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Establishment of the Headright system
The Headright system was a policy that granted 50 acres of land for every person someone paid to come to America, and 100 acres for people in America at the time it was passed. This was meant to help with labor shortages due the intensive labor required to harvest tobacco. It also caused indentured servitude. This act would get the British colony through the beginning of settling in the new world and provide the future colonies with a trade economy to build off of and a base population. -
Bacon's rebellion
A rebellion that ended with Jamestown burned down was led by Nathanial Bacon who protested about how inhumane indentured servitude could be. This rebellion forced plantation owners to be more and more reliant on slaves and encouraged economical practices such as the South Atlantic System which was based around sugar and slave. The profitability of the slave trade drove many African kingdoms to pursue it as their main export, causing Africa to undergo economic hardship when the slave trade ends. -
Beginning of Benign Neglect
Benign Neglect, or Salutary Neglect, was a method of ruling used by England most defined by its lack of enforcement of laws over the object ruled. This period of time allowed many colonial assemblies to be created and forced the colonies to learn to govern themselves as well as granting them economic freedom to trade with other european nations through the practice of smuggling. This period of time would offer proof to Colonists during the revolution that they do not need England. -
Beginning of the Great Awakening
The Great Awakening was a period of shared national religious experience which made christiantiy more personal rather than just the words and traditions of an old book. The people advocating for this newer vision of christianity were called new lights and their views were communicated through traveling preachers such as George whitefield and Jonathen Edwards. In New England, which was particularly religous, it became important for individuals to be able to read and interpret the bible. -
Stono Rebellion
The Stono Rebellion was a slave revolt in the Carolinas during colonial times. It was put down by a militia, but it revealed how all colonies reliant on slavery were resting on very unstable ground. It also provides reason for why many southern representatives refused to join in the New Albany Plan, they needed their milita men to control slave uprisings. -
second stage of the American Enlightenment(https://iep.utm.edu/american-enlightenment-thought/#SH1b) chronology
Ideas from Europe relating to relgion, reason, and the rights of those that rule arrive in America. Ideas from the enlightenment include natural rights(Locke), seperation of powers/checks and balances(montesquieu), the idea that the governed give the government their power(Rousseau), and freedom of speech, thought, and religion(Voltaire). America's distance from the monarchies of Europe and the period of Benign Neglect allowed them to act and experiment with these ideas quicker than Europe did. -
New Albany Plan
A meeting organized by Benjamin Franklin under the guise of proposing an alliance with native tribes. The real reason Franklin was gathering delegates from each colony was in hopes of uniting the colonies in preparation for the 7 years war. The meeting failed, but it was the first attempt to organize a government spanning multiple colonies. It also served to connect the people who did realize that groups were stronger than individuals. -
Start of 7 Years War
The war Benjamin Franklin prepared for using the New Albany Plan. Americans thought they should be viewed on equal ground due to Americans performance in the war, but Britian thought the opposite for the same reason. The sacrifices made by the Americans were overlooked by Britian due to the wealth of the nation. Britian only had to give its excess to win the war, and their excess was more than America even though Americans gave more than just their excess. -
Proclamation of 1763
The proclamation of 1763 prevented Americans from moving east of the Appalachian mountains, despite the territory belonging to the British Empire after the Seven Years War. The proclamation was issued to prevent the American colonists from immediately starting a war with the Native Americans. This marked the end of Salutary Neglect and was the first of many acts by the British Government that restricted the rights of American colonists. Some colonists ignored the proclamation and moved anyway. -
Quartering Act
An act passed following the Seven Years War meant to control the Colonists. The Quartering act forced colonists to house British troops, instilling fear and clamping down on freedom of speech. Due to the elite having lavish houses, they were more affected by this. This was likely the goal, but the elite had access to resources, such as newspapers, that allowed them to rally other people to their cause. Many tax acts arrived a similar time, such as the stamp act, which also targeted the elite. -
Boston Tea Party
One of the many political actions performed by the Sons of Liberty. A bunch of white men gathered at a tavern and dressed up as Indians so they could throw tea off of British merchant ships in . This action is almost directly followed and likely played a large part in causing the Coercive(Intolerable) Acts. The Intolerable acts were a collection of even stricter laws inhibiting American freedom. It forced Americans to band together and support Boston, which was under heavy restrictions. -
Coersive acts/Intolerable acts
Response to the Boston Tea Party and general unrest in America. It closed Boston's ports, putting many of the residents out of a job. It also banned assemblies and other instruments of self-governance. Soldiers were also tried in England for their crimes, where they are practically garunteed to be pardoned, which many Colonists viewed as Britian giving its soldiers hunting license. In addition to all of these, taxes were also increased to make up for the product lost in the Tea Party. -
First Continental Congress
A meeting with delegates from all of the colonies(except Georgia).The issue discussed had two main viewpoints: radicals wanted war and independence and conservatives wanted to heal the relationship between Britian and the colonies. The radicals comprimise with the conservatives, agreeing to send the Olive Branch Petition, which forgives Britian for its advances and proposes a system with less taxes and representaiton in Parliment. If Britian rejects this petition, the radicals start the war. -
