Period 7 APUSH Vocab

Alfred Thayer Mahan – A U.S. naval officer and historian whose book The Influence of Sea Power upon History (1890) argued that control of the sea was crucial to world dominance. He advocated for a strong navy and helped shape U.S. foreign policy.

Queen Liliuokalani – The last monarch of Hawaii, she was overthrown in 1893 after the U.S. business interests backed a coup. She tried to restore Hawaii’s independence but was unsuccessful.

Pan-American Conference – A series of international meetings between U.S. and Latin American countries, initiated by the U.S. to foster economic cooperation and solidarity in the Western Hemisphere. The first meeting was in 1889.

Jingoism – Extreme nationalism and patriotism, often linked with aggressive foreign policy and military intervention.

Cuban Revolt – A series of uprisings and rebellions in Cuba against Spanish rule, culminating in the Cuban War of Independence (1895-1898), which led to U.S. involvement in the Spanish-American War.

Yellow Journalism – Sensationalized and exaggerated newspaper reporting, often used to stir public emotions and sway opinion. It played a role in the U.S. entering the Spanish-American War.

De Lome Letter – A letter written by Spanish ambassador Enrique Dupuy de Lome in 1898, criticizing President McKinley. The letter was intercepted and published, fueling anti-Spanish sentiment in the U.S.

Teller Amendment – An amendment to the U.S. declaration of war against Spain in 1898, stating that the U.S. would not annex Cuba but would allow the Cuban people to control their own government.

Platt Amendment – A 1901 amendment to the Cuban constitution that gave the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuba’s affairs and established a U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay.

Sphere of Influence – A geographic area where a foreign power has exclusive rights to trade, develop, or exploit resources. It was a concept used by imperial powers in China and Latin America.

George Dewey – U.S. naval officer who defeated the Spanish fleet in the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War, marking a decisive victory for the U.S.

Emilio Aguinaldo – Leader of the Filipino independence movement against Spanish rule and later against American colonization during the Philippine-American War.

Rough Riders – A volunteer cavalry regiment led by Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War. They gained fame for their charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba.

Hawaii – An island group in the Pacific Ocean, annexed by the U.S. in 1898 after the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani. Hawaii became a U.S. state in 1959.

Theodore Roosevelt – The 26th president of the U.S., known for his progressive domestic policies, his role in the Spanish-American War, and his efforts in expanding U.S. influence globally, including the construction of the Panama Canal.

Open Door Policy – A U.S. policy, first proposed by Secretary of State John Hay in 1899, that sought to ensure equal trading rights for all nations in China and preserve China’s territorial integrity.

Boxer Rebellion – A violent anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising in China in 1899-1901, which was suppressed by an international coalition, including the U.S.

Panama Canal – A man-made waterway across the Isthmus of Panama, completed in 1914, which dramatically shortened shipping routes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The U.S. controlled the canal zone until 1999.

William Howard Taft – The 27th president of the U.S., known for his foreign policy of "Dollar Diplomacy," which aimed to use American economic power to influence Latin American and Asian countries.

Dollar Diplomacy – A U.S. foreign policy under President Taft that sought to promote American business interests abroad, particularly in Latin America and East Asia, by encouraging investments and loans.

Roosevelt Corollary – An addition to the Monroe Doctrine, stated by Theodore Roosevelt in 1904, which claimed the U.S. had the right to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and prevent European intervention.

Russo-Japanese War – A war fought between Russia and Japan (1904-1905) over territorial disputes in Manchuria and Korea. The U.S. brokered the peace treaty, winning Roosevelt the Nobel Peace Prize.

Puerto Rico – An island in the Caribbean acquired by the U.S. after the Spanish-American War. It became a U.S. territory, and its residents are U.S. citizens but do not have voting representation in Congress.

Woodrow Wilson – The 28th president of the U.S., known for his progressive domestic policies and leadership during World War I, including his proposal for the League of Nations.

Moral Diplomacy – Woodrow Wilson’s foreign policy approach, which emphasized promoting democratic ideals and human rights over economic or military interests.

Pragmatism – A philosophical approach, often associated with American thinkers like William James and John Dewey, which focuses on practical consequences and real-world results as the key to truth and value.

Ida Tarbell – A pioneering investigative journalist and one of the leading muckrakers, known for her exposé on Standard Oil, which helped lead to the breakup of the company.

Jacob Riis – A journalist and photographer who exposed the harsh living conditions of the urban poor in his book How the Other Half Lives (1890), influencing social reform.

Muckrakers – Journalists and writers in the early 20th century who investigated and exposed corruption, social injustices, and abuses of power in politics and business.

