history

Why did America look to acquire colonial possessions in the 1890's? How did Imperialists justify the acquisition of foreign colonies?

-Acquiring colonies would increase American influence and power -Other nations would take U.S. more seriously -Also believed in special destiny of U.S. in the world -Wanted to export U.S. culture and political system -Imperialists believed U.S. could help "civilize" other nations -Better if these countries came under control of American democracy than European tyranny

What did the frontier thesis have to do with American Imperialism?

-American leaders feared impact of loss of frontier -Looked outside U.S. borders to seek more room to expand -This will lead to acquisition of foreign colonies

Who were "robber barrons"? Why were they important

-An American capitalist who acquired a fortune in the late nineteenth century by ruthless means -They were important because their terrible actions led to for example, the union movement -The Union movement led to direct improvements to work life

What was the "redemption" of the south? How did white southern democrats regain control of the south during the period of "redemption"?

-Democratic southerners saw themselves as redeeming the south by regaining power -regained control because they appealed to scalawags(white southerners who supported republican party after the civil war and during the time of reconstruction

What are some examples of specific actions taken by the federal government to provide for and protect the rights of the freed people?

-In 1865, the Freedmen's Bureau was established to provide emergency aid to the freed slaves -In 1866, Congress passes a new Freedmen's Bureau bill, expanding the agency's authority -It can now build schools, hire teachers, provide job training, and serve as a separate legal system for blacks accused of crimes against whites -This expanded role was controversial

What conditions did Congress impose on the South during Congressional Reconstruction?

-In June of 1866, Congress votes to reject all members of Congress elected from Southern states under Johnson's Reconstruction plan that rules that all former Confederate states remain occupied territories lacking formal governments -This resets reconstruction back to square one -Congress will now impose its own Reconstruction plan on the states, ignoring the President

What were some of the problems facing american workers during the Gilded Age?

-Rise of the Urban "Political Machine" -Tammany Hall and the "Tweed Ring" Scandals -Tweed Steals $30-200 million from NYC -Machines arise in every major city -Urban politics becomes synonymous with corruption -New Industries and Industrial Methods -The Growth of Monopolies: The Trusts; -The "Robber Barons" -Andrew Carnegie -John D. Rockefeller

What is Social Darwinism? How did the ideas of social Darwinism influence public debates over poverty and the proper role of government in the economy during the Gilded Age?

-The idea that humans, like animals and plants, compete in a struggle for existence in which natural selection results in "survival of the fittest"

What were the black codes?

-This is a name given to a set of laws passed in Southern states in 1865 and 1866 -These were passed by the state governments approved by Johnson -They were intended to maintain as much of the system of slavery as possible, without calling it slavery -Represented the first White Southern reaction to the end of slavery NOTE: These are NOT the same as Jim Crow laws, voting restrictions, or segregation, which come along much later. Do not confuse them!

What is meant by Laissez- Faire capitalism?

-Which means that the government leaves the people alone regarding all economic activities -It is the separation of economy and state -There are two ways that a government typically is tempted to interfere with the economy

What were the conditions facing Southern blacks at the end of Reconstruction?

-Widespread violence against blacks -Black codes effectively continue slavery -Former Confederate officials are being elected to office in Southern state governments and to Congress

What is a political machine?

-unofficial city organization designed to keep a particular group in power

What was the Populist Party? What were some of the issues supported by the populists ?

1890-1892: Farmers' Alliance becomes frustrated with Democrats and Republicans Believed both parties served the wealthy and corporations, not the people 1892: The People's Party is organized, also known as the Populists Populist Platform: Populists called for a number of radical reforms A graduated income tax Government ownership of railroads The "Subtreasury" farm credit plan Direct election of U.S. Senators Currency reform

What are some examples of territories acquired by the U.S. in the Age of Imperialism, and HOW were they acquired?

Annexation of Hawaii • American business interests in Hawaii had pressured government to seek U.S. annexation • U.S. fruit companies effectively take over Hawaiian government • July, 1898: U.S. annexes Hawaii • 1899: U.S. acquires American Samoa in deal w/Germany • 1916: U.S. acquires U.S. Virgin Islands in deal w/Denmark

Be prepared to discuss in some detail the conflict over black voting rights during Reconstruction - both regarding efforts to extend voting rights to the freed people and the reactions of white Southerners to those efforts, and the motivations behind both sides. (THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!)

NO ISSUE in Reconstruction was more divisive or controversial. In many parts of the South, blacks made up a majority of the population. If they could vote, they would vote overwhelmingly for Republicans. This could secure permanent Republican control of the South. Extending black voting rights became a major goal of Republicans. Resisting black voting rights became a major goal of Democrats.

