American History Exam Study Guide Flashcards

Mercantilism

The theory that the only way a country can make money is through trading goods.

Declaration of Independence

A document signed to break free from British control, authored by Thomas Jefferson, giving power to the people.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that outline the rights and freedoms of American citizens.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the U.S. that was eventually replaced by the Constitution due to its weaknesses.

Supreme Court

The highest federal court in the United States, which has the power to interpret the Constitution.

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

Louisiana Purchase

The acquisition of the Louisiana territory from France in 1803, which doubled the size of the United States.

Monroe Doctrine

A U.S. policy opposing European colonialism in the Americas.

Manifest Destiny

The 19th-century doctrine that the expansion of the U.S. throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable.

Sectionalism

Division and loyalty to regional interests over the interests of the country as a whole, especially between the North and South.

Cotton Gin

A machine that revolutionized the processing of cotton and boosted the Southern economy.

Uncle Tom's Cabin

A novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that depicted the harsh realities of slavery and contributed to anti-slavery sentiments.

Emancipation Proclamation

An executive order issued by Abraham Lincoln that freed slaves in the rebellious states during the Civil War.

Laissez-faire Capitalism

An economic system where the government exerts minimal interference in the economic affairs of individuals and society.

Robber Barons

Wealthy industrialists who used exploitative practices to amass their wealth, often at the expense of workers.

Social Darwinism

A theory that applied the concept of natural selection to society, suggesting that the strong will survive while the weak will fail.

Child Labor

The use of children in industry or business, often under unsafe and inhumane conditions.

Nativism

The policy of protecting the interests of native-born or established inhabitants against those of immigrants.

Progressive Movement

A social and political movement that aimed to address issues caused by industrialization, urbanization, and corruption.

Muckrakers

Investigative journalists who exposed corruption, social injustices, and abuses of power during the Progressive Era.

The Jungle

A novel by Upton Sinclair that exposed the harsh conditions and exploitation in the meatpacking industry.

Suffrage Movement

The fight for women's right to vote, resulting in the 19th Amendment, which granted such rights.

Fourteen Points

A statement of principles for peace that was to be used for peace negotiations in order to end World War I.

Red Scare

A period of heightened fear of communism in the United States, particularly after WWI and during the Cold War.

Iron Curtain

A term used to describe the division between communist and non-communist countries in Europe during the Cold War.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Landmark legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation aimed at overcoming legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote.

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States after World War II.

New Deal

A series of programs and reforms introduced by FDR to respond to the Great Depression.

Korean War

A conflict between North Korea and South Korea, where the U.S. fought to contain communism.

Baby Boom

A significant increase in the birth rate following World War II, impacting American society and the economy.

Vietnam War

A prolonged conflict in which the U.S. fought to stop the spread of communism in Vietnam, marked by significant controversy.

Pentagon Papers

Top-secret Department of Defense documents that detailed the U.S. political and military involvement in Vietnam, released to the public.

Brinkmanship

The practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, particularly in nuclear strategy.

Nativism in the 1920s

A resurgence of fear and prejudice against immigrants, leading to restrictive immigration laws.

Harlem Renaissance

A cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, celebrating African American culture.

Consumer Culture of the 1920s

A societal trend characterized by an emphasis on purchasing goods and services, often associated with economic prosperity.

Bonus Army

A group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington D.C. in 1932 to demand early bonus payment for their service.

Causes of American Imperialism

Factors including economic interests, national security concerns, and a belief in cultural superiority that drove U.S. expansionist policies.

Civil Rights Movement

A struggle for social justice by African Americans aiming to achieve equal rights under the law in the U.S.

Trust Busting

Government activities aimed at breaking up monopolies and trusts to promote competition.

Federal Power during WWI

The expansion of government control over the economy and civil liberties as the U.S. mobilized for war.

Causes of the Great Depression

A combination of factors including stock market crash, bank failures, and drought conditions that led to an economic crisis.

JFK and LBJ's New Frontier and Great Society

Domestic programs aimed at improving social welfare, combatting poverty, and enhancing civil rights.

Cold War Policies

Strategies such as containment, including the Truman Doctrine and NATO, to stop the spread of communism.

Eugenics Movement

A social philosophy advocating for the improvement of human genetic qualities through selective breeding.

Berlin Wall

A fortified barrier that divided East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, symbolizing the Cold War divide.

Détente

The easing of strained relations, especially between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Great Migration

Mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North for better opportunities during and after WWI.

Fireside Chats

Radio broadcasts by FDR to communicate directly with Americans, explaining New Deal policies.

Clinton's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy

U.S. policy regarding military service by gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals, enacted in the 1990s.

Open Door Policy

A U.S. policy proposed to keep China open to trade with all countries equally.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Legislation that gave President Johnson the authority to assist any Southeast Asian nation threatened by communist aggression.

Domino Theory

The belief that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would also fall, like a row of dominos.

Marshall Plan

A U.S. program providing aid to Western Europe after World War II to help rebuild economies.

Civil Rights Organizations

Groups such as NAACP and SCLC that worked for the legal and social rights of African Americans.

Equal Rights Amendment

A proposed amendment to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex.

Anti-War Movement

A social movement opposing the Vietnam War, which gained momentum through protests and activism.

Women's Suffrage Movement

The fight for the right of women to vote, culminating in the 19th Amendment in 1920.

Post-World War II Economic Focus

American emphasis on rebuilding and reshaping the economy to ensure prosperity in the face of Cold War challenges.

Lyndon Johnson's Great Society

A set of domestic programs aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice, emphasizing education and health care.

Technological Advancements in the Gilded Age

Innovations such as the telegraph, telephone, and railroads that drastically changed communication and transportation.

Red Scare of 1950s

The fear of communism involving McCarthyism, which led to accusations and investigations of supposed communists.

Youth Culture of the 1920s

The emergence of a distinct youth culture that emphasized leisure, fashion, and rebellion against traditional norms.

Eisenhower's Doctrine

A policy that stated that the U.S. would use military force to protect its national interests in the Middle East.

Prohibition Movement

An initiative that led to the banning of alcohol in the United States, resulting in the 18th Amendment.

Influence of the Harlem Renaissance

A cultural movement that redefined African American culture through art, literature, and music.

Atomic Age

A period starting after WWII characterized by the use and fear of nuclear technology.

NAACP

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, an organization founded to fight for civil rights for African Americans.