1900-1920

By Karson Kuykendall

  • Assassination of President William McKinley

    President William McKinley was shot by Leon F. Czolgosz in Buffalo, New York. Czolgosz stated that he killed the president because he saw it as his duty. The assassins stated that there was no real need for "rulers," he knew what he was doing, and would accept any of the following repercussions (Fine, 780,1955).

  • Founding of the NAACP

    The National for the Advancement of Colored People was an organization dedicated to the civil rights movement of African Americans. The NAACP lasted from 1909-1934 (YAWP, Chapter 21, The Progressive Era).

  • The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

    The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire was one of the deadliest fires in American history. The fire began in a rag bin and was unable to be stopped at the hoses were full of rust. The factory doors were locked shut to prevent any employees from taking prohibited breaks (YAWP, Chapter 21, The Progressive Era).

  • Start of World War I

    The beginning of World War I was sparked by the assassination of Franz Ferdinand of Austria (Williamson, 1998, 795).

  • Sinking of the RMS Lusitania

    The Germans sank the RMS Lusitania and, unfortunately, over 100 Americans lost their lives. This tragic sinking caused the public's desire to partake in the war to rise (YAWP, Chapter 21, World War I and its Aftermath).

  • America Enters World War I

    The United States finally admitted themselves into the World War due to the continuation of German submarine attacks on merchant and passenger vessels (YAWP, Chapter 21, World War I and its Aftermath).

  • The Espionage Act

    Congress passed the Espionage Act which prohibited anyone to share information about the U.S. Army. The act also enforced the laws concerning spying on country's enemies (YAWP, Chapter 21, World War I and its Aftermath).

  • The Sedition Act

    The Sedition Act of 1918 made it illegal for U.S. citizens to publish any false information concerning the government (YAWP, Chapter 21, World War I and its Aftermath).

  • Passing of the 19th Amendment

    The Amendment that allowed women the right to vote was passed by Congress on June 4, 1919 and ratified August 18, 1920 (YAWP, Chapter 22, The New Era).

  • The End of World War I

    The Treaty of Versailles was signed at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, France. This treaty was the treaty which ended World War I, which lasted five years (YAWP, Chapter 21, World War I and its Aftermath).