Florence Kelley – A social and political reformer who worked to improve labor conditions, especially for women and children, and played a role in the founding of the National Consumers League.

Triangle Shirtwaist fire – A tragic factory fire in 1911 in New York City that killed 146 workers, many of them young women, highlighting the need for labor reforms and improved workplace safety.

16th Amendment – An amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1913) that authorized Congress to levy an income tax, shifting the tax burden more heavily to the wealthy.

17th Amendment – An amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1913) that established the direct election of U.S. senators by the people, rather than by state legislatures.

18th Amendment – An amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1919) that prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages (Prohibition).

Square Deal – President Theodore Roosevelt’s domestic program, focused on ensuring fairness in business, labor, and consumer protection.

Mann-Elkins Act – A 1910 law that expanded the regulatory powers of the Interstate Commerce Commission, allowing it to regulate telephone, telegraph, and cable companies.

The Jungle – A 1906 novel by Upton Sinclair that exposed the harsh and unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry, leading to reforms like the Meat Inspection Act.

“Bull Moose” Party – A progressive political party formed by Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 after a split in the Republican Party. It advocated for reforms such as women’s suffrage and direct election of senators.

Booker T. Washington – A prominent African American leader and educator who advocated for vocational and industrial education for Black Americans and believed in gradual equality through hard work.

W.E.B. Du Bois – An influential African American scholar and civil rights activist who co-founded the NAACP and called for immediate political and social equality for African Americans.

NAACP – The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, founded in 1909 to fight for the civil rights and equality of African Americans.

Alice Paul – A suffragist and feminist who played a key role in the campaign for the 19th Amendment, advocating for women’s right to vote and later for the Equal Rights Amendment.

19th Amendment – An amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1920) that granted women the right to vote.

Lusitania – A British passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-boat in 1915, killing 128 Americans. The event contributed to the U.S. entering World War I.

Preparedness – A policy adopted by President Wilson before the U.S. entered World War I, which involved building up military strength and preparing for possible involvement.

Zimmerman Telegram – A secret diplomatic communication from Germany to Mexico during World War I, promising Mexico the return of lost territories (like Texas) if they allied with Germany against the U.S. The interception of this telegram helped push the U.S. into war.

John J. Pershing – The commander of the U.S. Expeditionary Forces in World War I, leading American troops in Europe and helping to achieve victory over Germany.

George Creel – Head of the U.S. Committee on Public Information during World War I, responsible for promoting war propaganda to generate public support for the war.

Bolsheviks – A Marxist political party in Russia, led by Vladimir Lenin, that seized power in the 1917 Russian Revolution and established a communist government.

Fourteen Points – A statement of principles for peace proposed by President Wilson in 1918, aiming to address the causes of World War I and promote lasting peace, including the creation of the League of Nations.

League of Nations – An international organization founded after World War I to promote peace and cooperation among nations. The U.S. did not join, despite Wilson’s strong advocacy for it.

Henry Cabot Lodge – A Republican senator from Massachusetts, and a key figure in the opposition to the U.S. joining the League of Nations after World War I. He argued against the Treaty of Versailles and led the fight in the Senate to reject it.

Self-Determination – The right of a people or nation to determine its own political status and govern itself without outside interference. It was a key principle in Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points after World War I.

Reparations – Payments made by a country for damages caused during a war. After World War I, Germany was required to pay reparations to the Allied powers as part of the Treaty of Versailles.

Mobilization – The process of preparing and organizing a country’s resources, including military forces, for war. It involves the drafting of soldiers, the production of war materials, and other logistical preparations.

Liberty Bonds – War bonds sold to American citizens during World War I to help finance the U.S. war effort. These bonds were seen as a patriotic duty.

Spanish Flu – A global influenza pandemic in 1918-1919 that killed millions of people worldwide, including many in the United States. It significantly impacted the post-World War I recovery period.

Schenck v. United States – A 1919 Supreme Court case that upheld the conviction of Charles Schenck for distributing anti-draft pamphlets, ruling that speech that poses a "clear and present danger" can be restricted under the First Amendment.

Selective Service Act – A 1917 law that authorized the U.S. government to draft soldiers for World War I. It required all men between the ages of 21 and 30 to register for military service.

The Red Scare (1st) – A period of intense fear of communism and radical political ideas in the U.S. after World War I, particularly following the Russian Revolution of 1917 and labor strikes.

Palmer Raids – A series of raids in 1919 and 1920 led by U.S. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, targeting suspected radicals, communists, and anarchists. The raids led to the arrest and deportation of thousands.

