Final Review
Jazz
original form of American music made from African American spiritual and European harmonies
"old immigrants"
"WASP" - White Anglo-Saxon Protestant
What was the main cause of the Pendleton Civil Service Act?
"spoils system:" a system in which jobs were given away to political supporters/ friends; also known as patronage
Effects of the Spanish American War
- America gained: Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines as territories - Cuba was independent but they forced to accept the Platt Amendment: this gave the US the right to intervene in Cuba whenever we wanted to and the military base at Guantanamo Bay - The US became a world power
Causes of the Spanish American War
- Disapproval of the brutal treatment of Cubans by the Spanish - Yellow journalism - exaggerated stories of Spanish brutality and the sinking of the USS Maine and turned American public opinion in favor of war - 3 G's: Desire to expand our territory, trading markets, military bases, etc... - Sinking of the USS Maine was blamed on Spain
Reasons the United States Entered World War One
- German unrestricted submarine warfare: after the sinking of the Lusitania, German submarines no longer targeted Americans. However, in 1917, German u-boats began sinking neutral American ships that were supplying the Allies. - Zimmermann Telegram: a secret telegram sent by Germany to Mexico proposing an alliance if the US entered the war. If so, Germany wanted Mexico to attack the US to prevent America from being able to reinforce the Allies in Europe. In return, Germany promised to help Mexico reclaim territory they had lost to the US in the Mexican-American War, once World War I was over. - Russian Revolution: when Russia became engulfed in a civil war, they dropped out of World War I, leaving the Germans no longer responsible for fighting a two-front war. This spelled disaster for the Allies. It also removed any objections the US could have to joining the Allied side. Previously, the US did not want to side with Allies because Russia's government was not democratic. - Democracy: With Russia out of the war, Britain and France were close to surrendering to Germany if the US did not enter the war. This may have meant the end of democracy in Europe so President Woodrow Wilson stated that one of our reason's for going to war was to make the world "safe for democracy."
Causes of Industrialization
- Growing population (including millions of immigrants) - New inventions (Bessemer process, vertical integration - owning all aspects of a business) - Improved transportation (railroads, canals) - The exploitation of natural resources (precious metals, fossil fuels, lumber, minerals) - Government support - subsidies: support from the government to businesses - investment - companies became corporations so they could sell stock (shares of their company) to get money to start businesses or expand businesses
Harlem Renaissance
- Harlem Renaissance: an explosion of culture coming out of Harlem in the 1920s in the form of music, art, dance, poetry, literature, theatre, etc... Exhibited aspects of African culture and pride - Renaissance = rebirth - Period of rebirth for African culture - Many African Americans moved north from the South during WWI for the war industry jobs
Important People in the Harlem Renaissance
- Langston Hughes - Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Bessie, Smith - Marcus Garvey
Effects of the Roaring Twenties
- Prohibition - automobiles - Red Scare
Causes of Imperialism
- SOCIAL: (GOD) desire to spread religion, American culture and values - ECONOMIC: (GOLD) desire to gain access to raw materials and new trading markets where American made goods could be sold - POLITICAL: (GLORY): desire to become a world power, keep up with the Europeans, gain new territories and military bases
Effects of World War One at home
- Selective Service Act - rationing - War Production Board - role of women - propaganda - suspension of rights
How was the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII defended?
