Presidents 16-32 Lincoln-FDR Term to Definition

Height of business influence in government

Large corporations had significant control over government decisions and policy.

Gold Standard Act of 1900

Established gold as the only standard for redeeming paper money, ending bimetallism.

Dingley Tariff

Increased tariff rates to protect American industries from foreign competition.

Spanish American War, 1898

Conflict in which the U.S. gained territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Teller Amendment

Declared that the U.S. would not annex Cuba after the Spanish-American War.

Platt Amendment

Allowed U.S. intervention in Cuba and gave the U.S. control of Guantanamo Bay.

Acquisition of Hawaii

The U.S. annexed Hawaii for strategic military and economic reasons in 1898.

Open Door Policy (China)

Promoted equal trade opportunities for all foreign nations in China.

The Square Deal

Roosevelt's domestic policy focusing on conservation, consumer protection, and controlling corporations.

Trust buster

Roosevelt's efforts to break up monopolies and regulate large corporations.

Coal Strike, 1902

Roosevelt intervened in a labor dispute and helped negotiate a settlement for striking miners.

Hepburn Act, 1906

Strengthened government regulation of railroads by increasing the ICC’s power.

National Reclamation Act

Funded irrigation projects to make arid lands productive in the West.

First Governor's Conference

Roosevelt brought together governors to promote conservation and state-level reform.

Pure Food and Drug Act

Banned the sale of misbranded or contaminated food and drugs.

Meat Inspection Act

Required federal inspection of meatpacking plants to ensure safety and cleanliness.

Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine

Asserted the U.S. right to intervene in Latin America to maintain stability.

Speak softly and carry a big stick

Advocated peaceful diplomacy backed by strong military power.

Panama acquired, 1903

The U.S. helped Panama gain independence to secure the land needed for the Panama Canal.

Russo-Japanese War, 1905

Roosevelt mediated peace talks, winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

Gentleman's Agreement, 1907

U.S. and Japan agreed to limit Japanese immigration in exchange for fair treatment.

Payne Aldrich Tariff

Raised tariffs and disappointed Progressives who wanted lower rates.

Mann Elkins Act

Expanded the ICC's authority to regulate telephone and telegraph communications.

Ballinger-Pinchot Controversy

Dispute over land conservation that caused a rift between Taft and Progressives.

Challenge of Joseph Cannon

Progressives reduced the power of Speaker Cannon, increasing legislative democracy.

Dollar diplomacy

Used U.S. financial power to influence other countries, especially in Latin America.

U.S. involvement in Nicaragua

Military and financial intervention to protect American interests.

16th and 17th Amendments

Allowed a federal income tax and direct election of U.S. senators.

Underwood tariff

Reduced tariff rates and introduced a federal income tax.

Federal Reserve Act

Created a central banking system to manage U.S. monetary policy.

Clayton Antitrust Act

Strengthened antitrust laws and protected labor unions from prosecution.

Federal Trade Commission

Established to prevent unfair business practices.

18th and 19th Amendments

Established Prohibition and granted women the right to vote.

Moral diplomacy

Promoted democracy and human rights in U.S. foreign policy.

Attempts to improve relations with Mexico

Efforts to support democratic reforms during the Mexican Revolution.

Zimmerman note

German proposal urging Mexico to join the war against the U.S.

Lusitania

British passenger ship sunk by Germany, killing Americans and pushing U.S. toward war.

Make the world safe for democracy

Wilson’s justification for U.S. entry into World War I.

World War I

Global conflict from 1914–1918 in which the U.S. joined the Allies in 1917.

Versailles Conference

Peace talks after World War I that created the League of Nations.

Senate rejects the League of Nations

U.S. did not join due to fears of entangling alliances.

Normalcy

Return to pre-war policies and less international involvement.

Harding Scandals - Teapot Dome

Corruption scandal involving oil leases and government officials.

Fordney McCumber Tariff (1922)

Raised tariffs to protect American businesses, hurting international trade.

Washington Armament Conference

Meeting to limit naval arms among major world powers.

Prosperity

Economic boom marked by industrial growth and consumer culture.

Sacco-Vanzetti Case

Controversial trial seen as influenced by anti-immigrant sentiment.

Scopes Trial

Legal case over teaching evolution, highlighting religion vs. science.

National Origins Act

Set strict immigration quotas favoring Northern Europeans.

Veto of McNary Haugen Bill

Coolidge rejected aid to farmers, showing his pro-business stance.

Kellogg-Briand Pact

Agreement among nations to renounce war as a national policy.

Dawes Plan

Restructured German reparations with U.S. loans to stabilize Europe.

Stock market crash

Collapse of stock prices in 1929 that began the Great Depression.

Prosperity is just around the corner

Hoover’s overly optimistic statement during worsening economic conditions.

Agricultural Marketing Act

Attempted to support farm prices without directly limiting production.

Reconstruction Finance Corporation

Provided emergency loans to banks and businesses.

Hawley Smoot Tariff

Raised tariffs to record levels, worsening the global depression.

Bonus Army March on Washington, D.C.

WWI veterans protested for early bonus pay and were removed by force.

The Young Plan

Revised Germany’s reparations schedule to ease economic strain.

Clark Memorandum

Repudiated the Roosevelt Corollary, promoting non-intervention.

