American History Review Flashcard

Front

What foundational idea did the Enlightenment contribute to American identity?

Back

The inherent rights to life, liberty, and property

Answer explanation

The Enlightenment emphasized individual rights, notably the inherent rights to life, liberty, and property, which became foundational to American identity and influenced the Declaration of Independence.

Front

How did Jacksonian Democracy redefine the American political landscape?

Back

By expanding the idea of who was considered a capable citizen

Answer explanation

Jacksonian Democracy expanded the idea of who was considered a capable citizen by advocating for broader voting rights, moving away from the elite landowner model and promoting participation among the common man.

Front

What contradiction did the Indian Removal & the Trail of Tears reveal about the American character?

Back

The espousal of natural rights while violating Native American rights

Answer explanation

The Indian Removal and the Trail of Tears highlighted the contradiction in American values, as the nation professed natural rights while simultaneously violating the rights of Native Americans, revealing a deep moral inconsistency.

Front

What did the Gilded Age reveal about American society?

Back

The coexistence of wealth with systemic inequality

Answer explanation

The Gilded Age highlighted the stark contrast between immense wealth and widespread poverty, revealing systemic inequalities in American society, rather than showcasing universal suffrage or social equality.

Front

What was a key focus of the Progressive Era Reforms?

Back

The fight for better working conditions and voting rights

Answer explanation

A key focus of the Progressive Era Reforms was the fight for better working conditions and voting rights, addressing social injustices and advocating for the rights of workers and women.

Front

What did the Jim Crow Laws and Chinese Exclusion Act reveal about American society?

Back

The deep-seated tension between liberty and racial restriction

Answer explanation

The Jim Crow Laws and Chinese Exclusion Act highlight the conflict in American society between the ideals of liberty and the reality of racial discrimination, revealing deep-seated tensions rather than acceptance or equality.

Front

Which amendments expanded democracy by addressing the direct election of senators and women's suffrage?

Back

17th and 19th Amendments

Answer explanation

The 17th Amendment established the direct election of senators, while the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, both significantly expanding democracy in the United States.

Front

How did the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire impact American society?

Back

It highlighted the need for improved public safety and workers' rights

Answer explanation

The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire underscored the urgent need for better public safety regulations and workers' rights, leading to significant reforms in labor laws and workplace safety standards in the United States.

Front

What was the primary focus of the eugenics movement in America?

Back

Improving human race through controlled breeding

Answer explanation

The eugenics movement in America primarily aimed at improving the human race through controlled breeding, advocating for selective reproduction to enhance desirable traits and reduce perceived genetic defects.

Front

What was the significance of the Japanese Internment during World War II?

Back

It contradicted the nation's core principles by imprisoning citizens based on ethnicity.

Answer explanation

The Japanese Internment during World War II contradicted the nation's core principles by unjustly imprisoning citizens based on their ethnicity, undermining the ideals of justice and civil liberties that America stands for.