Identifiers period 7

Nellie Bly

What / Who - American journalist, industrialist, inventor, and charity worker When - May 5, 1864 Why - Bly was widely known for her record-breaking trip around the world in 72 days, in emulation of Jules Verne's fictional character Phileas Fogg, and an exposé in which she worked undercover to report on a mental institution from within. How - Bly was sent to the mental asylum for a few days and she ended up writing about the horrifying and degrading conditions in it. This was very similar to Dorothy Dix's asylum and prison reform

WPA

What / Who - an American New Deal agency that employed many jobseekers When - Why - The WPA employed millions of jobseekers (mostly men who were not formally educated) to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads. How - The WPA was designed to provide relief for the unemployed by providing jobs and income for millions of Americans. At its height in late 1938, more than 3.3 million Americans worked for the WPA. It led to internal improvements as well as provided jobs

Mark Twain

What - An American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer When - November 30, 1835 Why - He was lauded as the "greatest humorist the United States has produced,"[2] and William Faulkner called him "the father of American literature". His wit and satire, in prose and in speech, earned praise from critics and peers, and he was a friend to presidents, artists, industrialists, and European royalty How - Twain's written works challenged the fundamental issues that faced the America of his time; racism, evolving landscapes, class barriers. He brought to light several issues in society in a humorous way

Jacob Riis How the Other Half Lives

What / Who - A series of photos documenting the lives of those who live in the slums When - 1890 Why - Riis often took pictures of the cramped tenant houses, dilapidated structures of the buildings, nasty streets perfect for brewing disease, and sick children. They often touched the hearts of many and helped people see the horrors of the slums How - After Riis published "How the Other Half lives" many people realized the horrors of living in the slums. This pushed many people to advocate for reforms and also pressured governments to do something

jingoism

What / Who - nationalism in the form of aggressive and proactive foreign policy When - Why - Jingonists advocated for the use of threats or actual force, as opposed to peaceful relations, in efforts to safeguard what it perceives as its national interests. Often times they would push for war in the name of national interests How - Jingoism is closely related to imperialists who wanted America to expand and imperialize. Many imperialists were in fact jingoists who believed that America should expand for the sake of economic benefits and civilizing other countries

New Freedom

What / Who - political ideology of Woodrow Wilson, enunciated during his successful 1912 presidential campaign When - 1913 Why - Woodrow pledged to restore unfettered opportunity for individual action and to employ the power of government on behalf of social justice for all. It also refers to progressive programs enacted by Wilson during his first term as president from 1913 to 1916 How - This was very similar to Roosevelt's idea of New Nationalism. It was basically promoting the idea of reforming society and pushing progressive reforms. It allowed Wilson to garner many supporters

Fireside chats

. What / Who - series of evening radio addresses given by Franklin D. Roosevelt When - March 12, 1933 - June 12, 1944 Why - It was an informal yet structured interview between a moderator and a guest. On radio, he was able to quell rumors, counter conservative-dominated newspapers and explain his policies directly to the American people. How - Roosevelt continued to use fireside chats throughout his presidency to address the fears and concerns of the American people as well as to inform them of the positions and actions taken by the U.S. government.

Henry Ford (Model T)

What - American industrialist, business magnate, founder of the Ford Motor Company When - July 30, 1863 Why - He created the first automobile that middle-class Americans could afford. He converted the automobile from an expensive curiosity into an accessible conveyance that profoundly impacted the landscape of the 20th century How - Due to Ford's contributions people were actually able to afford cars for long-distance transportation before airplanes were used. Ford also went on to develop the assembly line mode of production, which revolutionized the automotive industry.

"Reservationists" and "Irreconcilables"

What / Who - "Reservationists," led by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts, wanted reservations (amendments) added to the treaty before approving it When - 1919 Why - Lodge added 14 reservations to reinforce U.S. policy and protect congressional war powers, they had political and economic reasons for opposing the treaty. The irreconcilables, on the other hand, wanted no part at all in the league of nations whatsoever. How - With the combination of the reservationists and irreconcilables in America, there was a lot of debate over the ratification of the treaty of Versailles. In the end, America didn't ratify the treaty and was left out of the league of nations

1917 Big year in War (U.S. and Russia)

What / Who - 1917 saw the entry of America into World War One as well as the Russian Revolution When - 1917 Why - The entry into the war of the USA with its enormous resources in spring 1917 led to the conflict taking a clear and critical turn in favor of the Western Powers. The decision of the German high command to pursue the war at sea was also a demonstration of Emperor Karl's powerlessness How - US' entry into the war was a major turning point for the access powers because they were the ones who helped provide resources to their other allies. At the same time this was happening, the Russian revolution foreshadowed the future of communism and the cold war in the world

Mein Kampf

What / Who - 1925 autobiographical manifesto by Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler When - July 18, 1925 Why - The work describes the process by which Hitler became antisemitic and outlines his political ideology and future plans for Germany. After slow initial sales, the book became a bestseller in Germany following Hitler's rise to power in 1933 How - Mein Kampf promoted the key components of Nazism: rabid antisemitism, a racist world view, and an aggressive foreign policy geared to gaining Lebensraum in eastern Europe. It greatly contributed to Hitler's rise to power

John Scopes / Scopes Trial

What / Who - 1925 prosecution of science teacher John Scopes for teaching evolution in a Tennessee public school When - 1925 Why - Just a few weeks ago a bill was passed saying that it was illegal for someone to teach topics that contradict the word of god. In the trial, Scopes wanted to argue for scientific reasoning instead of religious reasoning How - Scopes was found guilty and was fined $100, but the verdict was overturned on a technicality. The trial publicized the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy, which set Modernists, who said evolution was not inconsistent with religion, against Fundamentalists, who said the Word of God as revealed in the Bible took priority over all human knowledge.

William McKinley

What / Who - 25th president of the United States, serving from 1897 until his assassination in 1901 When - January 29, 1843 Why - McKinley raised protective tariffs to boost American industry and passed the Dingley Tariff, and rejected the expansionary monetary policy of free silver, keeping the nation on the gold standard. He was an advocate for sound money (hard money) How - During McKinley's presidency, he started a war with Spain over the territory of Cuba. Spain was quickly defeated leading to Cuba gaining its independence from Spain and America acquiring Hawaii

William Howard Taft

What / Who - 27th president of the United States and the tenth chief justice of the United States When - September 15, 1857 Why - Taft signed the first tariff revision since 1897; established a postal savings system, formed the Interstate Commerce Commission, and prosecuted over 75 antitrust violations, far more than pursued by the "trust-buster" Theodore Roosevelt. He also set aside a great deal of land for conserving How - Despite Taft's accomplishments, a great deal of it was lost over the Ballinger-Pinchot controversy. He was often criticized for his actions because of this despite being a more rational president that Theodore

Warren G. Harding

What / Who - 29th president of the United States from 1921 until his death in 1923 When - November 2, 1865 Why - He used the slogan of "return to normalcy" following World War I, Harding won the presidency by the greatest popular vote margin to that time. He hoped to restore America to its glory before the world war How - His brief administration accomplished little of lasting value, however, and soon after his death a series of scandals doomed the Harding presidency to be judged among the worst in American history.

Calvin Coolidge

What / Who - 30th president of the United States from 1923 to 1929 When - July 4, 1872 Why - His response to the Boston Police Strike of 1919 thrust him into the national spotlight and gave him a reputation as a man of decisive action. Throughout his gubernatorial career, Coolidge ran on the record of fiscal conservatism and strong support for women's suffrage. How - He gains almost universal praise for his stalwart support of racial equality during a period of heightened racial tension in the United States, and is heavily praised by advocates of smaller government and laissez-faire economics, while supporters of an active central government generally view him far less favorably

Herbert Hoover

What / Who - 31st president of the United States from 1929 to 1933 When - August 10, 1874 Why - Hoover favored policies in which government, business, and labor worked together to achieve economic prosperity, but he generally opposed a direct role for the federal government in the economy How - As President, Hoover's domestic policy achievements include unprecedented prison reform; concentration on child health and protection; and the establishment of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation

Election of 1932

What / Who - 37th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 8, 1932 When - November 8, 1932 Why - The candidates for the election was the incumbent Republican President Herbert Hoover was defeated in a landslide by Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Governor of New York and the vice-presidential nominee of the 1920 presidential election How - Democratic New York Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated Republican incumbent president Herbert Hoover in a landslide, with Hoover winning only six Northeastern states. Roosevelt's victory was the first by a Democratic candidate since Woodrow Wilson won re-election in 1916.

Pancho Villa

What / Who - A bandit, who became a general in the Mexican Revolution When - June 5, 1878 Why - He was a key figure in the revolutionary violence that forced out President Porfirio Díaz and brought Francisco I. Madero to power in 1911. Villa held some anti American sentiment due to the fact that they helped aid their enemy during their civil war How - He was the first revolutionary leader to defeat regular government soldiers. Under his command and power, Mexico was able to change its government due to Villa's overthrow. However, this makes them more of a threat to America

Underwood Tariff Bill (Revenue Act of 1913)

What / Who - A bill that lowered the tariff rates that previously existed When - 1913 Why - The Revenue Act of 1913 lowered average tariff rates from 40 percent to 26 percent. It also established a one percent tax on income above $3,000 per year; the tax affected approximately three percent of the population. How - Revenue Act of 1913 marked an important shift in federal revenue policy, as government revenue would increasingly rely on income taxes rather than tariff duties. However, this policy was later changed during WW1 due to the need for more money

Alfred Thayer Mahan The Influence of Sea Power Upon History

What / Who - A book about the history of naval warfare When - 1890 Why - In this book, Mahan argued for the paramount importance of sea power in national historical supremacy. The book, which came at a time of great technological improvement in warships, won immediate recognition abroad. How -Mahan argued that British control of the seas, combined with a corresponding decline in the naval strength of its major European rivals, paved the way for Great Britain's emergence as the world's dominant military, political, and economic power. This made America want to build a strong navy

John Spargo The Bitter Cry of Children

What / Who - A book exposing horrific working conditions of child laborers When - 1906 Why - He discusses the works of the children he saw very emotionally as he says, "boys sit hour after hours, picking at the pieces of slate and other [trash]. Through the description of the working conditions, he was able to touch the hearts of many How - This book opened people's eyes to the horrors of child labor. It pushed many people to push for the abolition of child labor. This did indeed happen later on as child labor became illegal

Food Administration and Herbert Hoover

What / Who - A chiefly volunteer organization brought into being during World War I to assist in feeding the Allied forces When - August 10, 1917 Why - Food administration was led by Herbert Hoover and the U.S. Food Administration assured the supply, distribution, and conservation of food. Food Administration also encouraged American citizens to spread information about food conservation How - It was through the efforts of Hoover and the Food administration that the Us was able to ration a lot of resources for soldiers. It didn't just help their soldiers, it helped out soldiers from the other countries too through supplying them with food

Ballinger-Pinchot Controversy

What / Who - A conflict that occurred between Richard Ballinger and Gifford Pinchot over some accusations When - 1909 Why - The Ballinger-Pinchot scandal erupts when Colliers magazine accuses Secretary of the Interior Richard Ballinger of shady dealings in Alaskan coal lands. Ballinger was accused of disturbing the conservation movement How - Taft ended up firing Pinchot over this controversy and favored Ballinger. This soured his relationship with Theodore Roosevelt as Pinchot was TR's best friend. Roosevelt then decided to tarnish Taft's reputation because of it

Liberty Bonds

What / Who - A debt obligation issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in conjunction with the Federal Reserve When - 1900s Why - The Liberty Bonds were a direct and unconditional promise of the United States to pay upon a certain date a specified sum of money in gold, together with interest at a specific rate, payable at specific dates until the bond matures, or was called for redemption How - It was a war bond, issued in four installments in 1917-18 as a means to finance the U.S.' participation in World War I and the Allied war effort in Europe. it was one of the many ways the US tried to earn some money for the war

Referendum

What / Who - A direct vote by the electorate on a particular proposal or issue When - 20th century Why - By allowing citizens to vote directly for officials, it promotes democracy as well as reduces corruption. This is because there would often be voter fraud caused by the bribery of powerful officials. If citizens themselves vote, corporations may not be able to bribe everyone How - This promoted democracy in America as it allowed citizens themselves more control over the government. They have the power to directly influence the government and society as a whole. This is direct representation

Washington Conference

What / Who - A disarmament conference called by the United States and held in Washington When - November 12, 1921, to February 6, 1922 Why - Three major treaties emerged out of the Washington Conference: the Five-Power Treaty, the Four-Power Treaty, and the Nine-Power Treaty. The Five-Power treaty was the cornerstone of the naval disarmament program. How - During the conference, the countries decided to put some regulations on the naval army. More specifically each country would only be allowed a certain number of troops in their navy. it was done to prevent arms race and another conflict caused by militarism

Muller v. Oregon

What / Who - A landmark decision that posed the question of whether women's liberty to negotiate a contract with an employer should be equal to a man's When - 1908 Why - Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a 1903 Oregon statute prohibiting employment of women in industrial jobs for more than ten hours per day. Muller was convicted for making women work for more than 10 hours How - This shows women receiving the same rights as men, at least in terms of working conditions. Because men were not required to work for more than 10 hours, women shouldn't either

De Lome Letter

What / Who - A letter written by Señor Don Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, the Spanish Ambassador to the United States When - February 9, 1898 Why - Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, criticized American President William McKinley by calling him weak and concerned only with gaining the favor of the crowd. In other words, De Lome called McKinely a coward How - This letter increased the likelihood of war with Spain. Insulting the president of the United States would definitely anger many Americans who would feel that Spain is trying to disrespect their country. it was like a personal attack to them

San Juan Hill/Kettle hill

What / Who - A major battle of the Spanish-American War fought between an American force under the command of William Rufus Shafter and Joseph Wheeler When - July 1, 1898 Why - The battle proved to be one of the most significant battles of the war and, along with the Siege of Santiago, a decisive battle in deciding the fate of the United States Army campaign in Cuba. The American forces, outnumbering the Spanish defenders 16-to-one, charged upon the heights and dispersed the Spanish after suffering heavy casualties. How - After the San Juan Hill battle, the US was deemed as the victor of the Spanish-American war. With its victory, Cuba was able to gain independence from Spain, and the US once again established itself as a superpower. Us also received the Philippines and the islands of Guam and Puerto Rico

Yalta Conference

What / Who - A meeting of three World War II allies: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin When - Feb 4, 1945 - Feb 11, 1945 Why - Each leader had an agenda for the Yalta Conference: Roosevelt wanted Soviet support in the U.S. Pacific War against Japan and Soviet participation in the UN; Churchill pressed for free elections and democratic governments in Eastern and Central Europe (specifically Poland), and Stalin demanded a Soviet sphere of influence How - It was during the Yalta conference that American suspicions toward Russia heightened. Stalin didn't seem to follow the plan of the previous conference too closely and Americans were already wary of them due to the fact they were communist

Island Hopping

What / Who - A military strategy employed by the Allies in the Pacific War against the Empire of Japan during World War II When - 1940s Why - The key idea is to bypass heavily fortified enemy islands instead of trying to capture every island in sequence en route to a final target. The reasoning is that those islands can simply be cut off from their supply chains rather than needing to be overwhelmed by superior force, thus speeding up progress and reducing losses of troops and material. How - Leapfrogging had a number of advantages. It would allow U.S. forces to reach Japan more quickly and not expend the time, manpower, and supplies to capture every Japanese-held island on the way. It would also give the Allies the advantage of surprise and keep the Japanese off balance.

