20-23 US History

Political stalemate in the 1890s

Political power was evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, causing legislative gridlock

Close elections in the Gilded Age

Regional and cultural loyalties made elections extremely close

Farmers' Alliance origins

Economic problems and debt led farmers to organize through the Farmers' Alliance

Rise of the People's Party

The People's Party emerged to represent the interests of farmers and workers

Depression of 1893

The Depression of 1893 caused mass unemployment and labor unrest

Pullman Strike and labor rights

Labor strikes like the Pullman Strike increased public concern over workers' rights

Economic reform movement

The economic crisis made many Americans question capitalism and seek reform

Election of 1896 significance

The 1896 election was seen as a turning point between rural populism and urban industrialism

McKinley's economic policy

McKinley's victory and his support for the gold standard stabilized the economy

Populist coalition attempt

The Populist Party tried to unite Southern and Western farmers with urban laborers

Ocala Demands

The Ocala Demands outlined farmers' economic and political goals

Sherman Antitrust Act

The Sherman Antitrust Act was passed to combat monopolies

Pendleton Act

The Pendleton Act reformed civil service to reduce corruption

Grandfather clause

The grandfather clause was used to disenfranchise African American voters

McKinley Tariff Act

The McKinley Tariff Act raised tariffs to protect American industry

Motives for American expansion

Americans looked outward due to economic interests, missionary motives, and belief in racial superiority

Causes of the Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War was caused by Cuban unrest, yellow journalism, and the explosion of the USS Maine

U.S. territorial gains from war

The U.S. gained overseas territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines

Imperialist debate

After the war, there was debate between imperialists and anti-imperialists about empire-building

U.S. imperial power

The U.S. became an imperial power by controlling overseas lands and projecting influence

Motivations for empire

Motivations for empire included trade expansion, military strategy, and spreading democracy

Isolationism

Isolationism was the idea of avoiding foreign entanglements

Imperialism

Imperialism was the policy of extending power over foreign lands

Yellow journalism

Yellow journalism sensationalized news to stir public opinion

Teller Amendment

The Teller Amendment promised Cuban independence after the war

Treaty of Paris 1898

The Treaty of Paris 1898 ended the Spanish-American War and granted U.S. territorial gains

Anti-Imperialist League

The Anti-Imperialist League opposed U.S. expansion

Philippine-American War

The Philippine-American War followed U.S. takeover of the Philippines

Impact of Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War marked the U.S. emergence as a world power

Open Door Policy

The Open Door Policy aimed to keep trade open in China

Rough Riders

The Rough Riders were a volunteer cavalry led by Theodore Roosevelt

Monroe Doctrine

The Monroe Doctrine asserted U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere

William Henry Seward

William Henry Seward advocated for American expansion and purchased Alaska

Strategic value of Hawaii

The Crossroads of the Pacific referred to the strategic location of Hawaii

Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion involved Chinese resistance to foreign influence

Post-1900 industrialism

After 1900, industrialism became dominated by large corporations and national markets

Mass production effects

Mass production reduced skill levels and increased labor demands for women and children

Labor force changes

Immigrants and African Americans filled low-wage industrial jobs

Industrial labor strikes

Strikes were common due to low pay, long hours, and unsafe conditions

Ashcan School influence

Art and culture responded with movements like the Ashcan School which depicted urban life

Effects of industrialization

Industrialization led to a more diverse workforce and greater class divisions

Immigrant support systems

Immigrants relied on churches, ethnic organizations, and settlement houses to adapt

Ashcan School style

The Ashcan School depicted gritty urban scenes and working-class life

Birds of passage

Birds of passage were immigrants who came temporarily to work and then returned home

Muckrakers

Muckrakers exposed corruption in politics and business

Industrial Workers of the World

The Industrial Workers of the World sought to unite all workers into one union

NAACP goals

The NAACP fought for civil rights through legal action

Niagara Movement

The Niagara Movement demanded full equality for African Americans

Progressivism

Progressivism aimed to reform government, reduce corporate power, and improve social conditions

Women's Trade Union League

The Women's Trade Union League supported female laborers

Henry Ford's innovation

Henry Ford introduced assembly line production

Oligopoly

Oligopoly described the dominance of markets by a few large firms

Triangle Shirtwaist fire

The Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire led to calls for labor reform

19th Amendment

The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote

American Federation of Labor

The American Federation of Labor focused on skilled labor and practical goals

Progressive beliefs

Progressivism was characterized by belief in government reform, science, social justice, and moral improvement

Urban reforms

Progressives used regulation, city commissions, and social work to reform urban areas

Theodore Roosevelt's reform

Theodore Roosevelt was energetic and reform-minded promoting trust-busting and conservation

Roosevelt's legislative actions

From 1905 to 1909 Roosevelt passed measures like the Hepburn Act and Meat Inspection Act

Taft's presidency

Taft struggled with party divisions and was less aggressive than Roosevelt in pushing reforms

Wilson's New Freedom

Wilson's New Freedom emphasized competition and limited government

Progressive reform goals

Progressives sought to address urban poverty, labor conditions, women's suffrage, and monopolies

Clayton Antitrust Act

The Clayton Antitrust Act strengthened laws against monopolies

Conservation movement

Conservation aimed to protect natural resources through national parks and regulation

Federal Reserve Act

The Federal Reserve Act established a central banking system

NAWSA

The National American Woman Suffrage Association pushed for voting rights

New Freedom goals

New Freedom focused on small businesses and antitrust measures

New Nationalism

New Nationalism supported a strong federal government and social justice

Pragmatism

Pragmatism promoted practical solutions over ideology

Social-justice Movement

The Social-justice Movement worked to improve living conditions and reduce inequality

Underwood Tariff Act

The Underwood Tariff Act lowered tariffs and introduced an income tax

Hepburn Act

The Hepburn Act gave the government power to regulate railroads

Prohibition goals

Prohibition aimed to ban alcohol for moral and social reasons

Booker T. Washington

Booker T Washington promoted vocational education and economic progress for African Americans