APUSH Unit 7

frontier thesis

argument made by historian Frederick Jackson Turner in the 1890’s that the closing of the Western frontier endangered the existence of democracy because it removed the opportunity for the pioneer spirit to regenerate.

tenements

multifamily apartment buildings that housed many poor urban dwellers at the turn of the 20th century. Crowded, uncomfortable, and dangerous. Had windowless rooms and had no plumbing/heating. Risk of fires was high due to air shafts, resulting in many tenements burning down.

sweatshops

small factories or shops in which workers toiled under poor conditions. Business owners, particularly in garment industry, turned tenements into sweatshops.

political machines

urban political organizations that dominated many late 19th century cities. Provided needed services to the urban poor but also fostered corruption, crime, and inefficiency. Took over votes by leaving the poor indebted to the political bosses, and asked for their votes in return, and by also using the “graveyard vote,” where they voted under the names of the dead. Facilitated underworld commerce like gambling/prostitution in exchange for a cut of the profits. While it seemed like they were doing good, in reality, they kept much of profits to themselves and never helped w/ the underlying problems of the poor.

political boss

the head of the political machine; worked to maintain authority by strengthening the machine and its loyalists.

Tammany Hall

NYC’s political machine during the 19th century. Swindled the city out of a fortune while supervising the construction of a lavish 3-story courthouse in lower Manhattan. The building remained unfinished when the political boss, Tweed, was arrested in 1873.

Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act

1883 act that required federal jobs to be awarded on the basis of merit through competitive exams rather than political connections.

settlement houses

community centers established by urban reformers in the late 19th century. Organizers resided in their institutions and were often female, middle-class, and college-educated. Provided daycares, cooking/sewing/secretarial classes, playgrounds, counseling, + meeting rooms for unions. Taught English to + tried to Americanize immigrants, but still let them keep pieces of their culture.

social gospel

religious movement that advocated the application of Christain teachings to social/economic problems. Inspired many progressive reformers.

Frederick Jackson Turner

spread the idea of the frontier thesis

Jacob Riis

Danish immigrant who wrote “How the Other Half Lives,” illustrating the brutal conditions of tenements.

laissez-faire

French for “let things alone” — a belief that the marketplaces should be left to regulate itself, allowing individuals to pursue their own self-interests, w/y any government interference or restraint.

Social Darwinism

the belief associated w 19th/early 20th century popularized by Herbert Spencer that drew on Darwin’s ideas. Stressed individual competition and survival of the fittest. Used to justify inequality, racism, imperialism, and hostility to federal government regulation.

Gospel of Wealth

essay written by Andrew Carnegie in 1889 in which he argued the wealth have a duty to use their surplus of income to give back and better the community. Advocated philanthropy, meaning instead of giving money, the wealthy should build institutions that help raise educational and cultural standards Ex. funding libraries

Horatio Alger

wrote cheap dime novels portraying stories of men going from rags to riches through a combo of luck and pluck, spreading idea that anyone can make it through hard work. Gave hope to the poor and stopped them from trying to change the system b/c they believed they’d make it too.

Herbert Spencer

Spread idea of Social Darwinism

Henry George

Wrote Progress and Poverty, criticized railroads and suggested the government should take rent by levying a tax on landowner ship.

Depression of 1893

severe economic downturn triggered by railroad and bank failures. Severity of depression combined with failure of fed. govt. to adequately respond led to the realignment of politics/anger w/ govt

Billion Dollar Congress

the Republican-controlled Congress of 1890 that spent large sums of money to promote business/other interests. Adopted the highest tariff in U.S history.

Grangers

members of an organization founded in 1867 to meet social/cultural needs of farmers since they felt bored and isolated. Took an active role in promotion of economic/political interests of farmers. Endorsed candidates that promoted their cause of regulating shipping and grain storage prices. After prices rose + legislation was passed, org. gave up on politics and returned to social activities.

Interstate Commerce Commission

regulatory commission created by the Interstate Commerce Act in 1877. Investigated interstate shipping, required railroads to make their rates public and could bring lawsuits to force shippers to reduce unreasonable fees. Eventually, big business came to dominate the ICC, so it ended up actually helping RR cos instead of hurting them.

