APUSH Vocabulary Period 7

alfred thayer mahan

u.s. naval officer and strategist who argued in the 1890s that national greatness depended on a powerful navy, overseas bases, and control of key sea lanes, heavily influencing american imperial expansion.

queen liliuokalani

the last monarch of hawaii who was overthrown in 1893 by american sugar planters with support from u.s. officials, paving the way for u.s. annexation.

pan-american conference

an 1889 meeting initiated by the u.s. to increase trade and political cooperation among western hemisphere nations and expand american influence in latin america.

jingoism

aggressive nationalism that promotes an assertive foreign policy and military intervention, especially in the context of late 19th-century expansionism.

cuban revolt

the 1890s uprising against spanish rule that drew american sympathy and economic interest, helping push the u.s. toward war with spain.

yellow journalism

sensationalized and exaggerated newspaper reporting used by publishers like hearst and pulitzer to inflame public opinion and support for war in 1898.

de lome letter

a leaked 1898 message from a spanish diplomat criticizing president mckinley, which fueled american anger toward spain before the spanish-american war.

teller amendment

a congressional resolution promising that the u.s. would not annex cuba after defeating spain in 1898.

platt amendment

a 1901 policy that limited cuban sovereignty by allowing u.s. intervention and granting a permanent naval base at guantánamo bay.

sphere of influence

a region where a foreign nation claims exclusive economic or trading privileges without formal political control, especially in china.

george dewey

u.s. naval commander who defeated the spanish fleet in manila bay in 1898, securing an american foothold in the philippines.

emilio aguinaldo

filipino nationalist leader who initially cooperated with the u.s. against spain but later led resistance during the philippine-american war.

rough riders

a volunteer cavalry unit led by theodore roosevelt that gained fame for its charge at san juan hill during the spanish-american war.

hawaii

pacific island territory annexed by the u.s. in 1898 for strategic naval positioning and economic interests in sugar production.

theodore roosevelt

progressive-era president who expanded executive power, pursued trust-busting, and promoted an assertive foreign policy summarized by “big stick” diplomacy.

open door policy

a series of diplomatic notes in 1899–1900 asserting equal trading rights in china and opposing european spheres of influence.

boxer rebellion

a 1900 anti-foreign uprising in china suppressed by an international force that included u.s. troops to protect economic interests.

panama canal

a strategic waterway completed in 1914 under u.s. supervision, connecting the atlantic and pacific oceans to enhance trade and naval mobility.

william howard taft

president who emphasized using american financial investments to expand influence abroad rather than direct military intervention.

dollar diplomacy

a foreign policy strategy encouraging u.s. banks and businesses to invest in latin america and asia to increase american influence.

roosevelt corollary

a 1904 extension of the monroe doctrine asserting the u.s. right to intervene in latin american nations to stabilize economic affairs.

russo-japanese war

a 1904–1905 conflict mediated by roosevelt in which japan defeated russia, demonstrating shifting global power dynamics.

puerto rico

caribbean territory acquired by the u.s. after 1898 and governed under the foraker act, granting limited self-rule but no full sovereignty.

woodrow wilson

progressive president during world war i who promoted moral diplomacy abroad and proposed a postwar vision based on democratic principles.

moral diplomacy

a foreign policy approach aimed at promoting democracy and human rights rather than protecting only american business interests.

pragmatism

a late 19th-century philosophy emphasizing practical results and experimentation over fixed ideals, influencing progressive reformers.

ida tarbell

investigative journalist whose exposé on standard oil revealed monopolistic practices and advanced antitrust reform.

jacob riis

muckraking photographer and writer who exposed urban poverty and tenement conditions in works like how the other half lives.

muckrakers

progressive-era journalists who investigated corruption, unsafe products, and social injustices to inspire reform.

florence kelley

social reformer who advocated for labor laws limiting child labor and improving working conditions, especially for women.

triangle shirtwaist fire

a 1911 factory disaster in new york city that killed 146 workers and led to stronger workplace safety regulations.

16th amendment

constitutional change authorizing a graduated federal income tax, expanding government revenue for reform programs.

17th amendment

amendment establishing direct election of u.s. senators by voters rather than state legislatures.

18th amendment

constitutional amendment that prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcohol, beginning the era of prohibition.

square deal

domestic program aimed at regulating corporations, protecting consumers, and conserving natural resources.

mann-elkins act

1910 law strengthening federal authority to regulate railroad rates and expanding oversight to telephone and telegraph companies.

the jungle upton sinclair

1906 novel exposing unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry, prompting food safety legislation.

“bull moose” party

progressive political party formed in 1912 after a split in the republican party, advocating reform measures.

booker t washington

african american leader who promoted vocational education and gradual economic advancement over immediate political equality.

w.e.b. du bois

civil rights activist who demanded immediate equality and helped found an organization to challenge segregation through legal action.

naacp

civil rights organization established in 1909 to combat racial discrimination through court cases and advocacy.

alice paul

suffragist who organized militant protests and hunger strikes to push for a constitutional amendment granting women the vote.

