Unit 7: Period 7: 1890-1945

-progressive era -new imperialism -taft, Wilson, teddy roosevelt -Panama Canal, etc -women's suffrage, prohibition, rights for black people -reform, muckrakers (exposes on industries) -WWI -red scare -Roaring 20s & Great Depression (crash of stock market) -Pearl Harbor, WWII, Japanese internment, nuclear weapons, bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki

Progressives

urban, middle-class reformers who wanted to increase the role of government in reform while maintaining a capitalistic economy; aim to advance human condition through reform

Progressives vs Populists

Populists = wronged/indignant farmers who advocated for radical reforms

Progressives = urban, middle-class reformers who advocated for an increased role of government in reform while also maintaining a capitalistic economy (because it gave them their jobs & success)

Homestead Act of 1862

enacted during the Civil War in 1862 » provided that any adult citizen, or intended citizen, who had never borne arms against the U.S. government could claim 160 acres of surveyed government land

• Claimants were required to live on and “improve” their plot by cultivating the land

Muckrakers

journalists who used their skills to expose the underside of American life

ex/ Upton Sinclair & Ida Tarbell

The Jungle

expose by Upton Sinclair about the unethical and insanitary practices of the meatpacking industry; depicted workers fingers getting cut off and packed into the meat, etc

Meat Inspection Act (1906)

passed by Congress during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency, created federal standards for meatpacking factories

Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

required all processed food to include ingredient labels » established a government agency to police the quality and labeling of food & drugs

History of Standard Oil

expose by Ida Tarbell about the unethical tactics that John D. Rockefeller used in business, which portrayed the plight for (PA) independent oil workers

Child Labor

children working in dangerous work environments like spinners in cotton/textile factories and "breakers” in coal mines who were exposed to dangerous chemicals

• with new influx of immigrants & increasing gap between rich & poor, families needed to send their children to work too

Shame of the Cities

expose by Lincoln Steffens about the widespread corruption in urban management

• bribery = common in city government

Significance of the Northern Securities Co dissolved

Northern Securities Co was 2 railroad companies who joined together & bought 2 stocks to “monopolize the east west,” which ended up violating the Sherman Antitrust Act (law that stated that it was illegal to implement any practices that restricted free trade)

Ellis Island

island located in New York that was an immigration inspection station for mainly (eastern/as part of New immigrants) European immigrants

Angel Island

located in San Francisco Bay and was the entry point for most Asian immigrants to the United States from 1910 to 1940; "Ellis Island of the West."

Mexican Immigration

about 1 million Mexicans entered the US through El Paso, Texas

• revolution in Mexico resulted in widespread poverty, excessive taxation, illiteracy, declining economies and political turmoil » immigration

• bounded by contracts

Fordism

economic system of mass production

Assembly line

continuous moving conveyor belt & mass consumption, which allowed efficiency to increase and the wages to be raised

American standard of living

idea produced from maturation of consumer economy, saying that mass consumption/consumerism is now central to American society

• criticizes inequalities of wealth and power in Progressive Era

“Scientific management”

system created by Frederick W. Taylor by which workers would follow instructions from higher-ups; program whose goal was to streamline production and increase profits by systematically controlling/regulating the costs and work practices

Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)

organization formed by people who opposed exclusive policies of the AFL; was a trade Union & part of advocacy of workers’ revolution that would seize the means of production and abolish state

»more inclusive than AFL (with minorities, immigrants, agricultural laborers, etc)

“scab” worker

worker who still went to work even if striking

“New Feminism”

feminist movement evolve to address issues on traditional rules of sexual behavior

“Bohemia”

social circle of artists, writers, etc. who rejected conventional practices/social rules

Birth-Control Movement

women demanded more access to contraceptives (“right to one’s body”) in response to growing amount of women in workplace/labor market

• women want independence to do what they want without having to bear children

Margaret Sanger

early advocate for the Birth control movement, who faced wide opposition for promoting the use of contraceptives

