Glossary
Acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines
Territories gained by the United States from Spain following the Spanish-American War in 1898, marking a significant step in American imperialism.
Example:
The acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines sparked debates within the US about the morality and implications of becoming an imperial power.
Annexation of Hawaii
The formal act of incorporating Hawaii into the United States territory in 1898, driven by economic interests and strategic military considerations.
Example:
The annexation of Hawaii provided the United States with a crucial naval base in the Pacific, solidifying its presence in the region.
Atomic Weapons
Nuclear weapons developed during World War II, which gave the United States unprecedented military power and geopolitical leverage.
Example:
The development and use of atomic weapons by the United States at the end of World War II ushered in the nuclear age and profoundly impacted international relations.
Automobiles and Radio
Key technological innovations of the early 20th century that transformed transportation, communication, and entertainment.
Example:
The widespread adoption of automobiles and radio in the 1920s dramatically changed daily life, allowing for easier travel and access to mass media.
Bretton Woods System
A system of monetary management established in 1944, which set up a framework for international economic cooperation and stability, with the US dollar at its center.
Example:
The Bretton Woods System helped to stabilize the global economy after World War II by establishing fixed exchange rates and creating institutions like the International Monetary Fund.
Cold War
A geopolitical rivalry between the United States and its allies and the Soviet Union and its satellite states, lasting from the mid-1940s until the early 1990s.
Example:
The emergence of the US as a superpower after World War II directly set the stage for the ideological and political conflict of the Cold War.
Consumer Culture
A society in which the buying and selling of goods and services is a dominant economic and cultural activity.
Example:
The widespread availability of new appliances and advertising in the 1920s helped foster a vibrant consumer culture, encouraging people to purchase more goods.
Corporations (Trusts)
Large business organizations that gained significant control over industries, often through monopolies or cartels, to reduce competition.
Example:
John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil was a powerful trust that dominated the oil industry, leading to concerns about its immense economic power.
Expansionism
A policy of territorial or economic expansion, often through military force or political influence.
Example:
The late 19th century saw the US embrace expansionism, acquiring territories beyond its continental borders and extending its global reach.
Government-funded Public Works
Infrastructure projects financed by the government to create jobs and stimulate the economy, often during times of economic downturn.
Example:
The construction of dams, bridges, and schools by the Public Works Administration (PWA) were examples of government-funded public works that provided employment during the Depression.
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:
During the Great Depression, many families lost their homes and jobs, leading to widespread poverty and the iconic image of breadlines.
Industrial Capitalism
An economic system characterized by the dominance of large-scale industries and the pursuit of profit through mass production and market control.
Example:
The rise of steel mills and railroad networks exemplified the era of industrial capitalism, transforming the American economy and creating immense wealth for some.
Industrialization
The process by which an economy is transformed from primarily agricultural to one based on the manufacturing of goods.
Example:
The late 19th century saw rapid industrialization in the US, as factories churned out goods and cities swelled with new workers.
Internal Migration
The movement of people within the borders of a single country, often leading to shifts in population distribution and urbanization.
Example:
The Great Migration, where African Americans moved from the rural South to northern cities, is a prime example of internal migration that reshaped American demographics.
International Migration
The movement of people from one country to another, often driven by economic opportunities, political unrest, or conflict.
Example:
Following World War I and the Russian Revolution, the United States experienced significant international migration as people sought refuge and new beginnings.
Isolationism
A national policy of avoiding political or economic relations with other countries.
Example:
After World War I, the United States largely returned to a policy of isolationism, choosing not to join the League of Nations despite President Wilson's efforts.
Laissez-faire
An economic doctrine that advocates for minimal government intervention in the economy, allowing free markets to operate without regulation.
Example:
Prior to the Great Depression, many believed in a laissez-faire approach, arguing that the government should not interfere with business or the economy.
Manifest Destiny
The 19th-century belief that the expansion of the US across the North American continent was divinely ordained and inevitable.
Example:
While initially focused on westward expansion, the concept of Manifest Destiny was later invoked by some to justify overseas territorial acquisitions.
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 Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal program, put thousands of unemployed young men to work on conservation projects across the country.
Panama Canal Zone
A 10-mile-wide strip of land across the Isthmus of Panama, acquired by the US in 1903 for the construction and operation of the Panama Canal.
Example:
The strategic importance of the Panama Canal Zone allowed the US to control a vital shortcut for global shipping and naval movements.
Social Welfare Programs
Government initiatives designed to provide basic necessities and support to citizens, especially those in need.
Example:
The Social Security Act, a key social welfare program of the New Deal, established a system of unemployment insurance and old-age pensions.
United Nations
An international organization founded in 1945 after World War II to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts.
Example:
The US played a leading role in the formation of the United Nations, reflecting a post-war commitment to global diplomacy.
World War I
A global war originating in Europe that lasted from 1914 to 1918, in which the United States played a crucial, albeit late, role.
Example:
The entry of the United States into World War I in 1917 provided a significant boost to the Allied powers, helping to turn the tide of the conflict.
World War II
A global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945, in which the United States emerged as a dominant global superpower.
Example:
During World War II, American factories rapidly converted to wartime production, earning the US the nickname 'arsenal of democracy'.