U.S. History: Imperialism to Civil Rights Movements

What humanitarian cause was a reason for the U.S. to consider imperialism in Cuba?

Cuba Libre

What event led to the declaration of war on Spain by the U.S.?

The sinking of the U.S.S. Maine

What amendment turned Cuba into a neo-colony of the United States?

The Platt Amendment

What territories did the U.S. acquire from Spain as a result of the Treaty of Paris?

Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam

What concept suggests that colonized territories cannot take care of themselves?

Paternalism

What is the term for the belief that it is the duty of Western nations to civilize non-Western nations?

The White Man's Burden

What was the time frame of World War I?

1914-1918

What was a significant reason for U.S. entry into World War I in 1917?

The German U-Boat Campaign and the Zimmerman Note

What phrase did President Wilson use to justify U.S. involvement in World War I?

Make the World Safe For Democracy

What was Woodrow Wilson's stance on U.S. neutrality from 1914 to 1917?

He declared a statement of neutrality while still economically supporting allies.

What was the impact of American troops entering World War I?

2 million fresh American troops tipped the scale in favor of the Allies.

What was the Versailles Treaty?

It included Wilson's 14 Points and punitive measures against Germany.

What was Point 14 of Wilson's 14 Points?

The formation of the League of Nations.

What was the outcome of the U.S. Senate regarding the League of Nations?

The Senate rejected ratification of the treaty.

What major economic event occurred in 1929?

The Stock Market Crash.

What was Herbert Hoover's belief regarding the economy during the Great Depression?

He believed the economy would fix itself.

What economic policy did FDR engage in during the Great Depression?

Keynesian economics and deficit spending.

What were the Three R's of the New Deal?

Relief, Recovery, and Reform.

What significant act was part of FDR's Second New Deal?

The Social Security Act.

What event marked the official beginning of World War II?

Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939.

What event led to the U.S. joining World War II?

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Who were the Axis Powers in World War II?

Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan.

Who were the Allied Powers in World War II?

Britain, France, USSR, China, and the USA.

What was the significance of the Battle of Stalingrad?

It was the first major victory against Germany and marked the turning point in the war.

What became the main weapon in Isoroku Yamamoto's strategy?

Aircraft carriers.

What significant event occurred on December 7, 1941?

The attack on Pearl Harbor.

What was the consequence of the delayed declaration of war during the Pearl Harbor attack?

It led to extra hostility.

What iconic image symbolizes victory at the Battle of Iwo Jima?

American soldiers raising the American flag.

How long did it take to capture the military base at Iwo Jima?

A whole month.

What was notable about American casualties at the Battle of Iwo Jima?

It had the highest number of American casualties.

What was the highest income tax rate in America during World War II?

92%.

What was a significant aspect of American production during World War II?

Heavy production of weapons, outproducing other countries.

Which countries were part of the Axis powers in World War II?

Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan.

How many deaths did Nazi Germany cause during World War II?

4 million.

What was the total number of civilian deaths during World War II?

50 million, with half being civilians.

What strategy did the Axis powers use that led to large civilian casualties?

Carpet/terror bombing of civilian cities.

What was the significance of the painting 'Guernica' by Pablo Picasso?

It depicted the destruction caused by carpet bombing in Spain.

What does 'Total War' refer to in the context of World War II?

Every citizen in the country is considered part of the war effort, blurring the lines between civilian and combatant.

Who were the three global superpowers that emerged after World War II?

The U.S. (FDR), the Soviet Union (Stalin), and Britain (Winston Churchill).

What political shift occurred in Japan during the 1920s?

Japan moved from democracy to military dictatorship.

What was Japan's justification for its invasion of China?

They claimed to be 'liberating' fellow Asian countries from European powers.

What brutal event occurred during the Shanghai Invasion?

The Rape of Nanking, where civilians were killed and thousands of women were raped.

What was the League of Nations' response to Japan's actions in China?

Japan was condemned and subsequently left the League of Nations.

What was the slogan used by Japan regarding its imperial ambitions in Asia?

'Asia for Asians'.

What resources did Japan seek through its imperial expansion?

Fossil fuel, iron, and other resources.

What was Isoroku Yamamoto's strategy for Pearl Harbor?

To invade the Dutch East Indies and Pearl Harbor, aiming to destroy American aircraft carriers, which ultimately failed as they were not stationed there.

What quote is attributed to Isoroku Yamamoto regarding the attack on Pearl Harbor?

"I fear we've awakened a sleeping giant."

What was Italy's position in World War I and how did it affect their post-war sentiment?

Italy was part of the Allied powers in WWI but felt they received inadequate territorial gains, leading to resentment and the rise of Fascism.

Who was the leader of Fascist Italy and what was his goal?

Benito Mussolini, who aimed to reinstate the Roman Empire.

What is the term used to describe the promotion of a leader as a god-like figure in Fascist Italy?

Cult of Personality.

What significant event did Fascist Italy undertake under Mussolini's regime?

The invasion of Ethiopia.

Who was Adolf Hitler and what notable experiences shaped his early life?

