Late 19th and Early 20th Century American History: Populism, Imperialism, and the Progressive Era

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering political unrest, Populism, overseas expansion, the Spanish-American War, and Progressive Era domestic reforms.

According to Jeffersonian rhetoric referenced in the notes, what moral role did farmers play in society?

Farmers were considered the bedrock of society and a cornerstone of virtue and moral necessity because they provide food and are not greedy, contrasting with Jefferson's suspicion of cities in democracies.

When and where was the Southern Farmers' Alliance formed, and what was its purpose?

It was formed in 1875 in Texas so farmers could band together, discuss shared economic problems, and organize politically to make their voices heard.

What famous statement did Mary Elizabeth Lease make to encourage political action among farmers?

She famously advised that farmers need to "raise less corn and raise more hell."

How do the lecture notes define Populism and its core conflict?

Populism is defined as an identity formed by a group feeling left behind, rooted in a conflict between the elite and everyday people.

What were the primary financial and economic demands outlined in the Ocala Demands of 1890?

They identified banks as the number one villain, called for the federal government to regulate railroads, demanded the replacement of national banks with local banks, and favored inflation to help debtors.

Who were the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the Populist Party in the election of 1892?

Union leader James Weaver ran for president, and former Confederate James G. Field ran for vice president.

What caused the Pullman Strike of 1894, and how did the federal government respond?

The Pullman Company cut worker wages during the Panic of 1893 while maintaining costs in its company town; when strikers interfered with the U.S. mail, President Grover Cleveland sent federal troops.

What role did Eugene V. Debs and the American Railway Union play in the Pullman Strike?

Formed in 1893, the American Railway Union announced in 1894 that it would refuse to handle trains carrying Pullman cars; Debs was jailed for this action, and the strike ultimately collapsed.

How could a slowdown in railroad construction trigger broader financial anxiety even before goods remained unsold?

Slower construction growth led investors to anticipate lower future demand for steel, causing expected declines in steel company profits, drops in share values, and investor sell-offs.

Why did American businesses look to overseas markets like China during the 1890s?

Domestic overproduction and market saturation left factories producing goods faster than domestic consumers could buy them, making China's large population an attractive market for products like sewing machines and farm equipment.

What were 'spheres of interest' in China during the late 19th century?

Regions where foreign imperial powers established strong economic or political influence and controlled trade opportunities within a weakened Chinese state.

What did American businesses mean when advocating for an 'open China'?

They urged the U.S. government to use diplomacy to guarantee that American businesses could trade freely in Chinese regions where other foreign powers had established influence.

When did Congress authorize the construction of steel-hulled warships to rebuild U.S. naval capacity?

Congress authorized their construction in 1883 to help protect American commerce and project national power across oceans.

What two influential works did naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan publish to argue for naval expansion?

He published 'The Influence of Sea Power upon History' in 1890 and 'America Looking Outward.'

How was Social Darwinism applied to international affairs during the era of American imperialism?

It applied concepts of competition and 'survival of the fittest' to nations and human societies to justify international expansion, inequality, and dominance over other territories.

What was the message of Theodore Roosevelt's speech titled 'The Strenuous Life'?

It argued that strong nations and individuals must embrace hard work, courage, and challenges rather than pursuing lives of passive ease.

What was the goal of the Student Volunteer Movement in the late 19th century?

It trained college students to travel abroad and spread Christianity around the world.

What argument did Josiah Strong present in his 1885 book 'Our Country'?

He supported the global expansion of Christianity and American culture, arguing that Americans held a special role and duty in the world.

What was Frederick Jackson Turner's 'Frontier Thesis'?

An essay arguing that the frontier had fundamentally shaped American democracy and character, and that the closing of the frontier raised critical questions about the nation's future direction.

Who was José Martí, and what was his historical significance?

He was a Cuban revolutionary leader and writer who helped organize the Cuban independence movement against Spanish rule.

What was yellow journalism, and how did it influence American foreign policy in 1898?

It was sensationalized and exaggerated newspaper reporting used to sell papers, which heightened public anger against Spain and helped push the United States into war.

What event involving the battleship USS Maine occurred in 1898?

The battleship exploded in Havana harbor, which inflamed American public opinion against Spain and served as a major catalyst for the Spanish-American War.

What did Congress pledge in the Teller Amendment?

Congress promised that the United States would not annex Cuba, guaranteeing that Cuba would govern itself once Spain was defeated.

What occurred at the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898?

U.S. Navy Commodore George Dewey defeated the Spanish fleet in the Philippines, securing American influence in the Pacific.

What was the De Lôme Letter of 1898?

A private letter written by the Spanish diplomat Enrique Dupuy de Lôme that criticized President William McKinley, which was published and caused widespread outrage in the United States.

Who were the Rough Riders?

A volunteer cavalry unit that fought in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, whose exploits brought significant national fame to Theodore Roosevelt.

What were the four main stipulations of the Platt Amendment (1901)?

1. Cuba could not enter into treaties that compromised its independence. 2. Cuba could not assume foreign debt it could not repay. 3. The U.S. reserved the right to intervene to protect Cuban independence. 4. The U.S. was granted the right to lease land for a naval base.

What territories came under U.S. control or annexation around the time of the Spanish-American War in 1898?

The United States gained control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines from Spain, and formally annexed Hawaii in 1898.

What conflict took place in the Philippines between 1899 and 1902?

The Philippine-American War, in which Filipino forces fought against U.S. control in an effort to achieve national independence.

What central issue defined the presidential election of 1900 between William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan?

American imperialism; McKinley defended overseas expansion and power, while Bryan opposed imperialism as a violation of self-government and freedom.

How do the notes define the Progressive Era (c. 1901–1917)?

A period when reformers sought to address and fix social, economic, and political problems caused by industrialization and political corruption.

What were muckrakers, and which publication was renowned for printing their investigative pieces?

Muckrakers were investigative journalists who exposed corruption, unsafe conditions, and societal ills; McClure's Magazine was famous for publishing their work.

What specific abuses were investigated by Lincoln Steffens, Ida Tarbell, and Upton Sinclair?

Lincoln Steffens exposed corrupt city governments in 'The Shame of the Cities', Ida Tarbell exposed Standard Oil's unfair business practices, and Upton Sinclair exposed unsanitary meatpacking conditions in 'The Jungle.'

Who was Ida B. Wells, and what was her primary reform campaign?

She was an African American journalist and reformer who led a prominent national crusade against lynching and racial injustice.

How did the Supreme Court ruling in U.S. v. E. C. Knight Co. (1895) affect the Sherman Anti-Trust Act?

It weakened the Sherman Anti-Trust Act by ruling that the federal government could not regulate manufacturing monopolies under the law.

What was the significance of the Supreme Court case Northern Securities Co. v. United States (1904)?

It upheld the federal government's authority under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to break up a major railroad monopoly.

What did Theodore Roosevelt mean by using the presidency as a 'bully pulpit'?

Using the prestige and visibility of the presidential office to rally public opinion, shape national debate, and push legislative reforms.

What were the three key pillars of Theodore Roosevelt's domestic reform agenda?

Federal action to address problems regarding corporations, consumers, and conservation.

What regulatory powers were established or expanded by the Hepburn Act of 1906?

It strengthened federal regulation of railroads by granting enhanced rate-setting and enforcement powers to the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC).

What protections were enacted under the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act?

The Pure Food and Drug Act required honest labeling of food and medicines and banned harmful adulteration; the Meat Inspection Act mandated federal inspection to ensure meat was sanitary and safe.

What was the outcome of the Supreme Court case Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v. United States (1911)?

The Court ruled that Standard Oil had violated federal antitrust laws and ordered it to be broken up into smaller, competing companies.

How did the Clayton Anti-Trust Act build upon the original Sherman Anti-Trust Act?

It strengthened antitrust regulations against anti-competitive practices and explicitly exempted labor unions from being targeted by certain antitrust lawsuits.

What was the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), established in 1887?

It was the first federal regulatory agency, created to investigate and regulate unfair business practices within the railroad industry.