Modern History Sem1 Exam Key Terms

Voluntarism

the principle of relying on voluntary action and organizations to address social issues and provide services, rather than government intervention

Public Works

Infrastructure projects built and maintained by government entities for public use like roads, bridges, schools.

Intervention

The government input into the lives of people and the economy

Economic Reform

Efforts made to improve the economic system by addressing perceived problems or imbalances.

Bonus Marchers

A group of over 43,000 veterans who marched to Washington, D.C. in 1932 to demand early payment of their World War I service bonus.

New Deal

A series of domestic programs run by Roosevelt to bring America out of the Great Depression and towards prosperity.

The Hundred Days

The first 100 days of the New Deal in which 99 executive orders were signed.

Relief

One of the aims of the New Deal which helped provide economic relief to the people hit hardest by the Great Depression

Recovery and Reform

The other aims of the New Deal which helped the economy recover and reform after the Great Depression

GOP

Grand old party, The US republican party

Alphabet Agencies

US federal government agencies created by Roosevelt as a part of his New Deal

Fireside Chats

The series of informal radio addresses delivered by Roosevelt to the American people during the Great Depression and World War II.

The Second New Deal

The second part of the New Deal in 1935 where the focus shifted to providing economic security

Supreme Court Crisis

The series of events where the Supreme Court repeatedly struck down Roosevelt's New Deal, leading to a political battle over the Court's role and composition.

Big Government

A government that is perceived as excessively interventionist

Trade Agreements

International agreements between countries regarding trade and investment

'The Neutrality Acts

A series of US laws passed in the 1930s, primarily to prevent the US from being drawn into another foreign war

Lend-Lease Act

An act allowing the US to provide economic and military relief to the allies without receiving immediate repayment

Wartime Agencies

Temporary government organizations created during times of war to address specific needs arising from the conflict

The Land Army

Civilian organisations of women who worked in agriculture during the wars to replace men who were called up to military service

Good Neighbor Policy

A move towards a more cooperative approach towards neighboring countries, particularly Latin America

Open doors policy

a diplomatic policy established in the late 19th century that aimed to guarantee equal access to trade and investment opportunities for all nations within China

Melting Pot

The idea of immigrants to America losing their old identity and becoming Americans.

Expansionism

the policy of territorial or economic expansion.

Separation of Powers

the division of government power into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial

Laissez-faire

the hands off governing policy employed by American Republicans

Federal System

a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and a number of individual states

Constitution

a body of fundamental principles that a state or other organisation is acknowledged to be governed under.

Migration

The movement of people from one place to another, with the intention of settling at a new location.

Industrial Growth

the economic growth of a particular sector of the economy, such as manufacturing or mining.

Mass Consumption and Production

a system where large quantities of goods are manufactured and then purchased by a large number of consumers, resulting in widespread consumption of those products

Capitalism

an economic system that increases wealth through competition for goods and services by exchanging money. It is based on private property ownership.

Monopoly

the exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a commodity or service.

Trust-Busting

Trust busting is breaking up monopolies when they controlled too much market share and limited competition.

Progressivism

Promoting change for working people and minorities.

Labour Law

a law relating to the rights and responsibilities of workers.

Square Deal

Theodore Roosevelt's domestic program, which reflected his three major goals: conservation of natural resources, corporate law, and consumer protection.

Isolationism

The policy of staying out of the conflicts or affairs of other countries

Neutrality

The state of staying apart from conflict, not joining either side

Zimmerman Telegram

A telegram Germany Sent to Mexico to convince Mexico to attack the U.S. with German support

Espionage Act

An act addressing activities considered harmful to national security, particularly during World War

14 points

The statement of 14 principles to be used in peace negotiations to end WW1

Collective Security

An arrangement where parties agree that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all, causing mass retaliation

Return to Normalcy

The slogan of Harding's campaign and successful return to presidency in 1920

Republican Ascendancy

The ascendancy of the republicans between 1920-1932 where they held a majority throughout US politics

Prosperity

A state of well-being or flourishing, particularly economically

Roaring Twenties

A period of economic booming in the 1920s in America including radical social and cultural change, and economic prosperity

Anti-Semitism

The view of hatred towards the Jews

Flapper

A socially advanced and progressive women in the 1920s

Xenophobia

Fear or dislike towards foreigners

Suffrage

The right to vote in an election

Immigration

The action of permanent migration to another location

Prosecution

A government body that brings charges against a person accused of breaking the law

Pagan

someone holding alternative religous views

Dago

a Spanish, Italian or Portuguese speaking person

Jazz Age

Term used to describe the 1920s, with freedom, wealth and social and cultural advancements

Lynching

the public killing of an individual who has not received any due process

Renaissance

The period of great revival and growth, particularly in the arts, literature, and culture

Jim Crow Laws

State and local laws in the Southern US that enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans,

Repatriation

The process of returning someone to their origin country, particularly Mexican's from America during the 1930s

Segregation

Setting apart someone from society, particularly an ethnic group

Fundamentalism

A form of religion the has the beliefs of strict and literal interpretation of scripture

Social Darwinism

the idea that certain people become powerful in society because they are innately better

WASP

White Anglo-Saxon Protestants, mainly British and American Protestants

Prohibition

The act of forbidding something, in this case alcohol

Bootlegging

the illegal production, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages

Temperance

refers to a social movement advocating for the moderation or abstinence of alcohol consumption

Women's Christian Temperance Union

A group with a primary focus on promoting prohibition of alcohol and advocating for other social reforms rooted in Christian values

Anti-Saloon League

An organization in the United States that advocated for prohibition during the early 20th century

Protectionism

the theory or practice of shielding a country's domestic industries from foreign competition by taxing imports.

Stock Market Speculation

the anticipation of future price movement based on a belief the market has inaccurately priced the stock.

On the Margin

occurs when an investor buys an asset by borrowing the balance from a bank or broker

Overproduction

The production of more of a product, commodity, or substance than is wanted or needed.

Unemployment

Measures the number of people in the workforce without a job

Rugged Individualism

The idea of succeeding due to your own efforts, without help from anyone else

Hooverville

Shantytowns built by homeless individuals during the Great Depression

Self-help

the action or process of bettering yourself or overcoming your problems without the aid of others

Dust Bowl

Many US states becoming a vast dust bowl due to severe drought during the 1930s

Okies and Arkies

Terms used during the Dust Bowl era in the 1930s to refer to migrants from Oklahoma and Arkansas escaping the dust bowl drought