Lexinton and Concord/Shot heard around the world
Loyalists notified soldiers of a weapons cache in Concord and a meeting between Sam Adams and John Hancock in Lexington. The soldiers hoped to cripple the colonies' military and government before the war. Patriot spies alert minutemen and Adams and Hancock, who escape. Minutemen delay British through a stand off. On side shoots as the colonists stand down, colonists are forced to flee. Re-engage at Concord where a larger and better armed militia decimates the British soldiers. -
Second Continental Congress
After the King rejected the Olive Branch Petition, the second meeitng of the congress moved set up the foundation of a government and win the war. Jefferson wrote the declaration of Independance, which congressman modified and ratified. They also appointed George Washington as general of the Continental Army, created a paper currency they hoped to be adopted in the stead of state currencies, and organized a committee to appeal for support in foreign nations. -
Common Sense
A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in vernacular to convince fence sitters to become patriots, which it excelled at. It used many analogies likening America to a man that is being forced to remain a child by Britian. The proceeds of Common Sense were donated to the war effort. Paine would also go on to write American Crisis during the Revolutionary war where it would inspire troops to a similar extent to Common Sense. Both of these writings motivated common men to fight for freedom. -
The Battle of Saratoga
Colonists armies and local militias overwhelmed 1 of 4 British armies, this one led by John Burgyone. The capture of the army offered the Continental Army a great amount of supplies and morale. The impact of this battle stretched across the sea, being used to convince France to back the colonists against Britain. France would go on to be crucial in American victory, offering extra manpower in general as well as backing the U.S. in the Battle of Yorktown. -
Shays' Rebellion
A rebellion in response to high taxes favoring the higher class and governing body in Masachussets. It highlighted how weak The Articles of Confederation(America's current form of governemnt) in alarming detail. The rebellion had to be put down by a private army and its impact inspired the constituional convention soon after, which created the constituion and Bill of Rights, and fixed many o fthe limites of the Articles of Confederation. -
End of Washington's presidency
Washinton set many precidents for presidents in his time in office, including only serving two terms, an inaugration and fairwell address, and having a cabinet. He would establish Hamilton's Financial Plan, which created a national debt to pay for the war, put taxes and tarriffs in place to pay off the debt and protect American businesses, and created a national bank to issue paper currency. He put down the Whiskey Rebellion, proving the constitution was stronger than the A.O.C.. -
Alien and Sedition acts
These infamous acts were made in a bid to retain power. The Alien act allowed deportation of "dangerous" immigrants, the Naturalization act quadrupled the time it took to become a citizen, and the sedition act made it illegal to criticize the government. These acts and the reputation they created spelled the end of Federalist power. Earlier in his precidency, he did prevent the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, which threatened the power of the federal government. -
Election of 1800/revolution of 1800
Peaceful transition of power from rivaling ideologies when much of Europe and even America expected Adams to hold on to power and require a rebellion. Though Adams relinquished his power peacefully, he did leave roadblocks in Jefferson's way. One of these roadblocks were the Midnight Judges, which were a large amount of positions created and assigned to federalist, making the entire Judiciary branch federalist. The case Marbury V. Madison gave the supreme court the power of Judical review. -
The Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson innitially just wants to buy New Orleans to secure the port and river, but Napolean needs money to fund his many wars and offers all of the French territory for $15 million or nothing at all. Jefferson takes the deal despite it being in oposition with his ideals as a strict constructionist, as he believes it will benefit the U.S.. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of America. Jefferson then sends Lewis and Clark to explore the land he had bought. -
Start of War of 1812
This war started during Madison's second term in response to Britain Impressing American sailors and providing Native Americans with military support. America also felt it needed to prove to the world and Europe that it was on equal footing with the other nations. This war would provide the U.S. with its national anthem and saw the capital burned down. The war ends in a stalmate with no territorial changes, but the U.S. views it was proof that they are equal to European countries. -
MIssouri Compromise
One of many compromises organized by Henry Clay to keep peace between the North and the South. Allowed Missouri to become a state if Maine was allowed to before it, breaking a stalmate of arguements in congress and maintaining the balance of slave states and free states. It also established a line across the continent in which slave states must stay under. The current borders of the U.S. caused this border to favor free states rather than slave states until the Mexican American War. -
John Quincy Adams is elected president
Quincy recived less popular and electoral votes than Andrew Jackson, his competitor, but made a deal behind closed doors with Henry Clay, who used his power as the speaker for the house to elect Quincy. This deal is known as the Corrupt Bargain, and would haunt Quincy's whole term as well as prevent Clay from ever becoming president. Quincy's precidency would be the last of the noteables, who were rich people who held power without parties. -
Tariff of 1828(abominations)
A tariff put in place at the end of Quincy's presidency in a bid to win northern states' votes, who would greatly benefit from them. The south, however, was hurt by it, as they were forced to pay higher prices to maintain a good relationship with England and other countries. Jackson would go on to use the anger in the south to his support while also claiming to support the tariff to peopl in the north, who benefited from it. He distributed his views by creating the first modern political party. -
Foundation of the Democratic Party
The Democratic party was the first modern political party, which spread its message through local offices. These local groups organized parades and picnics while being aided by partisan newspapers. Martin Van Buren organized the party to make Andrew Jackson president and its creation changed American politics permanently. It ended the reign of nobles, forcing future presidents to work through a political party. In modern day these political parties divide and polarize America. -
Trail of Tears/Indian Removal Act
Native Americans were forced to walk great distances to unfamiliar lands so that Americans could take their land. Many resisted, with the only successful being the Seminoles of Florida, and only temporary. One of the most significant events in this act was Cherokees using the American legal system, winning their case, and then still being forced out of their land due to Jackson not caring and going through with the act anyway. Actions like these caused like-minded people to start the Whig Party. -
The Liberator published
The Liberator was an abolistionist newspaper founded by William Lloyd Garrison, a figure that would rise in prominence in situations related to slavery. He woud later be known for attempting to include women in an important discussion event, but his efforts would not be enough to prevent The Schism, which saw many women, who were the base of the abolitionist movement, leave in favor of a women's rights movement. The Liberator also helped spread the message of abolition. -
End of Nullification Crisis
The Tarriff of Abominations lasted throughout Andrew Jackson's presidency, despite his southern campaign demonizing it, and South Carolina declared it null and void due to how unevenly it impacted different states. Jackson responded by slowly removing the tax with the Tariff of 1832, still held issue, forcing congress to pass a military Force Biill to force South Carolina to follow the tariff laws using the mobility if needed. South Carolina stopped fighting for nullification. -
The Alamo
Americans had been allowed to move to Texas by the Mexican government in hopes they would make it productive. The Americans succeded, but they very quickly began to outnumber the Mexicans there, and also brough slavery with them, which Mexicans didn't like, leading them to attempt to control the Americans. The Americans declared Texas independent, and lost to the Mexican military in the battle of the Alamo. The Alamo and those who died would go on to inspire Americans to retake Texas. -
Foundation of the Democratic Party
The Democratic party was the first modern political party, or political machine as it was called back then, which pread its message through local offices within towns across the nation, convincing voters through picnics, parades, and partisan newspapers. Martin Van Buren built the party and used it to place Andrew Jackson in power and later himself. Policital parties changed the way American politics functioned, forcing canidates to work through them and ending the reign of notables. -
End of Second Great Awakening
The revivals of the 2nd Great Awakening were the origin of the idea that actions on earth affected where a soul would go after death. Like the 1st great awakening, many of the teachings were based in emotion rather than logic. The most significant change was the incorperation of the churches as engines of change an the increased role of women in church and society. Churches started charity groups or supported movements for social change while be staffed by women, mostly stay at home wives. -
Joseph Smith, Founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, killed
Joseph's death by mob after being arrested forced many Mormons to move to territory outside of U.S. power, in Utah. Mormonism was one of many attempts at utopia, though many others focused on escaping the market economy, it embraced it. It also embraced plural marrige, which is what drove it out of Illinois. Most of these attempts to create utopias were inspired by transcendentalism, which was a belief in individualism and communion with god through nature rather than organizations of religion. -
Start of Mexican American War
James Polk ordered American men into no man's land as martyrs and claimed their blood had been spilled on American soil. Polk did this despite the fact a delegation was attempting to solve the conflict peacefully. Congress then allowed Polk to declare war on Mexico. America quickly conquered Mexico, and many considered annexing it as a whole. In the end, America took the Seccession instead, which allowed it to become a bicoastal nation, giving America massive growth and benefits in a scumy way. -
Compromise of 1850
A compromise consisting of multiple parts, creating an uneasy and shortlived peace between the north and the south. It admited California as a free state, created a new Fugative Slave act, applied popular sovereignty to Utah and New Mexico, ended of the slave trade in Washinton DC(which is more of a symbolic action), and moved the border between Texas and New Mexico. The new Fugative Slave Act was extremely biased against all blacks, not just runaway slaves. This is Henry Clay's last compromise. -
Dred Scott Case
Case between Dred Scott, a slave, and his owner, John Sanford. Scott argued that he should be a free man when his owner brings him into a free state. The court disagreed, stating that he would never have rights recognized by white men. Sanford's victory in this case meant that slave owners could bring their slaves anywhere, essentially making all states slave states. This hastened the approach of the Civil War. -
Bleeding Kansas- attack on Lawrence
Bleeding Kansas was an internal war between abolitionists and pro-slavers over whether Kansas would be a slave state or a free state. Congress made Nebraska and Kansas into territories with popular sovereignty, meaning that the people settled there choose whether it was a slave or free state. Abolitionists settled in Nebraska as well as Kansas, and likely would have made both free states had a band of Mississippians armed with muskets and cannons burned down Lawrence and send votes for slavery. -
Death of John Brown
