Imperialism
The policy or practice of extending a nation's power and influence through diplomacy or military force. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the United States engaged in imperialism by acquiring territories and exerting control over other nations, driven by economic interests, national security, and a belief in cultural superiority.
Imperialism
The national ban on the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the United States, mandated by the 18th Amendment and enforced by the Volstead Act from 1920 to 1933. Prohibition aimed to reduce crime and corruption but ultimately led to widespread illegal activity and was repealed by the 21st Amendment.
Prohibition
A cultural, social, and artistic explosion centered in New York, during the 1920s. It celebrated Black culture and identity through literature, music, art, and intellectual discourse, featuring prominent figures such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Duke Ellington. It played a significant role in shaping the modern civil rights movement.
Harlem Renaissance
M.A.I.N Causes of WWI
Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
The forced relocation and internment of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens, during World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government justified internment as a national security measure, leading to significant loss of property and civil liberties for those affected.
Internment Camps
A phrase coined by Rudyard Kipling that expressed the idea that it was the responsibility of Western nations, particularly the United States and Great Britain, to civilize and uplift non-Western societies. This concept was used to justify imperialism and colonialism, suggesting that imperial powers had a moral obligation to govern and educate "lesser" peoples.
White Man's Burden
Investigative journalists and writers during the Progressive Era who exposed corruption, social injustices, and abuses in politics and business. These people, such as Upton Sinclair and Ida B. Wells, played a crucial role in raising public awareness and prompting reform through their impactful writings.
Muckrakers
A series of programs, policies, and reforms enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression. It aimed to provide relief for the unemployed, stimulate economic recovery, and reform the financial system. It included initiatives such as Social Security, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the Works Progress Administration.
New Deal
A statement of principles for peace proposed by President Woodrow Wilson in January 1918 as a basis for negotiating the end of World War I. It included ideas such as self-determination, freedom of the seas, and the establishment of a League of Nations to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts.
14 Points
A movement during World War II advocating for two victories: one against fascism abroad and another against racial discrimination at home. It was primarily promoted by African American leaders and organizations, aimed to highlight the hypocrisy of fighting for democracy overseas while facing segregation and inequality in the United States.
Double V Campaign
A ship that exploded in Havana Harbor, Cuba, in 1898. It became a rallying cry for those advocating for war against Spain, as many Americans believed that Spain was responsible for the explosion, which helped ignite the Spanish-American War.
USS Maine/Remember the Maine
A novel written by Upton Sinclair, published in 1906, that exposed the harsh conditions and exploitation of workers in the meatpacking industry. The book also revealed unsanitary practices in food production, leading to public outrage and the eventual passage of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act.
The Jungle
A New Deal program established in 1933 that employed young men in public works projects related to natural resource conservation and environmental improvement. It focused on reforestation, flood control, and the development of national parks, providing jobs and vocational training while also enhancing the nation's natural landscapes.
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
A secret diplomatic communication sent by the German Empire to Mexico in January 1917, proposing a military alliance against the United States. The telegram was intercepted and decoded by British intelligence, and its publication in the U.S. further inflamed public opinion against Germany, contributing to America's entry into the war.
Zimmerman Telegram/Note
The 32nd President of the United States, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. He led the country through the Great Depression and World War II, implementing the New Deal to address economic challenges and becoming a key figure in international diplomacy during the war. His leadership style and policies significantly shaped modern American government.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
A conflict in 1898 between the United States and Spain, primarily over the issue of Cuban independence. The war resulted in a quick victory for the U.S. and led to the acquisition of several territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, marking a significant expansion of American imperialism.
Spanish-American War
State and local laws enacted in the South from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised Black Americans. These laws institutionalized systemic racism and discrimination in public facilities, education, transportation, and voting.
Jim Crow Laws
A severe worldwide economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted through the late 1930s. It was marked by widespread unemployment, bank failures, and a significant decline in industrial production and international trade. It profoundly affected American society and led to significant government intervention in the economy.
Great Depression
The peace treaty that officially ended World War I, signed on June 28, 1919. The treaty imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany, redrew national boundaries in Europe, and established the League of Nations. The harsh terms of the treaty contributed to economic difficulties and political instability in Germany, laying the groundwork for World War II.
Treaty of Versailles
A U.S. policy enacted in March 1941 that allowed the government to supply Allied nations with military aid and supplies during World War II. The Lend-Lease Act was a crucial measure to support countries like Britain and the Soviet Union, enabling them to continue their fight against Axis powers without immediate payment.
Leand-Lease Act
A 1901 amendment to the Cuban Constitution that outlined the conditions under which the United States would withdraw its troops from Cuba after the Spanish-American War. It allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs and established naval bases on the island, effectively making Cuba a protectorate of the United States.
Platt Amendment
Ratified in 1920, this constitutional amendment granted women the right to vote in the United States. The passage of it was the culmination of a long struggle for women's suffrage and represented a significant victory for the women's rights movement during the Progressive Era.
19th Amendment
Enacted in 1935, this landmark legislation established a system of old-age benefits, unemployment insurance, and assistance for the disabled and dependent children. It aimed to provide a safety net for Americans and is considered a fundamental component of the modern welfare state.
Social Security Act
The movement of over six million African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West between 1916 and 1970. The Great Migration was driven by the search for better economic opportunities, escaping Jim Crow laws, and the demand for labor in industrial jobs during World War I.
Great Migration
An agency established in 1942 to oversee the conversion of industries from peacetime to wartime production. The War Production Board coordinated the production of war materials, ensured the efficient use of resources, and prioritized the manufacturing of military equipment, playing a vital role in the U.S. war effort.
War Production Board