Farmer's Alliance

regional organizations formed in late 19th century to advance the interests of farmers. Most prominent were the Northwestern Farmer’s Alliance, Southern Farmer’s Alliance, + the Colored Farmers Alliance.

subtreasury system

proposal by alliances in 1880’s for the fed. govt. to extend loans to farmers + store their crops in warehouses until prices rose, allowing them to pay back loans and sell crops at higher price.

Sherman Silver Purchase Act

1890 act that increased the amount of silver in the US. Farmers wanted silver b/c they wanted more money in circulation + wanted inflation.

Populists

the people’s party of America formed in 1892. Sought to appeal to both farmers + industrial workers. Endorsed graduated income tax, 8-hour workday, + immigration restriction. Endosred women’s suffrage, but none racial-specific. Elected 10 Congres reps, 5 Senators, 3 governors, 1500 state legislatures. Eventually fell b/c the economy recovered + they couldn’t work w/ black farmers + industrial workers didn’t want to associate w/ them.

Coxey’s army

1894 protest movement led by Jacob Coxey. Him and 580 supporters marched from Ohio to D.C. to protest the lack of govt response to the Depression of 1893.

William’s v Missisippi

1898 Supreme Court ruling that upheld JIm Crow voter qualifications, like poll taxes/literacy tests, which disenfranchised black people.

William McKinley

Republican nominee who won the 1896 election by raising millions thru his campaign + spreading pamphlets printed in the multiple languages of U.S’s immigrants + the successful coalition of corporate capitalists/workers . Marked the realigning of Wpolitics + the domination of Republicans over America for 4 consecutive elections.

William Jennings Bryan

Democratic nominee for the 1896 election, endorsed by the Populists for his advocation of farmers. Lost.

pragmatism

philosophy that holds that truth can be discovered only through experience and that the value of ideas should be measured by their practical consequences. Had a significant influence on the progressives. I have no idea what the dhck this mean

muckrakers

investigative journalists who specialized in exposing corruption, scandal, and vice. Published exposées on govt corruption.

Hull House

settlement house in Chicago based in Toyabee Hall in England. Est by Jane Addams and Ellen Starr in 1889. served as a center of social reform and provided educational opportunities for working-class poor and immigrant women and their children. Ran by college-educated women.

civic housekeeping

idea promoted by Jane Addams for urban reform using women’s traditional skills as domestic managers, caregivers for children, the elderly, the needy.

segregation

the purposeful segregation of people into ethnic or racial groups. often actively promoted and enforced through black codes and Jim Crow legislation which persisted into latter half of 20th century.

National Association of Colored Women (NACW)

organization that became the largest federation of black womens clubs in 1896. designed to relieve suffering among poor black people, defend black women, and promote interests of all black people.

Muller v. Oregon

1908 Supreme Court ruling upholding Oregon law establishing 10 hour workday for women

Shepherd- Towner Act

legislation passed in 1922 that allowed nurses to offer material + infant health care to mothers

suffragists

supporters of women’s voting rights

National Women’s Party

political organization created in 1916 headed by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, Promoted more militant tactics than the NAWSA. Picketed white house, promoted strikes, engaged in mass protests in campaign for women’s suffrage

Nineteenth Amendment

amendment to contrition granting women the right to vote, passed in 1919 and ratified in 1929

Tuskegee Institute

black educational institute founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington. following washington’s philosophy, focused on teaching industrious habits and practical job skills.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

organization founded by WEB Du Bois, Ida B Wells, Jane Addams, and others in 1908 to fight for racial equality. Focused on fighting discrimination through the courts, initiated court cases. Got rid of the grandfather clause.

Women’s Christian Temperance Union

organization founded in 1874 to campaign for a ban on sales and consumption of alcohol. in the late 19th century under France’s’ Willard’s leadership, supported a broad social reform agenda.

Eighteenth Amendment

1918 amendment to the constitution banning the production and sale of alcoholic beverages. repealed in 1937.

Mann Act

aka White Slave Trade, passed in 1910 and banned transportation of women across state lines for immoral purposes. Used to enforce codes of segregation and standards of moral behavior that enforced traditional social roles for women

eugenics

pseudoscience of saying certain races are better + selective breeding

Jane Addams

established Hull House in Chicago and the NAACP. Considered founder of social work.