Society of American Indians

reform organization founded by Carlos Montezuma that brought together Native American intellectuals to discuss the injustices of the plot of Native Americans to public in hopes of gaining reparations

WASSAJA (“signaling)

writing by Carlos Montezuma (founder of the Society of American Indians) that criticized paternalistic government exerted towards natives in regards to the abolition of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

16th Amendment

implement a federal income tax

17th Amendment

authorize the direct election of senators by popular vote

Jane Addams

social reformer and activist who co-founded the Hull House in Chicago, one of the first settlement houses in the USA

• also advocated for women's suffrage and world peace

Hull House

settlement house; first private social welfare agency in the U.S., to assist the poor, combat juvenile delinquency and help immigrants learn to speak English

Muller v Oregon

court upheld Oregon law that set max working hours for women

• Louis D Brandies claim that bc women were weaker than men, the workspace is too dangerous (court interest bc women can bear children)

Maternalist reform

female reform stemmed from the belief that the government in obligated to protect women & children

» help improve living conditions for poor mothers & children by advocating for direct government action, mother pensions, and economic independence

Workmen’s Compensation Law

law enacted to benefit injured workers—men, women—who were hurt on the job; paved the way for more social insurance

Coal Miners’ Strike of 1902 (Anthracite Coal Strike)

strike that paralyzed West Virginia and Pennsylvania coalfields in which President Roosevelt called Union & management leaders to the White House, threatening a federal takeover of miens

Hepburn Ac of 1906

restricted railroad "free passes" and expanded the Interstate Commerce Commission (which makes sure that railroad companies are charging fair prices) to include in its powers the prosecution of express companies, sleeping-car companies, and pipelines

• For the first time gave the ICC that ability to nullify existing rates and set maximum rates

Roosevelt & Conservation

conservation movement in which Roosevelt focused on preserving parts of the environment from economic exploitation

ex/ water, Yellow Stone National Park (Wyoming), US Forest Service

Federal Reserve System

consisted of 12 regional banks overseen by the board appointed by the president » could handle currency aid banks in danger of failing, and influence interest rates to promote economic growth

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

created during Wilson’s presidency, that called for a second expansion of national power in Congress, established to investigate shady business activities like price-fixing and monopolistic practices

Ludlow Massacre

mass killing perpetrated by anti-striker militia during the Colorado Coalfield War (major labor uprising in the southern and central Colorado front range)

“Liberal internationalism”

Wilson’s foreign policy that rested on the belief that economic & political progress go together basically claiming that if America got more involved in global affairs, liberty & democracy will folly

» US interventionalism

“The world must be made safe for democracy”

illustrates Woodrow Wilson’s foreign policy that involved the US intervening with global affairs (with an excuse/justification) to spread democracy

“Big Stick” policy

foreign policy of Theodore Roosevelt based on West African proverb: “speak softly and carry a big stick”

This policy states that the US will use military force if necessary (kind of use it for intimidation) = Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine

Roosevelt Corollary

extension of Monroe Doctrine that held that the US had the right of a global “police power” in the Western hemisphere to defend against European intervention

Panama Canal Zone

representative of Panama Canal Company, Philipe Bunau-Varilla, signed a Treaty that gave the US the right to construct & operate a canal & have sovereignty over this zone

• reflect Teddy Roosevelt Big Stick policy

yellow fever

disease caused by mosquitoes that was common in the Panama Canal zone area » infected lots of workers building the canal

→ construction needed immigrants

“Dollar Diplomacy”

Taft’s foreign policy that emphasized economic loans & investment from the US banks to give to foreign (meaning “uncivilized” nations in Asia & Latin America) countries and spread American influence

“Moral Imperialism”

Wilson’s approach to foreign affairs in which the US’ main motivation for intervention & imperialism was to help (righteous reasons) such as spreading US morals

