Download Study Guide – U.S History I Final Exam Reconstruction President

Study Guide – U.S History I Final Exam
Reconstruction
President Lincoln believed in a policy of leniency toward the south after the Civil War in order to heal the nation’s
wounds quickly. Before the Civil War ended Lincoln helped convince congress to pass the 13th Amendment which
abolished slavery. The era after the civil war was known as the Reconstruction Era. Lincoln did hope to one day give
voting rights to former slaves. Radical Republicans led by Thaddeus Stevens wanted to give equal rights to former
slaves immediately. They even proposed a plan to give plantation lands seized by the Union Army during the war to
former slaves.
After, Lincoln’s death, President Andrew Johnson took over and tried to prevent Radicals from giving equal rights to
blacks. He said “White men only” should rule the south. Johnson vetoed the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and tried to
stop funding for the Freedman’s Bureau. This organization was created to help former slaves integrate into society.
Eventually Radical Republicans implemented the Reconstruction Acts in 1866. These laws put the south under
military rule and forced southern governments to write constitutions that granted blacks the right to vote.
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was finally passed and gave equal rights to African Americans. This law was designed to
take down Black Codes. Black Codes were local and state laws in the south that restricted the rights and freedoms
of former slaves. Eventually Radicals in Congress helped pass the 14th Amendment guaranteed citizenship rights to
African Americans and equal protection under the law. Soon after, Radicals passed the fifteenth Amendment giving
blacks the right to vote.
By 1868 African Americans had gained more political power. Many held office in southern state legislatures and even
in Congress. To combat the growing political power of African Americans, white southerners tried their best to control
former slaves. Sharecropping was one of the only job opportunities for former slaves. Unfortunately, the system was
corrupt and kept many black sharecroppers in debt. Eventually southerners implemented Jim Crow Laws were laws
that segregated blacks from whites in the south. In Plessy vs. Ferguson, the Supreme Court declared that
segregation was legal as long as public facilities were equal.
By 1870 things began to change even more for African Americans. Corruption scandals involving new black
politicians led to calls for change. More whites began to exercise their right to vote and literacy tests and poll taxes
were created to help limit the black vote. Also, the K.K.K emerged to intimidate black voters. Also, new Amnesty laws
allowed former confederates once banned from running from office to resume power. As a result, Republican power
in the south began to decline. Also, the number of Radical Republicans in Congress also declined. President Grant,
also became indifferent to the problems facing former slaves and focused on other poitical issues. By 1877, many
former slaves felt that life was now “Worse than slavery”, especially as violence and discrimination grew even
stronger. Reconstruction finally came to an end with the Compromise of 1877. President Rutherford B. Hays agreed
to pull all troops out of the south in return for southern votes in the 1876 Presidential election.
Westward Movement
\When Abraham Lincoln created the Transcontinental Railroad in ,the American landscape changed forever. This
along with the Homestead Act brought settlers or all races to the west. Life wasn’t easy. Settlers faced harsh
conditions and attacks from Native Americans. Native Americans had lived freely for centuries but now they were
under attack.
Many tribes were forced off their land by the federal government and forced to live on Reservations. Even some
reservations were relocated when the government found gold mines. The Sioux were one tribe that faced heavy
government opposition. The government did not want to destroy these people. The government wanted to transform
them. The U.S adopted the policy of assimilation, or absorption of Indians into the dominant culture by setting up
schools to educate Indians in white men’s ways.
The Dawes Act of 1887 prohibited tribes from owning reservation lands and instead distributing land to individuals
within a tribe, limiting the power and influence of Native tribes. The hope would be that this Act would encourage
individual Native Americans to give up their traditional tribal ways and become taxpaying American citizens who own
their own land. Unfortunately, tribes like the Sioux resisted. The last act of resistance occurred at Wounded Knee
when hundreds of Sioux were massacred by government troops when they refused to give up their Ghost Dance
custom and assimilate.
Another group that sometimes struggled in the west were farmers. Due to railroad monopolies charging high, unfair
rates, many farmers found themselves in debt. The populist party supported farmers and fought for free and
unlimited coinage of silver in order to increase crops prices and make it easier for farmers to pay off loans.
Rise of Industry
After the Civil War, a revolution in America took place. By the late 1860’s new factories that utilized the assembly line
were booming. New industrial tycoons also emerged and became rich beyond any ones’ wildest dreams. Andrew
Carnegie helped introduce the Bessemer process which increased steel output in America. Henry Ford’s assembly
line speeded up production making car’s more inexpensive for the consumer. Monopolies like John D. Rockefeller’s
Standard Oil eliminated competition making it difficult on consumers and small businesses. J.P Morgan was a
banker who also bought up companies and created monopolies of his own. Their argument supporting their great
wealth is that they were making society better with their new innovations and job creation. In their mind, capitalism
and big business improved everyone’s standard of living.
