FULL HISTORY Vocab Review

NMC Honors Greiner Final Exam FULL YEAR Vocab Review

Declaration of Independence

A historic document adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring the thirteen American colonies independent from British rule. It articulated principles of individual rights and government by consent.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, that formed a weak central government and established a framework for the union of the thirteen states. It was ultimately a failure due to its inability to effectively govern the new nation.

Shay’s Rebellion

An armed uprising in 1786-1787 led by farmers in Massachusetts protesting economic injustices and lack of government response, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, such as the inability to effectively regulate trade and manage the economy.

Constitutional Convention

A gathering held in Philadelphia in 1787 to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation by drafting a new constitution for the United States.

Great Compromise: House and Senate

A pivotal agreement during the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature, creating the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with equal representation for each state.

Three Branches of Government

The division of government into three distinct branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial, each with its own powers and responsibilities to provide a system of checks and balances.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units, such as states.

Separation of power and Checks and Balances

A fundamental principle of governance whereby the powers of government are divided among different branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful, with each branch having the ability to oversee and limit the actions of the others. Examples such as Vetos, overrides, and impeachment

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, which guarantee essential rights and liberties to individuals, including freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.

Revolutionary America and the US Constitution

The period following the American Revolutionary War that led to the formulation of the Constitution, establishing the framework of the federal government and outlining the rights and responsibilities of the states and citizens.

Sectional America

A period in US history characterized by increasing regional differences and conflicts, primarily between the North and South, leading up to the Civil War.

Louisiana Purchase

A land acquisition in 1803 whereby the United States purchased approximately 828,000 square miles of territory from France, effectively doubling the size of the nation.

Missouri Compramise

An agreement reached in 1820 that attempted to balance the power between slave and free states by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, while prohibiting slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36°30′ parallel.

Andrew Jackson, the Indian Removal Act, Trial of Tears

A policy implemented in the 1830s that led to the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to designated Indian Territory, resulting in significant hardship and suffering.

Cotton Gin and the expansion of plantation slavery

An invention by Eli Whitney in 1793 that mechanically separated cotton fibers from seeds, greatly increasing cotton production efficiency and significantly contributing to the expansion of plantation slavery in the American South.

Enslaved Resistance and early abolition movement

A collective effort by enslaved individuals and allies to oppose and undermine the institution of slavery, which included acts of rebellion, escape, and the establishment of abolitionist societies advocating for the end of slavery.

Nat Turner

was an enslaved African American who led a significant slave rebellion in Virginia in 1831, inspiring other acts of resistance and highlighting the harsh realities of slavery.

William Lloyed Garrison

A prominent American abolitionist, journalist, and social reformer known for founding the anti-slavery newspaper "The Liberator" and his strong advocacy for immediate emancipation of all enslaved people.

Fredrick Douglass

was a former enslaved African American who became a leading abolitionist, powerful orator, and writer. He published his autobiography and advocated for civil rights for African Americans.

Transportation and communication innovations

in the 19th century transformed the United States by enhancing trade, travel, and the dissemination of information, paving the way for economic growth and social change. Examples include: Telegraph, Canals, Steamships, Railroads Etc.

Factory Technology Innovations

refer to advancements in machinery and processes during the Industrial Revolution that significantly increased production efficiency and transformed manufacturing processes, such as the power looms, steam power, and assembly lines.

Seneca Falls Convention

was the first women's rights convention held in 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York. It advocated for women's suffrage and equality, and produced the Declaration of Sentiments, outlining the grievances of women. Led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott.

Temperance Movement

a social movement aimed at reducing or prohibiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages, prevalent in the 19th century. It sought to address the negative effects of alcohol on society, particularly on families.

New immigration patterns for irish and germans (potato famine)

refers to the migration of large numbers of Irish and German people to the United States in the 19th century, particularly during the 1840s and 1850s, driven by factors such as famine, political unrest, and economic opportunities. This influx significantly influenced American culture and demographics.

Know Nothing Party

A political party that emerged in the 1850s in response to immigration, particularly targeting Irish and German Catholics. It was characterized by its nativist attitudes and opposition to outsiders, advocating for immigration restrictions.

