American Imperialism
What is yellow journalism, and how did it lead to war?
Sensationalized news stirred public support for the Spanish-American War
What caused the Dust Bowl?
Drought, wind erosion, and poor farming practices
What is isolationism?
A policy of avoiding foreign conflicts
What was the Domino Theory?
The belief that if one country fell to communism, others nearby would follow.
Why did Iraq invade Kuwait in 1990?
Oil disputes and debt
What were the main challenges in building the Panama Canal?
Disease, difficult terrain, and diplomatic tensions
What were the effects of the stock market crash of 1929?
Massive unemployment, bank failures, and economic collapse
How did the spread of electricity change daily life?
Enabled use of electric appliances and improved home life.
What does “containment” mean in the context of the Cold War?
Preventing the spread of communism
What were Desert Storm and Desert Shield?
(Military operations to defend Saudi Arabia and liberate Kuwait in the Gulf War.)
Name 3 places/territories that the U.S. acquired during the Age of Imperialism.
Philippines, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam, Cuba
What was Hoover’s strategy for dealing with the Great Depression?
Limited federal involvement; relied on local action and voluntary cooperation.
What was the purpose of the Marshall Plan?
To rebuild Europe’s economy and prevent the spread of communism after WWII.
What was the Great Migration and its impact?
Movement of African Americans to the North; reshaped cities and culture.
What was the purpose of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
To monitor and regulate pollution and environmental health hazards
Why did the U.S. consider the Panama Canal a strategic asset?
It allowed faster naval and commercial movement between oceans, enhancing global power.
Why was FDR’s court-packing plan controversial?
It threatened judicial independence and checks and balances
What were the causes of the First Red Scare?
Fear of communism after the Russian Revolution led to anti-immigrant sentiment
What did the Brown v. Board of Education decision declare?
Segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.
What did the 26th Amendment do?
Lowered the voting age to 18
Why did the US annex Hawaii in 1898?
To create a naval/refueling port in the Pacific Ocean.
What was the Glass-Steagall Act?
A banking reform law that separated commercial and investment banking.
What did Executive Order 9066 do?
Put Japanese Americans intointernment camps.
What role did media play during the Vietnam War?
It exposed the harsh realities and shifted public opinion
What were the key terms of the SALT I Treaty?
Limited the number of nuclear weapons held by the U.S. and USSR.