Why did the populists want to restore silver coinage to the money supply?

Populists believed this was responsible for depressions in 1870s and 1890s There simply wasn't enough money to meet economy's needs There was a simple fix: restore silver to the money supply Populists believed this would cause inflation and end the Depression

How did progressive reformers change the way elections were conducted in the United States?

Primaries replace (or reduce) conventions Initiative: Citizens can propose laws through petition Referendum: Citizens can pass laws directly in special elections Recall: Citizens can remove elected officials from office Direct Election of Senators

What is direct democracy? Why did some Progressives advocate direct democratic reforms?

Primaries replace (or reduce) conventions Initiative: Citizens can propose laws through petition Referendum: Citizens can pass laws directly in special elections Recall: Citizens can remove elected officials from office Direct Election of Senators

Why is the period between 1870-1900 sometimes referred to as the "gilded age"

it was a period of transformation in the economy, technology, government and social customs of America

What factors led to the Spanish-American War? What was the result of this war? BE SPECIFIC.

• Americans were sympathetic to Cuban rebels • Sent money to aid their cause against Spain • This angered Spain • American newspapers printed exaggerated reports of Spanish atrocities in Cuba o Hearst, Pulitzer and "Yellow Journalism" • February, 1898: President McKinley sends USS Maine to Havana harbor • Feb. 15: It explodes and sinks due to unknown causes • Hearst's papers call it a Spanish attack • April, 1898: Spanish foreign minister writes letter calling McKinley "weak" • Public opinion is inflamed against Spain

What was the relationship between slavery and the outbreak of the Civil War?

• And no one at the time disputed that • It was the culmination of a decades-long dispute over slavery that had nearly destroyed the Union on several separate occasions: • The Missouri Crisis (1819-1821) • The Nullification Crisis (1828-1833) • The California Crisis (1850) • Bleeding Kansas (1854-1856) • All of these were undeniably about slavery • But the Union did not go to war to END it • The South went to war to PRESERVE it • The Union fought back (very aggressively) to preserve the Union • After November 1862, the Union was ALSO fighting to end slavery • But this was a political and diplomatic maneuver by Lincoln, whose main interest was always saving the Union

Why did some Americans oppose imperialism? What are some of the ideas of the anti-imperialists?

Many opposed imperialism as much because of racism as because of concerns over the rights of the people to be ruled over Anti-Imperialists did not believe the U.S. Constitution could or should be extended to people of other races outside the United States. They also feared the possibility of citizenship granted to Filipinos, Cubans, Puerto Ricans

What were some of the specific problems confronting farmers in the late 19th century? How did they respond to these problems?

Problems: Farmers squeezed economically by a number of problems High Railroad rates High tariffs Overproduction and declining prices Debt Response: Farmers pushed for political reforms to help them Formed organizations to educate farmers and lobby government 1870s: The Grange -Essentially a social club for farmers Began to lobby state governments for help vs. railroads Some Midwestern states passed "Granger Laws" establishing public commissions to regulate railroad rates "Strong" vs. "Weak" commissions 1880s: Farmers' Alliance -Tried to organize farmers into collectives that shared costs and resources Lobbied federal government to regulate railroads 1887: Interstate Commerce Act 1890s: The Populist Party 1890-1892: Farmers' Alliance becomes frustrated with Democrats and Republicans Believed both parties served the wealthy and corporations, not the people 1892: The People's Party is organized, also known as the Populists

What is progressivism? Give Examples of progressive reform at local and state levels.

Progressivism is: Coalition of reform movements at local, state and national level Tried to address problems of modernization A "search for order" in chaotic society Established the Regulatory State - the end of laissez-faire Historians call the period between 1900-1920 The Progressive Era Local and State Levels: Health and safety codes Triangle Shirtwaist fire, 1911 Civil engineering & urban planning Child Labor laws Civil Service Reform 8-hour workday legislation Reducing corruption Direct Democracy

What were some of the economic problems confronting blacks in the aftermath of the end of slavery? What kind of economic system emerged in the South by the end of Reconstruction, and what place did blacks occupy in that system?

The plight of southern Blacks was forgotten in the north as they were segregated and condemned to live in poverty with little hope. Radical Reconstruction had never offered more than an uncertain commitment to equality, but it had left an enduring legacy with the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments waiting to be enforced. 13th Amendment (1865)- outlaws slavery 14th Amendment (1868) - extends citizenship, guarantees equal protection of the law, prohibits states from depriving citizens of their rights, tries to force states to grant black suffrage Retro-actively made Civil Rights Act of 1866 constitutional 15th Amendment (1870) - No citizen can be denied the right to vote on the basis of their race

Some examples of progressive reform movements in which women played a leading role... Some critiques of negative aspects of progressivism

Women were a vital force in advancing progressivism Education reform Prison reform Mental health reform Settlement Houses Prohibition Women's Suffrage Critiques: Progressive reforms led to lower voter turnout Favored white, native-born Americans Government regulation can become excessive, restrict economic growth Progressives more interested in defusing radicalism of working class than in promoting dramatic reforms

What were the details of Andrew Johnson's Reconstruction plan? Why did Johnson's management of Reconstruction anger Congress?

