test 2 Flashcards
(23 cards)
Cause for Spanish American War #1 (American Imperialism)
Cuban Struggle for Independence: Spain’s harsh treatment of Cubans led to rebellion, and many Americans sympathized with the Cuban people.
Cause for Spanish American War #2 (American Imperialism)
Yellow Journalism: Sensationalized news stories (by publishers like William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer) exaggerated Spanish atrocities, fueling American anger.
Cause for Spanish American War #3 (American Imperialism)
The De Lôme Letter: A Spanish diplomat’s letter criticizing U.S. President McKinley was leaked, enraging Americans.
Cause for Spanish American War #4 (American Imperialism)
USS Maine Explosion: The U.S. battleship Maine exploded in Havana Harbor. Though the cause was unclear, the press blamed Spain.
Cause for Spanish American War #5 (American Imperialism)
Economic Interests: American businesses had investments in Cuban sugar plantations and sought to protect their interests.
Effect of Spanish American War #1 (American Imperialism)
U.S. Victory and Treaty of Paris (1898): The war lasted only a few months, and Spain surrendered. The treaty gave the U.S. control over Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Effect of Spanish American War #2 (American Imperialism)
Cuba’s Independence & the Platt Amendment: While Cuba became independent, the U.S. forced Cuba to accept the Platt Amendment, allowing the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs and maintain a naval base at Guantanamo Bay.
Effect of Spanish American War #3 (American Imperialism)
Rise of American Imperialism: The U.S. became a global power with overseas territories.
Territorial Gains from Spanish American War: Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico
After the war, the U.S. gained these territories from Spain.
Philippines: The U.S. initially fought Filipino rebels who sought independence, leading to the brutal Philippine-American War (1899–1902).
Guam & Puerto Rico: Became U.S. territories, with Puerto Rico gaining U.S. citizenship in 1917.
What is the white man’s burden?
“The White Man’s Burden”: A poem by Rudyard Kipling, arguing that imperialism was a moral duty of Western nations to “civilize” non-Western peoples.
What did Imperialists believe?
Imperialists (Pro-Expansion): Believed expansion benefited the U.S. economically and strategically.
Key Figures: Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge
What did Anti-Imperialists believe?
Anti-Imperialists (Against Expansion): Believed imperialism was against American values of democracy and self-determination.
Key Figures: Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie
Progressive Era: Government Activity & Philosophy
New Role of Government: The Progressives believed in a more active federal government to regulate business, improve society, and protect citizens.
Presidents of the Early 20th Century:
Theodore Roosevelt: Trust-busting, conservation, and the Square Deal.
William Taft: Continued trust-busting, but had a more conservative approach.
Woodrow Wilson: New Freedom policies, banking reform, and antitrust measures.
Washington vs. Du Bois:
Booker T. Washington: Advocated for gradual economic progress for Black Americans before demanding civil rights.
W.E.B. Du Bois: Pushed for immediate equality and helped found the NAACP.
who were muckrackers?
Muckrakers: Investigative journalists who exposed corruption and social injustices
Progressive Reformers
Lewis Hine: Photographed child labor abuses.
Upton Sinclair: Wrote The Jungle, exposing unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry.
Jacob Riis: Wrote How the Other Half Lives, showing the struggles of urban poverty.
Major Labor & Social Struggles
Pullman Strike (1894): Nationwide railway strike crushed by federal troops.
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (1911): A deadly factory fire that led to workplace safety reforms.
Consumer Protection & Conservation Efforts
Pure Food and Drug Act (1906): Required labeling of food and medicines to prevent fraud and contamination.
Meat Inspection Act (1906): Established meatpacking industry regulations.
John Muir: A naturalist who influenced the creation of national parks and conservation policies.
Key Policies Under Taft & Wilson
Taft’s Reforms: Continued antitrust actions but faced criticism for being too conservative.
Woodrow Wilson’s Reforms:
Federal Reserve Act (1913): Created the Federal Reserve System to regulate banking.
16th Amendment: Allowed Congress to impose a federal income tax.
17th Amendment: Allowed for the direct election of U.S. Senators.
Warren Harding’s Presidency (1921-1923)
Return to Normalcy: Harding’s promise to restore pre-war stability and limited government intervention.
Teapot Dome Scandal: A major bribery scandal involving oil reserves and government corruption.
World War I (1914-1918)
Causes of the War:
Imperialism: European nations competed for colonies, especially in Africa.
Militarism: An arms race created tensions.
Alliances: Two rival alliances formed—Allied Powers vs. Central Powers.
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: Sparked the war.
Alliances:
Allied Powers: Britain, France, Russia, later joined by the U.S.
Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire.
New Weapons & Warfare:
Trench Warfare: Stalemate conditions on the Western Front.
Machine Guns, Poison Gas, Tanks, and Submarines: Changed the nature of combat.
U.S. Involvement in World War I
Initially Neutral: Wilson wanted to keep the U.S. out of the war.
Reasons for Entering the War:
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: Germany sank American ships.
Zimmermann Telegram: Germany tried to get Mexico to attack the U.S.
Economic Ties to Allies: The U.S. had strong trade relationships with Britain and France.
Post-War Era & the Treaty of Versailles
Wilson’s 14 Points: His vision for world peace, including the League of Nations.
War Guilt Clause: Blamed Germany for the war, leading to heavy reparations.
League of Nations Debate in the U.S.:
Wilson’s Position: Supported the League to prevent future wars.
Henry Cabot Lodge’s Opposition: Feared it would entangle the U.S. in future conflicts.
Effects of World War I on the U.S.
Social Changes: Women’s roles expanded, leading to suffrage (19th Amendment).
Postwar Economy: A shift back to peacetime production led to instability.
Labor Unrest: Strikes increased due to inflation and poor working conditions.