To further prosperity they supported laissez Faire economics. They believed that government should keep it’s hands
off business and let the market place dictate the economy. Too much government interference would strangle
economic growth. They also believed in social Darwinism. Social Darwinism is the philosophy that society advances
when its fittest members are allowed to assert themselves with the least hindrance. This philosophy was used by
capitalists to defend their wealth and the capitalistic system.. Critics called them Robber Barons. This term was used
to describe wealthy businesses men who gained wealth at the expense of the workers and the consumer. To combat
monopolies Congress passed the Sherman Anti Trust Act. in 1890 and outlawed trusts and monopolies that
restricted trade.
Labor Unions
By the late 1800’s workers were fed up with big business. The Triangle Shirt Waist Factory Fire was one event that
helped spark the labor movement. Labor Unions began to pop up all over the industrial landscape. The bread and
butter objectives of labor unions were shorter hours, higher wages, and improved working conditions. The main
weapon of choice used by labor unions to fight for more rights was the use of strikes.
Many labor union leaders like Eugene Debs believed in socialism. Socialism is a political theory that advocates
ownership of factories and farms by the people rather than by capitalists or landowners. Eugene Debs helped form
the Industrial Workers and the World union and as a leader of the socialist party of America, he ran for President.
Unfortunately, during the late 1800’s labor unions had little help from the government and found it difficult to combat
greedy owners. Owners enacted yellow dog contracts and created black lists to intimidate workers into joining up.
The courts often enacted injunctions that jailed any labor union worker who went on strike.
When workers did strike, government usually sided with the owners and sent in the military to break up strikes. The
Homestead Strike at a Carnegie steel mill and Pullman Rail strike are two labor conflicts that resulted in terrible
violence and little gains for the workers. Overtime though gains were made. Eventually wages did rise and working
conditions, especially working hours improved. The Newsies strike in New York was one example of a successful
union response to unfair pay and unsatisfactory working conditions.
Immigration
As industry in America grew so did the demand for workers. As a result, an explosion of immigration to America grew.
The first wave included Irish, German and English laborers. The second wave included Italians and other groups from
eastern and southern Europe. A push factor that encouraged immigrants to come to America included disease,
famine, lack of jobs, and religious persecution. Jews in Russia suffered from terrible attacks called Pograms. One
pull factor that inspired immigrants to come to America was the idea of living in a free and democratic society.
Nativism is defined as opposition to immigration. Many Americans rejected immigrants because they threatened to
take away jobs and might undermine. The majority of immigrants coming to America Between 1870 and 1920 12
million immigrants traveled from Europe. Chinese immigrants were also coming to America in the years after the Civil
War. Many found jobs building the new railroad systems or in gold mines out west. Chinese Immigrants faced terrible
discrimination. Many received less pay than their white co-workers and some were even forced to pay higher taxes
on mining claims. Chinese workers were always given the most dangerous jobs and many died just trying to make a
decent wage. Chinese workers were the target of mob violence and even lynchings. Familes of Chinese workers lived
in segregated societies. Eventually the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed by Congress, limiting the number of
Chinese Laborers that Came to America at the end of the 20 th Century.
Progressivism
By the late 1800’s a group of men and women called Progressives began to enact change that would change
society forever. Upton Sinclair wrote the Jungle exposing the problems in the meatpacking industry. Ida Tarbell was
a progressive reformer who fought Rockefeller’s monopolies. Jacob Riis was a muckraker who took pictures of the
problems in cities in order to public attention to the need for reform . Progressives like Jane Addams and Mother
Jones fought to end child labor and improve living conditions for all children. Addams also took on the fight for
women’s rights. Ida Tarbell took on Rockefeller and his monopolies.
W.E.B Dubois created the N.A.A.C.P. He believed blacks should push hard for civil fights through political action. He
also believed African Americans should pursue higher level education in fields such as law, history, medicine and
philosophy. Booker T. Washington Created the Tuskegee institute. He urged blacks to be patient and take
advantage of current opportunities rather than agitating for more radical solutions. His strategy was known as
accommodation. He also believed African Americans should pursue education but focus on education in industrial
fields such as farming, carpentry and metal working.
Reformers of the early 20th Century attacked political machines because politicians accepted bribes in return for
favors. Progressives enacted new changes to politics that included creating secret ballots, initiatives (voters vote
on laws), referendums (voters vote down laws), and recalls (voters remove elected officials.). As a result, people
had more say in government.