Sectional America and the Civil War

refers to the increasing regional tensions and divisions between the Northern and Southern states leading up to the Civil War. This period was marked by conflicts over slavery, economic differences, and political power, ultimately culminating in the secession of Southern states.

Mexican War/Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

The conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848, resulting in significant territorial gains for the US. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo formally ended the war, leading to the US acquisition of present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Nevada, and Utah.

California Gold Rush

The period during the late 1840s when a large influx of people moved to California in search of gold, significantly impacting migration patterns and the economy.

Compromise of 1850 and Fugitive Slave Act

A series of legislative measures aimed at resolving disputes between slave and free states, including California's admission as a free state, and strengthening provisions for the capture of runaway slaves.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

A novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, published in 1852, that depicted the harsh realities of slavery and fueled the abolitionist movement in the United States.

Dred Scott Supreme Court Case

A landmark Supreme Court decision in 1857 that ruled African Americans were not considered citizens and therefore had no legal standing to sue in federal court, upholding slavery.

John Brown and Harpers Ferry Raid

An attempt by abolitionist John Brown in 1859 to initiate an armed slave revolt by seizing a federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. This event heightened tensions between the North and South and was a precursor to the Civil War.

Lincoln and the 1860 Presidential Election

The election in which Abraham Lincoln, representing the Republican Party, won the presidency, leading to the secession of several Southern states and the eventual onset of the Civil War.

Secession of the Confederacy

The act of Southern states declaring their withdrawal from the Union, primarily in response to the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. This led to the formation of the Confederate States of America and escalated tensions that sparked the Civil War.

Battle of Fort Sumter

The first battle of the Civil War, fought in April 1861 in South Carolina. The Confederate forces attacked the Union garrison at Fort Sumter, resulting in its surrender and marking the beginning of open conflict.

Emancipation Proclamation

A presidential decree issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 that declared the freedom of all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory. It was a significant turning point in the Civil War, emphasizing the fight against slavery.

Battle of Gettysburg

A pivotal battle in July 1863 during the Civil War, fought in Pennsylvania, where Union forces secured a major victory against the Confederacy. It is often considered the turning point of the war.

Ulysses S. Grant

The commanding general of the Union Army during the Civil War, he led forces to victory at battles such as Vicksburg and ultimately accepted General Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House in 1865.

13th Amendment

The constitutional amendment ratified in 1865 that abolished slavery in the United States, ensuring that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist, except as punishment for a crime.

Reconstruction and the Gilded Age

A period following the Civil War from 1865 to 1900, marked by efforts to rebuild the South and integrate formerly enslaved people into society, alongside rapid economic growth and social changes during the latter part of the 19th century.

14th Amendment

The constitutional amendment ratified in 1868 that granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States and ensured equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment

The constitutional amendment ratified in 1870 that prohibited the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude."

Black Codes

Laws enacted in the South after the Civil War that restricted the rights of newly freed African Americans, aiming to maintain white supremacy and control over black labor.

1868 Presidential Election/Ulysses S. Grant

The presidential election in which Ulysses S. Grant was elected as the 18th President of the United States, following the period of Reconstruction after the Civil War.

Rise of the KKK

A white supremacist organization formed in the South during the Reconstruction era, aimed at opposing African American civil rights through intimidation and violence.

Enforcement Acts

Laws passed in the 1870s to combat the Ku Klux Klan and protect the civil rights of African Americans.

Jim Crow Segregation

State and local laws enforcing racial discrimination and segregation in the Southern United States from the late 1800s until the mid-20th century.

Monopolies/Trusts

Large corporations that dominate a market, reducing competition and controlling prices.

Carnegie/Rockefeller/JP Morgan

Prominent industrialists and financiers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for their significant influence on the American economy through their companies in steel, oil, and finance.

Scientific Management (Taylorism)

A management theory that analyzes workflows to improve efficiency and productivity, often associated with the early 20th century.

Homestead Strike

A 1892 labor dispute between steelworkers and the Carnegie Steel Company, resulting in a violent confrontation and significant setbacks for labor organization.

Tenements

Poorly built, overcrowded housing often found in urban areas, primarily housing immigrants and low-income families during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Plessy v. Ferguson

A landmark 1896 Supreme Court case that upheld racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine, legitimizing discriminatory laws for decades.

