Imperialism, Progressivism, and Civil Rights — Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering major concepts, people, and events from late 19th–early 20th century U.S. imperialism, reform, and civil rights discussions within the notes.

WCTU (Women’s Christian Temperance Union)

Victorian-era reform organization led by Frances Willard focused on temperance (ban on alcohol) and later supported women’s suffrage.

Comstock Law

Federal law banning from the mail materials deemed obscene (including pornography, contraception, and abortion); enforced by postal inspectors.

White Man’s Burden

Belief that white Western powers had a moral obligation to civilize nonwhite peoples, used to justify imperialism.

Open Door Policy

John Hay’s policy promoting equal trading rights for all nations in China and preserving China’s territorial integrity.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

U.S. Navy admiral who argued sea power and a strong navy were essential for national greatness and imperial expansion.

William H. Seward

U.S. Secretary of State who purchased Alaska (1867) and advocated overseas expansion; the purchase fueled debates like “Seward’s Folly.”

Midway Island

Pacific outpost acquired in 1867; later developed as a strategic naval base for U.S. operations in the Pacific.

Alaska Purchase

1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia for about $7.2 million, expanding U.S. territory and resource potential.

American Samoa

Eastern Samoa; acquired 1899; Pago Pago harbor serves as a strategic U.S. naval base.

Hawaii Annexation

Overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and annexation by the United States in 1898, aided by sugar interests and strategic harbor.

Spanish–American War

1898 war that led to Cuban independence and the U.S. acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Maine (USS Maine)

U.S. battleship whose explosion in Havana Harbor helped spark the Spanish–American War; later viewed as accidental.

De Lôme Letter

Spanish ambassador’s letter mocking President McKinley; published in American newspapers and fueled war sentiment.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized, attention-grabbing reporting by Hearst and Pulitzer that pushed public toward war with Spain.

Rough Riders

Roosevelt’s volunteer cavalry famous for actions at the Battle of San Juan Hill during the Spanish–American War.

Teller Amendment

1918 amendment stating the United States would not establish permanent control over Cuba; aimed to ensure Cuban independence.

Puerto Rico

Caribbean island territory acquired after the Spanish–American War; strategic outpost for U.S. power in the Caribbean.

Guam

Pacific island territory acquired after the Spanish–American War; serves as a military base for U.S. forces.

Philippines

Territory acquired from Spain in 1898; later saw Filipino resistance (Philippine Insurrection) and U.S. governance until 1946.

NAACP

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; founded 1909; used legal challenges to combat Jim Crow and promote civil rights.

Booker T. Washington

Former slave and founder of the Tuskegee Institute; emphasized vocational training and accommodation with segregation when facilities were equal.

W. E. B. Du Bois

Harvard PhD, author of Souls of Black Folk; advocated higher education and civil rights; co-founded the NAACP; promoted the ‘talented tenth.’

Talented Tenth

Du Bois’ concept of a highly educated Black elite leading the broader African American community.

Progressivism / Progressive Era

Early 20th-century reform movement (roughly 1895–1920) aimed at addressing the injustices of industrialization through science, regulation, and social reform.

Social Gospel

Religious reform movement within progressivism emphasizing moral improvement and applying Christian ethics to social problems.

John Dewey

Educational reformer advocating learning by doing and practical, vocational education in line with progressive ideals.

John B. Watson

Pioneer in psychology (behaviorism) associated with progressive-era scientific approaches to human behavior.

Nadir

The low point in U.S. race relations (roughly 1880s–1920s) characterized by heightened disenfranchisement and racial violence.

Zenith

The high point or peak (used as a contrast to nadir, often in historical interpretations of race relations).