Important events for USH final exam- Made by Sophie Biebel

Important events that you should know for the final exam in US history

Which event prompted the US to enter WWI?

The sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, which killed American citizens, and the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram in 1917, which proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico against the United States.

Identify three goals of Reconstruction

To rebuild the South, to integrate formerly enslaved people, and to restore political representation.

How did the Nazi’s gain control of the German government?

Through propaganda, political maneuvering, and the economic instability of the Weimar Republic, the Nazis capitalized on public discontent to rise to power.

What is the significance of the 13th Amendment

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States, marking a significant step towards civil rights and equality.

What was the Farmers Alliance?

A coalition of farmers in the late 19th century that aimed to address economic issues and promote agricultural interests through cooperative buying and selling.

What happened to African Americans when Reconstruction ended?

African Americans faced disenfranchisement, systemic racism, and segregation, as many Southern states enacted laws that undermined their rights and freedoms.

Which of the following happened first during the Spanish American War?

The explosion of the USS Maine.

Which of the following positions is stated in the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine?

The United States has the right to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and prevent European intervention.

The US helped suppress the Boxer Rebellion in which country?

China, in 1900, to protect American interests and support the Open Door Policy.

What does the 14th Amendment guarantee?

The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, ensuring equal protection under the law.

What was the biggest failure of Reconstruction?

The failure to provide lasting protections and rights for formerly enslaved people, leading to systemic racism and Jim Crow laws.

Define the 15th Amendment.

The 15th Amendment prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude."

What was the purpose of segregation in the South following Reconstruction?

The purpose of segregation in the South following Reconstruction was to maintain white supremacy and control over African Americans, enforcing racial discrimination through laws and social practices.

Describe the Compromise of 1877.

The informal agreement that resolved the disputed 1876 presidential election, resulting in the withdrawal of federal troops from the South and effectively ending Reconstruction.

How did government regulations impact labor and business practices in the Gilded Age?

Government regulations during the Gilded Age aimed to address labor exploitation and monopolistic practices, leading to improved working conditions and fair competition.

Why was mass production so important to the Gilded Age economy?

Mass production was crucial to the Gilded Age economy as it significantly increased efficiency and lowered costs, allowing for the rapid manufacturing of goods and driving industrial growth.

How did the introduction of direct primaries in the Progressive Era change American politics?

Direct primaries allowed voters to select party nominees for elections instead of party leaders, increasing democratic participation and reducing corruption in the nomination process.

How did the New Deal attempt to address the problems of the Great Depression?

The New Deal was a series of initiatives launched by President Franklin D. Roosevelt aimed at economic recovery, providing relief for the unemployed, and implementing reforms to prevent future depressions.

Which country is considered the first modern totalitarian state?

Italy under Mussolini, established in the 1920s.

Which of the following is considered the most glaring example of appeasement of Hitler before World War II?

The Munich Agreement of 1938

What is the Atlantic Charter?

A pivotal policy statement issued in 1941 during World War II by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill outlining their vision for the post-war world.

Which of the following sealed the political fate of President Hoover?

The Great Depression

Which of the following is true of the Great Depression’s impact on rural and urban Americans?

The Great Depression resulted in widespread economic hardship, with rural Americans facing agricultural collapse while urban Americans dealt with high unemployment and poverty rates.

How was American imperialism justified?

American imperialism was often justified through the ideas of Manifest Destiny, the belief in American exceptionalism, and the need for economic expansion, portraying it as a moral obligation to civilize other nations.

How did women’s support for WWI impact their lives?

Women's support for WWI led to increased participation in the workforce and greater visibility in public life. This shift played a significant role in advancing the women's suffrage movement, ultimately contributing to the passage of the 19th Amendment.

Explain the Espionage and Sedition Acts.

These laws, enacted in 1917 and 1918 respectively, limited free speech by imposing heavy penalties on individuals who spoke out against the war or government policies, reflecting a climate of fear during World War I.

Why did the US choose not to ratify the Treaty of Versailles?

The US chose not to ratify the Treaty of Versailles primarily due to concerns about the League of Nations, as many Senators believed it would entangle the country in international conflicts and undermine national sovereignty.

Where did George Armstrong Custer die?

At the Battle of Little Bighorn

Describe the Big Stick Diplomacy.

A foreign policy approach used by President Theodore Roosevelt, emphasizing the use of diplomacy backed by the threat of military force to achieve American goals in Latin America and beyond.

Describe the sinking of the USS Maine’s significance in the US's entering the Spanish-American War.

The sinking of the USS Maine was significant because it fueled public outrage against Spain, leading to increased support for the war and the call for intervention in Cuba.

What was President Wilson’s plan for peace after WWI?

President Wilson's plan, known as the Fourteen Points, aimed to promote peace through self-determination, free trade, and the establishment of the League of Nations to prevent future conflicts.

List the Central Powers during WWI.

The Central Powers consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria, which opposed the Allied Powers during World War I.

List the Allied Powers during WWI.

The Allied Powers during World War I primarily included France, the United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, and the United States, who joined forces to combat the Central Powers.

What amendment gave women the right to vote?

The Nineteenth Amendment, ratified in 1920, granted women the legal right to vote in the United States.