Presidents like Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson also became reformers. Roosevelt was known as a trust
buster. He also intervened in a West Virginia Coal miner strike and convinced workers and owners to come to an
agreement., unlike his predecessors who usually broke up labor strikes with physical force. Roosevelt also pushed for
the Meat Inspection act and Pure Food and Drug Act to clean up the meat and drug industry. Under President
Wilson the 16th Amendment was proposed that imposed a graduated income tax that required people with higher
incomes to pay a larger percentage of their earnings. Like President Obama, Wilson wanted to revise the tax system
to help lower and middle income Americans. President Wilson also supported the passing of the 19th Amendment
which gave women the right to vote (suffrage). To help the economy, President Wilson created the Federal Reserve
Act. This law created the Federal Reserve Banking system to help control the nation’s money supply and keep the
economy stable.
U.S imperialism and the Spanish American War
As a result of the explosion of the U.S.S Maine and Spanish mistreatment of the Cuban people the United States
government declared war on Spain in 1898. Some blamed the newspapers for fueling war. Yellow Journalism refers
to the sensational news stories of the time that often exaggerated the truth. Newspaper publishers Joseph Pulitzer
and Randolph Hearst encouraged the printing of false news stories about the war and Cuban rebellion to increase
newspaper circulation. As a result, American interest in the conflict grew with many calling for increased U.S
intervention in Cuba. The bombing of the U.S.S Maine was the spark that led to U.S entry into the Spanish American
War. The U.S was able to easily defeat the Spanish. At the end of the war the U.S and Spain agreed to the Treaty of
Paris. This treaty gave the U.S full control of Cuba, the Philippines and Puerto Rico. The U.S did promise to give the
Cubans freedom but initially they remained in control of most of Cuba’s affairs. The U.S also created a military base
known as Guantanamo Bay that still exists today. As a result of the war, the U.S had become a world power.
U.S imperialism in the Caribbean region was motivated by U.S economic and national security interests. The
Roosevelt Corollary was a proposition of Theodore Roosevelt’s that defended U.S intervention in the Caribbean
Area. The U.S would protect weak nations in the western hemisphere, preserve democracy and also protect U.S
investments and American citizens in that region as well. This philosophy was used to defend U.S intervention and
occupation of Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Cuba and Hawaii. The U.S also played a role in the freedom movement in
Panama. After the Panamanian people revolted against Colombia, the U.S negotiated a deal with Panama to build
the Panama Canal. As a result of this, trade and travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean was improved.
World War I
World War one began in 1914 when Austrian Arch duke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbian terrorist. As
a result of German unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman Notes, the U.S declared war in 1917.
The war both a positive and negative impact on Americans at home. The Sedition Act limited people’s ability to
criticize or speak out against the war .In the Supreme Court Case Shennk vs. The United States, Charles Shenk
was found guilty of violating the Sedition Act by passing out anti-war flyers to draftees. The Court decided that his first
amendment right to freedom of speech was not violated because during a time of war freedoms can be limited in
order keep America safe when a “clear and present danger” exists” African Americans found new job opportunities in
the north, as factories began hiring more workers due to the demand for war goods and the fact that so many men
had to leave for war. Unfortunately, those who moved north found racism and discrimination. The Chicago and East
St. Louis Race riots are examples of the tension between whites and blacks who tried to co-exist in northern cities.
Women worked hard during the war, taking over factory jobs. At the end of the war, many lost those jobs when the
men returned, but their efforts were not forgotten. In 1919, the 19 th Amendment was passed giving them the right to
vote. The war came to an end in 1918. Wilson created a peace plan of his own known as the 14 Points. The goal of
Wilson’s 14 points was to make the world safe for all people and all nations. Congress did not ratify the Treaty of
Versailles because of they felt that being part of the League of Nations would drag the U.S into another conflict.
Roaring Twenties
The Twenties were often termed one of three titles, “The Age of Paranoia, The Roaring Twenties and the Jazz
Age. It was known as the age of paranoia due mostly to the the Red Scare. The Red Scare was a fear of socialists,
communists and anarchists that led to raids by the government against suspected subversives, often violating
people’s civil liberties. The Palmer Raids were one example of this fear. After a wave of bombings by radical
subversives the F.B.I began raiding the homes and businesses of suspected radicals, many of whom were Italian
Immigrants with Communist or Socialist ties. Others were known anarchists like Sacco and Vanzetti. The legal rights
of many of these people were completely denied. Thousands had their homes searched without warrants and those
who were arrested were detained or deported without a lawyer, hearing or trial. The Sacco and Vanzetti Case
highlighted the anti-immigrant sentiment. Both men were unfairly convicted of murder due to their ethnicity, political
beliefs and labor union membership. Their 6th Amendment right to a fair trial was violated. Many believe the jury and
judge were biased and convicted both men not because of any important evidence but because of their ethnicity and
political beliefs. As a result their 14th Amendment right to equality under the law was also violated.