Nativism – A political policy or belief that favors the interests of native-born or established inhabitants over those of immigrants. It was particularly strong in the U.S. during the early 20th century, especially against European and Asian immigrants.

Sacco & Vanzetti – Two Italian immigrants and anarchists who were controversially convicted of murder in 1921. Many believed they were wrongly convicted due to their political beliefs and ethnic backgrounds, leading to widespread protests.

The Great Migration – The mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North between 1916 and 1970, seeking better economic opportunities and escaping racial discrimination.

Fundamentalism – A conservative religious movement that emerged in the early 20th century, emphasizing a literal interpretation of the Bible and a rejection of modernist ideas. It played a significant role in the Scopes Trial.

Traditionalism – A belief in maintaining established customs, practices, and values, particularly in contrast to the social and cultural changes brought by modernism in the early 20th century.

Henry Ford – Founder of the Ford Motor Company and innovator of the assembly line process, which revolutionized mass production and made automobiles affordable for the general public.

Assembly Line Process – A manufacturing process developed by Henry Ford where each worker performs a specific task in a sequence to produce goods more efficiently. It greatly reduced the cost of production.

Art Deco – An influential design style that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, characterized by bold geometric shapes, vibrant colors, and the use of modern materials like aluminum and glass. It influenced architecture, fashion, and visual arts.

Charles Lindbergh – An American aviator who became a national hero in 1927 for making the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight, from New York to Paris.

Modernism – A cultural movement in the early 20th century that sought to break away from traditional forms and embrace innovation, experimentation, and a rejection of established norms in art, literature, architecture, and culture.

Scopes Trial – A famous 1925 legal case in which teacher John Scopes was tried for teaching evolution in a Tennessee public school, challenging the state’s law banning the teaching of Darwin's theory. The trial became a national spectacle about science and religion.

“Scarface” Al Capone – A notorious Chicago gangster during the Prohibition era who dominated organized crime, particularly in bootlegging alcohol, and was eventually convicted of tax evasion.

Margaret Sanger – A pioneering advocate for birth control and women's reproductive rights, founder of the American Birth Control League (which later became Planned Parenthood).

Harlem Renaissance – A cultural, artistic, and intellectual movement in the 1920s centered in Harlem, New York, that celebrated African American culture and produced a wealth of art, literature, and music.

“Jazz Age” – A term used to describe the 1920s, reflecting the popularity of jazz music and the cultural transformations of the decade, characterized by modernity, rebellion, and social change.

Marcus Garvey – A Jamaican-born political leader and activist who advocated for Black nationalism, Pan-Africanism, and the establishment of an independent Black nation in Africa. He founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).

Warren G. Harding – The 29th president of the U.S. (1921-1923), whose presidency was marked by scandals such as the Teapot Dome. He promised a "Return to Normalcy" following World War I.

“Return to Normalcy” – Warren G. Harding’s campaign slogan in the 1920 presidential election, promising a return to pre-World War I conditions and a rejection of the progressive reforms and internationalism of the Wilson era.

Teapot Dome – A major political scandal during Harding’s presidency (1921-1923) in which government officials, including Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall, were implicated in accepting bribes in exchange for leasing federal oil reserves at Teapot Dome, Wyoming.

Calvin Coolidge – The 30th president of the U.S. (1923-1929), known for his pro-business policies, economic conservatism, and the slogan "The business of America is business."

Herbert Hoover – The 31st president of the U.S. (1929-1933), whose presidency saw the onset of the Great Depression. Hoover was criticized for his handling of the economic crisis.

Alfred E. Smith – A four-time governor of New York and the Democratic nominee for president in 1928, known for his opposition to Prohibition and his advocacy for urban issues. He was the first Catholic to run for president in a major party.

Great Depression – A severe worldwide economic downturn that began in 1929 with the stock market crash, leading to widespread unemployment, poverty, and hardship in the U.S. and many other countries.

Black Tuesday – October 29, 1929, the day the stock market crashed, marking the beginning of the Great Depression.

Federal Reserve – The central banking system of the U.S., established in 1913, responsible for regulating the money supply, managing inflation, and controlling interest rates.

Hawley-Smoot Tariff – A high tariff law passed in 1930 that raised import duties on many goods, exacerbating the Great Depression by reducing international trade.

Bonus Army/Bonus March – A group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington, D.C., in 1932 to demand early payment of their war bonuses. The march ended in violence when the U.S. Army forcibly removed the protesters.

RFC (Reconstruction Finance Corporation) – A government agency created by Herbert Hoover in 1932 to provide financial support to banks, businesses, and other institutions struggling during the Great Depression.

19th Amendment – The amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1920) that granted women the right to vote.

