Mr. Krebs Semester 2 Final NK

Transcontinental Railroad

A railroad connecting the west and east coasts to boast travel, trade, and expansion. Completed in 1869 and went from Sacramento to Omaha Nebraska 2,000 miles long. Important because mainly chinese immigrants built it, and it intruded on Native land.

Homestead Act of 1862

1862 law that gave 160 acres of land to citizens willing to live on and cultivate it for five years. Government driven with the goal of expansion and economic growth. Important because it accelerated the western U.S expansion, but also led to Indiginous displacement.

Sitting Bull

American Indian chief of the Lakota tribe, who lead the victory of Little Bighorn, fending off attacks from U.S. soldiers. Killed 200 soldiers. Important: Sitting Bull was a key part in the uniting of tribes and leading anti assimilation practicies.

Little Big Horn

1876 battle in Montana between General George Custer's Seventh Cavalry and Sitting Bull's Lakota tribe. Gold was found and U.S. was forcing Lakota onto reservations. An unknown gun shot started the battle. Important because it was a Native Victory which led to increased voilence and propaganda by U.S. government.

The Dawes Act

1887 law that allowed U.S. government to sell tribal land if Native American's refused to assimilaste to U.S. culture, but if they did then they would be given land. Important: 90 million acres of Native land was sold, and led to the Ghost Dance movement.

Ghost Dance Movement

(1889) A Native American spiritual movement that prophesized the extinction of white people and the return of traditional native life, and superiority.

Wounded Knee

The Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890 was in South Dakota when U.S. soldiers murdered a camp of Sioux - 300 mainly women and childeren died. Important: marks the end of the Indian Wars.

Ellis Island and Angel Island

Ellis Island was an east coast immigration station, located in New York City, that mainly housed italians. Angel Island is a west coast immigration station in San Francisco that mainly housed the chinese. (Begun late 1800s)

Verticle Integration

The expansion of companies by purchasing companies at all levels of production. (Aquiring suppliers/distributers)

Horizontal Integration

Purchase of competing companies in the same industry, to grow market shares and scale (Merging)

Robber Barrons

Wealthy, unethical, and corrupt businessmen, like Andrew Carnegie a steel manufacterer, whose main focus was to make as much money as possible with little regard for the lives of others. Important, because the exploited their workers and manipulated the government. Late 1890s, Early 1900s

Muckraking

A muckraker is a journalist who tries to expose corruption during the progressive era through books and magazines. Upton Sinclair is a famous muckraker who wrote a book called the Jungle in 1906 which exposed the Chicago meat packing industry, because it was unsanitary. Important because it leads to pure food and drug act in 1906.

Settlement Houses

Organizations that provieded social services to immigrants and poor people in urban areas. It provided health care, childcare, and employment resources. Hull House was one in Chicago in 1889 by Jane Adams.

Initiative

Voters can propose a law or a constitutional amendment, through signings of petitions.

Referendum

Allowed voters to repeal laws passed by legislature via petitions. Important: voters could bypass corrupt political machines.

Recall

Allows voters to remove elected officials from office before their term expires. It involves gathering a specific number of signatures to force a special election

16th Amendment

Ratified in 1913 - Legalized federal income tax.

17th Amendment

Ratified in 1913 - Direct election of senators. Voters could elect senators.

Theodore Roosevelt

A Republican president from 1901 to 1909. Created the "Square Deal" which regulated "good trusts" and got rid of "bad trusts." He also protected 230 million acres of land, and signed the pure food and drug act.

The Jungle

A book written by Upton Sinclair in 1906, exposing the unsanitary conditions of the meat packing industry in Chicago during the progressive era. Important: Led to Pure Food and Drug Act.

Pure Food and Drug Act

1906 law passed by Theodore Roosevelt after Sinclair exposed the unsanitary conditions in his book "The Jungle." Required proper labeling of food, and prohibited the sale of poisonous drugs and food.

William Howard Taft

Republican President from 1909 to 1913. Followed Roosevelts trustbusting "Square Deal," and he also proposed the 16th amendment which legalized federal income tax. Important: Unlike Roosevelt, he believed all trusts were bad.

Woodrow Wilson

Democratic President from 1913 to 1921. Trustbuster. Signed the Clayton Act in 1914, which stopped price discrimination and merging of trusts. Important: Increased federal power, established Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Reserve.

Clayton Antitrust Act

1914 law signed by Wilson which stopped price discrimination, the act of charging different prices for the same good depending on the customer. Important: It was a trustbusting law that also prevented the merging of companies.

