US History BA 1 Study Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the US History BA 1 study guide, including Gilded Age politics, the Progressive Era, Populism, constitutional amendments, labor movements, and early 20th-century foreign policy.

Imperialism

Expansion of United States influence around the world.

Progressivism

Desire for social change, mainly focused in urban areas.

Populism

A movement for common people (urban laborers and farmers) to unite together to create social change.

Silver Standard

Economic policy of the Populists; adopting silver as a backing for currency.

Referendum

A process allowing citizens to vote to change a law.

Muckrakers

Investigative journalists that tried to uncover political corruption, unhealthy living conditions, and working conditions.

19th Amendment

Constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to vote for women.

Lassiez-Faire

A "hands-off" government policy towards the economy which allowed business to grow rapidly.

13th Amendment

Constitutional amendment that abolished slavery.

14th Amendment

Constitutional amendment that granted equal protection for everyone regardless of race, gender, class, socioeconomic class, etc.

17th Amendment

Constitutional amendment that changed the election process of U.S. Senators.

Nativism

Pro-American and anti-immigration feelings and groups that rose during the period of high immigration.

Plessy v Ferguson

Court case that established the legal precedent "Separate but Equal".

Poll Tax

A required fee to vote in an election, used to limit African-Americans' right to vote.

American Federation of Labor

Labor union led by Samuel Gompers.

Homestead Strike

A strike that occurred in Andrew Carnegie's Pittsburgh plant managed by Henry Frick.

Haymarket Riots

A Chicago strike that turned violent, discredited the Knights of Labor, and turned public opinion against the labor movement.

Spanish-American War

War that gave the United States control over many territories from Spain, including Cuba and the Philippines.

Hull House

A settlement house in Chicago founded by Jane Addams to help the immigrant community.

How the Other Half Lives

Work by Jacob Riis that showcased the living and working conditions of immigrants living in urban areas.

The Jungle

Book written by Upton Sinclair to expose unsafe working conditions in the meat packing industry.

Temperance Movement

A movement that aimed to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol.

Patronage and Spoils System

Methods used by corrupt politicians to maintain control in large urban areas by distributing jobs, housing, and food to the poor in exchange for votes.

Post-Civil War Voting Restrictions

Methods used to limit African-Americans' voting rights after the Civil War, consisting of literacy tests, poll taxes, and violence.

Transcontinental Railroad Labor Conditions

Harsh working conditions faced primarily by Chinese and Irish immigrants, characterized by Native American attacks, physical hazards, and racial discrimination in pay.

Shared Populist and Progressive Reforms

Common causes fought for by both Populists and Progressives, including voting reforms, better working conditions, women's suffrage, and ending child labor.

Monroe Doctrine

Foreign policy principle that warned Europe against interfering in the Western Hemisphere.

Roosevelt Corollary

Stated that the United States had the right to intervene in military conflicts in Latin America.

Big Stick Diplomacy

Foreign policy approach in which the U.S. aimed to negotiate peace but was willing to use military force.

Dollar Diplomacy

Encouraged the U.S. to use money and investments to increase its influence instead of fighting.

Open Door Policy

Policy stating that all countries should be able to trade with China, opening up Chinese markets.

White Man's Burden

Belief that it was the moral responsibility of the U.S. to "save" countries considered uncivilized.

Nationalism

Extreme pride in one's nation.