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17th Amendment
Gave power for people to elect their representatives in congress and the House of Rep. Each state has 2 senators Senators are elected to a 6 year term. -
Reconstruction
A period of time between 1869 and 1877 where the U.S. advanced economically and socially. This period happened after the Civil War. The objective was to rebuild the south so that it could contribute to the entirety of the U.S. since America was one country again. Also protected African Americans. -
Influence of Sea Power Upon History
Written by Alfred Thayer Mahan. Talked about policies regarding naval tactics such as the importance of a strong and organized navy. Policies were adopted by the U.S. before WW1and strongly used in WWII. -
Scientific Management
Developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor. Played a big role in industrial businesses because it focused on becoming more efficient at producing products for consumers. -
Hawaiian Annexation
U.S. annexed Hawaii by request of President William McKinley Became a territory of the U.S. in 1900 Dole was first governor of Hawaii under territory of U.S. -
De Dome Letter
Was a letter written by the Spanish Ambassador, Enrique Dupuy de Lome, to the United States Letter called President William McKinley weak and concerned only with social acceptance. -
Anti-Imperialist League
Formed in 1898 to fight against the decision to annex the Philippines. Believed that economic, legal, racial, and moral values all suggested that this was a bad idea. League went against imperialistic ideas. -
Teller Amendment
An amendment to a joint resolution of U.S. congress. Reply to William McKinley's war message, it placed a condition on the military presence in Cuba. The amendment stated that the U.S. can only aid Cuba to smoothen or stabilize Cuba as a responsive action and not a proactive one. -
Sinking of the Maine
U.S. military ship entered Havana harbour January 1898. February 15 1898 the Maine anchored and was blown up. The ship sank and 260 officers and men died. -
Open Door Policy
A term used in foreign affairs for U.S. that established a system of trade in China open to all countries in an equal manner. Created by John Hay, secretary of State. This allowed for America to create trade between the west and the east. -
jingoism
Jingoism is an extreme form of nationalism, specifically patriotism. It also included a warlike attitude to foreign policy such as imperialism. -
Insular Cases
Several court cases which regarded the status of territories acquired by the U.S. during the Spanish-American war. They resulted as a response to the principle issue of the 1900 election and the Anti- Imperialist league. The league embodied the phrase, "Does the constitution follow the flag?" -
Newlands Reclamation Act
Is a U.S. Federal Statute. This fund provided arid lands of western America financial backing to farmers who were unable to carry out their irrigation due to financial constraints. -
Panama Canal
President Theodore Roosevelt oversaw the creation of the Panama Canal. Created because it would shorten trade times drastically. -
Support of Panamanian Revolt
The separation of Panama from Colombia was formalized in November 1093. The formal treaty ending the conflict of Colombia and Panama took place on the USS Mayflower. -
Roosevelt Corollary
Was an addition to the Monroe Doctrine. The corollary states that the U.S. will intervene in conflicts between European countries and Latin American countries to enforce legitimate claims of European powers, rather than having Europeans press their claims directly. -
Russo-Japanese War
War between the Japanese and Russian Empires. Lasted 1 year. Took place because they disagreed on who should get parts of Manchuria and Korea. -
The Jungle
Novel by American journalist Upton Sinclair. Novel portrayed harsh conditions and exploited lives of immigrants in the U.S. The primary focus was the terrible conditions and standards of the meat industry. Sinclair was a muckraker and uncovered corruption and later had an effect on changing sanitary codes enforced by the government. -
Meat Inspection Act
American Law that makes it a crime to misbrand meat and meat products being sold as food. Ensures that all meat products are produced under sanitary conditions. Brought to light by the book "The Jungle" Book accounted harsh conditions of the production of meat. -
Great White Fleet
Nickname for a powerful U.S. Navy fleet that sailed around the world from December 1907 to February 1909 by the order of President theodore Roosevelt Was a show of force and dominance of the U.S. -
NAACP
Formed as a civil rights organization to advance the societal place of colored people in America. Founded by W.E.B. DuBois. -
Federal Reserve Act
President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill in 1913 in December. Bankers opposed the act because of the presence of the Federal Reserve Board in the legislation because only one of its seven members could represent the banking community. Implemented to accomplish economic stability. -
Assembly line
A manufacturing process that assembles a product step by step along a path. This was used throughout many industrial businesses to save time and make more product. Worked especially well on cars and automobiles. Operated with interchangeable parts. -
Clayton Antitrust Act
This law was passed by congress. This law defines any and all unethical business practices such as: price-fixing, monopolies, upholding various rights of labor. -
Sussex Pledge
Promise made by Germany to the United States during WWI. Germany instituted a policy of unrestricted sub warfare, targeting armed merchant ships. Germany torpedoed an unarmed passenger ship and then declared that they would only target armed merchant ships. -
Espionage Act
Enforced largely by A.Mitchell Palmer, the U.S. attorney general under president Woodrow Wilson. Made it a crime for any person to convey any information intended to interfere with U.S. armed forces, prosecution of the war effort or to promote the success of the country's enemies. -
Zimmerman telegram
The telegram is very important in history. The U.S. intercepted a message from Germany to Mexico. This telegram held information that allowed the U.S. to expose a plan between Mexico and Germany. The plan said that if America joins the war (WWI) that Mexico should declare war on the U.S. -
Selective Service Act
Woodrow Wilson signed this act into law with support of congress that required all men between the ages of 21 and 30 to register for military service. It took less than a few months for over 10 million men across the country to be registered for military action. -
Treaty of Versailles
Brought WWI to its official end. Ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. Required Germany to take responsibility for all damage and accepted that it caused the war in the first place. Required Germany to pay reparations to nations that were involved and that they fought against. -
Fourteen Points
Statement of principles for peace that was used for negotiations in order to end WWi created by Woodrow Wilson. These were progressive ideas formed into foreign policy such as free trade, open agreements, democracy, and self- determinatin. -
Sedition Act
Was enacted during WWI, made it a crime to "willfully utter, print, write, or publish disloyal, profane, or abusive language about the form of government of the United States" Ultimately ruled that this law violated freedom of speech and was repealed. -
National War Labor Board
The NWLB was an agency of the U.S. that the government established to mediate labor disputes during WWI. -
Volstead Act
Also known as the National Prohibition Act. Provided enforcement of the 18th Amendment. Prohibited the national production and sale of all alcoholic beverages. -
Schenck v U.S.
