Imperialism:
What are some reasons why the US felt it was necessary for them to expand their territory?
The US believed in manifest destiny and that they had to expand, otherwise they would run out of resources as the population increases.
Why did the US want to annex Hawaii? Why would this be beneficial for the US?
The US wanted to annex Hawaii so they didn’t have to set tariffs for Hawaiian sugar. This would benefit the US because access to Hawaiian sugar/plantations would be unrestricted, as well as access to Pacific markets.
How did the “yellow press” impact Americans getting involved in Cuba?
It used certain language and imagery to gain attention/draw emotion from American readers.
What started the Spanish-American War?
The explosion of the USS Maine started the Spanish-American War.
What was the Teller Amendment?
The Teller Amendment proclaimed that once Americans overthrew the Spanish, Cubans would have independence.
Internationalism & President Teddy Roosevelt:
What did the US gain at the end of the Spanish-American War?
The US gained Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
What was the “anti-imperialist league”?
It was a group of prominent American figures who opposed American expansion, mainly for the reasons that it contradicted American values of self-determination and non intervention.
What was the “open-door policy” in China?
It was a proposition to ensure equal trade between China and all other countries, so China doesn’t have trade control over a certain region.
What happened during the Boxer Rebellion?
A group of Chinese nationalists killed over 200 American missionaries and diplomats in Beijing.
What was Teddy Roosevelt’s “Big Stick Policy”?
This was the idea that negotiations should be made peacefully, but military use (or a “big stick”) would always be an option if needed.
What was the Roosevelt Corollary and how did it connect back to the Monroe Doctrine?
The Roosevelt Corollary warned Europe to stay out of Latin American affairs, and it connects back to the Monroe Doctrine because of its ideals of non-involvement.
Why was the “Gentleman’s threat” signed between the US & Japan?
The Gentleman’s threat was signed to restrict immigration between the US and Japan.
Progressivism:
What is a “Progressive” and what did they want to reform? (Just a few examples are fine).
“Progressives” aimed to accomplish what the populist party could not in the end of the 19th century. This included voting reform, trust busting, unions and workers rights, women's rights, and civil rights movements.
Why was How the Other Half Lives significant in pushing for Progressive reforms?
The photos pushed the movement forward as it gave the American public an inside look into the horrible factory conditions. It influences the president to create progressive policies.
What/who were Muckrackers? Why were they significant during the Progressive movement?
The Muckrakers were the Journalists who would show the “muck” or corruption of the Industry. These people influenced many worker reforms.
How did Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle impact the Progressive movement?
The Jungle showed the meat contamination in the meat industry and influenced the meat inspection acts.
Why was the Triangle Shirtwaist Co. fire crucial in advocating for Progressive reforms?
It was the most deadly building event pre-9/11 and showed the terrible emergency standards that existed
What was Teddy Roosevelt’s “Square Deal”?
Conservationism, Consumerism, and Corporate regulations. This created national parks, protected the consumer by busting trusts, and put regulations on meat and safety.
Why was Teddy Roosevelt called a “trust buster”?
Teddy Roosevelt was a Trust Buster as he had anti-monopoly sentiment.
World War I: Liam
What are the 5 reasons why the US joins WWI? Unrestricted Sub Warfare, sinking of the Lusitania, The Zimmerman telegram, Allied economic ties, and the German invasion of Belgium were the 5 root causes for US involvement in WW1.
Why was Wilson’s 14th point significant? What did it foreshadow the creation of? His 14th point regarding political independence led to the creation of the League of Nations.
What were some restrictions of civil liberties in the US during WWI? (or what act was implemented) The Sedition Act and Espionage act limited freedom of speech in the US.
What was the “Great Migration”? The great migration was when thousands of black southerners migrated north toward factory cities for work.
How did Americans get involved in the war effort during WWI? Victory gardens, war bonds, and factory work involved Americans in the war effort.
Why did the US Congress oppose the Treaty of Versailles and joining the League of Nations? Because of the US wanting to expand through imperialism, the Treaty of Versailles would have limited their expansion potential by limiting the power of congress.