Yellow Press

Late 1890's newspaper reporting style that emphasized exaggeration, scandal, and eye-catching illustrations over factual accuracy to drive up circulation. Important: Fueled public opinion for War.

U.S.S. Maine

A U.S. Battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor in Cuba in 1898. Unknown how, but U.S. blamed it on the Spain and fueled anger leading to Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War

A war fought between U.S. and Spain in 1898. Fought primarily in Cuba and Philippines. Goal was to help Cuba and Philippines get rid of Spanish rule. U.S. Victory that led to Cuban independence, Platt Amenmdent, and U.S. aquried Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

Platt Amendemnt

1901 treaty between U.S. and Cuba that stated in their constitution that U.S. could use the island for military purposes. Important: Compromised Cuban independence.

The Open Door Policy

an American doctrine where the government favored equal trade access for all nations within China, but respected their territorial boundaries. Late 1800s.

Phillippine American War

A war fought from 1899 to 1902 where the U.S. wanted to maintain control of the Phillipine Islands. It lasted longer than the Spanish-American War and resulted in more casualties. The U.S. won and 200k Filipino Civilians died due to disease and famine. Important: U.S. modernizes the islands which leads to good economic outcomes for U.S.

Panama Canal Zone

A 50 mile strip of Land given to U.S. for the canal in 1903. U.S. offered to help Panama get independence from Columbia, and in exchage give U.S. easier acess to Pacific. Important: Helped U.S. trade which boosted economy.

Roosevelt Corollary

Roosevelt's 1904 additon to the Monroe Doctrine, stating that the United States has the right to use military force in Latin America, to prevent European intervention and strengthen Latin American powers.

Dollar Diplomacy

Foreign policy created under President Taft (1909 to 1913) that had the U.S. promote the spread of American Influence through loans and economic investments from American Banks and businesses. Important: utilized financial power rather than military power.

Moral Imperialism

Woodrow Wilson's (1913-1921) idea that U.S. foreign policy should be guided by morality and should teach others democracy. Important: U.S. uses this effectivly when they invaded and deposed Mexico's corrupt ruler.

Lusitania

A British passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-Boat in 1915. 123 Americans died. The sinking greatly turned American opinion against the Germans, helping the move towards entering the war.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Germany's Policy of sinking all ships near Britain. Sank many U.S. merchant ships. Important: Direct cause of the U.S. entry into WW1.

Zimmerman Telegram/Note

Secret offer from Germany to Mexico in 1917, which stated a plan to invade the U.S. to get Mexico's lost territory back, in return for an alliance with Germany. Important: Intercepted by Britain - warned the U.S.

Selective Service Act

A law passed by Congress in 1917 that required all men from ages 21 to 30 to register for the military draft.

John J. Pershing

American Expeditionary Force (AEF) leader whose goal was to assist Britain and France's armies, lead fresh and eager men ready for combat. Called the "doughboys." Important: 4 million soldiers volunteered and were drafted into the AEF.

Fourteen Points

A peace plan created by Woodrow Wilson in 1918. The goal was to give nations the right to form their own government, freedom of seas, open diplomacy, and reduce militaries. It was important because it is often looked at as the pre-treaty of Versailles.

Treaty of Versailles

The Peace Agreement post WW1 was signed by the U.S., Britain, France, Italy, and Germany in 1919. It ended the war and led to major economic reparations for Germany. Important: Established the League of Nations, which led to German depression.

League of Nations

An international organization formed in 1920 following the end of World War 1. Headquartered in Switzerland, and the purpose was to keep peace, prevent future wars, and solve international disputes. Main members: Britain, France, Italy, and Japan. Important: U.S. never joined, and it failed to prevent WW2.

Committee on Public Information

A propaganda agency created by the U.S. government in 1917 with the goal of promoting the war effort through the use of films, posters, and pamphlets. The leader was George Creel. Important: Raised concerns about censorship and manipulation of information.

Espionage and Sedition Acts

The Espionage Act was a 1917 law that made it illegal to spy and give away military secrets. The Sedition Act was a 1918 law that made it illegal to make written and spoken statements against the government, military, and war effort.

Important: Undermined the right of free speech.

Schenck v. US

A 1919 court case stating that the government can limit free speech if it presents a clear and present danger. Important: A key threat to civil liberty.

