apush period 7 study guide
APUSH Period 7 (1898-1945) explores America’s transformation into a global power. It covers Progressive reforms‚ World War I‚ the Roaring Twenties‚ the Great Depression‚ and World War II‚ highlighting domestic and global challenges that reshaped the nation.
The Progressive Era
The Progressive Era (1890-1920) was a period of significant reform aimed at addressing social‚ political‚ and economic issues. It sought to counter corruption‚ promote equality‚ and empower citizens through government intervention and grassroots movements.
Key Reforms of the Progressive Era
The Progressive Era saw significant reforms aimed at addressing social and political issues. Key reforms included the 16th Amendment‚ enabling income tax‚ and the 17th Amendment‚ allowing direct Senate elections. Trust-busting policies‚ led by figures like Theodore Roosevelt‚ targeted monopolies to promote competition. Labor reforms‚ such as the 1916 Adamson Act‚ improved working conditions‚ while the 18th and 19th Amendments prohibited alcohol and granted women’s suffrage. Muckrakers exposed corruption‚ sparking public demand for change. Urban reforms focused on improving infrastructure and public health. These reforms collectively aimed to create a more equitable society and a responsive government.
Important Figures of the Progressive Era
The Progressive Era was shaped by influential figures who championed reform. Theodore Roosevelt‚ the 26th President‚ led trust-busting efforts and promoted the “Square Deal” to ensure fairness for all Americans. Woodrow Wilson‚ his successor‚ implemented the “New Freedom” agenda‚ focusing on antitrust legislation and tariff reductions. Jane Addams‚ a pioneer in social work‚ co-founded Hull House‚ advocating for immigrant rights and social justice. Muckrakers like Ida Tarbell exposed corporate abuses‚ while Lincoln Steffens targeted urban corruption. William Jennings Bryan emerged as a vocal critic of trusts and a defender of labor rights. These figures played pivotal roles in addressing industrialization’s negative impacts and pushing for a more equitable society. Their contributions laid the groundwork for significant policy changes and social reforms during this transformative period in American history.
World War I
During World War I‚ the U.S. initially maintained neutrality but eventually entered the conflict in 1917 due to Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare‚ the sinking of the Lusitania‚ and the Zimmerman Telegram‚ shifting its role as a global power.
Causes and Effects of U.S. Involvement in World War I
The U.S. initially maintained neutrality in World War I‚ focusing on economic gains through trade with both sides. However‚ Germany’s resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare and the sinking of the passenger ship Lusitania in 1915 shifted public opinion. The Zimmerman Telegram‚ in which Germany attempted to ally with Mexico against the U.S.‚ further pushed the nation toward war. Economic ties to the Allies and concerns over democracy also influenced the decision to enter the conflict in 1917.
The war’s aftermath brought significant changes. The U.S. emerged as a global power but faced domestic tensions‚ including the suppression of dissent through laws like the Espionage Act. The Treaty of Versailles and President Wilson’s Fourteen Points aimed to establish a new world order but were met with resistance at home. The war also spurred social changes‚ as women and African Americans played larger roles in the workforce‚ though this progress was limited. The conflict’s legacy included a rise in isolationism and a redefined U.S. role in international affairs.
The Roaring Twenties
The 1920s marked a cultural and social transformation in the U.S.‚ with the Harlem Renaissance‚ jazz music‚ and flappers symbolizing a break from traditional norms. Prohibition‚ consumer culture‚ and technological advancements like cars and radios defined this vibrant era.
Cultural Shifts and Social Changes of the 1920s
The 1920s were a decade of profound cultural and social transformation in the United States. The Harlem Renaissance emerged‚ celebrating African American culture through literature‚ art‚ and music‚ with figures like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston gaining prominence. Jazz music became a defining feature of the era‚ symbolizing freedom and rebellion against traditional norms. Women’s roles in society also shifted dramatically‚ as they gained the right to vote with the 19th Amendment in 1920 and embraced new freedoms in fashion and lifestyle‚ exemplified by the flapper culture. The rise of consumer culture‚ fueled by mass production and advertising‚ led to increased accessibility of goods like cars and radios‚ which further transformed daily life. However‚ this period also saw racial tensions and the resurgence of groups like the Ku Klux Klan‚ highlighting the contradictions of progress and regression during this dynamic era.
The Great Depression and New Deal
The Great Depression (1929-1941) was a catastrophic economic collapse‚ sparked by the 1929 stock market crash‚ leading to widespread unemployment and social unrest. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal introduced reforms to stabilize the economy and provide relief‚ marking a significant shift in U.S. government intervention in economic affairs.
Policies and Impact of the New Deal
The New Deal‚ launched by President Franklin D. Roosevelt‚ aimed to alleviate the Great Depression’s economic and social hardships. It introduced a series of policies and programs categorized into two phases: the First New Deal (1933-1934) and the Second New Deal (1935-1936). The First New Deal focused on immediate relief and recovery‚ establishing programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)‚ which provided jobs for young men in conservation efforts‚ and the Works Progress Administration (WPA)‚ which supported infrastructure projects and the arts. The Second New Deal emphasized long-term structural reforms‚ including the creation of Social Security‚ which provided financial assistance to the elderly and unemployed‚ and the establishment of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)‚ which protected workers’ rights to unionize. These policies significantly impacted American society‚ offering relief to millions‚ reshaping the role of government‚ and laying the foundation for modern social welfare programs. However‚ critics argued that some policies were unconstitutional and that the reforms did not fully address racial disparities‚ as many African Americans were excluded from certain benefits. Despite these limitations‚ the New Deal remains a pivotal moment in U.S. history‚ showcasing the federal government’s ability to respond to national crises with innovative and comprehensive solutions.
World War II
World War II (1941-1945) marked the U.S.’s rise as a global superpower. Following Pearl Harbor‚ America engaged in both European and Pacific theaters‚ contributing significantly to Allied victories. The war reshaped international relations‚ spurred technological advancements‚ and highlighted the horrors of the Holocaust‚ while the home front saw rationing and women entering the workforce‚ forever altering American society and solidifying its global influence.
Home Front and Aftermath of World War II
During World War II‚ the U.S. home front experienced significant changes. Women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers‚ symbolized by “Rosie the Riveter‚” while rationing and propaganda campaigns mobilized citizens. The War Production Board coordinated industrial output‚ shifting focus to military needs. Migration to war-industry areas caused social shifts and occasional racial tensions‚ as seen in the 1943 Detroit race riot. Technologically‚ the Manhattan Project developed the atomic bomb‚ altering warfare and global politics.
The aftermath of WWII brought economic prosperity to the U.S.‚ contrasting with Europe’s devastation. The Marshall Plan rebuilt war-torn nations‚ while the GI Bill enabled veterans to pursue education and homeownership‚ fueling suburbanization. However‚ the war also exposed the Holocaust’s atrocities‚ raising moral questions about U.S. immigration policies toward Jewish refugees. The dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki sparked debates on warfare ethics. Globally‚ WWII’s end marked the emergence of the U.S. and USSR as superpowers‚ setting the stage for the Cold War. These events profoundly shaped American society‚ foreign policy‚ and global dynamics‚ leaving a lasting legacy in the post-war world order.