Shapes of America and Global Imperialism Lecture Review

A comprehensive set of practice flashcards covering US history, imperialism, civil rights, and social movements from 1848 through the early 21st century.

What was the result of the Mexico War (1848) regarding the population of the northern territories?

The US acquired much of northern Mexico, and 80,000 Mexicans, which was 20% of the population, became part of the US.

What was the significance of the "free white persons clause" in the Naturalization Act of 1790?

It established whiteness as the standard for citizenship but did not provide a definition, requiring people to prove whiteness in court to lobby for citizenship.

Which 1882 act is noted as the first US immigration law designed to keep immigrants out?

Chinese Exclusion Act

What were the restrictions placed on South Asian and Japanese immigration between 1913 and 1925?

South Asian migrants were banned from naturalization in 1913 and from immigrating in 1917; Japanese and all Asian immigration/naturalization were banned in 1925.

What did the Cable Act of 1922 specify regarding women's citizenship and marriage?

Women no longer lost citizenship through marriage, unless they married someone ineligible for naturalization, in which case their citizenship was stripped.

What was the "Asiatic Barred Zone" established in 1917?

A zone that banned Indian and South Asian immigration.

What did the Platt Amendment of 1901 establish regarding Cuba?

It declared Cuba would be independent but granted the US the right to intervene to protect American rights and take over Guantanamo Bay.

What is the "Roosevelt Corollary" associated with the US takeover of Panama?

The policy that the US takes over places to protect the canal from Europe.

What specific items characterize the "Second Industrial Revolution" mentioned in the 1920s notes?

The assembly line, the car, office work efficiency, skyscrapers, and capitalism.

What were the specific exclusions listed in the National Origins Quotas of 1924?

It capped immigration from South/East Europe and excluded immigrants from the New World and their children, Asians and their children, children of slave immigrants, and children of American Aborigines.

What were the key measures of the First New Deal in 1933?

The Emergency Banking Act, which ended the banking crisis, and the Glass-Steagall Act, which created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Securities, and Exchange Commission.

What rights were provided to labor by the Wagner Act of 1935?

It was called the "emancipation proclamation" of the US worker and granted the right to collective bargaining.

What was the aim of the Federal One and the Cultural Front?

To focus on the working class, empower popular audiences, and democratize elite culture through forms like the documentary impulse and regionalism.

What did the "Double V" campaign promote during WWII?

Black activism that fought both fascism abroad and racism at home.

What did the Atlantic Charter of August 1941 declare?

Common principles including free trade, economic collaboration, and the right of people to choose their own government and sovereign rights.

What is the central argument of Henry Luce's essay "The American Century" (1941)?

It focused on capitalism versus real-world problems and assured "America first" while America was falling behind.

According to the US Strategic Bombing Survey in July 1946, would Japan have surrendered without the atomic bomb?

Yes, the survey stated that Japan would have surrendered even if no bombs were dropped.

What was the CIA's role in Iran in 1953?

The CIA acted as a US colonial office to move for a coup against the elected leader Mossadegh.

What was the significance of the 1955 Bandung meeting?

It was a meeting of Afro-Asian movements from Third World countries unified against colonialism, representing the majority of the world.

What was the goal of the Pacts Regime (including NATO, SEATO, and CENTO)?

A Cold War technique to break up the political formations and solidarity of the Third World movement.

In "Giovanni’s Room", what does the protagonist David represent when going abroad?

David represents white American masculinity and the model of repression, illustrating that "any American who goes abroad is David."

What historical event in 1954 involved the defeat of France by people of color?

Dien Bien Phu, where Vietnam defeated France.

What did the 1960 "Year of Africa" signify?

A year when many African countries gained their independence.

What is the "New Left" as defined in the 1960s?

A movement focused on finding oneself and identity, primarily composed of students in anti-war and democratic society organizations.

What was the significance of "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson?

It is considered the "Uncle Tom’s Cabin" of environmentalism, bringing science to the people and illustrating how American philosophy conflicts with ecological interconnection.

What were the consequences of the 1981 Economy Recovery Act?

It was the largest tax cut in history, which under Reaganomics expanded the wealth gap by taking money from the poor to give to the rich in hope of a trickle-down effect.

What did Reagan do in response to the Patco workers' strike?

He fired all $15,000$ workers.

What did the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 try to achieve?

It aimed to rebase immigration on the "nuclear family," increased border enforcement, sanctioned employers for hiring aliens, and provided legalization for residents before January 1, 1982.

How is Gloria Anzaldúa's "Borderlands / La Frontera" categorized as a text?

It is a key post-modernist text defined by difference, diversity, multiplicity, and multi-vocality.

What was the full name of the Patriot Act passed in October 2001?

Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism