-
1492
Christopher Columbus Discovers North America
Christopher Columbus journeys to the Americas in search for Asia where we get the term Indians which have now become Native Americans. Columbus did horrible things while he was in North America, however due to his "discovery" of America the passage of Europeans to the Americas was popularized. -
Jamestown is Founded
The Jamestown Company journeyed to the Americas in search of new opportunities and fortunes. Jamestown was named after King James 1 and became the first permanent English settlement in the US. This town sets the foreground for many more settlers to come who end up populating the original 13 colonies. -
The Voyage of the Mayflower
The Mayflower was a passage from Europe to the Americas that carried passengers known as Pilgrims. The journey was dangerous and resulted in the death of a large part of the crew and of the passengers. Those who made it to the Americas sought to start a new life with new opportunities. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded by these Pilgrims. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon was the instigator of the rebellion against colonial governor William Berkeley. It was the first rebellion in the American colonies that discontented frontiersmen took part. They responded by tightening the racial caste of slavery in an attempt to divide the two races from subsequent uprisings with the passage of the Virginia slave codes of 1705. -
The Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 consisted of a line drawn by the British prohibiting colonists from Westward expansion. I believe this only further pushed the colonists to eventually revolt as they would eventually have to move westward due to overcrowding and Britain would have stopped them. -
The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was set forth by British legislation who were aiming to end smuggling in sugar and molasses from the French and Dutch West Indies and at providing increased revenues to fund the British Empire following the French and Indian war. It greatly disrupted the economy of the colonies by increasing the cost of many imported items, and reducing exports to non-British markets. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a tax levied directly on American colonists by the British Parliament. The Act imposed a tax on all paper goods and legal documents in the colonies during a time when Britain was in debt from the Seven years War and they turned to their North American colonies for revenue. -
The Quartering Act
The British parliament required colonists to provide resources, shelter, and transportation for British forces stationed in their towns. American colonists resented and opposed the Quartering Act because they were being taxed to pay for provisions and barracks for the army, a standing army that they thought was unnecessary during peacetime and an army that they feared. -
The Boston Massacre
Starting as a small street conflict between American colonists and a lone British soldier, quickly escalated to a large fight that resulted in the death of 5 people. The conflict brought forth anti-British sentiment and paved the way for the American Revolution. -
The Boston Tea Party
A political protest that took place at Griffin's Wharf in Boston Massachusetts. American colonists grew furious at Parliament for imposing taxation without representation and dumped 342 crates of British tea into the Boston harbor. This is an important moment in history because it is the first open act of defiance against British rule over colonies. This further instigates the Revolution and causes the British to bring down harsh punishments. -
The Albany Congress
The Albany Congress was a meeting of representatives sent by the legislatures of seven of the thirteen British colonies in British America: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. The Albany Plan of Union was a plan to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies suggested by Benjamin Franklin. -
Period: to
The American Revolution
-
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The first battles of the Revolutionary War after tensions had been rising up for years between the American colonies and Great Britain. During the night in April of 1775. 100's of British troops marched from Boston to Concord in order to seize an arms cache. Paul Revere takes his famous "midnight ride" go on ahead of them to warn colonial militia men to intercept the redcoats. This battle is seen by many as the true start of the Revolution as tensions and fights get more plentiful after this. -
Colonists Sign the Declaration of Independence
After years of British rule the colonists finally gain independence by signing the Declaration of Independence which is at first met with backlash by the British government with events like Yorktown but it ultimately recognized by Parliament and the King with the Treaty of Paris. This event leads to the United States of America and all the great things the nation accomplishes. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown is famously known for it's outcome that was very unexpected. General Cornwallis and his British army surrendered to General Washington's American forces and French allies at Chesapeake Bay. For the American colonies it was more than just a military win. The outcome in Yorktown marked the conclusion of the last major battle of the American Revolution. The start of a new nation's independence. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris is signed and officially ends the Revolutionary War. America now owns the lands between the Mississippi and the Atlantic Ocean. The British has the North and Canada and Spain owns all land West of the Mississippi. The end of the Revolutionary War marks the start of the United States and it's takeover of a large part of North America conquering lands in the West, South, and North. -
The Constitutional Convention
Delegates from 12 states met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had proven insufficient to handle with the challenges facing the young nation. The Three-fifths compromise came out of this meeting. It established that enslaved men and women were represented in the house at a 3 to 5 ratio of their actual number. -
Period: to
George Washington's Presidency
-
The Election of 1789
The first presidential election in US history. George Washington was unanimously elected president of the United States. With 69 electoral votes, Washington won the support of each participating elector. He was inaugurated into the presidential office on April 30, 1789. George Washington sets precedents for the role of president and gave us many presidential traditions we carry to this day. -
The First Bank of the U.S.
