Unit 7 APUSH All

Dust Bowl (1930s)

A series of severe dust storms caused by drought and poor farming practices in the Great Plains. It led to mass migration, especially to California, as farmers lost their land.

Black Tuesday (October 29, 1929)

The stock market crash that marked the beginning of the Great Depression. Investors panicked, selling off stocks in massive numbers, wiping out fortunes overnight.

Relief, Recovery, Reform (1933)

The three main goals of FDR's New Deal: Relief for struggling Americans, Recovery to rebuild the economy, and Reform to prevent future depressions.

Bank Run (1930s)

When large numbers of people withdrew their money from banks in fear of collapse, causing many banks to fail. This worsened the Great Depression until FDR implemented banking reforms.

Soup Kitchen (1930s)

Charitable places that provided free meals to the unemployed and homeless during the Great Depression, often run by churches and private organizations.

Hooverville (1930s)

Shantytowns built by homeless Americans during the Great Depression, named sarcastically after President Hoover, whom many blamed for their suffering.

Stock Market Crash (1929)

A financial collapse caused by excessive stock speculation and economic instability, leading to the Great Depression. It resulted in bank failures, job losses, and severe economic decline.

TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) (1933)

A New Deal program that built dams and power plants in the Tennessee Valley, providing electricity, flood control, and jobs to the region.

WPA (Works Progress Administration) (1935)

A massive New Deal program that created millions of jobs in public works projects like roads, bridges, and the arts. It helped reduce unemployment.

CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) (1933)

A New Deal program that provided jobs for young men in conservation projects, such as planting trees and building national parks, helping both employment and the environment.

FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) (1933)

A New Deal reform that insured bank deposits to restore public confidence in banks and prevent future bank failures.

SSA (Social Security Act) (1935)

A key New Deal program that provided financial aid to the elderly, unemployed, and disabled through a government-run pension system.

Flappers (1920s)

Young women who rejected traditional norms by wearing short dresses, cutting their hair, and openly embracing independence, drinking, and dancing. They symbolized changing gender roles in the Roaring Twenties.

Speakeasy (1920s)

Illegal bars that sold alcohol during Prohibition. They were often hidden and required passwords to enter, fueling the underground liquor trade and organized crime.

Jazz (1920s)

A new genre of music that blended African American blues and ragtime. It became the soundtrack of the Harlem Renaissance, symbolizing cultural change and the vibrant nightlife of the 1920s.

Alfred Thayer Mahan (1890)

A naval officer who wrote The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, arguing that strong navies made powerful nations. His ideas led to U.S. naval expansion and imperialism.

Prohibition (1920-1933)

A nationwide ban on alcohol under the 18th Amendment, meant to reduce crime and improve morality. Instead, it led to illegal alcohol production, speakeasies, and organized crime, ending with the 21st Amendment.

Al Capone (1920s)

A notorious Chicago gangster who profited from illegal alcohol sales during Prohibition. He dominated organized crime until arrested for tax evasion in 1931.

Muckrakers (1900s-1910s)

Investigative journalists who exposed corruption, unsafe working conditions, and political scandals. Their work led to reforms like the Pure Food and Drug Act.

Ida Tarbell (1904)

A muckraker who exposed the unfair business practices of Standard Oil in The History of the Standard Oil Company, leading to its breakup under antitrust laws.

Ida B. Wells (1890s-1930s)

An African American journalist and activist who fought against lynching and racial injustice, demanding federal anti-lynching laws.

Carrie Chapman Catt (1910s-1920s)

A leader of the women's suffrage movement who helped secure the passage of the 19th Amendment through her "Winning Plan."

Alice Paul (1910s-1920s)

A militant suffragist who led the National Woman's Party, organized protests, and went on hunger strikes, pressuring Wilson to support the 19th Amendment.

Margaret Sanger (1910s-1930s)

A birth control activist who opened the first contraceptive clinic and founded Planned Parenthood, advocating for women's reproductive rights.

Jane Addams (1889-1930s)

A social reformer who founded Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago that helped immigrants and the poor with education, healthcare, and job training.

Hull House (1889)

A settlement house created by Jane Addams to assist immigrants and the working class, promoting social reform and education.

Marcus Garvey (1910s-1920s)

A Black nationalist who promoted racial pride, economic independence, and the idea of African Americans returning to Africa.

Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) (1914)

An organization founded by Marcus Garvey to support Black self-reliance, economic success, and the "Back to Africa" movement.

Scopes Trial (1925)

A famous court case where a Tennessee teacher, John Scopes, was fined for teaching evolution, highlighting the clash between modern science and religious fundamentalism.

Fascism (1920s-1945)

A political ideology based on extreme nationalism, militarism, and authoritarian rule. Fascist leaders like Mussolini and Hitler used propaganda and violence to control their nations and expand aggressively, leading to WWII.

Totalitarianism (1920s-1945)

A government system where the state has total control over society, suppressing opposition through censorship, propaganda, and violence. Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and the Soviet Union were totalitarian states.

