Seminole High School 2

Overview of Upcoming Exam

• Exam Date: December 9

  • Time: Predicted to be in the morning (exact time unconfirmed)

  • Duration: 80 minutes (state law requirement)

  • Post-exam: Students will return to class after the exam.

• Study Sessions: Additional session on December 3.

Historical Context

• Timeline Focus: Consequences of events post-1945 leading to the Cold War.

• Key Presidents Discussed:

  • William McKinley: Assassinated, leading to Teddy Roosevelt's presidency.

  • Teddy Roosevelt: Advocate for breaking up monopolies, known for Progressive reforms.

  • William Howard Taft: Continued Progressive policies.

  • Woodrow Wilson: Expanded on Progressive ideals and foreign interventions.

Progressivism

• Definition: Movement aimed at addressing issues caused by industrialization, urbanization, and corruption in government.

• Muckraking: Journalism that exposes social issues, corruption, and abuse.

  • Example: The Jungle by Upton Sinclair leading to the Pure Food and Drug Act, creating the FDA.

Yellow Journalism vs. Muckraking

• Yellow Journalism: Sensationalist and often misleading news aimed at increasing sales and stirring public emotions, notably used during the Spanish-American War.

  • Key Figures: William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer competed in exaggerating stories.

Spanish-American War (1898)

• Causes: U.S. economic interests in Cuba and the prevalence of yellow journalism inflaming public sentiment.

• Key Events:

  • USS Maine: U.S. battleship exploded in Havana Harbor, used as a catalyst for war.

  • Outcome: U.S. victory; Cuba gained independence but under U.S. influence.

Key Terms and Amendments

• Teller Amendment: Stated the U.S. would not annex Cuba, preserving its independence.

• Platt Amendment: Allowed U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs, essentially making Cuba under U.S. control without formal annexation.

• Insular Cases: Supreme Court cases addressing the rights of residents in newly acquired territories (e.g., Puerto Rico, Philippines).

Expansion of U.S. Influence

• Annexation of Hawaii: Overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani by American Planters due to economic interests in sugar; Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1898.

• Filipino-American War: Following the victory in the Spanish-American War, the U.S. occupied the Philippines, leading to significant conflict with local populations resistant to foreign control.

Foreign Policies of Progressive Presidents

• Teddy Roosevelt - Big Stick Diplomacy: Use of military threat and power to achieve foreign policy goals. Example: Panama Canal deal encouraged by military force.

• William Howard Taft - Dollar Diplomacy: Promotion of American financial interests abroad, leveraging economic pressure over military force. Example: U.S. investments in Latin America giving rise to influence over governments.

• Woodrow Wilson - Moral Diplomacy: Encouraging countries to adopt democratic principles, leading to interventions in Mexico to promote U.S.-aligned governments but ultimately resulting in military conflicts.

Entry into World War I

• Isolationism: U.S. maintained a stance of isolation from global conflict until pressures mounted.

• Reasons for U.S. Involvement:

  • Sinking of Lusitania: Loss of American lives raised public outcry against Germany.

  • Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: Germany's declaration and subsequent actions directly threatened American shipping.

  • Zimmerman Note: Secret communication proposing a German-Mexican alliance against the U.S., heightening calls for war.

Consequences of World War I

• U.S. Military Contribution: Approximately 1 million troops sent, with about 100,000 casualties.

• Long-term effects: Growth of women's suffrage movements, leading to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment.

Conclusion

• Study Focus: Be familiar with the key figures, events, and concepts discussed, particularly the implications of foreign policies and interactions leading to and during the war. Understand the differences between muckraking and yellow journalism and their roles in shaping public opinion.