United States History II - (1900-1945)
Terms/Significance -
Alfred Mahan:
Lecturer on naval history. The Influence of Sea Power upon History. Explained the need for oversea markets, merchant fleets, a modern navy, naval bases, and canal to connect Atlantic and Pacific Fleets.
USS Maine:
US tried to take Cuba after the Civil War. USS Maine exploded while visiting Cuba. McKinley asked for and received declaration of war, leading to the Teller Amendment (only fighting the war for good purposes).
Treaty of Paris (1898):
Ended the Spanish-American War, the US got Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines and made Cuba a protectorate
Building the Panama Canal:
completed in 1914; allowed ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans more efficiently; reduced travel time for maritime trade, boosted the U.S. economy, and established the U.S. as a major player in international shipping and global trade
Sources of Immigration in 1890s:
Before 1890: mostly Western European (Great Britain & Germany)
After 1890: South/Eastern Europe & Asia
Reasons: population pressures, homeland problems, new opportunities in US
Melting Pot theory:
Blend the cultures of many to create a new culture. Public schools played a large role. Make ‘em “more American”
Chinese Exclusion Act:
Blocked Chinese immigration for 10 years (they could visit for 90 days but then had to leave)
“Destroyed American morality” but it was really about jobs and wages
Tenements:
A room or set of rooms forming separate residences within a house or set of apartments
People were packed into tenements, less than 15% of Americans had toilets; lack of sanitation led to spread of disease
Creation of department and chain stores:
offered a wide variety of goods at lower prices through bulk purchasing; rise in consumerism
Muckrakers:
Sold magazines with articles about problems in the cities.
Examples
Lincoln Steffens “Tweed Days in St. Louis”
Ida Tarbell “History of Standard Oil Company”
Upton Sinclair “The Jungle”
Theodore Dresier “Sister Carrie”
City manage system:
A hired professional administrator to oversee city operations and manage public services in response to cities experiencing natural disasters (ex. Dayton flood of 1913) rather than creating a council
“Fighting Bob” LaFollette:
Served in House of Reps. (1885-1891), Governor of WI (1901-1906), Senate (1906-1925)
Opposed patronage and bribes, fought for immigrants & common people
Was denounced for strongly opposing WWI and upholding freedom of speech
Standard Oil:
Controlled 90% of US oil
Criticized by Ida Torbell
Was slip into 34 companies to prevent a monopoly
Pure Food and Drug Act:
Required labeling on food/drugs to ensure they were safe; consumer protection
Bull Moose Party:
Progressive party that advocates for Women's suffrage, limited judge power, income tax amendment, restrict child labor, minimum wage for women, social insurance
1912 Election:
Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) defeats William Howard Taft (Republican) and Theodore Roosevelt (Progressive)
16th Amendment:
(Feb. 1913) Gives Congress the power to levy income taxes without having to base them on population
17th Amendment:
(April 1913) Direct election of Senators for each state (elected by the people of the state)
18th Amendment:
(Jan. 1919) Prohibition of manufacturing, sale, and transportation of alcohol in the United States
19th Amendment:
(Aug. 1920) Women’s suffrage: The right to vote cannot be denied on the basis of sex
Lusitania:
A British passenger ship sunk by a German U-boat in 1915; increased anti-German sentiment in the U.S. and contributed to the U.S. entering World War I
Zimmermann Telegram:
A secret communication sent by Germany to Mexico in 1917, proposing a military alliance against the United States; interception by British intelligence and disclosure to the U.S. helped sway American public opinion in favor of entering World War I
Alien and Sedition Acts:
A series of laws enacted in 1798 that allowed the government to deport foreigners and make it harder for immigrants to vote, as well as criminalizing criticism of the government
US combat in WWI:
Eddie Rickenbacker:
A famous American fighter pilot in World War I, known for shooting down 26 enemy aircraft; became a national hero and symbolized American aviation prowess during the war
Wilson’s Fourteen Points:
A set of principles proposed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1918 for peace negotiations to end World War I
Treaty of Versailles:
The 1919 peace treaty that officially ended World War I, imposing heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany
Wilson’s stroke:
President Woodrow Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke in 1919, affecting his ability to lead and negotiate
Return to normalcy:
A phrase popularized by President Warren G. Harding in the 1920 election, referring to a desire to return to pre-World War I conditions
Teapot Dome:
Secretary of Navy gave oil properties to the Interior Department
Interior Dept Secretary Albert Fall took a bribe to lease land to oil companies
KKK in the 1920s:
1915, Portrayed as protecting white Protestant male values, Gained 5 mil members
Opposed African Americans, Jews, Catholics, Hispanics, Asians, leftists politics, birth control, alcohol
Results of Prohibition:
Volstead Act: no making, selling, transporting alcohol
Speakeasies, moonshine, bootleggers from canada and mexico
Gangsters: Al Capone led Chicago, eventually went jail for tax evasion (not for Valentines day massacre)
Flappers:
Women in the 20s with bobbed hair, new fashion, drinking, smoking
Babe Ruth:
60 home runs, Yankees baseball player
Red Grange:
Galloping Ghost, helps the NFL gain popularity
Charles Lindbergh:
“Became a hero for being the first person to fly solo across the atlantic ocean” - P. Baganz
Harlem Renaissance:
A cultural, artistic, and social movement that took place in the 1920s in Harlem, New York City, highlighting African American literature, music, and art
Dust Bowl:
A severe drought and ecological disaster during the 1930s that affected the Great Plains of the United States
Okies:
A term used to describe displaced farmers, especially from Oklahoma, who migrated to California during the Dust Bowl in the 1930s
Keynsian Economics:
An economic theory developed by John Maynard Keynes that advocates for government intervention in the economy to stimulate demand during recessions
Black Tuesday:
over 16 mil shares sold and the market is down over 11%
FDR’s Banking Holiday:
Gave the government power to decide if banks were safe
Gov provides assistance to banks if needed
Tennessee Valley Authority:
Build Hydroelectric dams in Tennessee
Lend Lease:
US sends $50 billion of equipment sent to allies
USS Arizona:
Ship that exploded at Pearl Harbor
Japanese-American Internment Camps:
Detention centers where over 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated and confined during World War II, mainly on the West Coast
Great Arsenal of Democracy:
A term used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to describe the United States' role in supplying Allied nations with war materials during World War II
Midway:
turning point of war
Intercepted secret codes, set traps, Japan loses four carriers to one for the US
Iwo Jima:
One small island captured with 26,000 American casualties. Over 18,000 Japanese dead and 216 captured.
Hiroshima:
August 6th, 1945
Enola Gay was name of the plane that carried the atomic bomb
About 80,000 killed, 70% of city destroyed
More died later from injuries and radiation
Essay Questions -
The Progressive movement had a major impact on American politics in the early 20th century. Explain the goals of this movement and detail some of the new laws and policies that they brought to America.
The government was corrupt: Political corruption, such as bribery, was widespread and needed reform.
Wanted to limit the power of judges/government: Judges often protected businesses, and reforms sought to curb this influence.
Direct election of senators: Supported the 17th Amendment for direct public election of senators to reduce corruption.
Income tax: Backed a federal income tax (16th Amendment) for a fairer tax system and more government revenue.
Monopolies are bad: Monopolies restrict competition and hurt consumers, leading to antitrust efforts.
Industrial reforms: Advocated for safer working conditions and the end of child labor in dangerous factories.
Labor issues: Workers faced low wages and long hours, leading to calls for labor protections and union support.
Problems in urban areas: Overcrowding and poor living conditions in cities prompted health, housing, and infrastructure reforms.
Prohibition: Pushed to ban alcohol to address crime and social problems, leading to the 18th Amendment.
Women’s suffrage: Fought for women's right to vote, culminating in the 19th Amendment.
2. Describe the major events and changes in American foreign policy from 1898 to 1918 that led the United States to be considered a major world power rather than a rather weak and isolated nation.
