Turning Points:
1. Spanish-American War- The Spanish-American War was fought between the U.S. and Spain over Cuba and the Philippines. We entered the conflict largely due to the media and the portrayal of the terrible treatment of the natives there in a type of journalism called Yellow Journalism or "Jingoism". This conflict was some of the imperialistic time in the U.S. Out of this conflict the U.S. gained Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. It is significant because it is an example of the United States becoming involved in another country for seemingly humanitarian reasons but also for its own gain.
2. John Hay and the Open-Door Policy- This was a significant event because it solved a great deal of foreign conflict. due to the land acquisitions of the Spanish-American War, The United States had land lose to China and it made sense to establish trading there. However, other countries already had influence there. In order to gain influence John Hay introduced the open door policy, which acknowledged China's land as their own in exchange for them giving equal trading rights to all nations. This stopped several conflicts over land but also gave the U.S. more trading influence as well.
3. Elkins Act- This was a big step for the United States in fighting corporations, monopolies, and trusts. It imposed heavy fines on railroads that offered rebates to specific companies that used their railroad more often. It also outlawed some of the discriminatory practices of the railroad companies and held their corporation accountable. This helped struggling farmers be able to ship their crops on the railroads for the same prices as the big corporations.
4. Theodore Roosevelt's Square Deal- The Gilded Age produced much economic growth in the United States but with that growth came corruption. In order to fight that corruption, Teddy Roosevelt came up with the Square Deal in order to reform U.S. business. The deal had three parts, controlling corporations, consumer protection, and conservation. This led to his famous trust busting, legislation like the Meat Inspection Act and Food and Drug Act, and the establishment of countless national parks.
5. Hepburn Act- This act gave the Interstate Commerce Commission even more powers to regulate railroads. It outlawed "free passes" given by railroads. It also allowed the ICC to regulate other types of railroads like express companies and sleeping car companies. It also gave the ICC the power to set maximum rates and change existing rates on a railroad. This gave the ICC more power and helped out small shippers who relied on the railroads for shipping.
6. Mann Act- The Mann act prohibited the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. This was a big step in the government regulating the morals of American families and exemplifies the Progressive movement of the time period. Although it was struck down by congress, its spirit was continued later as the 18th Amendment was ratified and prohibition began. This act and its supporters led to the final passage of that amendment in later years.
7. Clayton Antitrust Act- This Act lengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act's list of prohibited practices. It also exempted labor unions from being labeled as trusts and made sure that labor unions had the right to strike and hold peaceful picketing events. This was an extension of the trust-busting that had been done earlier by Teddy Roosevelt and further limited the power of corporations over their employees.
8. Beginning of World War I- We were attempting to stay neutral in the conflict that was occurring in Europe. Presidential candidates were running on the promise to keep out of war and we really didn't want anything to do with the conflict. However, when Germany unleashed its unrestricted submarine warfare on the United States and sank the Sussex, President Wilson asked congress for a declaration of war. Other things did contribute, such as Germany's request of Mexico as an ally against the U.S. and we did enter the war against Germany.
9. Espionage and Sedition Acts- The Espionage Act provided for the imprisonment of any individuals who obstructed the draft or tried to incite rebellion in any way. This meant that forms of protests of the war and the draft were severely limited to citizens. The Sedition Acts went even further and said that those who even spoke out against the government could be prosecuted. These were caused by increasing public protests to American involvement in the war. This severely limited free speech and was the reason the Eugene V. Debs was imprisoned.
10. The Eighteenth Amendment (Prohibition) Ratified- The eighteenth amendment banned the use or even storage of alcohol in the United States. It was part of a growing movement to rid the United States of the moral evils it possessed during the time period. As part of the progressive movement, this amendment also served as a stepping stone for other reform movements such as women's rights and the installation of more moral family values instituted by the government in the country.
1. Spanish-American War- The Spanish-American War was fought between the U.S. and Spain over Cuba and the Philippines. We entered the conflict largely due to the media and the portrayal of the terrible treatment of the natives there in a type of journalism called Yellow Journalism or "Jingoism". This conflict was some of the imperialistic time in the U.S. Out of this conflict the U.S. gained Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. It is significant because it is an example of the United States becoming involved in another country for seemingly humanitarian reasons but also for its own gain.
2. John Hay and the Open-Door Policy- This was a significant event because it solved a great deal of foreign conflict. due to the land acquisitions of the Spanish-American War, The United States had land lose to China and it made sense to establish trading there. However, other countries already had influence there. In order to gain influence John Hay introduced the open door policy, which acknowledged China's land as their own in exchange for them giving equal trading rights to all nations. This stopped several conflicts over land but also gave the U.S. more trading influence as well.
3. Elkins Act- This was a big step for the United States in fighting corporations, monopolies, and trusts. It imposed heavy fines on railroads that offered rebates to specific companies that used their railroad more often. It also outlawed some of the discriminatory practices of the railroad companies and held their corporation accountable. This helped struggling farmers be able to ship their crops on the railroads for the same prices as the big corporations.
4. Theodore Roosevelt's Square Deal- The Gilded Age produced much economic growth in the United States but with that growth came corruption. In order to fight that corruption, Teddy Roosevelt came up with the Square Deal in order to reform U.S. business. The deal had three parts, controlling corporations, consumer protection, and conservation. This led to his famous trust busting, legislation like the Meat Inspection Act and Food and Drug Act, and the establishment of countless national parks.
5. Hepburn Act- This act gave the Interstate Commerce Commission even more powers to regulate railroads. It outlawed "free passes" given by railroads. It also allowed the ICC to regulate other types of railroads like express companies and sleeping car companies. It also gave the ICC the power to set maximum rates and change existing rates on a railroad. This gave the ICC more power and helped out small shippers who relied on the railroads for shipping.
6. Mann Act- The Mann act prohibited the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. This was a big step in the government regulating the morals of American families and exemplifies the Progressive movement of the time period. Although it was struck down by congress, its spirit was continued later as the 18th Amendment was ratified and prohibition began. This act and its supporters led to the final passage of that amendment in later years.
7. Clayton Antitrust Act- This Act lengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act's list of prohibited practices. It also exempted labor unions from being labeled as trusts and made sure that labor unions had the right to strike and hold peaceful picketing events. This was an extension of the trust-busting that had been done earlier by Teddy Roosevelt and further limited the power of corporations over their employees.
8. Beginning of World War I- We were attempting to stay neutral in the conflict that was occurring in Europe. Presidential candidates were running on the promise to keep out of war and we really didn't want anything to do with the conflict. However, when Germany unleashed its unrestricted submarine warfare on the United States and sank the Sussex, President Wilson asked congress for a declaration of war. Other things did contribute, such as Germany's request of Mexico as an ally against the U.S. and we did enter the war against Germany.
9. Espionage and Sedition Acts- The Espionage Act provided for the imprisonment of any individuals who obstructed the draft or tried to incite rebellion in any way. This meant that forms of protests of the war and the draft were severely limited to citizens. The Sedition Acts went even further and said that those who even spoke out against the government could be prosecuted. These were caused by increasing public protests to American involvement in the war. This severely limited free speech and was the reason the Eugene V. Debs was imprisoned.
10. The Eighteenth Amendment (Prohibition) Ratified- The eighteenth amendment banned the use or even storage of alcohol in the United States. It was part of a growing movement to rid the United States of the moral evils it possessed during the time period. As part of the progressive movement, this amendment also served as a stepping stone for other reform movements such as women's rights and the installation of more moral family values instituted by the government in the country.