Supreme Court case in 1919 that ruled that the freedom of speech protection from the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment could be restricted if the words spoken or printed represented to society are a clear and present danger to people. -
Palmer Raids
During the first Red Scare, the U.S. conducted many raids on suspected leftists and communists. Many of the captured people were Italian and Eastern European immigrants. This operation was held under the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. -
Harlem Renaissance
Artistic, intellectual and social explosion that originated in Harlem Manhattan, New York city spanning throughout the 1920's. Developed ideas of cultural expansion and recognition in society, mainly of blacks in America. Created the idea of a "New Negro" Was seen as a way for people to express their culture such as through music. -
Jazz
Jazz age was in the 1920's Originated mainly in New Orleans Known as "America's Classical Music" -
Red Scare
Widespread scare of a potential rise of communism of anarchy by a society or government. Refers to one of two cases where the U.S. designated these evens as the Red Scare's. First one happened because of the Russian Revolution along with hyper-nationalism due to the end of WW1. -
Jones Act
A federal statute that provides for the promotion and maintenance of the American merchant marine. Regulates maritime commerce in U.S. waters and between U.S. ports. -
League of Nations
Was the first worldwide governmental organization with a purpose to maintain world peace amongst all nations. Prevented wars through collective security and disarmament. Also addressed labor conditions and treatment of natives. Did not have much power and ultimately failed its purpose. -
Sacco And Vanzetti
Two anarchists from Italy were accused of murdering a guard and a paymaster. They were tried and convicted of the crime and put to death by the electric chair. The ruling was controversial and many people and celebrities protested and rioted against the ruling. Many believed the ruling was bias becuase of prejudice against Italians and the view on communism and anarchy at the time. -
Five-Power Naval Treaty
The Washington Naval Treaty was a treaty signed in 1922 among several other powerful nations. Prevented an arms race by limiting naval construction amongst the nations that won WWI. -
Dawes Plan
Stated that Germany would need to pay reparations to nations it had fought against in WWI. Germany would also be loaned 200 million dollars from Wall Street from the U.S. to help it rebuild its industry. -
Kellogg-Briand Treaty
An international agreement which signatory states promised not to use war as a resolution to a disagreement. No mechanisms for enforcement so it was ineffective at its purpose. Called for a peaceful settlement for disputes but ultimately failed. 31 signatory states in total. -
Black Tuesday
Black Tuesday refers to when panicked sellers traded nearly 16 million shares on the NY stock exchange. The Dow Jones Industrial average fell -12%. Black Tuesday is cited as the beginning of the Great Depression. -
Hawley-Smoot Tariff
Law implemented protectionist trade policies in the U.S. It increased 900 import tariffs by 43%. Blamed as worsening the Great Depression. Also contributed to the start of WWII. Signed by President Herbert Hoover. -
Good Neighbor Policy
An adopted U.S. policy doctrine by president Franklin D. Roosevelt. Designed to improve relations with Latin America. A reaction to an exploitive dollar diplomacy. Encouraged interaction between the U.S.and Latin America as equals. -
USSR Recognized
The recognition of the Soviet Union was hesitantly done in 1933. After almost 16 years of non-recognition of the USSR, Franklin Roosevelt recognized them after failed negotiations. The U.S. remained hostile to the USSR. Was one of the last nations to recognize the USSR. -
Dust bowl
Period of severe dust storms that greatly damaged ecology and furthermore the agriculture of the great plains. Came in three waves in 1934, 1936, and 1939. Caused by farmers plowing the land for fertile soil, consequently this sent dust up and caused havoc along the great plains and across all of America. This made travel and economic success more difficult because it prevented farmers from doing their job well since there was so much dust and the storms would destroy crops. -
Social Security Act
Established a system of old age benefits for workers, victims of industrial accidents, unemployment insurance, aid for dependent mothers and children, blind, and the physically handicapped. -
Italy invades Ethiopia
Italy's goal in invading Ethiopia was to boost Italian national prestige, As a result, Britain created large armies in Egypt to protect Italy's advance any further. -
Neutrality Acts ’35, ’36, ’37, ‘39
The Neutrality Acts were acts that limits U.S. involvement in future wars. This act supported the ideology of isolationism that was very popular among Americans. U.S. believed it was drawn into WWI because of indirect support via loans and trade with allies. -
Court Packing Scheme
