American Dream/ Experience Flashcards
Thomas Jefferson
Author of the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Paine
Author of “the Crisis”
Thomas Hobbes
Believed in monarchy
John Locke
rep. democracy
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
direct democracy
Ronald Reagan
President who believed the federal government had grown too large in the 1970’s
Franklin D. Roosevelt
President who believed the government needed to act to end depression
Martin Luther King Jr
1960’s civil rights leader
Susan B. Anthony
leader in the Women’s Suffrage movement
Jacob Riis
author of “How The Other Half Lives”
Woodrow Wilson
crafted the League of Nations
Chinese immigrants:
in the 1880’s the US passed a law forbidding this group of immigrants entry (even
though they helped build our railroads)
Mexican Immigrants
most illegal immigrants today come from Mexico
Japanese:
These immigrants were put into internment camps during WW II
Imperialism:
during the late 1800’s the US expanded it’s influence and territory
Articles of Confederation:
The first form of US government which was weak and gave the federal
government little power
Preamble:
the Constitution’s introduction (it starts with “We The People”)
Constitution:
The supreme law of the land in the US (the oldest living/working document)
Anti Federalist
Opposed the Constitution as it gave the government too much power, and not enough to
the states/individuals
Federalists:
supported the Constitution as it gave the government power it needed
Inalienable rights
In the Declaration of Independence these give us Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of
Happiness
Declaration of Independence
document that declared our intentions of separating from England (the
motherland)
New Deal
created by FDR using the government to put people back to work during the Depression
Manifest Destiny
belief that America should expand westward (it was inevitable)
The Feminine Mystique
book written by Betty Freidan sparking the women’s rights movement
How the Other Half Lives
book by Jacob Riis showing inner city and slum problems by pictures
Recession:
the American economy during 2011 is thought to be experiencing this
Recovery:
the goal of the Obama administration for our nations economy
Civil Rights
1960’s movement that sought equal rights for African Americans
Reconstruction:
the period immediately after the Civil War
Montgomery bus boycott
this event introduced the US to a new generation of Civil Rights leaders
Feminism:
theory of men and women being equals
Ronald Reagan
his plan for improving America was by cutting taxes and government regulations
Dakota Conflict
lead to the largest public execution in US history in Mankato, MN
Trail of Tears
forced removal of the Cherokee Indians to the west of the Mississippi River
Flappers:
1920’s women who took on new roles and fashion
Southern and Eastern European Immigrants (how were they treated differently than other immigrants?)
Germans discouraged (WW I)
John T. Scopes
put on trial for teaching about Evolution
Harlem Renaissance
Center of the 1920’s African American Literary movement
Charles Lindberg
flew the first trans-Atlantic solo flight (NY-Paris)
Sacco and Vanzetti
Italian immigrants accused of murder in 1920 and put to death
Battle of Little Big Horn
location of the defeat of George Custer and the 7
th
Calvary
Chief Joseph
famous chief of the Nez Perce who tried to escape to Canada
Black Hills
sacred land to the Sioux Indians
Reservations:
location Native American tribes were moved to all around America
Wounded Knee
Last major conflict with the Native Americans in 1890
Irish Immigrants
immigrants who were portrayed as drunks, fighters and untrustworthy Catholics
Al Capone:
mobster called “Scarface” who ruled Chicago in the 1920’s
John F. Kennedy
First and only Catholic ever elected President
Minnesota (where does the name come from? What does it stand for?)
Ojibwa term for sky of tinted water
land of sky blue water
13
th
Amendment
abolished slavery
14
th
Amendment
gave equal treatment to all citizens under the law
15
th
Amendment
gave all men the right to vote (specifically African American)
Bill of Rights
first 10 Amendments to the Constitution
Suffrage:
the right to vote
Emancipation Proclamation
issued by Abraham Lincoln freeing slaves behind Confederate lines
Independence Day
4
th
of July (celebrating our independence from Britain)
Prohibition:
made alcohol illegal to make, sell or transport
Communism:
form of government where all property is publicly owned
Democracy:
form of government where the people have the power and make the decisions
Executive Branch (role in government?):
President (enforces the laws)
Legislative Branch (role in government?)
Congress (makes the laws)
Judicial Branch (role in government?):
Courts (interprets the laws)
Frederick Douglas
self educated former slave and abolitionist
