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AP US History 'Isms' Flashcards

All the 'isms' of AP US History that our teacher wanted us to know.
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9978093134Anarchisma political theory favoring the abolition of governments ex.0
9978093135Communisma theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state. ex. Karl Marx, Communist Manifesto,1
9978093136Capitalisman economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations ex. used by all the rich people (Rockefeller, Vanderbilt etc.)2
9978093137Socialisman economic system in which the factors of production are owned by the public and operate for the welfare of all. ex. Eugene V. Debs, American Federation of Labor, the Knights of Labor3
9978093138Nationalismthe doctrine that your national culture and interests are superior to any other or a strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one's country ex.4
9978093140Nativisma policy of favoring native-born individuals over foreign-born ones ex. 1840's and 1850's in response to the influx of Irish and German Catholics.5
9978093141Sectionalisma devotion to the interests of one geographic region over the interests of the country as a whole ex. political struggle over slavery, The Missouri Compromise of 18206
9978093144FederalismA system in which power is divided between the national and state governments ex. the 50 states have their own governments etc. but there is also a national power7
9978093146ProtestantismThe theological system of any of the churches of western Christendom that separated from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation ex.8
9978093147Rationalismthe theological doctrine that human reason rather than divine revelation establishes religious truth ex.9
9978093148Social DarwinismThe application of ideas about evolution and "survival of the fittest" to human societies - particularly as a justification for their imperialist expansion. ex. particularly used in economics, Herbert Spencer/William Sumner applied idea10
9978093149Mercantilisman economic policy under which nations sought to increase their wealth and power by obtaining large amounts of gold and silver and by exporting more than importing ex. US and Great Britain11
9978093151PopulismFarm-based movement of the late 1800s that arose mainly in the area from Texas to the Dakotas and grew into a joint effort between farmer and labor groups against big business and machine-based politics. The movement became a third party in the election of 1892. ex. James Weaver, Thomas Watson, wanted 8 hour work days, regulation of railroads, increased coinage of silver12
9978093152ProgressivismThe movement in the late 1800s to increase democracy in America by curbing the power of the corporation. It fought to end corruption in government and business, and worked to bring equal rights of women and other groups that had been left behind during the industrial revolution. ex. supported by urban mid. class, doctors, lawyers, white collar office workers, ministers, storekeepers13
9978093154Consumerismthe theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically beneficial ex.14
9978093157LiberalismA political ideology that emphasizes the civil rights of citizens, representative government, and the protection of private property. This ideology, derived from the Enlightenment, was especially popular among the property-owning middle classes. ex.15
9978093158ConservatismThis was the political idea in which the people regarded tradition as the basic source of human institutions and the proper state and society remained those before the French Revolution which rested on a judicious blend on monarchy, bureaucracy, aristocracy, and respectful commoners ex.16
9978093159Congregationalismform of Protestant church government in which the local congregation is independent and self-governing ex. Puritans17
9978093160New ImperialismPeriod of colonial expansion undertaken by European nations, and subsequently by Japan and the US, during the last quarter of the nineteenth century ex. US and the Philippines, Europe's Scramble for Africa, US and Cuba and the Cuban revolt, Suez Canal18
9978093162International DarwinismDarwin's concept of the survival of the fittest applied to competition among nations. In the international arena, the US had to demonstrate its strength by acquiring territories overseas. ex. Again,US and Philippines and US and Cuba, think Pan-Americanism19
9978093163Racismthe prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races ex. against Chinese, immigrants20
9978093165Militarismthe policy of building up strong armed forces to prepare for war ex. Spanish-American War21

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