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Initial Influence
In the early 1800s, the Monroe Doctrine had warned Europeans to stay out of the Americas. But in the mid to late 1800s, the United States decided it made sense to expand influence into Central and South America. America's first attempts at influence in Latin America had to do with the creation of Pan-American highway to connect the United States to Central and South America. -
The California Gold Rush of 1849 wasn’t America’s first gold rush. It wasn’t even the second.
When young Conrad Reed found a large yellow rock in his father’s field in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, in 1799, he had no idea what it was. The family reportedly used it as a doorstop for several years, until a visiting jeweler recognized it as a 17-pound gold nugget. In 1828 gold was discovered in Georgia, leading to the nation’s second gold rush. Finally, in 1848, James Marshall struck it rich at Sutter’s Mill in California. -
Ten percent plan
The ten percent plan, formally the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction, was a United States presidential proclamation and executive order issued on December 8, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln, during the Civil War. By this point, the Union Army had pushed the Confederate Army out of several regions of the South, and some rebellious states were ready to have their governments rebuilt. Lincoln's plan established a process through this postwar reconstruction could come about. -
Presidential Reconstruction
President Andrew Johnson announced his plans for Reconstruction, which reflected both his staunch Unionism and his firm belief in states’ rights. All land that had been confiscated by the Union Army and distributed to the freed slaves by the army or the Freedmen’s Bureau reverted to its prewar owners. Apart from being required to uphold the abolition of slavery, swear loyalty to the Union and pay off war debt, southern state governments were given free reign to rebuild themselves. -
Radical Reconstruction \
After northern voters rejected Johnson’s policies in late 1866, Republicans in Congress took firm hold of Reconstruction in the South. The following March, Congress passed the Reconstruction Act of 1867, which temporarily divided the South into five military districts and outlined.In February 1869, Congress approved the 15th Amendment, which guaranteed that a citizen’s right to vote would not be denied “on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” -
Reconstruction comes to an end
After 1867, many southern whites turned to violence in response to the revolutionary changes of Radical Reconstruction. The Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist organizations targeted local Republican leaders, white and black. President Ulysses S. Grant in 1871 took aim at the Klan and others who attempted to interfere with political rights. Racism was still a potent force in both South and North, and Republicans became more conservative and less egalitarian as the decade continued. -
Alaska
Secretary of State William Seward bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867. -
Thanks to a Winchester rifle, we know Billy the Kid wasn’t left-handed.
A famous tintype photograph of Billy the Kid shows him with a gun belt on his left side. For years, the portrait fueled assumptions that the outlaw, born William Bonney, was left-handed. However, most tintype cameras produced a negative image that appeared positive once it was developed, meaning the end result was the reverse of reality. There’s another reason we know the picture was a mirror image because he poses with his Winchester Model 1873 lever-action rifle. -
Statue of Liberty
Frederic Auguste Bartholdi designed the Statue of Liberty. It was also a gift from France. It was a symbol of freedom. -
The famed gunfight at the O.K. Corral wasn’t much of a shootout and didn’t take place at the O.K. Corral.
One of the most famous gunfights in history—the shootout between the three Earp brothers. The two Clanton brothers and the two McLaury brothers—didn’t amount to much. Despite the involvement of eight people, the gunfight only lasted about 30 seconds. Furthermore, the shootout didn’t take place within the O.K. Corral at all. Instead, all the shooting occurred near the current intersection of Third Street and Fremont Street in Tombstone, Arizona. -
Louisiana Restricts Railroads
A Louisiana law requires railroad companies to provide separate but equal accommodations for Black passengers. -
Voting Laws
Between 1890 and 1906, every southern state passes some sort of statute meant to prevent Blacks from registering to vote. Most new elector requirements, like the poll tax, literacy tests, and the "grandfather clause," appear colorblind, but in practice, function to eliminate the Black vote altogether. -
Federal Regulation of Trusts
The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 Outlawed all contracts, combinations, or conspiracies in restraint of trade, and all monopolies. -
Women in Public Life
Before the Civil War, American women were expected to devote their time to home and family. By the late 19th and early 20th century, women were visible in the workforce. -
Sports
James Naismith invented basketball in 1891. Baseball, football, and basketball gain in popularity. -
The Medical Exam
Medical Inspectors watched people and marked them with chalk. The exam was frightening and embarrassing. Many varied ailments could send you home. -
The Kissing Post
After immigrants were approved for admission, they would walk down the stairs to meet their loved ones. This are became known as the kissing post. -
Secure Economic Reform
The Panic of 1893 prompted some Americans to question the capitalist economic system. As a result, some workers embraced socialism. Eugene Debs organized the American Socialist Party in 1901. -
Sinking of the Maine in Havana Harbor
USS Mine explodes in Havana, Cuba Harbor. Most Americans believe it was Spains's fault. It is the "spark" that started the war. "Remember the Maine!" becomes the rallying cry. -
Yellow Journalism
Joseph Pulitzer's World and William Randolph Hearst's Journal competed to publish the most grisly stories of Spanish cruelty.The Yellow Journalism was for money. -
The Stomach Tube
The sensation is most painful, reported a victim in 1909. The drums of the ears seem to be bursting Android there is a horrible pain in the throat and breast. The tube is pushed down twenty inches; it must go below the breastbone. The prisoners were generally fed a solution of milk and eggs. -
Vote NO on Woman Suffrage
Because 90% of the women either do not want it, or do not care. Because it means competition of women with men instead of cooperation. Because 80% of th women eligible to write are married and can only double or annul their husband’s votes. Because in some States more voting women than voting me; will place the Goverment under petticoat rule. Because it is unwise to risk the good we already have fo the evil which may occur. -
Freedom of the Seas
The U.S., as a neutral nation, claimed the right to trade with either side in the war. However, Britain and Germany set up blockades around the British and German coasts. -
Zimmerman Note
The U.S. intercepted a note from Germany to Mexico. It promised to help get Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona back to Mexico in return for an alliance and attacking the United States. -
2 Goals For War
- Wilson had to convince American that this would be the "War to End All Wars".
- He had to convince American that beating the Germans and its allies would make the world safe for democracy.
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Espionage Act
Forbade actions that obstructed recruitment or efforts to promote insubordination in the military. Ordered the Postmaster General to remove Leftist materials from the mail. Fines of up to $10,000 and/or up to 20 years in prison. -
Sedition Act
It was a crime to speak against the purchase of war bonds or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about this form of US Govt., the US Constitution , or the US armed forces or to willfully urge, incite, or advocate any curtailment of production of things necessary or essential to the prosecution of the war...with intent of such curtailment to cripple or hinder, the US in the prosecution of the war. -
The Flapper
During the 1920s, a new ideal emerged for some women: the Flapper. A Flapper was and emancipated young woman who embraced the new fashions and urban attitudes. Shorter hair, shorter skirts, smoking, drinking. -
Roaring Twenties
The "roaring twenties" was an era when our country prospered tremendously. Average output per worker increased 32% in manufacturing and corporate profits rose 62%. -
Government Fails To Control Liquor
Eventually, Prohibition's fate was sealed by the government, which failed to budget enough money to enforce the law. The task of enforcing Prohibition fell to 1,500poorly paid federal agents----clearly an impossible task. -
Scopes Trial
In March 1925, Tennessee passed the nation's first law that made it a crime to teach evolution. The ACLU promised to defend any teacher willing to challenge the law----John Scopes did. -
Entertainment and Arts
Even before sound, movies offered a means of escape through romance and comedy. First sound movies: Jazz Singer. First animated with sound: Steamboat Willie. By 1930 millions of Americans went to the movies each week. -
Black Tuesday
The Stock Market crashed. Over 16 Milligan shares sold in massive selling frenzy. Losses exceeded $26 billion. -
Dust Bowl