Alexander Hamilton wrote the proposal for the first bank of the United States. It was established and chartered for a term of 20 years. It assumed states debts and made the national credit competitive. It was highly contested by Thomas Jefferson, however we now have many banks due to the First Bank of the United States. -
The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is written as a way to give people in the nation their own rights separate from the government. Federalists opposed including a Bill of Rights in the constitution, Anti-federalists saw the flaws in the constitution and wrote a Bill of Rights with the first ten amendments in the U.S. Constitution. The Rights are still held to this day. -
The Neutrality Proclamation
George Washington writes the Neutrality Proclamation that states that the United States does not want to interfere with any foreign affairs or wars as they have just became their own nation and cannot help fight trade partners. This is highly unpopular with Thomas Jefferson because there was a promise made to France due to their support during the Revolutionary War. The Neutrality Proclamation is eventually disregarded as now we will help fight any country because we're 'Muricans! -
Jay's Treaty
Tensions were high between America and Britain after the end of the Revolutionary War because British military posts were still located in America's northwestern territory and the British were interfering with American trade and shipping. Supreme Court Justice John Jay was barely successful in getting Britain to meet America's demands and opposition to the treaty in the US was tense. Eventually it passed the senate with exactly a 2/3 vote. -
George Washington Says Goodbye
Given the opportunity to serve more than 2 terms Washington declines and delivers his farewell address that states that he does not believe a bipartisan system will benefit the United States and also sets the precedent that a president should only serve 2 terms, however this is not ratified until much later in United States history. This gives way for the next democratic election and continues the Federalist Era in politics. -
The Election of 1796
Thomas Jefferson, running for the Democratic Republican party against John Adams, of the Federalist party. John Adams wins the Election with 71 electoral votes and becomes the second president of the United States. Thomas Jefferson, coming in second in the election, becomes his Vice President. This is the first peaceful transition of power in the United States. Thomas Jefferson later becomes president of the United States. -
The XYZ Affair
Previous affairs had already set the French on edge with America. They felt their treaties were violated by America and as a result they went on to seize a number of American merchant ships. US diplomats were sent to France, in order to stop the conflict and were shut down by France. John Adams, became unpopular during the presidency by trying to negotiate out of a war because the people favored it. -
Period: to
John Adams Presidency
-
The Alien, Sedition, and Naturalization Acts
The Alien Act allows the president power to deport any alien he considered dangerous which sucks for immigrants who were running from a powerful government. The Sedition Act made it illegal for newspapers to print anything that criticizes the president or Congress. The Naturalization Act increased the amount of time an alien had to stay in the United States before becoming a citizen, mostly so there would be less voters. These Acts result in John Adams not being re-elected. -
The Election of 1800
Vice President Thomas Jefferson ran against President John Adams. This election was very important because after the defeat of John Adams there was never another Federalist president The electoral vote is split between Jefferson and Aaron Burr from the same party, it was sent to the House of Representatives to decide where Jefferson eventually won majority. This leads to the 12th amendment The person who comes in second is no longer the vice president. -
Period: to
Thomas Jefferson's Presidency
-
The Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson sends James Monroe to purchase New Orleans for $3 million, however Napoleon will only sell the entire Louisiana Territory for $15 million. Jefferson battles with himself but ends up buying the territory. This doubles the size of the United States, secures the Mississippi River and New Orleans. 828,000 square miles are purchased at 4 cents an acre. This allows the United States to expand further west and gain new and more plentiful resources. -
Marbury V. Madison
This landmark Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review in the U.S., the federal courts now have the power to strike down laws that they find violate the Constitution. John Adams, after being defeated in reelection, was rushing to fill positions before Jefferson took office. The court case was between Madison, Jefferson's secretary of state, and Marbury who had been appointed under Adams but the paperwork wasn't finished before his term ended and was refused his commission. -
The Embargo Act
The Embargo Act of 1807 imposes a ban on ALL foreign trade decimating the American economy. Thomas Jefferson wanted to remain neutral during a war between Great Britain and France and just banned everything. U.S. entrepreneurs had to begin filling the supply to keep up with demand. The embargo is highly unpopular however it encourages growth in domestic manufacturing. -
Period: to
James Madison's Presidency
-
The Battle of New Orleans
During the War of 1812 the two sides met in what is remembered as one of the conflict’s biggest engagements. In the Battle of New Orleans, future President Andrew Jackson and an assortment of militia fighters, frontiersmen, slaves, Indians and even pirates weathered a frontal assault by a superior British force, inflicting devastating casualties along the way. The victory vaulted Jackson to national fame.
