apush unit 7 study guide

Period 7 (1890-1945) - Six Key Points

  1. Transition from agricultural to industrial economy; urban growth; rise in unemployment before the Great Depression.

  2. Progressive movement advocating for social reforms addressing political corruption, women’s suffrage, and economic inequality.

  3. Era of mass media and cultural changes in the Roaring Twenties, sparking debates on important social issues.

  4. FDR’s New Deal aimed to combat the Great Depression through social and economic reforms.

  5. U.S. involvement in three major wars: the Spanish-American War, WWI, and WWII.

  6. Victory in the Spanish-American War expanded U.S. territory overseas.

The “Forgettable” Administrations

  • James Garfield: 20th President, served March 4, 1881 - September 19, 1881. Shot in July 1881; fatal infection due to poor medical treatment.

  • Chester A. Arthur: 21st President, succeeded Garfield. Known for the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act promoting merit-based civil service.

Major Changes in Migration

  • Significant urban migration led by various groups, including a “Great Migration” of African Americans fleeing the South for better opportunities in the North.

Gilded Age and Political Corruption

  • Spoils System: Corruption rewarding political supporters with jobs.

  • Gilded Age: Era of both economic growth and stark inequality, leading to Progressive reforms.

  • Political Machines: Corrupt organizations influencing election outcomes through patronage.

Key Political Figures and Reforms

  • Stalwarts and Half-Breeds: Factions within the Republican Party circling around the spoils system.

  • Grover Cleveland: Only President with non-consecutive terms, focused on economic issues like the Panic of 1893.

  • Pendleton Civil Service Act (1881): Established merit-based hiring.

Agrarian Discontent and Economic Turbulence

  • Farmers’ Alliance: Alliance advocating for farmers’ interests, led to the formation of the Populist Party.

  • Panic of 1893: Major economic downturn triggered by railroad failures.

  • William Jennings Bryan: Key figure in Populism, famous for his "Cross of Gold" speech.

Emergence of Progressivism

  • Theodore Roosevelt: 26th President who introduced the Square Deal and domestic progressivism.

  • Muckrakers: Investigative journalists who exposed corruption.

  • Social Gospel: Religious movement advocating for social justice and reform.

Progressive Legislative Achievements

  • Seventeenth Amendment: Direct election of senators by the public.

  • Square Deal: Roosevelt's policy focusing on labor rights and environmental conservation.

  • Pure Food and Drug Act: Ensured safe food and drug production.

World War I and American Politics

  • U.S. Entry into WWI: Driven by events like the Zimmermann Telegram.

  • Espionage and Sedition Acts: Laws that limited civil liberties during the war.

  • League of Nations: Proposed by Wilson, but faced opposition and was never ratified by the U.S.

The Great Depression and FDR's New Deal

  • Black Tuesday: The stock market crash that marked the beginning of the Great Depression.

  • New Deal Programs: Aimed at economic recovery and social welfare, including the Social Security Act.

  • National Labor Relations Act: Strengthened union rights and collective bargaining.

Post-War America and the Cold War

  • GI Bill: Enabled millions of veterans to secure education and loans for homes.

  • Korean War: A significant conflict that defined U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War.

  • McCarthyism: A period of intense anti-communist suspicion in the U.S. government and society.

Civil Rights Movement

  • Martin Luther King Jr.: Key leader advocating for civil rights through nonviolent protest.

  • Brown v. Board of Education: Landmark Supreme Court case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Conclusion

  • Understanding the key events, reforms, and figures from 1890-1945 is critical for success on the AP U.S. History exam. Familiarity with these concepts helps contextualize America’s transition into modern society.

  1. Shift from agriculture to industry; urbanization; unemployment spike before the Great Depression.

  2. Progressive movement for social reforms addressing political corruption, women's suffrage, and economic inequality.

  3. Roaring Twenties: era of mass media and cultural shifts, fostering debates on social issues.

  4. FDR's New Deal sought to alleviate the Great Depression through social and economic reforms.

  5. U.S. engaged in three major wars: Spanish-American War, WWI, and WWII.

  6. Victory in the Spanish-American War expanded U.S. territory overseas.

The “Forgettable” Administrations

  • James Garfield: 20th President, served from March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881; assassinated.

  • Chester A. Arthur: 21st President, known for Pendleton Civil Service Reform promoting merit-based civil service.

Major Changes in Migration

  • Significant urban migration, notably the “Great Migration” of African Americans seeking better opportunities in the North.

Gilded Age and Political Corruption

  • Spoils System: corrupt practice rewarding political supporters with jobs.

  • Gilded Age: period of economic growth with stark inequality, leading to Progressive reforms.

  • Political Machines: organizations manipulating elections through patronage.

Key Political Figures and Reforms

  • Stalwarts and Half-Breeds: Republican factions around the spoils system.

  • Grover Cleveland: only President with non-consecutive terms, focusing on economic issues like the Panic of 1893.

  • Pendleton Civil Service Act (1881): established merit-based hiring.

Agrarian Discontent and Economic Turbulence

  • Farmers’ Alliance: advocated for farmers’ interests; gave rise to the Populist Party.

  • Panic of 1893: major economic downturn due to railroad failures.

  • William Jennings Bryan: Populist leader famous for his "Cross of Gold" speech.

Emergence of Progressivism

  • Theodore Roosevelt: 26th President promoting the Square Deal and domestic progressivism.

  • Muckrakers: journalists exposing corruption.

  • Social Gospel: religious movement advocating for social justice.

Progressive Legislative Achievements

  • Seventeenth Amendment: public direct election of senators.

  • Square Deal: Roosevelt's labor rights and environmental conservation policy.

  • Pure Food and Drug Act: ensured safety in food and drug production.

World War I and American Politics

  • U.S. Entry into WWI: influenced by events like the Zimmermann Telegram.

  • Espionage and Sedition Acts: laws limiting civil liberties during the war.

  • League of Nations: proposed by Wilson, ultimately rejected by U.S.

The Great Depression and FDR's New Deal

  • Black Tuesday: stock market crash marking the Great Depression's onset.

  • New Deal Programs: aimed at economic recovery and social welfare, including the Social Security Act.

  • National Labor Relations Act: strengthened union rights.

Post-War America and the Cold War

  • GI Bill: provided education and home loans to veterans.

  • Korean War: shaped U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War.

  • McCarthyism: period of anti-communist suspicion in government and society.

Civil Rights Movement

  • Martin Luther King Jr.: leader advocating civil rights via nonviolent protest.

  • Brown v. Board of Education: Supreme Court case declaring racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Conclusion

  • Understanding the key events, reforms, and figures from 1890-1945 is essential for success on the AP U.S. History exam, providing context for America’s transition into modern society.