Progressive & Imperialism Flashcards

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Muckraker

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A journalist or writer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who exposed corruption, unfair business practices, and social injustices. Muckrakers helped the public become aware of problems in politics and industry, inspiring reforms during the Progressive Era.

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Square Deal

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President Theodore Roosevelt’s domestic program, introduced in the early 1900s, aimed at protecting workers, consumers, and businesses from unfair practices. It emphasized fairness for all groups, regulation of big business, and conservation of natural resources. The Square Deal helped establish the idea that the federal government should act to protect public interests.

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Suffrage

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The right to vote. During the Progressive Era, women fought for suffrage through activism and organizations such as the National American Woman Suffrage Association. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, granted women the right to vote in the United States.

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Sherman Antitrust Act

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A law passed in 1890 designed to limit monopolies and promote competition in business. It made it illegal for companies to combine in ways that restrained trade.

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Imperialism

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The policy of extending a country’s power and influence over other lands, often through colonization, economic control, or military force. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the United States engaged in imperialism by acquiring territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Imperialism was motivated by economic interests, military strategy, and the belief in cultural superiority.

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Dollar Diplomacy

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A foreign policy strategy used by President William Howard Taft in the early 1900s, encouraging U.S. businesses to invest in Latin America and Asia to increase American influence. The idea was that economic power could advance U.S. political and strategic interests without direct military intervention.

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Big Stick Policy

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Theodore Roosevelt’s approach to foreign policy summarized by the phrase “speak softly, and carry a big stick.” It emphasized negotiating peacefully while maintaining a strong military as a backup.

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Open Door Policy

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A U.S. foreign policy announced in 1899 that aimed to ensure equal trading rights for all nations in China. The policy sought to prevent any single country from dominating Chinese markets.

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Yellow Journalism

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A style of sensationalized, exaggerated, or sometimes false reporting used by newspapers in the late 1800s to attract readers. It often influenced public opinion and helped stir support for events like the Spanish-American War.

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Roosevelt Corollary

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An addition to the Monroe Doctrine announced by Theodore Roosevelt in 1904. It claimed the United States had the right to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and protect American interests.