It also was popular because it was one of the first sights of such a diverse militia. -
The Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was the peace treaty that ended the War of 1812 between the United States and the United Kingdom. The Americans were super upset that the United Kingdom had been supplying Indians with resources and information in order to fuel a war between Natives and Americans without directly involving themselves. Americans are smarter than that and figure out and now we have to fight Britain and the Natives. After the war the Natives were weakened allowing for Westward expansion. -
Period: to
James Monroe's Presidency
-
The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise draws a line in between the United States so those in the upper half would be inducted as a non-slave state and those in the lower half would be slave states. The name comes from Missouri being admitted as a slave state and Maine being admitted as a non-slave state. This Compromise works for quite a while but eventually gets complicated due to California being in the upper and lower half so the Compromise gets revised. -
Period: to
John Quincy Adams' Presidency
-
Period: to
Andrew Jackson's Presidency
-
The Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson, authorizing the president to grant lands west of the Mississippi in exchange for Indian lands within existing state borders. A few tribes went peacefully, but many resisted the relocation policy. The harsh movement became known as the Trail of Tears where more than 4,000 Native Americans died of disease, starvation, and exposure to extreme weather. -
The Nullification Ordinance
The Nullification Ordinance stated that the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 were null and void within the borders of the U.S. state of South Carolina. Andrew Jackson's Nullification Proclamation threatened to send government troops to enforce the tariffs. After Congress lowered the tariff and fearing the military presence, South Carolina repealed the ordinance. -
The Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was important in the annexation of Texas as General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna had been laying siege to the Alamo Mission for 13 days and had reclaimed it. The general took no prisoners and the Texan casualties caused an uproar within citizens who fought back and eventually even gained support of some Americans. However America would not send troops because the US had a treaty with Mexico and would not interfere resulting in Mexico winning the second battle as well. -
Period: to
Martin Van Buren's Presidency
-
William Henry Harrison's Presidency
This isn't one of my events. My man just died so quickly after being elected that I couldn't even make his presidency a time span. Imagine going through all that work and campaigning only to die. L -
Period: to
John Tyler's Presidency
-
Period: to
James K. Polk's Presidency
-
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo results from Mexican soldiers killing American soldiers in disputed territories and America pushing back Mexican soldiers to Mexico City. The Treaty recognized the annexation of Texas and recognized the Rio Grande as the border. This treaty also leads to the Mexican cession where we gain quite a few more states. -
The Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was the first female rights convention. However, women were not listened to at the female rights convention. Only men could discuss women's rights which didn't set right with the women and some of the more intellectual men so they had their own discussions of women's rights away from the men who didn't listen to the women. This starts the ball rolling on women's right eventually culminating in the 1920's women suffrage movement. -
Period: to
Zachary Taylor's Presidency
-
Period: to
Millard Fillmore's Presidency
-
The Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay presents the Compromise of 1850 as a middle ground for both the North and the South as they can't seem to figure out how to admit states as free or slave states. He proposes that California is admitted as a free state, that the slave trade but not slavery itself is outlawed in Washington, D.C., there would be strict fugitive laws in the nation, and that new states would be free or slave states based on popular sovereignty. This system works for 4 years but it eventually demolished. -
Period: to
Franklin Pierce's Presidency
-
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act got rid of the Missouri Compromise and used popular sovereignty to admit the two states. This sparked slavery tensions once again within the states and only heightened the likelihood of a Civil War. -
Period: to
James Buchanan's Presidency
-
The Dred Scott Case
Dred Scott was a slave whose owner had moved from a slave state to a non-slave state. Dred Scott argued that he was now a free man because he was in a non-slave state, yet the Supreme Court made the decision that even though his owner had moved to a non-slave state the slave had been obtained within a slave state and was still the property of the owner. "There are no free states". This is sets a precedent for future court cases arguing for freedom within free states by slaves. -