Franklin D. Roosevelt – The 32nd president of the U.S. (1933-1945), known for his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II. He implemented the New Deal to combat the Depression.

21st Amendment – An amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1933) that repealed Prohibition, ending the national ban on alcohol.

Three Rs – The core principles of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs: Relief (immediate aid to those suffering), Recovery (economic recovery), and Reform (long-term reforms to prevent future depressions).

First New Deal – Franklin D. Roosevelt’s initial set of programs and reforms (1933-1934) aimed at providing relief, recovery, and reform to combat the Great Depression.

Fireside Chats – A series of radio broadcasts by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in which he spoke directly to the American people, explaining his policies and offering reassurance during the Great Depression.

New Deal Programs – A set of federal programs initiated by Roosevelt during the Great Depression:

• AAA (Agricultural Adjustment Act): Reduced agricultural production to raise prices and help farmers.

• PWA (Public Works Administration): Funded large-scale infrastructure projects to create jobs.

• CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps): Employed young men in environmental and conservation projects.

• TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority): Developed the Tennessee Valley region through dams, electricity, and flood control.

• NRA (National Recovery Administration): Established codes for fair competition in industry and labor.

• SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission): Regulated the stock market to prevent fraud and manipulation.

• FHA (Federal Housing Administration): Provided mortgage insurance and helped the housing industry.

• CWA (Civil Works Administration): Provided temporary jobs during the winter of 1933-1934.

• WPA (Works Progress Administration): Employed millions in public works projects like bridges, roads, and schools.

FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) – A government agency created in 1933 to insure bank deposits, protecting depositors and restoring trust in the banking system.

Social Security Act – A 1935 law that provided unemployment insurance, pensions for the elderly, and assistance for disabled individuals and families.

Eleanor Roosevelt – First lady of the U.S. (1933-1945), a strong advocate for civil rights, women’s rights, and social reform, and a key advisor to her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Huey P. Long – A populist Louisiana politician and governor (1928-1932) known for his “Share the Wealth” program, which proposed wealth redistribution through taxes on the rich. He was a strong critic of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal.

Father Charles E. Coughlin – A Catholic priest and radio broadcaster who became a prominent critic of Roosevelt’s New Deal, advocating for a more radical economic program and later expressing anti-Semitic and pro-fascist views.

Dr. Francis E. Townsend – An American physician whose Townsend Plan in the 1930s proposed providing pensions for the elderly, influencing the development of Social Security in the New Deal.

Share-the-Wealth Program – A proposal by Huey P. Long during the Great Depression to redistribute wealth by taxing the rich to provide economic security for the poor, including a guaranteed income for families.

Second New Deal – A second phase of New Deal programs initiated by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935, focusing on economic security, labor rights, and social welfare, including the Social Security Act and the Wagner Act.

Court Reorganization Plan – Franklin D. Roosevelt’s failed attempt in 1937 to increase the number of Supreme Court justices from nine to fifteen, which would allow him to appoint more justices who would support his New Deal programs.

Fair Labor Standards Act – A 1938 law that established minimum wage, maximum workweek, and child labor regulations. It aimed to improve labor conditions and reduce exploitation of workers.

Dust Bowl – A series of severe dust storms during the 1930s that devastated the Great Plains, causing agricultural collapse, mass migration, and widespread hardship for farmers.

Okies – Migrants, mainly from Oklahoma, who moved west to California during the Dust Bowl in search of work and better living conditions.

Indian Reorganization Act – A 1934 law that aimed to reverse the policy of assimilation and promote Native American self-government, allowing tribes to establish their own governments and control their lands.

Kellogg-Briand Pact – A 1928 international agreement that sought to outlaw war as a means of resolving disputes, signed by 62 nations, but ultimately failed to prevent future conflicts.

Dawes Plan – A 1924 plan to help Germany pay reparations after World War I, which involved loans from the U.S. to stabilize the German economy and ease the burden of reparations.

Good Neighbor Policy – A foreign policy adopted by Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s, aimed at improving relations with Latin American countries through non-intervention and mutual respect.

Fascism – An authoritarian and nationalistic political ideology, characterized by dictatorial power, extreme nationalism, suppression of opposition, and control over many aspects of life, including the economy.

Benito Mussolini – The fascist dictator of Italy from 1922 to 1943, who allied with Adolf Hitler during World War II and was a key figure in the rise of fascism in Europe.

Adolf Hitler – The dictator of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945, responsible for initiating World War II and the Holocaust, in which six million Jews were murdered.