Upton Sinclair The Jungle

What / Who - A novel that portrays the horrors of the meat industry When - November 4, 1905 Why - Sinclair said this in connection to the popularity of his book "I aimed at the public's heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach." He exposed the horrors that workers had to face in the meat industry as well as how unsanitary meat production was How - The Jungle grossed out many and made them think differently about the food they consumed. This expose paved the way for several policies that would later make food packaging and manufacturing safe to eat and safe to produce

Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact

What / Who - A pact where the two countries agreed to take no military action against each other for the next 10 years When - August 23, 1939 Why - With Europe on the brink of another major war, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin viewed the pact as a way to keep his nation on peaceful terms with Germany, while giving him time to build up the Soviet military. The pact also contained a secret agreement in which the Soviets and Germans agreed on how they would later divide up Eastern Europe. How - The German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact fell apart in June 1941, when Nazi forces invaded the Soviet Union. This pact and betrayal ended up increasing the amount of tension between Germany and Russia and although it was not the first reason why Russia joined the allies, it sure made them glad they weren't part of the axis powers

Clayton Anti-Trust Act

What / Who - A part of United States antitrust law with the goal of adding further substance to the U.S. antitrust law regime When - 1914 Why - The Clayton Act seeks to prevent anti-competitive practices in their incipiency. The Clayton antitrust act made it so that there would need to be constant investigations in companies to make sure they had good and safe working conditions. It also made sure to dissolve any existing monopolies How - The Clayton anti-trust act was by far one of the most effective bills passed by the presidents which destroyed monopolies in the United states. it made sure there was no chance for monopolies to form as well as made sure the existing ones would be destroyed

Good trusts/Bad trusts

What / Who - A phrase coined by Theodore Roosevelt which differentiated between different trusts When - 20th century Why - good trusts were efficient but bad ones took advantage of workers and cheated the public. Roosevelt did not oppose all trusts but sought to regulate trusts that he believed harmed the public How - This idea of good trusts and bad trusts was what made Roosevelt allow for some monopolies to stay. However, that may have been the downfall of Roosevelt's presidency, it raises the question of whether to not there really is such thing as a good trust

"you have nothing to fear but fear itself"

What / Who - A phrase from the 1933 inaugural address of Franklin D. Roosevelt. When - 1933 Why - These words have a deeper meaning for all of us. It implies that we fear from fear. Those who have undergone this experience of fear, they can only appreciate its worth How - Because this phrase was said during Roosevelt's inauguration address and helped to win the hearts of the citizens. It was said in a way to help calm down and reassure the citizens that all will be fine under his control

"the war to end all wars"

What / Who - A phrase that was meant to describe world war 1 When - 1914 Why - "The war to end all wars" originated from the 1914 book The War That Will End War. World War I was known as the "war to end all wars" because of the great slaughter and destruction it caused. How - This phrase made people a little more hopeful as they assumed that because of the devastation that occurred in WW1, countries would learn from this experience and prevent further world wars from happening. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case

Dawes Plan

What / Who - A plan in 1924 that successfully resolved the issue of World War I reparations that Germany had to pay. When - 1924 Why - The plan provided for an end to the Allied occupation, and a staggered payment plan for Germany's payment of war reparations. It gave a way for Germany to pay off their debts because there was no way they'd be able to pay off their debt at the rate they were at How - The Dawes plan was a genius plan that ultimately benefitted American in the end. They would loan money to Germany which would use that money to pay its debt to the allied powers. Then the allied powers would also give America money because they had debt to settle too

Second Front Controversy

What / Who - A plan proposed by the Soviets to launch a full-scale invasion of western Europe to divert German forces from the Eastern Front. When - 20th century Why - Food, weapons, aircraft and many other types of supplies were sent by air and by sea on incredibly dangerous journeys. Although he appreciated this support, the Soviet leader Josef Stalin constantly pressured his allies to start a Second Front in the war which would relieve pressure on his forces in the east. How - There was a large debate over whether or not the allied powers should go with Stalin's plan. Churchill was reluctant to go with the plan but the Soviets were in urgent need to assistance to get the Nazis off their back

"To make the world safe for democracy"

What / Who - A point that was made in Wilson's war speech When - April 2, 1917 Why - Wilson insisted that it would be a good idea for America to join the war because if they don't their institution of democracy would be threatened by Germans. They would also need to fight in order to preserve the democracy of the whole world How - Democracy and the idea that it was the dominant institution was one of the reasons why America wanted to join the war. They were afraid their democracy would be taken away from them if they just stood around and did nothing

Court packing plan

What / Who - A proposal to reorganize the federal judiciary When - November 1936 Why - In the months following, he proposed to reorganize the federal judiciary by adding a new justice each time a justice reached age 70 and failed to retire. This allowed him to push through any bill without worrying about it coming under fire for being unconstitutional How - This was probably one of the policies that caused the most controversy during Roosevelt's presidency. Critics immediately charged that Roosevelt was trying to "pack" the court and thus neutralize Supreme Court justices hostile to his New Deal.

Manhattan Project

What / Who - A research and development undertaking during World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons. When - 1939 Why - Two types of atomic bombs were developed concurrently during the war: a relatively simple gun-type fission weapon and a more complex implosion-type nuclear weapon but it was a big step towards nuclear war How - The manhattan protect ended up developing the bombs that would be dropped onto Hiroshima and Nagasaki later on. Those were the two decisive bombs that made Japan surrender

Zimmerman Note

What / Who - A secret Germany sent to Mexico asking them to ally with them When - Jan 1917 Why - The note proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico if the United States entered World War I against Germany. It also stated that Japan might be dragged into the war and ally with them How - The Zimmerman note was the final straw before Americans finally decided to join the war. If they didn't they would risk Mexico and Germany cornering them. Not to mention Japan would also corner Philippines making them at total loss

Triangle Shirtwaist factory

What / Who - A shirtwaist sweatshop located in Manhattan, New York When - 1901 Why - In 1911, a horrible accident occurred in the Triangle shirtwaist factory which led to major factory reforms. A fire spread quickly and many workers died due to the lack of fire exits and because everything was so cramped in the factory How - The tragedy that occurred at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory led to the government pushing out policies that would make factories safer. Sprinklers were forced to be installed and multiple fire exits must be present

William Hard

What / Who - A social reformist and journalist who started a neighborhood magazine called The Neighbor When - 1878-1962 Why - One of his most popular publications was "Making Steel and Killing Men" which exposed the conditions workers had to deal with in steel companies. They often had to work in really hot temperatures damaging to their health and was always at the risk of being injured How - Hard, like many other muckrakers of his time, exposed the horrible conditions of those working in factories. His magazine inspired reforms that sought to improve these conditions as well as bring a safer workplace

Quarantine Speech

What / Who - A speech calling for an international "quarantine" against the "epidemic of world lawlessness" When - October 5, 1937 Why -. The speech intensified America's isolationist mood, causing protest by non-interventionists and foes to intervene. No countries were directly mentioned in the speech, although it was interpreted as referring to the Empire of Japan, the Kingdom of Italy, and Nazi Germany. How - Public response to the speech was mixed. Disappointed in how the public reacted to the speech, Roosevelt decided to take a step back with regards to his foreign policy. Even to the point of accepting an apology from Japan after the sinking of the USS Panay.

Moral Diplomacy

What / Who - A style of international affairs attempting to motivate foreign countries to become democratic When - 1912 Why - The idea was first introduced by Woodrow Wilson and it stated that Americans would support any other countries that may share the same values as them. This will encourage other countries to become democratic in hopes of becoming allies with America How - In the end, moral diplomacy increased the U.S.'s direct military action in many countries and also greatly impacted the economy by manipulating situations in countries that were not democratic. This went against Wilson's promise that he would reduce military involvement in other countries

Smith-Connally Act and War labor board

What / Who - Act pertaining to labor during the world war When - June 25, 1943 Why - The Act allowed the federal government to seize and operate industries threatened by or under strikes that would interfere with war production, and prohibited unions from making contributions in federal elections. The strike first started after the workers were paid incredibly low wages How - This is an example of liberties being restricted during wartime. The rights of laborers became even more limited but it was done so that the strikes would not create a clear and present danger. This act would then be replaced later on

Sedition Act

What / Who - Act that curtailed the free speech rights of U.S. citizens during times of war When - 1819 Why - The act provided for further and expanded limitations on speech. Ultimately, its passage came to be viewed as an instance of government overstepping the bounds of First Amendment freedoms. How - Many citizens were furious thinking that the sedition act was an infringement on their first amendment right to freedom of speech. it was soon taken to court where they declared some freedoms may be restricted during times of war

Meat Inspection Act

What / Who - Act that prohibited the sale of adulterated or misbranded livestock/meat and derived products as food When - 1906 Why - The law reformed the meatpacking industry, mandating that the U.S. Department of Agriculture inspect all cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and horses both before and after they were slaughtered and processed for human consumption. How - This act was created after Upton Sinclair published his book "The Jungle" which exposed the horrors of the meat industry. With this act, meat consumption was made a lot safer and sanitary

Workingman's Compensation Act

What / Who - Act that provides financial assistance to federal employees who have been injured at work When - 1915 Why - This act allowed workers to be compensated for injuries that may have been caused by the negligence of the company itself. This means companies were being held accountable for their actions and unsafe conditions How - Before this law, individuals severely disabled by injuries suffered while at work needed to prove a "negligence" claim against their employer to be entitled to any type of compensation. It may have motivated some companies to create a safer work environment so as to not cause any accidents requiring paying their employees

Desert Lands Act

What / Who - Act was passed by Congress to encourage and promote the economic development of the arid and semiarid public When - March 3, 1877 Why - Through the Act, individuals may apply for a desert-land entry to reclaim, irrigate, and cultivate arid and semiarid public lands. This act amended the Homestead Act of 1862 and gave 640 acres of land How - There were much fewer restrictions for the desert land act compared to the homestead act. As a result that led to a significant amount of fraud, and land speculation companies acquired tens of thousands of acres of California land by hiring "dummy entrymen" to make false claims of settlement.

Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)

What / Who - Active international temperance organization that promoted abstinence from alcohol When - 1874 Why - The WCTU also campaigned for women's right to vote, though its support posed problems for suffragists as the alcohol industry became a powerful opponent of the movement. How - The WCTU further pushed the women's suffrage movement because advocates for temperance wanted women to have the vote because it was believed they would vote for prohibition due to their moral superiority.

George Dewey

What / Who - Admiral of the Navy, the only person in United States history to have attained that rank When - December 26, 1837 Why - He was assigned to the Asiatic Squadron and began preparing for the war with Spain. He is best known for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War, with the loss of only a single crewman on the American side How - After the battle, his fleet assisted in the capture of Manila. Dewey's victory at Manila Bay was widely lauded in the United States, and he was promoted to Admiral of the Navy. His victory allowed America to ultimately win the war in the Spanish American war

Alice Paul

What / Who - Alice Stokes Paul was an American Quaker, suffragist, feminist, and women's rights activist When - January 11, 1885 Why - Alice Paul advocated for and helped secure passage of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, granting women the right to vote. She joined the NAWSA in order to campaign for women's rights How - Paul was an important contributor to the passing of the 19th amendment. It officially allowed women to vote which marks an important accomplishment in the history of women's rights. They were one step closer to becoming more recognized and equal to men

Rosie the Riveter

What / Who - Allegorical cultural icon of World War II, representing the women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, When - 1940s Why - These women sometimes took entirely new jobs replacing the male workers who joined the military. Rosie the Riveter is used as a symbol of American feminism and women's economic advantage. How - Similar images of women war workers appeared in other countries such as Britain and Australia. Images of women workers were widespread in the media in formats such as government posters, and commercial advertising was heavily used by the government to encourage women to volunteer for wartime service in factories.

Platt Amendment

What / Who - Amendment passed as part of the 1901 Army Appropriations Bill When - March 2, 1901 Why - It stipulated seven conditions for the withdrawal of United States troops remaining in Cuba at the end of the Spanish-American War. It said that all treaties with Cuba had to be approved by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. had the right to interfere in Cuba's affairs if order broke down within Cuba. How - The Platt Amendment was the US's indirect way of taking over Cuba. Although they did not have complete control over Cuba, they made it so that they have some jurisdiction and control over Cuba

17th amendment

What / Who - Amendment that provided for the direct election of U.S. senators by the voters of the states. When - 1913 Why - The direct election of senators was also the goal of the populist party. They felt that by allowing people to directly elect their senators, there would be less corruption. Often senators would be bribed by political machines and would therefore be biased towards them How - The 17th amendment helped reduce corruption in society. This is because it lessened the degree of influence of political machines. They now had a tougher time trying to bribe senators because even if they did, the people may elect them

Josiah Strong

What / Who - American Protestant clergyman, organizer, editor, and author. When - April 14, 1847 Why - He was a leader of the Social Gospel movement, calling for social justice and combating social evils. He supported missionary work so that all races could be improved and uplifted and thereby brought to Christ; civilizing the inferior How - Strong's idea of civilizing the people whom they deemed to be inferior was definitely a popular idea that existed in the United states. In fact, it was one of the main arguments for why the Americans should imperialize and expand to other continents

Henry Cabot Lodge

What / Who - American Republican politician, historian, and statesman from Massachusetts. When - Why - Lodge took a more active role in foreign policy, supporting the Spanish-American War, expansion of American territory overseas, and American entry into World War I. He also supported immigration restrictions. However, something he didn't like was Wilson's 14 points, more specifically the 10th point How - Lodge wrote the 14 reservations which directly responded to Wilson's 14 points. It was essentially criticizing it. In the reservations, Lodge showed how he feared that congress's power would decrease and America would lose sovereignty over the 10th point that Wilson proposed

George Frisbie Hoar

What / Who - American attorney and politician who represented Massachusetts in the United States Senate When - August 29, 1826 Why - Hoar was an American politician who was one of the leading organizers of the Republican Party and a lifelong crusader for good government. He even argued in the Senate in favor of women's suffrage as early as 1886 How - Hoar fought for civil-service reform, and he was an outspoken opponent of the American Protective Association—an anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant organization. He helped to bring many reforms to fruition

Charles Lindbergh

What / Who - American aviator, military officer, author, inventor, and activist When - February 4, 1902 Why - At the age of 25, he went from obscurity as a U.S. Air Mail pilot to instantaneous world fame by winning the Orteig Prize for making the first nonstop flight from New York City to Paris How - It is widely considered one of the most consequential flights in aviation history and ushered in a new era of transportation between parts of the globe. After his record, more people became inspired by him and wanted to set new flight records

Margaret Sanger

What / Who - American birth control activist, sex educator, writer, and nurse When - September 14, 1879 Why - Sanger popularized the term "birth control", opened the first birth control clinic in the United States, and established organizations that evolved into the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She also distributed information about contraptions which led her to become arrested How - Sanger believed that the right for women to choose when they want to have children was very important. It would allow them to be on more equal footing with men as it allows them to have more control over their lives

William Randolph Hearst

What / Who - American businessman, newspaper publisher, and politician When - April 29, 1863 Why - Hearst acquired the New York Journal and fought a bitter circulation war with Joseph Pulitzer's New York World. Hearst sold papers by printing giant headlines over lurid stories featuring crime, corruption, and innuendo. He sensationalized Spanish atrocities in Cuba while calling for war in 1898 against Spain. How - Hearst along with Pulitzer could be seen as the founding fathers of yellow journalism as they were the ones who popularized it. Yellow journalism definitely played a role in the Spanish American war as it's exaggerated stories allowed resentment to foster in Americans towards Spain

Dr. Harvey Wiley "The Poison Squad"

What / Who - American chemist who fought for the passage of the landmark Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 When - October 18, 1844 Why - Wiley spent years researching mislabeled food, and realized that consumers had no idea what they were consuming and no one knew the long-term effects of these additives. So he gathered "the Poison Squad," a group of young men who voluntarily consumed poison so that Dr. Wiley could examine the effects. How - It was through the efforts of Wiley and his poison squad that the pure food and drug act was passed. He helped people determine just what kind of foods would be safe for consumption to the public, otherwise, people might spend years consuming poison unknowingly

Frances Willard

What / Who - American educator, temperance reformer, and women's suffragist When - September 28, 1839 Why - An excellent speaker, a successful lobbyist, and an expert in pressure politics, she was a leader of the National Prohibition Party. During her lifetime, Willard succeeded in raising the age of consent in many states as well as passing labor reforms including the eight-hour workday How - Due to Willard's work, the government ended up passing the 8 hr workday. Another reform the government passed was the 18th amendment which officially prohibited the producing, buying, and sale of alcohol. This was however, less successful as it was overridden later on

Gifford Pinchot

What / Who - American forester and politician who served as the 4th Chief of the U.S. Division of Forestry, as the 1st head of the United States Forest Service When - August 11, 1865 Why - Pinchot became the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service after it was established in 1905. Pinchot enjoyed a close relationship with President Theodore Roosevelt, who shared Pinchot's views regarding the importance of conservation. He believed in conserving land to improve the environment How - During the Ballinger-Pinchot controversy, Pinchot was fired. His close relationship with Theodore Roosevelt meant that Roosevelt would take his anger out on the president who fired him, Taft. This essentially ruined Taft's presidency. Other than the scandal, Pinchot was able to accomplish a lot for the conservation movement

Al Capone

What / Who - American gangster and businessman who attained notoriety during the Prohibition era When - January 17, 1899 Why - He was a bodyguard and trusted factotum for Johnny Torrio, head of a criminal syndicate that illegally supplied alcohol. Capone expanded the bootlegging business through increasingly violent means How - Capone apparently reveled in the attention, such as the cheers from spectators when he appeared at ball games. He made donations to various charities and was viewed by many as a "modern-day Robin Hood".

Albert Beveridge

What / Who - American historian and US senator from Indiana. When - October 6, 1862 Why - He was an intellectual leader of the Progressive Era and supported the progressive legislation sponsored by President Theodore Roosevelt. He first attracted national attention by his eloquent speeches defending the increasing power of the federal government and advocating U.S. territorial expansion overseas How - Berverige paved the way for imperialism because he was one of the most famous defenders of imperialism. Using arguments such as how the US is the superior country and should assert dominance, and also how other countries need to be civilized

Charlotte Perkins Gilman

What / Who - American humanist, novelist, writer of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction, and a lecturer for social reform When - July 3, 1860 Why - She was a utopian feminist and served as a role model for future generations of feminists because of her unorthodox concepts and lifestyle. Gilman was also famous for writing "The Yellow Paper" How - The Yellow Paper highlighted the struggles of women and women's mental health issues. Much like Dorothy Dix's reforms for mental asylums during the antebellum reforms, she wanted more people to pay attention to the mental and physical health of people

Ray Stannard Baker

What / Who - American journalist, historian, biographer, and author When - April 17, 1870 Why - Ray Stannard Baker was a leading national journalist whose belief in social reform led to a close personal and professional relationship with Woodrow Wilson. In his journal, Following the color line, Baker explores the life and experience of Black Americans How - Baker was the first prominent journalist to examine America's racial divide; it was extremely successful. It exposed just how harmful the idea of segregation was and the conditions that Black Americans often had to deal with

Philip Randolph

What / Who - American labor unionist and civil rights activist When - April 15, 1889 Why - In 1925, he organized and led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first successful African-American-led labor union. In the early Civil Rights Movement and the Labor Movement, Randolph was a prominent voice. How - Randolph directed the March on Washington Movement to end employment discrimination in the defense industry and a national civil disobedience campaign to ban segregation in the armed forces. The nonviolent protest and mass action effort inspired the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

J. Edgar Hoover

What / Who - American law enforcement administrator who served as the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation When - Why - He was appointed director of the Bureau of Investigation, the FBI's predecessor, in 1924 and was instrumental in founding the FBI in 1935. He was also responsible for establishing and expanding a national blacklist How - Hoover has been credited with building the FBI into a larger crime-fighting agency than it was at its inception and with instituting a number of modernizations to police technology, such as a centralized fingerprint file and forensic laboratories.