Period: to
Abraham Lincoln's Presidency
-
The Attack on Fort Sumter
The Attack on Fort Sumter were the first casualties of the Civil War. When the South secedes the Union the forts are still held by the United States. The forts hold many people but not a lot of food so the troops are left vulnerable and the South takes advantage of this by attacking and taking Fort Sumter for the remainder of the war. The fact that these are the first casualties of the war is incredibly important as this marks it as an actual war not just arguments between the North and South. -
Period: to
The Civil War
-
The Homestead Act of 1862
The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed people from anywhere gain 160 acres of land in the West as long as they improved the land, lived on the land, and farmed the land. This was a part of Westward Expansion that saw the west become profitable. The outcome was the dispersement of the Northeast populations to the west and a thriving economy in the West. -
The Pacific Railway Act of 1862
The Pacific Railway Act of 1862 was the expansion of the railway westward as an accompaniment to the Homestead Act, it allowed for products to be shipped easier making products cheaper and allowed for the passage of people to be easier. This helps boost the economy greatly. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation bans slavery in the Northern states but not every state like we have always been led to believe. Border states would still allow slavery and Southern states that had seceded were incentivised to return to the Union by being allowed to still use slavery. The Proclamation was less focused on ending slavery and was more focused on bringing unity to the North and the South. The abolishment of slavery would be after the war. -
The Battle of Vicksburg
A Union victory during the American Civil War that divided the confederacy and cemented the reputation of Union General Ulysses S. Grant. Union forces waged a campaign to take the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg which lay on the east bank of the Mississippi River. The siege gave control of the Mississippi River to the Union, a critical supply line, and was part of the Union’s Anaconda Plan. This allows the Union to take the South and eventually brings back the United States. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg is when Robert E. Lee's troops are stopped from invading the North and results in a large capture and killing of Lee's men. The battle turns the tide of the war in the Unions favor and happens around the same time as the Battle of Vicksburg which tears the Confederacy in half. These battles combined help weaken the South and assure Union victory. -
Period: to
Reconstruction Era
-
The 13th Amendment
A direct outcome of the Civil War, the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. This amendment came about when Abraham Lincoln he could both rejoin the Union and abolish slavery. The result of this is increased rights for African Americans and is a step in the right direction for the United States. -
Period: to
Andrew Johnson's Presidency
-
The Freedman's Bureau
The Freedmen's Bureau gives newly emancipated black people the ability to start schooling, negotiating labor contracts, securing loans, helping find and purchase land, and providing legal aid. This significantly increases the rights of black people and ends up causing more and more rights to be given to African Americans. -
Abraham Lincolns Assassination
Abraham Lincoln is assassinated in the Ford Theater by John Wilkes Booth. Booth was a Southern sympathizer and hated the Emancipation Proclamation and quite literally everything Lincoln was doing. Lincolns assassination leads to Andrew Johnson becoming president and leading to the first impeachment in United States history. -
The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson had started showing his true self and was upset that his vetoes were being overturned. The Tenure of Office Act was introduced to protect radical republicans and lower presidential power. Johnson in turn removed Secretary of War. Johnson is almost impeached being safe by one vote. The rest of his presidency is overshadowed by Congress and the House having shown their power over him. -
The 14th Amendment
The 14th amendment granted citizenship to everyone born or naturalized in the United States including former enslaved people and guaranteed all citizens “equal protection of the laws.” It was one of three amendments passed during the Reconstruction Era to abolish slavery and establish civil and legal rights for Black Americans. This gives more rights to Black Americans but is not used that way in many places. -
Period: to
Ulysses S. Grant's Presidency
-
The Telephone Is Created
Alexander Graham Bell creates the first telephone which increases communications throughout the country and makes trade much easier among businesses and people. Instead of having to write letters which would take days, weeks, or months to be delivered people could communicate nearly instantly. This allows new jobs as telephone companies, lines, and manufacturing jobs will increase as more people buy telephones. Trade became easier. We have come a long way since the first telephone was created. -
