APUSH Period 7 Flashcards
1
Q
What did the transition from a rural to an urban economy in the U.S. signify?
A
It indicated a shift towards industrialization led by large companies and the production of consumer goods.
This transition contributed to improved standards of living and greater personal mobility.
2
Q
What was the significance of Henry Ford’s moving assembly line introduced in 1914?
A
It revolutionized automobile production by increasing efficiency, decreasing production costs, and making cars more affordable for the average American.
This innovation laid the foundation for mass production techniques across various industries.
3
Q
What impact did the consumer goods industry have in the early 20th century?
A
It improved standards of living by reducing household labor and increasing leisure time, especially for women.
Innovations like electric washing machines and refrigerators became widely accessible, contributing to economic growth.
4
Q
What did the 1920 Census results reveal about urban vs. rural living in the U.S.?
A
For the first time, more Americans lived in urban areas than rural areas, reflecting rapid urbanization due to industrialization.
This demographic change signified new economic opportunities for various groups, including women and migrants.
5
Q
What was the Great Migration?
A
It refers to the movement of 6 million Black people from the rural South to Northern cities between 1916 and 1970 in search of better opportunities and freedom from systemic racism.
This migration significantly altered the demographic and cultural landscape of Northern cities.
6
Q
What event triggered the Great Depression in the U.S.?
A
The Stock Market Crash of 1929, which resulted from speculative investing and buying on margin.
This crash exposed the dangers of an unregulated financial system and led to significant economic collapse.
7
Q
What was the purpose of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) established in 1933?
A
To protect bank deposits and rebuild public confidence in the financial system by insuring individual deposits.
This aimed to stabilize the banking system and prevent bank runs.
8
Q
What role did Muckrakers play during the Progressive Era?
A
They were investigative journalists who exposed corruption, social injustices, and economic inequality, raising public awareness and pushing for reform.
Their work led to significant reforms such as the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.
9
Q
What was Jane Addams’ Hull House, and why was it significant?
A
Hull House was a settlement house founded in 1889 that provided social services to immigrants and the poor, highlighting middle-class women’s involvement in social reforms.
It became a model for other settlement houses and addressed urban poverty and immigrant challenges.
10
Q
What did the 16th Amendment, ratified in 1913, allow Congress to do?
A
Impose a federal income tax without apportioning it to states or basing it on the U.S. Census.
This amendment aimed to address wealth inequality and provide revenue for the federal government.
11
Q
What was the significance of the 19th Amendment ratified in 1920?
A
It granted women the right to vote, significantly expanding democracy and solidifying women’s political participation.
This represented decades of activism and the commitment to social and political reform during the Progressive Era.
12
Q
Henry Ford / Assembly Line
A
Definition/Description: Henry Ford revolutionized industrial production by using the assembly line method, which broke tasks into smaller, repetitive steps and sped up manufacturing.
Significance: This innovation greatly increased productivity, lowered costs of goods like the Model T, and symbolized the rise of mass production and consumer culture during the 1920s.
13
Q
An industrial innovation that broke production into simple, repetitive tasks, allowing faster manufacturing and making goods like cars more affordable.
A
Henry Ford / Assembly Line
14
Q
Reflected growing consumer culture and economic efficiency during the 1920s by making mass production a key feature of American industry.
A
Henry Ford / Assembly Line
15
Q
Consumer Goods (1920s)
A
Definition/Description: In the 1920s, consumer goods like radios, cars, and household appliances became widely available due to mass production techniques. Advertising encouraged people to buy more, often on credit.
Significance: This rise in consumerism reflected a shift to a modern economy and culture, where people’s identities were tied more to what they owned. It also contributed to economic growth but increased personal debt.
16
Q
In the 1920s, items like radios, cars, and appliances became widely available due to mass production and advertising, which encouraged buying on credit.
A
Consumer Goods (1920s)
17
Q
Showed a shift toward a modern, consumer-driven economy where ownership shaped identity and contributed to short-term growth but long-term debt.
A
Consumer Goods (1920s)
18
Q
1920 Census Results of Urban vs. Rural Living
A
Definition/Description: The Census results showed that, for the first time, more Americans lived in urban areas rather than rural areas. This change reflected the rapid growth of cities due to industrialization and the increasing accessibility of jobs in factories, retail, and services.
Significance: The demographic change signified the growth of an industrial economy and decline of old/traditional agricultural economy/life. The growth of cities offered new economic opportunities for women, migrants, and Black people as well; contributing to the shift of the U.S from rural to urban economy/society.
19
Q
The first time Census data showed more Americans living in cities than in rural areas, reflecting industrial job growth and urban migration.
A
1920 Census Results of Urban vs. Rural Living
20
Q
Signified a national shift from a traditional agricultural society to an urban, industrial one, with new opportunities for women, Black Americans, and immigrants.
A
1920 Census Results of Urban vs. Rural Living
21
Q
Great Migration
A
Definition/Description: Refers to when 6 million Black people moved from the rural South to Northern cities (1916–1970), mainly in search for better economic opportunities/chances and freedom from systemic racism and violence in the South.
Significance: This migration changed the demographic and cultural aspect of Northern cities, promoting the rise of Black political and cultural influence. It contributed to urban labor growth and initiated/triggered social and cultural movements (ex: Harlem Renaissance), changing American society in early 20th century.
22
Q
The mass movement of 6 million Black Americans from the South to Northern cities from 1916 to 1970, seeking better jobs and escape from racism.
A
Great Migration
23
Q
Transformed Northern cities demographically and culturally, sparked movements like the Harlem Renaissance, and increased Black political influence.
