1. What are the main historic events(hit five) that took place in 8th Grade US History that helped shape the United States up to 1877?(10 points)-Chapters 1-4.
Exploration in 1492 by Christopher Columbus under Spain
The Constitution in 1787 it is the Supreme Law of the United States.
Revolutionary War- 1774-1778. The Revolutionary war was the war between the 13 American Colonies and England for America’s Independence.
Civil war- 1861-1865- The war between the north and south because the south believed in slavery and the north believed in freedom and eleven states of the south seceded from the union causing the war to break out.
Louisiana Purchase - 1803 - It was a land deal between America and France. It doubled the size of america, and gave people the chance to move to America to start a new life out west.
2. How did the US change during the late 1800's and early 1900's?(10 points)-Chapters 5-8.
Many immigrants came over from Austro-Hungary, Germany, Ireland, Russia, Italy, and Scandinavia. As more people came over, cities like New York City, became crowded and filthy. Multiple families were Crammed into small houses with only few rooms. The immigrants were taking the jobs at factories putting people out of work. Farmer’s also came to the big cities to get real jobs.
3. What impact did the Progressives have on the United States?(10 points)-Ch. 9
There were 4 major goals of Progressivism:
Protecting social welfare
Promoting moral improvement - The prohibition,
Creating economic reform - Capitalism - The harder you work the more you get. Socialism - Communism, The government is in control of the businesses.
Fostering efficiency -
The Keating-Owen Act of 1916 was the first child labor bill. In 1900, the census showed that nearly 2 million children were working in factories, mills, mines, fields, stores, and on the streets. The act banned the selling of child made products if the children were under 16, worked at night, or worked for more than 8 hours a day. It was passed by congress and signed by Woodrow Wilson but was ruled unconstitutional because it violated the government’s power of interstate commerce.
4. Describe US Foreign Policy in the late 1800's and early 1900's and be able to give examples.(10 points)-Ch. 10
The old Diplomacy was when we didn’t get involved in foreign affairs, especially Europe’s. We were passive and reactive which means we waited for events to occur and acted accordingly. We had a weaker army and navy.
The New Diplomacy included us being…
Imperialistic - Taking territories and building an empire.
We had a stronger Army and Navy.
Interventionists - We were becoming more involved in foreign affairs especially in Central and South America.
Strong Nationalism - We had very much pride in our country.
Big Stick Diplomacy - “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” - Teddy Roosevelt. Teddy roosevelt had a policy in Latin America aimed towards European Countries. It basically said that if they (Europe) messed with Latin America, they would have to deal with us, but we never did anything. It’s like threatening to take action and scaring them away from it.
5. What impact did World War I have on the United States?(10 points)-Ch. 11
At the beginning of the war it really didn’t affect the U.S at all. Then in 1917, Germany sunk the Lusitania. The Lusitania was a British ocean liner carrying people and goods. It was painted gray to avoid being spotted. There were 1,198 total casualties. 761 survivors and out of 138 Americans, 129 died. The daily life of Americans changed during the war. People had to ration food so more could be sent to the soldiers. The U.S. Food Administration would have days like “meatless day” or “wheatless day” to help preserve food for the soldiers. People grew victory d\gardens so they had their own food and the government could send more to the soldiers. Women took over men’s jobs in factories and stores.
6. What positive and negative impact did the 1920's have on the United States?(20 points)-Ch. 12-13
The 1920’s were a very prosperous time for America (except for farmers). Useful things were being invented like cars, planes, Band-Aids, and the hair dryer. Women started changing their looks and demanded equal rights. During this time, there was a Prohibition which stopped the selling, making, shipping, and drinking of alcohol. There were many gangs in the 20’s. There was the great migration which was when African Americans came up north from the south. They settled in large cities like New York City and Harlem. African Americans had much more confidence in themselves with the mindset of “Black is Beauty.”
7. What were the causes and effects of the stock market crash of 1929?(20 points)-Ch.14-15
The stock market crashed because people were selling a lot of products and enough people buying things. The companies profits were falling and the stock prices went up. Banks were closing, mines and factories were shut down, businesses cut back on production and found themselves without customers forcing them out of business. By 1930 between 6 and 7 million Americans were unemployed. Unemployment meant fewer customers; a decrease in customers caused further cutbacks in production; these cutbacks, in turn, resulted in more unemployment and by 1932 nearly 12 million Americans were out of work. It affected all of the social classes. The industrial workers and farmers suffered the most, though. Most wage earners had no savings to tide them over a period of unemployment. Families forced out of their homes move to makeshift huts that they built on unused land at the edges of the city, using scrap lumber, packing boxes and ridged iron.
Semester Test Blog-10 points
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