Glossary
Atomic bomb
A devastating nuclear weapon developed by the United States during World War II, first used against Japan in 1945.
Example:
The development and use of the Atomic bomb ushered in the nuclear age and profoundly impacted post-war international relations.
Black Tuesday
The name given to October 29, 1929, when the U.S. stock market crashed, marking the beginning of the Great Depression.
Example:
The panic selling on Black Tuesday wiped out billions of dollars in wealth and signaled the start of a devastating economic downturn.
Electricity
A fundamental form of energy that became widely available in the early 20th century, powering factories, homes, and new inventions.
Example:
The availability of Electricity allowed factories to operate 24/7 and led to the invention of countless new appliances, transforming daily life.
Expansionism
A policy of territorial or economic expansion, often through military aggression or political influence.
Example:
The late 19th century saw a surge in American Expansionism, leading to the acquisition of new territories beyond its continental borders.
Federal Reserve System
The central banking system of the United States, created in 1913 during the Progressive Era to provide a stable financial system and regulate the nation's money supply.
Example:
The establishment of the Federal Reserve System aimed to prevent future financial panics by giving the government more control over banking.
Federal income tax
A tax levied by the U.S. government on the earnings of individuals and corporations, established by the 16th Amendment in 1913.
Example:
The implementation of a Federal income tax provided the government with a new and significant source of revenue to fund public services and programs.
Great Depression
A severe worldwide economic depression that took place mostly during the 1930s, beginning in the United States with the stock market crash of 1929.
Example:
The Great Depression led to widespread unemployment, poverty, and social unrest, profoundly impacting American society for over a decade.
Guam
A Pacific island that became a U.S. territory after the Spanish-American War, serving as a strategic naval base.
Example:
The acquisition of Guam provided the U.S. with a crucial coaling station and naval outpost in the Pacific.
Hawaiian Annexation
The 1898 process by which the United States formally acquired the Hawaiian Islands, following a period of American economic and political influence.
Example:
The Hawaiian Annexation was driven by American business interests and strategic military considerations in the Pacific.
Imperialism
A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means of domination.
Example:
The debates surrounding the annexation of the Philippines after the Spanish-American War reflected America's struggle with the concept of Imperialism.
Industrialization
The process by which an economy is transformed from primarily agricultural to one based on the manufacturing of goods, leading to significant societal changes.
Example:
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the United States undergo rapid Industrialization, transforming its economy and creating new urban centers.
Internal Migration
The movement of people within the borders of a country, often from rural areas to urban centers or from one region to another.
Example:
The Great Migration, where African Americans moved from the rural South to northern cities, is a prime example of Internal Migration in the early 20th century.
International Migration
The movement of people across national borders, often influenced by global events like wars, economic opportunities, or political instability.
Example:
Following World War I and the Russian Revolution, the United States saw a significant wave of International Migration from Europe.
League of Nations
An international organization proposed by President Woodrow Wilson after World War I, intended to promote world peace and cooperation, though the U.S. ultimately did not join.
Example:
Despite President Wilson's efforts, the U.S. Senate refused to ratify the treaty joining the League of Nations, contributing to its eventual weakness.
Marshall Plan
A U.S. program enacted after World War II that provided massive financial aid to help rebuild war-torn Western European economies.
Example:
The Marshall Plan was crucial in preventing the spread of communism in Western Europe by fostering economic recovery and stability.
Mass Culture
The set of cultural products, such as music, art, literature, fashion, dance, and film, that are consumed by the majority of a society's population.
Example:
The rise of radio and movies in the 1920s fostered a new Mass Culture, creating shared experiences and trends across the nation.
Materialism
A focus on material possessions and physical comfort as opposed to spiritual or intellectual pursuits.
Example:
Some critics of the booming 1920s worried that the new consumer culture was promoting excessive Materialism and undermining traditional values.
Modern Liberalism
A political ideology that emerged in the 20th century, emphasizing government responsibility for social and economic welfare, often associated with the New Deal.