A
Great Migration
24
Q
Stock Market Crash (1929)
A
Definition/Description: This was a sudden/surprising and significantly severe collapse of stock prices starting on Black Tuesday [Oct 29, 1929]. It was caused by speculative investing (buying stocks hoping prices would rise quickly) and buying on margin (borrowing money to invest). When stock prices fell, many investors couldn’t repay loans, causing massive losses and bank failures.
Significance: The Crash triggered and helped start the Great Depression, causing high unemployment and economic collapse. It exposed the dangers of an unregulated financial system, leading to reform demands like the creation of the SEC and FDIC to protect consumers and stabilize finance.
25
A severe drop in stock prices in October 1929, caused by risky speculation and buying stocks on borrowed money; it caused many investors and banks to suffer massive losses.
Stock Market Crash (1929)
26
Helped trigger the Great Depression and exposed the need for financial reform to avoid future crashes, leading to government protections like the SEC and FDIC.
Stock Market Crash (1929)
27
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) – 1933
Definition/Description: The FDIC was created by the Banking Act of 1933 to protect bank deposits and rebuild public trust in the financial system. It insured individual deposits up to a set amount ($2,500 then, $250,000 now), so people wouldn’t lose savings if a bank failed. This helped encourage depositors to keep money in banks rather than withdrawing it in fear.
Significance: The FDIC helped stabilize the banking system by preventing bank runs. It was a major New Deal reform aimed at regulating finance and avoiding future collapses, showing a shift toward greater federal responsibility in economic stability.
28
A New Deal agency that insured personal bank deposits to rebuild public confidence and prevent people from losing their money if banks failed.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) – 1933
29
Stabilized the banking system and restored trust, representing New Deal efforts to regulate finance and prevent another Great Depression.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) – 1933
30
Muckrakers
Definition/Description: These were investigative journalists in the Progressive Era who exposed corruption, social injustices, and economic inequality through newspapers, magazines, and books. Their goal was to inform the public and push for reform by exposing hidden problems. Famous muckrakers include Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell, and Lincoln Steffens.
Significance: Muckrakers played a key role in the Progressive movement by raising public awareness about major issues like unsafe food production, corporate monopolies, and political corruption. Their work helped lead to reforms like the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act in 1906.
31
Investigative journalists who used media to expose corruption, inequality, and unsafe practices in society to push for reform during the Progressive Era.
Muckrakers
32
Increased public awareness of corruption and poor conditions, leading to major reforms like the Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act.
Muckrakers
33
Jane Addams’ Hull House
Definition/Description: Founded by Jane Addams in 1889 in Chicago, Hull House was a settlement house that provided social services to immigrants and the poor, including education, childcare, healthcare, and job training. It became a model for other settlement houses across the country.
Significance: Hull House showed the role of middle-class women in Progressive reform and highlighted efforts to address urban poverty and immigrant challenges. It strengthened local communities and expanded the idea of social work as part of the Progressive Era’s goals.
34
A settlement house in Chicago founded in 1889 that offered services like education, job help, and childcare to poor people and immigrants.
Jane Addams’ Hull House
35
Demonstrated women’s role in social reform and efforts to support immigrant communities, reflecting key Progressive values.
Jane Addams’ Hull House
36
16th Amendment (1913)
Definition/Description: This amendment gave Congress the power to impose a federal income tax based on income level (higher income = more tax, lower income = less). It didn’t require distribution by population or Census. It was meant to address wealth inequality and raise federal revenue.
Significance: It marked a major shift in federal power and economic regulation. It allowed the government to fund social programs and public projects more easily, and it showed how Progressives wanted to tackle economic inequality through tax reform.
37
Gave Congress power to collect income taxes without using the Census or state-by-state distribution; taxed higher incomes at higher rates.
16th Amendment (1913)
38
Showed Progressives' push to reduce wealth inequality and increase federal revenue to fund reforms and public services.
16th Amendment (1913)
39
19th Amendment (1920)
Definition/Description: This amendment granted women the right to vote, ending the long campaign of women’s suffrage activists and ensuring women’s political participation nationwide.
Significance: It significantly expanded democracy by giving voting rights to half the population that had been excluded. It reflected the Progressive Era’s commitment to both social and political reform after decades of activism.
40
Gave women the right to vote, marking the national success of the women’s suffrage movement.
19th Amendment (1920)
41
Expanded democracy by ending gender-based voting exclusion and reflected Progressive reform ideals.
19th Amendment (1920)
42
John Muir and the Sierra Club (1892)
Definition/Description: John Muir was a naturalist and conservationist who advocated for the preservation of wilderness in the U.S. He founded the Sierra Club in 1892 to protect natural landscapes, like Yosemite, from industrial development.
Significance: Muir and the Sierra Club represented the Preservationist side of the Progressive conservation movement. They believed nature should be kept untouched and protected for its beauty and spiritual value. This influenced future environmental policies and the creation of national parks.
43
A naturalist who founded a club in 1892 to protect wilderness areas like Yosemite from industrial development and preserve them for future generations.
John Muir and the Sierra Club (1892)
44
Represented the preservationist side of conservation during the Progressive Era, influencing national park creation and public appreciation of nature.
John Muir and the Sierra Club (1892)
45
U.S. Forest Service (1905)
Definition/Description: Created in 1905 during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency, the U.S. Forest Service managed federal forests and public lands. It aimed to scientifically conserve natural resources for long-term, sustainable use.
Significance: The Forest Service reflected the Conservationist view of the Progressive Era — that natural resources should be used wisely and efficiently, not left untouched. It marked the rise of federal involvement in environmental management and balancing nature with economic development.
46
A federal agency created in 1905 to manage forests and natural resources using science and planning to ensure long-term, responsible use.
U.S. Forest Service (1905)
47
Showed the Progressive belief in conservation — using natural resources efficiently — and expanded federal environmental responsibility.
