Favoring region rather than country as a whole; fueled by slavery

Secession

To leave the union; South Carolina = 1st state

Emancipation Proclamation

Free slaves held in southern states; technically did not free a single slave but major step in abolishing slavery (enlarged purpose of CW)

Black Codes

Laws passed during Reconstruction that limited the freedoms of black Americans (e.g. buy land, own property)

Radical Republicans

Known for their opposition to slavery, their efforts to ensure emancipation and civil rights for Blacks, and their strong opinions on post-war Reconstruction.

13th, 14th, 15th Amendments

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery. The 14th Amendment gave citizenship to all people born in the US. The 15th Amendment gave Black Americans the right to vote.

Compromise of 1877

Unwritten deal that settled the disputed 1876 U.S. Presidential election; Republican Rutherford B. Hayes was awarded the White House as long as he would remove the federal troops from South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation laws did not violate the U.S. Constitution as long as the facilities for each race were equal in quality. (Separate BUT Equal, Never Happens)

Industrialism

Transformed economies that had been based on agriculture and handicrafts into economies based on large scale industry

Robber Barons

Powerful 19th century American industrialists; negative impact on American society

Captains of Industry

Men who have made a positive contribution to the nation by expanding markets and increasing trade, providing more jobs and increasing productivity

Urbanization

After the technological explosion that led to an increase in urbanization in cities.

Old vs. New Immigration

Old immigrants = NW Europe (Irish & Germans, Pre Civil War) New Immigrants = Post Civil War (1870s - 1910s) = Italians, Greeks, Polish, Russian, Eastern & Southern Europeans)

Labor Unions

An organized association of workers, often in a trade or profession, is formed to protect and further their rights and interests.

“Gospel of Wealth”

Extremely wealthy Americans had a responsibility to spend their money in order to benefit the greater good; Carnegie trying to defend laissez - capitalism

Labor Strikes

The company loses money every day that striking workers are able to shut down production.

Sherman Anti - Trust Act

Law designed to curb excesses/abuses of monopolies; initially used against striking workers (no interfering w/ interstate trade)

Muckrakers

The muckrakers were reform-minded journalists, writers, and photographers in the Progressive Era in the United States

16th, 17th, 18th & 19th Amendments

Progressive era amendments added direct election of us senators, 18th amendment was prohibition and the 19th was the right to vote for women

Square Deal

The Square Deal was Theodore Roosevelt's domestic program, which reflected his three major goals- conservation of natural resources, control of corporations, and consumer protection.

Clayton Anti - Trust

Gave government power to break up monopolistic corporations had under the earlier Sherman Antitrust Act

Standard Oil v. United States

Became target for trust-busting reformers, came to symbolize the trusts and monopolies of the Gilded Age; US gov’t broke up Standard Oil

Election of 1912

Election between Roosevelt and Taft & Wilson, Wilson wins because of spilt in Repub. Party; TR broke away & formed Prog. or Bull Moose Party

Political Machines

An organization that commands enough votes to maintain political and administrative control of a city, etc. (undermined American dem, pol. coruption)

Referendum, Initiative, Recall

signature reforms of the Progressive Era; they are written into several state constitutions-- referendum= vote on existing laws; initiative= propose laws; recall= vote to remove existed politicians

Spanish - American War

U.S. victory in the war produced a peace treaty that compelled the Spanish to relinquish claims on Cuba; beginning of US becoming imperial power

Platt Amendment

The Platt Amendment outlined the role of the United States in Cuba and the Caribbean, limiting Cuba's right to make treaties (Maintain = Naval Base on Cuba = “Gitmo”)

Insular Cases

The Insular Cases are a series of opinions by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1901 about the status of U.S. territories acquired in the Spanish–American War; Constitutional doesn’t follow flag

Gunboat Diplomacy

Pursuit of foregin policies while displacying naval power implying warfare threat should the terms be disagreed upon. (Teddy Roosevelt)

Dollar Diplomacy

The use of financial power to extend international influence. (William Howard Taft)

Moral Diplomacy

Only given support to countries that share the same morals and ideas as that nation to spread the nations beliefs. (Woodrow Wilson)

Lusitania

A british boat, transporting people was torpedoed by the german during world war 1, killed 117 Americans

4 MAIN Causes of WWI

Alliance System (Triple Entente, Triple Alliance), the rise of imperialism and nationalism, and militarism

14 Points

statement of principles for peace that was to be used for peace negotiations in order to end World War I.

Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles was signed by Germany and the Allied Nations on June 28, 1919, formally ending World War One.

League of Nations

first worldwide intergovernmental organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace.

Schenck v. United States

was a landmark decision of the US Supreme Court concerning enforcement of the Espionage Act of 1917 during World War I.

1st Red Scare

period during the early 20th-century history of the United States marked by a widespread fear of far-left movements, including Bolshevism and anarchism

Sacco and Vanzetti

Two men accused of killing a guard who were executed

Scopes Trial

The prosecution of a science teacher for teaching evolution in schools

Prohibition

A period in America where Alcohol was made illegal. Led to more crime as alcohol was smuggled by gangs

Flappers

A group of women that rebelled against social norms by dressing and acting against social standards

Boston Police Strike

Police went on strike due to unfair wages and no union recognition

Reemergence of the KKK

The racist group that targeted African Americans and other minorities re-appeared in america during the 1920’s

Emergency Quota Act

Act to limit immigration to US; 3% of people living in US from that country; anti - immigrant, xenophobic

Speculation

Investment in stocks in hope of gain but risk of loss, rampant in 1920s

Crash of 1929

The great crash on Wall Street was the major stock market crash in 1929; event the signaled started of G.D. of 1930s; speculation & buying on margin

Isolationism

US foreign policy after WWI; stay out of international affairs

Kellogg Briand Pact

Pact signed by several countries outlawing war as instrument of foreign policy

Bonus Army

Gathering of thousands of WW1 vets converged on DC demanding bonus wartime payment to alleviate the great depression.