Booker T. Washington and WEB du Bois

Two prominent African American leaders in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who had differing views on civil rights and education. Washington advocated for vocational training and economic self-reliance, while Du Bois emphasized the need for higher education and civil rights activism.

Ida B. Wells

A prominent African American journalist, educator, and activist who led an anti-lynching crusade in the United States and co-founded the NAACP.

Imperialism, Progressivism, and World War I

Distinct historical movements that shaped U.S. foreign and domestic policies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by expansionism, social reform, and global conflict.

Changes to immigration patterns in the late 1800s

included a significant increase in immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, altering the demographic landscape of the United States.

Chinese Exclusion Act

A federal law enacted in 1882 that prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers to the United States, reflecting growing racial tensions and exclusionary policies of the era.

Ellis Island

The primary immigration station for the United States from 1892 to 1954, where millions of immigrants were processed before entering the country.

Manifest Destiny

The 19th-century doctrine that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable.

Yellow Journalism

A style of newspaper reporting that emphasizes sensationalism and exaggeration, often to influence public opinion or stir emotions.

Spanish American War

A conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, primarily over Cuban independence, which resulted in the U.S. acquiring territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Phillippine-American War

A conflict between the United States and Filipino revolutionaries from 1899 to 1902, following the Spanish American War, as Filipinos sought independence from American rule.

Roosevelt’s Big Stick Policy and the Panama Canal

The foreign policy strategy of President Theodore Roosevelt, which emphasized using diplomacy backed by the threat of military force to achieve American goals. This policy was notably applied in securing the construction of the Panama Canal, facilitating increased maritime trade and military movement.

Muckrakers - Upton Sinclair, Jacob Riis

Journalists who exposed social injustices and corruption in the early 20th century, notably through works like Sinclair's "The Jungle" and Riis's "How the Other Half Lives."

TR’s Progressive Policies

A series of reforms implemented by Theodore Roosevelt aimed at curbing corporate power, ensuring consumer protection, and promoting social welfare during the early 1900s. These include the Meat Inspection Act, the Pure Food and Drug Act, and the establishment of national parks.

WW1, 1920’s, Great Depression and the New Deal, WWII

Major events in American history that shaped domestic and foreign policy throughout the 20th century. These periods included the impacts of World War I, the economic prosperity and cultural changes of the 1920s, the economic challenges of the Great Depression, and the reforms of the New Deal, leading into the global conflict of World War II.

Causes of US entrance into WW1

The main causes of the United States' entry into World War I included unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany, the Zimmermann Telegram which proposed a military alliance with Mexico, and economic ties to the Allied powers.

Committee for public information

An organization created by the U.S. government during World War I to influence public opinion and promote support for the war effort through propaganda campaigns, including posters, films, and speeches.

Espionage and Sedition Acts

Laws enacted in 1917 and 1918 that imposed harsh penalties on anyone perceived to be disloyal or speaking against the U.S. government during World War I. These acts aimed to suppress dissent and protect national security.

Schenck vs United States

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1919 that upheld the Espionage Act and ruled that free speech could be limited during wartime if it posed a "clear and present danger" to national security.

Immigration restrictions in the 1920’s (quotas)

Regulations established by the U.S. government that limited the number of immigrants allowed from certain countries, reflecting nativist attitudes and fears of overpopulation and job competition after World War I.

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

Great Migration

The movement of over six million African Americans from the rural Southern United States to urban areas in the North and West between 1916 and 1970, seeking better economic opportunities and escaping racial segregation.

Rise of mass culture with radios, movies, advertising, cars, consumer goods

A significant transformation in American society during the early 20th century, where entertainment and advertising became widespread, influencing public life and leisure activities.

Harding and Coolidge’s “Return to Normalcy” actions - less taxes, more tariffs, less regulation

Refers to the policies implemented by Presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge in the 1920s aimed at stabilizing the American economy after World War I by reducing government intervention and promoting business growth.

1929 Stock Market Crash

The dramatic decline in stock prices on October 29, 1929, known as Black Tuesday, which marked the beginning of the Great Depression. It resulted from excessive speculation and led to widespread economic turmoil.