Allies (1939-1945)

The nations that fought the Axis Powers in WWII, mainly the U.S., Britain, the Soviet Union, and China. They worked together to defeat Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Axis (1936-1945)

The alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan in WWII, united by militarism and expansionism. They aimed to dominate Europe and the Pacific but were defeated by the Allies.

D-Day (June 6, 1944)

The Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France, launching a massive assault on Normandy. It was a turning point in WWII, leading to the liberation of Western Europe.

Island-Hopping (1943-1945)

A U.S. military strategy in the Pacific, capturing key islands to move closer to Japan while bypassing heavily fortified ones. It helped weaken Japan and set up an invasion.

Manhattan Project (1942-1945)

A secret U.S. project to develop the atomic bomb. It led to the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, forcing Japan to surrender and ending WWII.

Good Neighbor Policy (1933)

FDR's policy of non-intervention in Latin America, improving U.S.-Latin American relations by ending military occupations and promoting trade.

Lend-Lease Act (1941)

A U.S. program providing military aid to Allies, mainly Britain and the Soviet Union, without direct involvement in WWII until Pearl Harbor.

Benito Mussolini (1922-1945)

The fascist dictator of Italy, allied with Hitler in WWII. He was overthrown in 1943 as the Allies invaded Italy.

Liberty Bonds (1917-1945)

War bonds sold by the U.S. government to finance WWI and WWII, encouraging citizens to support the war effort financially.

Navajo Code Talkers (1942-1945)

Navajo soldiers in the U.S. military who used their language to create an unbreakable code, crucial in Pacific battles against Japan.

Yalta Conference (Feb 1945)

A meeting between FDR, Churchill, and Stalin to plan post-war Europe. They agreed on Germany's division and the formation of the United Nations.

Potsdam Conference (July 1945)

A meeting between Truman, Churchill, and Stalin after Germany's surrender. It demanded Japan's surrender and set terms for post-war Europe, increasing tensions between the U.S. and USSR.

Rape of Nanjing (1937)

A brutal massacre by Japanese forces in China, killing and assaulting thousands of civilians. It showed Japan's extreme militarism and brutality in WWII.

Bataan Death March (1942)

After Japan captured the Philippines, American and Filipino POWs were forced to march 65 miles under brutal conditions, causing thousands of deaths.

Bracero Program (1942-1964)

A U.S.-Mexico agreement allowing Mexican workers to temporarily work in American agriculture, addressing labor shortages during WWII.

Executive Order 9066 (1942)

FDR's order forcing Japanese Americans into internment camps during WWII, violating their civil rights due to wartime fear and racism.

Zimmerman Telegram (1917)

A secret message from Germany to Mexico proposing an alliance if the U.S. entered WWI. Germany promised to help Mexico regain lost territories (Texas, Arizona, New Mexico). It was intercepted by Britain and angered Americans, pushing the U.S. closer to war.

Victory Gardens (1917-1918)

Homegrown gardens encouraged by the U.S. government during WWI to reduce food shortages and support the war effort. Citizens grew their own produce to allow more food to be sent to troops.

General John J. Pershing (1917-1918)

Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in WWI. He led U.S. troops in Europe, ensuring they fought as an independent force rather than being absorbed into Allied armies. His leadership helped secure Allied victory.

Henry Cabot Lodge (1919)

A U.S. senator and leader of opposition to the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations. He feared the League would drag the U.S. into unnecessary wars, advocating for isolationism. His resistance led to the treaty's rejection by the U.S. Senate.

14 Points (1918)

President Woodrow Wilson's plan for post-WWI peace. It called for self-determination, free trade, and most notably, the League of Nations to prevent future wars. However, the U.S. never joined the League, and the plan was only partially adopted in the Treaty of Versailles.

Triple Entente (1907-1918)

A military alliance between Britain, France, and Russia before and during WWI. It opposed the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire). Their combined efforts helped lead to the defeat of the Central Powers.

AEF (1917-1918)

The American Expeditionary Forces, the U.S. military force sent to Europe during WWI under General John J. Pershing. They played a crucial role in the final Allied offensives, helping to defeat Germany.

1st Red Scare (1919-1920)

A period of intense fear of communism in the U.S. after WWI, fueled by the Russian Revolution and labor strikes. Led to government crackdowns, deportations, and restrictions on radicals and immigrants.

Treaty of Versailles (1919)

The peace treaty that ended WWI. It imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including reparations, territorial losses, and military restrictions. It also established the League of Nations, though the U.S. refused to join due to opposition from isolationists like Henry Cabot Lodge.

Isolationism (1919-1941)

A U.S. foreign policy stance after WWI that aimed to avoid involvement in European conflicts. It led to the rejection of the League of Nations and influenced policies like immigration quotas and neutrality acts in the 1930s.

Lusitania (1915)

A British passenger ship sunk by a German U-boat, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans. This event outraged the U.S. and pushed public opinion against Germany, eventually contributing to U.S. entry into WWI.

Great Migration (1916-1970)

The movement of over six million African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West, seeking better economic opportunities and escaping racial segregation. This shift significantly impacted urban demographics and culture.