U.S. Forest Service (1905)
48
49
U.S. Forest Service (1905)
Definition/Description: Created in 1905 during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency, the U.S. Forest Service managed federal forests and public lands. It aimed to scientifically conserve natural resources for long-term, sustainable use.
Significance: The Forest Service reflected the Conservationist view of the Progressive Era — that natural resources should be used wisely and efficiently, not left untouched. It marked the rise of federal involvement in environmental management and balancing nature with economic development.
50
A federal agency created in 1905 to manage forests and natural resources using science and planning to ensure long-term, responsible use.
U.S. Forest Service (1905)
51
Showed the Progressive belief in conservation — using natural resources efficiently — and expanded federal environmental responsibility.
U.S. Forest Service (1905)
52
W.E.B. Du Bois and the Niagara Movement (1905)
Definition/Description: Du Bois co-founded the Niagara Movement in 1905 with other Black leaders to demand full civil rights, an end to segregation, and access to higher education. The movement rejected Booker T. Washington’s accommodationist ideas and promoted political activism.
Significance: The Niagara Movement was an early force in the fight for Black civil rights and laid the foundation for the NAACP (1909). It represented a more direct and confrontational approach to racial injustice during the Progressive Era, highlighting the limitations of that era’s reforms in helping Black Americans.
53
A 1905 movement led by Du Bois that demanded full civil rights and rejected gradualism; challenged segregation and unequal education.
W.E.B. Du Bois and the Niagara Movement (1905)
54
Laid the groundwork for the NAACP and challenged Progressive-era racial exclusion through direct activism.
W.E.B. Du Bois and the Niagara Movement (1905)
55
Use of Professional City Managers / “Good Government” Movement
Definition/Description: This reform pushed for trained, non-partisan professionals (city managers) to run local governments instead of corrupt political machines or elected officials who lacked experience. It was part of the broader “Good Government” movement to increase efficiency, honesty, and accountability.
Significance: It reflected Progressive ideals of applying science and expertise to solve social and political problems. These reforms weakened machine politics and promoted more democratic and efficient local governments.
56
A Progressive reform using trained, non-political experts to manage city functions, replacing political machines with professional leadership.
Use of Professional City Managers / “Good Government” Movement
57
Promoted honest, efficient local government and reduced corruption by limiting the power of political machines.
Use of Professional City Managers / “Good Government” Movement
58
Social Security Act (1935)
Definition/Description: The Social Security Act created a system of retirement benefits for the elderly, unemployment insurance, and aid to families with dependent children and the disabled. It was one of the key programs of the New Deal.
Significance: It marked a major expansion of the federal government’s role in providing social welfare and security for Americans. It laid the foundation for the modern welfare state, providing long-term support for vulnerable groups and reducing poverty among the elderly.
59
A 1935 law providing retirement benefits, unemployment insurance, and support for vulnerable populations like the disabled and children.
Social Security Act (1935)
60
Created the foundation for the modern welfare state and provided long-term economic security for the elderly and vulnerable groups.
Social Security Act (1935)
61
Works Progress Administration (WPA) (1935)
Definition/Description: The WPA was a New Deal agency that provided jobs for millions of unemployed Americans. It funded large-scale public works projects, including bridges, roads, schools, and parks, as well as cultural projects like the Federal Writers’ Project.
Significance: The WPA helped reduce unemployment during the Great Depression, provided vital infrastructure, and made significant cultural contributions (e.g., through arts projects like the Federal Writers’ Project). It demonstrated the New Deal's commitment to using federal power to directly create jobs and support economic recovery.
62
A 1935 New Deal agency that employed millions of Americans to build infrastructure and contribute to cultural and artistic projects.
Works Progress Administration (WPA) (1935)
63
Reduced unemployment, improved infrastructure, and fostered cultural projects, helping stimulate economic recovery during the Great Depression.
Works Progress Administration (WPA) (1935)
64
Huey Long
Definition/Description: Huey Long was a U.S. Senator from Louisiana and vocal critic of the New Deal. He promoted a populist “Share Our Wealth” plan to heavily tax the rich and redistribute income to the poor.
Significance: Long’s popularity showed that some Americans thought the New Deal didn’t go far enough to fight inequality. His criticism pressured Roosevelt to adopt more aggressive reforms in the Second New Deal.
65
A Louisiana senator who proposed the “Share Our Wealth” plan to heavily tax the rich and give guaranteed income to all families.
Huey Long
66
Criticized the New Deal from the left and influenced more radical reform policies during the Second New Deal.
Huey Long
67
Schechter v. United States (1935)
Definition/Description: A Supreme Court case that ruled the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) unconstitutional, stating that it gave too much legislative power to the executive branch and regulated businesses not involved in interstate commerce.
Significance: The decision limited New Deal power and revealed the Court's resistance to Roosevelt’s policies. It helped motivate FDR to propose the controversial Court-Packing Plan in 1937.
68
A 1935 Supreme Court case that struck down the NIRA, saying it gave too much power to the president and violated the Constitution.
Schechter v. United States (1935)
69
Weakened a major New Deal program and showed judicial opposition to FDR’s expansion of federal power.
Schechter v. United States (1935)
70
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (1934)
Definition/Description: A federal agency created by the New Deal to regulate the stock market, prevent fraud, and restore public confidence in the financial system after the 1929 crash.
Significance: The SEC reflected the New Deal’s goal of reforming the economy through federal regulation. It helped stabilize the financial sector and prevent another economic crisis by making markets more transparent and accountable.
