vocab

Theodore Roosevelt

26th U.S. President known for trust-busting, conservation efforts, and expanding the power of the presidency during the Progressive Era.

Square Deal

Roosevelt’s domestic policy that focused on helping workers, regulating big business, and protecting consumers and the environment.

New Freedom

Woodrow Wilson’s campaign and reform plan promoting antitrust laws, banking reform, and lowering tariffs to increase economic opportunity.

Woodrow Wilson

28th U.S. President who led the country during World War I and pushed Progressive reforms like the Federal Reserve Act and the New Freedom agenda.

Knights of Labor

An early labor union that welcomed all workers and aimed for broad social reforms like better working conditions and equal pay.

Muckrakers

Journalists in the early 1900s who exposed corruption, poverty, and injustice in politics and business to spark reform.

Suffrage

The right to vote in political elections, especially used when referring to the women’s suffrage movement.

Imperialism

A policy where a stronger country takes control of weaker territories for economic, political, or military gain.

Annexation of Hawaii

The U.S. took control of Hawaii in 1898 after overthrowing Queen Liliuokalani, mainly for economic and strategic military reasons.

Spanish-American War

A 1898 war between the U.S. and Spain that resulted in U.S. control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Philippine Insurrection

A rebellion by Filipino nationalists (1899–1902) against U.S. rule after the Philippines was taken from Spain.

Open-Door Policy

A U.S. policy that allowed all countries to trade equally with China, aiming to prevent any one nation from controlling Chinese trade.

Panama Canal

A man-made waterway built by the U.S. through Panama (opened in 1914) to shorten the travel time between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

William H. Taft

27th U.S. President and later Chief Justice; continued some Progressive reforms and promoted Dollar Diplomacy in foreign policy.

Roosevelt Corollary

An addition to the Monroe Doctrine stating the U.S. would intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability.

Dollar Diplomacy

Taft’s policy of using U.S. financial power to extend international influence, especially in Latin America and Asia.

Queen Liliuokalani

The last monarch of Hawaii who tried to preserve Hawaiian independence before being overthrown by American interests.