US history STAAR REVIEW (units 1-3)

What did the Homestead Act encourage?

The Homestead Act encouraged people to move west by giving them 160 acres of land to farm for five years.

What was the impact of the Transcontinental Railroad?

The Transcontinental Railroad connected the east and west U.S., boosting trade and settlement in the west.

Why was the buffalo slaughter important?

The buffalo slaughter harmed Native American tribes by destroying their main food source and economy.

What did the Dawes Act do?

The Dawes Act aimed to assimilate Native Americans by dividing tribal land into individual plots and selling the rest.

What was the goal of assimilation policies?

Assimilation policies aimed to make Native Americans adopt American customs and abandon their traditions.

Why is the Wounded Knee Massacre significant?

The Wounded Knee Massacre marked the end of major Native American armed resistance against the U.S. government.

What is vertical integration?

Vertical integration is when a company controls all steps of production, from raw materials to final products.

What is horizontal integration?

Horizontal integration is when a company merges with or acquires its competitors to increase market share.

What is Social Darwinism?

Social Darwinism is the idea that wealthy people are naturally superior, used to justify economic inequality.

What is laissez-faire?

Laissez-faire is an economic policy of minimal government interference in business.

What did the Sherman Antitrust Act do?

The Sherman Antitrust Act banned monopolies and restrictive trade practices, but it was not always enforced.

What did the Interstate Commerce Act regulate?

The Interstate Commerce Act regulated railroad rates and practices to prevent unfair pricing.

Difference between AFL and Knights of Labor?

AFL organized skilled workers, while Knights of Labor included all workers, regardless of skill.

What caused the Pullman Strike?

The Pullman Strike was caused by wage cuts that did not match living cost reductions, leading to labor unrest.

Why was the Chinese Exclusion Act important?

The Chinese Exclusion Act was the first law to ban immigration based on nationality, specifically targeting Chinese workers.

What were political machines?

Political machines were groups that sought to control politics by exchanging services for votes.

What did the Pendleton Act do?

The Pendleton Act created a merit-based system for federal jobs, moving away from political favoritism.

What was the purpose of settlement houses?

Settlement houses provided services to immigrants and the urban poor, helping them integrate into society.

What did Progressives believe about government?

Progressives believed the government should actively address social issues and improve citizens' lives.

What did muckrakers do?

Muckrakers were journalists who uncovered corruption and social issues in politics and business.

What did 'The Jungle' lead to?

'The Jungle' by Upton Sinclair exposed unsanitary conditions in meatpacking, leading to food safety laws.

What problem did Ida Tarbell expose?

Ida Tarbell revealed the corrupt practices of the Standard Oil Company, pushing for antitrust reforms.

What did Jane Addams do?

Jane Addams founded settlement houses to assist the urban poor and promote social reform.

What was the NAACP’s goal?

The NAACP aimed to secure civil rights for African Americans through legal challenges and advocacy.

What did Theodore Roosevelt do to trusts?

Theodore Roosevelt worked to break up harmful trusts and establish fair competition.

What did the 16th Amendment do?

The 16th Amendment allowed Congress to impose an income tax, providing a stable revenue source.

What did the 17th Amendment do?

The 17th Amendment enabled voters to directly elect U.S. senators instead of state legislatures choosing them.

What did the 18th Amendment do?

The 18th Amendment banned the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcohol, starting Prohibition.

What did the 19th Amendment do?

The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, a major victory for the suffrage movement.

What is initiative?

Initiative allows citizens to propose laws directly, giving them a say in political decisions.

What is referendum?

Referendum is a vote where citizens approve or reject proposed laws, involving them in governance.

What is recall?

Recall enables voters to remove elected officials from office before their term ends.

What was the Populist Party?

The Populist Party represented farmers and laborers, pushing for economic reforms.

Why are third parties important?

Third parties introduce new ideas and influence major party platforms in U.S. politics.

What caused the Spanish-American War?

The Spanish-American War was triggered by the USS Maine explosion and sensationalist journalism.

What did the U.S. gain after the war?

After the war, the U.S. acquired the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

What was the Roosevelt Corollary?

The Roosevelt Corollary stated that the U.S. could intervene in Latin American countries' affairs.

Why was the Panama Canal important?

The Panama Canal shortened trade routes and improved military movement between oceans.

What does MAIN stand for (WWI causes)?

MAIN stands for Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism, the main causes of World War I.

What event started WWI?

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand ignited World War I.

Why did the U.S. enter WWI?

The U.S. entered World War I due to German attacks and the Zimmermann Telegram suggesting a German-Mexican alliance.

What was trench warfare?

Trench warfare involved fighting from deep trenches, causing stalemates on the Western Front.

What was the Selective Service Act?

The Selective Service Act allowed the U.S. government to draft soldiers for WWI.

What new weapons were used in WWI?

WWI introduced weapons like chemical gases, tanks, airplanes, and machine guns.

What were the Fourteen Points?

The Fourteen Points were principles proposed by President Wilson for peace negotiations and a framework for future diplomacy.

Why did the U.S. reject the Treaty of Versailles?

The Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles due to concerns over joining the League of Nations and losing sovereignty.

What did the Espionage and Sedition Acts do?

The Espionage and Sedition Acts limited free speech by punishing anti-war sentiments during WWI.