Results for "Panic of 1893"

Protective Tariffs Taxes on imported goods that helped Northern industry but hurt the Southern export economy Foreign Relations (William Seward) Seward pushed for U.S. global power through diplomacy and expansion Treaty of Kanagawa Agreement allowing U.S. ships to trade with Japan to open markets and project power Seward's Icebox (Alaska Purchase) Seward's purchase of Alaska, mocked but expanded U.S. territory Burlingame Treaty Protected U.S. missionaries in China and encouraged Chinese immigration Railroads Connected the nation, boosted communication, economy, and travel Munn v. Illinois Allowed states to regulate railroads for the public good Gold Standard Monetary system valuing currency only in gold, replacing bimetallism Crime of 1873 (Coinage Act) Ended silver coinage, angering miners and debtors Homestead Act Granted 160 acres in the West to settlers who farmed it for 5 years Morrill Act Provided federal land for new Western colleges Long Drive Cowboys herding cattle to railroads for transport Exodusters African Americans moving West to escape Southern racism Life in the West Harsh farming conditions: bad weather, no irrigation, small plots Yellowstone/National Parks Land protected for beauty, recreation, and conservation Sand Creek Massacre U.S. attack on Cheyenne; major Native casualties Fetterman Massacre Native victory over U.S. forces (Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho) Battle of Little Bighorn Native victory; Custer's Last Stand Wounded Knee Massacre U.S. victory; last major Native conflict Ghost Dance Movement Native spiritual revival to restore their land and culture Lone Wolf v. Hitchcock Ruled Congress could ignore past treaties with Natives Dawes Severalty Act Broke up Native land to force assimilation Frederick Jackson Turner Wrote Frontier Thesis: American identity shaped by Western conquest Summary (Chapter 16) U.S. expanded internationally and developed the West, causing conflicts with Natives and policies to assimilate them Vertical Integration Company controls all steps of production (Swift) Horizontal Integration Company buys out competitors by cutting prices (Rockefeller) Trusts Groups of companies managed as one, often creating monopolies Shift in Management Dividing company tasks into specialized departments Skilled vs. Unskilled Workers Skilled workers replaced by cheaper, repetitive unskilled labor Scientific Management System rewarding faster work; workers follow orders exactly Old Immigrants Immigrants from England, Ireland, Germany (Protestant, English-speaking) New Immigrants Immigrants from Southern/Eastern Europe; Catholic/Jewish, poor, non-English-speaking Chinese Exclusion Act Banned Chinese immigration and blocked citizenship Great Railroad Strike Major labor strike showing power of unions and worker unrest Henry George Criticized industrialization for causing poverty Greenback Labor Party Wanted more money in circulation and worker protections Producerism Belief that workers create value while owners exploit labor Granger Laws Early railroad regulations; weak enforcement Knights of Labor Inclusive union; against child labor, trusts; preferred gov intervention Haymarket Protest Violent clash causing decline in labor union popularity Farmers' Alliance Farmers fighting for railroad regulation and economic reform Hatch Act Funded agricultural research and education Interstate Commerce Act Created ICC to regulate railroads (weak enforcement) Closed Shop Workers must join union to be hired AFL (American Federation of Labor) Craft union fighting for basic improvements (wages, hours) Tactics Against Unions Lockouts, blacklists, yellow-dog contracts, militias, court orders Homestead & Pullman Strikes Violent labor strikes revealing worker frustration Summary (Chapter 17) Industrial growth created monopolies, immigration waves, harsh labor conditions, and rising union movements Consumer Culture Growth of leisure shopping among wealthy Americans Plessy v. Ferguson Court ruling allowing "separate but equal" segregation Jim Crow Laws State laws enforcing racial segregation YMCA Organization helping young men/immigrants adjust to urban life Negro Leagues Black baseball leagues excluded from white leagues Sierra Club Organization promoting mountain and wilderness protection National Park Service Federal agency managing national parks Antiquities Act Allowed presidents to protect land as national monuments National Audubon Society Conservation group protecting wildlife Solitude of Self Stanton's argument for women's individual rights Comstock Act Banned distribution of birth control and sexual information Booker T. Washington Promoted industrial education and gradual racial progress Tuskegee Institute Washington's school for practical, industrial training Atlanta Compromise Speech encouraging economic progress over immediate equality Education Expansion New colleges created via Morrill Act and philanthropy Liberal Arts New academic fields like economics, poli sci, and astronomy WCTU Women's reform group fighting for temperance and social issues National Association of Colored Women Black women aiding communities and promoting reform NAWSA Major women's suffrage movement Anti-Suffragists Opposed women's voting rights, claiming it was too costly Feminism Movement for full social, political, economic equality Social Darwinism Belief that rich succeed because of strength; poor fail because lazy Eugenics Movement to