Tulsa Race Massacre

A race massacre created by anti-black white individuals in the Greenwood neighborhood in Oklahoma in 1921. 300 black people were killed, and the entire city was burned. Important: Left thousands of black residents homeless, and was the largest race massacre in U.S. history.

First Red Scare

Widespread fear of Communism in the US during the 1920s after the revolution in Russia, where they moved to communism. Edgar Hoover led raids against radical leaders and held them in captivity. Important: The raids led to 6,000 people being arrested.

18th Amendment

Bans the sale and production of alcohol in 1919. Important: Increase in bootleggers.

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote - 1920

Flappers

Young women of the 1920s who rebelled against pre-war feminine standards. They wore short hair, short dresses, gambled, smoked, and danced to jazz.

Republican Presidents

Harding (1921-1923), Coolidge (1923-1929), Hoover (1929-1933). They were all pro-business and isolationists, believing in staying away from war efforts.

Prohibition

A period from 1920 to 1933 that forbade alcohol. Lots of bootleggers sold alcohol, lots of bars (speakeasies), and the rise of organized crime.

Harlem Renaissance

A period in the 1920s when African-American achievements in art and literature flourished. Important: Rise of Jazz

Great Migration

A time when African Americans moved from the South to other parts of the country. Left to escape Jim Crow laws and overall limited economic opportunity.

The Great Depression

A time period from 1929 to 1939 where the United States experienced economic failure from the collapse of the Stock Market, leading to a loss of jobs, homes, and savings. Hoover attempted to impose tariffs, though it made the GD worse. Important: FDR helped through his first and second New Deals.

Black Tuesday

October 29, 1929 was the day the stock market crashed. It was one of the main causes of the Great Depression. The crash happened mostly because of speculation, which drove stock prices too high, and many people were buying shares on credit from banks. Important: On that day alone, about 16 million shares of stock were sold.

Smoot-Hawley Tariff

A tariff imposed by Hoover in 1930 in an attempt to suppress the Great Depression, by raising taxes on imported goods. The goal was to protect U.S. agriculture and industry production, but backfired heavily. Important: worsened the Great Depression, and it was unconstitutional.

The Dust Bowl

Region of the Great Plains that experienced a drought in the 1930s, leaving many farmers without work or substantial wages. Farmers used practices that deprived the soil of nutrients. Important: More than a million acres of farm land had been affected.

First 100 Days

The first 100 days of FDR's presidency (1933) where he established new government agencies, created the Emergency Banking Act (emergency funds for failing banks), created the Glass-Steagall Act (banned banks from buying and selling stocks), and created the CCC. Important: The CCC provided 3 million jobs helping with national parks and forestry.

National Recovery Act

A law created by FDR during his first new deal in 1933 that established codes for fair prices, production, and wages. Important: Deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court because it gave law-making power to the executive branch.

Civilian Conservation Corps

An FDR New Deal program created in 1933, implementing new jobs in forestry, flood control, and preserving National Parks. Important: Employed 3 million people.

Agricultural Adjustment Act

An FDR New Deal program created in 1933, which implemented government quotas for farmers, forcing them to plant less and charge more. Important: Helped farmers, but deemed unconstitutional.

Fireside Chats

Radio broadcasts made by FDR to the American people in the 1930s to promote his policies and comfort Americans. Main way of communication to citizens. Important: Direct communication to citizens - showed that he cared.

Second New Deal

FDR's second phase of the New Deal (1935-1938) focused on long-term economic stability for the unemployed and poor. Employed 8.5 million people through the Works Progress Administration. Important: Established Social Security giving money and insurance to the retired.

Works Progress Administration

A 1935 FDR New Deal agency, created to employ 8.5 million people in public work jobs, like building parks, roads, and schools. Important: A key part in helping reverse some of the effects of the Great Depression.

Social Security Act

A 1935 FDR New Deal law that provided money and insurance to the retired. Important: Reduced homeless population.

Court-Packing Plan

President FDR's failed 1937 attempt to increase the number of US Supreme Court Justices from 9 to 15 in order to save his 2nd New Deal programs from constitutional challenges. Important: Congress rejects the law proposal.

Neutrality Acts

A series of 3 laws, starting in 1935, passed by Congress that banned the sale of weapons to countries at War. Important: A key example of U.S. isolationism., repealed by Cash and Carry (4th Neutrality Act) allowing sale of goods to Britain for cash and goods in exchange.

