America & Government 3-Chapter 20 – Flashcards

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John L. Lewis
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Labor leader who was christened in his first big battle as a leader of the United mine Workers in 1919. President of the United mine workers.
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Ohio Gang
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A group of poker playing men that were friends of President Wilson Harding. Harding appointed them to offices and they used that power to gain money for themselves. Involved in scandals that ruined Harding's reputations even though he wasn't involved.
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Quota System
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Established a maximum number of immigrants who were allowed into the U.S. from each foreign country per year.
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Bolsheviks
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Communist group that took over Russia and formed the Soviet Union.
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Sacco and Vanzetti
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-Italian immigrants -Arrested for the murder of a factory paymaster and guard in Braintree, MA -Witnesses say they saw Italians -Provided alibis and evidence of their innocence -Evidence was circumstantial & judge made prejudicial remarks -Found guilty executed on 8/23/27 -Officially pardoned years after their death
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Nativism
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Prejudice against foreign born people
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Red Scare
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Term given to the period of 1920s when Americans were plagued by their fear of communism. Communist revolution overthrew Tzar Nicholas ll Russian Empire. The communists, also known as Bolsheviks, tried to create a "workers' paradise". The "Reds" established a new Communist state, waved their symbolic red flag, and cried out for a worldwide revolution to abolish capitalism everywhere. When a Communist Party formed in the U.S. (70,000 strong), and several dozen bombs were mailed to government & business leaders; the public grew fearful that the Communists were taking over.
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"Keep America for Americans"
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Limiting immigration. -During the 1800s immigrants came from southern & eastern Europe & worked for low wages -Now that there were less jobs available Americans felt fewer immigrants should be let in the country
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Anarchists
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People who opposed any form of government.
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Isolationism
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A policy of abstaining from involvement in world affairs.
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KKK
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Took advantage of the anti-foreign sentiment of the 1920s to promote 100% Americanism. Harrassed and used violence from any group unlike themselves. Goal was to keep "blacks in there place".
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Kellogg-Braind Pact
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15 countries signed which renounced war as a national policy. The pact was futile, as it provided no means of enforcement.
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Fordney-McComber Tariff
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-America raised taxes on some U.S. imports to 60%-the highest level ever. -Tax protected U.S. businesses especially in chemical & metal industries-from foreign competition -Made it impossible for Britain & France to sell enough goods in the U.S. to repay debts.
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Palmer Raids
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Mitchell A. Palmer- Attorney General -Hunted down suspected communists, anarchists, and socialists -Trampled on people's civil rights -Falsely accused people without evidence -Held prisoners without allowing them legal counsel -Failed to turn up any evidence of a communist takeover -People believed he was trying to gain support for his presidential aspirations -Lost support as people realized his accusations were unfounded
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Coal Strike
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-Protest of low wages and long work days -Attorney General Palmer obtained a court order sending the miners back to work -Miners stayed closed for another month -Unionism is more successful in America's coal fields. -President Wilson appointed an arbitrator, to put an end to the dispute -Coal miners received 27% wage increase and John Lewis because a national hero -Miners didn't achieve shorter work day and a five-day work week until 1930s -Went on strike November 1-people need heat!
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Communism
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An economic & political system based on a single-party government ruled by a dictatorship. Fear of foreigners and represents Americans desire to keep "America for Americans". Greatest perceived threat to American life.
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Mitchell Palmer
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Attorney General who oversaw a series of illegal raids of private homes, and offices jailing radical suspects without allowing them legal counsel.
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Teapot Dome Scandal
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The government had set aside oil-rich public lands at Teapot Dome Wyoming, and Elk Hills, California, for use by the U.S. Navy.
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Dawes Plan
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American investors loaned Germany $2.5 billion to pay back Britain and France with annual payments on a fixed scale. These countries then paid the U.S. Thus, the U.S. arranged to be repaid with its own money.
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Albert Fall
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-Sectretary of the Interior who was a close friend of various oil executives, managed to get the oil reserves transferred from the navy to the Interior Department. -Secretly leased the land to two private oil companies, including Henry Sinclair's Mammoth Oil Company at Teapot Dome. -Received more than $400,00 in "loans,bonds, and cash" -Found guilt of bribery and first ever Cabinet member to go to jail.
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Boston Police Strike
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-Boston police hadn't been given a raise since the beginning of WWI -Denied the right to unionize -When representative asked for a raise, they were fired -Massachusetts governor Calvin Coolidge called out the National Guard saying "There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, anytime." -People praised Coolidge for saving Boston, if not the nation, from communism and anarcy -Strike ended but members weren't allowed to go back to work -1920 election, Coolidge became Warren G Harding's vice president running mate
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Decline of union membership
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-Immigrant workers were willing to work in poor conditions -Farmers who turned to factory work were used to relying on themselves -Most unions excluded African Americans
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Signs that existed in the 1920s suggesting that economic prosperity might be superficial
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-# of businesses grew & big businesses merged (good) -New farm machines & technology were developed (good) -New advertising companies & techniques merged (good) -Income gap between workers & managers widened (bad) -We produced more than we needed which drove prices down (bad) -Everyone began buying on credit and installment plans ($1 down & $1 forever!) (bad)
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Policies Coolidge implemented to help big business
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-"The business of America is business" -Favored gov. policies that kept taxes down & business profits up -Offered businesses more credit so they could expand -Allowed private enterprise to flourish
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