US HISTORY Final (vocab)

American Ideals

Core values of equality, rights, liberty, opportunity, and democracy that define the American identity.

Enlightenment

Philosophical movement emphasizing reason and individual rights.

Natural Rights

Inherent freedoms such as life, liberty, and property.

John Locke

Enlightenment thinker whose ideas influenced the Declaration of Independence.

Social Contract

Theory that government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed.

Declaration of Independence

1776 document asserting the colonies’ freedom from Britain.

Thomas Jefferson

Primary author of the Declaration of Independence and advocate for individual liberty.

Frederick Douglass

Former slave, abolitionist, and orator who fought for equality and civil rights.

U.S. Constitution

Framework for the U.S. government, establishing principles like federalism and separation of powers.

Inalienable Rights

Rights that cannot be taken away or transferred.

Checks and Balances

System ensuring no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Separation of Powers

Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Limited Government

Principle that government powers are restricted by law.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments.

Popular Sovereignty

Idea that government power originates from the consent of the people.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the Constitution protecting individual liberties.

Sectionalism

Loyalty to a specific region of the country.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery.

14th Amendment

Granted citizenship and equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment

Granted voting rights regardless of race.

Social Darwinism

Social theory promoting 'survival of the fittest' concept.

Laissez-Faire

Minimal government interference in business.

Trusts

Large business combinations that dominated industries.

Captains of Industry vs. Robber Barons

Debate on whether industrial leaders contributed to society or exploited it.

Progressive Movement

Reform movement addressing inequalities caused by industrialization.

Muckrakers

Journalists exposing corruption and societal problems.

Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle

Novel revealing unsafe practices in the meatpacking industry.

Meat Inspection Act

Law improving food safety.

T. Roosevelt as Progressive President

Advocated for conservation, trust-busting, and social reforms.

Trust Busting

Efforts to break up monopolies.

Sherman Antitrust Act

Law aimed at preventing monopolies.

Labor Unions

Worker organizations fighting for better conditions.

Political Machines

Organizations controlling politics through patronage.

Social Gospel Movement

Religious movement addressing social issues.

Settlement Houses

Community centers assisting immigrants and the poor.

Tenement Act of 1901

Law improving housing conditions in urban areas.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

1911 disaster highlighting unsafe working conditions.

NAACP

Organization advocating for civil rights.

ADL

Organization combating discrimination.

Nativists

Individuals opposing immigration.

Taft & Wilson as Progressive Presidents

Advocated for reforms such as trust-busting and labor protections.

NAWSA

National American Woman Suffrage Association.

NWP

National Woman's Party advocating for women's suffrage.

Silent Sentinels

Suffragists who protested for the right to vote.

19th Amendment

Constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote.

Manifest Destiny

Belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across North America.

Imperialism

Extending U.S. influence globally for economic and political reasons.

Open Door Policy

Ensured equal trading rights in China.

Annexation of Hawaii

U.S. takeover of Hawaii undermining native governance.

Spanish American War

Conflict resulting in U.S. acquisition of territories.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized reporting influencing public opinion.

Big Stick Diplomacy

Roosevelt's policy advocating for strong military presence.

Roosevelt Corollary

Extension of the Monroe Doctrine for intervention.

Moral/Dollar Diplomacy

Policies using ethics or investments to influence countries.

Isolationist

Policy of avoiding international alliances.

Committee of Public Information

Agency promoting support for World War I.

Espionage Act

Law restricting dissent during wartime.

Sedition Act

Law limiting free speech during wartime.

Schenck vs. United States

Supreme Court case upholding restrictions on free speech.

Return to Normalcy

Harding's campaign for post-WWI stability.

First Red Scare

Fear of communism influencing U.S. politics.

Immigration Act of 1924

Restricted immigration based on national origins.

Sacco and Vanzetti

Italian immigrants executed amid anti-immigrant sentiment.

Scopes Trial

Clash between evolution and religion in education.

Palmer Raids

Crackdown on suspected radicals.

Ku Klux Klan

White supremacist group targeting minorities.

Prohibition

Legal ban on alcohol production and sale.

Bootleggers

Individuals involved in illegal alcohol trade.

Great Migration

Movement of African Americans to northern cities.

Harlem Renaissance

Cultural movement celebrating Black identity.

Roaring Twenties

Era of economic prosperity and cultural change.

Flappers

Women challenging traditional roles in the 1920s.

Henry Ford

Innovator of affordable cars and assembly lines.

Mass Production

Manufacturing process to produce large quantities efficiently.

Consumerism

Cultural trend focused on the acquisition of goods.

Causes of Great Depression

Factors such as the stock market crash and bank failures.

Installment Buying

Purchasing method allowing credit-based payments.

President Hoover

Advocated limited government intervention during the Depression.

Bonus Army March

WWI veterans’ protest for early bonus payments.

Rugged Individualism

Belief in self-reliance over government assistance.

Reconstruction Finance Corporation

Federal loans to stabilize banks.

Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act

Protectionist policy worsening global trade.

Dust Bowl

Severe drought impacting farming in the Midwest.

FDR

U.S. president advocating for New Deal policies.

Fireside Chats

FDR's radio addresses reassuring the public.

New Deal

Government programs addressing the economic crisis.

First 100 Days

Intense legislative activity under FDR.

Banking Acts

Financial reforms to restore confidence in banks.

Social Security Act

Established safety nets for the elderly and unemployed.

Court Packing Plan

FDR's controversial attempt to expand the Supreme Court.

Impact of New Deal on Women

New Deal programs offered limited support for women, often reinforcing traditional roles.

Impact of New Deal on African-Americans

While some benefits were gained, many African Americans faced discrimination in programs.

Overall Impact of New Deal

Increased federal government involvement in the economy and established social safety nets.