Lend-Lease Act

A law passed by Congress in 1941 that allowed Britain to borrow Weapons and Supplies from the U.S. Replaces Neutrality Acts and Cash and Carry, and the U.S. loaned $50 billion worth of weapons. Important: U.S. could aid allies without joining the war

Pearl Harbor

A surprise attack carried out by Japan's Admiral Yamamoto on December 7th 1941. They bombed the U.S. Naval Base on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Many battleships and planes destroyed. Important: 2,300 soldiers, sailors, and civilians killed. Led to U.S. declaring war on Japan a day later, officially entering WW2.

D-Day

Allied invasion of Nazi-controlled France on June 6, 1944. Largest amphibious invasion in history led by Dwight D. Eisenhower. Soldiers crossed the English Channel on ships and stormed the heavily protected beaches of Normandy. Important: 10.3K casualties in one day but mission was successful. Marks retreat of Nazis and Liberation of France in August.

Battle of Midway

1942 Naval Battle and turning point of the war in the Pacific. Officially put Japan in defense and the U.S. in offense. U.S. used aircraft carriers to destroy Japan's Navy, sinking 4 aircraft carriers. Important: Stopped the Japanese from advancing further throughout the pacific.

Battle of Iwo Jima

U.S. assault on Japanese-controlled Iwo Jima, 1945. Marines stormed the heavily fortified island to seize three airfields needed for bombing mainland Japan. Important: 6,800 Americans killed, 20,000 wounded, Japan's 22,000 garrison nearly wiped out. Critical step in the American advance toward Japan.

Battle of Okinawa

U.S. assault on Japanese-controlled Okinawa, 1945. Largest and final major Pacific battle, fought to secure air bases for a planned invasion of mainland Japan. Important: 82 days of brutal combat — 100,000 Japanese and 12,000 Americans killed. Victory placed U.S. forces very close to Japan, hastening the war's end.

Manhattan Project

Secret U.S. program launched in 1942 to develop the world's first nuclear weapon. Led by General Leslie Groves and physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. Important: U.S. bombed Japan twice, leading to the surrender of Japan in August, ultimately ending World War II.

Four Freedoms

Speech delivered by FDR to Congress, 1941. Outlined four universal rights — freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, freedom from fear. Important: Justified U.S. entry into WW2 because it presented American ideals of individual liberties, that should be extended throughout the world.

Rationing

A system limiting use of tires, cars, gas, silk, shoes, coal, and oil. Used ration books which was used to fairly distribute goods to citizens. Important: U.S. wanted more goods for soliders.

Rosie the Riveter

An American Icon for Women in 1942, during the time where more than 6 million women entered the workforce. Promoted women taking jobs in the workforce as riveters, welders, mechanics, called "rosies." Important: followed the ideology "no rosies no production," without women we might not have won the war.

Executive Order No. 9066

Signed by President Roosevelt on 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Authorized the forced relocation of over 120,000 Japanese Americans from the West Coast into internment camps, the majority being U.S. citizens. Important: families lost homes, businesses, and livelihoods and were held for almost 4 years without charge or trial.

Korematsu v. US

1944 Supreme Court case in which Japanese American Fred Korematsu refused internment and was arrested. Argued forced relocation violated his constitutional rights. Important: Court ruled 6-3 in favor of the government, declaring internment a wartime military necessity. Considered one of the worst Supreme Court decisions in history, formally overturned later

Double - V Campaign

A 1942 U.S. war effort focusing on Victory against Fascism abroad and Victory at home against racism/prejudice. Important: Created from an AA newspaper from Pittsburg, and a "stepping stone" for Civil rights. Led to military becoming desegregated in 1948.

Yalta Conference

FDR, Churchill, and Stalin met in Yalta, Ukraine, Feb. 1945. Agreed to divide Germany into four zones under the five D's — divide, denazify, demilitarize, democratize, deindustrialize. Stalin promised free elections in Eastern Europe, Soviet entry against Japan, and backed the creation of the UN. Important: Stalin never honored free elections, Soviet influence consumed Eastern Europe. Represented the last moment of Allied unity before the Cold War.

Potsdam Conference

Allied leaders Truman, Churchill, and Stalin met in Potsdam, Germany, 1945 after Germany's defeat. Addressed postwar border changes, war crimes prosecution, and European reconstruction. Important: Stalin refused free elections in Eastern Europe, and the U.S. revealed its secret atomic weapons program — shattering Allied trust. Undid the progress of Yalta and marked the start of the Cold War.

United Nations

International organization founded in 1945 in New York following the end of World War II. Established to maintain global peace, resolve international disputes peacefully, and promote cooperation among nations. Important: replaced the failed League of Nations and became the primary forum for international diplomacy.