Red Summer (1919)

A period marked by numerous race riots across the United States, stemming from racial tensions as African Americans moved into urban areas during the Great Migration. Notable incidents occurred in Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Nicola Sacco & Bartolomeo Vanzetti (1920-1927)

Italian immigrant anarchists convicted of robbery and murder in Massachusetts. Their trial was controversial, highlighting issues of nativism and the Red Scare. Despite global protests, they were executed in 1927.

Progressive (1890s-1920s)

Reformers who addressed problems from industrialization, urbanization, and corruption. They pushed for government regulation, social justice, and reforms like women's suffrage and prohibition.

Preservationist (late 19th-early 20th century)

Advocated for protecting nature by keeping wilderness areas untouched. Key figure: John Muir.

Conservationist (early 20th century)

Focused on managing natural resources sustainably, balancing development and environmental protection. Key supporter: Theodore Roosevelt.

John Muir (1838-1914)

A preservationist who founded the Sierra Club and influenced the creation of national parks like Yosemite.

National Parks (established 1872, expanded early 20th century)

Government-protected areas to preserve nature. Expanded by Theodore Roosevelt to conserve millions of acres.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)

First federal law to stop monopolies and promote competition by banning practices that restricted trade.

Southern Segregation (1890s-1960s)

Jim Crow laws and customs enforced racial segregation in the South, denying Black Americans equality.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902)

A leader in the women's suffrage movement and co-organizer of the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention. Advocated for women's right to vote and equality under the law.

Suffrage (late 19th-early 20th century)

The right to vote. The women's suffrage movement culminated in the 19th Amendment (1920), granting women the vote.

Carrie Nation (1846-1911)

Temperance activist known for using a hatchet to destroy saloons as part of her fight against alcohol.

Temperance (late 19th-early 20th century)

A movement to ban alcohol, leading to Prohibition (18th Amendment, 1920). Advocated by groups like the Women's Christian Temperance Union.

Bull-Moose Party (1912)

A progressive political party founded by Theodore Roosevelt after splitting from the Republicans. Advocated for reforms like women's suffrage and social welfare.

Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

Required accurate labeling of food and medicine, and banned harmful additives. Sparked by Upton Sinclair's The Jungle.

Dollar Diplomacy (early 20th century)

President Taft's policy of promoting U.S. economic interests abroad, particularly in Latin America and Asia, through investments.

Immigration Quotas (1920s)

Laws like the Immigration Act of 1924 limited immigration by setting strict quotas, especially targeting Southern and Eastern Europeans and Asians.

Jane Addams (1860-1935)

Progressive reformer who founded Hull House to help immigrants with education, healthcare, and childcare. Advocated for women's suffrage and social reform.

Hull House (founded 1889)

A settlement house in Chicago that provided social services, education, and support to immigrants and the poor.

Jacob Riis (1849-1914)

Journalist and photographer whose book How the Other Half Lives exposed the harsh living conditions in urban tenements, pushing for housing reform.

Upton Sinclair (1878-1968)

Author of The Jungle, which exposed unsafe and unsanitary practices in the meatpacking industry, leading to food safety laws.

National Women's Party (founded 1916)

Led by Alice Paul, this group fought for women's suffrage and pushed for the Equal Rights Amendment, using protests and hunger strikes.

Yellow Journalism (1890s)

Sensationalized, exaggerated news reporting used to influence public opinion, especially supporting the Spanish-American War after the USS Maine explosion.

William Randolph Hearst (1890s)

Newspaper publisher who used yellow journalism in the New York Journal to push for U.S. involvement in the Spanish-American War.

USS Maine (1898)

A U.S. battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor. Though the cause was unclear, yellow journalism blamed Spain, fueling the Spanish-American War.

William McKinley (1897-1901)

25th U.S. president who led the nation during the Spanish-American War. He supported U.S. expansion and annexed the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

Big Stick Diplomacy (1904)

Teddy Roosevelt's foreign policy emphasizing diplomacy backed by military power, exemplified by U.S. control of the Panama Canal.

Rough Riders (1898)

A volunteer cavalry unit led by Teddy Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War, famous for their charge up San Juan Hill.

Teddy Roosevelt (1901-1909)

26th U.S. president who promoted U.S. imperialism, Big Stick Diplomacy, and progressive reforms like the Square Deal.

Teller Amendment (1898)

Declared the U.S. would not annex Cuba after the Spanish-American War, ensuring Cuban independence.

Platt Amendment (1901)

Allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs and established Guantanamo Bay, limiting Cuban sovereignty.

Hawaii Annexation (1898)

The U.S. annexed Hawaii for its strategic location and economic value, after overthrowing the Hawaiian monarchy.

Square Deal (1901-1909)

Teddy Roosevelt's domestic policy aimed at protecting consumers, regulating corporations, and conserving natural resources.

Anthracite Coal Strike (1902)

A major strike where Teddy Roosevelt intervened, supporting workers and ensuring fair negotiations—unprecedented federal involvement.

Teddy Roosevelt's "Big Stick" (Panama Canal Policy) (1904)

Roosevelt's policy was to use peaceful negotiation backed by the threat of U.S. military power. He helped Panama gain independence from Colombia and secured the land to build the Panama Canal, which made trade and military movement faster and easier.