Robert LaFollette

What / Who - American leader of the Progressive movement who, as governor of Wisconsin When - June 14, 1855 Why - He was the unsuccessful presidential candidate of the League for Progressive Political Action. As governor of Wisconsin, La Follette compiled a progressive record, implementing primary elections and tax reform. How - La Follette embraced progressivism and built up a coalition of disaffected Republicans. During his time as governor, he was able to push out many reforms, changing the corruptness from the Gilded age

General Douglas MacArthur

What / Who - American military leader who served as General of the Army for the United States, as well as a Field Marshal to the Philippine Army. When - January 26, 1880 Why - MacArthur was talented, outspoken and, in the eyes of many, egotistical. He was an American general who commanded the Southwest Pacific in World War II (1939-1945), oversaw the successful Allied occupation of postwar Japan, and led United Nations forces in the Korean War (1950-1953) How - During World War II, he famously returned to liberate the Philippines in 1944 after it had fallen to the Japanese. MacArthur led United Nations forces during the start of the Korean War, but later clashed with President Harry Truman over war policy and was removed from command.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower

What / Who - American military officer and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States When - October 14, 1890 Why - During World War II, he served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe, and achieved the rare five-star rank of General of the Army. He was responsible for creating the major war plans to defeat Japan and Germany. How -His most known achievements included signing the Civil Rights Act of 1957 and sending Army troops to enforce federal court orders which integrated schools in Little Rock, Arkansas. His largest program was the Interstate Highway System. He promoted the establishment of strong science education via the National Defense Education Act.

F Scott Fitzgerald

What / Who - American novelist, essayist, short story writer and screenwriter When - September 24, 1896 Why - He was best known for his novels depicting the flamboyance and excess of the Jazz Age, a term he popularized. Although he completed four novels and more than 150 short stories in his lifetime, he is perhaps best remembered for his third novel, The Great Gatsby How - Francis Scott Fitzgerald was the poet laureate of the "Jazz Age," a term he popularized to convey the post-World War I era's newfound prosperity, consumerism, and shifting sexual mores.

Ernest Hemingway

What / Who - American novelist, short-story writer, journalist, and sportsman When - July 21, 1899 Why - His economical and understated style, which he termed the iceberg theory, had a strong influence on 20th-century fiction. In 1952 The Old Man and the Sea won the Pulitzer Prize, and in 1954 Hemingway was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. How - Hemingway is among the most prominent and influential of the "Lost Generation" of expatriate writers. Hemingway, who tackled topics such as bullfighting and war in his work, also became famous for his own macho, hard-drinking persona.

Lillian Wald

What / Who - American nurse, humanitarian, and author. She was known for her contributions to human rights When - March 10, 1867 Why - Wald was the founder of American community nursing. She founded the Henry Street Settlement in New York City and was an early advocate to have nurses in public schools. How - Lillian D. Wald helped to bring health care to the residents of New York's Lower East Side. Wald fought for public health care, women's rights, and children's rights while running the Henry Street Settlement. it was similar to settlement houses which aimed at bringing more opportunities to the less fortunate

William Jennings Bryan

What / Who - American orator and politician and a dominant force in the Democratic Party When - March 19, 1860 Why - Bryan delivered his "Cross of Gold speech" which attacked the gold standard and the eastern moneyed interests and crusaded for inflationary policies built around the expanded coinage of silver coins. He was the candidate for democrats and the populist party How - Bryan ended up not winning any of the elections he participated in but he was given the role of secretary of war under Woodrow Wilson. Bryan helped Wilson pass several progressive reforms through Congress, but he and Wilson clashed over U.S. neutrality in World War I

John Dewey

What / Who - American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer whose ideas have been influential in education and social reform. When - October 20, 1859 Why - Dewey that complete democracy was to be obtained not just by extending voting rights but also by ensuring that there exists a fully formed public opinion, accomplished by communication among citizens, experts, and politicians, with the latter being accountable for the policies they adopt. How - Dewey's publications on education inspired major reforms that sought to mandate education. Education allowed for people to form their own opinions which is why it was so important for people in a democratic society to be educated

Dr. Francis Townshend

What / Who - American physician who was best known for his revolving old-age pension proposal during the Great Depression When - January 13, 1867 Why - Known as the "Townsend Plan", this proposal influenced the establishment of the Roosevelt administration's Social Security system. The basic idea of the Townsend Plan was that the government would provide a pension of $200 per month to every citizen age 60 and older. How - The government ended up adopting the policy that Townsend proposed and started the social security systems. This would lift some weight off the shoulders of the elderly who feared about what would happen to them after they got too old to work

Langston Hughes

What / Who - American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri When - February 1, 1901 Why - Langston Hughes was a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance. He was a major poet, Hughes also wrote novels, short stories, essays, and plays. He famously wrote about the period that "the Negro was in vogue", which was later paraphrased as "when Harlem was in vogue." How - His work is most famous for bringing light to the Harlem Renaissance movement. With one slice of the pen, Hughes' poetry, short stories and plays inspired the African American artistic movement's masses.

Roosevelt coalition

What / Who - American political coalition that supported the Democratic Party When - 1930s Why - At various points, the coalition included labor unions, blue-collar workers, racial and religious minorities, farmers, rural white Southerners, and urban intellectuals. The coalition played a significant role in American politics until the mid-1960s when it fractured over racial and economic issues. How - The coalition is named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs and was composed of voting blocs who supported Roosevelt's response to the Great Depression.

Eleanor Roosevelt

What / Who - American political figure, diplomat, and activist and the wife of FDR When - October 11, 1884 Why - Roosevelt was particularly outspoken on civil rights for African-Americans. She was the first presidential spouse to hold regular press conferences, write a daily newspaper column, write a monthly magazine column, host a weekly radio show, and speak at a national party convention How - Roosevelt showed how women could be productive and spark change. She showed that women were capable and intelligent, just like men. Roosevelt was regarded as "one of the most esteemed women in the world"

Woodrow Wilson

What / Who - American politician and academic who served as the 28th president of the United States from 1913 to 1921 When - December 28, 1856 Why - His first major priority was the Revenue Act of 1913, which lowered tariffs and began the modern income tax. Wilson also negotiated the passage of the Federal Reserve Act, which created the Federal Reserve System. Two major laws, the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act, were enacted to promote business competition and combat extreme corporate power. How - Woodrow Wilson was a successful progressive and definitely contributed to many of its successes of it. He was the most effective president when it came to destroying monopolies as he was more strict which them and showed no mercy to any of the trusts

FDR

What / Who - American politician and attorney who served as the 32nd president of the United States When - Why - He created numerous programs to provide relief to the unemployed and farmers while seeking economic recovery with the National Recovery Administration How - As a dominant leader of his party, he built the New Deal Coalition, which defined modern liberalism in the United States throughout the middle third of the 20th century. FDR was able to pull the United States away from the brink of economic, social, and perhaps even political, disaster—and lay the foundation for future stability and prosperity.

Jeanette Rankin

What / Who - American politician and women's rights advocate, and the first woman to hold federal office in the United States When - June 11, 1880 Why - A lifelong pacifist, she was one of 50 House members who opposed the declaration of war on Germany in 1917. In 1941, she was the only member of Congress to vote against the declaration of war on Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor. How - A suffragist during the Progressive Era, Rankin organized and lobbied for legislation enfranchising women in several states including Montana, New York, and North Dakota. She introduced legislation that eventually became the 19th Constitutional Amendment

Alfred E. Smith

What / Who - American politician who served four terms as Governor of New York and was the Democratic Party's candidate for president in 1928 When - December 30, 1873 Why - Smith was the foremost urban leader of the Efficiency Movement in the United States and was noted for achieving a wide range of reforms as New York governor in the 1920s. How - Smith was also a committed "wet", which was a term used for opponents of Prohibition; as New York governor, he had repealed the state's prohibition law. As a "wet", Smith attracted voters who wanted beer, wine and liquor and did not like dealing with criminal bootleggers

Harry Truman

What / Who - American politician who was the 33rd president of the United States When - May 8, 1884 Why - He is most known for putting an end to World War II in the Pacific by dropping the atomic bomb on Japan. He is also known for the Marshall Plan, the Truman Doctrine, and the Korean War. How - Truman protected and reinforced the New Deal reforms of his predecessor, guided the American economy from a war-time to a peace-time footing, and advanced the cause of African-American civil rights. He also cracked down on corruption that was occurring within society

Theodore Roosevelt

What / Who - American politician, statesman, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and 26th president of the United States When - October 27, 1858 Why - Roosevelt was a leader of the progressive movement and championed his "Square Deal" domestic policies, promising the average citizen fairness, breaking of trusts, regulation of railroads, and pure food and drugs. He was also an environmentalist who wanted to preserve the environment How - Throughout the presidency, Roosevelt passed the Pure Food and Drug Act, which established the Food and Drug Administration to regulate food safety, and the Hepburn Act. All of these acts sought to bring down the power of political machines and reduce corruption in society

Eugene V. Debs

What / Who - American socialist, political activist, trade unionist, one of the founding members of the Industrial Workers of the World When - November 5, 1855 Why - Debs led his union in a major ten-month strike against the CB&Q Railroad in 1888. Debs was instrumental in the founding of the American Railway Union, one of the nation's first industrial unions. He was also one of the main organizers of the Pullman strike How - Debs was arrested several times for leading workers to strike but during his time in prison, he indulged himself in socialist readings. He was able to gather a group of people who believed in the same things as him and formed the Socialist Party of America

Lewis Hine

What / Who - American sociologist and muckraker photographer famous for pushing people towards ending child labor When - September 26, 1874 Why - Hine was similar to Jacob Riis as he exposed the poor conditions of the lower class through the use of photography. It made people feel horrible about the current conditions of factories How - The photos that Hine took convinced many to try to abolish child labor. It hurt the people's hearts to see children suffering in factories and working in life-endangering situations

John Hay

What / Who - American statesman who was private secretary and assistant to Abraham Lincoln and secretary of state under McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt When - October 8, 1838 Why - Hay is probably best remembered as the promoter of the Open Door policy, which was designed to counter the trend toward divisive spheres of influence in the Orient. This allowed America to have some share in China How - John Hay's suggestion of the open door policy was what allowed America to take it's first steps into imperialism. They were able to expand themselves into Asia without actually taking control of any part of China

National Women's Party

What / Who - American women's political organization formed in 1916 to fight for women's suffrage. When - 1916 Why - It played an important role in the passing of the 19th amendment. NWP not only advocated for women's rights, but they also started promoting the Equal rights Amendment. which ended up being approved in the later years How - The NWP was extremely important for guaranteeing rights for women during the progressive era. They were successfully able to pass the 19th amendment essentially allowing women to vote. Later on the Equal rights Amendment allowed for equal rights no matter the gender

Frances Perkins (Sec. of Labor)

What / Who - American workers-rights advocate who served as the U.S. Secretary of Labor When - April 10, 1880 Why - Frances Perkins became the 1st woman appointed to a presidential cabinet when she was sworn in as Secretary of Labor. As a loyal supporter of her longtime friend, Franklin D. Roosevelt, she helped make labor issues important in the emerging New Deal coalition How - Her most important role came in developing a policy for social security in 1935. She also helped form government policy for working with labor unions. Her Labor Department helped to mediate strikes by way of the United States Conciliation Service.

Samuel Hopkins Adams

What / Who - American writer, best known for his investigative journalism and muckraking When - January 26, 1871 Why - Adams contributed to Collier's, the National Weekly in 1905 a series of articles exposing quack patent medicines, followed by The Great American Fraud, which furthered the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. How - Adams was widely known for his writings on public health and patent medicines and he was given much credit for the passage of the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act. By exposing the harmful industry, it brings more awareness to it thus inciting change

A. Mitchell Palmer

What / Who - An American attorney and politician who served as the 50th United States attorney general When - May 4, 1872 Why - He is best known for overseeing the Palmer Raids during the Red Scare of 1919-20. Palmer launched a series of raids that rounded up and deported numerous suspected radicals. This was due to the growing paranoia Americans had towards communism How - Though the American public initially supported the raids, Palmer's raids earned backlash from civil rights activists and legal scholars. He received further backlash when a series of attacks on May Day 1920 that he had raised grave concerns about did not materialize.

Duke Ellington

What / Who - An American composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life When - April 29, 1899 Why - He gained a national profile through his orchestra's appearances at the Cotton Club in Harlem. Some of the jazz musicians who were members of Ellington's orchestra are considered among the best players in the idiom How - Ellington himself embraced the phrase "beyond category", considering it a liberating principle, and referring to his music as part of the more general category of American Music.[4] Ellington was known for his inventive use of the orchestra, or big band, as well as for his eloquence and charisma

Theodore Dreiser

What / Who - An American novelist best known for writing "Sister Carrie" When - August 27, 1871 Why - Dreiser provided a strong critique of American society through his representation of consumerism. Sister Carrie went against social and moral norms of the time, as Dreiser presented his characters without judging them. How - Sister Carrie was the first masterpiece of the American naturalistic movement in its grittily factual presentation of the vagaries of urban life and in its ingenious heroine. It was one of the first series to portray a slice of life kind of series

Payne-Aldrich Act

What / Who - An act passed by the U.S. Congress in response to a call from Republican Pres. William Howard Taft for lower tariffs When - 1909 Why - The Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act dropped rates in general only by about 5 percent, and it raised rates on such items as iron ore and coal. Overtime the reduction became greater and greater due to congress How - The Payne Act, in its essence a compromise bill, had the immediate effect of frustrating both proponents and opponents of reducing tariffs. In particular, the bill greatly angered Progressives, who began to withdraw support from President Taft. It also ended up splitting the republicans who argued over the advantages of the tariff

Jones Act

What / Who - An act regarding the government of the Philippines When - 1917 Why - The Jones act guaranteed that America would have full access to the Philippines. It also promised that the Filipino citizens would be guaranteed universal male suffrage and independence once their government was stable How - The Jones act represents US's first attempt at foreign affairs and imperialism. Before this, the US was generally practicing a policy of Neutrality largely due to Washington's farewell address saying America should always remain neutral in foreign affairs

TVA

What / Who - An act that aimed to provide jobs and electricity to the rural Tennessee River Valley When - 1933 Why - The TVA aimed to help reduce these problems by teaching better farming methods, replanting trees, and building dams. Tennessee Valley Authority would oversee the construction of dams to control flooding, improve navigation, and create cheap electric power in the Tennessee Valley basin How - As part of Roosevelt's New Deal program, it helped to lead America out of the depression, albeit, not immediately. It provided jobs to several individuals as well as the fact it led to internal improvements

Selective Service Act

What / Who - An act that authorized the United States federal government to raise a national army for service in World War I through conscription When - May 18, 1917 Why - This 1917 law provided for the registration of all American men between the ages of 21 and 30 for a military draft. Many that supported this act thought that it would build more democracy by bringing together many different soldiers. However, this just caused more discrimination. How - It was through the selective service act that the US was able to gather soldiers in order to help fight the war. However, this was not as significant during the 1st world war since US spent most of it's time supplying its allies with resources

Lend Lease Act

What / Who - An act that gave the president virtually unlimited authority to direct material aid such as ammunition, tanks, airplanes, trucks, and food to the war effort in Europe When - March 11, 1941 Why - This act set up a system that would allow the United States to lend or lease war supplies to any nation deemed "vital to the defense of the United States." Under this policy, the United States was able to supply military aid to its foreign allies during World War II while still remaining officially neutral How - The Lend-Lease Act authorized the providing of materials to nations that protected the United States. There were no limits on weapons loaned or sums of money or the use of American ports. It allowed the president to transfer materials to Britain without payment as required by the Neutrality Act

Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

What / Who - An act that restricted child labor through its power to regulate interstate commerce When - 1916 Why - The act prohibited the interstate shipment of goods produced in factories or mines in which children under age 14 were employed or adolescents between ages 14 and 16 worked more than an eight-hour day. How - This was essentially the government's attempt at banning child labor in America. You also see the government becoming less and less laissez-faire and finally starting to manage the corruption in factories and societies

FLSA

What / Who - An act that standardized and set amounts for work hours and pay When - 1938 Why - The FLSA established a federal minimum wage, a 40-hour workweek, standards for youth employment, standards for recordkeeping, and overtime pay. ... These employees can make overtime if they work past 40 hours. How - The FLSA provides guidelines on employment status, child labor, minimum wage, overtime pay, and record-keeping requirements. This essentially made sure that business owners would not abuse their power and make their employees work low wages and long hours

