Imperialism
A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries poitically, socially, and economically.
Anti-Imperialists
individuals or groups who opposed imperialism, which is when one country extends its power over another through force or diplomacy. In U.S history, this term often refers to those who opposed American expansion overseas after the Spanish-American War.
Progressivism
A political attitude favoring or advocating changes or reform. This is often viewed in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.
Effects of the War of 1898 (Spanish-American War)
The war was sparked by the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor and the desire of the U.S. to expand its influence in the Caribbean and Pacific. The U.S. quickly defeated Spain and as a result, Spain lost control of Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
Muckrakers
Popular journalists who used publicity to expose corruption and attack abuses of power in business and government.
18th Amendment
This constitutional amendment prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, ushering in the era known as prohibition.
19th Amendment
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Conservationist
a political, environmental, and social movement that seeks to manage and protect natural resources, including animal, fungus, and plant species as well as their habitat for the future.
Preservationist
John Muir and his Sierra Club fought for the preservation of wilderness areas without human interference. Image Courtesy of Wikimedia. Conservationists like Theodore Roosevelt wanted government experts to use their expertise to use the nation's natural resources responsibly.
Reasons for American Involvement in WWI
There were several factors, but it was especially the sinking of American trade ships without warning that was the biggest reason why the United States entered World War I Germany began unlimited submarine warfare in the Atlantic Ocean in 1915. On May 7, 1915, Germany sank the British cruise ship Lusitania, killing over 1,200 people, including 128 Americans.
Fourteen Points
Woodrow Wilson's proposal to ensure peace after World War I, calling for an end to secret treaties, widespread arms reduction, national self-determination, and a new league of nations.
League of Nations
In a response to the disastrous system of alliances that are often credited with beginning WWI, this organization would be primarily a global peace-keeping organization. Member nations would vote on how to deal with problems, first diplomatically, then, economically.
Treaty of Versailles
was signed by Germany and the Allied Nations on June 28, 1919, formally ending World War One. The terms of the treaty required that Germany pay financial reparations, disarm, lose territory, and give up all of its overseas colonies.
Espionage and Sedition Acts
The Espionage Act is a federal legislature enacted in 1917. The Act criminalizes and punishes espionage, spying and related crimes. The Act prohibits not only spying but also various other activities, including certain kinds of expression. Sedition Act (1918) A law stating during times of war, rules can be changed.
Causes of the First Red Scare
A period during the early 20th century during which Americans grew afraid of a Communist takeover, caused by the Russian Revolution. Radicals and foreigners were targeted. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Immigration Restriction (1920s)
limited the number of immigrants allowed entry into the United States through a national origins quota. The quota provided immigration visas to two percent of the total number of people of each nationality in the United States as of the 1890 national census.
Great Migration
The migration of African Americans from the rural South to the industrial North, which held promises of jobs, during and after World War I.
Mass Media (Radio)
means of communications, such as television, newspapers, movies, books, and the internet, that influence large audiences.
Harlem Renaissance
outburst of creative activity among African-Americans in all fields of art in the 1920s; began as discussions in Manhattan and turned into movement of African-American expression.
New Deal Liberalism
ocused more on the individual liberty of humankind and the foundation fo a democratic society, therefore being more individual to a person . wanted more power to the people and weaker government.
Pearl Harbor
a U.S. naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii, that was attacked by Japanese forces on December 7, 1941
Double V Campaign
African-Americans demanded a "Double V" campaign to gain victory over racial discrimination at home as well as over the Axis abroad. Popularized by American Black Leaders during WW2 emphasizing the need for double victory: over Germany and Japan and also over racial prejudice in the US.
Japanese-American Internment
These were detention centers where more than 120,000 Japanese Americans, most of whom lived on the Pacific coast, were forcibly relocated and incarcerated during World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Korematsu v. United States.
The Holocaust
the systematic, state-sponsored genocide carried out by Nazi Germany and its collaborators from 1941 to 1945, during which six million Jews were murdered. Immigration Policies.
Island Hopping
After taking back Midway, the US conducted amphibious “island-hopping” (basically retaking one island to the next, getting closer and closer to Japan) campaigns rather than attempting to reconquer the Dutch East Indies, Southeast Asia and China. In early 1942, the Japanese conquered the Philippines.
D-Day
June 6, 1944 was the day that the combined Allied armies led a massive invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France. The assault involved millions of troops and workers and led to the liberation of France, and the ultimate end to the war.
Manhattan Project/Atomic Bombs
The Manhattan Project was a research and development project that produced the first atomic bombs during World War II. It was led by the United States with the support of the United Kingdom and Canada. The Manhattan Project led to the atomic bomb, the bomb that practically ended the war in the Pacific Theater. Atomic bombs are powerful explosive devices that release an immense amount of energy through nuclear reactions by splitting atomic nuclei (fission).