APUSH Period 7 Vocab

Open Door Policy

Secretary of State John Hay’s clever diplomatic agreement to preserve Chinese territorial integrity and maintain American trade access to China.

Spanish-American War

In 1898, a conflict between the United States and Spain, in which the U.S. supported the Cubans’ fight for independence. US gained Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. This war marks the beginning of the age of American Imperialism.

Imperialism

A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, socially, religiously and/or economically. U.S. justifies because of actions of other imperialist nations, a need to protect markets to sell goods to, and belief in Social Darwinism and White man’s Burden.

Progressive Movement

Was a period of social activism and political reform in the US that flourished from the 1890s to the 1920s. Goals was to eliminate corruption in government, protect workers and consumers, and expand democracy. Progressive Presidents were T. Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson. WWI ends era.

Settlement Houses

Community centers where immigrants came to live upon entering the U.S. At Settlement Houses, instruction was given in English and how to get a job, among other things. The first Settlement House was the Hull House, which was opened by Jane Addams in Chicago in 1889.

Muckrakers

Investigative journalists were trying to make the public aware of problems that needed fixing.

Jacob Riis - How the Other Half Live- problem of the poor

Lincoln Steffens - Shame of the Cities- Political corruption

Ida Tarbell - History of Standard Oil- monopolies

Upton Sinclar - The Jungle- Food cleanliness

New Immigrants

Term for most post-1880 to 1920 newcomers who came to America primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe. Mostly take low paying factory jobs in the cities. Less welcomed than the old immigrant because they are less likely to be Protestant, speak English, have wealth or education.

Booker T. Washington

Former slave who promoted industrial education and economic opportunity but not social equality for blacks. Founded Tuskegee Institute. Atlanta Compromise speech brought him to fame.

W.E.B Du Bois

Harvard educated scholar advocated full black social and economic equality through the leadership of a talented tenth. Niagara movement called for full political & social rights. Founder of NAACP.

Meat Inspection Act/Food and Drug Act

Laws passed by T. Roosevelt to protect consumers. Meat Inspection Act regulated the meat packing industry following “The Jungle” but later Food and Drug Act regulated all good and drugs that Americans consume.

Progressive Amendments: 16th Amendment

Federal income tax established (progressive=different tax rates for different incomes)

Progressive Amendments: 17th Amendment

Direct election of Senators

Progressive Amendments: 18th Amendment

Prohibition of alcohol (1919) Later reversed by 21st amendment.

Progressive Amendments: 19th Amendment

Women’s suffrage (1920)

Federal Reserve Act (1913)

Signed into law by Woodrow Wilson, it created a central banking system, consisting of twelve regional banks governed by the Federal Reserve Board. It was an attempt to provide the United States with a sound yet flexible currency. Still U.S. banking system today.

Clayton Antitrust Act (1914)

Corrected deficiencies of Sherman Anti-Trust Act by outlawing monopolistic practices but exempted labor unions that were unintended victim of Sherman Anti-Trust Act.

Big Stick Policy

Diplomatic policy developed by T.R symbolizing his power and readiness to use military force if necessary. It isa way of intimidating countries without actually harming them and was the basis of U.S. imperialistic foreign policy. Big Stick was the Navy. Mostly used in Caribbean and Latin America.