SEC

What / Who - An act that would assign people to check and supervise the stocks to make sure it was less risky and wouldn't crash like in 1929 When - 1933 Why - The commission's purpose was to restore investor confidence by ending misleading sales practices and stock manipulations that led to the collapse of the stock market in 1929. How - Overall, the SEC was successful and accomplished its purpose of improving the conditions in the stock market and restoring the nation's confidence in capitalism. It created better conditions for American businesses and a fairer market for American investors

Destroyer for Bases Deal

What / Who - An agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom on September 2, 1940 When - September 2, 1940 Why - According to the deal 50 Caldwell, Wickes, and Clemson class US Navy destroyers were transferred to the Royal Navy from the US Navy in exchange for land rights on British possessions. How - Under the terms of the Agreement, the United States gave the British 50 obsolete destroyers in exchange for 99-year leases to territory in Newfoundland and the Caribbean. The territories would be used as the United States air and naval bases

Munich Conference

What / Who - An agreement concluded at Munich on 30 September 1938, by Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy When - September 30, 1938 Why - The Czechoslovak government hoped that Britain and France would come to its assistance in the event of the German invasion, but British Prime Minister Chamberlain was intent on averting war. The agreement averted the outbreak of war but gave Czechoslovakia away to German conquest. How - Adolf Hitler's threats to occupy the German-populated part of Czechoslovakia stemmed from his avowed broader goal of reuniting Europe's German-populated areas. The Munich pact signed at this conference was an act of appeasement which only led to the world war

18th amendment

What / Who - An amendment imposing the federal prohibition of alcohol When - 1919 Why - In short, the 18th amendment represented the success of the temperance movement. Whereas alcohol was now completely being banned by the government. This, however, angered many people in society, especially since a large number of people consumed alcohol How - Despite this victory for the temperance reformers, the amendment was later on repealed. The 21st amendment basically overrode this amendment and alcohol was back for sale

18th Amendment and Volstead act

What / Who - An amendment imposing the federal prohibition of alcohol When - 1919 Why - In short, the 18th amendment represented the success of the temperance movement. Whereas alcohol was now completely being banned by the government. This, however, angered many people in society, especially since a large number of people consumed alcohol. The Volstead act was meant to force the 18th amendment upon it's citizens How - Despite this victory for the temperance reformers, the amendment was later on repealed. The 21st amendment basically overrode this amendment and alcohol was back for sale

Filipino-American War (Philippine Insurrection)

What / Who - An armed conflict between the First Philippine Republic When - 1899-1902 Why - The conflict arose when the First Philippine Republic objected to the terms of the Treaty of Paris under which the United States took possession of the Philippines from Spain, ending the Spanish-American War. They did not consent to be ruled by the Americans and expected independence How - Several atrocities and war crimes were committed during the conflict, including torture, mutilation, and executions by both sides. It ended up being an American victory, however, the Philippines did gradually gain independence and were finally set free in 1946

Philippine insurrection

What / Who - An armed conflict between the First Philippine Republic When - 1899-1902 Why - The conflict arose when the First Philippine Republic objected to the terms of the Treaty of Paris under which the United States took possession of the Philippines from Spain, ending the Spanish-American War. They did not consent to be ruled by the Americans and expected independence How - Several atrocities and war crimes were committed during the conflict, including torture, mutilation, and executions by both sides. It ended up being an American victory, however, the Philippines did gradually gain independence and were finally set free in 1946

Committee on Public Information (Creel Committee)

What / Who - An independent agency of the government of the United States under the Wilson administration When - April 13, 1917 Why - The public information committee was created to influence public opinion to support the US in World War I, in particular, the US home front. It distributed information intended to influence public opinion to inspire support for America's entry into the war How - The committee of public information came after the espionage act which essentially limited citizens' freedom of speech during the war. In addition to propaganda, the committee was also supposed to make sure no one was violating the espionage and sedition acts

Spanish American War

What / Who - Armed conflict between Spain and the United States When - Apr 21, 1898 - Dec 10, 1898 Why - Hostilities began in the aftermath of the internal explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in Cuba, leading to U.S. intervention in the Cuban War of Independence. Spain was accused of purposely setting a bomb off on the ship but it turned out to be an accident How - The Spanish America war ended up working in America's favor and they were able to spread their agenda of imperialism. After the war, they gained several new territories such as the Philippines and semi-control over Cuba

Adolph Hitler

What / Who - Austrian-born German politician who was the dictator of Germany When - April 20, 1889 Why - Hitler gained popular support by attacking the Treaty of Versailles and promoting pan-Germanism, anti-Semitism, and anti-communism with charismatic oratory and Nazi propaganda. Hitler sought Lebensraum for the German people in Eastern Europe, and his aggressive foreign policy is considered the primary cause of World War II How - Historian and biographer Ian Kershaw describes Hitler as "the embodiment of modern political evil". Nazi regime was responsible for the genocide of about six million Jews and millions of other victims whom he and his followers deemed Untermenschen or socially undesirable

Stock Market Crash/Oct. 29, 1929

What / Who - Black Tuesday hit Wall Street as investors traded some 16 million shares on the New York Stock Exchange in a single day When - Oct. 29, 1929 Why - Black Tuesday hit Wall Street as investors traded some 16 million shares on the New York Stock Exchange in a single day. It was the day the stock market had officially crashed How - Overall, however, prices continued to drop as the United States slumped into the Great Depression, and by 1932 stocks were worth only about 20 percent of their value in the summer of 1929. By 1933, nearly half of America's banks had failed, and unemployment was approaching 15 million people, or 30 percent of the workforce.

Neville Chamberlain

What / Who - British politician of the Conservative Party who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom When - March 18, 1869 Why - He is best known for his foreign policy of appeasement, and in particular for his signing of the Munich Agreement on 30 September 1938, ceding the German-speaking Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia to Nazi Germany led by Adolf Hitler How - Chamberlain's reputation remains controversial among historians. Many of them blamed Chamberlain and his associates for the Munich accord and for allegedly failing to prepare the country for war

Winston Churchill

What / Who - British statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom When - November 30, 1874 Why - Churchill is best remembered for successfully leading Britain through World War Two. He was famous for his inspiring speeches, and for his refusal to give in, even when things were going badly. Churchill took the lead in calling for British rearmament to counter the growing threat of militarism in Nazi Germany How - Churchill remains popular in the UK and Western world, where he is seen as a victorious wartime leader who played an important role in defending Europe's liberal democracy against the spread of fascism.

Speculation/Buying on Margin

What / Who - Buying of stocks primarily by borrowing When - 1920s Why - Buying stocks based on speculation was risky because the buyer depended 100% on a rising stock market to make back his money. The rising share prices encouraged more people to invest; people hoped the share prices would rise further How - Speculation thus fueled further rises and created an economic bubble. Because of margin buying, investors stood to lose large sums of money if the market turned down, or failed to advance quickly enough.

Father Charles Coughlin

What / Who - Canadian-American Roman Catholic priest who was based in the United States near Detroit. When - October 25, 1891 Why - He was the founding priest of the National Shrine of the Little Flower church. He was one of the first political leaders to use radio to reach a mass audience: during the 1930s, an estimated 30 million listeners tuned to his weekly broadcasts. How - Roman Catholic priest from a suburb of Detroit, broadcast radio sermons that combined economic, political, and religious ideas. Initially a supporter of the New Deal, Coughlin soon turned against Roosevelt.

Korematsu vs the US

What / Who - Case that occurred after Korematsu tried to resist relocation When - December 18, 1944 Why - A United States, legal case in which the U.S. Supreme Court, on December 18, 1944, upheld the conviction of Fred Korematsu—a son of Japanese immigrants who was born in Oakland, California—for having violated an exclusion order requiring him to submit to forced relocation during World War II. How - The Supreme Court held that the wartime internment of American citizens of Japanese descent was constitutional. Above, Japanese Americans at a government-run internment camp during World War II. The US Supreme Court finally overruled Korematsu, the 1944 case that justified Japanese internment

CORE (Congress of racial equality)

What / Who - Civil rights organization founded in 1942 in Chicago by James Farmer and other members of the Fellowship of Reconciliation that espoused nonviolent direct action. When - 1942 Why - Congress of Racial Equality is an interracial American organization established by James Farmer in 1942 to improve race relations and end discriminatory policies through direct-action projects. How - During the 1950s and 1960s, CORE took a leading role in desegregating interstate travel with "freedom rides" and other activities. CORE members also played an important part in registering African Americans to vote in the South during the Freedom Summer of 1964.

Lincoln Steffens The Shame of the Cities

What / Who - Collection of articles on corrupt political machines When - 1904 Why - Steffens was a muckraker who wanted to expose the political corruption that was occurring in society. in his book, The Shame of the Cities, he describes the ways political machines use their power in unfair ways that corrupt society How - Steffens and his book inspired people to ask for social reforms in order to combat corruption in society. Muckrakers like Steffens created a lot of pressure on the federal government to create policies that would end corruption in America

Fair Employment Practices Commission

What / Who - Committee created to implement Executive Order 8802 When - June 25, 1941 Why - The act was created to help prevent discrimination against African Americans in defense and government jobs. Roosevelt took this action in response to concerns raised by African American leaders who were outraged that black soldiers were fighting for the United States in segregated units in the military How - This was what allowed many African Americans to obtain jobs during the world war. People would not be allowed to deny someone a job based on their race which is a big step towards the civil rights movement

Potsdam Conference

What / Who - Conference was held in Potsdam, Germany, from July 17 to August 2, 1945 to allow the three leading Allies to plan the postwar peace When - July 17 to August 2, 1945 Why - In addition to settling matters related to Germany and Poland, the Potsdam negotiators approved the formation of a Council of Foreign Ministers that would act on behalf of the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and China to draft peace treaties with Germany's former allies. How - The Potsdam Conference resulted in divisions of Germany through reparations of each allied sides occupation zones, and divisions of European countries between the US and the USSR. After the division between the free world and communist camps, Stalin brought down an Iron Curtain to keep invasions from the West out.

Northern Securities Case

What / Who - Court case between the Northern security company in which they claimed to be falsely seen as a bad trust When - 1904 Why - The Court ruled 5 to 4 against the stockholders of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific railroad companies, who had essentially formed a monopoly, and to dissolve the Northern Securities Company. How - The Northern Securities case was significant because: It overturned the previous decision of United States vs E. C. Knight Co. in which the Court ruled that the Sherman Antitrust Act was insufficient in regulating that

Article X

What / Who - Covenant of the League of Nations, which required members to assist any other member nation in the event of an invasion or attack When - 1920 Why - Article X was one of the clauses from the 14 points Wilson proposed. Basically, it created an alliance between all countries that were in the league of nation were essentially allies and would help each other out How - This article was a lightning rod for the opposition in America. many people didn't like how America is now being too involved in foreign affairs, something Washington warned not to do. As such, it was one of the reasons why the US did not want to ratify the treaty of Versailles or join the league of nations

Sudetenland Crisis

What / Who - Crisis provoked by the Pan-Germanist demands of Germany that the Sudetenland be annexed to Germany When - 1938 Why - The loss of the Sudetenland crippled Czechoslovakia as a fighting force, with most of their armaments, fortifications and raw materials signed off to Germany without them having any say in the matter. Unable to resist without French and British support, by the end of 1938 the whole of the country was in Nazi hands. How - The Sudeten crisis began in February 1938 when Hitler demanded self-determination for all Germans in Austria and Czechoslovakia. The Sudeten Nazi Party demanded a union with Germany and started rioting. They caused so much trouble that the Czechs had to send in the army.

Buying on Credit

What / Who - During the 1920s people could buy stock on credit for the first time When - 1920s Why - This caused stocks to seem like they were worth more than they really were. However, people kept investing more and more in the stock market. At the time, it was called a bull market because it kept "charging" upward like a bull How - This was one of the irresponsible behaviors that citizens often committed. They did not have a great understanding of credit, debt, and stocks which makes them spend money than they have

"trickle down " economics

What / Who - Economic policies that favor the wealthy or privileged while being framed as good for the average citizen When - 1920s Why - This was famously used by Herbert Hoover during his presidency and it was the theory that by loaning money to the banks and high-end people in the pyramid of economics with the hopes that it would then 'trickle down' to the lower classes. How - The Trickle-down theory ultimately did not work like how Hoobert thought it would. First of all, there were people who were greedy and hoarded their resources. Secondly, it would take ages for the so-called benefits to reach the lower class

Francis Galton

What / Who - English Victorian era polymath: a statistician, sociologist, and a proponent of social Darwinism, eugenics, and scientific racism When - February 16, 1822 Why - Galton was the first to apply statistical methods to the study of human differences and inheritance of intelligence and coined the term eugenics. Galton, later on, went to discover psychometrics and discovered significant accomplishments in meteorology How - Galton's inventions and discoveries were extremely important to society. However, his idea of Eugenics might've done more harm than food. It only promoted racial discrimination and white superiority in America

Charlie Chaplin

What / Who - English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. When - April 16, 1889 Why - Charlie Chaplin was one of the greatest and most widely loved silent movie stars. From "Easy Street" to "Modern Times", he made many of the funniest and most popular films of his time. How - Not only did he change the face of cinema in Hollywood forever but also had a worldwide impact. His skill lay in his innate ability to blend in everyday struggles and tragedy into a comic everyman character which made him funny and relatable at the same time.

Sierra Club

What / Who - Environmental organization with chapters in all 50 United States When - May 28, 1892 Why - The sierra club was founded by John Muir and its goal was to preserve nature and forests. It wanted to prevent the complete devastation of the ecosystem and promote ways to use Earth's resources in a less economically harmful way How - The Sierra Club still exists today and its goals still haven't changed in the past years. Now they also seek to improve the air quality as well as decrease the rate at which climate change and global warming occur. They protect more than 157 million acres of public lands in Alaska.

John Muir

What / Who - Environmental philosopher and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States of America When - April 21, 1838 Why - Muir wrote essays documenting his adventures in nature and also founded the Sierra Club, a conservation organization. In his later life, Muir devoted most of his time to the preservation of the Western forests. How - Muir's activism helped to preserve the Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Park, and his example has served as an inspiration for the preservation of many other wilderness areas. Many people took the same action as him in order to preserve nature and forests

Babe Ruth

What / Who - Famous baseball player who played for the Yankees. When - February 6, 1895 Why - Ruth quickly emerged as the greatest hitter to have ever played the game. Nicknamed by sportswriters the "Sultan of Swat," in his first season with the Yankees in 1920, he shattered his own single-season record by hitting 54 home runs, 25 more than he had hit in 1919. How - It was largely during Ruth's baseball years that baseball became a popular sport. There was an expansion of leisure time and a change in leisure time. Where people began to pay more attention to sports, more specifically baseball

Elkins Act

What / Who - Federal law that amended the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 When - 1904 Why - The Act authorized the Interstate Commerce Commission to impose heavy fines on railroads that offered rebates, and upon the shippers that accepted these rebates. People could no longer use their status in order to bribe railroad companies How - The Elkins Act prohibits railroad companies from giving rebates to businesses that ship large quantities of goods and giving power to those businesses to artificially lower shipping prices. This greatly helped reduce corruption in society because before this, railroads were mainly dominated by political machines

Newlands Act (Reclamation Act of 1902)

What / Who - Federal law that funded irrigation projects for the arid lands of 20 states in the American West When - 1902 Why - The Newlands act appropriated the receipts from the sale and disposal of public lands in certain States and Territories to the construction of irrigation works for the reclamation of arid lands. It was a way to bring water towards How - This was a part of the conservation movement and Roosevelt. Roosevelt was one of the very first presidents who decided to care for the environment and use his power to protect the land

Emilio Aguinaldo

What / Who - Filipino revolutionary, statesman, and military leader who is officially recognized as the first and the youngest president of the Philippines When - March 22, 1869 Why - Aguinaldo led Philippine forces first against Spain in the Philippine Revolution, then in the Spanish-American War, and finally against the United States during the Philippine-American War How - Aguinaldo is an extremely important figure for Philippine history but that doesn't mean he's not relevant to American history. Aguinaldo helped the Filipinos gain independence from America and allowed them to break free and rule themselves

dollar diplomacy

What / Who - Foreign policy created by U.S. Pres. William Howard Taft and his secretary of state, Philander C. Knox When - 1909-1913 Why - This policy was meant to ensure the financial stability of a region while protecting and extending U.S. commercial and financial interests there. It was also a form of American foreign policy to minimize the use or threat of military force and instead, further its influence into Europe through loans How - This is one of the first signs of America trying to establish a presence outside of the United States. Because they are industrializing, they would of course want to spread their market towards the rest of the world to ensure a profit

Holocaust

What / Who - Genocide of European Jews during World War II. Between 1941 and 1945 When - 1941-1945 Why - Paramilitary death squads called Einsatzgruppen, in cooperation with the German Army and local collaborators, murdered around 1.3 million Jews in mass shootings and pogroms from the summer of 1941. victims were being deported from ghettos across Europe in sealed freight trains to extermination camps How - The wounds of the Holocaust-known in Hebrew as Shoah, or catastrophe-were slow to heal. Survivors of the camps found it nearly impossible to return home, as in many cases they had lost their families and been denounced by their non-Jewish neighbors. In an effort to punish the villains of the Holocaust, the Allies held the Nuremberg Trials of 1945-46, which brought Nazi atrocities to horrifying light.