What marked the end of Progressivism? The US stopped pursuing progressivism as they had to focus on mobilizing troops, supplies, and food for the war effort.
The Red Scare & 1920s: Kaylin
What was the “Red Scare” in the 1920s?
The Red Scare was a fear of communist immigrants or dissidents, or those who differed or disagreed with the opinion of the majority. Americans were particularly fearful of those who embraced communist, socialist, or anarchist ideology.
Why was the Sacco and Vanzetti case significant in understanding the treatment of immigrants in the US? How does this connect to Nativism?
They were Italian anarchists who were convicted of murder on very little evidence. They were found guilty by a biased judge and were electrocuted in 1928. This became a symbol of nativist, anti-radical and anti-immigrant sentiment growing in the U.S.
What was the National Origins Act & The Immigration Act in response to? Who was targeted?
The National Origins Act and Immigration Act was in response to nativist sentiments, and the immigration of “new immigrants” from Southern and Eastern Europe and Asia. This act was meant to limit immigration from these areas and maintain an American racial homogeneity.
Roaring 20s: Kaylin
What was Prohibition? Why was the 18th amendment enacted and did people abide by the law?
Prohibition was a progressive reform that banned alcohol. The 18th amendment was enacted because of heavy support from churches, women, the Midwest, and the South. Additionally, Southern whites were eager to keep alcohol from black people. Prohibition was opposed in larger eastern cities where “wet” immigrants traditionally consumed alcohol. People did not abide by the law, which was supported by a lack of enforcement. As a result, organized crime arose and huge profits from “bootlegging” became the foundation for corruption. The rise of speakeasies affected society, as they became a middle class haven for drinking.
What were some aspects of the Booming Economy in the 1920s?
America transitioned from a rural, agricultural economy to an urban, industrialized economy led by large companies. They adopted a mass consumption economy in the 1920s, and business was glorified. Buying on credit became popular, as consumers were attracted to the “buy now, pay later” mentality. Industrial productivity rose, wages were at an all time high, electric power increased, and there was new technology.
How did new technology in the 1920s change American society?
New technology resulted in greater efficiency. Electric motors were more efficient than steam engines, and the assembly lines accelerated production. New industries spurred a growing economy. For example: movies, radio, and radio manufacturing industries grew. The construction industry also grew as skyscrapers were built and changed the horizon of major cities. There were also medical breakthroughs, such as the iron lung.
Who were “Flappers” and how did women’s roles change in the 1920s?
Flappers were women who danced and dressed in a new way. They wore sleeveless short dresses, and applied makeup. Women began to assert publicly their right to imitate male standards. They saw greater independence, less parental supervision, and the 19th amendment. They joined the labor force in large numbers and lived alone sometimes.
What was the significance of the Harlem Renaissance?
Harlem was a black enclave in New York, and it provided a wealth of African American poetry, literature, art, and music. This expressed the pain, sorrow, and discrimination black people felt at that time.
What did it mean to be part of the “lost generation”?
The lost generation was a generation of writers outside the dominant Protestant New England. They resented ideals betrayed by society, and criticized the materialism of the 1920s.
1920s Politics & The Great Depression: Madison
How were Presidents Harding, Coolidge and Hoover alike in their ideologies?
Conservative economic agenda
Focused on tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy
What was overspeculation?
Artificial increases in stock and commodity values
Investors gambled that prices would continue to rise
Why did the stock market crash on “Black Tuesday”?
Nearly everyone wanted to sell stocks
What are some long-term causes of the depression?
Weak industries
cotton industry affected by rise of synthetic materials
low food prices affected farming
Overproduction of goods by manufacturers
Income inequality
Unstable banking system
Weak international economy
US protectionist trade policies hurt foreign trade
How were Americans directly impacted by the Depression?
Unemployment rose
low-skilled workers were most affected
Wages dropped
People experiences a loss of self worth
What was the “Bonus Army”? What did they do?
Unemployed veterans
Marched on Washington to get Congress to pay them their bonuses
What were Hoovervilles?