Depression of 1893: Economic hardship pushed the U.S. to seek new markets and expand its global influence
Spanish-American War (1898): Victory over Spain gave the U.S. overseas territories, expanding its global presence
Annexation of Hawaii: gained control of Hawaii, strengthening its position in the Pacific
Open Door Policy: asserted US influence in China by promoting equal trade
Philippine-American War: suppressed Filipino independence, solidifying American imperialism
Roosevelt Corollary (1904): Declared U.S. right to intervene in Latin America to maintain stability
Panama Canal: Built the Panama Canal, increasing military and trade power
Dollar Diplomacy: used US financial investments to extend influence, especially in Latin America
Entry into WWI: joined the Allies in WWI, signaling the US as a global military power
Treaty of Versailles & League of Nations: helped shape the post-war world order, though the US did not join the League
3. The 1920s in America were considered the “Roaring 20s.” What factors made life seem good on the surface, but what problems still lurked underneath in American society during this period?
Economic Boom: Post-WWI industrial growth led to increased consumer spending and a booming stock market
Mass Consumer Culture: Rise of advertising and credit made luxury items accessible, promoting a culture of consumerism
Technological Advancements: automobiles, radio, household appliances, motion picture, construction
Urbanization: Migration to cities for jobs and entertainment led to vibrant urban culture (jazz/nightlife)
Prohibition: 18th Amendment banned alcohol…. Speakeasies!! And organized crime:/
Racial tensions: The Great Migration increased racial diversity, however, it also sparked violence and the resurgence of the KKK
Women’s Changing Roles: women gained more independence and the right to vote (19th Amendment), but still faced societal constraints and inequalities
Wealth Disparity: economic prosperity was uneven; growing gap between the wealthy and poor → social tensions
Labor Strikes: Workers organized strikes for better wages/working conditions
Stock Market Speculation: Rapid stock market growth led to risky investments
4. What factors caused the Great Depression in the United States and what problems did Americans face in addition to falling stock prices that made this economic downturn “Great?”
Stock Market Crash of 1929: The dramatic decline in stock prices led to widespread financial panic and loss of wealth
Bank Failures: Thousands of banks collapsed as customers rushed to withdraw their savings, wiping out personal deposits and reducing access to credit
Overproduction: industries produced more goods than consumers could buy; higher prices to stay afloat; layoffs and factory closures
Monetary Policy Failures: The Federal Reserve made it hard for banks to lend money, which limited the amount of money available to people and businesses; led to falling prices and a worsened economy
Global Economic Issues: Economic troubles in Europe (after WWI) impacted American exports; created a ripple effect on the US economy
Unemployment: 25% at its peak: millions without jobs and income
Widespread Poverty: struggles to afford basic necessities; malnutrition, homelessness, increased reliance on charitable organizations (soup kitchens)
Dust Bowl: severe drought and poor farming practices devastated agricultural areas; displaced thousands of farmers and increased food shortages
Decline in Consumer Confidence: fear and uncertainty led to reduced spending/investment
Mental Health Issues: Stress/anxiety/despair across the nation due to financial ruin and uncertainty
5. President Franklin Roosevelt promised a “New Deal” for Americans during the Great Depression. How exactly did he try to help America? Provide detailed examples of some of his programs and evaluate their effectiveness.
Bank “Holiday”: all banks closed to stop bank runs (rushes of people coming to withdraw their money) and to stabilize the banking system
Emergency Banking Act: federal gov. inspected banks and reopened those that were financially stable
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): insured bank deposits to restore public confidence in the banking system
Federal Emergency Relief Act (Federal Emergency Relief Act FERA): gave money to local relief organizations
Civil Works Administration (CWA): employed 4 million Americans in temporary jobs
Fireside Chats: FDR on the radio speaking to the people; told them everything was going to be ok
National Recovery Administration (NRA): set minimum wages and maximum hours
Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA): paid farmers to slaughter their animals and not plant crops to raise prices in the farming industry
Public Works Administration (PWA): began construction projects like the bridge to Key West
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): created jobs for young single men to preserve natural resources