Joseph Stalin

What / Who - Georgian revolutionary and Soviet political leader who governed the Soviet Union When - December 18, 1878 Why - Stalin assumed leadership over the country following Lenin's death in 1924. Under Stalin, socialism in one country became a central tenet of the party's dogma. Stalin promoted Marxism-Leninism abroad through the Communist International and supported European anti-fascist movements during the 1930s, particularly in the Spanish Civil War How - Stalin was the subject of a pervasive personality cult within the international Marxist-Leninist movement, which revered him as a champion of the working class and socialism. Conversely, his regime has been described as totalitarian and has been widely condemned for overseeing mass repression, ethnic cleansing and wide-scale deportation

Albert Einstein

What / Who - German-born theoretical physicist, widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest physicists of all time When - March 14, 1879 Why -. Einstein is best known for developing the theory of relativity, but he also made important contributions to the development of the theory of quantum mechanics. His work is also known for its influence on the philosophy of science How - Einstein, of Jewish origin, objected to the policies of the newly elected Nazi government; he settled in the United States and became an American citizen in 1940. On the eve of World War II, he endorsed a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt alerting him to the potential German nuclear weapons program and recommending that the US begin similar research

Four Freedoms Speech

What / Who - Goals articulated by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt When - January 6, 1941 Why - The four freedoms outlined were freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Later on people illustrated the four freedoms as international war goals that went beyond just defeating the Axis powers. How - Roosevelt endorsed a broader human right to economic security and anticipated what would become known decades later as the "human security" paradigm in social science and economic development. He also included the "freedom from fear" against national aggression and took it to the new United Nations he was setting up.

Brain Trust

What / Who - Group of close advisers to a political candidate or incumbent When - 1930s Why - The term is most associated with the group of advisers of Franklin D. Roosevelt during his presidential administration. They were the group of expert policy advisers who worked with FDR in the 1930s to end the great depression How -The brain trust piloted numerous New Deal measures through Congress. They pushed our policies that sought to reform, relieve, and recover citizens from the great depression

Tuskegee Airmen

What / Who - Group of primarily African American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II When - 1941 Why - They formed the 332d Expeditionary Operations Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces. It showed how African Americans were just as capable as the other soldiers when it comes to contributing to the war How - The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces. During World War II, black Americans in many U.S. states were still subject to the Jim Crow laws and the American military was racially segregated, as was much of the federal government. The Tuskegee Airmen were subjected to discrimination, both within and outside of the army.

Social welfare

What / Who - Healthcare, empowerment, housing, and other programs geared towards assisting the poor, unemployed and marginalized in society When - 20th century Why - During the progressive era, there were some efforts at improving and bringing more social welfare to America. There was the temperance movement which ended in a failure but also the 8-hour workday which really helped workers How - Social welfare is an important component of society because it allows the lower class to climb up from their ranks. Without any help, they may stay at the bottom, forever fated to suffer a cycle of destitution

Archduke Francis Ferdinand

What / Who - Heir presumptive to the throne of Austria-Hungary When - December 18, 1863 Why - Franz Ferdinand held significant influence over the military, and in 1913 he was appointed inspector general of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces. On 28 June 1914, Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by a member of the Young Bosnia How - Ferdinand was remembered not exactly for his policies, but for his assassination. His assassination was the last straw before world war 1 erupted. Marking the first world war to ever take place in history

Hollywood

What / Who - Hollywood is an American neighborhood in the central region of Los Angeles, California. When - 1910 Why - The name itself came from the film industry that was associated with it. It was the center of the entertainment film industry in the 1920's. Hollywood represented the changing tides of entertainment during the roaring 20s of America How - Hollywood produced virtually all films shown in the United States and received 80 percent of the revenue from films shown abroad. It also becomes viewing for propaganda.

Joseph Pulitzer

What / Who - Hungarian-American politician and newspaper publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the New York World When - April 10, 1847 Why - In the 1890s the fierce competition between his World and William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal caused both to develop the techniques of yellow journalism, which won over readers with sensationalism,, crime, and graphic horrors. How - Pulitzer was one of the main founders of yellow journalism which remained a very popular form of journalism. To the creators, it was less about delivering facts and more about the money.

Red Scare

What / Who - Hysteria over the perceived threat posed by Communists in the U.S. When - 1940s-1950s Why - Red Scare is the promotion of widespread fear of a potential rise of communism, anarchism, or other leftist ideologies by a society or state. If there was anything that conflicted with American democratic principles, the US wanted to eliminate it How - The Red Scare led to a range of actions that had a profound and enduring effect on the U.S. government and society. Federal employees were analyzed to determine whether they were sufficiently loyal to the government.

Ida Tarbell The History of the Standard Oil Company

What / Who - Ida Tarbell was an author famous for writing a report and book about the horrors of the standard oil company When - November 5, 1857 (Tarbell), 1904 (book) Why - The history of the standard oil company exposed the poor and dangerous conditions that were occurring in the standard oil company. This was the norm for many companies yet not many tried to expose them How - Tarbell's report helped to spur new legislation and litigation to regulate interstate commerce and counter monopoly. The government became warier of monopolies because of Tarbell.

New Nationalism

What / Who - Idea that Roosevelt proposed in his speech When - August 31, 1910 Why - The central issue he argued was government protection of human welfare and property rights, but he also argued that human welfare was more important than property rights. He insisted that only a powerful federal government could regulate the economy and guarantee justice How - New Nationalism outlined Roosevelt's views of the policies that should be enforced during his term. it definitely made many progressive and reform-minded Republicans decide to vote for Roosevelt. Even better that Roosevelt was able to fulfill some of his policies

Imperialists and anti-imperialists

What / Who - Imperialists were a group of people who wanted US to imperialize while the anti-imperialists didn't When - Late 19th century Why - The debate over whether the US should imperialize became popular near the late 19th century because of the purchase of Alaska. America began to become more involved in foreign affairs and overseas trading after the topic of imperialism popped up How - This shows the reoccurring theme of manifest destiny where some thought it was the God-given right and goal for America to expand. However, there were many opposed to expanding and thought it was unconstitutional and immoral

Federal Trade Commission

What / Who - Independent agency of the United States government whose principal mission is the enforcement of civil U.S. antitrust law and the promotion of consumer protection When - September 26, 1914 Why - The FTC protects consumers by stopping unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices in the marketplace. They conduct investigations, sue companies and people that violate the law, develop rules to ensure a vibrant marketplace and educate consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities. How - The FTC was the group responsible for making sure that the companies are operating as they're supposed to and not enforcing unfair conditions onto their laborers. They are also responsible for preventing monopolies and unsafe working conditions from polluting the country

United Nations

What / Who - Intergovernmental organization aiming to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations When - October 24, 1945 Why - It is the world's largest and most familiar international organization. The UN was established after World War II with the aim of preventing future wars, succeeding the rather ineffective League of Nations. How - The organization's objectives include maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, promoting sustainable development, and upholding international law.

Mother Mary Harris Jones

What / Who - Irish-born American schoolteacher and dressmaker who became a prominent union organizer, community organizer, and activist When - May 1, 1837 Why - Mary Harris "Mother" Jones rose to prominence as a fiery orator and fearless organizer for the Mine Workers. Her charisma and fiery voice convinced many to join her cause How - It was through Jones that the Mine Workers were able to gain supporters. She managed to convince many women and daughters to join her cause. Not only strengthening the union but also giving women more active roles in the progressive era

Sacco and Vanzetti

What / Who - Italian immigrant anarchists who were controversially accused of murdering a guard and a paymaster When - Why - Sacco and Vanzetti were charged with committing robbery and murder at the Slater and Morrill shoe factory in South Braintree. They were trialed a controversial murder trial in Massachusetts that resulted in their executions How - The actions of Sacco and Vanzetti created even more anti-immigrant sentimism in the United States. More people became wary of immigrants fearing that all immigrants would turn out to be anarchists and murderers like them

Benito Mussolini

What / Who - Italian politician and journalist who founded and led the National Fascist Party When - July 29, 1883 Why - He was Prime Minister of Italy from the March on Rome in 1922 until his deposition in 1943, and "Duce" of Italian Fascism from the establishment of the Italian Fasces of Combat in 1919 until his execution in 1945 by Italian partisans. Within five years, Mussolini had established dictatorial authority by both legal and illegal means and aspired to create a totalitarian state How - As dictator of Italy and principal founder of fascism, Mussolini inspired and supported the international spread of fascist movements during the inter-war period

Marcus Garvey

What / Who - Jamaican political activist, publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator When - August 17, 1887 Why - He was the founder and first President-General of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League, through which he declared himself Provisional President of Africa How - The UNIA aimed to achieve Black nationalism through the celebration of African history and culture. Garvey's goal was to create a separate economy and society run for and by African Americans. It essentially kicked off the back to Africa movement

Kamikaze

What / Who - Japanese suicide bombing tactic designed to destroy enemy warships during World War II When - 20th century Why - Kamikaze was a military tactic that used pilots as weapons, flying their planes straight into Allied ships. It was seen by pilots as a glorious, honorable suicide, a death to serve the emperor and save Japan from invasion. The kamikaze pilots flew their missions knowing they would never return. How - The Kamikaze strategy was Very effective because they had an increased payload because they had bombed the fuel and the plane to destroy the target. It took 2 kamikaze hits or even sometimes 1 because there were so many explosives packed in the plane.

Muckrakers

What / Who - Journalists who worked to expose the corruption occurring in societies When - 20th century Why - While business leaders and political machines went around corrupting society, muckrakers did their best to expose their actions. They did so by writing books about their actions or taking photos of the horrible things occurring in society How - It was because of the efforts of muckrakers that more reforms were able to occur. All the exposing only put more pressure on the federal government to term-137enforce labor laws to protect citizens and laborers

Wagner Act

What / Who - Labor law that guarantees the right of private-sector employees to organize into trade unions When - July 6, 1935 Why - The purpose of the Wagner Act was to establish the legal right of most workers to join labor unions and to bargain collectively with their employers. It also prohibited employers from engaging in unfair labor practices. How - This was a win for labor unions and workers because it officially establishes that it is legal for workers to assemble and protest for better conditions. This is considered revolutionary because before labor unions would be looked down upon and criticized

D-Day

What / Who - Landing operations and associated airborne operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II When - 6 June 1944 Why - The battle of Normandy, which lasted from June 1944 to August 1944, resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany's control. The invasion was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and required extensive planning. How - The significance of the D-Day landings lies in the fact that they represented a major turning point in World War II and allows us to reflect on those who gave their lives to guarantee the freedom enjoyed today. Less than a year after the invasion, the Allies formally accepted Nazi Germany's surrender.

Hawley-Smoot Tariff

What / Who - Law that implemented protectionist trade policies in the United States When - March 13, 1930 Why - This act raised import duties to protect American businesses and farmers, adding considerable strain to the international economic climate of the Great Depression. How - The Hawley Smoot Tariff seriously backfired as furious European countries imposed a tax on American goods making them too expensive to buy in Europe, and restricting trade which contributed to the economic crisis of the Great Depression.

reparations

What / Who - Making amends for a wrong one has done, paying back When - 28 June 1919 Why - During the treaty of Versailles, Germany was essentially the scapegoat for everything that happened in the war. They were blamed for the war and forced to pay reparations during the Treaty of Versailles. What's even sadder was that Germany was not even at the Paris peace conference nor were they allowed to enter How - The reparations that Germany was forced to pay contributed to the hostility Germans had towards the allied powers. It was essentially what led to the rise of Hitler. They were so angry at what happened and wanted to get back at the allied powers

Bolsheviks

What / Who - Member of the majority faction of the Russian Social Democratic Party, When - 1903 Why - The Bolsheviks took power during the October Revolution in the Russian Republic. They overthrew the Provisional Government of Alexander Kerensky, and became the only ruling party in the subsequent Soviet Russia and later the Soviet Union How - Bolsheviks represented the increasing popularity of communism during Europe. It made America extremely paranoid, fearing that their institution of democracy would be ruined if they let the Bolsheviks and communists roam free

Hunger strikes

What / Who - Method of non-violent resistance in which participants fast as an act of political protest When - 20th century Why - This method was used to provoke a feeling of guilt in others, usually with the objective to achieve a specific goal, such as a policy change. The hunger strike is often terminated by the custodial entity through the use of force-feeding. How - There was a very important Hunger Strike involving Alice paul who went on a strike in order to protest the enfranchisement of women. The strike was ended later on but it influenced many to join the suffrage movement

Blitzkreig

What / Who - Method of offensive warfare designed to strike a swift, focused blow at an enemy When - 1900s Why - During the interwar period, aircraft and tank technologies matured and were combined with systematic application of the traditional German tactic of Bewegungskrieg. These attacks were fierce and hard to stop How - Blitzkrieg operations capitalized on surprise penetrations, general enemy unreadiness, and their inability to match the pace of the German attack. During the Battle of France, the French made attempts to re-form defensive lines along rivers but were frustrated when German forces arrived first and pressed on

Modernists

What / Who - Movement reflecting a desire for the creation of new forms of art, philosophy, and social organization When - late 19th and early 20th Why - Modernism was essentially based on a utopian vision of human life and society and a belief in progress, or moving forward. Generally, they prefer using science and biology over religion and beliefs How - Modernism became a greatly debated topic after the scopes trial. Some people wanted to keep society and its values religious while others wanted to include science and logic in schools

Nationalism

What / Who - Nationalism is one's pride in their own country When - No exact date Why - People generally held some degree and/or pride in their own country. This would make them want to boast about their country and show it off to others. Generally, countries expressed nationalism through the belief they were better than other countries How - Nationalism was also a cause for WW1. Mant countries wanted to prove to each other that their country was the best. It prompted them to join the war so they could showcase how much power they had

Prohibition

What / Who - Nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages When - Jan 17, 1920 - Dec 5, 1933 Why - Prohibition was difficult to enforce. The increase of the illegal production and sale of liquor, the proliferation of speakeasies and the accompanying rise in gang violence and other crimes led to waning support for Prohibition by the end of the 1920s How - The period of prohibition ended up being dropped due to the lack of support for it. The federal government also decided to give in and ended up passing the 21st amendment which essentially repealed the 18th amendment and ended prohibition

AAA

What / Who - New Deal program to restore agricultural prosperity When - 1933 Why - It wanted to help the economy recover by curtailing farm production, reducing export surpluses, and raising prices. Farmers would be paid to stop producing crops for the time being. It was mostly favored by the farmers initially. How - The AAA eroded the old sharecropping and tenant system of farm labor. With access to federal funds, large landowners were able to diversify their crops, combine holdings, and purchase tractors and machinery to more efficiently work the land

Rough Riders

What / Who - Nickname given to the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry When - 1898 Why - The Rough Riders helped fight the Battle of San Juan Hill, which helped win the war. Many of the members were from Arizona and included cowboys, ranchers, and miners. They were called such due to their unorthodox exploits How - Despite some flak that the Americans might've thrown at the rough riders, they were definitely important for America's victory in the Spanish-American war. They dealt the decisive battle before Americans finally achieved their victory

doughboys

What / Who - Nickname popularly given to United States soldiers during World War I When - 20th century Why - The word was said to have been derived from the doughlike appearance of a uniform soiled by moistened pipeclay. When the troops got rained on the clay on their uniforms turned into "doughy blobs," supposedly leading to the doughboy moniker How - Soldiers that trained hard during the war allowed the allied powers to win the war. Although, America mostly made its contributions through manufacturing and supplying the other countries with goods.

Louis Armstrong

What / Who - Nicknamed "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", was an American trumpeter and vocalist. When - August 4, 1901 Why - He is among the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades and different eras in the history of jazz. With his instantly recognizable rich, gravelly voice, Armstrong was also an influential singer and skillful improviser, bending the lyrics and melody of a song. How - By the end of Armstrong's life, his influence had spread to popular music in general. Armstrong was one of the first popular African-American entertainers to "cross over" to wide popularity with white (and international) audiences.

Panama Canal

What / Who - Panama Canal is an artificial 82 km waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean When - August 15, 1914 Why - The Panama canal was one of the most important construction projects in America. It was first started by France but they gave up on it after facing the harsh conditions while building it How - The Panama Canal was important in that it brought the Americans closer to Asia. With the Canal, they can slash down a lot of traveling time leading to more trade and communication with other countries. This was an extremely beneficial investment for America

"Cash and carry act"

What / Who - Part of an act which lifted the arms embargo and put all trade with belligerent nations under the terms When - 1939 Why - This act replaced the Neutrality Act of 1937, by which belligerents could purchase only nonmilitary goods from the United States as long as the recipients paid immediately in cash and assumed all risk in transportation using their own ships How - The U.S. economy was rebounding at this time, following the Great Depression, but there was still a need for industrial manufacturing jobs. The cash and carry program helped to solve this issue and in turn Great Britain benefited from the purchase of arms and other goods.