Makeshift shacks homeless lived in during the Great Depression
The New Deal:
What was the major shift in politics during the election of 1932?
The major shift was the election of FDR and the end of laissez-faire Republican policy being the standard for government. There would be a “New Deal” for America.
What was the 21st amendment?
The 21st Amendment was a repeal of prohibition.
What were FDR’s plans for his first 100 days in office?
His plans were to implement comprehensive programs to address the Great Depression including but not limited to the CCC, WPA, etc.
How does FDR fix the banking issue?
He implements a “bank holiday” to ensure that banks are financially sound before reopening about a week later.
What are 3 New Deal Programs & briefly explain them.
The WPA allowed artists to create public art during the Depression. The CCC improved America’s infrastructure and natural resources while providing employment to young men. Social security would provide economic security to Americans who reached retirement age.
What was “court packing”?
Court packing is the expansion of the US Supreme Court to ensure that policies pass without scrutiny or blockage from the court.
Did the New Deal get the US out of the great depression?
The New Deal did not fix the depression, WW2 did. It did make the public more confident in the nation.
Isolationism & Road to WWII:
What was the US’ policy before entering WWII?
The US had a policy of isolationism and neutrality.
What were the differences between the Neutrality Acts of 1935-1937 and 1939?
The 1939 neutrality act allowed for aid programs to certain nations while the earlier acts forced full neutrality.
When the war began in Europe, what did FDR Proclaim?
FDR proclaimed that the US would be neutral but support allies with weapons. (Cash-and-carry programs)
What are the “four Freedoms” FDR says in his speech?
The freedom of speech, the freedom of worship, the freedom from want, and the freedom from fear
Why was the Lend-Lease Act implemented and what did it signify?
The LL act was implemented to support Britain and the USSR against Germany and it signified a significant departure from neutrality.
What led to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and how did the US respond?
The Pearl Harbor attack was due to the US cutting off Japan from oil. The US responded to Pearl Harbor by going to war with Japan, which led to it being involved in war against Germany.
The US in WWII:
What are some important principles of the Atlantic Charter?
The Atlantic Charter stated how there would be no territorial gains for the victors, no territorial changes made against the will of the people, Free trade, reduction of poverty, disarmament of the Axis powers, and that they would not make a separate peace with the Axis
How were African Americans involved in the War effort and what was the double v campaign?
1 million African Americans served in segregated units, the 332 Fighter Group named the Tuskegee Airmen were an extremely effective Air Force.
The Double V Campaign was Victory in Europe would mean civil liberty in America.
How were women involved in the war effort?
Women served in the military as WAC’s: Women’s Army Corp, Women Appointed for Voluntary Emergency Service, Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, Medical and technical support, Flew military equipment to war zones, and cryptography decoding.
How did the US fund the war effort?
Over half of the US economy was dedicated to the War effort as well as mass rationing and mass buying of war bonds.
What was the significance of the Manhattan Project?
It was a massive lead in ending the war and a final threat to Axis powers (However it was only made in time to be used on Japan)
What happened during the Zoot Suit Riots?
Mass civilian attacks made against young Mexicans and African Americans injuring 150 people and resulting in 500 arrests.
Why were the Japanese sent into internment camps? Did Japanese-Americans stay loyal to the US?
The Japanese were accused of Treason and seen as untrustworthy so they were interned, despite the fact many Japanese served in our military and did so with exemplary patriotism despite the fact of internment.
Why was the Battle of Stalingrad significant for the Allies fighting in the eastern front?
It made the Nazis forced to fight a 2 fronted war, furthermore Stalingrad significantly shifted the Nazis attention to Russia and away from the western front.
What made D-Day the most significant battle in Europe during WWII?
It added yet another front to the war and forced the Nazis to focus on the west as well as the east allowing Stalin to push into Berlin
How did the US begin to push Japan out of islands and countries and eventually back into Japan?
Island Hopping was a strategy of rapid warfare in which we attacked islands with air and sea power in rapid succession
What two specific things led to the end of the WWII in the Pacific?
The first were the Atomic bombs and then Russian inclusion in the war against Japan.