What was the Temperance Movement?

The Temperance Movement was a social and political campaign aimed at reducing or prohibiting the consumption of alcohol, significantly influencing U.S. legislation in the early 20th century, particularly leading to Prohibition with the Eighteenth Amendment.

Which Amendment to the Constitution allowed for the direct election of US senators?

The Seventeenth Amendment, ratified in 1913, established the direct election of United States senators by popular vote.

Name the Supreme Court decision that established segregation as the law of the land throughout much of America.

Plessy v. Ferguson

What is the name given to Theodore Roosevelt’s plan for reform while president?

The Square Deal, which focused on consumer protection, corporate regulation, and conservation of natural resources.

Which amendment gave Congress the power to tax people’s income?

The Sixteenth Amendment, ratified in 1913, allowed Congress to levy an income tax on individuals.

Why did populism develop in the late 19th century?

Populism developed in the late 19th century as a response to economic hardship, political corruption, and the struggles of farmers and laborers, emphasizing the need for reforms to benefit the common people.

What led to corruption of American politics in the Gilded Age?

Rapid industrialization, concentrated wealth, and political patronage contributed to widespread corruption, as powerful businesses influenced government decisions and undermined democratic processes.

Which group was the most critical part of Fraenklin D. Roosevelt’s political coalition?

The labor unions and working-class citizens.

After Reconstruction, what methods were used by states to weaken African American voting rights?

States implemented literacy tests, poll taxes, and understanding clauses to disenfranchise African American voters after Reconstruction.

Why did business leaders create new forms of ownership like monopolies, trusts, and cartels during the Gilded Age?

Business leaders sought to eliminate competition, increase profits, and control markets, allowing them to dominate industries and dictate prices.

Which ways did new immigrants of the Gilded Age differ from the old immigrants?

New immigrants were primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe, while old immigrants mostly came from Northern and Western Europe. They also tended to be less skilled, poorer, and more ethnically diverse.

How did the Homestead Act impact immigration during the Gilded Age?

The Homestead Act of 1862 incentivized immigration by offering land grants to settlers, encouraging many to move westward in search of new opportunities, particularly during the Gilded Age.

Which groups made up the majority of immigrants during the Gilded Age?

The majority of immigrants were from Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as Asia, seeking economic opportunities and fleeing persecution.

Why was the “Scopes Monkey Trial” most signifcant?

It was a landmark legal case in 1925 that debated the teaching of evolution in schools, highlighting the conflict between science and religion in American society.

What contributed to the rise of the KKK in the 1920s?

The rise of the KKK in the 1920s was fueled by a combination of reactionary nationalism, anti-immigrant sentiment, and social changes following World War I, promoting white supremacy and nativism.

What drove consumer spending growth in the 1920s?

The growth of consumer credit, increased advertising, and the availability of new household appliances contributed to the surge in consumer spending during the 1920s.

How did immigration quotas impact the flow of people into the US after WWI?

Immigration quotas established in the 1920s severely restricted the number of immigrants from certain countries, leading to a significant decrease in overall immigration to the US, particularly from Southern and Eastern Europe.

What form of entertainment had the greatest impact on American society in the 1920s?

The advent of radio and the rise of Hollywood films transformed American culture by providing new forms of mass entertainment and influencing public opinion.

Describe FDR’s New Deal.

A series of programs and reforms aimed at economic recovery during the Great Depression, focusing on relief for the unemployed, recovery of the economy, and reform of the financial system.

What was Japan’s first act of war in WWII?

The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which led to the U.S. entering the war.

What is the first component of blitzkrieg?

The use of fast-moving and coordinated attacks by combined forces of tanks and aircraft.

Describe the significance of Dunkirk.

The evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, France, in May and June 1940, marked a crucial moment in WWII, allowing over 300,000 troops to escape German forces and regroup.

When Britain, France, and England signed the Atlantic Charter, which country did they agree should be defeated first?

Germany

What contributed to the boom of the stock market in the 1920s?

Several factors including increased consumer spending, technological advancements, and speculative investments led to the dramatic rise in stock prices during the 1920s.

What was not banned by Prohibition?

Alcohol for medicinal purposes

Explain the attack of Pearl Harbor by Japan.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. This attack led to the United States' entry into World War II.

What groups were targeted for extermination in the Holocaust?

The Holocaust targeted primarily Jews, but also Roma, disabled individuals, Polish people, communists, homosexuals, and other groups deemed undesirable by the Nazi regime.

What was the focus of US Presidents Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover during the Roaring 20s?

Their focus was on economic growth, promoting business interests, and isolationism in foreign policy.

How did the US respond to the early events of the Holocaust?

The US response to the early events of the Holocaust was initially marked by indifference, as the government focused on isolationism and domestic issues. It later evolved to include humanitarian aid efforts and limited support for Jewish refugees, but significant military intervention did not occur until after the US entered World War II.

Explain the Red Scare of the 1920s.

The Red Scare of the 1920s was a period of intense fear of communism and radical leftism in the United States, stemming from the Russian Revolution and a series of labor strikes. It led to widespread suspicion, government crackdowns, and the Palmer Raids against perceived radicals.