Doom loop of the US Economy

A cycle where economic decline leads to reduced consumer spending, furthering the downturn and leading to increased unemployment and lower production. This included bank failures, unemployment, problems for farmers, and low trust in the economy by us citizens, trapping the economy in a downward spiral.

1932 Election

The presidential election in which Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated incumbent Herbert Hoover, marking a significant shift in American politics and the beginning of the New Deal era.

Fireside Chats

Radio broadcasts by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression, aimed at reassuring the American public and explaining his policies.

Economic policies

implemented by President Roosevelt to combat the Great Depression, focusing on relief, recovery, and reform to stabilize the economy. This included the emergency banking act, FDIC, SEC and Glass-Steagall

Job Programs, CCC, and/or WPA

Initiatives created under the New Deal to provide employment and infrastructure development during the Great Depression. The CCC was the Civilian Conservation Corps, focusing on environmental projects, while the WPA (Works Progress Administration) aimed at large-scale public works.

Long Term reforms

refers to the lasting changes and programs established during the New Deal to promote economic stability and prevent future depressions, including Social Security and labor protections. This also included the tennessee valley authority which was created to provide electricity and improve economic development in the Tennessee Valley region. and the fair labor standards act that established minimum wage, overtime pay, and set standards for youth employment.

US Neutrality acts

laws passed in the 1930s aimed at preventing American involvement in foreign conflicts by prohibiting arms sales and loans to warring nations, thus promoting isolationism.

FDR’s actions to help the allies

refers to the series of policies and programs implemented by Franklin D. Roosevelt to support Allied nations during World War II, including lend-lease agreements and military aid, without direct military involvement.

Pearl Harbor

The surprise military attack by the Japanese on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, which led to the United States' entry into World War II.

US Economic Issues

this included war bonds, rationing, increased taxes, and cooperation with industry. These measures were necessary to support the war effort and manage resources effectively during World War II.

Executive Order 9066

a presidential directive issued during World War II that authorized the internment of Japanese Americans in camps across the United States, citing national security concerns.

Korematsu v. US

A landmark Supreme Court case that upheld the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, ruling that the government's actions were justified due to wartime necessity.

Impact of WW2 on women and racial minorities, and their impact on the war

During World War II, women and racial minorities took on new roles in the workforce and military, challenging traditional gender and racial norms. Their contributions advanced civil rights movements and reshaped societal perceptions.

Gi Bill: college and home loans

a law enacted in 1944 that provided various benefits to returning World War II veterans, including financial assistance for education, housing, and business loans, significantly impacting American society.

US Response to the holocaust

The US response to the Holocaust included limited refugee admissions before and during World War II, which was criticized for its reluctance to act decisively against Nazi atrocities. Post-war, it led to greater awareness and eventual establishment of international human rights frameworks.

Expansion of communism after ww2

The spread of communist influence, particularly in Eastern Europe and Asia, following World War II, which was marked by the establishment of communist governments in countries like Poland, Hungary, and China, prompting global tensions during the Cold War.

Truman Doctrine (containment)

A U.S. foreign policy established in 1947 aimed at containing the spread of communism by providing political, military, and economic assistance to countries threatened by Soviet expansion.

Brown v. Board of education

A landmark 1954 Supreme Court case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning the precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson.

Emmett Till Murder

The 1955 lynching of a 14-year-old African American boy in Mississippi, which became a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting the severity of racial violence in America.

Montgomery Bus Boycott with Rosa Parks and MLK Jr

A pivotal event in the American Civil Rights Movement, initiated by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in 1955. This led to a year-long boycott of the Montgomery bus system, significantly advancing the cause of desegregation.

Rise of student activism with sit-ins and Freedom Rides

A significant movement during the Civil Rights Movement where students actively protested against racial segregation through sit-ins at segregated diners and participated in Freedom Rides to challenge interstate bus segregation, fostering greater awareness and change.

March on Washington.

A large-scale demonstration for civil rights held in 1963, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, advocating for equality and justice for African Americans.

LBJ’s Great Society goals and overall impact

A series of domestic programs launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960s aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice. It included initiatives like Medicare, Medicaid, and the War on Poverty, significantly transformed American social welfare.