Bill known as Roosevelt's "Court Packing Plan" Proposed to reorganize federal judiciary by adding a new justice each time they reached the age of seventy and failed to retire. He wanted this law to become enforced because it would balance political opinion for his New Deal -
Quarantine Speech
Roosevelt gave a speech in Chicago calling for an international quarantine against the epidemic of "world lawlessness". The response by society was mixed as some didn't agree with the isolationist ideology presented in American foreign affairs. No specific countries were mentioned but Italy, Japan, and Germany were most likely being addressed. -
Manhattan Project
Was a code name for the research and development of the atomic bomb. Started in fears that German scientists were already producing weapons of mass destruction, specifically atomic bombs. Was developed by Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard. -
New Deal
Series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by Franklin D.Roosevelt in the United States between 1933-1939. It responded to the Great Depression. Created to help relieve stress of the economy and the people. -
Pearl Harbor attack
A surprise attack by Japan to destroy most of the U.S. navy as quickly as possible with the element of surprise. Destroyed many ships and killed many men and women. This eventually forced the United States to join the war. -
Atlantic Charter
Outlined U.S.and U.K. views for the world. No territorial aggrandizement, no territorial changes made against the wishes of the people, restoration of self- government to those deprived of it, and reduction of trade restrictions. -
Oil & steel embargo (Japan)
Responding to the occupation of key airfields in Indochina, by agreement between Japan and Vichy France, The U.S. froze Japanese assets on July 26,1941. August 1, 1941, U.S. established an embargo on oil and gasoline exports to Japan, -
Holocaust
Hitler's authorized mass genocide of predominantly Jews in Europe. Killed in total 11 million people. Was a big part of Hitler's plans as a dictator. -
Braceros program
Series of laws and diplomatic agreements. The agreement guaranteed good living conditions, and a minimum 30 cents an hour, as well as protections against forced military service, and guaranteed part of wages were put into a private savings account in Mexico. A study in 2018 showed that the Bracero program did not have any adverse impact on the labor market outcomes of American-born farmers. -
Lend-Lease Act
President Roosevelt signed this act into law. It permitted him to "sell, transfer title to, exchange, lend, lease, or otherwise dispose of, to any such government, and defense article. This allowed the U.S. to help allies without directly being involved with the war. This still went along with the idea of isolation. -
Battle of Midway
A very important naval battle in the war in the Pacific in WWII. Japan wanted to destroy the U.S. fleet so they could control the Pacific. This U.S. victory turned the tides of the Pacific War against the Japanese Empire. -
Tehran Conference
Was a meeting between Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt that discussed military strategy. Tehran, Iran at the Soviet Embassy Consensus to open a second front against Nazi Germany by June 1, 1944. -
Japanese internment
Established by President Franklin Roosevelt through Executive Order 9066 during WWII. Japanese were interned because of the Japanese Empire's involvement in WWII. Removed many if not all Japanese Americans from the public population. -
Island-hopping
A military tactic used against Japan in the Pacific War in WWII. The tactic was fast and effective at taking land away from Japan quickly and without expending lots of resources on the newly acquired land. -
D-Day
The invasion of Northern France by beach landing. (Normandy) This invasion was very important and allowed Allied Forces to create a foothold in France. -
Yalta Conference
A meeting after WWII between U.S., U.K. and USSR about the future organization and separation of Germany and the rest of Europe. Agreed that Germany would be divided into four occupation zones, and that Berlin would be divided further into similar occupation zones amongst the nations. -
Potsdam Conference
The Big Three leaders met to negotiate terms for the end of WWII. Failed to settle the most important issues and this helped set the stage for the Cold War. Was the third conference between the three big superpowers. -
Hiroshima & Nagasaki
These were the two cities in Japan where the first Atomic Bombs were dropped by the United States. President Truman authorized the bombing consisting of two atomic bombs. This was so that Japan would surely surrender and the war would be over. -
Japan’s surrender
Announced by Japanese Emperor Hirohito on August 15. As a result of the atomic bombs dropped in Japan, they were forced to surrender. -
United Nations
Intergovernmental organization with a goal to maintain international peace and security and to develop friendly relations between all nations. Established after WWII with the hopes of preventing future wars. -
Cuban Revolt
Revolt in Cuba led by Fidel Castro and his militia. Militants were fighting against current dictator of Cuba, Fulgencio Balista. Resulted in Fidel Castro controlling Cuba. Since then has been ruled by the Communist party.
