US HISTORY Final (vocab)

Unit 1: Foundations of American Ideals

American Ideals: Core values of equality, rights, liberty, opportunity, and democracy that define the American identity.

Enlightenment and Natural Rights: Philosophical movement emphasizing reason and individual rights; natural rights refer to inherent freedoms (life, liberty, property).

John Locke: Enlightenment thinker whose ideas on natural rights and the social contract influenced the Declaration of Independence.

Social Contract: Theory that government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed, ensuring rights and protection.

Declaration of Independence: 1776 document asserting the colonies’ freedom from Britain and outlining foundational American ideals.

Thomas Jefferson: Primary author of the Declaration of Independence and advocate for individual liberty.

Frederick Douglass: Former slave, abolitionist, and orator who fought for equality and civil rights.

The U.S. Constitution: Framework for the U.S. government, establishing principles like federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances.

Inalienable Rights: Rights that cannot be taken away or transferred, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Checks and Balances: System ensuring that no branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch oversight over the others.

Separation of Powers: Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to distribute authority.

Limited Government: Principle that government powers are restricted by law to protect individual freedoms.

Federalism: Division of power between the national and state governments.

Popular Sovereignty: Idea that government power originates from the consent of the people.

Bill of Rights: First ten amendments to the Constitution protecting individual liberties.

Sectionalism: Loyalty to a specific region or section of the country, often leading to conflict (e.g., North vs. South).

13th, 14th, 15th Amendments: Post-Civil War amendments abolishing slavery (13th), granting citizenship and equal protection (14th), and voting rights regardless of race (15th).

Essential Question:
Constitutional principles like limited government, checks and balances, and federalism provided a balanced power structure, enabling a stable government. Popular sovereignty and inalienable rights empowered citizens, fostering democratic growth. These ideals guided the nation’s founding and shaped its expansion and governance.

Unit 2: Gilded Age and Progressive Era

Social Darwinism and Laissez-Faire: Social theory promoting "survival of the fittest" and minimal government interference in business.

Trusts: Large business combinations that dominated industries and restricted competition.

Captains of Industry vs. Robber Barons: Debate over whether industrial leaders contributed to society or exploited workers and resources.

Progressive Movement: Reform movement addressing social, political, and economic inequalities caused by industrialization.

Muckrakers: Journalists exposing corruption and societal problems, sparking public awareness and reform.

Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle: Novel revealing unsafe practices in the meatpacking industry, leading to reforms.

Meat Inspection Act/Federal Food and Drugs Act: Laws improving food safety and consumer protections.

T. Roosevelt as Progressive President: Advocated for conservation, trust-busting, and social reforms.

Trust Busting/Sherman Antitrust Act: Efforts to break up monopolies and ensure fair competition.

Labor Unions: Worker organizations fighting for better wages, hours, and conditions.

Political Machines: Organizations controlling politics through patronage and corruption.

Social Gospel Movement: Religious movement addressing social issues like poverty and inequality.

Settlement Houses: Community centers assisting immigrants and the poor.

Tenement Act of 1901: Law improving housing conditions in urban areas.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire: 1911 disaster highlighting unsafe working conditions and leading to labor reforms.

NAACP and ADL: Organizations advocating for civil rights and combating discrimination.

Nativists: Individuals opposing immigration, fearing job competition and cultural changes.

Taft & Wilson as Progressive Presidents: Advocated for reforms like trust-busting, labor protections, and women's suffrage.

NAWSA/NWP/Silent Sentinels: Women's suffrage organizations employing both moderate and radical tactics.

19th Amendment/Suffrage: Constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote.

Essential Questions:
The rapid industrialization of the Gilded Age created wealth and innovation but exacerbated inequality and corruption. Progressive reformers responded with labor laws, trust-busting, and social programs to mitigate these issues.

Unit 3: U.S. Foreign Policy 1870-1914

Manifest Destiny: Belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across North America.