- The Supreme Court upheld the action as a military necessity during a wartime emergency. (Korematsu vs. United States) - DURING WORLD WAR I: Schenck vs. United States - ok for gov. to temporarily limit rights during wartime
Cons of Monopolies and Trusts
- crushed competition getting rid the necessity for businesses to offer consumers the best product at the lowest price - it allowed monopoly owners to charge high prices to the their customers - it made it much more difficult or impossible for new businesses to emerge -contributed to an unequal distribution of wealth (workers were very underpaid, taken advantage of and forced to work in unsafe conditions)
Effects of the Transcontinental Railroad
- faster, cheaper, safer, trade and transportation - allowed for quicker settlement of the west; the population increase allowed many western territories to become states - TO THE WEST: settlers, supplies, manufactured goods, ideas TO THE EAST: raw materials, oil, lumber, crops, precious metals
Arguments Against the New Deal
- government became too powerful (intruded and threatened freedom and private property) - the New Deal spent more money than the govt. had (deficit spending) - the New Deal created national debt, the total sum of money our govt. owes - the New Deal did not achieve its goal of ending the Depression
Arguments against the ratification of Versailles
- singing the treaty would make the US members of the League of Nations, getting the US involved in future foreign wars and limiting American independence
Achievements of President Theodore Roosevelt
- trustbusting: first president to enforce the Sherman Anti-trust Act; broke up numerous "bad" trusts that engaged in illegal activity or unfairly limited competition - Square Deal: worked for all Americans equally: big business owners, workers, farmers, etc, as opposed to previous presidents who favored big business (all sides of a square are equal) - Conservation: the protection of the environment and natural resources; established the US Forest Service and set aside millions of acres of land for national parks and to protect wildlife - Enacted reforms based off of muckracking: cleaning up tenements and police practices with Riis; Pure Food and Drug Act with Sinclair
Pros of Monopolies and Trusts
-increased efficiency because of no competition -allows for control of price -only strong, successful companies could develop into monopolies
Some pull factors
-stories of success -FACTORY JOBS #1(unskilled) -land - Homestead Act -safety and protection under the law -FREEDOM -education -peace -reunite with family
Arguments for the New Deal
-the New Deal saved our democratic system -ended the banking crisis - provided millions of jobs - helped farmers - improved infrastructure and set aside national parklands - brought electricity to areas - Social Security provided for the elderly, unemployed and disabled
Arguments for the ratification of Versailles
-the U.S. must accept its role as a world leader, help to maintain peace, and protect democracy
Neutrality Acts
1935 laws that banned U.S. sale of weapons or loans to countries at war during World War Two
What were strikes and what were the outcome of most during the Gilded Age?
A strike is when workers refuse to go to work and sometimes attempt to block a business from bringing in replacement workers ("scabs"). These were attempts to: -draw attention to their cause -prevent the factory from doing business, leading to a loss of income -promote negotiation between management and the laborers
Red Scare
After the Russian Revolution installed the first communist government in the world, many Americans became concerned the immigrants would spread radical ideas like communism to the US. Those fears were worsened by massive labor strikes after World War I and a series of bombings. Attorney General Mitchell Palmer launched raids against people suspected of taking part in these activities and thousands were deported or, removed from the country.
propaganda
Anything that supports one side or hurts an opposing side (posters, pamphlets, movies, speeches, etc.)
The effect on automobiles during the 1920s
By the 1920s, Henry Ford's version of the moving assembly line led to the mass production of cheap, affordable cars. That combined with installment buying allowed most Americans to purchase a car. Because of their new mobility, many urban dwellers could no escape the crowded cities to commute from communities just outside the city called suburbs. This stimulated the economy by increasing the demand for metal, glass, rubber, home construction, road construction, gas stations, restaurants, motels, etc.
Why did Congress reject Roosevelt's plan to "pack" the Supreme Court?
Congress felt the level of control FDR would have would be too dangerous and that his plan violated the principles of checks and balances and separation of powers.
What was the outcome of FDR's "court packing scheme?"
Congress rejected his plan to add nine more justices.
"new immigrants"
Eastern, Southern Europe, darker skinned, Catholic, Jewish
suspension of rights
Espionage and Sedition Acts: laws that made it illegal to criticize the government or engage in antiwar activities; upheld by the Supreme Court during the war
Some push factors
Famine (Irish potato famine) Religious persecution Poverty War - draft Corruption Oppressive government No freedom Lack of jobs Lack of farmland Lack of education Lack of opportunity Overpopulation Disease/plague
Economic Policy Before the Great Depression
Laissez-faire: the policy of limited or no government intervention in the economy - Republican presidents of the 1920s felt the best way to help the economy was limit their involvement and regulations
Selective Service Act
Forced all men ages 21-30 to register for the draft (forced military service)
Economic Policy After the Depression
Government intervention: under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the government got more involved in the economy than ever before and remained so. The government began: - insuring bank deposits - creating jobs for the unemployed - providing pensions - creating more controls over businesses, banks, and the stock market - creating more protections for workers
How did America get involved in World War II?