Treaty of Paris of 1898

What / Who - Peace agreement between Spain and the United States that ended the Spanish-American War When - Dec 10, 1898 Why - Under the treaty, Cuba gained independence from Spain, and the United States gained possession of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The cession of the Philippines involved a compensation of $20 million from the United States to Spain How - With the treaty of Paris, Us was able to gain even more land which further fueled their philosophy of imperialism. However, acquiring such lands also led to conflict. This is because the countries are so far away from America so if a rebellion were to happen, it would be difficult for America to deal with

Red Summer

What / Who - Period from late winter through early autumn of 1919 during which white supremacist terrorism and racial riots When - 1919 Why - White sailors recently home from the war had been on a days-long drunken rampage, assaulting, and in some cases lynching, black people on the capitol's streets. The racist attacks in 1919 were widespread, and often indiscriminate, but in many places How - Because of their military service, black veterans were seen as a particular threat to Jim Crow and racial subordination. They were scared that their service would make them push for even more equal rights

Conservation

What / Who - Philosophy focused on protecting species from extinction, maintaining and restoring habitats, enhancing ecosystem services When - 20th century Why - Conservation became a popular topic during the progressive era, with Theodore Roosevelt being the first president to care about the government. The conservation movement is important for preserving ecosystems and maintaining a healthy environment How - If everyone remained indifferent to the environment, the Earth would be a lot warmer and close to devastation than it is today. Many don't realize how important the environment is and how important it was to preserve the ecosystem

Great White Fleet

What / Who - Popular nickname for the group of United States Navy battleships that completed a journey around the globe When - December 16, 1907 Why - Learning that an earthquake had struck Sicily, the Great White Fleet sailed to help with the wreckage and recovery work. ... The Great White Fleet was an important show of America's naval power to the rest of the world. How - This was once again another way for the Americans to assert their dominance over other countries. They are demonstrating the fact that they have the power to defend themselves and attack others if needed

Recall

What / Who - Power reserved to the voters that allow the voters, by petition, to demand the removal of an elected official. When - 20th century Why - If an official was found to be corrupt the citizens could vote to get that official kicked off and removed from their power. Before, if an official was found to be corrupt, nothing could be directly done about it How - This promoted democracy in America as it allowed citizens themselves more control over the government. They have the power to directly influence the government and society as a whole. This is direct representation

Initiative

What / Who - Power reserved to the voters to propose legislation, by petition, that would enact, amend or repeal a City Charter or Code provision When - 20th century Why - If the people themselves are unsatisfied with the current status of society, they themselves could propose laws that they believe would benefit them. At the same time, they had the power to remove any policies they found unfair or corrupt How - This promoted democracy in America as it allowed citizens themselves more control over the government. They have the power to directly influence the government and society as a whole. This is a direct representation

Civil Disobedience

What / Who - Professed refusal of a citizen to obey certain laws, demands, orders or commands of a government When - 1849 Why - The idea of civil disobedience was first introduced by Henry David Thoreau. It was a method of protesting and it was often known as peaceful protests or nonviolent resistance. It's meant to garner sympathy from the audience and allow change to happen How - Civil disobedience was a popular form of protesting during the progressive era. Another popular form of protesting was striking but it usually ended with violence so it's not generally associated with peaceful protesting.

Fourteen Points

What / Who - Proposal made by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in a speech before Congress When - January 8, 1918 Why - The Fourteen Points was a statement of principles for peace that was to be used for peace negotiations in order to end World War I. It called for the freedom of seas, self-determination, freedom of trade, open alliances, reduced military How - Possibly one of the most important things that came from the 14 points was the 14th point which proposed a committee of countries that would gather together to discuss things if any conflict were to occur. It was proposed in hopes of preventing another world war

Ration, "meatless, heatless and wheatless"

What / Who - Rationing is when one tries to conserve their resources as much as possible When - 20th century Why - Most countries would push it's citizens to ration during war times where they needed to save as much food as possible. "Meatless, heatless and wheatless" was probably a popular slogan used by the government to convince people to ration resources How - rationing resources was incredibly important during war times. Especially since during the time of war a lot of resources were required in order for a side to win. if they make the citizens ration their resources, more is left for the soldiers

Rationing

What / Who - Rationing is when one tries to conserve their resources as much as possible When - 20th century Why - Most countries would push it's citizens to ration during war times where they needed to save as much food as possible. "Meatless, heatless and wheatless" was probably a popular slogan used by the government to convince people to ration resources How - rationing resources was incredibly important during war times. Especially since during the time of war a lot of resources were required in order for a side to win. if they make the citizens ration their resources, more is left for the soldiers

3R's (relief, recovery and reform)

What / Who - Relief for the poor, recovery for the economy, reform in the government When - 1933 Why - Relief meant that the president wanted to help those in crisis immediately by creating jobs, bread lines, and welfare. Recovery was aimed at fixing the economy and ending the Depression. Reform aimed at capitalism, by means of regulatory legislation and the creation of new social welfare programs How - Reform programs focused specifically on methods for ensuring that depressions like that in the 1930s would never affect the American public again. There were several programs enacted during this time following these three Rs

Palmer Raids

What / Who - Series of raids conducted in November 1919 and January 1920 by the United States Department of Justice When - 1919-1920 Why - An attempt to arrest foreign anarchists, communists, and radical leftists, many of whom were subsequently deported. The raids, fueled by social unrest following World War I, were led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer and are viewed as the climax of that era's so-called Red Scare. How - The palmer raids were one of the ways Americans restricted the rights of citizens during WW1. Many people would be arrested without any reason and people were restricted from speaking out against democracy or the government as a whole

eugenics

What / Who - Set of beliefs and practices that aim to improve the genetic quality of a human population When - 19th century Why - Eugenics inherently promotes the idea that some groups of people are superior to others. This leads to discrimination in society which will only strengthen the ideas of nativism and white supremacy in America How - Because of Eugenics, people who were not white were getting discriminated against even more. As mentioned before, it pushed even more racist tendencies and anti-immigrant sentiment ideas due to the belief that those groups did not have desirable genes

Florence Kelley

What / Who - Social and political reformer and the pioneer of the term wage abolitionism. When - September 12, 1859 Why - Florence Kelley dedicated her life to social reform, including racism in society and improving the conditions of laborers. She also helped win the passage of the Illinois Factory Act in 1893 which limited the hours women worked and banned child labor How - Kelley's work against sweatshops and for the minimum wage, eight-hour workdays, and children's rights is widely regarded today. She inspired many others to join the reforms which helped many of them to later come true

Lost Generation

What / Who - Social generational cohort that was in early adulthood during World War I. When - 1900s Why - "Lost" in this context refers to the "disoriented, wandering, directionless" spirit of many of the war's survivors in the early postwar period. They were "lost" in the sense that its inherited values were no longer relevant in the postwar world How - The Lost Generation made an impact on society because the writings that came out of this period showed the effects war has on people. War was a terrible thing that made men lose their masculinity, gave people a sense of disillusionment, and made people want to return to a simpler, idealistic past

"Butcher" Weyler

What / Who - Spanish general and colonial administrator who served as the Governor-General of the Philippines and Cuba When - 1838 Why - In America, yellow journalism sensationalized Weyler's ruthless tactics and named him the "Butcher." They passionately denounced his cruel treatment towards Cubans How - Weyler's actions were one of the reasons why the Americans wanted to start a war with Spain. They felt that it would be inhumane for them to allow Spain to mistreat the Cubans any further and that it was about time Americans did something about it

Anthracite coal strike of 1902

What / Who - Strike by the United Mine Workers of America in the anthracite coalfields of eastern Pennsylvania When - 1902 Why - The strike threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to major American cities which put a lot of pressure on the government to do something. President Theodore Roosevelt decided to support the strikers which resulted in a wage increase for the workers as well as hour reduction How - This was the first labor strike in which the government decided to support the laborers. This increased the popularity of labor unions as well as repaired the reputation of labor unions. Not only did they garner support from the president themselves, but they also managed to successfully reform their workplace

Yellow Journalism

What / Who - Style of newspaper reporting that emphasized sensationalism over facts. When - 20th century Why - Yellow journalism and the yellow press are American terms for journalism and associated newspapers that present little or no legitimate, well-researched news while instead using eye-catching headlines for increased sales. They often exaggerated stories How - Yellow journalism was what pushed many Americans to start a war with Spain. With many yellow journalists exaggerating Spain's treatment of Cubans as well as accusing them for bombing the USS Maine

Open Door Policy

What / Who - System of equal trade and investment and to guarantee the territorial integrity of Qing China When - 1899-1900 Why - This was a policy that benefitted all parties except for China themselves. Other countries could come and take resources from China without any restrictions and China sees their resources and freedom quickly depleting How - Because of the open door policy, America was able to gain some control over China. Before the open door policy, America was one of the major powers that did not have a share in China at all

Social Security

What / Who - System of old-age benefits for workers When - August 14, 1935 Why - In addition to benefits for old workers, it also provided benefits for victims of industrial accidents, unemployment insurance, aid for dependent mothers and children, the blind, and the physically handicapped. How - The new Act created a social insurance program designed to pay retired workers age 65 or older a continuing income after retirement. The social security act is still used today by the US government

Emperor Hirohito

What / Who - The 124th emperor of Japan, ruling from 1926 until his death in 1989 When - April 29, 1901 Why - Many have asserted that he had grave misgivings about war with the United States and was opposed to Japan's alliance with Germany and Italy but that he was constrained to go along with the militarists who increasingly came to dominate the armed forces and the government How - Hirohito presided over the invasion of China, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and eventually, the Japanese surrender to the Allies. He was actively involved in the decision to launch the war as well as in other political and military decisions before. Despite this many historians still view him as powerless

21st Amendment

What / Who - The 21st amendment essentially stated that the 18th amendment be repealed When - December 5, 1933 Why - The prohibition movement was already quite unpopular in America so this act came as more of a relief than a shock. People were already breaking the law in order to sneak in alcohol anyways How - The 21st amendment officially ended the prohibition error because it was proof of how unenforceable prohibition and the 18th amendment were on a national level. there were still states that put regulations on it, however.

American Liberty League

What / Who - The American Liberty League was an American political organization formed in 1934 When - 1934 Why - The group emphasized private property and individual liberties. Its leader Jouett Shouse called on members to defend and uphold the constitution of the United States. To teach the necessity of respect for the rights of persons and property How - The group was made up of conservative democrats who fought New Deal labor and social legislation, rallied support for the conservative-dominated Supreme Court, and sought to build a bipartisan conservative coalition to defeat the Franklin D.

Iwo Jima and Okinawa

What / Who - The Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa in 1945 undoubtedly saw some of World War Two's fiercest fighting When - 1945 Why - Both engagements occurred towards the end of the Pacific War, as the United States sought to capture strategically important territories ahead of a planned invasion of Japan. Others resulted in horrific casualties on both sides but finally produced a Japanese defeat. How - Taking Okinawa would provide Allied forces an airbase from which bombers could strike Japan and an advanced anchorage for Allied fleets. From Okinawa, US forces could increase airstrikes against Japan and blockade important logistical routes, denying the home islands of vital commodities.

Double V. Campaign

What / Who - The Double Victory Campaign stood for "Victory Abroad and Victory at Home." When - 1942 Why - The Double V Campaign was launched by a prominent black newspaper, the Pittsburgh Courier, in 1942. It essentially meant Victory Abroad championed military success against fascism overseas, and Victory at Home demanded equality for African Americans in the United States. How - Thompson initiated the "Double V" campaign to encourage others to fight for victory and freedom abroad and at home. The double V slogan took hold. "By serving their country, [black soldiers] earned a great deal of respect from fair-minded whites and blacks alike.

Federal Housing Authority

What / Who - The Federal Housing Act created the Federal Housing Administration When - 1934 Why - The Federal Housing Administration was to insure mortgages of lower-income Americans, helping these people acquire financing through private banks and other financial institutions. How - Its primary purpose was to improve housing standards and conditions, provide a method of mutual mortgage insurance, and reduce foreclosures on family home mortgages. it made it so that people could purchase houses without breaking their banks

HOLC

What / Who - The HOLC was authorized to make loans from June 13, 1933, through June 12, 1936 When - June 13, 1933 - June 12, 1936 Why - The HOLC was established in June 1933 to help distressed families avert foreclosures by replacing mortgages that were in or near default with new ones that homeowners could afford. it was like changing the rate to fit their budget How - HOLC issued government-insured bonds to local lenders in exchange for delinquent mortgages in their portfolios. In addition to alleviating the Great Depression, the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 forever changed America's mortgage market.

Immigration Restriction Act of 1921 and Immigration Restriction Act of 1924

What / Who - The Immigration Act of 1924 limited the number of immigrants allowed entry into the United States through a national origins quota When - 1921-1924 Why - It was formulated mainly in response to the large influx of Southern and Eastern Europeans and successfully restricted their immigration as well as that of other "undesirables". this was further hastened by the world war. How - Many Americans felt paranoid that the immigrants in America would be disloyal to them, thus they should be kept out. During the world war, the government was especially careful about making sure there was no traitors that disagreed with America's principles

Talkies "Jazz Singer"

What / Who - The Jazz Singer, American musical film, released in 1927 When - 1927 Why - It was the first feature-length movie with synchronized dialogue. It marked the ascendancy of "talkies" and the end of the silent-film era .Its release heralded the commercial ascendance of sound films and effectively marked the end of the silent film era. How - As the first-ever film with sound and music in it, the Jazz singer led to more movies being inspired to have sound. Seeing how famous the movie got, other films wanted to replicate it in order to achieve the same level of fame

League of Nations

What / Who - The League of Nations was an international organization that provided a forum for resolving international disputes When - January 10, 1920 Why - It was the first worldwide intergovernmental organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. They included preventing wars through collective security and disarmament and settling international disputes through negotiation and arbitration. How - Despite America being the one to propose to the league of nations, they themselves did not join the league. This was because congress feared that joining the league would reduce their power due to the fact they would lose the power to declare wars

Lusitania and Sussex

What / Who - The Lusitania was a British cruise ship that Americans used and the Sussex was a ship borrowed from France When - 19th century Why - Both the Lusitania and Sussex ships were sunk by Germany with their unrestricted submarine warfare. They sunk those ships thinking Americans were secretly supplying Britain and France while trying to pass off as a neutral country How - Americans were outraged by the news of the Lusitania and Sussex getting sunk. it convinced many Americans to push for war in order to avenge the innocent Americans who died due to Germany's actions

NRA

What / Who - The NRA sought to reform business practices When - June 1933 Why - The NRA authorized the president to institute industry-wide codes intended to eliminate unfair trade practices, reduce unemployment, establish minimum wages and maximum hours, and guarantee the right of labor to bargain collectively. How - The goal of the administration was to eliminate "cut-throat competition" by bringing industry, labor, and government together to create codes of "fair practices" and set prices. It was effective until the supreme court declared it unconstitutional in 1935

"speak softly but carry a big stick"/ Roosevelt Corollary / Big Stick Diplomacy

What / Who - The Roosevelt Corollary was an extension to the Monroe doctrine which updated America's foreign policies When - 1904 Why - The phrase "speak softly but carry a big stick" and the strategy of Big stick diplomacy all originated from the Roosevelt Corollary. It essentially stated that the US had the right to intervene in Latin American affairs if they're are seen as chaotic and about to fall apart. Essentially becoming a global police "protecting" them How - Speaking softly and carrying a big stick essentially means that you are trying to threaten a person into submission. This was how the Americans often controlled the other countries that they deemed to be inferior

FERA

What / Who - The act established the Federal Emergency Relief Administration When - 1933 Why - It was a grant-making agency authorized to distribute federal aid to the states for relief. By the end of December 1935, FERA had distributed over $3.1 billion and employed more than 20 million people. How - FERA funds helped construct 40,000 miles of new roads, 200,000 miles of repaired roads, and 5,000 public buildings. As a direct works project, the Civil Works Administration was created under the FERA in November 1933 and lasted through July 1934

Adamson Act

What / Who - The act sets an eight-hour workday and establishes overtime compensation for railroad workers When - September 3, 5, 1916 Why - This act marked the first time the U.S. government regulates the labor conditions of non-government workers. The act was mainly caused by a surge of railroad workers that said they would go on strike if they were not given an 8-hour workday How - This act greatly reduced the number of hours that workers had to work and it shows that labor unions and working together do pay off. They could no longer be exploited into working long hours with no pay or low pay

16th amendment

What / Who - The amendment that called for a graduated income tax When - 1909 Why - This was one of the populist political parties' goals and it ended up being passed as an amendment. The 16th amendment was an attempt at reducing the wealth gap you would be taxed more if you earned more How - The 16th amendment slightly helped stitch the wide wealth gap between the upper and lower class. The rich would have more money taken away from them in the form of taxes because of the 16th amendment. The opposite would occur for the poor

Pearl Harbor/Dec. 7, 1941/"a date which will live in infamy

What / Who - The date of Japan's attack on pearl harbor and the speech that came from it When - Dec. 7, 1941 Why - December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The surprise attack by Japanese forces left 2,403 American sailors, soldiers and civilians dead and another 1,000 people wounded. How - This attack on pearl harbor was the final straw that got America to join the world war. They were infuriated by the actions of Japan and wanted to avenge the innocent sailors and Americans that were killed during the attack

VJ Day/August 6, 1945/August 9, 1945

What / Who - The day on which Imperial Japan surrendered in World War II and the day the world war ended When - Aug 15, 1945 - Sep 2, 1945 Why - This was also the date when the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. The blast killed more than 70,000 people and destroyed most of the city—in an effort to hasten the end of World War II. How - Americans remember this as a glorious day that celebrated their victory but it was very different for the Japanese. They had to deal with the thousands of deaths and poisoning inflicted on them due to the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima being dropped. Whole cities had to be rebuilt because of this day

VE Day

What / Who - The day the allied side won the world war When - May 8, 1945 Why - Cities in both nations, as well as formerly occupied cities in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazi war machine during World War II on this day. How - This was the day that war finally ended between Germany but there was still the ongoing conflict with Japan not surrendering that America decided to deal with.