Japanese invade Manchuria (1931)

Japan’s aggressive expansion violated international agreements.

Stimson Doctrine

U.S. policy of not recognizing territorial changes made by force.

Moratorium on all international obligations

Suspended debt payments during the global economic crisis.

The New Deal/ Relief, Recovery, and Reform

Comprehensive program to combat the Great Depression.

Relief: Welfare and the dole (FERA)

Provided direct aid to the unemployed and needy.

Recovery: NIRA, TVA, AAA, RFC, FHA, CCC, PWA, WPA, Writers' Project, and National Youth Administration

Programs aimed at economic recovery and job creation.

Reform: FDIC, SEC, Social Security Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, and Wagner Act

Laws to stabilize the economy and protect workers and consumers.

1938 - Congress of Industrial Organization founded by John L. Lewis

Union formed to represent unskilled industrial workers.

Good Neighbor Policy

Improved relations with Latin America through non-intervention.

Triumph of Isolationism

U.S. policy of avoiding foreign entanglements before World War II.

Nye Investigations

Senate inquiry blaming arms manufacturers for pushing the U.S. into WWI.

Neutrality Acts

Laws passed to prevent U.S. involvement in future foreign wars.

Lend Lease Act

Allowed the U.S. to supply Allies with war materials before officially entering WWII.

Pearl Harbor and World War II

Japanese attack that brought the U.S. into World War II.

Yalta Conference (1945) FDR, Churchill and Stalin

Meeting to plan postwar Europe and the United Nations.

Dred Scott Decision, 1857

Ruling by the Supreme Court —reversed by the 14th Amendment in 1868— black Americans were not citizens under the Constitution; the Missouri Compromise (which banned slavery in the territories) was unconstitutional.

Troubles in Kansas continue/LeCompton Constitution

A proposed (and subsequantly rejected) state constitution for Kansas drafted in 1857 by pro-slavery advocates. It included provisions to protect slavery and exclude free blacks from its bill of rights.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

1858 Senate Debate, Lincoln forced Douglas to debate issue of slavery, Douglas supported pop-sovereignty, Lincoln asserted that slavery should not spread to territories, Lincoln emerged as strong Republican candidate.

John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry

Failed scheme to invade the South w/ armed slaves, backed by sponsoring, N. abolitionists; seized the fed. arsenal.

John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry

Led to further fear in the South urging it to leave the union.

Crittenden Compromise

Attempt to prevent Civil War by offering a Constitutional amendment recognizing slavery in the territories south of the 36º30' line, noninterference by Congress with existing slavery, and compensation to the owners of fugitive slaves - defeated by Republicans.

Homestead Act, 1862

Granted 160 acres of public land to settlers who agreed to live on and improve the land for at least five years.

Morrill Land Grant Acts

Gave federal land to states to help finance agricultural colleges.

Tariff Acts raised duties on manufactured goods

Protected American industries from foreign competition, promoting domestic manufacturing but causing regional tensions, especially with the South.

National Banking Act

A law passed in 1863 to create a stable, uniform money system for the United States. It allowed banks to issue paper money that everyone could trust and use everywhere in the country.

Civil War

A war between the south and north over slavery.

Lincoln's 10% Plan (loyalty oaths)

A proposal for Reconstruction that required 10% of voters in a seceded state to take an oath of loyalty to the Union.

Seward's Folly, 1867/Purchase of Alaska

Decision by Johnson and seen as a blunder due to the perception that the land was barren and worthless. However, it later proved to be incredibly valuable due to its vast natural resources, including gold, oil, and other minerals, and its strategic location.

Amnesty Proclamation

Reconstruction plan which offered pardons and the restoration of property (except slaves) to most former Confederates who would swear allegiance to the United States and abide by federal laws, including those regarding emancipation.

13th Amendment adopted

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States, except as punishment for a crime; ended slavey.

14th Amendment adopted

Granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved people.

1866 Civil Rights Act (adopted over veto)

Aimed to counter the Black Codes enacted by Southern states and ensure that former slaves and all citizens had equal rights and protections under the law; laid the groundwork for the 14th Amendment.

Radical Reconstruction and Impeachment

Radical Reconstruction was the period when Congress, led by Radical Republicans, imposed strict measures on the Southern states to ensure the rights of freedmen; Johnson's stark opposition to these measeaures led to him being impeached.

Black Reconstruction in South

The election of Black individuals to public office, the establishment of Black political organizations, and significant strides towards equality and civil rights, despite facing intense opposition and violence from groups like the Ku Klux Klan.

Transcontinental Railroad completed, 1869

A railroad that crossed North America by linking the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

Transcontinental Railroad completed, 1869

Built by two companies. Central Pacific heading east from west coast and was built primarily by Chinese workers. Union Pacific headed from east to west, built largely by Irish immigrants.

15th Amendment adopted

Prohibits the federal government and each state from denying a citizen's right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude

Whiskey Ring

Involved whiskey distillers bribing government officials to evade taxes

Indian Ring

Secretary of War William W. Belknap accepting bribes from traders at military forts. resigned and impeached but later aquitted by senate.

Battle of the Little Big Horn

Also known as Custer's Last Stand. U.S government troops attacked a Sioux village. all US troops killed. Sioux won. within an hour the native Americans had killed custer and all of the men in the cavalry.