19th amendment

amendment ratified in 1920 granting women nationwide suffrage.

lusitania

british passenger ship sunk by a german submarine in 1915, increasing american support for entering world war i.

preparedness

movement advocating military expansion and training before u.s. entry into world war i.

zimmerman telegram

intercepted 1917 message in which germany proposed a military alliance with mexico against the united states.

john j. pershing

commander of american expeditionary forces in europe during world war i.

george creel

head of the wartime propaganda agency that mobilized public support for world war i.

bolsheviks

revolutionary marxist faction that seized power in russia in 1917 and withdrew from world war i.

fourteen points

wilson’s 1918 proposal outlining principles for peace, including free trade and national self-determination.

league of nations

international organization proposed to maintain peace after world war i, rejected by the u.s. senate.

henry cabot lodge

senator who led opposition to joining the league of nations due to concerns about national sovereignty.

self-determination

principle that ethnic groups should have the right to form their own independent nations.

reparations

financial payments imposed on germany after world war i to compensate the allies for war damages.

mobilization

process of organizing and preparing troops, industry, and resources for total war.

liberty bonds

government-issued war bonds sold to americans to finance military expenses during world war i.

spanish flu

global influenza pandemic of 1918–1919 that killed millions worldwide, including many americans.

schenck v united states

1919 supreme court case that upheld limits on free speech during wartime under the “clear and present danger” test.

selective service act

1917 law requiring men to register for the draft, expanding federal authority during world war i.

the red scare (1st)

post–world war i wave of fear over communism and anarchism that led to crackdowns on suspected radicals.

palmer raids

government arrests and deportations of suspected radicals in 1919–1920 without proper warrants.

nativism

belief favoring native-born citizens and restricting immigration, intensified during the 1920s.

sacco & vanzetti

italian immigrant anarchists controversially convicted and executed in 1927, reflecting anti-immigrant sentiment.

the great migration

large-scale movement of african americans from the south to northern cities for industrial jobs during and after world war i.

fundamentalism

religious movement emphasizing literal interpretation of the bible and resisting modern scientific ideas.

traditionalism

adherence to long-standing cultural and religious values in response to rapid social change.

henry ford

industrialist who revolutionized manufacturing with mass production techniques and paid higher wages to workers.

assembly line process

method of production in which workers perform repetitive tasks as products move along a conveyor system, lowering costs.

art deco

1920s design style characterized by geometric shapes, bold lines, and modern materials.

charles lindbergh

aviator who completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in 1927, symbolizing american innovation.

modernism

cultural movement embracing new artistic forms and questioning traditional beliefs in the early 20th century.

scopes trial

1925 court case in tennessee testing a law banning the teaching of evolution in public schools.

“scarface” al capone

chicago gangster who profited from illegal alcohol sales during prohibition.

margaret sanger

activist who advocated for birth control access and women’s reproductive rights.

harlem renaissance

1920s cultural movement celebrating african american literature, art, and music in new york city.

“jazz age”

term describing the prosperous, culturally vibrant 1920s marked by consumerism and new music styles.

marcus garvey

black nationalist leader who promoted racial pride and economic self-sufficiency through a back-to-africa movement.

warren g. harding

president elected in 1920 who promised stability and limited government after world war i.

“return to normalcy”

campaign slogan calling for a return to prewar isolation and traditional values.

teapot dome

scandal involving secret leasing of federal oil reserves in exchange for bribes during the harding administration.

calvin coolidge

president known for pro-business policies and limited federal intervention during the 1920s.

herbert hoover

president at the onset of the great depression who favored voluntary cooperation over direct federal relief.

alfred e. smith

democratic candidate in 1928 whose catholic faith and opposition to prohibition sparked controversy.

great depression

severe economic downturn beginning in 1929 marked by mass unemployment and bank failures.

black tuesday

october 29, 1929 stock market crash that accelerated the economic collapse.

federal reserve

central banking system created in 1913 to regulate currency and stabilize the banking system.

hawley-smoot tariff

1930 law raising import duties to protect american industries, worsening global trade.

bonus army/bonus march

1932 protest by world war i veterans demanding early payment of promised bonuses.

rfc (reconstruction finance corporation)

federal agency created in 1932 to provide emergency loans to banks and businesses.

franklin d. roosevelt

president who launched extensive federal reforms to combat the great depression.

21st amendment

constitutional amendment that repealed prohibition.

three rs

relief, recovery, and reform goals guiding new deal legislation.

first new deal

initial phase of roosevelt’s programs (1933–1934) focusing on immediate economic stabilization.

fireside chats

radio addresses used by roosevelt to communicate directly with americans and build public trust.

aaa

program paying farmers to reduce crop production to raise agricultural prices.

pwa

agency funding large-scale public works projects to stimulate the economy.

ccc

program employing young men in conservation and environmental projects.

tva

federal corporation providing hydroelectric power and economic development in the tennessee valley.

nra

agency establishing industry codes to regulate wages, prices, and working hours.

sec

regulatory body overseeing stock markets to prevent fraud.