71
New Deal agency created to regulate the stock market and prevent fraud after the 1929 crash.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (1934)
72
Increased government regulation of the economy to restore trust and prevent future financial crises.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (1934)
73
Roosevelt Coalition
Definition/Description: A diverse political alliance formed during FDR’s presidency that included Southern whites, urban immigrants, labor unions, African Americans, and the poor. This group supported the Democratic Party and the New Deal.
Significance: It reshaped American politics by securing Democratic dominance for decades and realigned many voting blocs, especially bringing African Americans into the Democratic fold for the first time in large numbers.
74
A political alliance of working-class people, minorities, and Southern whites who supported FDR and the New Deal.
Roosevelt Coalition
75
Created a powerful political base for the Democratic Party and realigned American voters for generations.
Roosevelt Coalition
76
77
Radio and KDKA (1920)
Definition/Description: Launched in 1920 in Pittsburgh as the first commercial radio station in the U.S., broadcasting news, entertainment, and election results. Marked the beginning of radio as a major communication tool.
Significance: Radios helped unify American culture by sharing news and entertainment across the country. They connected rural and urban communities and shaped public opinion, becoming a powerful cultural force in American life.
78
The first commercial U.S. radio station, started in 1920 in Pittsburgh, that broadcasted news, entertainment, and election results.
Radio and KDKA (1920)
79
Helped unify American culture by spreading shared experiences and information to a mass audience, both urban and rural.
Radio and KDKA (1920)
80
The Jazz Singer (1927)
Definition/Description: The first feature-length film with synchronized sound, combining music, dialogue, and story. Starred Al Jolson and marked a major shift from silent films.
Significance: The film changed the movie industry, made sound films the new standard, and boosted Hollywood's cultural impact. It helped shape national culture but also raised important questions about race and representation in film.
81
The first story-length movie with synchronized sound (not silent), which marked a turning point in film history.
The Jazz Singer (1927)
82
Revolutionized film, strengthened Hollywood’s cultural role, and sparked national debates on race and media representation.
The Jazz Singer (1927)
83
Harlem Renaissance
Definition/Description: A cultural movement in the 1920s centered in Harlem, New York, where African American artists, writers, and musicians celebrated Black identity, creativity, and pride.
Significance: It created a new voice for Black Americans in art and literature and reshaped national conversations about race, identity, and creativity. The movement reflected the cultural impact of the Great Migration and helped challenge racist stereotypes.
84
A 1920s cultural movement where African American writers, artists, and musicians in Harlem celebrated Black pride and identity.
Harlem Renaissance
85
Reshaped national views on Black identity and gave voice to African American creativity during and after the Great Migration.
Harlem Renaissance
86
Harlem Renaissance
Definition/Description: Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the novel tells the story of a man chasing wealth and status in the 1920s, showing how the American Dream became corrupted by materialism after WWI.
Significance: The novel reflected the disillusionment of the “Lost Generation,” criticizing the emptiness of wealth and how class and regional divides shaped people’s lives. It highlighted the tension between traditional values and the rising mass consumer culture of the 1920s.
87
A 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald that captured the disappointment of chasing wealth and the corruption of the American Dream in the Jazz Age.
The Great Gatsby (1925)
88
Treaty of Paris (1898); Acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines
Definition/Description: The treaty that ended the Spanish-American War. In it, Spain gave up control of Cuba and ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S., marking a turning point in U.S. foreign policy.
Significance: Signaled the U.S.'s emergence as an imperial power. It sparked debates over imperialism and the nation’s role in global affairs, while increasing American military and economic influence overseas.
89
Treaty that ended the Spanish-American War and resulted in the U.S. gaining overseas territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Treaty of Paris (1898); Acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines
90
Marked the U.S. becoming an imperial power with overseas colonies, sparking debates about imperialism and American identity.
Treaty of Paris (1898); Acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines
91
Open Door Policy (1899)
Definition/Description: U.S. diplomatic policy proposed by Secretary of State John Hay that called for equal trading rights for all nations in China and for Chinese territorial integrity to be respected.
Significance: Showed the U.S. asserting influence in Asia without direct colonization. Reflected America’s desire to expand its commercial interests and avoid conflict with European powers while still benefiting from trade in China.
92
A U.S. foreign policy urging equal trading rights in China and the preservation of Chinese territorial integrity.
Open Door Policy (1899)
93
Demonstrated U.S. expanding influence abroad through diplomacy and trade instead of colonization, especially in Asia.
Open Door Policy (1899)
94
Anti-Imperialist League (1898)
Definition/Description: An organization founded in 1898 to oppose the U.S. annexation of the Philippines and other territories acquired after the Spanish-American War. The League argued that imperialism violated the fundamental principle that just republican government must derive from "consent of the governed"
.
Significance: The League represented a significant domestic opposition to U.S. imperialism, highlighting the national debate over America's role in global affairs and the tension between expansionist policies and foundational democratic ideals.
95
An organization established in 1898 to oppose U.S. territorial expansion, particularly the annexation of the Philippines, arguing it violated American democratic principles.
Anti-Imperialist League (1898)
96
Illustrated domestic resistance to imperialist policies, emphasizing the conflict between American expansionism and the nation's foundational ideals of self-governance.
Anti-Imperialist League (1898)
97
Issue of Imperialism in the Election of 1900
Definition/Description: The 1900 U.S. presidential election featured incumbent President William McKinley, who supported American imperialism, against Democratic challenger William Jennings Bryan, who opposed it. The debate centered on the U.S.'s role in global affairs following the Spanish-American War.
Significance: The election served as a referendum on U.S. imperial policy. McKinley's victory indicated public support for expansionist policies, shaping America's future foreign engagements and colonial governance
98
A pivotal issue in the 1900 presidential election, where debates over U.S. imperialism influenced the contest between pro-imperialist McKinley and anti-imperialist Bryan.