Motives for Imperialism: Economic, political, and cultural reasons for extending U.S. influence globally.

Open Door Policy: Ensured equal trading rights in China and opposed colonial domination.

Annexation of Hawaii/Bayonet Constitution: U.S. takeover of Hawaii, undermining native governance.

Spanish American War: 1898 conflict resulting in U.S. acquisition of territories like the Philippines.

Yellow Journalism: Sensationalized reporting that influenced public opinion and policy.

Annexation of Philippines: Debate over U.S. expansion and colonial control.

Big Stick Diplomacy: Roosevelt's policy advocating for strong military presence in foreign affairs.

Roosevelt Corollary: Extension of the Monroe Doctrine justifying U.S. intervention in Latin America.

Moral/Dollar Diplomacy: Policies using moral principles or economic investments to influence foreign nations.

Isolationist: Policy of avoiding international alliances or involvement.

Committee of Public Information: Government agency promoting support for World War I.

Espionage Act/Sedition Act: Laws restricting dissent during wartime.

Schenck vs. United States: Supreme Court case upholding limitations on free speech during wartime.

Essential Questions:
Imperialism brought economic and strategic benefits but challenged democratic ideals. Wartime restrictions highlighted tensions between individual freedoms and national security.

Unit 4: 1920s

Return to Normalcy: Harding's post-WWI campaign promising a return to prewar stability.

First Red Scare: Fear of communism influencing U.S. politics and society.

Immigration Act of 1924: Restricted immigration based on national origins.

Sacco and Vanzetti: Italian immigrants executed amid anti-immigrant sentiment.

Scopes Trial/Fundamentalism: Clash between science (evolution) and religion in public education.

Palmer Raids: Crackdown on suspected radicals during the Red Scare.

Ku Klux Klan: White supremacist group targeting minorities and immigrants.

Prohibition (18th/21st Amendments): Ban on alcohol and its repeal.

Bootleggers/Organized Crime: Illegal alcohol trade during Prohibition.

Great Migration: Movement of African Americans to northern cities.

Harlem Renaissance: Cultural and artistic movement celebrating Black identity.

Roaring Twenties: Era of economic prosperity and cultural change.

1920s Women/Flappers: Women challenging traditional roles with new fashions and behaviors.

Henry Ford/Model T: Innovator of affordable cars and assembly line production.

Mass Production/Consumerism/Advertising: Economic trends fueling a consumer-driven culture.

Essential Questions:
Conflicting ideologies arose from rapid modernization and cultural shifts, with traditional values clashing against modernist ideals.

Unit 5: The 1930s and the Great Depression

Causes of Great Depression: Stock market crash, overproduction, and bank failures.

Installment Buying/Market Speculation: Credit-based purchases and risky investments leading to financial collapse.

President Hoover: Advocated limited government intervention.

Bonus Army March: Protest by WWI veterans demanding early bonus payments.

Rugged Individualism: Belief in self-reliance over government aid.

Reconstruction Finance Corporation: Federal loans to stabilize banks and businesses.

Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act: Protectionist policy worsening global trade.

Dust Bowl: Severe drought and farming crisis in the Midwest.

FDR/Eleanor Roosevelt: Advocated for New Deal policies and social reforms.

Fireside Chats: FDR's radio addresses reassuring the public.

New Deal/Relief, Recovery, Reform: Programs addressing the economic crisis.

First 100 Days: Intense legislative activity under FDR.

Banking Acts/FDIC/SEC: Financial reforms to restore confidence.

AAA/NIRA: Programs aiding farmers and industry.

CCC/WPA: Job creation programs.

Social Security Act: Established safety nets for the elderly and unemployed.

Court Packing Plan: Controversial attempt to expand the Supreme Court.

Essential Questions:
The Great Depression’s causes reflected structural weaknesses in the economy. The New Deal highlighted government responsibility in economic recovery but sparked debate over its scope and impact.