» this practice led to more military intervention in Latin America

Pancho Villa

leader of faction that attacked Columbus, New Mexico & killed 17 Americans

WIlson sent 10k troops to New Mexico to arrest Villa

Sinking of the Lusitania (1915)

German submarine shot down British liner Lusitania (carried large cache of arms) off the coast of Ireland » sinking outraged US public opinion & strengthened PRO-WAR sentiment

“Prepardeness”

Wilson cash program to expand military & navy

Zimmerman Telegram

message sent by German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmerman that contacted Mexico, trying to ally & convince them to join the war (WWI) against the US in order to reclaim the lands lost during the Mexican-American War

Wilson’s Fourteen Points

1-5) Military, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism

6-13) self-determination for all nations, border of countries based on ethnicity & national identity

14) establishment of a League of Nations

• free trade, open diplomacy, freedom of the sea

• Wilson peaceful vision for global order

Selective Service Act of 1917

24 million men required to register with the draft

War Industries Board

coordinated the production of war materials → distribution of raw materials to manufacturing; established standardized specifications for everything like automobiles to show color

Committee on Public Information (CPI)

director George Creel garnered support for the war though pro-war PROPAGANDA; “selling the war”

National Women’s Party

pressed for women’s suffrage with militant & scandalous tactics

19h Amendment

Barred states from using sec as a voting qualification (1920)

Susan B. Anthony

One of the main advocates for women’s suffrage and president of the National Women’s Suffrage Association

Alice Paul

Leader of the National Women’s Party who led a hunger strike in England where she tied herself to a tree and refused to eat; federal troops got involved, trying to get them to stop

Prohibition

Movement that banned the sale or purchasing of intoxicating liquor

18th Amendment

Prohibition

Reasons for Prohibition

To deal with crime rates so an orderly environment can be promoted, undermine political machines who met at saloons

• many women support bc this law provided protection from alcoholics and domestic violence

Espionage Act (1917)

Illegal to aid enemy (espionage) or hinder the war effort/draft

Ex/Eugene V. Debs was convicted for delivering anti war speech

Sedition Act (1918)

Illegal to criticize or speak poorly against the government or US involvement in WWI

Schneck v US

court ruled that the government could limit freedom of speech if presented a “clear and present danger”

Schneck v US

court ruled that the government could limit freedom of speech if presented a “clear and present danger”

“Clear and present danger”

Ruling of Schneck v US that basically assumed constitutionality of the government limiting free speech if it was deemed dangerous to society

» reflects red scare and war effort

American Protective League (APL)

helped the Justice Department identify radicals and critics of war by spying on neighbors and carrying out “slacker raids” and thousands of men were stopped on the streets of major cities & require to produce draft registration cards

» Industrial Workers of the World Union » CRUSHED

“Americanization”

creation of a more homogeneous national culture to address “the race problem”

Melting Pot

book by Israel Zangwill saying that newcomers were supposed to merge their identity into existing American nationality

Anti-German crusade

German-Americans bore the brunt of forced Americanization » mainly due to tensions sparked during the war (WWI) & sinking of the Lusitania

• by 1914, German-Americans numbered nearly 9 million, including immigrants and persons of German parentage

• they had created thriving ethnic institutions

• after American entry into the war, the use of German and expressions of German culture became a target of prowar organizations

• by 1919, the vast majority of the states had enacted laws restricting the teaching of foreign languages

intelligence quotient

number that measured individual’s mental capacity » form of scientific racism (pseudoscience)

Brownsville Affair (1906)

racial incident that occurred due to rising tensions between the black and white populations; group of black soldiers fired a gun in Brownsville, Texas, killing one person » resulted in President Roosevelt ordering a discharge of 3 black companies even though the black soldiers denied knowing about the shooting

• Roosevelt = expansionist, “Anglo-Saxon” racial identity

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

organization led by WEB Du Bois that sought to enforce the 14th and 15th amendments

Niagara Falls Convention

organized by WEB Du Bois and the NAACP that sought to reinvigorate abolitionist tradition