Issue of Imperialism in the Election of 1900
99
Demonstrated national endorsement of imperialist policies through McKinley's re-election, reinforcing America's expansionist trajectory in the early 20th century.
Issue of Imperialism in the Election of 1900
100
Annexation of Hawaii (1898)
The U.S. annexed Hawaii in 1898 after American planters overthrew Queen Liliuokalani. The islands were strategically important for military and economic reasons, especially as a refueling stop for ships and a gateway to Asian markets.
Significance:
The annexation reflected U.S. imperial interests in the Pacific and marked a shift toward overseas expansion. It also showed how economic interests and military strategy influenced U.S. foreign policy during this period.
101
The U.S. took control of these Pacific islands in 1898 after American planters helped overthrow the local monarchy. The location was seen as key for naval and economic access to Asia.
Annexation of Hawaii (1898)
102
This event demonstrated America's growing interest in imperialism and strategic expansion into the Pacific, boosting naval power and trade routes.
Annexation of Hawaii (1898)
103
Alfred Thayer Mahan’s The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890)
Definition/Description:
A book by naval officer Alfred T. Mahan arguing that national greatness and global power depended on strong naval forces and control of sea routes. He emphasized the importance of overseas bases and coaling stations.
Significance:
Mahan’s ideas influenced U.S. leaders and encouraged the expansion of the Navy. His work supported the rise of American imperialism by promoting the idea that a powerful navy was essential for world power status.
104
This 1890 book claimed that national strength and global influence came from a strong navy and control over maritime trade routes.
Alfred Thayer Mahan’s The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890)
105
Helped inspire American imperialism by convincing policymakers that building a powerful navy and gaining overseas bases was key to national greatness.
Alfred Thayer Mahan’s The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890)
106
Great Depression-era deportations
Definition/Description:
During the Great Depression, over 400,000 people of Mexican descent (many U.S. citizens) were deported or pressured to "voluntarily" leave the U.S. to reduce competition for jobs and public resources. These deportations were often discriminatory and lacked due process.
Significance:
This showed how economic crises intensified anti-immigrant sentiment and led to the scapegoating of marginalized groups. It also revealed how civil rights could be violated under pressure from economic and political fears.
107
In the 1930s, during a severe economic crisis, the U.S. removed hundreds of thousands of Mexican and Mexican American families—often without due process—in an attempt to preserve jobs and welfare for white Americans.
Great Depression-era deportations
108
Revealed how economic hardship can lead to increased xenophobia and civil rights violations, especially against ethnic minorities and immigrants.
Great Depression-era deportations
109
WWII Bracero Program (1942–1964)
Definition/Description:
An agreement between the U.S. and Mexico during WWII that brought millions of Mexican laborers to the U.S. for temporary agricultural and railroad work, to address wartime labor shortages.
Significance:
The program showed how labor demands influenced immigration policy and U.S.-Mexico relations. It also led to long-term migration patterns and highlighted the exploitation and poor working conditions faced by migrant workers.
110
A wartime labor agreement that allowed Mexican workers to temporarily enter the U.S. for agricultural and infrastructure jobs due to domestic labor shortages.
WWII Bracero Program (1942–1964)
111
Illustrated how U.S. labor shortages influenced immigration policy and exposed the long-term challenges and injustices faced by migrant laborers.
WWII Bracero Program (1942–1964)
112
Espionage and Sedition Acts (1917–1918)
Definition/Description:
These were federal laws passed during WWI that made it illegal to interfere with military operations, support U.S. enemies during wartime, or speak out against the government, the Constitution, or the war effort.
Significance:
These acts significantly restricted free speech and civil liberties, especially targeting anti-war activists, labor organizers, and immigrants. They showed how fear of dissent during wartime can lead to government overreach and repression.
113
Wartime laws that criminalized criticism of the U.S. government, military, and war effort—used to silence dissent during WWI and target activists, socialists, and immigrants.
Espionage and Sedition Acts (1917–1918)
114
Reflected how wartime fears led to the restriction of civil liberties and freedom of speech in the name of national security.
Espionage and Sedition Acts (1917–1918)
115
Schenck v. United States (1919)
Definition/Description:
A Supreme Court case where Charles Schenck was convicted under the Espionage Act for distributing anti-draft pamphlets during WWI. The Court ruled that speech can be restricted if it presents a “clear and present danger.”
Significance:
The ruling created a legal precedent for limiting free speech during times of war and crisis. It upheld the Espionage Act and marked a shift in how the First Amendment was interpreted under national security concerns.
116
A WWI-era Supreme Court case that said the government could limit free speech if it posed a “clear and present danger,” like encouraging people to avoid the draft.
Schenck v. United States (1919)
117
Established a legal justification for limiting free speech during wartime, shaping the balance between civil liberties and national security.
Schenck v. United States (1919)
118
Flappers
Definition/Description:
Young women in the 1920s who defied traditional norms by wearing shorter skirts, cutting their hair short (bobs), smoking, drinking, and embracing a more independent lifestyle.
Significance:
Flappers symbolized the cultural shift of the 1920s toward modern values and greater gender freedom. They challenged older generations’ ideas of womanhood, reflecting how urbanization and consumer culture were reshaping American life.
119
Young women in the 1920s who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, and challenged traditional gender roles by embracing new freedoms.
Flappers
120
Showed the cultural divide between traditional and modern values, especially in gender roles—highlighted women’s changing place in society during the 1920s.
Flappers
121
Scopes “Monkey” Trial (1925)
Definition/Description:
A high-profile court case in Tennessee where teacher John Scopes was tried for teaching evolution in a public school, violating state law that banned it. The trial pitted modern science against religious fundamentalism.