Adolf Hitler was from Austria, rejected from art school twice, homeless in an anti-Semitic area, and was initially rejected by the Austrian army.

What was the name of Hitler's autobiography written while he was in jail?

Mein Kampf (My Struggle).

What political strategy did the Nazi Party use to gain power in Germany?

Political infiltration and intimidation of opponents through a private army.

What were the Nuremberg Laws?

Laws that stripped German Jews of their rights and classified them as stateless people.

What was the policy of appeasement in relation to Hitler's expansion?

A diplomatic strategy allowing Hitler to keep territories taken by force, as long as he did not invade further.

What event marked the beginning of World War II in Europe?

The invasion of Poland by Germany.

What was Blitzkrieg?

A German war tactic characterized by rapid and coordinated attacks.

What was the significance of the Battle of Stalingrad?

It marked a turning point in the war, with Soviet forces prevailing and pushing the Germans west.

What was the Lend-Lease Act of 1941?

An act that allowed the U.S. to supply weapons to Britain while remaining officially neutral.

What event brought the United States into World War II?

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

What was the Tripartite Pact?

A defensive alliance between Japan, Italy, and Germany, agreeing to support each other if attacked.

What was the significance of D-Day?

The largest amphibious landing in history, marking the opening of the western front against Nazi Germany.

What was the role of propaganda during World War II in the U.S.?

To promote war efforts and boost morale among the American public.

What was the highest income tax in U.S. history associated with?

Total war efforts during World War II.

What was the Battle of Normandy also known as?

D-Day, which occurred on June 6, 1944.

What were the four freedoms promoted by Norman Rockwell in wartime propaganda?

Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear.

What phrase did Bill Maudlin use to express a soldier's attitude towards injury?

'Just give me an aspirin, I already have a Purple Heart.'

What does FUBAR stand for?

****** Up Beyond All Recognition.

What does SNAFU mean?

Situation Normal, All ****** Up.

What term is used to describe the psychological effects of war, also known as PTSD?

Battle Fatigue.

What was the percentage of American women working outside the home in 1940?

24%.

By 1945, what percentage of American women were employed outside the home?

36%.

What iconic figure represented women working in factories during WWII?

Rosie the Riveter.

What was the primary role of women in the wartime workforce?

Most worked as riveters, putting metal sheets together.

What was the WAC?

Women Army Corps.

What was the purpose of the Office of War Information (OWI)?

In charge of censorship and promoting unity during the war.

What was Executive Order 8802?

It banned racial discrimination in factory jobs.

What was the significance of the Tuskegee Airmen?

They were the first African American military aviators in the U.S. Armed Forces.

What was the Bracero Program?

A guest worker program for Mexican laborers from 1942 to 1964.

What sparked the Zoot Suit Riots in Los Angeles in 1943?

White sailors attacked Mexican American men wearing zoot suits.

What was Executive Order 9066?

It authorized the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII.

Who was General John DeWitt and what did he say about Japanese Americans?

He stated, 'The Japanese Race is an enemy race..'.

What was the Berlin Wall and when was it constructed?

A barrier built in 1961 to prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin.

What was the Berlin Airlift?

A U.S. operation to supply West Berlin after Stalin closed train lines.

What was the impact of the CIA's actions during the Cold War?

They orchestrated coups in countries they deemed too soft on communism.

What was the significance of JFK's speech 'Ich bin ein Berliner'?

It expressed solidarity with the people of West Berlin during the Cold War.

What was the primary conflict during the Cold War?

Capitalism vs Communism.

What was the outcome of the Detroit Race Riots in 1943?

28 people were killed, 19 of whom were black.

What was the cultural shift for women post-WWII?

The culture swung back toward having women in the home after the war.

What did Reagan famously say regarding the Berlin Wall?

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" (June 12, 1987).

What was Gorbachev's recognition regarding the Soviet Union?

He recognized the economic failings of the Soviet Union and wanted to open more freedoms.

What significant event did Gorbachev's policies contribute to?

The fall of the Berlin Wall.

Who was Imre Nagy and what did he seek?

He was a leader during the Hungarian Revolution (1956) who sought freedom from the USSR.

Why did the U.S. not aid Imre Nagy during the Hungarian Revolution?

Out of fear of provoking World War III.

What was Alexander Dubcek's vision during the Prague Spring?

"Socialism but with a human face." He did not attempt to leave the Warsaw Pact.

What happened to Alexander Dubcek during the Prague Spring?

Soviet tanks rolled in and arrested him.

Who were the leaders of the Nationalists and the Communist Party in China?

Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-shek) led the Nationalists, while Mao Zedong led the Chinese Communist Party.

What was the U.S. perception of Mao Zedong's relationship with Stalin?

The U.S. viewed Mao as a puppet of Stalin, which was not entirely true as Mao sought funding from the USSR.

What was the impact of Mao Zedong's rule on Chinese citizens?

Mao and Stalin killed more of their own citizens than any dictatorships in history, mainly through prison labor camps or gulags.