Period: to
Rutherford B. Hayes' Presidency
-
The Compromise of 1877
After Ulysses S. Grant had served his two terms the seat was open to Rutherford B. Hayes of the Republican party and Samuel J. Tilden. There was claims of voter fraud in the South with floods of Tilden votes that the government believed to be fake. The vote ended up going to the House who, after closed door conversations with Hayes about boosting infrastructure and other good things for the United States was awarded the vote. This leads to a lot of anger in the South. -
Period: to
Arthurs Presidency
-
Period: to
Garfields Presidency
-
James Garfield's Assassination
Only 4 months after becoming president James A. Garfield is shot and killed by Charles Guiteau. Charles had done 6 speeches to campaign for Garfield. The "spoils system" was very active during this time and Guiteau believed heavily in it. He believed that because he had done his speeches for Garfield he should be guaranteed a spot near the president. When Garfield declined he shot him in retaliation. Garfield's assassination led to the end of the "spoils system". -
Period: to
Clevelands Presidency
-
Haymarket Square Riot
Anarchists call a protest in Haymarket Square. Police attempt to disperse them and they retaliate with throwing a bomb that kills several police officers. The officers responded with gunfire. In the trial after the incident 8 of the anarchists were found guilty for the murder. They were all charged despite hard evidence that any of them even threw the bomb, whose identity still remains unknown today. Half were executed by hanging, one committed suicide, and the others had very long sentences. -
Period: to
Harrisons Presidency
-
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
Companies had long used their size to harm their employees rights. The first federal attempt to forbid any combination or conspiracy in restraint of trade. The government would get involved if any company was found to be engaged in anti-competitive practices. This act stopped those companies that had been abusive towards their employees and ran a monopoly on a certain part of the economy. Theodore Roosevelt would later use this act to strike down major corporations that had misused their size. -
How the Other Half Lives
In his book, Jacob Riis(a muckraker journalist) highlights the poor conditions people are enduring within the city. Specifically in tenement houses where they are crammed into small rooms with less than ideal conditions in the apartments. The publication of this book encourages the middle class to act and support change against the poor living conditions and to help the poorer class with some of their wealth. Community housing and events were held and created to help those less fortunate. -
Period: to
Clevelands Presidency
-
Period: to
Mckinleys Presidency
-
Period: to
Roosevelts Presidency
-
William McKinley is Assassinated
6 months after winning his second presidential term William McKinley is killed by Leon Czolgosz who was inspired by European anarchists who had performed similar assassinations on leaders. This marked the 3rd president to be assassinated in 4 decades which is a cause for major concern in the country. This assassination increased concern of radical immigrants and gave people an excuse to be racist. McKinleys death allows Theodore Roosevelt to take office where he makes many changes. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
Muckraker journalists had exposed food industries for their gross practices and that the food people were eating was definitely not safe. The President was not having this and passed a law that ensured the safety of peoples food and drugs. The Food and Drug Administration(FDA) was created to oversee and enforce the act to make sure that companies were properly and safely making their food up to code. People could finally eat food and take their medicine without as much worry as before. -
Meat Inspection Act
Upton Sinclair publishes 'The Jungle' which shows how disgusting the meat packing industry was. Bits of rats, people, and other nasty items were ending up in food making it disgusting for people to eat. Theodore Roosevelt was having none of this and made personal inspections of meat packing plants to see for himself the horrific operations. In response to his sights and the novel he created the Meat Inspection Act to ensure that plants were making food safely and making sure it was sanitary. -
NAACP is created
The NAACP is formed by Mary White Ovington along with other progressives to advance the rights of colored people. The organization goes on to be a big component in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960. The NAACP is hugely popular among the black community and it gains a huge following. Between 1909 and the 1960s the NAACP plays a huge role and presented court cases, organizes marches, protests, sit-ins, and boycotts to rally support for black movements. Even today they play a significant role. -
Period: to
Tafts Presidency
-
Period: to
Wilsons Presidency
-
Period: to
World War 1
-
The Sinking of the Lusitania
