Exam 2 (US History)

The “World’s Columbian Exposition” (1893) celebrated

the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, showcasing American culture, innovation, and industry.

The Columbian Exposition symbolized:

America's cultural and technological achievements

"Politics of paralysis"

Term describing late 1800s politics—marked by close elections, party stalemates, and little effective reform.

The pattern of late nineteenth-century politics 

Dominated by Republicans and Democrats with nearly even support; intense voter loyalty but little policy change.

Which party tended to support high tariffs

The Republican Party.

Third-party movements

Formed by groups like farmers and laborers to promote issues ignored by major parties (e.g., Populist Party).

What was the "bloody shirt"?

Republican tactic reminding voters of the Civil War and blaming Democrats for secession and rebellion.

The Pendleton Act of 1883

Established the Civil Service Commission; required merit-based government hiring and reduced the spoils system

On the tariff issue 

Republicans favored high protective tariffs; Democrats supported lower tariffs to reduce consumer costs.

Rutherford B. Hayes

President (1877–1881); ended Reconstruction and promoted modest civil service reform.

Known as the "spoilsman’s spoilsman" 

Roscoe Conkling — Republican senator and leader of the Stalwarts who defended the patronage system.

Starting in 1869, Massachusetts established commissions to investigate and regulate which industry? 

The railroad industry — first state-level attempt at regulation.

People’s Party 

Also known as the Populist Party; demanded free silver, direct election of senators, and government control of railroads.

Triangle Shirtwaist fire

1911 factory fire in New York that killed 146 workers; led to major workplace safety reforms.

The New England Kitchen was progressive reform 

A Boston project applying science to home economics and nutrition for poor families

Goals of progressives were ________, though pursued through ________ 

Goals = social order and moral improvement; pursued through government intervention and expert management.

NOT be associated with progressivism

Social Darwinism and laissez-faire individualism.

The ideology of progressivism

Belief that society could be improved by science, efficiency, and government action.

Relationship between progressives and business 

Wanted regulation of big business, not its destruction.

Summarizing the progressive approach 

Use government and scientific methods to solve social problems.

Pragmatism holds

Truth should be judged by practical results and usefulness.

Undergirded progressive reform

Belief that environment and education shape human behavior.

NOT promote reshaping the environment

Social Darwinists and laissez-faire thinkers.

McClure’s magazine pioneered a new style of journalism

Muckraking — investigative reporting that exposed corruption and abuse.

The progressive method focused on government 

Saw government as the main instrument of social and economic reform.

Which statement about various expressions of progressivism is true

Different movements shared faith in reform, democracy, and expertise to improve society.

Story of the Panama Canal / progressives

Roosevelt backed Panama’s revolt against Colombia to secure canal rights; symbolized Progressive faith in engineering and U.S. power.

Theodore Roosevelt acquired territorial rights in Panama 

By supporting Panamanian independence and negotiating the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty (1903), granting U.S. control of the Canal Zone

The text throughout the chapter links progressivism and American diplomacy

Both emphasized activism, efficiency, and moral purpose in reforming society and world affairs.

Progressive diplomacy embodied 

The belief that the U.S. had a duty to promote order, progress, and reform abroad

The depression of 1893 

Sparked expansionist interest; many believed overseas markets were needed to revive the U.S. economy

Under the "Roosevelt Corollary" 

The U.S. claimed the right to intervene in Latin American nations to preserve stability and order.

Roosevelt justified his "corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine

As a way to prevent European powers from interfering in the Western Hemisphere.

Roosevelt’s objectives in his Asian policy 

Maintain balance of power and open trade in Asia (especially through the Open Door Policy).

Taft’s "dollar diplomacy"

Encouraged U.S. investment abroad to expand influence peacefully, especially in Latin America and Asia.

Wilson built upon the diplomacy of Roosevelt and Taft

Continued activism but added a moral dimension—“moral diplomacy,” promoting democracy and human rights.

During the Wilson administration, a revolutionary situation led to U.S. invasions

Mexico — Wilson sent troops during the Mexican Revolution to protect U.S. interests and promote constitutional government.

Central Powers in WWI

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.

Wilson’s commitment to neutrality in World War I

Tried to keep the U.S. neutral and act as a mediator, but German submarine warfare gradually drew the nation into war.

Sister Aimee and the imaginary Smiths

Aimee Semple McPherson, a popular evangelist, used modern media to promote religion; the “imaginary Smiths” symbolized the typical modern American family adapting to new times.

Transformations in the years after World War I 

Rapid urbanization, rise of consumer culture, technological innovation, and changing social values.

Henry Ford’s great contribution to modern industrial culture 

The moving assembly line — made mass production efficient and affordable, especially for automobiles.

"Second or post-Industrial Revolution" 

The shift to mass production, electricity, and consumer goods industries in the 1920s.

The expansion and consolidation of industry between 1920 and 1930

Big corporations grew larger through mergers, dominating key industries like automobiles, oil, and steel.

The automobile 

Transformed American life — boosted related industries, reshaped cities, and encouraged suburban growth.

A feature of the modern corporation in the 1920s

Centralized management, efficiency studies, and hierarchical organization.

Labor unions in the 1920s

Declined in membership; employers promoted “welfare capitalism” and company unions instead.

To encourage consumption 

Businesses used advertising, installment buying, and mass media to promote consumer spending.

"New Woman"

Symbolized women’s independence—flappers, workers, and voters challenging traditional gender roles.

Aviator Charles “Lucky Lindy” Lindbergh

Became a national hero after his 1927 solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic.

What new style of music 

Jazz — became the defining sound of the decade, blending African American rhythms with popular culture.

The sense of meaninglessness and alienation that was characteristic of writers and intellectuals (p. 500)

Many “Lost Generation” writers (like Hemingway and Fitzgerald) criticized materialism and cultural emptiness of the 1920s.

Federal investigator Lorena Hickok

Journalist who reported on the harsh effects of the Depression and the suffering of ordinary Americans.

Great Depression

Began with the 1929 stock market crash; resulted from overproduction, unequal wealth, and weak banking; led to massive unemployment and poverty.

Most Depression movies

Offered escapism and optimism, portraying themes of hope and resilience rather than despair.

The dust storms

Severe drought and poor farming practices created the Dust Bowl across the Great Plains in the 1930s.

One result of the "Dust Bowl"

Mass migration of farm families (“Okies”) to California and other western states in search of work.

During the Depression

Unemployment soared above 25%; many families lost homes, farms, and savings.

The story of the "Scottsboro Boys"

Nine Black youths falsely accused of raping two white women in Alabama (1931); highlighted racial injustice and unfair trials in the South.

Herbert Hoover entered the presidency in 1929

Optimistic Republican leader known for promoting business-government cooperation before the crash.

Herbert Hoover's response to the Great Depression 

Relied on voluntary cooperation and limited government action; resisted direct federal aid to individuals.

NOT a failed measure of Hoover's in attempting to try to alleviate the Depression? 

The Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC), which loaned money to banks and businesses, but had limited effect.

President Herbert Hoover's initial approach to the Great Depression (p. 519)

Believed in self-reliance and voluntary relief, not federal welfare programs.

President Hoover tried to stimulate the economy 

Through public works programs and loans to key industries, but too late to halt the collapse.

The "Bonus Army" 

Group of WWI veterans who marched on Washington in 1932 demanding early payment of promised bonuses; dispersed violently by the army, worsening Hoover’s image.