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U.S. History Final
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Sinking of the U.S.S. Maine
When the Maine exploded in Havana harbor no one had any clue who or how. In the explosoin 260 men were U.S. men were killed which angered everyone. Many pointed fingers at Spain and when the news hit home the nation was outraged. Many called for war and soon after we entered fighting for the 260 men who lost their lives -
Yellow Journalism
Yellow Journalism is a term used to descibe sensationalism by twisting facts to sell newspapers. Yellow Journalism was used by two competing newspaper publishers, Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. Both were know for exaggerating the harshness of Spanish rule in Cuba. When the U.S. ship the Maine was sunk in Havana Harbor, rumors started that it was not an accident. This caused the beginning of a new era for the U.S. -
Annexation of Hawaii
Since the late 1700's American Merchants used the Hawaiian Islands as a resting place on their way to China and India. Economically Hawaii's sugar industry became an important part of the U.S. economy. Plantation owners wanted the annexation to eliminate the tarrifs that began in 1890. The islands were also seen as a great military benefit for the United states allowing refueling of ships. The navy built a base at Pearl Harbor known as the kindoms best port. Hawaii wa annexed on -
Treaty of Paris
Treaty was signed to end the fighting of Cuba from the U.S. and Spain. The Treaty stated that the U.S. had to give control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, Parts of the West Indies, and the Philippines. It also stated that the U.S. had to give Spain $20million for the land. -
Square Deal
President Theodore Roosevelt believed the Federal Government had the right and duty to step in to protect Americans when states could not resolve issues. Abuse by big business was a problem that the President took upon himself for the common people on policies he called the Square Deal. He strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act. The Elkins Act passed on Feb. 19, 1903 ended raiload abuse and the Hepburn Act strengthened railroad regulations. -
Panama Canal
A shorter water route has been a key question for centuries. It was proposed by the U.S. and Britain to share the route but the U.S. had to build it. Then the French dug for a go at it but lost funds and means. We took bought their claim but now we needed Columbia to agree to it. When constructoin finally began in 1904 and finished in 1914. -
Muckrakers
Made production of packing plants have healthier regulatoins so people would stop being sick and we could produce quality food -
Meat Inspection Act
President Roosevelt's "protection" legislation extended beyond big bisness into health and the environment. The Meat Inspection Act was approved June 30, 1906 in response to Upton Sinclair's novel The Jungle. The Jungle described the unhealthy conditions and practices of the Chicago Meat Packing District. The public demanded immediate changes. -
Seventeenth Amendment
The seventeenth Amendment to the constitution states that U.S. Senators shall be elected by popular vote instesad of by State Legislature. The Amendment also allows State Governors to appoint somene for vacancies until a special election can be held so there is no delay in representation. The Amendment was created to prevent corruption and end electoral deadlocks. The Amendment was radified by the House and Senate and on May 31, 1913 Sec. of State William Jennings Bryan declared its adoption. -
Limited Working Hours
For centuries man has worked by the principle "sun up to sun down". The last half of the eighteenth century saw a huge increase in capitalism which contributed to a lengthy work day some as much as 14 hours. Organized labor movements and workers sticking for shorter days increased. Henry Ford surprised everyone on January 5th 1914 he announced the five dollar a day wage for an eight hour workday. -
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Franz and his wife Sophie were killed in a Serbian street by Gavrilo Princip. Princip was a member of the Black Hand a terrorist group in 1914 promoting Serbian Nationalism. This gave motive for Autria-Hungary to start a fight with Serbia. Soon allies of the countries were pulled together. Germany then Declared war on Russia and France. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
German U-boats were bowing up any ships the could find in the Atlantic heading toward Great Britain.When the ship was sunk 1,198 people died, 128 of those were Americans. Not only because of the war but GB had a blockade set up on Germany allowing no supplies or food into the country. The U.S. fought back and forth with Germany to stop sinking ships but they never kept their promise. The sinking was the last straw before we entered the war in 1917. -
New Weapons
New weapons were brought into this war and were proven very destructive. Tanks were first used in the battle of Somme. Along with the tanks many were to follow including machine and anti aircraft guns, Artillery Shells(Mortars) that could shoot for miles, and poison Gas. Poison Gas infact was so deadly and vile after WW1 the United Nations banned the use of it in any other wars. -
Selective Service Act
Enacted by the Federal Government to have men over the age of 18 to enlist in the army. By the end of 1918 there was 24million soldiers enlisted. Only 2million were sent to Europe and only 3/4 of them saw reall live action. About 400,000 African Americans served in the millitary. -
Treaty of Versailles
Woodrow Wilson along with the leaders of GB( David Lloyd George), France( Georges Clemenceau), and Italy (Vittorio Orlando). Many other countries in Europe were invited except Germany and Russia. These countries played roles in conversation but not final decissions. This is where Wilson discussed his 14 points. The major point of the 14 was the League of Nations. Wilson wanted to set this up with other countries because he believed this would stop wars if we just talked our problems out.Failed
