Midterm review #2

Midterm Review Overview

• Use the questions below to organize materials, notes, and readings.

• Consider how to answer the questions along with important details and dates to provide examples.

SECTION I: 1865-1892

Key Politics and Policies of Reconstruction and Redemption

• Reconstruction aimed to rebuild the South and integrate formerly enslaved individuals into society.

• Significant policies included the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments providing freedom, citizenship, and voting rights to African Americans.

• Redemption refers to the period after Reconstruction when Southern Democrats regained power, often through violent means to suppress African American rights.

Changes and Failures in the Postwar South

• Changed: Emergence of new social structures and civil rights organizations; some African Americans gained political office.

• Failed to Change: Systemic racism persisted; economic exploitation continued through sharecropping and Jim Crow laws.

Settling and Conquering the West

• The West was both settled through migration (Homestead Act) and conquered via military force against Indigenous populations.

• Key figures included settlers, miners, ranchers, and homesteaders alongside government policies promoting western expansion.

Industrialization and Urbanization Representations

• Appalachia: Coal mining became a dominant industry; characterized by poverty and labor struggles.

• New South: Emerged through cotton mill towns, emphasizing industrialization while maintaining racial segregation.

• Chicago: Evolved as an urban center symbolizing industrial growth and innovation with diverse immigration.

SECTION II: 1892-1914

Modern Industrialization

• Defined by advancements in technology and facilities, leading to significant growth in industries such as steel, railroads, and textiles.

Formation of Trusts and Monopolies

• Trusts and monopolies emerged as businesses sought to eliminate competition (e.g., Standard Oil).

• New forms of entertainment included vaudeville and early cinema, reflecting cultural shifts.

Key Conflicts of the Era

• Labor strikes (e.g., Homestead Strike) highlighted tensions between workers and industrialists.

• Racial and ethnic conflicts arose due to immigration and social changes.

Upper-Class Identity

• Defined themselves through markers like education, health, and leisure activities (fitness clubs and cultural pursuits).

• New businesses arose emphasizing health (e.g., bottled water, fitness centers).

Immigrant Neighborhoods

• Emerged as ethnic enclaves offering support and cultural identity, contrasting with the Victorian elite lifestyle focused on wealth and exclusivity.

The Populist Movement

• Advocated for the interests of farmers and laborers against big business, focusing on issues like monetary reform and rail regulation.

• Key figures included William Jennings Bryan and organizations like the People's Party.

The Progressive Movement

• Sought to address issues of corruption, safety, and social justice, leading to reforms in government and social policies.

• Prominent figures included Theodore Roosevelt and Jane Addams.

Expansion of Overseas Empires

• Motivated by a mix of economic interests, strategic considerations, and a belief in American exceptionalism (Spanish-American War).

SECTION III: 1914-1948

The Great War

• Began in 1914, fueled by nationalism, militarism, alliances, and imperialism.

• The U.S. entered the war in 1917, driven by factors like unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman Telegram.

Fear of Radicalism and Unrest

• Post-war anxiety led to a Red Scare, highlighting fears over communism and domestic unrest.

The 1920s: Economic, Political, and Cultural Shifts

• The 1920s marked a significant cultural evolution with emerging modernist ideals, materialism, and other social changes (e.g., the Jazz Age).

Financial and Political Crashes

• The stock market crash of 1929 initiated a downward cycle in the economy, leading to widespread hardship and socio-political destabilization.

The New Deal

• A series of government programs aimed at economic recovery, job creation, and infrastructure development.

• Addressed systemic issues and aimed to provide relief to those affected by the Great Depression.

The Onset of WWII

• Initiated in 1939, with U.S. involvement driven by the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

• The war effort brought significant changes in societal norms, including shifts in labor and race relations due to wartime demands.