To compound the effects of the economic slump, farmers would experience one of the worst, longest droughts in history during the 1930s. The loose soil, a drought, and high winds helped to cause the Dust Bowl. -
Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act raised tariffs on U.S. imports up to 50%. Officials believed that raising trade barriers would force Americans to buy good at home, which would keep Americans employed. -
The Election of 1932
Americans blamed President Hoover for the country's economic woes. Franklin Delano Roosevelt won the Democratic Party's nomination. Roosevelt promised relief for the poor and more public works programs to provide jobs. He barracked Hoover and the Republicans for their response to the Great Depression. Roosevelt won a landslide victory----winning more than 57 percent of the popular vote. -
Pearl Harbor
Japanese attacked on US navy at Pearl Harbor brings the USA into the war against Japan and Germany. -
The Battle of the Atlantic
After America's entry into the war, Hitler was determined to prevent foods and war supplies from reaching Britain and the USSR from America's east coast. He ordered submarine raids on U.S. ships on the Atlantic. During the first four months of 1942 Germany sank 87 U.S. ships. -
Battle of the Bulge
The battle raged for a month----the Germans had been pushed back. Little seemed to have changed, but in fact the Germans had sustained heavy losses. Germany lost 120,000 troops, 600 tanks and 1,600 planes. From that point on the Nazis could do little but retreat. -
D-Day
D-Day is known as "Operation Overlord". D-Day was the largest land-sea-air operation in military history. Despite air support, German retaliation was brutal----especially at Omaha Beach. Within a month, the Allies had landed 1 million troops, 567,000 tons of supplies and 170, 000 vehicles. -
V-E Day
General Eisenhower accepted the unconditional surrender of the Third Reich. On May 8, 1945, the Allies celebrated V-E Day----victory in Europe Day. The war in Europe was finally over. -
Fall of China
In June, Chang Kai-She defeated by Mao Zedong. Oct 1, Mao proclaims People's Republic of China(PRC). Two months later, Mao travels to Moscow. -
The Korean War
The U.N. Security Council declared North Korea the aggressor and sent troops from 15 nations to restore peace. Under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. U.S. 350, 000; South Korean 400,000; other UN members 50,000. The moves succeeded only because the Soviet delegate, who had veto power, was absent because he was protesting the UN's refusal to recognize the Communist government in China. -
The Domino Theory
The “Domino Theory” was used as a justification for the U.S. involvement. This theory stated, “If South Vietnam falls to the Communist, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, India and Pakistan would also fall like dominos. The Pacific Islands and even Australia could be at risk. -
Life of African Americans in the South
De jure segregation –legal segregation through written laws.
Jim Crow laws –designed to separate blacks and whites
Plessyv. Ferguson, 1896 –“separate but equal”.
Segregation of beaches, cemeteries, hospitals, restaurants, schools, transportation, and more.
Disenfranchised–few could vote –grandfather clauses, literacy tests, poll taxes. -
The Outcome
In May 1954, the Court issued its unanimous landmark ruling, stating racially segregated education was unconstitutional and overturning the Plessy v. Ferguson decision. -
Sputnik I
Aluminum sphere, 23 inches in diameter weighing 184 pounds with four steel antennae emitting radio signals. Stayed in orbit 92 days, until Jan.4, 1958. The Russians have beaten America in space----they have the technological edge. -
Rudy Bridges
In 1960, at the age of 6, Ruby Bridges became the first black elementary school child to attend a white school.Due to opposition to integration, Ruby needed to be escorted to school by federal marshals.After Ruby entered the school, many of the teachers refused to teach and many of the White students went home.Ruby went to school everyday. -
The National Liberation Front
On December 20, 1960, the National Liberation Front (NLF) was born. It brought together Communists and non-Communists in an umbrella organization that had limited, but important goals. Anyone could join as long as they opposed Ngo Dinh Diem and wanted to unify Vietnam. -
December 1961 White Paper
In 1961, President Kennedy sent a team to Vietnam to report on conditions in the South and to assess future American aid requirements. The report, known as the "December 1961 White Paper," argued for: An increase in military, technical, and economic aid–The introduction of large-scale American "advisers" to help stabilize the Diem regime and crush the NLF. -
Berlin Wall
On August 15, communist authorities begin construction on the Berlin Wall to prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin. -
After the Cuban Missile Crisis
62% were unhappy with his policies on Cuba prior. After, Kennedy’s popularity soared –Fall 1963. 60% of public gave him high marks•Went from young, flashy, inexperienced to brave, noble leader who rescued his country from a nuclear war -
Failed bandit Elmer McCurdy’s corpse had a more interesting life than the man did.
In 1911, Elmer McCurdy mistakenly robbed a passenger train he thought contained thousands of dollars. The disappointed outlaw made off with just $46 and was shot by lawmen shortly thereafter. McCurdy’s unclaimed corpse was then sold by the undertaker to a traveling carnival and exhibited as a sideshow For about 60 years, McCurdy’s body was bought and sold by various haunted houses and wax museums for use as a prop. His corpse finally wound up in a Long Beach, California.