The Twenties was also known as the Roaring Twenties. New Products emerged that made life easier. This included
the washing machines, iron and refrigerator. To help pay for these new products, consumers took out installment
plans. It was also a time of great economic prosperity for many Americans. President Coolidge and President Hoover
took a hands off approach when it came to business allowing businesses to grow. A lack of regulation allowed
companies to grow very large and powerful. Many Americans began to invest in business by entering the Stock
Market. New modes of transportation brought Americans closer together as did the radio. Women also saw gains.
The 19th Amendment was passed in 1919, giving women the right to vote. Women began to change in many ways.
The flapper was a woman who challenged traditional norms and roles. Women like Margaret Sanger encouraged
women to be more independent. She also advocated birth control and pushed women to work and go to school.
The Twenties was also referred to as the Jazz Age. Musicians like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington introduced a
new type of music that was played in clubs like the Cotton Club in Harlem and in cities like New Orleans. Over time it
developed a huge following in the white community. The Charleston was a new dance craze that also took America
by storm. Cities like New York were drawing people in every day from the country side for the promise of a more
exciting and livelier lifestyle. During this time there was also a re-birth in the African American community in terms of
art and literature. Poets like Langston Hughes and writers like Claude Mckay and artists like William Johnson settled
in Harlem, New York and began expressing themselves in countless ways. Much of their art focused on the issues
that dominated the landscape like pushing for more civil rights or just reminding African Americans of their past and
encouraging them to celebrate their African roots.
Great Depression and the New Deal
In October, of 1929 the Great Crash occurred. On Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929 the Stock Market plunged.
Americans who had invested in the market lost everything in just one day. This was one major factor that led to the
Great Depression. The Great Depression began in 1929 and lasted until the early 1940’s. Even before the Great
Crash there were economic problems. Many Americans were in debt to due overwhelming themselves with
installment plans and other forms of credit. Low wages caused half of Americans to be poverty stricken, making it
difficult to pay off debts and put money in savings. Farmers especially had struggled for most of the decade. By the
end of the 1920’s many Americans stopped purchasing goods either because they already had the new appliances or
they just didn’t have the money any more. Businesses did not adjust to this and continued to produce goods. As
supply outgrew demand, businesses slowly began to cut back and worker lay offs began to grow toward the end of
the decade. By the fall of 1929, smart investors realized things were worse than they seemed and began to cash out
their stocks.
By Tuesday, Oct 29, 1929 most investors finally figured it out and unloaded their stocks in order to at least get back
what they originally put in. By Wednesday it was too late. Americans who had put their life savings in the market
were broke and in debt. Over the course of the next year things slowly worsened. Unemployment was at 5 % just
prior to the crash. By the fall of 1931 employment had grown to 16%.
Without capital from stock market investment, and a slowdown in revenue caused by more and more Americans not
buying goods businesses continued to lay off more workers. It was cyclical. Bank failures also occurred. As more
Americans became unemployed requests for bank withdrawals grew. Eventually the banking system came to a crash
when banks ran out of money to give to depositors. For many Americans they got to the banks too late and were
unable to pull their savings out. This led to more underconsumption of goods which which led to more unemployment.
By 1931 unemployment was at an all time high of 25% Making things worse, conservative Republicans like
President Hoover did little to fix the economy and create jobs. They had hoped the economy would fix itself. Natural
disasters crushed farmers already reeling from years of financial struggle due to high farm prices and overproduction.
As a result of drought and intense dust storms, farmers in the Great Plains were forced to leave their homes and
travel west to places like California in search of farm jobs. To create jobs and stimulate the economy President
Franklin Roosevelt created his New Deal.
The New Deal created government programs that hired workers and provided welfare or financial aid to the poor.
Many critics of the New Deal believed that it violated the Constitution and threatened the freedom of the American
people because government had become too powerful. Many believed Roosevelt had abused his powers by enacting
so many new laws and programs without interference from Congress and the Supreme Court. Some programs were
created to prevent problems. The FDIC or federal deposit insurance corporation was created to regulate banks and
insure all bank deposits. The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration were both
designed to put people to work. New Deal programs of President Roosevelt changed the economy by increasing
government involvement with both business and labor.