control reproduction to create "better" population Modernism/Naturalism Artistic movements challenging traditional ideas American Protective Association Anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish nativist group Social Gospel Protestant reform movement helping the poor Fundamentalism Religious movement focusing on literal Bible interpretation Summary (Chapter 18) Industrialization fueled consumer culture, conservation, racial segregation, women's activism, immigration tension, and new social/religious ideas Waving the Bloody Shirt Republican strategy blaming Democrats for Civil War Political Machines Urban organizations controlling politics through corruption and immigrant support Solid South Democratic dominance in Southern states Williams v. Mississippi Allowed literacy tests and poll taxes; suppressed Black voters Stalwarts Republicans supporting spoils system Half-Breeds Republicans wanting merit-based gov jobs Mugwumps Reform Republicans who backed Cleveland Pendleton Act Replaced spoils system with civil service exams Election of 1884 Cleveland (Dem.) beats Blaine with Mugwump support Silverites Farmers wanting more silver coinage for cheaper money supply Gold Bugs Bankers favoring gold standard Coinage Act of 1873 Ended silver currency; angered farmers/miners Bland-Allison & Sherman Acts Required gov to buy silver, briefly restoring bimetallism Tariffs (Gilded Age) High tariffs debated between farmers and industry Populism Farmers' movement demanding political/economic reforms Omaha Platform Populist demands (income tax, direct election, RR ownership, 8-hour day) Wisconsin Plan Initiative, referendum, recall (direct democracy reforms) Panic of 1893 Major economic crash from railroad failures Coxey's Army Jobless march demanding federal jobs End of Bimetallism Silver value collapses; gold standard restored Summary (Chapter 19) Gilded Age politics were corrupt and divided, leading to Populist reforms and major debates over money, tariffs, and government power

AP U.S. History - Unit 7, Topic 2: American Imperialism (1898-1945) Definition of Imperialism Expansion of a country’s political, economic, and military influence over another. U.S. begins imperial expansion with the purchase of Alaska (1867) for $7.2 million (known as "Seward’s Folly"). Discovery of gold in 1898 increases interest in expansion. Westward expansion mindset extends beyond the continent after the closing of the frontier. Arguments for Imperialism Economic Interests Desire for raw materials (e.g., gold in Alaska). Need for new markets to sell American goods (manufactured & agricultural). Social Darwinism Belief that stronger nations naturally dominate weaker ones. Expansion seen as a way for the U.S. to become a world power. Racial & Religious Justifications Josiah Strong's book Our Country (1885): Argues Anglo-Saxon race is superior and must “civilize” others. Expansion is a Christian duty to spread Western civilization. Military & Strategic Reasons Alfred Thayer Mahan’s The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890): Nations with strong navies dominate world affairs. U.S. builds a steel navy and seeks territories for naval bases. Leads to the race for Pacific and Caribbean islands (e.g., Hawaii, Guam, Philippines). Arguments Against Imperialism Self-Determination Nations should have the right to govern themselves. Same argument used by Americans to justify independence from Britain. Tradition of Isolationism George Washington’s Farewell Address warned against foreign entanglements. Expansion could lead to unwanted wars and conflicts. Racial Concerns Debate over whether the Constitution follows the flag: If the U.S. takes over a territory, do its people become American citizens? Many anti-imperialists opposed granting rights to non-white populations. Key Takeaways Imperialists supported expansion for economic, military, and ideological reasons. Anti-imperialists opposed it on the grounds of self-determination, isolationism, and racial concerns. The debate shaped U.S. foreign policy and led to further territorial acquisitions, setting the stage for U.S. involvement in global affairs. End of Notes. The Spanish-American War & American Imperialism Background: The American Empire Late 19th-century industrialists and politicians sought U.S. expansion. Cuba, a Spanish colony, was a key target for expansion. 1895: Cuban nationalists rebelled against Spain, but Spain crushed the revolt. Yellow Journalism & the Path to War Yellow Journalism: Sensationalized news stories exaggerated Spanish atrocities in Cuba. Key figures: Joseph Pulitzer & William Randolph Hearst Encouraged U.S. intervention on humanitarian grounds. 