John Brown was an Abolitionist extremist responsible for the pottawatomie massacre as well as an attempt to raid a federal armory and then distribute the arms to slaves. Harbored by Northerners following the massacre, revealing how much the northerners were willing to ignore to strike out against the South. Stopped before he and his followers can leave the armory and excecuted soon after. Church bells would ring for Brown in the north, treating him like a hero, which enraged the South. -
Lincoln Elected
Lincoln won election by pursuing Douglas, his opponent, and debating all of the points Douglas had just made. His victory terrified the south, who were convinced he would end slavery, despite the fact that these actions were well out of his power and he wouldn't pursue them. The South rapidly seceded, starting with South Carolina in response to his election. Buchanan, who was in power before Lincoln, refused to make any action to punish the South's secession, emboldening them. -
Homestead Act of 1862
The Homestead Act gave 160 acres of land to anyone who would farm for five years, live on the land, and "improve" the land. Lincoln passed the act with the intent to make the west more productive as well as to alleviate the tension caused by overpopulation in eastern cities. The dry climate eventually turned against homesteaders, forcing many to abandon the land. Homesteaders also moved onto land promised to Indians, starting many smaller conflicts that would eventually bloom into Indian wars. -
Emancipation Proclomation
A proclomation made by Lincoln following battle of Antietam, declaring it a victory despite the Union suffering higher casualties. It freed slaves in confederate states, allowing border states to keep their slaves. This meant it did nothing immeadiately, but it would remove slavery from conquered Confederate states. This also made the war about slavery rather than just reuionification, robbing the Confederacy of European support their cotton had previously bought. -
Battle of Vicksburg
A 47 day siege that ended with Union control over the Mississippi river. This completed the Anaconda Plan, which was a plan to cut the south off from trade with other countries as well as divide it in two smaller targets. This battle also drew Lincoln's attention to Ulysses S. Grant, who was made general and played a critical role in winning the war. Union control of the Mississippi River would provide General William Sherman with the foudnation to lead his march to the sea. -
Lincoln's death
Lincoln's death allowed Andrew Johnson, a former Democrat, to take power. Being a democrat, he had different views from the Radical Republicans, the main one of these being his rampant racism. Throughout his presidency he repeatedly clashed the republicans, though they eventually gained a spuermajority in congress, allowing them to ignore any and all of his attempts ot favor confederates. The Republicans absolute power in congress allowed them to start radical reconstruction. -
14th amendment passed
The 14th Amendment declared that: anyone born in the U.S. was a citizen, anyone naturalized was a citizen, U.S. states must protect their citizens in legal matters, former confederates can't hold office, states that deny people voting rights loose representation. This was signed into law alongside the Reconstruction act of 1867, which forced southern states to ratify the 14th amendment to rejoin the union. The supreme court would later use the 14th amendment to protect corporations. -
15th amendment passed
The 15th amendment prevented states from denying people the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude, but it did allow for unfair tests to be administered to people of color, barring many from voting despite the amendment. Passing this cost republicans their supermajority in congress, but not the precidency, as Grant is elected over Johnson. Grant would continue to champion civil rights, but his administration was also rife with corruption. -
2-1 Knights of Labor is founded
The Knights advocated for an 8-hour work day and the end of child labor as immediate priorities and boasted a membership of 700,000 in 1880 due to its lack of membership restrictions. Its long terms goals were more radical, hoping to abolish the wage system and create worker-owned industries. The American Federation of Labor, another labor organization, held less radical views and only hired skilled white men. It found more success through its strikes due to this. -
2-5 Death of Charles Gloyd, Carrie A. Nation's first Husband
Charles Gloyd's death, coupled with other interactions with alcohol motivated Nation to go on bar wrecking trips, in which she would bring a hatchet to a bar and destroy it. She did this multiple times even after being imprisoned. Her activities brought attention to the temperance movement, which hoped to end drinking for religious reasons as well as the belief that alcohol was only a source of misery and destitution. Less radical members spread the message through schools. -
2-2Founding of Standard Oil
Standard Oil was run by John Rockafeller and would eventually have a monopoly on oil in America, affording it unprecedented power. He achieved this through horizontal integration and predatory pricing, meaning he bought out his competition by temporarily cutting his own prices. It also prevented the formation of unions and forced its employees to work 10-12 hour shifts at low pay, as immigrants were always willing to take their job for less pay if they tried to strike for more. -
Transcontinental railroad completed
The Transcontinental railroad was built by the Union Pacific and The Central Pacific railway companies, building from the east and the west. They were paid by mile in money as well as land, dragging the process on as the companies took indirect routes. Once the railroad is established America can take advantage of both of its coasts, allowing it to trade more goods with other countries as well as provide many rural areas with industrial goods through spur lines form the transcontinental railway. -
Yellowstone National Park founded
Yellowstone is the first national park in America, marking a the realization by American people that nature should be preserved and that they were consuming it at a rapid rate. the park also helped railraod tourism, a growing industry and removed Native Americans from the land. This marked the beginning of a line of many legal actions meant to deprive Native Americans of their power, culture, and lifestyle. -
Rutherford Hayes officially elected
Rutherford Hayes ran against Samuel Tilden and loses, but South Carolina, Louisiana and Florida had an overwhelming amount of democratic votes compared to what is expected. A recount is ordered and Hayes wins this time. A delegation organizes and declares Hayes president, but also agrees to remove the military enforcement of reconstruction laws. This essentially ends all fo the progress that reconstruction made, as confederates quickly took office and African Americans saw their rights degraded. -
2-6 Foundation of Tuskegee Institute
The Tuskegee Institute was founded by Booker Washinton, an influential black activist. It was a trade school and was meant to educate the black community about the trades it needed to take care of itself without reliance on whites. He believed that the wounds of the Civil War were too fresh and that blacks should lay low and earn whites' trust through hard work. W.E.B. DuBois, another civil rights advocate, instead proposed higher education and the Talented Tenth as a way out of discrimination. -
2-7 President Garfield's assassination
Garfield was assassinated by Charles Guiteau, who was a vocal supporter of Garfield while he was campaigning. His attitude switched when Garfield did not recognize his work and did not give him a government job. People opposed to the spoils system used this to engineer its replacement in the Pendleton Act, which created a civil service exam that those applying for government positions must pass. This lowered turnover rates and increased job stability, but made it a middle class only job. -
Dawes Act
The Native American equivalent of the homestead act, except it took from land the tribe already lived on and individuals could only get 80 acres. The act was meant to encourage assimilation of the natives by breaking up their tribal lifestyle. Eventually the land not taken by Native Americans would be offered up to white settlers, forcing traditional Native Americans onto smaller reservations. even these natives couldn't escape attempts at assimilation such as off reservation boarding schools. -
Wounded Knee Massacre
One of the last major massacres of Native Americans. The military entered the village with the goal to prevent the Ghost Dance, which was a Native American cultural phenomenon in which Natives believed their gods would remove settlers from their land if they returend to traditional life. The government saw it as a threat due to its potential to unite Natives as well as fear of the "war-like" dances. Hundreds of natives were killed, many who had already given up their weapon. -
2-4 How the Other Half Lives is Published
How the Other Half Lives, by Jacob Riis, is a book about tenement housing and one of the first examples of photojournalism. His book inspired other, mostly middle-class women, to advocate for safer housing, creating laws mandating fire escapes and better building practices. Another muckraker around this time was Upton Sinclair, who wrote The Jungle, advocated for a change in workers' rights by showing the conditions in meat packing plants. It created the drive for the Meat Inspection Act. -
2-9 Sherman Anti-Trust Act
This law allowed Roosevelt to break up trusts as Roosevelt saw fit, with the goal of protecting consumers. Roosevelt sided with consumers more than previous presidents, with him passing the Meat Inspection Act, the Pure Food and Drug Act, and the Elkins and Hepburn act(this regulated railroad shipping rates). He even sided with labor during the anthracite strike, where he threatened to have the military mine coal if they didn't negotiate with their miners, an overreach of presidential power. -
2-8founding of the populist party
The Populist Party represented the working class, both urban and rural, and campaigned for the free and unlimited coinage of silver as its main point. This would essentially cut in half all debts but cause inflation to rise radically, with no guarantee that wages would as well. It also advocated for the direct election of senators and a graduated income tax, which would be radical for the time but eventually come true. Its first candidate was William Bryant, and he lost to William McKinley. -
2-3 Homestead Steel Strike
The Homestead Steel Strike was a result of Carnegie Steel(C.S.) cutting wages and raising production, all at the cost of safety. The steelworkers unionize and call for negotiations, but C.S. refuses, so the workers lockdown the factory to prevent scabs from getting it. C.S. responds by calling Pinkertons, a private security force, and later the state militia, causing the death of nine workers. Pinkertons were frequently called to put down unions, though this is an especially extreme case. -
2-12 De Lome Letter
A letter that openly mocked McKinley and America following its intervention in a conflict between Spain and Cuba. When this letter is leaked to the public it creates anger and a call for war. Some are still reluctant and don't want to annex Cuba, causing McKinley to issue the Teller amendment, declaring that the U.S. won't occupy Cuba, though he would have if he could. The war ended with Roosevelt gaining massive popularity and America earning the attention and respect of European nations. -
2-11 Roosevelt Corollary
The Roosevelt Corollary was an addition to the Monroe Doctrine that allowed the U.S. to intervene in South and Central American affairs to prevent European influence. The use extended beyond this, with America pursuing its own gain often at the expense of other countries, such as when America funded and armed a revolutionary force in Columbia when Columbia refused to allow America to dig a canal. The rebellion created Panama, which did allow for the canal to be built. -
2-10 Election of 1908
Taft, Roosevelt's vice president, is elected president, and T.R. hopes he will be a puppet. Taft follows in T.R.'s footsteps, creating more national parks and preserves and busting more trusts, but he doesn't do everything Roosevelt wanted, as he is hesitant to order broad reforms. Roosevelt is displeased and created the progressive party to run against Taft and does beat him in the following election. Woodrow Wilson wins the election though, and the progressive party falls from prominence. -
2-13 The Sinking of the RMS Lusitania
This British Ocean liner had 123 Americans on it when it was sunk by a German U-boat. This, combined with the debts Britain and France would likely default on if they lost the war, made the U.S. side with the Triple Entente, though it had yet to join. What would make the U.S. join was the Zimmerman note, a telegram to Mexico promising it territory if it attacked America. Americans were outraged by this and Wilson declared war despite his previous opposition. -
2-14 Creation of War Industries Board
The War Industries Board regulated and controlled the American economy, issuing contracts to businesses capable of aiding the war effort. It also controlled where valuable resources like steel or oil were distributed. This factor made the war a total war, as it required action from those on the homefront and changed their way of life as well as those serving in the army. The power of America's military industrial complex played a key role in winning both world wars. -
2-15 Sedition Act
America fought to "make the world safe for democracy" during the war, among other things, but acts like this limited the freedom of those fighting for it. The Espionage and Sedition Acts prohibited speech against the war or the form of the U.S. government, imprisoning over 2000 people with up to 20 year scentences for practicing free speech. America also employed the Creel Committee to create propaganda, swaying citizens away from questioning the war or the government. -
2-16 Treaty of Versailles
Germany surrendered believing it the treaty would be crafted around the 14 points, an idea proposed by Wilson in which no one took responsibility for the war among other decisions meant to unite countries in trade and limit wars. Instead, the Treaty of Versailles pinned the blame of the war, and the debt, on Germany. America did not sign the treaty for this reason. The destruction it wreaked on the German economy and spirit is one of the main causes of World War II. -
2-17 Immigration Act of 1924
This act limited the amount of immigrants to 2% of the amount present in 1890. This reflected an anti-immigrant and anti-difference sentiment that lasted throughout the 20s. People were especially fearful of communist or other radical ideologies spreading to America following the Bolshevik revolution in Russia. The difference between urban and rural viewpoints furthur added to the division taking over America and leading to lynchings and unjust deaths in cases such as Sacco and Vanzetti. -
2-18 The Jazz Singer is Released
The Jazz Singer is the first "talkie", a music with synchronized dialogue. The progress made in the field of film reflected its rise American culture, creating communities such as the flappers. This rising position of film reflected the rising spending money in the average American family, as well as the rising debt of the average family, as they could only afford to go to the movies and own commodities like radios or cars through taking on debt. This ends poorley during the depression. -
2-19 Black Tuesday
Black Tuesday was the name given to the day the stock market crashed. It crashed due to the reckless consumer culture of taking on debt, with a large factor being buying on margin, meaning people only paid for 10% of their stocks, meaning many defaulted on their loans when stocks started crashing. The panic this caused led to bank runs, in which banks failed due to losing money in risky investments on the stock market as well as the low amount of cash required to be held on site. -
2-23 The Dust Bowl Begins
A drought combined with the farming pratices of the time and the high winds of the great plains created the worst ecological disaster in American history. The nutrient deprived soil acted more like sand and was easily picked up by the wind, as well as any seeds planted in it. These duststorms could bury fields of crops that had held on as well as houses. What was formerly the breadbasket of the world could no longer produce food. This led many to move to California, where they were not accepted. -
2-20 Bonus Army March
Thousands of WWI army veterans march on Washington in hopes of being paid for their part in the war sooner. Depression is in full swing and Hoover is not doing much since he believes he does not have the power to interfere in the economy. As such, he does nothing when the bonus army settles in a shanty town, called a hooverville, outside the white house. Eventually he calls the military, which forcefully evicts them and burns the hooverville, which likely held all of their belongings. -
2-21 Glass-Steagal Act
The act prevented general banks from making risky investments, which had been a cause of many of the bank failures.This act was accompanied by an executive order shutting down banks nationwide, after which they would be inspected for unsustainable practices, being opened to the public again if they passed. This renewed some Americans trust in the banks, but it also reveals FDR's view of his power. He closed private businesses through an executive act, placing all of the power in himself. -
2-22 Works progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration created over 8 million Americans in public projects, an approach FDR took in several of his policies, attempting to solve the unemployment problem by giving Americans federal jobs. This did lower unemployment, at the cost of the largest government spending deficit seen at that time. Americans appreciated all of the polices FDR made despite the rising debt, as many benefitted from the policies and were refreshed by him doing everything instead of nothing. -
2-24 Germany Remilitarizes the Rhineland
This is a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles, and not the first one Hitler had commanded. Some nations may have been vocal about Hitler's actions, but none of them took action to stop them. This emboldens Hitler, as he realizes that the treaty no longer effects Germany and he also realizes that anytime he violates it his popularity increases, as all Germans hated the Treaty. Hitler also gained popularity by providing jobs in the military and war jobs producing for the military. -
2-25Munich Conference
Germany had invaded the Sudetenland, a part of Czechoslavakia that was rich in resources. . After Germany had taken over, Hitler met with Neville Chamberlain in the Munich Conference, who tried to use appeasement, letting Hitler have what he had taken but telling him to take no more. It doesn't work, and Hitler invades the rest of Czechoslavakia with minimal resistance in 1939. Chamberlain is replaced by Churchill soon after this due to the British people's lack of confidence in him. -
2-27 Pearl Harbor
This attack was caused by an oil embargo which was caused by Japan's invasion of Manchuria and their exclusive trade rights there. The attack devastated America's Pacific fleet and changed how it docked its ships in the future. All three American Aircraft carriers survived the attack, being out of port to avoid a storm. Pearl Harbor is what brough America into the war, though it focused on the European theatre first. -
2-28 Executive order 8802
This order mandated fair hiring practices for government jobs and jobs attached to government contracts. It was weak in its funding and enforcement, but it helped African Americans, women, and Mexicans find jobs in discriminatory places. African Americans saw their employment double during WWII due to this. It also helped women get their foot in the door of employment, and many would stay in the work force after the war ended, changing American culture forever. -
2-29 Executive order 9066 (internment camps)
This order was created in response to growing distrust and hate towards Japanese Americans on the west coast following Pearl Harbor. All Japanese Americans were forced to move to remote camps with whatever they could fit in a suitcase, losing properties, businesses, and livelihoods. Those in internment camps were still offered the ability to serve in the military, in order to make America look more democratic. These soldiers went on to be one of the most decorated in the entire war. -
2-26 D-Day
D-day was the name of the allied power's amphibious invasion of France on five beaches in Normandy with the aid of paratroopers to cut off escape routes and maintain bridges or other points of interest for continuing the invasion. The success of this operation allowed the allied powers to open up a two front war on Germany and take pressure off of the Soviet Union. This was the turning point of the war, and was only possible due to Germany's invasion of Russia. -
2-30 GI Bill of Rights
This was meant to replace the bonus system used during WWI due to it backfiring during the depression. The GI BIll paid for education and lowered interest on home and business loans rather than directly paying soldiers. This bill combined provided many soldiers with a path to middle class through education, as skilled labor or jobs with higher qualifications paid more. The middle class exploded during this time, and going to college became a core American value. -
2-34 Potsdam Conference
One of two conferences in 1945 discussing what to do with Europe following the world war. America wanted to stick to wilsonian points such as self-determination and democratic elections while the USSR just wanted to expand, creating puppet governments in its wake. Tensions were high before the war was finished and the cold war began immediatly after. A great example of the differing philosphies was Germany: America wanted to restart its economy while Russia just wanted its resources. -
2-35 Berlin Airlift ends
The Berlin Airlift was a response to Stalin blockading trade to West Berlin to attempt to starve its people until they turned to communism. The U.N. responded by dropping supplies from planes for 321 days, with only fragile goods being landed in the West Berlin airport. This move showed the world what the captalist world was able to achieve as well as the fact they kept their promises to the nations they defended. The Blockade was eventually taken down and trade was returned to trains and trucks -
2-48Battle of Incheon/Inchon- Korean War
The Battle of Incheon was an amphibious invasion at the port of Inchon that turned the tide of the war. Nato's forces had been stuck at the bottom of the peninsula within the Pusan Perimeter. This invasion allowed NATO forces to drive the North Koreans up near the northern border, and incurred the wrath of China, which resulted in the border going back to the same place, around the 38th Parallel. This war set the tone for use of the containment policy in Asia. -
2-32 Sexual Behavior of the Human Female
A study written by Dr. Kinsey, a zoologist from IU. This was his second book, the first one being on men. Kinsey's studies brought attention to things that the people of that age were not ready to come to terms with, due to their incredibly high standards of modesty. Kinsey's studies were discovered to be biased, but his work provided a foundation for future gay rights movements. -
2-37 Brown V. Topeka Board of Education
A case fought by Thurgood Marshall on behalf of the NAACP in order to desegregate schools. The NAACP looked for cases like this to find the most sympathetic version to pursue, and this one involved Linda Browin, an eight year old black girl. This case succeeded in overturning Plessy V. Ferguson, which had made segregation constitutional, but it was a hollow victory in the South, who were unwilling to change. Many southern states planned to never change and simply claimed they were working on it. -
2-40 "Under God" added to pledge
During the cold war America was determined to everything the soviets weren't, capitalist to their communist, religious to their atheist. This marks a major swing to the country being openly religous, even the government, which should be sperate due to seperation fo church and state. This addition to the pledge models this change incredibly well, as it happened in public schools run by the government as well as to children, revealing a desire to make the next generation the anticommunist. -
2-39 Death of Emmit Till
Nothing Illustrates the difference between the culture of the North and the South like Emmit Till's murder. Till was 14, visiting family in Mississippi and allegedly whistled at a white woman. For this he was kidnapped, tortured, and shot. When his killers were caught they were and bragged about the murder. This reveals the culture difference blacks faced: in the north they had a degree of freedom and protection while death loomed over those living in the south for completely legal actions. -
2-31 Interstate Highway and Defense Act
An act signed during Eisenhower's administration which authorized the creation of highways and interstates throughout America. The public innitially opposed the bill due to the incredibly high cost, but the administration prays on cold war fears by proposing it as an escape route from cities. Corporations already supported it becuase they knew it would expand their audience-base and cut transportation costs. It was the largest public works project in history, outstripping those of the depression -
2-36 Death of Stalin/Rise of Nikita Khrushchev
Khrushev's rise to power surprised the west, as he immediately denounced Stalin and his crimes, claiming to want peaceful coexistence. Upon meeting him, the West found him to be much less open to negotiation, with him threatening to bury the U.S. Under his rule, a competition between cultures would emerge, with the space race beginning that year. ICBMs would also be created the next year, bringing M.A.D. closer than Stalin had ever seen. -
2-33 Election of 1960- the first televised debate
Nixon ran against John F. Kennedy, and innitailly the choice was clear. Nixon had far more experience being a politician and had worked his way up, Kennedy had bought his position and was incredibly inexperienced. These views changed after the televised debate, as Kennedy was used to being on TV and new how to cater to viewers by doing things like looking at the camera. Nixon was the better debator by far, but he was used to debating before a live audience and his habits made him look shifty. -
2-38 James Meredith is admitted to University of Mississippi
NAACP Lawyers desegregated schools by working their way up, starting with elementary and progressing to univiersity, and this was one of the final steps, set in motion eight years after Brown V. Topeka Board of Education. Despite this time, the south still hadn't adjusted, and Meredith had to be guarded 24 hours a day. These experiences would make Meredith go on to be a civil rights activist himself, organizing marches and even being a large enough name to be shot during one. -
2-43 Death of Medgar Evers
Medgars Evers was a high ranking NAACP member who was gunned down by white supremacists outside of his own home following a campaign led by him to register African Americans for voting. This killing demoralized some but he served as a martyr to many, rallying people to the cause as well as the fact it drew the nation's focus to the issue of voting rights and discrimination. This blatant attack reveals that white supremacists saw they were losing and were trying to lash out and cause fear. -
2-41 Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act was called for by Kennedy but signed by Johnson and caused by the many leaders and individuals of the civil rights movement. This act prohibited discrimination based on color, race, religion, or national origin, putting African Americans on even legal footing with whites. This was a great step forward, but there was still much that needed to change, as many people still held discriminatory beliefs and blacks still faced an uphill battle on many of things the law was meant to change. -
2-44Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
A movement made by congress following the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, it provided LBJ with unlimited access to funding to fight in vietnam, which were seperate for a reason. This freedom from a budget leads to the length of the war, which was a large factor in its lack of popularity. LBJ also implements the draft, which further damages his popularity as many who fought did not even support the war, and were hated for their return regardless of what they had done or believed. -
2-42 Voting RIghts Act of 1965
African Americans had rejoiced at the passage of the previous civil rights act and pushed forward for equal voting rights at great cost, culminating in this bill. The bill banned discrimination at polling places for local, state, and national elections. This meant it banned the literacy tests, intimidation, and physical violence whites had previously used to restrict African Americans' rights to vote. If a state was discovered to ignore this law, it lost representation. -
2-45Lyndon B. Johnson creates the department of housing and urban development
As part of Johnson's "Great Society" and war on poverty, LBJ create this department to tackle urban issues such as the many deteriorating houseing units. This department now holds cabinet level position, and is one of many pieces of legislation passed in a war on poverty. Similar legislation included tax cuts, legislation providing economic opportunity worth 1 billion dollars, and additional funding to educational programs, scholarships, and even media like PBS -
2-46 founding of enviromental protection agency
The founding of the EPA shows an acknowledgment of nature and humans affect on it, which is a significant leap forward in scientific awareness. It was created specifically to raise awareness and combat pollution and was accompanied by legislation such as the endangered species act that also revealed a growing realization of the significance of nature and the importance of its preservation. -
2-47 Watergate
A scandal in which Nixon attemtped to cover up a crime committed by his relection campaign manager. In his bid to keep this information from getting out he fired investigators and forced fellow republicans to retire if they woudn't do as he asked. When the tapes proving his guilt were finally released he was quickly impeached and he resigned before he could be forced out of office. This is significant becasue it is the first time a president resigned, and arguably was forced to. -
2-49Arab Oil Embargo of 1973
Caused fuel prices to skyrocket, kicking of the beginning of the energy crisis. Rising prices of oil caused rampant inflation on goods sourced overseas while the economy continued to shrink, creating stagflation, something previously thought to be impossible. The energy crisis and Carters inability to handle it was a major factor in his defeat, and the three mile island nuclear power plant disaster created widespread fear of nuclear power, preventing it from gaining traction. -
2-50 Reagan is shot
Being shot actually greatly boosted Reagan's popularity, uniting Americans together, regardless of party, in wishing health for their president. This sudden bout of sympathy from the public helped him pass tax cutting legislation as well as in his re-election campaign, as he had the lowest ratings of any president in his first term before being shot. The fact America rallied around him shows the effect of Reagan's charm, agree or disagree, no one wanted him to die. -
2-51 1984 election
Reagan won this election in a record landslide, winning every state except for Mondale's home state, Minnesota. This election is noteable because it is the largest landslide win in American history(excluding Washington), and it is an exception to the general trend of people having less support for their second term. This term is also significant since it had the Iran Contra scandal, a violation of different laws, and Reagan remained in power, rather than having a second watergate.