Japan launched a surprise attack against the US military base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, sinking many US ships, destroying aircraft, and killing over 2,000 Americans. The US declared war on Japan the next day.
What are labor unions and why did they form?
Labor unions are organizations of workers that unite together to achieve common goals. Labor unions formed in the late 1800s in the United States due to the conditions industrial workers were facing including low pay, long hours, lack of protection and dangerous working environments.
rationing
Limiting of the amount of scarce goods consumers could buy. This was done during both world wars to be sure the military had what it needed and there was enough left over for all remaining citizens (gasoline, meat, coffee, sugar, rubber, metal, etc.)
War Production Board
Managed the production, purchase and distribution of war supplies
Why was the time period referred to as the "Gilded Age?"
Mark Twain used this term to describe the age of industrialization because despite the all of the wealth, prosperity, new inventions and businesses, underneath were very negative by-products including horrible treatment of workers, corruption, and destruction of the environment.
Fourteen Points
President Woodrow Wilson's plan after World War One for peace. They included free trade, freedom of the seas, an end to secret alliances, limits on weapons, self-determination for people who did not have their own countries, and the creation of an international organization dedicated to world peace (the League of Nations).
Lend-Lease Act
Program in which the US could sell or lend weapons and supplies to any countries fighting the Axis powers before the U.S. joined World War II.
What was the main cause of the Interstate Commerce Act?
Railroads engaged in illegal or unfair business tactics like giving secret discounts to their biggest customers (rebates)
What was the main cause of the 18th Amendment?
Reformers worried about the role alcohol played in social problems such as crime, domestic violence, etc.
Who did the Populist Party support?
The Populist Party was a political party formed to support farmers.
What was Franklin Delano Roosevelt's motivation for his "court packing scheme?"
The Supreme Court had declared several of FDR's New Deal programs unconstitutional. FDR decided to add to try to add more justices (judges) to Supreme Court to try and "pack" it with men who would defend the New Deal.
Prohibition
The ban on alcohol from 1919-1933 did not stop American from drinking. It was very difficult and expensive to enforce. Organized crime thrived on the production and sale of illegal alcohol and violence actual increased as bootleggers fought over territory.
The Transcontinental Railroad
The first railroad that crossed the nation from coast to coast
What created the need for the progressive movement?
The major problems produced by the industrialization and urbanization created the need for this movement, a reform movement intended to achieve progress in addressing these concerns. These problems included: - poor working conditions for workers - poor living/health conditions for urban dwellers - unfair/illegal business practices of trusts and monopolies - pollution and exploitation of the environment - corruption in politics
What were the goals of the Populist Party?
Their goals were the free coinage of silver because it would cause inflation (which would cause farm prices to rise), government regulation (control) over the railroads because the railroads were taking advantage of farmers and an eight-hour workday/
What was given as the purpose of the Internment of Japanese Americans?
To protect the West Coast in case of invasion and remove any potential threats to our security
What was the main cause of the Sherman Antitrust Act?
Trusts and monopolies (corporations that have complete control over a particular industry) engaged in unfair/illegal business practices such as price gouging and had enormous influence in politics
What was the main cause of the 19th Amendment?
Women had no political power or representation in U.S. government
role of women
Women took industrial jobs to replace the men who were drafted and meet the increased wartime demand
What was yellow journalism and what role did it play in the Spanish American War?
Yellow journalism was a style of newspaper of reporting that relied on exaggeration, mystery, intrigue, and sensational headlines. Yellow newspapers ran exaggerated or false stories about brutal Spanish treatment of Cuban rebels, turning American public opinion against Spain. They also blamed the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine on Spain, despite the cause still being unknown. This led the American public to call for war, putting pressure on President McKinley who wanted to avoid it.
embargo
a ban on trade
Corporation
a business owned by stockholders. Companies turned themselves into corporations to so they could sell stock to investors and get money to help develop or grow their business. Investors hoped to profit from the value of the stock after (and if) the company achieved success.