Significance:
The trial represented the clash between modern and traditional values—science vs. religion—and showed how cultural tensions played out in public debates. It became a symbol of the struggle over what kind of knowledge and values schools should promote.
122
A court case where a teacher was prosecuted for teaching evolution, sparking a national debate about science, religion, and education.
Scopes “Monkey” Trial (1925)
123
Exposed the cultural battle between religious fundamentalism and modern secular values—highlighting the broader tension of tradition vs. change in the 1920s.
Scopes “Monkey” Trial (1925)
124
Immigration Act of 1917
Definition/Description:
This law created new immigration restrictions, including a literacy test for immigrants over age 16 and a list of “undesirable” people banned from entry. It also expanded the areas excluded from immigrating to the U.S.
Significance:
The act reflected growing anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. and showed how fears of radicalism and cultural change were influencing national policies, especially during and after World War I.
125
A law that imposed literacy tests and expanded bans on immigration from Asia and other “undesirable” groups.
Immigration Act of 1917
126
Showed growing nativism and fears of foreign influence during World War I; restricted entry based on race, ability, and education.
Immigration Act of 1917
127
National Origins Immigration Act of 1924
Definition/Description:
This law set strict quotas on immigration based on the 1890 census, favoring immigrants from Northern and Western Europe and nearly banning all Asians.
Significance:
It institutionalized racism in U.S. immigration policy and was part of a larger trend of nativism in the 1920s. The act aimed to preserve American “racial purity” and reflect anti-immigrant fears after World War I.
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Law that created national quotas to severely limit immigration, favoring Northern Europeans and excluding most Asians.
National Origins Immigration Act of 1924
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Reflected extreme nativist attitudes and racial bias in U.S. policy; shaped American immigration patterns for decades.
National Origins Immigration Act of 1924
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War Industries Board (1917)
Definition/Description:
A U.S. government agency created during WWI to coordinate the production of war materials and manage the economy to support the war effort. It regulated industries, controlled raw materials, and prioritized military needs.
Significance:
The board marked a major example of federal wartime economic planning. It showed how the government could mobilize industry in a crisis and helped expand federal power during wartime, setting a precedent for future economic intervention.
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Government agency that coordinated wartime industrial production during WWI, regulating materials and manufacturing priorities.
War Industries Board (1917)
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Demonstrated growing federal involvement in economic planning during wartime, setting a model for future mobilization.
War Industries Board (1917)
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Dust Bowl (1930–1936)
Definition/Description:
A period of severe dust storms and droughts in the Great Plains caused by overfarming, dry weather, and soil erosion. It devastated farmland and forced many families, especially in Oklahoma and Texas, to migrate west.
Significance:
The Dust Bowl exposed the environmental limits of agricultural practices and led to major population movements, especially to California. It also influenced New Deal policies aimed at soil conservation and federal support for farmers.
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Ecological disaster in the Great Plains marked by drought and dust storms, leading to mass migration and agricultural collapse.
Dust Bowl (1930–1936)
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Led to major migrations and highlighted the need for conservation efforts and federal aid to struggling farmers.
Dust Bowl (1930–1936)
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Red Summer (1919)
Definition/Description:
A wave of violent racial conflicts in U.S. cities, especially in Chicago, Washington D.C., and Elaine, Arkansas, sparked by tensions over jobs, housing, and the return of Black WWI veterans demanding equal rights.
Significance:
Revealed intense racial tensions in the postwar era and showed that African Americans, even in the North, still faced discrimination and violence. It pushed civil rights issues into the national spotlight and deepened the urgency for racial justice movements.
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A wave of race riots and violence in U.S. cities during 1919, largely caused by competition over jobs and housing and the return of Black veterans after WWI.
Red Summer (1919)
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Exposed the limits of northern migration and highlighted the continued fight for civil rights and justice despite regional relocation.
Red Summer (1919)
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Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (1914)
Definition/Description:
Marcus Garvey founded the UNIA to promote Black pride, economic independence, and the “Back to Africa” movement. It encouraged racial unity and empowerment during a time of discrimination and inequality.
Significance:
Garvey’s ideas inspired Black nationalism and pride, pushing for self-reliance and civil rights. His movement influenced future Black power and civil rights activism and sparked debate over strategies for racial progress in America.
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A movement promoting Black pride, economic self-sufficiency, and a return to African roots, founded by a Jamaican-born leader.
Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (1914)
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Inspired Black nationalism and shaped early conversations about self-determination, racial pride, and strategies to confront racism.
Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (1914)
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Zimmerman Telegram (1917)
Definition/Description: A secret diplomatic communication sent by Germany to Mexico, proposing a military alliance against the U.S. in exchange for the return of lost territories (Texas, Arizona, New Mexico) if the Central Powers won WWI. It was intercepted and made public by the British.
Significance: The telegram fueled anti-German sentiment in the U.S. and was a key factor in shifting American public opinion toward entering WWI on the side of the Allies.
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A secret German proposal to Mexico offering support in regaining lost territory if Mexico joined the war against the U.S.
Zimmerman Telegram (1917)
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Turned American public opinion against Germany and helped push the U.S. into WWI
Zimmerman Telegram (1917)
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Wilson’s Fourteen Points (1918)
Definition/Description: A speech by President Woodrow Wilson outlining his vision for post-WWI peace, including self-determination, open diplomacy, free trade, and a League of Nations.
Significance: The points shaped peace negotiations but were only partly accepted. Most importantly, they introduced the idea of the League of Nations, which reflected American efforts to promote a peaceful international order—even though the U.S. didn’t ultimately join.
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A peace plan that called for self-determination, open diplomacy, and a League of Nations after WWI
Wilson’s Fourteen Points (1918)
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Introduced ideas that shaped postwar peace talks, especially the League of Nations concept
Wilson’s Fourteen Points (1918)
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American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
Definition/Description: The U.S. military force sent to fight in Europe during World War I, led by General John J. Pershing.