German U-boats were showing hostility towards British ships in an act of dominance. The Lusitania was a British luxury liner that carried nearly 1,200 people including 128 Americans. This angered Americans, in response Germany promised to not attack any more passenger ships(which they failed at) unless they carried weapons. The Lusitania had weapons hidden onboard. The sinking of the Lusitania signals to Wilson that Germany is hostile and he needs to rethink his decision to enter the war. -
Period: to
The Great Migration
-
The Zimmermann Telegram
A telegram from Germany promising Mexico that if they joined the Central Powers and the U.S. entered the war that Germany would give Mexico back Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. This was very popular with Mexicans as the loss of their territory was fresh on their minds. The telegram and attacks on American passenger ships enticed Woodrow Wilson to enter 'The Great War' not to seek conquest but to seek protection of the U.S. way of life and to make sure no land was taken from the Americans. -
The Eighteenth Amendment
Being passed in 1917 and taking effect in January 1920 the 18th Amendment instills a prohibition on the sale or purchase of alcohol. This leads to bootleggers and speak easies becoming more prevalent to meet peoples desires. Prohibition had long been fought for by women activists who wanted their husbands to stop drinking and because they saw it as an unmoral thing to do especially because of the boom in church culture during this time. The 18th Amendment is later overturned. -
Armistice
With the German army tired from war and the new American soldiers primed and awake prepared for war they managed to push the Germans into a retreat. The American Army pushed German troops out of France and back towards Germany until the German army called an armistice to cut their losses. This war leaves Germany in a depression due to their reparations and leads to desperation when a leader steps in to give them hope and faith in a time of crisis which leads to Germany declaring a second war. -
19th Amendment
After a long struggle for equality women, in 1920, finally gained the right to vote. Women were viewed as less competent and less important than men. The idea that they could have a say was a very radical idea. However, women had changed so much such as teaching, temperance, church revitalization, and even the protesting against slavery. Women were in the home taking care of children and buying groceries. They deserved a say in government and changing things that affected their lives. -
Sheppard-Towner Federal Maternity and Infancy Act
This act provides federal funds for medical clinics, prenatal education programs, and visiting nurses. The effects of this are improved healthcare for the poor and significantly lower infant mortality rates than previous years. This marks the first time that congress gives federal funds to be used for social-welfare programs. This act was helped by the Women's Joint Congressional Committee whose goal was to create the first federally funded healthcare legislation and they succeeded! -
Period: to
Hardings Presidency
-
Period: to
Coolidges Presidency
-
National Origins Act
Immigration had been a huge problem for port cities in the North. The National Origins Act is created to reduce the number of immigrants into the United States out of the fear of overpopulation and nativist ideas. The act uses outdated census data for immigration. Yearly immigration could not exceed more than 2% of that nations total population from the 1890 census. That is over 30 years of outdated information which means that many people are left unaccounted for. -
Scopes "Monkey" Trial
John Scopes, a biology teacher in Dayton, Tennessee is put on trial for violating his state's ban on teaching evolution. The idea that humans evolved from monkeys is very unpopular among rural people who believe in more religious beliefs relating to humans whereas urban cities and other areas are more open minded to ideas like John Scopes teachings. This case showcases the divide between the rural and the urban areas of the United States and creates a debate that occurs even to this day. -
Period: to
Hoovers Presidency
-
Smoot-Hawley Tariff
Although being warned by economists of the devastating acts the tariff would cause, Herbert Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff. The act created retaliatory tariffs in other countries, which hurt global trade further than it had already been hurt, it also deepened economic contraction in the industrial world. Had Hoover not allowed the tariff to be passed the Depression may not have been so painful as other countries could work together to make products cheaper. Instead he tried to profit. -
The New Deal is announced
The United States is struggling from the Depression and Roosevelt is attempting to inspire and give hope to the citizens he introduces new programs to give job growth and funds to Americans. Through programs such as the AAA, NRA, PWA, CCC, FHA, SEC, FWP, WPA, TVA, and the REA, Roosevelt created more jobs and helped give Americans a chance to help the economy. However, the New Deal was ultimately not very successful and did not bring the economy out of the Depression. World War 2 brought us out. -
Period: to
Roosevelts Presidency