Nazi Party – The National Socialist German Workers' Party, led by Adolf Hitler, which governed Germany from 1933 to 1945, promoting extreme nationalism, anti-Semitism, and militarism.

Isolationism – A foreign policy stance that advocates for a country to avoid involvement in international conflicts and alliances, often in order to focus on domestic issues.

Neutrality Acts – A series of laws passed by Congress in the 1930s to prevent U.S. involvement in foreign wars, including bans on arms sales and loans to countries at war.

America First Committee – A non-interventionist organization formed in 1940 to oppose U.S. involvement in World War II, arguing that the U.S. should prioritize its own defense over foreign entanglements.

Francisco Franco – The Spanish general who led a military rebellion against the Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and ruled Spain as a fascist dictator from 1939 until his death in 1975.

Winston Churchill – The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II (1940-1945, 1951-1955), known for his leadership and speeches during the war, particularly his resolve to resist Nazi Germany.

Joseph Stalin – The leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953, responsible for the Soviet Union’s transformation into a totalitarian state and for leading the USSR during World War II.

Blitzkrieg – A military strategy used by Nazi Germany during World War II, characterized by rapid, overwhelming attacks combining air raids, artillery, and infantry forces to quickly defeat enemies.

Cash and Carry – A policy enacted by the U.S. in 1939 allowing belligerent nations to purchase arms and other goods from the U.S., but only if they paid cash and arranged for transportation, thereby avoiding direct U.S. involvement in the war.

Lend-Lease Act – A 1941 U.S. law that allowed the government to supply military aid to Allied nations during World War II, providing arms, food, and supplies in exchange for lease agreements on military bases.

Pearl Harbor – A U.S. naval base in Hawaii that was attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941, leading the United States to formally enter World War II.

War Production Board (WPB) – A U.S. government agency during World War II that coordinated the production of war materials, mobilizing the economy to support the Allied war effort.

Manhattan Project – A secret U.S. government project during World War II that developed the first atomic bombs, leading to the creation of nuclear weapons.

Office of War Information – A U.S. government agency responsible for propagating war messages to the public during World War II, including through posters, films, and radio broadcasts.

Women’s Army Corps (WAC) – A branch of the U.S. Army created during World War II that allowed women to serve in non-combat roles, including clerical, administrative, and support positions.

Smith v. Allwright – A 1944 Supreme Court decision that ruled it unconstitutional for the Texas Democratic Party to deny Black voters the right to vote in primary elections, striking down the "white primary."

Tuskegee Airmen – A group of African American pilots and airmen who served with distinction in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, breaking racial barriers in the military.

Braceros – Mexican laborers brought to the United States during World War II to fill labor shortages in agriculture and other industries, as part of the Bracero Program (1942-1964).

Korematsu v. U.S. – A 1944 Supreme Court case that upheld the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, a decision widely criticized and later formally acknowledged as unjust.

“Rosie the Riveter” – A cultural icon representing American women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, symbolizing their contribution to the war effort.

Dwight D. Eisenhower – The Supreme Commander of Allied forces in Europe during World War II and later the 34th president of the U.S. (1953-1961), overseeing the postwar period.

D-Day – June 6, 1944, the day of the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II, a turning point in the war that led to the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.

Battle of Midway – A pivotal 1942 naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II in which the U.S. Navy decisively defeated the Japanese fleet, turning the tide in favor of the Allies.

Island Hopping – A military strategy used by the Allies during World War II in the Pacific, where they captured key islands, bypassing heavily fortified ones, to get closer to Japan.

Kamikaze – Japanese suicide pilots who crashed their planes into Allied ships during World War II, used as a last-ditch tactic by Japan toward the end of the war.

Douglas MacArthur – A U.S. general during World War II who played a key role in the Pacific War, later overseeing the occupation of Japan after its surrender.

J. Robert Oppenheimer – An American physicist who is best known for his role as the scientific director of the Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb.

Nagasaki & Hiroshima – Japanese cities where the U.S. dropped atomic bombs in August 1945, leading to Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II.

USS Missouri – The U.S. battleship where Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945, ending World War II.

Harry S. Truman – The 33rd president of the U.S. (1945-1953), who succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt and made the decision to use atomic bombs on Japan to end World War II.

Casablanca Conference – A 1943 meeting between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, where they announced their goal of demanding unconditional surrender from the Axis powers.

Yalta Conference – A 1945 meeting between Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin, where they discussed the post-war reorganization of Europe and the establishment of the United Nations.

The United Nations – An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations, replacing the League of Nations.

Atomic Weapons – Nuclear weapons that derive their destructive power from nuclear reactions, such as fission or fusion. The U.S. used atomic bombs during World War II to defeat Japan.