• Based on Lincoln's plan • 25% of Southern population must swear a loyalty oath to the Union • These (white) voters would then be allowed to elect new state legislatures • These state governments would have to ratify the 13th amendment and repudiate secession • Southern leaders could then apply to Johnson for pardons, but would be barred from holding office • Then, Southern states could elect new members of Congress • At that point, they were fully re-admitted to the Union • Johnson lacked Lincoln's political skill • He had no supporters in Congress from either party • He was from Tennessee, but remained loyal to the Union during the war • Was seen in the North as a Southern sympathizer • He believed the end of slavery was a fitting punishment for Southern treason • But he resisted efforts to protect or provide for the former slaves

What were some of the basic needs of the freed people after the Civil War, and how were those needs provided for?

• Former slaves had many problems after emancipation • Unclear what their rights were, or how they would support themselves • Their fate becomes caught in a power struggle between white Southerners and the federal government • White Southerners did everything they could to resist expansion of rights and freedoms to the freed people • In 1865, the Freedmen's Bureau was established to provide emergency aid to the freed slaves • In 1866, Congress passes a new Freedmen's Bureau bill, expanding the agency's authority • It can now build schools, hire teachers, provide job training, and serve as a separate legal system for blacks accused of crimes against whites • This expanded role was controversial • Congress also passes the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which outlawed the black codes and called on the federal government to protect the freed people's rights from being taken away by the states o This was probably unconstitutional at the time, requiring passage of a new amendment • Continued violence and resistance to freedmen's rights led to passage of the Military Reconstruction Act of 1867, which placed the South under direct military rule and authorized the army to serve as a police force

What was Grant's role in Reconstruction?

• Grant enters office committed to continue to protect the rights of the freed people • Pushes through Congress the Enforcement Act of 1870, and uses the army to break up the Ku Klux Klan • Supports passage of the 15th amendment and the Civil Rights Act of 1875 • But he becomes increasingly distracted by scandals in his administration • Northern attention and focus begins to shift away from events in the South • In Grant's second term, responding to political pressure and public opinion, he begins to pull troops out of the South • Becomes inconsistent in support of Republican state governments • White Southerners seize on this inconsistency to begin to take back control of the South

What were the details of Abraham Lincoln's Reconstruction plan? What were some of its flaws?

• Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan • 10% of Southern voters must swear loyalty oath to the Union • These voters will elect new state governments, which will draft new state constitutions • States must ratify 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery • New state legislatures must repudiate secession • Rebel leaders can apply to Lincoln for pardons • Southern states will then be allowed to elect members of Congress, resume place in Union • Congressional Republicans saw it as too lenient • Many in the North wanted to punish the South • Lincoln did not have a clear plan for the former slaves o What rights would they have? o How would they support themselves? o Where would they live?

What were some signs that the U.S. was emerging as a global power in the 1890s and early 1900s?

• Some Americans thought U.S. should compete with European powers for colonies • Acquiring colonies would increase American influence and power • Other nations would take U.S. more seriously • Also believed in special destiny of U.S. in the world • Wanted to export U.S. culture and political system • Imperialists believed U.S. could help "civilize" other nations • Better if these countries came under control of American democracy than European tyranny

How did Theodore Roosevelt approach foreign policy? What was the Roosevelt Corollary? What are some examples of how Roosevelt used American power abroad?

• Theodore Roosevelt becomes president in 1901 (more on that later) • Sought to increase American power and international respect • Was very aggressive in promoting foreign policy goals, especially in Latin America • Alfred Thayer Mahan and the importance of naval power • The "Great White Fleet" • The Panama Canal • The Venezuelan Crisis and the Roosevelt Corollary

What were some issues at the end of the Civil War that needed to be addressed during Reconstruction?

• With the end of the war and passage of the 13th Amendment, 4,000,000 slaves were now free • But the conflict over what would happen to the former slaves would continue, and define what came next • How do you reunite a nation torn apart by Civil War? • Reconstruction brought with it many problems • Who will govern the South? • What will happen to the leaders of the Rebellion? • What will happen to the freed people (the former slaves)? • What will the postwar, post-slavery economy of the South look like?