vocab

1. Theodore Roosevelt – 26th U.S. President known for trust-busting, conservation efforts, and expanding the power of the presidency during the Progressive Era.

2. Square Deal – Roosevelt’s domestic policy that focused on helping workers, regulating big business, and protecting consumers and the environment.

3. New Freedom – Woodrow Wilson’s campaign and reform plan promoting antitrust laws, banking reform, and lowering tariffs to increase economic opportunity.

4. Woodrow Wilson – 28th U.S. President who led the country during World War I and pushed Progressive reforms like the Federal Reserve Act and the New Freedom agenda.

5. Knights of Labor – An early labor union that welcomed all workers and aimed for broad social reforms like better working conditions and equal pay.

6. Muckrakers – Journalists in the early 1900s who exposed corruption, poverty, and injustice in politics and business to spark reform.

7. Suffrage – The right to vote in political elections, especially used when referring to the women’s suffrage movement.

8. Imperialism – A policy where a stronger country takes control of weaker territories for economic, political, or military gain.

9. Annexation of Hawaii – The U.S. took control of Hawaii in 1898 after overthrowing Queen Liliuokalani, mainly for economic and strategic military reasons.

10. Spanish-American War – A 1898 war between the U.S. and Spain that resulted in U.S. control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

11. Philippine Insurrection – A rebellion by Filipino nationalists (1899–1902) against U.S. rule after the Philippines was taken from Spain.

12. Open-Door Policy – A U.S. policy that allowed all countries to trade equally with China, aiming to prevent any one nation from controlling Chinese trade.

13. Panama Canal – A man-made waterway built by the U.S. through Panama (opened in 1914) to shorten the travel time between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

14. William H. Taft – 27th U.S. President and later Chief Justice; continued some Progressive reforms and promoted Dollar Diplomacy in foreign policy.

15. Roosevelt Corollary – An addition to the Monroe Doctrine stating the U.S. would intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability.

16. Dollar Diplomacy – Taft’s policy of using U.S. financial power to extend international influence, especially in Latin America and Asia.

17. Queen Liliuokalani – The last monarch of Hawaii who tried to preserve Hawaiian independence before being overthrown by American interests.