Hoovervilles

shacktowns and homeless encampments during the Great Depression

New Deal

a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations Roosevelt made in the 30’s

Court Reform Bill

Roosevelt’s attempt to add more justices to the supreme court to be in favor of his new deal plans; critized for trying to “pack” the court

1st 100 Days

The beginning of a leading politician's term in office (FDR, passed 15 major pieces of legislation)

Dust Bowl

The drought stricken Southern Plains region of the United States, which suffered severe dust storms during a dry period in the 1930s

Legacy of the New Deal

The deal consisting of unemployment insurance, old age insurance, and insured bank deposits; federal gov’t now playing a major role in peoples’ lives; New Deal not solution to GR, but reform & regulation

Fireside Chats

A long series of radio sessions hosted by FDR

Huey Long

An American politician who served as the 40th governor of Louisiana from 1928-1932; share our wealth, critical of New Deal

Containment

Containment was a foreign policy strategy followed by the United States during the Cold War; stop spread of communism

Truman Doctrine

U.S. President Harry Truman sent $400,000,000 to aid Greece and Turkey from totalitarian nations like the Soviet Union, in an effort to stop the spread of communism

Marshall Plan

The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, was a U.S. program providing aid to Western Europe following the devastation of World War II. It was enacted in 1948 and provided more than $15 billion to help finance rebuilding efforts on the continent (Peaceful Way to Stop Soviet Expansion)

Berlin Airlift

In response to the Soviet blockade of land routes into West Berlin, the United States begins a massive airlift of food, water, and medicine to the citizens of the besieged city

Cuban Missile Crisis

The cuban missile crisis was when there was a scare for over two weeks that the Soviet Union or United States were going to use nuclear weapons

U - 2 Incident

May 1, 1960, US aircraft shot down by USSR; increased tension b/w US & USSR

2nd Red Scare

Hysteria over the threat of the communists; violated people Civil Liberties

Julius & Ethel Rosenberg (RF)

Convicted of giving US secrets to the soviets; convicted based on hysteria not evidence

McCarthyism (RF)

Accusations of being a communit w/o evidence; destory peoples’ lives

Korean War (RF)

North Korea vs. South Korea

Conflict between Democratic People's Republic

Baby Boom (MH)

The increase in birth rate

William Levitt (MH)

Father of Modern American suburbia. American real-estate developer and housing pioneer.

Suburbs (MH)

Many people lived in suburbs, or areas that are close to cities

Interstate Highway Act (MH)

Authorized the building of highways throughout the nation which was the biggest public works project; car culture

Feminine Mystique (MH)

Women’s frustrations with their limited gender roles and help spark public activism for gender equality; Betty Friedan

Modern Republicanism (BM)

The middle ground between liberal democrats and the more conservaitve group of republicans; conservative w/ money, liberal with people

Fair Deal (BM)

A deal by President Harry S Truman to raise the minimum wage, give everyone health insurance, and create equal rights for everyone; ran into opposition from conservative Congress

Beatniks (BM)

Usually young artists during the 1950s who rejected the ideas for societal norms.

New Frontier (BM)

One of JFKs policies was to expand education and he encouraged Americans to help those in need.

Great Society (JN)

A Initiative policy that President Lyndon B. made with a main goal of ending poverty, reducing crime and abolishing inequality.

Hippies (JN)

A young person that rejects the mores of society and advocates a nonviolent ethic.

Growth of Television (JN)

In 1945 the number of television broadcasts came to a increase from 9 to 45, and the number of cities with tv broadcast went from an 8 to a 23%

Activist Movements of the 1960s/1970s (JN)

Anti-Vietnam War campaign, Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Liberation, Student Movement and The Counterculture, Hispanic & Latino Movement, American Indian Movement, Environmental Movement

Brown v. Board of Education (AQ)

A landmark case of SCOTUS in which the SC voted that discrimination in school is unconstitutional

Emmett Till (AQ)

Victim of lynching for talking to a white woman by the grocer’s; helped initiate CRM

Rosa Parks (AQ)

Activist of the civil rights movement. She refused to giv eup her seat in the front of the bus just because of the color of her skin; launched Montgomery Bus Boycott

Freedom Riders (AQ)

A group of activists that took the buses across the south to protest segregated buses. Also tested FDR’s claim to desgregate buses and whether or not it could really protect them

Civil Rights Act of 1964

“Prohibits discrimination based of race, co4lor, religion, sex, or national origin” (signed by Lydon B Johnson

Voting Rights Act of 1965

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibits racial discrimination in voting.

De Jure vs De Facto Segreation

Judicial rulings and legislation passed during the era of the Civil Rights Movement ended de jure segregation, separation that was mandated by law and enforced by the government. But de facto segregation - separation that exists even though laws do not require it — persists to the present day.

Black Panthers (SR)

Black Panther Party was for for Self-Defense and was an African American revolutionary party, founded in 1966 in Oakland, California. The party's original purpose was to patrol African American neighborhoods to protect residents from acts of police brutality; new aspect of movement

24th Amendment (SR)

On January 23, 1964, the United States ratified the 24th Amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting any poll tax in elections for federal officials.

Boston Busing Crisis

The desegregation of Boston public schools was a period in which the Boston Public Schools were under court control to desegregate through a system of busing students.