TD written expression American Part Flashcards
What was the Gilded Age, and why was it called that?
An era of rapid industrialization, widespread corruption, and massive wealth concentration (1870-1900). Named after Mark Twain’s novel, symbolizing social problems hidden by a “thin layer of gold.”
What was the role of railroads during the Gilded Age?
Railroads fueled industrial growth, connecting markets and enabling mass production and distribution.
Who was William Tweed, and why is he significant?
A corrupt New York politician satirized by Thomas Nast; Tweed symbolized the political corruption of the era.
What were the main guiding principles of the Progressive Era?
Morality and efficiency in government, business, and society.
Who were the “muckrakers”?
Progressive journalists who exposed corruption, poor working conditions, and societal issues through investigative reporting.
What were the key political reforms of the Progressive Era?
- Direct election of senators (17th Amendment, 1913)
- Secret ballots
- Introduction of referendums and primaries
What changes were introduced to improve working conditions?
- Abolishment of child labor
- Factory safety regulations after incidents like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (1911)
What were key social reforms during the Progressive Era?
- Anti-alcohol campaigns
- Creation of public services (food banks, youth shelters)
- Women’s suffrage (19th Amendment, 1920)
What were Theodore Roosevelt’s contributions to the Progressive Era?
- Meat Inspection Act & Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)
- Regulation of railroads and telephone services
- Coal Miners’ Strike (1902) mediation
What was the “separate but equal” doctrine?
A Supreme Court decision (Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896) that legitimized racial segregation under Jim Crow laws.
How did Woodrow Wilson further progressive reforms?
- Clayton Act (1914) to break up trusts
- Federal Reserve Act (1913) for banking reform
- Graduated income tax (16th Amendment, 1913)
What was the significance of the Springfield Race Riot of 1908?
Sparked the formation of the NAACP to combat racial violence and advocate for civil rights
Who was W.E.B. Dubois, and what did he achieve?
Founder of the NAACP (1909), he fought for civil rights and equality, edited The Crisis magazine, and led anti-lynching campaigns.
How did the Progressive Era address African Americans’ issues?
While progressives focused on white working-class issues, African Americans developed their own reform efforts, including schools, churches, and the NAACP.
What was the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire?
A 1911 fire in a Manhattan factory where 146 workers died, leading to significant labor and safety reforms.
What did the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) aim to do?
Prevent monopolies and foster competition in business.
What was the Pendleton Act (1883)?
Legislation requiring government job applicants to be qualified, reducing corruption by political machines.
What is the 19th Amendment?
Ratified in 1920, it granted women the right to vote.
How did the Clayton Act (1914) differ from the Sherman Antitrust Act?
It strengthened antitrust laws and provided protections for labor unions.
How does the Black Lives Matter movement connect to historical civil rights struggles?
It addresses ongoing racial injustices, including police brutality, which traces back to systemic racism and segregation.
Who was Colin Kaepernick, and what role did he play in the movement?
A football player who protested police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem, sparking national discourse.
What followed WWI in the US, marking significant changes in lifestyle and culture?
The Roaring Twenties.
What were key features of the Roaring Twenties?
Unprecedented industrial growth, rising prosperity, modernity (skyscrapers, jazz, cars, telephones), and the birth of pop culture.
Why was the US better positioned economically after WWI compared to Europe?
The US entered WWI late (1917) and was geographically far from the conflict, allowing it to become a global financial center.
What symbolized American modernity in the 1920s?
Skyscrapers like the Rockefeller Center and Empire State Building.
What was “Fordism”?
Henry Ford’s system of mass production using assembly lines, drastically reducing product costs.
How did the motor industry influence other industries?
It boosted oil, concrete, steel, glass, rubber, and paint industries and transformed living patterns with suburban expansion.
What was the Fordney-McCumber Tariff (1922)?
A policy imposing high tariffs to protect American businesses, leading to economic surplus.
Which new technologies reshaped daily life in the 1920s?
Cars, telephones, cinemas, and radios.
What new cultural trends emerged in the 1920s?
Swing music, the Charleston dance, and flappers.
What role did Hollywood play during the Roaring Twenties?
It became a major industry, transitioning to sound films in the late 1920s.
What novel symbolizes the 1920s, and who wrote it?
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
What was a “speakeasy”?
An illegal bar where people consumed alcohol during Prohibition.
What did the 18th Amendment (1919) do?
Outlawed the manufacture, import, and sale of alcohol.
What were some unintended effects of Prohibition?
Rise in organized crime, corruption, and illegal bars (speakeasies).
Who was a notorious figure during Prohibition?
Al Capone, who profited from bootlegging.
What was the Red Scare (1919-1921)?
A fear of foreigners believed to plan a Soviet-style revolution, marking early Cold War sentiment.
What did the Immigration Act of 1924 do?
Restricted immigration from Eastern and Southern Europe.
Who were Sacco and Vanzetti?
Two Italian immigrants wrongfully executed for murder, highlighting anti-immigrant sentiment.