Significance: The AEF played a key role in tipping the balance in favor of the Allies during the final phase of WWI. Their arrival boosted morale and provided fresh troops, which helped bring the war to an end.
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U.S. troops sent to Europe in WWI under General Pershing to support the Allied Powers
American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
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Helped turn the tide in favor of the Allies by providing fresh soldiers and morale
American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
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Liberty Loan Drives
Definition/Description: Government campaigns during WWI to sell war bonds to the public in order to finance the war effort. Citizens were encouraged to lend money to the government.
Significance: The drives showed mass mobilization on the home front and increased civilian involvement in the war. They also helped strengthen patriotism and encouraged financial support for U.S. involvement in WWI.
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Government bond campaigns during WWI that encouraged citizens to financially support the war
Liberty Loan Drives
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Demonstrated widespread home front support and helped finance U.S. participation in WWI
Liberty Loan Drives
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Wilson’s Fourteen Points (1918)
Definition/Description: President Woodrow Wilson’s peace plan for ending WWI and preventing future wars. It included ideas like self-determination, freedom of the seas, open diplomacy, and the creation of a League of Nations.
Significance: Reflected American idealism and aimed to promote peace and democracy worldwide. It was influential in shaping the Treaty of Versailles, although many points were rejected, especially by the U.S. Senate.
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President’s post-WWI peace plan promoting self-determination, open diplomacy, and international cooperation.
Wilson’s Fourteen Points (1918)
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Showed America’s idealistic approach to global peace and inspired the League of Nations, although it faced resistance at home.
Wilson’s Fourteen Points (1918)
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American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
Definition/Description: The U.S. military force sent to Europe under General John J. Pershing during WWI. They arrived in 1917 and played a key role in several Allied victories in 1918.
Significance: Boosted Allied morale and helped tip the balance toward victory. Their involvement marked a major U.S. role in global affairs and modern warfare.
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U.S. military unit sent to fight in Europe during WWI under General Pershing, arriving in 1917.
American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
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Their entry into WWI marked a turning point and expanded the U.S. role in international conflicts.
American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
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Liberty Loan Drives
Definition/Description: Government campaigns during WWI that encouraged Americans to buy bonds to fund the war effort. Citizens loaned money to the government with the promise of repayment with interest.
Significance: Created strong public support for the war and showed how the federal government mobilized the home front through patriotic appeals and economic participation.
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WWI-era campaigns encouraging citizens to purchase bonds to help finance the war effort.
Liberty Loan Drives
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Demonstrated public support for the war and how the government used propaganda and patriotism to mobilize the economy.
Liberty Loan Drives
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League of Nations
Definition/Description: An international peacekeeping organization created after WWI as part of Wilson’s Fourteen Points and the Treaty of Versailles. It aimed to prevent future wars through collective security and diplomacy.
Significance: The U.S. never joined due to opposition in the Senate, especially from isolationists like Henry Cabot Lodge. This weakened the League’s power and showed America’s retreat from international involvement after WWI
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An international peace organization created after WWI to maintain global stability and prevent future conflicts.
League of Nations
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Showed U.S. rejection of Wilson’s internationalism and a shift toward isolationism after WWI
League of Nations
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Senator Henry Cabot Lodge
Definition/Description: A Republican leader of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who strongly opposed U.S. membership in the League of Nations, arguing it threatened U.S. independence in foreign policy.
Significance: Lodge led the successful opposition to the Treaty of Versailles in the Senate, preventing U.S. entry into the League and marking a turn away from Wilsonian internationalism.
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Republican senator who opposed the League of Nations and led the fight against the Treaty of Versailles.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge
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His leadership blocked the U.S. from joining the League, reinforcing isolationist policies
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge
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Washington Naval Conference (1921–1922)
Definition/Description: A series of diplomatic meetings among major world powers held in Washington, D.C., aimed at limiting naval armaments to prevent an arms race. The resulting treaties set limits on naval construction and established the principle of naval disarmament.
Significance: The conference marked a shift towards diplomacy over military expansion, but its effectiveness was limited as nations later violated the agreements, leading to renewed military buildup in the 1930s.
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A diplomatic effort among world powers in the early 1920s to limit naval armaments and avoid an arms race.
Washington Naval Conference (1921–1922)
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Attempted to curb military competition but ultimately failed to prevent future conflicts, signaling the limits of disarmament efforts.
Washington Naval Conference (1921–1922)
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Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)
Definition/Description: An international agreement signed by 15 nations that condemned war as a means of resolving disputes and promised not to use it in the future, although no enforcement mechanism was included.
Significance: It reflected the idealistic desire for global peace in the interwar years but was largely ineffective as it lacked the means for enforcement and did not prevent the outbreak of WWII.
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A pact that condemned war as a solution to disputes but lacked enforcement power.
Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)
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Despite its goodwill, the pact was ineffective in preventing WWII, highlighting the challenges of idealistic diplomacy in a world prone to militarism.
Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)
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Neutrality Acts of 1936–1938
Definition/Description: A series of U.S. laws passed to prevent American involvement in foreign conflicts by prohibiting the sale of arms to belligerents and restricting loans to warring nations.
Significance: The acts reflected America’s isolationist sentiment during the 1930s and limited the U.S. response to growing international aggression, especially in Europe and Asia.
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Laws passed to keep the U.S. neutral and out of foreign wars by limiting trade and loans to belligerents.
Neutrality Acts of 1936–1938
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Represented isolationist policies that delayed U.S. intervention in WWII and limited support for nations under attack.
Neutrality Acts of 1936–1938
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Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor (1941)
Definition/Description: A surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States’ Pacific Fleet in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, leading to the U.S. entry into World War II.