America First Committee

What / Who - The foremost United States isolationist pressure group against American entry into World War II When - September 4, 1940 Why - The America First Committee, an isolationist group formed in 1940, lobbied Congress against American involvement in foreign wars. The group was one of the largest antiwar organizations in the country with 800,000 members at its peak. How - The committee managed to convince many people that war was not an issue they should toggle. However this committee was swiftly dissolved after the attack on Pearl Harbor, an event that made America join the world war

Federal Reserve Act

What / Who - The law created the Federal Reserve System, the central banking system of the United States. When - 1913 Why - The Federal Reserve Act created the Federal Reserve System, consisting of twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks jointly responsible for managing the country's money supply, making loans and providing oversight to banks, and serving as a lender of last resort How - This changed the United States as it changed it from the economy being backed up by gold, to the money system being backed up by the government. The federal reserve act updated the banking system as well as gave the federal government more power over banks

Allies and Axis Powers

What / Who - The name for the countries that fought each other during world war 2 When - Sep 1, 1939 - Sep 2, 1945 Why - Germany, Japan, and Italy were the axis powers. France, Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union were the Allied powers. The Axis powers initiated World War II and fought against the Allies How - In contrast to the Allies, there were no three-way summit meetings between the axis powers, and cooperation and coordination were minimal; on occasion, the interests of the major Axis powers were even at variance with each other.

Queen Liliuokalani

What / Who - The only queen regnant and the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom When - September 2, 1838 Why - During her reign, she attempted to draft a new constitution which would restore the power of the monarchy and the voting rights of the economically disenfranchised. However, her plan was ruined because she was overthrown by Americans who wanted to take over Hawaii How - After Liluokalani was overthrown, Hawaii was taken over by America and they were forced to destroy their system of Monarchy. Hawaii was one of the very first examples of American imperialism

Daylight savings time

What / Who - The practice of advancing clocks during warmer months so that darkness falls at a later clock time When - 1917 Why - The idea of daylight savings time was first introduced during the world war. The nominal reason for daylight saving time has long been to save energy. daylight savings was reinstituted again during WW II, as a part of the war effort. How - Daylight-saving time was introduced as a temporary measure during World War I, as a way of conserving energy and providing more usable hours of daylight. It helped to reserve resources for the soldiers which would contribute to the war

Gunboat Diplomacy

What / Who - The pursuit of foreign policy objectives with the aid of conspicuous displays of naval power When - 20th century Why - Gunboat diplomacy was introduced by Theodore Roosevelt and primarily used by him. Wilson used moral diplomacy but he was the one how used the most force to get what he wanted How - Gunboat diplomacy ended up as a failure in fostering good relationships between the Americans and other countries. After all, who would be happy about other countries constantly invading them and threatening them

Treaty of Versailles

What / Who - The treaty was signed at the end of World War I and codified peace terms between the victorious Allies and Germany When - 28 June 1919 Why - The Treaty of Versailles held Germany responsible for starting the war and imposed harsh penalties. Treaty of Versailles humiliated Germany while failing to resolve the underlying issues that had led to war in the first place. How - Economic distress and resentment of the treaty within Germany helped fuel the ultra-nationalist sentiment that led to the rise of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party, as well as the coming of World War II just two decades later.

Square Deal

What / Who - Theodore Roosevelt's domestic program, which reflected his three major goals: conservation of natural resources, control of corporations, and consumer protection When - 1902-1912 Why - It aimed at helping middle-class citizens and involved attacking plutocracy and bad trusts while at the same time protecting businesses from the most extreme demands of organized labor. Roosevelt believed that as long as something provides benefit to society it is okay for it to exist How - The square deal thought process by Roosevelt was what allowed many trusts to stay in business. They were perceived as good trusts who benefitted society more than harmed them.

Executive Order 9906 / Japanese Internment

What / Who - This order authorized the evacuation of all persons deemed a threat to national security from the West Coast to relocation centers further inland. When - February 19, 1942 Why - As a result of this order, over 120,000 Japanese people were forced to relocate to one of ten different internment camps around the United States. Over 200,000 Japanese people were incarcerated in those camps How - This was caused by the increased discrimination towards Japanese people during the world war. Many Americans didn't feel safe having Japanese around not knowing whether they sided with their home country or Americans. Japanese people were discriminated against even after the war ended

Bracero Program

What / Who - This series of diplomatic accords between Mexico and the United States When - August 4, 1942 Why - Many U.S. farm owners created labor associations that increased labor market efficiency, reduced labor costs, and increased the average wages of all farmworkers. This permitted millions of Mexican men to work legally in the United States on short-term labor contracts. How - The program came to an end in 1964 in part because of concerns about abuses of the program and the treatment of the Bracero workers. Although the program was supposed to guarantee a minimum wage, housing, and health care, many workers faced low wages, horrible living and working conditions, and discrimination

Hawaii & Alaska

What / Who - Two territories that the US acquired in the late 20th century When - Late 20th century Why - Hawaii was acquired after America overthrew the Hawaiin monarch and made them independent. They annexed them later on. Alaska was purchased from Russia by William Seward How - Hawaii and Alaska marks the first sign of American imperialism. it was one of the very first territories that the US imperialized. Coming out of their isolationism hole

"unrestricted submarine warfare"

What / Who - Type of naval warfare in which submarines sink merchant ships such as freighters and tankers without warning When - 20th century Why - Germany was especially infamous in America for their restricted submarine warfare. They sunk any ship that came near British ports, leading to many American lives being lost in the process. Some of the ships were just ordinary ships from Neutral countries How - Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare was one of the reason's why America wanted to join in on the war effort. They did not want Germany to keep bullying them and killing Americas

USS Maine

What / Who - United States Navy ship that sank in Havana Harbor When - February 15, 1898 Why - The sinking of Maine contributed to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in April. American newspapers, engaging in yellow journalism to boost circulation, claimed that the Spanish were responsible for the ship's destruction. How - The USS Main created a lot of conflict between Spain and America which many Americans felt more resentment towards Spain. However, if it weren't for yellow journalism, the conflict would not be as bad as it was

Nye Committee

What / Who - United States Senate committee that investigated the financial and banking interests that underlay the United States' involvement in World War I When - April 12, 1934 - February 24, 1936 Why - The committee investigated the financial and banking interests that underlay the United States' involvement in World War I and the operations and profits of the industrial and commercial firms supplying munitions to the Allies and to the United States. How - Nye of North Dakota held hearings to investigate the country's involvement on WW1; this committee documented the huge profits that arms factories had made during the war, Investigated arms manufacturers and bankers of World War I.

Federal Farm Loan Act

What / Who - United States federal law aimed at increasing credit to rural family farmers When - 1915 Why - It provided capital for agricultural development, to create standard forms of investment based upon farm mortgage, to equalize rates of interest upon farm loans. Basically, giving more farmers more accessibility to loans and banking How - This is a success for the populist political group which has been long gone by the time this act was established. This helped the farmers who were constantly being ignored and trampled on before this act

Espionage Act

What / Who - United States federal law enacted on June 15, 1917 during the world war When - June 15, 1917 Why - The Espionage Act of 1917 prohibited obtaining information, recording pictures, or copying descriptions of any information relating to the national defense with intent or reason to believe that the information may be used for the injury of the United States or to the advantage of any foreign nation. How - The espionage act was to prevent any spies from exposing any crucial information. It also showcased how during war times, some freedoms might be restricted in order to protect the safety of everyone

War Industries Board

What / Who - United States government agency created in response to America joining WW1 When - July 28, 1917 Why - It was intended to help the U.S. prepare for World War I by increasing industrial production and coordinating the purchase of war materials by the Army and the Navy How - It was through the formation of groups such as the war industries board that Americans were able to produce so many goods. They were essentially the supplier providing other countries with materials

"Return to Normalcy"

What / Who - United States presidential candidate Warren G. Harding's campaign slogan for the election of 1920 When - 1920s Why - It evoked a return to the way of life before World War I, the First Red Scare, and the Spanish flu pandemic. Harding's campaign promised a return to "normalcy," rejecting the activism of Theodore Roosevelt and the idealism of Woodrow Wilson. How - Harding's campaign of normalcy essentially meant that America would return to its state before Roosevelt, Wilson, and Taft's policies =. Essentially erasing the progressive era as a whole in order to just return to normalcy

Boxer Rebellion

What / Who - Uprising against foreigners that occurred in China about 1900 When - 1900 Why - The boxer rebellion was mostly started due to the long-standing abuse the Chinese experienced from the Europeans in their country. They invaded their country and took their resources while also attempting to control their people How - Though the Boxer Rebellion failed but it did enough to stir up national pride within China itself. In the aftermath of the boxer rebellion, China ended up with a huge lost and had to pay even more money to the other countries

Armistice Day 11-11-1918 (11th hour)

What / Who - Veterans day for the Americans but the day WW1 ended for other European countries When - 1918 Why - Armistice Day, the day that marks the end of World War I. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when the armistice was signed, over 20 million people had lost their lives. It marks the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne How - This is a day that was memorable to many. Many lives were lost during the world war and it was one of the most devastating wars that the world had seen thus far. Armistice day was the best thing they could do to celebrate the end to such a devastating war

19th amendment

What / Who - Vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. When - 1920 Why - The 19th amendment officially granted women the right to vote as they were not allowed to discriminate voting based on sex. They now had more rights and were one step closer to being equal to men How - The 19th amendment showed how the efforts of suffragettes did not go to waste. The government eventually caved in and gave women the right to vote. This means they were being less undermined by the men of society

War Production Board

What / Who - War production board was an agency of the United States government that supervised war production during World War II When - 1942-1945 Why - The WPB ensured that each factory received the materials it needed to operate, in order to produce the most war goods in the shortest time. From 1942 to 1945 the WPB directed the production of $185 billion worth of armament and supplies. The WPB replaced the Supply Priorities and Allocation Board as well as the Office of Production Management. How - Its purpose was to regulate the production and distribution of materials during World War II in the United States, and to convert peacetime industries to meet the demands of war. This was what allowed America to produce the number of goods that they needed for the war

Russo-Japanese War

What / Who - War was fought between the Empire of Japan and the Russian Empire during 1904 and 1905 over rival imperial ambitions in Manchuria and Korea When - Feb 8, 1904 - Sep 5, 1905 Why - A victorious Japan forced Russia to abandon its expansionist policy in East Asia, thereby becoming the first Asian power in modern times to defeat a European power. As a result, the Russian Empire and Tsar Nicholas II lost considerable prestige, along with two of their three naval fleets How - The Russo-Japanese war weakened Russia immensely and helped Japan gain some recognition amongst the world powers. It also means that European countries may start to undermine Asian countries less

Huey Long

What / Who - Was an American politician who served as the 40th governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 When - August 30, 1893 Why - He established himself as an isolationist, arguing that Standard Oil and Wall Street orchestrated American foreign policy. He was instrumental in securing Roosevelt's 1932 nomination but split with him in 1933, becoming a prominent critic of his New Deal How - As an alternative, he proposed the Share Our Wealth program in 1934. To stimulate the economy, he advocated massive federal spending, a wealth tax, and wealth redistribution. These proposals drew wide support with millions joining local Share Our Wealth clubs

Bank runs

What / Who - When large number of customers of a bank or other financial institution withdraw their deposits simultaneously When - 20th century Why - During a bank run, a bank must quickly liquidate loans and sell its assets (often at rock-bottom prices) to come up with the necessary cash, and the losses they suffer can threaten the bank's solvency. How - During the great depression there were a number of bank runs occurring due to people who were constantly worried about their money disappearing. Banks, however, had no money to provide their customers which led to their downfall

Back to Africa Movement

What / Who - Widespread belief in the United States that African Americans would want to return to the continent of Africa. When - 1920s Why - The back to Africa movement encouraged those of African descent to return to Africa to their ancestors so that they could have their own empire because they were treated poorly in America. How - The movement encouraged those of African descent to return to the African homelands of their ancestors. This movement would eventually inspire other movements ranging from the Nation of Islam to the Rastafari movement, and proved to be popular among African-Americans.

William Borah

What / Who - William Edgar Borah was an outspoken Republican United States Senator, one of the best-known figures in Idaho's history When - June 29, 1865 Why - Borah is often considered an isolationist because he led the Irreconcilables, senators who would not accept the Treaty of Versailles, Senate ratification of which would have made the U.S. part of the League of Nations. How - Borah was a very important figure n influencing the ratification of the treaty of Versailles in the United States. He led many people to oppose its ratification which made it so that the treaty ended up not getting ratified afterall

Radio. Flappers

What / Who - Young women known for their energetic freedom When - 1920s Why - They embraced a lifestyle viewed by many at the time as outrageous, immoral, or downright dangerous. Now considered the first generation of independent American women, flappers pushed barriers in economic, political, and sexual freedom for women How - Though it was controversial, lots of women in the United States were drawn to the idea of being a flapper. It was something that was out of the norm and it meant that they would have more freedom in life to do what they wanted

Teller Amendment

What / Who - an amendment to a joint resolution of the United States Congress When - April 20, 1898 Why - It placed a condition on the United States military's presence in Cuba. Telle proposed an amendment to the U.S. declaration of war against Spain which proclaimed that the United States would not establish permanent control over Cuba How - Basically this was to make sure that the Cubans would allow America to help them fight because they could retain their independence this way. If Americans helped them without the amendment, by the end of the war they may just end up being an American territory

Fascism

What / Who - authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power, When - Early 20th century Why - Although fascist parties and movements differed significantly from one another, they had many characteristics in common, including extreme militaristic nationalism, contempt for electoral democracy and political and cultural liberalism, a belief in the natural social hierarchy How - At the end of World War II, the major European fascist parties were broken up, and in some countries, they were officially banned. Although some European "neofascist" groups attracted large followings, especially in Italy and France, none were as influential as the major fascist parties of the interwar period.

Executive Order 8802

What / Who - banned discriminatory employment practices by Federal agencies and all unions and companies engaged in war-related work. When - June of 1941 Why - In order to appease the civil rights leaders the president issued Executive Order 8802, which specified that there would be no discrimination in the U.S. defense industry on the basis of race, color, or national origin. The order also established the Fair Employment Practices Commission to enforce the new policy. How - It was the first federal action, though not a law, to promote equal opportunity and prohibit employment discrimination in the United States. It was a really big win for civil rights activist who have protested for this all their lives

Boondoggling

What / Who - braided and knotted colorful strands of plastic and leather When - 1930s Why - While scouts continued to craft "boondoggles" during the Great Depression, few Americans had heard of them until they suddenly became front-page news. it became popular after that with the WPA instructing classes for it How - Hundreds of unemployed teachers, who were paid $87 a month by the WPA, received two hours of boondoggling instruction as part of their training to establish recreational programs that showed children in poorer neighborhoods how to transform discarded materials into useful gadgets and ornamental crafts.

Teapot Dome Scandal

What / Who - bribery scandal involving the administration of United States President Warren G. Harding When - 1922 Why - Convicted of accepting bribes from the oil companies, Albert Fall became the first presidential cabinet member to go to prison; no one was convicted of paying the bribes. How - Due to this scandal congress subsequently passed legislation, enduring to this day, giving subpoena power to the House and Senate for review of tax records of any U.S. citizen regardless of elected or appointed position.

Municipal reform

What / Who - changes in city governments made to encourage greater efficiency, honesty, and responsiveness When - 1906 Why - This movement was particularly strong in cities controlled by political machines, the undemocratic and corrupt arrangements through which bosses could profit by controlling city governments. Reformers during the progressive era wanted to tackle the tricky issue with overpowered corporations How - There ended up being successful municipal reforms during the progressive era. For example the Clayton anti-trust act which tightened the regulation and destroying of trusts and monopolies in society

Trench warfare

What / Who - combat in which armies attack, counterattack, and defend from relatively permanent systems of trenches dug into the ground When - Why - Trench warfare was generally how soldiers of the world war fought each other. Each trench was dug in a type of zigzag so that no enemy, standing at one end, could fire for more than a few yards down its length. How - Life in the trenches was very difficult because they were dirty and flooded in bad weather. Many of the trenches also had pests living in them, including rats, lice, and frogs. Cold weather was dangerous too, and soldiers often lost fingers or toes to frostbite.

Hoover Dam

What / Who - concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River When - 1930s Why - The main reason for building Hoover Dam was to supply the electrical power necessary to transport 4.4 million acre-feet—over a quarter of the Colorado River's average annual flow—to California How - The dame helped tame the flood-prone Colorado River southeast of Las Vegas―protecting cities and farms, generating cheap electricity to supply power to homes and industry, and providing work for thousands who desperately needed jobs.

McNary-Haugen Bill

What / Who - controversial plan in the 1920s to subsidize American agriculture When - 1920s Why - The bill called for the subsidizing of American agriculture by raising the domestic prices of farm products. The plan was for the government to buy the wheat and then store it or export it at a loss How - Despite attempts in 1924, 1926, 1927, and 1931 to pass the bill, it was vetoed by President Calvin Coolidge, and not approved. To aid farmers would have artificially raised agricultural prices by selling surpluses overseas for low prices and selling the reduced supply in the United States for higher prices.