Example:
The New Deal's expansion of government programs redefined Modern Liberalism, shifting its focus from individual liberty alone to collective well-being.
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance formed in 1949 by the U.S., Canada, and several Western European nations to provide collective security against the Soviet Union.
Example:
The formation of NATO signaled a new era of collective security and marked a significant departure from America's traditional isolationist foreign policy.
National Industrial Recovery Act
A New Deal agency established in 1933 that aimed to stimulate economic recovery by regulating industry through fair competition codes and public works projects.
Example:
The National Industrial Recovery Act sought to stabilize prices and wages, but parts of it were later declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
New Deal
A series of programs and reforms enacted in the United States between 1933 and 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, designed to combat the Great Depression.
Example:
The New Deal introduced unprecedented government intervention in the economy, creating programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps to provide jobs.
Philippines
A Southeast Asian archipelago that became a U.S. territory after the Spanish-American War, leading to a prolonged insurgency against American rule.
Example:
The U.S. struggled to suppress a nationalist rebellion in the Philippines after its annexation, sparking intense debate about American imperialism.
Progressive Era
A period of widespread social activism and political reform across the United States from the 1890s to the 1920s, aimed at addressing problems caused by industrialization and urbanization.
Example:
During the Progressive Era, reformers pushed for child labor laws and women's suffrage, seeking to improve society through government action.
Puerto Rico
A Caribbean island that became a U.S. territory after the Spanish-American War.
Example:
After the war, Puerto Rico transitioned from Spanish colonial rule to becoming a territory of the United States.
Radio
A revolutionary communication technology that allowed for the broadcast of audio programming to a wide audience, becoming a central part of American life in the 1920s and beyond.
Example:
Families gathered around the Radio to listen to news, music, and dramatic serials, creating a shared national experience.
Scopes Trial
A highly publicized 1925 court case in which a Tennessee teacher was prosecuted for teaching evolution, highlighting the cultural conflict between traditional religious beliefs and modern scientific thought.
Example:
The Scopes Trial became a national spectacle, symbolizing the deep divide between rural fundamentalism and urban modernism in America.
Social Security Act
A landmark 1935 New Deal law that created a national system of social insurance, providing old-age pensions, unemployment insurance, and aid to families with dependent children.
Example:
The Social Security Act established a crucial safety net for Americans, providing financial security for the elderly and unemployed.
Spanish-American War
A brief 1898 conflict between the United States and Spain, resulting in the U.S. gaining control of territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Example:
The Spanish-American War marked a turning point, signaling America's emergence as a global power with overseas possessions.
Telegraph
An early communication system that transmitted messages over long distances using electrical signals and Morse code.
Example:
Before the telephone, the Telegraph was the fastest way to send news and messages across the country, revolutionizing long-distance communication.
Telephone
A revolutionary communication technology invented in the late 19th century that allowed for instant voice communication over long distances.
Example:
The widespread adoption of the Telephone dramatically changed personal and business communication, making it easier to connect across the country.
United Nations
An international organization founded in 1945 after World War II, aimed at promoting international cooperation and maintaining peace and security.
Example:
The United Nations was created as a successor to the League of Nations, with the U.S. playing a leading role in its formation and ongoing operations.
Urbanization
The population shift from rural areas to cities, often driven by industrial growth and the search for economic opportunities.
Example:
As factories expanded, millions of Americans experienced Urbanization, moving from farms to bustling cities like Chicago and New York.
World War I
A major global conflict fought from 1914 to 1918, in which the United States eventually participated, emerging as a leading economic and military power.
Example:
America's entry into World War I helped turn the tide for the Allies and significantly boosted its international standing.
World War II
A global war fought from 1939 to 1945, in which the United States played a pivotal role, solidifying its position as a global superpower and ending the Great Depression.
Example:
America's involvement in World War II transformed its economy, society, and its role as a dominant force in international affairs.