Significance: The attack marked a turning point in U.S. foreign policy, shifting from isolationism to active involvement in WWII, and prompted the U.S. to declare war on Japan.
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A surprise attack by Japan on the U.S. Pacific Fleet, leading to America’s entry into WWII.
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor (1941)
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Pushed the U.S. into WWII, ending its isolationist stance and marking the beginning of its involvement in global conflict.
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor (1941)
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FDR’s “Four Freedoms” Speech (1941)
Definition/Description: A speech delivered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, outlining four essential freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear, as fundamental human rights.
Significance: The speech became a rallying cry for both domestic and international efforts during WWII and symbolized American values in the fight against totalitarianism.
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FDR’s articulation of four essential freedoms that all people should have, guiding U.S. foreign policy during WWII.
FDR’s “Four Freedoms” Speech (1941)
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Defined American values in the context of WWII and inspired U.S. policy on human rights and democracy.
FDR’s “Four Freedoms” Speech (1941)
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Atlantic Charter (1941)
Definition/Description: A joint declaration between the U.S. and Great Britain outlining their post-WWII goals, including the promotion of free trade, self-determination, and collective security.
Significance: The charter was a precursor to the establishment of the United Nations and symbolized the growing cooperation between the U.S. and Britain, setting the stage for international collaboration in the postwar world.
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A joint U.S.-UK declaration setting goals for the post-WWII world, including democracy, free trade, and international cooperation.
Atlantic Charter (1941)
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Marked the beginning of U.S. leadership in creating a new international order after WWII.
Atlantic Charter (1941)
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Rosie the Riveter (1941)
Definition/Description: A cultural icon representing women who worked in factories and shipyards during WWII, symbolizing female empowerment and the contribution of women to the wartime economy.
Significance: "Rosie the Riveter" became a symbol of women’s changing role in American society and helped catalyze the women’s rights movement after the war.
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A cultural symbol representing women working in wartime industries, challenging traditional gender roles.
Rosie the Riveter (1941)
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Represented the shifting role of women in the workforce during WWII and contributed to the broader women’s rights movement.
Rosie the Riveter (1941)
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War Production Board (1942)
Definition/Description: A U.S. government agency created during WWII to oversee the conversion of civilian industries to military production. It helped mobilize the nation's economy for war and ensured the supply of materials and goods needed for the war effort.
Significance: The board’s success in converting industries to wartime production significantly contributed to the Allied victory, marking a critical moment in U.S. economic and industrial history.
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A government agency that directed U.S. industrial production during WWII to focus on military needs.
War Production Board (1942)
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Played a key role in organizing U.S. economic resources for wartime production, helping ensure military success.
War Production Board (1942)
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Executive Order 8802 (1941)
Definition/Description: An executive order signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt prohibiting racial discrimination in the defense industry and establishing the Fair Employment Practices Committee.
Significance: The order was an important step toward civil rights for African Americans, ensuring greater access to wartime jobs and promoting equality in the workforce, which laid the groundwork for later civil rights advancements.
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A 1941 executive order that banned racial discrimination in wartime employment.
Executive Order 8802 (1941)
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Helped pave the way for later civil rights reforms by expanding job opportunities for African Americans in wartime industries.
Executive Order 8802 (1941)
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Internment of Japanese Americans in Relocation Camps
Definition/Description: The forced relocation and internment of over 100,000 Japanese Americans, primarily from the West Coast, during WWII. This was justified as a national security measure after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Significance: The internment represented a grave violation of civil liberties and remains a dark chapter in American history, leading to reparations and formal apologies decades later.
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The forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during WWII due to wartime hysteria.
Internment of Japanese Americans in Relocation Camps
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A stark reminder of the dangers of wartime hysteria and racial prejudice, it sparked a national reckoning and later reparations for those affected.
Internment of Japanese Americans in Relocation Camps
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Manhattan Project (1942)
Definition/Description: A secret U.S. government project that developed the first atomic bombs during WWII. It was led by scientists like J. Robert Oppenheimer and involved research facilities across the country.
Significance: The successful creation of the atomic bomb dramatically altered global politics and warfare, leading to the U.S.'s victory in WWII and the start of the nuclear age.
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A secret U.S. project to develop atomic weapons during WWII.
Manhattan Project (1942)
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The project led to the creation of nuclear weapons, fundamentally changing the nature of global power and warfare,
Manhattan Project (1942)
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D-Day (1944)
Definition/Description: The Allied invasion of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, during WWII. This operation marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control.
Significance: D-Day was a turning point in WWII, leading to the defeat of Nazi Germany and the eventual Allied victory in Europe.
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The Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944, a crucial step in defeating Nazi Germany.
D-Day (1944)
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Marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany and was a key moment in the Allied victory in Europe.
D-Day (1944)
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United Nations (1945)
Definition/Description: An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, human rights, and cooperation among member nations, replacing the League of Nations.
Significance: The UN has played a central role in global diplomacy, peacekeeping, and the promotion of human rights, continuing to influence international relations today.
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An international organization formed in 1945 to maintain peace and cooperation between countries.
United Nations (1945)
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Became a cornerstone of international diplomacy and conflict resolution after WWII, influencing global politics for decades.
United Nations (1945)
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Nuremberg Trials (1945)
Definition/Description: A series of military tribunals held after WWII to prosecute prominent leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
Significance: The trials set a precedent for how the world would address crimes against humanity and established principles of international law that continue to influence global justice efforts.
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Post-WWII tribunals held to prosecute Nazi leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Nuremberg Trials (1945)
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Marked the first major international trials for war crimes, laying the foundation for modern international human rights law.
Nuremberg Trials (1945)