-
Period: to
Holocaust
-
Social Security Act
The Social Security Act guarantees that people will have retirement funds and money when they retire. Franklin D. Roosevelt pushed for this because he wanted older people to retire but they couldn't support themselves. He wanted more job openings that just weren't being opened by retirees. The Social Security Act has continued to this day however there are now debates within the Republican party about whether or not Social Security is something that we can afford as we have hit the debt ceiling. -
The Fair Labor Standards Act
This act sets a minimum wage(that was certainly not 7.25 an hour) and put in place child labor laws so that children could no longer be exploited as they had been for hundreds of years. This was very controversial at the time because it furthered the government's roles into private businesses. Government was now intervening and expanding their role by setting more regulations on how a business could be conducted which was highly unpopular among the elites but the poorer people liked this. -
Period: to
World War 2
-
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese believed that the Americans were weak and thought that an attack against the Americans would be easy and would not face much backlash because of it. They were extremely wrong as Pearl Harbor was a big cause of the United States entering World War II and the Manhattan Project allowed the US to bomb both Hiroshima and Nagasaki which eradicated many civilians who had nothing to do with the bombing on Pearl Harbor. This is seen as a huge mistake looking back with our present lenses. -
D-Day
The turning point of World War II where the American troops distract the German army with a fake set of tanks. Airborne troops landed behind enemy lines and the beach troops pushed up Normandy Beach and forced the Germans army into a surrender which is a huge victory for the US and Great Britain. The Germans had grown very tired of the war and had just lost over a third of their army. This leads to Hitler committing suicide and the Germans surrendering and a major United States victory. -
Servicemen's Readjustment Act
Also known at the G.I. Bill of Rights is a way to pay back the troops who fought in World War II and give back mortgage and business loans with cheap interest rates, it also gives free education. This changes the generations views on education and they expect their children to go to college after them. It allows veterans to create small businesses and buy homes. While it helps veterans significantly it also ensures that veterans are helping the economy at the same time. This encourages enlistees -
Yalta Conference
A meeting between the United States, Great Britain, and Russia that determined how to deal with Germany after World War II. Russia took control of West Germany, France, and Great Britain took control of East Germany to make sure they did not begin to rebuild their army. Heavy restrictions were placed on Germany. Since 1945, the USSR eventually takes full control of West Germany and builds the Berlin Wall to ensure that East and West Germany could not interact. The Wall falls in 1989. -
Period: to
Trumans Presidency
-
First Levittown is Built
Levitt and Sons built homes that did not vary much and reduced the choices of Americans as conformity was a big thing for the generation at the time. This changed the American lifestyle and the middle class was able to leave the cities and use the interstates and cars so they could have safer neighborhoods. Levittowns exemplified the American Dream and gave people a goal they could work towards. Levittowns become the layout for modern day suburbs that the middle class strives for today. -
Period: to
Cold War
-
Marshall Plan
George Marshall introduced a plan to help contain and stop the spread of communism throughout Europe. The Marshall Plan would entail America rebuilding places like France, Germany, Great Britain, and other European countries involved in World War II so that they would not be apart of the Domino Effect and would follow the containment policy. This helps bring us into an economic revival and creates allies that last even to today. This was effective in helping European countries rebuild. -
NATO is Created
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was created in the aftermath of the second world war to ensure that Europe was safe from any future threats posed by countries, mainly the USSR. NATO is one of four organizations that was founded after WWII and is the only one that continues to this day. The other organizations were SEATO, ANZUS, and ASEAN. The others did not take off like NATO did. NATO is designed to fight war and the United Nations is designed to prevent wars. There are 31 members. -
Period: to
Korean War
-
Period: to
Eisenhowers Presidency
-
Brown v Board of Education
Linda Brown is segregated into a black only school a long walk away from home. She is just one of millions of black children who have to deal with segregation. Thurgood Marshall represents Brown in a case to the Supreme Court stating that while separate the facilities are not equal, this overturns plessy v Ferguson. Brown was chosen because she was a cute and innocent child who could change the justices minds about separate but equal opposed to a teenage boy. Perception trumps reality. -