1898: The U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, killing 200+ Americans. Yellow journalists blamed Spain, fueling war fever. Later investigations found the explosion was accidental. President McKinley issued an ultimatum to Spain; Spain agreed but the U.S. declared war anyway. The Spanish-American War (1898) Short war: America won and emerged as an imperial power. Effects of the war: Cuba gained independence, but the Platt Amendment gave the U.S. the right to intervene militarily. Philippines annexed after U.S. forces, led by Theodore Roosevelt, defeated Spain. Filipinos, expecting independence, rebelled under Emilio Aguinaldo → Led to the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). Hawaii annexed (1898) for strategic reasons (midpoint to the Philippines). The Open Door Policy (1899) China was divided into European spheres of influence. U.S. Secretary of State John Hay sent the Open Door Note to European powers, requesting equal trade access in China. Outcome: European powers did not reject the request, so the U.S. claimed success in securing trade rights. Significance The Spanish-American War marked the U.S.’s entry into imperialism. The U.S. expanded its influence globally through military power and economic policies. Let me know if you want any modifications! The Progressive Era (1890s-1920s) Main Idea: The Progressive Era was a time of social, political, and economic reform in response to issues caused by industrialization, urbanization, and corruption. Progressives believed government intervention was necessary to fix these problems. Who Were the Progressives? A diverse group: Protestants, feminists, labor leaders, African Americans, journalists Focused on issues like: Big business power (monopolies) Economic instability (Panic of 1893) Labor conflicts (strikes) Political corruption (machines like Tammany Hall) Jim Crow segregation Women’s suffrage Alcohol prohibition Muckrakers (Investigative Journalists) Exposed corruption and poor conditions in society Upton Sinclair - The Jungle (unsanitary meatpacking industry) Ida Tarbell - Exposed Standard Oil’s unfair business practices Jacob Riis - How the Other Half Lives (urban poverty and tenement conditions) Political Reforms (Expanding Democracy) Secret Ballot – Ended political bosses controlling votes. Direct Election of Senators (17th Amendment, 1913) – Senators now elected by the people instead of state legislatures. 18th Amendment (Prohibition, 1919) – Banned alcohol (led by groups like the Anti-Saloon League). 19th Amendment (Women’s Suffrage, 1920) – Gave women the right to vote. Initiative, Referendum, Recall – Gave citizens more power to propose, approve, and remove laws/politicians. Government Efficiency & Scientific Management Frederick Taylor’s "Scientific Management" (Taylorism) – Applied efficiency techniques to government & industry. Black Progressives & Civil Rights Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) – Legalized segregation (“separate but equal”). Niagara Movement (W.E.B. DuBois) – Advocated for immediate black rights. NAACP (1909) – Fought for racial justice through legal action. World War I (Unit 7, Topic 5) Causes of U.S. Involvement in WWI War Begins (1914): After Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, two alliances formed: Allied Powers: Britain, France, Russia (formerly Triple Entente) Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (formerly Triple Alliance) U.S. Neutrality: Initially stayed out of the war but faced mounting pressure due to events: Sinking of the Lusitania (1915): A German U-boat sank a British passenger ship, killing 128 Americans. Public outrage followed, but neutrality was maintained. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: Germany resumed sinking ships, including American vessels. Zimmermann Telegram (1917): Germany proposed a military alliance with Mexico, promising to help regain lost territory if the U.S. joined the war. The U.S. intercepted the message, pushing Wilson to act. U.S. Declares War (1917) April 2, 1917: Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war to “make the world safe for democracy.” American Expeditionary Forces (AEF): Led by General John J. Pershing, U.S. troops bolstered Allied forces and played a crucial role in turning the tide of the war. End of the War & Treaty of Versailles (1918-1919) November 11, 1918: Armistice signed, ending fighting. Treaty of Versailles (1919): Wilson proposed the Fourteen Points, advocating for self-determination, freedom of the seas, and the League of Nations. Britain and France sought to punish Germany, leading to harsh reparations and restrictions. League of Nations created, but the U.S. did not join due to congressional fears of being dragged into future wars. World War I: The Homefront (Unit 7, Topic 6) Total War & Mobilization The U.S. fully mobilized its economy, industry, and society for war. War Industries Board: Managed labor & factories to produce war supplies. Food Administration: Regulated food production for soldiers and civilians. Rural-to-urban migration increased as people sought industrial jobs. Civil Liberties & Government Control Espionage Act (1917) & Sedition Act (1918): Criminalized anti-war speech & draft resistance. Schenck v. United States (1919): Supreme Court ruled speech creating a "clear and present danger" (e.g., resisting the draft) could be restricted. Government censored reports on the Spanish Flu to maintain war morale. The First Red Scare (1919-1920) Fear of communist infiltration after the Russian Revolution. Palmer Raids: Over 6,000 suspected radicals, labor leaders, and immigrants arrested; 500+ deported. Immigration Restrictions Emergency Quota Act (1921) & National Origins Act (1924): Limited immigration, especially from Southern/Eastern Europe & Asia. Rooted in nativism (opposition to immigrants, especially Catholics & Jews). The Great Migration Large numbers of Black Americans moved from the South to Northern cities (e.g., Chicago, New York) for job opportunities & to escape Jim Crow laws. Faced discrimination & race riots in the North (e.g., 1919 race riots, Tulsa Race Massacre (1921)—300 Black people killed, 10,000 homeless)

Period 6: 1865–1898: The Challenges of the Era of Industrialization