Declaration of Principles (1934)

adopted at the Niagara Falls Convention to restore black suffrage (bc of southern Democrats trying to hinder their rights: Jim Crow, non-race based voting restrictions, etc), end segregation, and wave equal economic and educational opportunities

Bailey v Alabama (1911)

court ruled that sharecroppers could not break contracts; “peonage” laws

Tulsa Riots

occurred in Oklahoma where entire sections of city were burnt by white mobs (10,000 people) and national guardsmen; 300+ dead

Garveyism

ideology coined by Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican immigrant, who claimed that freedom is self-determination and the only way that blacks can enjoy freedom is on the continent of Africa

US in Russia

the Allies sent expeditionary forces in Russia to stop Lenin and the Soviet government from spreading communism

Triple Entente

US, Great Britain, Russia

Central Powers

Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy

Red Scare

fear of communism/worldwide communist takeover (strikes made it worse); sparked by the Russian Revolution in which Russia came under Bolshevik control

Palmer raids

A. Mitchell Palmer believed that the steel strike was part of a communist conspiracy, so he raided conduct on labor organizations to root out communism

Treaty of Versailles

Germany was forced to cede German colonial territories to the Allies, to disarm, pay huge reparation ($33 billion), and to admit total fault for the war (despite other nations playing a role in starting it)

• Germany was humiliated & in economic ruin

• also created the League of Nations

US Rejection of the Treaty of Versailles

US viewed the treaty as it not being able to build lasting peace

• Many Americans objected to the settlement especially Woodrow Wilson's League of Nations

• US no join the League of Nations

Sacco-Vanzetti Case

Nicola Sacco, a shoemaker, and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, an unskilled laborer, were anarchists who were charged with murder and sentenced to death via electric chair

• CONTEXT: they were two ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS during the height of the Red Scare

“The American Way of Life"

spread of American prominence through Hollywood films, showing a country with high wages, efficient factories, mass production of consumer goods, and endless prosperity

» idea of American Dream emerged

• Henry Ford & Herbert Hoover = cultural heroes

The Man Nobody Knows (1925)

best-seller by Bruce Barton, an advertising executive, who portrayed Jesus as one of the “greatest advertisers of his day…a virile, go-getting he-man of business” who “picked up 12 men from the bottom of the ranks and formed a great organization”

significance of the electric motor in the 1920s

became essential to work and home environments, driving independent machines and household appliances

» other industries arose to serve the growing middle class in its search for the trapping of affluence

rise of the stock market (1920s)

stock market rising prices and values attracted more investors

» by 1928, 1.5million Americans owned stock (still a minority but more than ever)

Pujo Investigation

occurred before 1920s, in which this investigation labeled the stock market as a place where insiders fleece small investors

The Roaring Twenties

aka the Jazz Age; decade of the 1920s in America characterized by economic prosperity, cultural dynamism, and significant social changes

Role of Automobiles (1920s)

liberated the isolated rural family who could travel to the city for shopping and entertainment, gave families the opportunity to vacation in new and faraway places, women and young people are more independent, and workers can live miles from their jobs

• illustrate how industrial economy made everyone busy » +convenience

• transformed American life

“Welfare Capitalism”

more socially conscious kind of business leadership—paid more attention to “human factor” in employment

American Plan

workplace without government regulation (“laissez-faire”) » “company Union” sometime create & control management

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

promoted by Alice Paul and the National Women’s Party, proposing to eliminate all legal distinctions “on accounts of sex” (rejected)

Jazz Age and Great Depression Presidents (3)

Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover

Teapot Dome scandal

Albert Fall, Harding’’s secretary of interior who accepted a $500k bribe from an oil company in order to drill oil on Public lands at Teapot Dome, Wyoming

• Fall = first cabinet member to be convicted of a felony

Suburbs

the automobile gave birth to these they allowed those who worked in cities to move farther away from city centers