20th Century Timeline - Jason Rigden

Mass Production - Model t Ford

Jun 17, 1913

ReferenceIn 1913, in a factory in Highland Park, Detroit the moving assembly line was created. Henry Ford researched and developed upon his goal to build a high number of cars at a high speed. This development eventually created what is known as today as mass production, through Ford’s research the assembly line was made highly efficient. The impact of this caused work payment to increase, product prices to lower and additionally, manufacturing to completely change.

End of WWI

Nov 11, 1918

ReferenceWhen the Allies began to advance and the Germans retreat the war’s resolution was close. When the fighting ended, countries no longer had to fight and those who had fought together created alliances; it ended to rein of monarchy in Europe and gave rise to communism in Russia. The end of the war was a precursor to WWII, many mourned the dead and the war's closure was a hopeful sign to the people.

Treaty of Versailles

Jun 28, 1919

ReferenceDavid Lloyd George of Britain, Clemenceau of France and Woodrow Wilson of America created and agreed upon the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty states that: Germany admits full accountability for instigating the war and damages caused by it. On June 28th, 1919, the treaty was signed, signaling the end of the war. This treaty brought about peace for a time and contributed towards WWII.

The Jazz Age

Period: Jan 1, 1920 to Dec 31, 1929

ReferenceThis age was rebellious and gave birth to Hollywood. The younger generation distrusted the older generation after the war. Fame was common in the Jazz age and even gangsters gained fame. This age helped show the freedom that people had after the war and lead into modern society. Many people of the old generation dismissed and acted against the new things occurring in the Jazz Age.

Invention of electronic television

Jun 18, 1927

Reference In 1927, Philio Farnsworth created the first black and white electronic television. This changed the world as it allowed companies to advertise without them having to pay for printing costs and also enabled viewers to watch entertainment and news without them leaving their home. It was significant because it lead into today’s inventions and it allowed live broadcast of images.

Black Tuesday - Great Stock Market Crash of 1929

Oct 29, 1929

ReferenceBlack Tuesday occurred on the 29th of October in America. A mass depression resulted as stocks fell on the 29th day of Tuesday after the stocks had been rising by immense values days before. This event sparked a depression where the results were, massive amounts of money being lost, a shutdown of companies, a shattering of people’s trust in banks and unemployment and poverty. This affected the worldwide economy

The Great Depression

Period: Oct 30, 1929 to Jun 1, 1932

ReferenceThe great depression was a miserable time for Australians, there was low employment, lower consumer spending and lower urban construction. This impacted the current generation of the time because children left school and were uneducated, there was also higher domestic burden, job loss and loss of faith in the government and was a sad and gloomy time in Australian history.

Day of Mourning Declaration

Jan 26, 1938

Reference This was the first Aboriginal civil rights protest in Australian history. A group guided by William Cooper went through Sydney's town and made speeches to the general public. it caused a change in Australia’s discrimination of Aborigines and also helped pass laws to help bridge the gap between the races. This event assisted in giving aboriginals the same rights as white Australians.

Start of WWII

Sep 1, 1939

ReferenceGermany’s assault on Poland on September 1st, 1939 caused Britain and France to declare war on Germany two days later. This event was significant as it was the start of a war that killed millions of people. This impacted on all aspects of life, food was rationed, the economy changed, peoples lives were restricted and people feared the bombing and properties were destroyed.

Pearl Harbour Bombing

Dec 7, 1941

ReferenceThe Japanese wanted to continue their expansion within Asia but were tired of negotiations with America and decided to initiate a surprise attack. The result was the Japanese bombing the American impediment in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. This event was significant because it caused America to enter WWII. Eventually, this caused the Allies to win the war and America to become a superpower.

The Bombing of Darwin

Dec 31, 1942

Reference During the 2nd World War the commander responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbour bombed the harbour and town of Darwin as well as Australian air force base at Parap. This attack was made to lower Australian morale and damage a base that could make a counter offensive while they captured Timor. Australians feared invasion by foreign forces and attack on Australia when this occurred.

Hiroshima Nuclear Bombing

Aug 6, 1945

Reference The Americans, on August the 6th, 1945, bombed the Japanese city Hiroshima. This bombing had a body count of ten thousands of deaths, causing trauma and destroying the landscape. This was the first offensive nuclear bombing on a city and effectively brought Japan out of the war, ending WWII.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Dec 10, 1948

Reference Due to the affect the world wars had, world leaders agreed at the Palais de Chaillot on the basic rights of people. After these guidelines were declared, people could finally use these rights to punish anyone not following morals. This was the first time the world had agreed on a set of principles for behaviour in society.

Melbourne Olympics 1956

Nov 22, 1956

ReferenceThe Olympics of 1956 were held in Melbourne. With its centre in the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australian athletes were highly successful. This event was significant in Australian sporting history, as contestants like Betty Cuthbert and Dawn Fraser defeated their competition. The impact of this achievement was the acknowledgement of Australian sporting greatness globally.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Oct 22, 1962

Reference October 15-28, 1962, The Soviet union was behind America in the arms race and deployed missiles to Cuba, they threatened to fire if America promised to not invade. American President John F. Kennedy, Cuban Fidel Castro and Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev were part of the Cuban Missile Crisis. This event was the closest the world has been to nuclear war. Kennedy gained public support from this event.

Martin Luther King Jr. "I have a Dream"

Aug 28, 1963

ReferenceMartin Luther King Jr. on the 28th of August, 1963 delivers a speech outside Lincoln Memorial. This speech, ‘I Have a Dream’, assisted in improving African American’s rights. This event was a wakeup call to people everywhere and made people realise that if he had the freedom to make a speech and a change, they did too. This started a rights movement.

Freedom Ride

Feb 1, 1965

Reference University of Sydney students drew attention to the unsatisfactory state of aboriginal health, education and housing with their Freedom Ride. By use of this bus trip through Walgett, Gulargambone, Kempsey, Bowraville and Moree, the barriers between aboriginal and white residents were highlighted. This Freedom Ride brought attention to the separation between white and aborigine living conditions and changed this separation

Invention of the cell phone

Jun 17, 1984

Reference Martin Cooper, invented the cell phone by converting the car phone. This invention allowed people to communicate with others at a distance from places other than home. The impact of this helped shape modern society. Additionally, new inventors were given place in current society with other devices and the cell phone coupled with the internet lead into our current technology era.

Release of Crocodile Dundee

Sep 26, 1986

ReferenceStarring Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski, the release of the movie Crocodile Dundee was met with award. This movie was the first time Australian film was acknowledged throughout the world and it was awarded for its humour and greatness. This built on the Australian film industry and urged movie creativity.

Convention on the Rights of the Child

Jun 17, 1989

Reference The World Leaders, in 1989, decided on the rights for children. Anyone under 18 was decided to require special attention or help. This convention ensured that actions taken against children may be punished. This event assisted in the development of the current age and improved children's education.

Fall of the Berlin Wall

Nov 9, 1989

Reference Russians, Germany and Allies spilt Germany into two parts in 1949. This wall fell in 1989 and was a sign that conflicts dating back to the war were over. Many people could now live with their family and east germans weren’t trapped. This event also marked the end of the Cold War and eased tensions between countries.

Invention of the internet

Jun 17, 1991

Reference In 1991, Tim Berners-Lee developed the World Wide Web. The internet connected everyone together and was the first real way to communicate information between countries without complex and slow systems. Today’s society is now heavily imbedded in the internet in a global phenomenon.