APUSH Eyewitness - Progressivism and Imperialism

Spanish-American War

John Hay called the Spanish-American War a "splendid little war" due to its quick victory and profits

Spanish-American War

America gained control of the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Cuba within two months of the USS Maine sinking

Spanish-American War

Of 275,000 men who served, about 5,500 died, only 379 in battle; the rest mostly from disease

Rough Riders

Teddy Roosevelt led the Rough Riders, dismounting to climb part of San Juan Hill, while most troops fought on foot

Rough Riders

Roosevelt used photographic equipment, including early motion picture cameras, during the battle

San Juan Hill

American troops charged San Juan Hill despite military blunders and being pinned in a "chute of death"

San Juan Hill

Roosevelt and General Hawkins were the most conspicuous figures in the charge

San Juan Hill

The Ninth & Tenth Cavalry, African American units, charged alongside Roosevelt’s Rough Riders

Carrie Nation

Led raids against saloons using stones to destroy property, including paintings and mirrors

Carrie Nation

Arrested in Wichita for destroying property but claimed legal support because saloon men had "no rights" under Kansas law

Carrie Nation

President of Barber County Women’s Christian Temperance Union; motivated by husband’s death from delirium tremens

Panama Canal

Constructed from 1904 to 1914, 40 miles long, cutting the Atlantic-Pacific trip by 7,000 miles

Panama Canal

Roosevelt supported Panama independence to facilitate canal construction

Panama Canal

Largest engineering effort before its time; included advances in labor, medical work, and engineering

Panama Canal

About 40,000 workers involved; American engineers supervised and used steam shovels, dirt trains, and dams

Jim Thorpe

Athlete who scored 25 touchdowns & 198 points in football and won Olympic gold in pentathlon and decathlon (1912)

Jim Thorpe

Known for zigzag runs and evasive moves that made him nearly impossible to stop in football games

Henry Ford Assembly Line

Assembly line introduced April 1, 1913, for the Model T

Henry Ford Assembly Line

Principles: minimize worker movement, use gravity/carriers for parts, maintain consistent sequence of operations

Henry Ford Assembly Line

Reduced assembly time from 20 minutes to 5 minutes per component; one man could do work of ~4 men previously

Wright Brothers Flight

First successful flight December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

Wright Brothers Flight

Aircraft weighed 745 pounds with a 12-horsepower engine; first flight lasted ~12 seconds, fourth flight 59 seconds, 852 ft

Ellis Island

Immigration processing center from 1892–1954; nearly 12 million immigrants passed through

Ellis Island

Immigrants underwent medical and legal inspections; families often separated if labeled “public charge” (P.C.)

Ellis Island

Officers asked immigrants questions about background, occupation, family, and plans in America

San Francisco Earthquake

April 18, 1906, magnitude ~7.9; fires destroyed one-third of the city, about 450 deaths

San Francisco Earthquake

Fires exacerbated damage due to broken water mains, twisted streets, and wind-driven flames

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

March 25, 1911, New York City; 146 workers died due to locked doors and inadequate safety measures

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

Led to major reforms in building codes and labor laws

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

Victims were mainly young women; some jumped from windows to escape