Elizabeth Cody Stanton

feminist

Booker T Washington

founder of Tuskegee Institute. Discouraged public protest

WEB Du Bois

helped established NAACP, believed black peoples should speak out for citizenship

Ida B Wells

muckraker who called out lynching + other injustices. Helped found NAACP. Believed black people should speak out

Margaret Sanger

Advocate of birth control, connected it to eugenics

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

an infamous industrial fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in NYC in 1912. Inadequate fire safety provisions led to the death of 146 workers, mostly young women and girls. Led NYC to establish Burea of Fire Protection, requires safety devices in buildings, and prohibit smoking in factories. Led to legislation efforts to improve working conditions in general.

conservationist

progressive era political and social movement whose supports worked for preservation of Americas wildlife and natural land

Commission Form of Government

Cities elect commissioners. Expense to run only allowed those who can afford to to run. In South, used to disenfranchise black people

Samuel “Golden Rule” Jones

Toledo’s mayor from 1897-1903, established 8 hour workday for municipal employees, paid vacations, and prohibited child labor

Robert LaFolette

Republican governor of Wisconsin from 1901-1906, dismantled statewide political machine by institution debt party primaries, an expanded civil service, forbade corp contributors to political parties, graduated income tax

bully pulpit

term used by Teddy Roosevelt to describe office of presidency believed that president should use his office as platform to promote his progress and rally public opinion.

Square Deal

Roosevelt plan to provide economic and political stability to nation by guaranteeing rights of everyday workers and protecting business interests

Elkins Act

1903 act outlawing railroad rebuts, designed to protect smaller businesses and shoppers who were paying higher rates

16th Amendment

1913 amendment providing legal basis for graduated income tax

Adamson Act

1916 act establishing 8hr workday, overtime for workers in railroad/ private insure

Workmen’s Compensation Act

guaranteed rights of fed employees to receive compensation or pursue legal actions for injuries on the job

Payne-Aldrich Tariff

1909 legislation increasing amount of duties paid of imports, signed into law by William Taft; alienating progressives

Our Country

book written by Josiah Strong claiming the superity of the white race + proclaiming the U.S’ responsibility to spread the Christain way of life throughout the world, served as cultural justification for imperialism

jingoists

extremely patriotic supporters of expanding military use, wanted a war so they could show off America’s might and prove their masculinity. Teddy Roosevelt one

Spanish-American War

1898 war in which the U.S. sided with Cuba in its ongoing war for independence against Spain because U.S. policymakers decided that Cuban independence was in the U.S’ economic and strategic interests. Cuba’s/U.S.’ eventual victory allowed the U.S. to gain control over a large portion of Spain’s overseas empire, turning the U.S. into a larger imperial power.

Cuba Libre

vision of Cuban independence developed by Jose Marti, who hoped Cuban independence would bring greater social and racial equality.

yellow journalism

sensationalist news accounts meant to provoke an emotional response in readers. Contributed to public support of American intervention in Cuba in 1918. Aroused jingoistic outrage. Ex. USS Maine explosion — blamed Spain for explosion which killed 260 Americans/Cubans, when in reality it was an accident

Teller Amendment

amendment to the 1898 declaration of war against Spain stipulating that Cuba should be free/independent. Largely ignored after victory.

Platt Amendment

1901 act of Congress limiting Cuban sovereignty. American officials pressured Cuban leaders to incorporate it into the Cuban Constitution. Prohibited Cuba from signing treaties w/ other nations.

Anti-Imperialist League

organization founded in 1898 to oppose annexation of the Philippines. Feared annexation would bring competition from cheap labor, considered Filipinos racially inferior, + didn’t want them to be U.S. citizens.

Hay-Pouncefote Treaty

1901 treaty between the U.S. + Great Britain granting the U.S. the right to construct the Panama Canal

“big stick”

aggressive foreign diplomacy based by threat of force. Comes from Teddy Roosevelt’s saying: “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”

Roosevelt Corollary

1904 addition to Monroe Doctrine that affirmed right of U.S. to influence internal affairs in Caribbean/Latin American countries to preserve order and protect American interests.

Open Door Policy

1899 policy in which secretary of state John Hay informed the nations occupying China that the U.S. had right of equal trade in China. The U.S. helped European powers squash a rebellion in China in 1900, so in return the European powers gave U.S. free trade access.

Dollar diplomacy

term used by William Howard Taft to describe economic focus of his foreign policy. Hoped to use economic policies + control of foreign assets by American companies to influence Latin America.