GI Bill of Rights

Law signed by Roosevelt in 1944 providing returning World War II veterans with low-cost mortgages, college tuition, and job training. Important: transformed American society — millions of veterans bought homes, attended college, and entered the middle class, fueling the postwar economic boom and the growth of American suburbs.

Fair Deal

Harry Truman's domestic agenda as president created in 1949. Attempted to expand FDR's New Deal social programs — pushing for civil rights legislation and national health insurance. Important: Congress rejected most major proposals, but Truman did raise the minimum wage and expand Social Security. Overshadowed by his foreign policy — the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan — as Cold War tensions dominated his presidency.

Levittown

Mass-produced suburban housing developments built in the 1950s by William Levitt. Offered low-cost, standardized homes to returning veterans and the growing middle class. Important: the first Levittown was built on Long Island, New York, and became the model for postwar suburban expansion across America — symbolizing the postwar economic boom.

Interstate Highway System

Federal Aid Highway Act signed by Eisenhower in 1956, creating the Interstate Highway System across the United States. Fueled "car culture," helping U.S. citizens travel and commute. Important: Allowed for military to easily travel across the country, and was an escape route in case of nuclear war.

Baby Boom

Dramatic surge in U.S. births following World War II, adding nearly 30 million Americans through the 1950s. Returning veterans married young, men entered the workforce, and women returned to domestic roles. Important: Television and advertising shaped a new consumer culture and reinforced traditional family ideals.

The Beats (Movement)

Cultural movement of young writers and poets in the 1950s who rejected mainstream American values, consumerism, and conformity. Centered largely in San Francisco, Important: represented the first crack in postwar conformity.

Iron Curtain

A speech given in 1946 by Winston Churchill and an imaginary dividing line meant to separate capitalist Europe from communist rule. Eastern Europe and East Germany were communist, while Western Europe and West Germany were capitalist. Important: Acted as a buffer—protecting the West from USSR influence and potential invasion; speech urged for alliance and possible expansion.

Truman Doctrine

A containment policy created in 1947 by Harry Truman stating that the U.S. will give military and economic aid to nations facing communist threats. Important: Deemed a success, but end of U.S. neutrality, Greece and Turkey were given $400 million in aid.

Marshall Plan

An economic recovery program created in 1948 by Secretary of State George Marshall. Goal was to rebuild infrastructure, modernize industries, and prevent the spread of communism. Important: $13.3 billion dollars was used to rebuild Western Europe and was a success.

Eisenhower Doctrine

A foreign policy created by Eisenhower to stop the spread of communism in the middle east.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

A military defense pact created in 1949. Main members were U.S. UK, France, and West Germany. Members would protect each other if one got attacked by the Soviet Union. Important: Not a peace organization, but the first time the U.S. breaks the tradition of no permanent alliances.

Korean War

A war fought between South Korea and North Korea between 1950 and 1953. North Korea wanted South Korea to be communist and proceeded to invade it past the 38th parallel border. The U.S. and the UK backed South Korea, but China and the USSR backed North Korea. Important: War ended in an armistice, meaning a ceasefire, creating a DMZ as the border. The U.S. policy of preventing the spread of communism (Containment Policy) was a success.

McCarthyism

A period of intense fear of communism in the U.S. during the late 1940s-1950s, part of the Second Red Scare, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy, who falsely accused government officials of being communists without evidence. Number of accused communists changed often, and he had no real evidence Important: Caused mass hysteria, ruined reputations, and violated civil liberties.

Election of 1960

The 1960 U.S. presidential election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon was the first to feature televised debates, which strongly influenced public opinion. TV viewers generally believed Kennedy won due to his confident appearance, while radio listeners thought Nixon performed better. Kennedy had grand ideas about overcoming prejudice, inequality, and poverty. Important: Kennedy won by a narrow margin, highlighting the powerful impact of television on politics.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

U.S. 1961 plan to support anti-Castro Cubans that fled Cuba. The goal was to invade Cuba and overthrow Castro. U.S. secretly trained and funded weapons for Cuban rebels but failed. Important: Castro asked Soviets for aid, in which they gave him nuclear missiles, leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

New Frontier

Kennedy's (1962-63) domestic policy aimed to promote economic and social reforms. He had really grand ideas about overcoming prejudice, inequality, and poverty. Important: He created the idea for the Apollo Program which put the first people on the moon.