20th Century U.S. History Semester 1 Exam

us history

What is civil disobedience?

Disobeying laws peacefully to protest injustice.

How did the US entering WWI affect the suffragists on the picket line?

Gave suffragists leverage for voting rights.

What organization did Alice Paul form?

Alice Paul formed the National Woman’s Party.

What were some arguments against women’s suffrage?

Women are too emotional and don’t need to vote.

What is a muckraker?

Investigative journalist exposing corruption.

What Amendment gave women the right to vote?

The 19th Amendment granted women voting rights.

What were the characteristics of the first wave of immigrants to the U.S.?

Mostly Northern and Western Europeans seeking better lives.

What are examples of immigration push factors?

War, famine, and persecution.

What are examples of immigration pull factors?

Jobs, freedom, and family.

What is nativism?

Hostility towards immigrants.

What 1882 U.S. law is an example of nativism?

Chinese Exclusion Act.

How has the U.S. controlled immigration over the past?

Through laws and policies limiting immigrant entry.

What did Upton Sinclair try to bring to the public’s attention?

Poor conditions in the meatpacking industry.

What territories did the US gain after the Spanish-American War?

Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

What were reasons why some Americans were against imperialism?

Moral objections and economic concerns.

What are military reasons for imperialism?

Bases and strategic presence abroad.

What are humanitarian reasons for imperialism?

Spreading civilization and education.

What were the causes of the Spanish-American War?

Support for Cuban independence and the USS Maine explosion.

What was the Open-Door Policy?

Equal trade rights in China for all nations.

What was the Monroe Doctrine?

Prevent European intervention in the Americas.

What was the Roosevelt Corollary?

Justified U.S. intervention in Latin America.

What were the reasons for the US building the Panama Canal?

Faster shipping route between two oceans.

What was the status of the United States after the Spanish-American War?

Emerged as a world power with territories.

What countries were on each side of WWI?

Allies: UK, France; Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary.

What were the causes of WWI?

Militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism.

What caused a stalemate in WWI?

Trench warfare and new military technology.

What are U-boats?

German submarines used in naval warfare.

What is the Sussex Pledge?

Promise to safeguard passengers on ships.

What events caused the US to enter WWI?

Unrestricted submarine warfare and Zimmerman Note.

What is the 1917 Selective Service Act?

Law allowing draft of soldiers for WWI.

What is a convoy in terms of WWI?

Ships traveling together for mutual protection.

How could average U.S. citizens help in the war effort?

Buy war bonds and conserve resources.

What were the Fourteen Points?

Wilson’s peace proposals after WWI.

What peacekeeping organization was formed after WWI?

League of Nations to prevent future wars.

What are reparations in terms of WWI?

Payments for war damages by losing countries.

What event caused the first declaration of war in WWI?

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

What is the Great Migration?

Movement of African Americans to Northern cities.

What did the Zimmerman Note state?

Proposed German-Mexican alliance against the U.S.

What organization was in charge of getting U.S. citizens behind the war?

Committee on Public Information promoted war support.

What were the Espionage and Sedition Acts?

Laws restricting anti-war speech and activities.