Hepburn Act

What / Who - created the federal government's first true regulatory agency When - 1906 Why - The Hepburn Rate Act was intended to give power to the Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroad shipping rates. Over the course of the next several months the bill was fiercely debated and pro-railroad Senators, intent on weakening the bill, tacked on amendment after amendment. How - The Hepburn act was similar to several other acts that Roosevelt passed during his presidency. In that, it was meant to reduce the corruption that was occurring in America.

Appeasement

What / Who - diplomatic policy of making political, material, or territorial concessions to an aggressive power in order to avoid conflict When - 1900s Why - instituted in the hope of avoiding war, appeasement was the name given to Britain's policy in the 1930s of allowing Hitler to expand German territory unchecked. Most closely associated with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, it is now widely discredited as a policy of weakness. How - The policy of appeasement was what many argued to be the cause of Hitler's supreme power. The reason why Hitler was able to stay in power for so long was because many countries decided to appease to him instead of actively getting him down

Forest Reserve Act

What / Who - federal legislation signed by President Benjamin Harrison reversing previous policy initiatives When - March 3, 1891 Why - The Forest Reserve Act of 1891 had mixed purposes -- to protect watersheds from erosion and flooding and to preserve the nation's timber supply from over-exploitation. The law gives the President of the United States the authority to unilaterally set aside forest reserves from land in the public domain How - This was a continuation of the conservation movement that occurred during the progressive era. Basically, it made it so that land and forests would be reserved so that they would be safe from destruction. Trees are forests provide a great deal of oxygen as well as consumers of CO2 for the environment

Victory Gardens

What / Who - food gardens for defense, were vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks in the United States When - 20th century Why - Victory gardens, provided American citizens an opportunity to assist with the war effort. Americans were encouraged to produce their own food, planting vegetable gardens in their backyards, churchyards, city parks, and playgrounds. It was done to ensure an adequate food supply for civilians and troops. How - It was due to victory gardens as well as other rationing strategies that allowed Americans to preserve many materials for its soldiers. It was also largely due to the materials that Americans had that they were able to win the war

Bonus Army

What / Who - gathering of probably 10,000 to 25,000 World War I veterans When - mid-1932 Why - The veterans demanded immediate bonus payment for wartime services to alleviate the economic hardship of the Great Depression. They marched with a bunch of other veterans as well as non-veterans How - Overall, the bonus amry was a failure demonstrators were dispersed, demands were rejected, but it did lead to Herbert Hoover losing 1932 presidential election. Many people were shot during the march by policemen creating a bad look on Hoover

RFC (Reconstruction Finance Corporation)

What / Who - government lending agency established under the Hoover administration in order to assist insurance companies, banks, agricultural organizations, railroads, and local governments When - 1932 Why - The RFC made little use of its powers under the Herbert Hoover administration but was more vigorously utilized during the New Deal years and contributed greatly to the recovery effort How - As the functions of the RFC grew, however, and as it began to assume responsibility for disbursing huge sums of money, it tended to become involved in politics. Later on, it even went on to reveal corruptions that existed within society

Speakeasies and Bootleggers

What / Who - illegal taverns that sell alcoholic beverages When - 1920 to 1933 Why - Speakeasies, illegal taverns that sell alcoholic beverages, came to an all-time high during the Prohibition era in the United States from 1920 to 1933. These bars, which were also called blind pigs or blind tigers, were often operated by organized crime members. How - These illegal bars were one of the only ways for people were able to obtain alcohol. They were supposed to be secretive and people would generally need a secret password in order to get into the speakeasies

Harlem Renaissance

What / Who - intellectual and cultural revival of African American music, dance, art, fashion, literature, theater, politics, and scholarship centered in Harlem When - 1920s-1930s Why - Due to the great migration, many black people moved towards Harlem which contributed to the emergence of the Harlem renaissance. Lasting roughly from the 1910s through the mid-1930s, the period is considered a golden age in African American culture, manifesting in literature, music, stage performance and art. How - The Harlem Renaissance was a golden age for African American artists, writers and musicians. It gave these artists pride in and control over how the Black experience was represented in American culture and set the stage for the civil rights movement.

PWA

What / Who - large-scale public works construction agency When - 1933 Why - It built large-scale public works such as dams, bridges, hospitals, and schools. It was designed to reduce unemployment and increase purchasing power through the construction of highways and public buildings. How - Many people were hired to build the structures that the PWA wanted allowing the unemployment rates in America to reduce. Although there were still many that were unemployed, this did give citizens job opportunities

Battle of the Bulge

What / Who - major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II When - Dec 16, 1944 - Jan 25, 1945 Why - The Battle of the Bulge started on December 16, 1944, when German forces launched a surprise attack on Allied forces in the forested Ardennes region in Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. The battle lasted until January 16, 1945, after the Allied counteroffensive forced German troops to withdraw. How - The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German military offensive in western Europe. The Battle of the Bulge was a turning point in WWII because it represented Germany's last best chance to win on the Western Front and force the Allies out. Fortunately, it ended in German defeat

Dust Bowl

What / Who - name given to the drought-stricken Southern Plains region of the United States When - 1930s Why - As high winds and choking dust swept the region from Texas to Nebraska, people and livestock were killed and crops failed across the entire region. People had to live in shacks all the while suffering through starvation How - The Dust Bowl intensified the crushing economic impacts of the Great Depression and drove many farming families on a desperate migration in search of work and better living conditions. It only served to woren the conditions of the great depression

Central Powers

What / Who - one of the two main coalitions that fought World War I. It consisted of the German Empire, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Bulgaria When - June 28, 1914 Why - The central powers were the opponents of the allied powers which included France, Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan, and the United States. They were formed during world war one after the assassination of the archduke How - Central Powers lost due to a failure in tactics, a new enemy entering towards the end of the war and being starved into submission by their enemies. The loss of the central powers pushed America into stardom as they on the side that won

Glass Steagall Act (FDIC)

What / Who - our provisions of the United States Banking Act of 1933 When - 1933 Why - The Glass-Steagall Act effectively separated commercial banking from investment banking and created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. It was one of the most widely debated legislative initiatives before being signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in June 1933. How - Glass-Steagall restored confidence in the U.S. banking system. It increased trust by only allowing banks to use depositors' funds in safe investments. Its FDIC insurance program prevented further bank runs.

Imperialism

What / Who - policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force When - late 19th century-20th century in America Why - America was late to the imperialism hype due to the fact it spent most of its years in isolation as per Washington's farewell address. Later on, their journey to imperialism started through the annexation of Hawaii and purchase of Alaska How - Imperialism was another cause for WW1 because the war was one of the most effective ways for countries to gain land. each country wanted new lands for their resources and increase in power

isolationism

What / Who - policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups When - 1800s Why - America was mainly isolationist since the very beginning of it's creation. Washington's farewell address warned the future generations to stay out of foreign affairs and the US was doing a pretty good job following those instructions until the late 1800s. How - After the first world war, America attempted to return to isolationism, staying outside of foreign affairs. However, it became increasingly harder and harder for America to stay out of foreign affairs and they ended up having to get involved again for the second world war

Self-determination

What / Who - process by which a group of people form their own state and choose their own government When - No exact date Why - The idea of self-determination is one of the most important American principles. Having said, self-determination is one of the most important parts of democracy as it allows citizens themselves to have a say in the government How - The idea of self-determination has always been discussed in the United States but it became even more relevant in the aftermath of the Spanish-American war. America believed that the Philippines should not receive the right to self govern because they were too savage and unruly to do so

Pure Food and Drug Act

What / Who - prohibited the sale of misbranded or adulterated food and drugs and laid a foundation for the nation's first consumer protection agency When - January 1, 1907 Why - The act required that active ingredients be placed on the label of a drug's packaging and that drugs could not fall below purity levels established by the United States Pharmacopeia or the National Formulary. Anything that was too hazardous would be banned How - This was a step towards safer consumption of food for Americans. Now the government is actually trying to control and enforce laws to protect the safety of its citizens. Without this act who knows how many people would've been killed from eating dangerous and hazardous food

ERA (Equal Rights Amendment)

What / Who - proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would invalidate many state and federal laws that discriminate against women When - March 22, 1972 Why - First proposed by the National Woman's political party in 1923, the Equal Rights Amendment was to provide for the legal equality of the sexes and prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. It was rejected in 1923 but resurfaced later on How - 49 years later, in March 1972. It was then submitted to the state legislatures for ratification within seven years but, despite a deadline extension to June 1982, was not ratified by the requisite majority of 38 states until 2020.

Carrie A. Nation

What / Who - radical member of the temperance movement When - November 25, 1846 Why - Nation is noted for attacking alcohol-serving establishments with a hatchet. Nation was also concerned about tight clothing for women; she refused to wear a corset and urged women not to wear them because of its harmful effects on vital organs. How - Though she was beaten and jailed many times for "smashing" saloons, she continued to spread her word and promoted abstinence. Her crusade against drinking contributed to the passing of the Eighteenth Amendment.

Okies

What / Who - refugee farm families from the Southern Plains who migrated to California When - 1930s Why - The Okies migrated to California because they wanted to escape the ruin of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. The Dust Bowl years on the Southern Plains also had economic origins. They often were forced to work on large farms to support their families. How - Because they arrived impoverished and because wages were low, many lived in filth and squalor in tents and shantytowns along the irrigation ditches. Consequently, they were despised as "Okies," a term of disdain, even hate, pinned on economically degraded farm laborers no matter their state of origin.

Fundamentalism

What / Who - religious movement whose objectives were to return to the foundations of faith When - 1920s Why - Fundamentalism is characterized by a markedly strict literalism as it is applied to certain specific scriptures, dogmas, or ideologies, and a strong sense of the importance of maintaining ingroup and outgroup distinctions, leading to an emphasis on purity and the desire to return to a previous ideal How - Fundamentalism became a greatly debated topic after the scopes trial. Some people wanted to keep society and its values religious while others wanted to include science and logic in schools

Neutrality Acts

What / Who - series of acts passed in response to the growing threats and wars When - 1930s Why - Congress passed three "Neutrality Acts" that tried to keep the United States out of war, by making it illegal for Americans to sell or transport arms, or other war materials to belligerent nations. They sought to ensure that the US would not become entangled again in foreign conflicts. How - The legacy of the Neutrality Acts is widely regarded as having been generally negative since they made no distinction between aggressor and victim, treated both equally as belligerents, and limited the US government's ability to aid Britain and France against Nazi Germany.

Zoot Suit Riots

What / Who - series of riots in Los targeting young Latino and Mexican American city residents When - June 3-8, 1943 Why - The committee's report indicated that there were several factors involved but that racism was the central cause of the riots and that it was exacerbated by the response of the Los Angeles Police Department as well as by biased and inflammatory media coverage. How -While the 1992 riots revealed police brutality and discrimination against the Los Angeles Black community, the Zoot Suit riots illustrate how unrelated social pressures—such as war—can expose and inflame long-suppressed racism into violence even in a city as racially diverse as the City of Angels.

Hoovervilles

What / Who - shantytown built by unemployed and destitute people during the Depression When - 1930s Why - There were dozens in the state of Washington, hundreds throughout the country, each testifying to the housing crisis that accompanied the employment crisis of the early 1930s. they were named after the president as a way to mock him for his lack of actions How - Mass unemployment was rampant among men aged 18-50, and the lack of a social safety net continued to push them down the ladder. many people were forced to live in the run down Hoovervilles during the depression as President Hoover never directly provided relief to them

Allies and Alliance System

What / Who - state formally cooperating with another for a military or other purpose When - No exact date Why - Each country had its own allies and countries they would cooperate with. Generally, they made a promise to mutually help each other out in case of crisis. Or if anything were to happen to them, they would have to support them How - Alliances and allyship were one of the major reasons for the start of world war I. When one event happened affecting a country, all their allies would gather up which would in turn also make the rivals gather together

Atlantic Charter

What / Who - statement that set out American and British goals for the world after the end of World War II When - August 14, 1941 Why - The joint statement outlined the aims of the United States and the United Kingdom for the postwar world as follows: no territorial aggrandizement, no territorial changes made against the wishes of the people, reduction of trade restrictions How - The charter inspired several other international agreements and events that followed the end of the war. The dismantling of the British Empire, the formation of NATO, and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade all derived from the Atlantic Charter.

"pump priming" economics

What / Who - steps taken to stimulate spending in an economy during or after a recession When - 20th century Why - Pump priming is government spending during a recessionary period in an attempt to stimulate private spending and the expansion of business and industry. ... Roosevelt became convinced by the fall of 1933 that pump-priming was necessary to achieve economic recovery. How - The increase in demand experienced through pump-priming can lead to increased profitability in the private sector, which assists with overall economic recovery. This is one of the steps the president took to pull America out of the depression

totalitarianism

What / Who - system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state When - 1900s Why - Totalitarianism permits no individual freedom and seeks to subordinate all aspects of individual life to the authority of the state. Benito Mussolini coined the term totalitario in the early 1920s to characterize the new fascist state of Ital How - By the beginning of World War II, totalitarianism had become synonymous with absolute and oppressive single-party government. This was another form of government that the US had to combat along with communism

Anschluss

What / Who - the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938 When - 1938 Why - Following the end of World War I with the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in 1918, the newly formed Republic of German-Austria attempted to form a union with Germany, but the Treaty of Saint Germain and the Treaty of Versailles forbade both the union How - Hitler wanted all German-speaking nations in Europe to be a part of Germany. To this end, he had designs on re-uniting Germany with his native homeland, Austria. Under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, however, Germany and Austria were forbidden to be unified.

CCC

What / Who - voluntary public work relief program that ran from 1933 to 1942 When - March 31, 1933 Why - The CCC was designed to supply jobs for young men and to relieve families who had difficulty finding jobs during the Great Depression in the United States. The largest enrollment at any one time was 300,000 How - The CCC planted more than three billion trees and constructed trails and shelters in more than 800 parks nationwide during its nine years of existence. The CCC helped to shape the modern national and state park systems we enjoy today.

Schenck v. United States/ "Clear and present danger"

What / Who -Landmark decision of the US Supreme Court concerning enforcement of the Espionage Act When - Jan 9, 1919 - Mar 3, 1919 Why - Schenck was charged with conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act of 1917 by attempting to cause insubordination in the military and to obstruct recruitment. He argued in court saying that the espionage act was an infringement on their rights How - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on March 3, 1919, that the freedom of speech protection afforded in the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment could be restricted if the words spoken or printed represented to society a "clear and present danger", essentially referring to times of war

Booker T. Washington

What/Who - American educator, author, orator, and adviser to several presidents of the United States When - April 5, 1856 Why - Prominent black American, born into slavery, who believed that racism would end once blacks acquired useful labor skills and proved their economic value to society, was head of the Tuskegee Institute in 1881. His book "Up from Slavery." How - Washington was greatly opposed to the disenfranchisement occurring in the US but didn't change it in the traditional way. He challenged it by showing how African Americans can be just as accomplished as any other white person and through education

Ida B. Wells

What/Who - American investigative journalist, educator, and early leader in the civil rights movement When - July 16, 1862 Why - African American journalist. published statistics about lynching. She urged African Americans to protest by refusing to ride streetcars or shop in white-owned stores How - Wells was responsible for bringing the cruelty that African Americans dealt with in society to light. Though many people ostracized and criticized her, she continued to pursue her cause and bring awareness to discrimination in America

W.E.B. Dubois

What/Who - An American and Ghanaian sociologist, socialist, historian, civil rights activist When - February 23, 1868 Why - Dubois was the 1st black person to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard. He also encouraged blacks to resist systems of segregation and discrimination, helped create NAACP in 1910 How - Dubois disagreed with Brooker T Washington and believed that African Americans should receive more power and rights. He didn't like the idea of just submitting to white authority

Niagara Movement

What/Who - Black civil rights organization founded in 1905 by a group of activist When - 1905 Why - W.E.B. Du Bois and other young activists, who did not believe in accommodation, came together at Niagara Falls in 1905 to demand full black equality. Demanded that African Americans get the right to vote in states where it had been taken away, segregation be abolished, and many discriminatory barriers be removed. How - The Niagara movement served to make up for the shortcomings of the 14th and 15th Amendments. Even though they were supposed to give African Americans equal rights, they certainly didn't. Du Bois constantly advocated for civil and political rights for African Americans

NAACP

What/Who - Interracial organization that aimed to abolish segregation and discrimination and to achieve political and civil rights for African Americans. When - February 12, 1909 Why - The NAACP was first formed after a group of African-American leaders met to discuss the challenges facing African Americans and possible strategies and solutions. They hoped to reduce the disenfranchisement that exists most heavily in the South How - The NAACP organization still exists today and shares the same goal as it did in the 20th century. This is a little sad because it shows how there is still a great amount of discrimination in America despite 100 years passing by. Nonetheless, they bring light to issues such as police misconduct, the status of black foreign refugees, and questions of economic development

Ku Klux Klan

Who/ What - American white supremacist terrorist hate group When - 1860s Why - The Ku Klux Klan was a hate group that formed during the reconstruction period. It was also a form of resistance against the reconstruction and hoped to disenfranchise African Americans. They also targeted republicans who disagreed with Southern democrats How - The KKK is a hate group that still exists today and still remains a threat to minority groups. They continue to use violence against groups they hate and were responsible for the suppression of many