Comprehensive U.S. History: Founding to the Great Depression

Enlightenment Influence on the American Revolution

The Enlightenment emphasized reason, natural law, and individual rights.

John Locke

An Enlightenment philosopher who argued that people are born with natural rights (life, liberty, property) and that governments exist to protect those rights.

Declaration of Independence

A document adopted in 1776 that announced the colonies' separation from Britain and explained that governments exist to protect natural rights and derive power from the people.

Thomas Jefferson

The primary author of the Declaration of Independence and a strong supporter of Enlightenment ideals and limited government.

Natural / Unalienable Rights

Rights that cannot be taken away, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Constitution

The supreme law of the United States that established the structure of the federal government, its powers, and limits.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect individual freedoms such as speech, religion, press, assembly, and due process.

Manifest Destiny

The belief that Americans were destined to expand westward across the continent.

Trail of Tears

The forced relocation of Native American tribes, especially the Cherokee, resulting in thousands of deaths.

Native American Removal

Government policy that forced Native Americans off their land to make room for white settlers.

Mexican-American War

A war between the U.S. and Mexico that resulted in the U.S. gaining large amounts of southwestern land.

Sectionalism

Strong loyalty to regional interests (North, South, West) rather than the nation as a whole.

Civil War

A war between the Union (North) and Confederacy (South) primarily over slavery and states' rights.

Slavery

The forced labor system that existed primarily in the South and was a major cause of the Civil War.

Emancipation Proclamation

An executive order by Abraham Lincoln that freed enslaved people in Confederate states.

Reconstruction

The period after the Civil War focused on rebuilding the South and integrating formerly enslaved people into society.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery in the United States.

14th Amendment

Granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all people born or naturalized in the U.S.

15th Amendment

Prohibited denying the right to vote based on race.

Impact of Railroads

Railroads promoted westward expansion, industrial growth, national markets, and economic development.

Push / Pull Factors

Push factors forced people to leave their home countries (poverty, war), while pull factors attracted them to the U.S. (jobs, freedom).

Nativism

Prejudice or discrimination against immigrants.

Ellis Island and Angel Island

Immigration processing centers: Ellis Island mainly processed European immigrants; Angel Island mainly processed Asian immigrants.

Tenement Living

Overcrowded, poorly maintained apartment buildings common in urban immigrant neighborhoods.

Political Machines

Organizations that controlled political parties in cities and exchanged services for votes.

Free Enterprise System / Laissez-Faire

An economic system where businesses operate with little government interference.

Robber Barons and Captains of Industry

Wealthy industrialists; robber barons were viewed as exploitative, while captains of industry were seen as positive contributors to society.

Unions & Union Strikes

Organizations formed to protect workers' rights, often using strikes to demand better wages and conditions.

Monopoly

When one company controls an entire industry, limiting competition.

Progressive Movement

A reform movement aimed at improving social, economic, and political conditions.

Muckrakers

Journalists who exposed corruption and social problems.

How the Other Half Lives - Jacob Riis

A photojournalism book exposing poor living conditions in urban tenements.

The Jungle - Upton Sinclair

A novel that revealed unsafe conditions in the meatpacking industry and led to food safety reforms.

Imperialism

A policy of extending a nation's power through territorial acquisition or influence.

Colony vs. Protectorate

A colony is directly controlled by a foreign power, while a protectorate has its own government but is influenced by another nation.

Motives for U.S. Imperialism

Economic expansion, military strength, and belief in cultural superiority.

Annexation of Hawaii

The U.S. takeover of Hawaii due to economic and strategic interests.

"Remember the Maine"

A slogan used to gain public support for the Spanish-American War after the USS Maine exploded.

Spanish-American War

A war between the U.S. and Spain that resulted in the U.S. gaining overseas territories.

Philippine-American War

A conflict between the U.S. and Filipino independence fighters following U.S. acquisition of the Philippines.

Roosevelt Corollary

An addition to the Monroe Doctrine stating the U.S. could intervene in Latin America to maintain stability.

Big Stick, Dollar, and Moral Diplomacy

Foreign policies focused on military strength, economic investment, and promoting democracy.

World War I & U.S. Involvement

The U.S. entered WWI due to unrestricted submarine warfare, economic ties to Allies, and the Zimmermann Telegram.

Prohibition

The nationwide ban on alcohol.

18th, 19th, and 21st Amendments

The 18th banned alcohol, the 19th granted women the right to vote, and the 21st repealed Prohibition.

Women's Suffrage

The movement to grant women the right to vote.

Red Scare / Sacco and Vanzetti

A period of fear of communism; Sacco and Vanzetti were immigrants controversially executed during this time.

The New Morality

Changing attitudes toward gender roles, dating, and personal freedom.

Flappers

Young women who challenged traditional norms through fashion and behavior.

Impact of Automobiles

Cars transformed transportation, cities, and the economy.

Anarchism & Socialism

Political ideologies seen as threats during the Red Scare.

Anarchism

Political ideologies seen as threats during the Red Scare.

Socialism

Political ideologies seen as threats during the Red Scare.

Great Migration

The movement of African Americans from the South to Northern cities.

Harlem Renaissance

A cultural movement celebrating Black art, music, and literature.

Langston Hughes

A major writer and poet of the Harlem Renaissance.

Blues and Jazz

Music genres that influenced American culture and emerged from African American communities.

Causes of the Great Depression

Overproduction, stock market speculation, uneven wealth distribution, and weak banks.

Stock Market Crash

The collapse of stock prices in 1929 that triggered the Depression.

Run on the Banks

When people rushed to withdraw money, causing banks to fail.

The New Deal

A series of government programs designed to provide relief, recovery, and reform.

Economic Policies of FDR & Eleanor Roosevelt

Focused on government intervention, social welfare, and helping the poor.

Fireside Chats

Radio speeches used by FDR to communicate directly with Americans.

Dust Bowl

A severe drought that devastated farms in the Great Plains.

New Deal Agencies (SSA, FDIC, SEC)

Programs created to provide social security, protect bank deposits, and regulate the stock market.

Responses to the Great Depression

Government action increased to stabilize the economy and support citizens.

Enlightenment

Greatly influenced political thought in the American colonies by promoting ideas such as reason, natural rights, and government by consent of the governed.

Life in Tenement Apartments

Crowded, unhealthy, and difficult living conditions for many immigrant families.

Isolationism

The policy of avoiding involvement in foreign conflicts and international alliances.

The Great Migration (Details)

African Americans moved from the rural Southern United States to Northern and Midwestern cities to escape racism and seek better opportunities.

Cultural Change in the 1920s

Reflected how social change, music, art, and technology combined to reshape American identity.

Dust Bowl Effects

Caused massive dust storms and soil erosion, forcing thousands of farming families to abandon their homes.

Impact of the Great Depression on Ordinary Americans

Ordinary Americans suffered greatly as millions lost their jobs, homes, and savings.