Pull factor
a condition that attracts someone to a particular country
Panama Canal
a man-made waterway built through the isthmus of Panama that shortened the sea route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean or vice versa by more than half the distance. This enabled faster, easier and cheaper movement of goods and U.S. Navy ships between American territories and trading markets in the different hemispheres. Construction was delayed due to the tropical diseases malaria and yellow fever.
reform
a positive change
Homestead Act
an 1862 law in which the U.S. government gave 160 acres of free land to any settlers who would improve (farm) it and live on it for five years. This was an attempt to help settle the West.
League of Nations
an international organization formed after World War I to settle disputes and maintain peace between nations. The United States never joined the League.
Push factor
anything that causes someone to leave their home country
Jacob Riis
author of "How the Other Half Lives" in which photographs showed the horrendous living conditions in urban slums and tenements; led to numerous reforms including building modifications, parks, hospitals, and the destruction of some of the tenements
Nellie Bly
author of "Ten Days in a Madhouse," an account of her undercover work in a mental institution, that exposed the horrible treatment of patients; led to reforms including increased funding for these institutions and better screening exams for who should be admitted
Upton Sinclair
author of "The Jungle," an account of the horrors of the meatpacking industry; led to the passage of the Meat Inspection Act (all meat must be inspected) and the Pure Food and Drug Act (banned impure substances and required ingredient labeling on all products)
Pendleton Civil Service Act
created the Civil Service Commission to administer civil service exams so that jobs would be awarded based on merit rather than patronage
Interstate Commerce Act
banned rebates and created the Interstate Commerce Commission to monitor interstate businesses like railroads
Sherman Antitrust Act:
banned the formation of trusts and monopolies that unfairly limited competition
18th Amendment
banned the sale, manufacture and transportation of alcohol in the U.S. in 1919. It repealed or, cancelled, in 1933 because of its ineffectiveness and the large increase in associated organized crime and violence.
pogroms
organized massacres of a particular ethnic group - (Jews in Russia)
Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith
famous jazz artists of the 1920s
Langston Hughes
famous poet who incorporated African heritage with modern African American culture and spoke out against injustice
19th Amendment
gave all female U.S. citizens over the age of 21 the right to vote
muckrakers
journalists who exposed wrong-doing in American society during the Progressive Era in order to bring about reform
Marcus Garvey
leader of the the Back to Africa movement urging Africans to abandon the racism in the US and form a new nation in Africa
nativism
policy of protecting the interests of native-born people against immigrants Americans who did not like immigration. - They were worried immigrants would take away jobs. - They were different; nativists did not believe they would be able to blend in to society.
Thomast Nast
political cartoonist who exposed "Boss" William Tweed's corruption as head of the New York City Tammany Hall political machine; helped lead to Tweed's arrest
"Rosie the Riveter"
representative figure of all women who worked factory jobs during World War II. They took the jobs of men who were drafted and kept the economy running, sometimes earning equal pay.
tenements
run-down, overcrowded apartment houses Most immigrants lived in them They could not afford anything else based on their pay Very dirty, no fire escapes, unsafe, no windows, no fresh air, very crowded, garbage spread Disease, no indoor plumbing
Stock
shares of ownership in a company.
"Remember the Lustiania"
slogan from World War I. Refers to the British passenger ship being sunk by a German u-boat (submarine). Many passengers died including over 100 American civilians, greatly upsetting the United States who felt that this was a breach of the principle of "freedom of the seas" because the U.S. was neutral.
U.S. response to Japanese aggression
the U.S. enacted an embargo with Japan of scrap metal and oil
Roosevelt Corollary (Big Stick Policy)
the foreign policy put forward by President Theodore Roosevelt which was an extension of the Monroe Doctrine. The Roosevelt Corollary made the U.S. the "police" of the Western Hemisphere (especially Latin America) and stated that the U.S. intervene in foreign countries to preserve law and order. The "Big Stick" refers to the U.S. military which was used to reinforce this policy.
"Double V" campaign
the two victories African Americans fought for in World War II: victory in World War II and victory against racism at home
"Remember the Maine"
the war cry of the Spanish-American War. It refers to the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine battleship in Havana, Cuba in 1898 in which over 240 Americans were killed. Spain was blamed for the sinking.