Mexican Revolution

1911 revolution in Mexico, which led to nearly a decade of bloodshed + civil war. Wilson initially supported the rebels, but then betrayed them.

Central Powers

Austria-Hungary, Germany, + the Ottoman Empire.

Allies

Britain, France, Russia, Italy (joined 1915), + U.S. (joined 1917)

World War I

aka the Great War, 1914-1918 war fought between Central Powers/Allies. U.S. entered war in 1917. Wilson secretly supported the British but wanted to keep America neutral. Neutrality was difficult b/c of the economic ties the U.S. had with the Allies.

Lusitania

A British passenger liner struck by German submarine torpedoes on May 15, 1915, off the coast of Ireland. Ship sunk + killed 1198 people, including 128 Americans. Outraged Americans.

Zimmermann telegram

1917 telegram in which Germany offered Mexico an alliance in the event that the U.S. entered WWI. If the Central Powers won, Germany would give back Mexico the land it lost in the mid-19th century (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona). Was intercepted + published in American newspapers, helped build support for war.

Russian Revolution

aka Bolshevik Revolution, named after Russia’s working class radicals (called Bolsheviks), Revolution led by Vladimir Lenin against the Tsarist government of Nicholas II. After the revolution, the Bolsheviks created the Soviet Union, a communist state.

Selective Service Act

1917 act authorizing a nationwide draft. Conscripted 3 million men by the end of the war.

American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)

established in 1917 after the U.S. entered WWI. These army troops served in Europe under the command of General John J. Pershing. Didn’t make much of an impact.

War Industries Board (WIB)

govt commission created in 1917 to supervise purchase of military supplies + oversee conversion of economy to meet continuous demands. Embodies a govt business partnership that lasted beyond WWI. Bernard Baruch was the leader.

National War Labor Board (NWLB)

govt agency created in 1918 to settle labor disputes. Consisted of representatives from unions, corporations, and the public. Supported the 8hr workday, 1.5x pay for overtime, right to collective bargaining, + equal pay for women. Employed 1 million women.

Food Administration

new govt agency created during WWI to regulate food production + consumption. Its head, Herbert Hoover, sought to increase military + civilian food supply through massive public campaigns of voluntary conversation measures like family gardens + “meatless Monday.”

Fuel Administration

govt agency created during WWI to manage the production + distribution of fuel such as coal/oil

Railroad Administration

WWI era govt agency tasked w/ coordinating train schedules, regulating ticket prices, upgrading tracks, + raising workers’ wages. Acted more forcefully than other agencies b/c of military reliance on the efficiency of railroads.

Committee on Public Information (CPI)

committee est. in 1917 to create propagranda + promote censorship to generate enthusiasm for WWI + stifle antiwar dissent. Had lecturers speak around the country, held rallies, persuaded reporters to censor war coverage, produced films depicting Allies as heroes.

Espionage Act

1917 act that prohibited antiwar activities, including opposing the draft. Punished speech critical of the war + deliberate actions of sabotage and spying.

Sedition Act

1918 act added to Espionage Act. Punished individuals for expressing opinions deemed hostile to U.S. govt. Out of 2000+ prosecutions under this act/Espionage Act, only a handful were genuine cases of sabotage/espionage.

American Protective League

an organization of private citizens thar cooperated w/ Justice Department + Bureau of Investigation during WWI to spy on German residents suspected of disloyal behavior. Had 200k chapters around the country but rarely found any actually suspicious Germans.

Fourteen Points

core principles President Woodrow WIlson saw as basis for lasting peace, including freedom of the seas, open diplomacy, establishment of League of Nations, + the right to self determination. Introduced Jan 1918, 10 months after end of war.

League of Nations

the international organization proposed by WIlson to ensure world peace + security through mutual agreement. U.S. failed to join b/c Congress and Wilson couldn’t compromise. Congress didn’t want to join it as they thought it would be too much of a commitment, forcing them into foreign conflicts.

communism

economic theory/revolutionary ideology that imagines the overthrow of capitalism by the working class + the creation of an egalitarian society where the means of production are controlled by the state. Wilson worked to ensure communism is not spread.

Treaty of Versailles

1919 treaty officially ending WWI.

Red Scare

fear of communist-inspired radicalism in the wake of the Russian Rev. Culminated in the Palmer raids on suspected radicals. Weakened American society.