Period: to
Civil Rights Movement
-
Rosa Parks Sparks the Montgomery Bus Boycotts
Rosa Parks didn't want to sit in the back of the bus and instead sat in the whites only part of the bus. When asked to move she refused and was arrested because of it. Her story becomes popular nationwide and many black activists go on a boycott of the Montgomery Bus system for over a year. In response to the boycotts the Montgomery Bus system bans segregation on their buses. They had faced a major loss in income because the black community was their biggest source of income. -
National Interstate and Defense Highway Act
The largest public works project in history and revolutionizes American travel. The biggest transportation project since the railroads connected the United States. The act is approved by the people because Eisenhower plays on Cold War fears of a swift evacuation from major cities if necessary and emergency runways if a plane has an emergency. The construction itself costed an estimated $500 billion(adjusted for inflation) which is a massive price tag whereas the railways costed $1.2 billion. -
Bay of Pigs
John F. Kennedy wants to stop the spread of communism in Cuba. He has the CIA train Cuban exiles to rally against Fidel Castro(the leader of the communist movement in Cuba). Kennedy expected that the Cubans would join the exiles in fighting against Castro's regime but they did not. Fidel Castro knows that they will be going to Cuba and has his military kill 1,400 of the exiles when they arrive at the Bay of Pigs. This is the biggest blunder of Kennedy's presidency by far. -
Period: to
Kennedys Presidency
-
Cuban Missile Crisis
Russia is aiding and supporting Fidel Castro in taking over Cuba and instilling a communist regime. A US spy plane finds armed missile silos in Cuba that could launch towards the United States. Russia sends nuclear warheads by ship to Cuba so that they can arm their missile silos. Kennedy responds by having the US navy blockade Cuba to prevent Russia from delivering the warheads. In a very intense situation, Russia takes their warheads back and Kennedy demands the missile silos be removed. -
Equal Pay Act
Beginning as far back as the 1800s women had begun to implement themselves more and more into the economy and stepped up when men went off to war to continue production. Rosie the Riveter and other propaganda pieces encouraged women to engage in war jobs. Women had begun to gain more rights and wanted equal pay for doing the same job that men were doing. They protested for better pay and the Equal Pay Act finally granted them what they had long sought. Women began to have newer identities. -
Period: to
Johnsons Presidency
-
March on Washington
Led by the NAACP, the SCLC, and other civil rights organizations a march on Washington, D.C. was organized. Martin Luther King Jr. was a key speaker at the march and delivered his famous "I have a dream" speech to a crowd of black activists and some white activists and inspired millions to continue the fight for civil rights until change and equality had been achieved. The culmination of the civil rights movement that leads to the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act which changes lives. -
JFK is Assassinated
Lee Harvey Oswald perched himself and shot John F. Kennedy with a sniper rifle. The bullet did not automatically kill Kennedy but he died shortly after. Oswald himself was killed two days later. Kennedy's death shocked the nation as he was seen as a symbol of hope, youth, and change for the nation. People saw a great opportunity with Kennedy that they had been robbed of. "Innocence died with Kennedy". Lyndon B. Johnson becomes the president aboard the Air Force One which is extremely uncommon. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on ethnicity, creed, race, or color. This is a major step for the Civil rights movement . MLK is fittingly present for the signing as he is a major figure for the movement. While the Civil rights act cannot ban racism it does the best job that it legally can without breaking constitutionality. Blacks could now breathe a sigh of relief as all they had worked hard for had finally led to real change and recognition from the federal government. -
Period: to
Vietnam War
-
Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act guarantees African Americans their constitutional right to vote. By banning civics tests, intimidation, and voters taxes blacks could now participate in what many Americans consider their best way to communicate with the government. They could elect leaders who reflected their values, morals, and goals. Someone who understood their problems. Without the lessened fear of voting millions more could sway the vote and change the outcome of elections. 2008 is great proof of this -
Miranda V Arizona
"You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can be used against you in a court of law". These are our Miranda Rights decided in the Supreme Court of Arizona after Miranda pleaded guilty but had not been read his rights, when he was retried he was still found guilty but this court case is extremely significant because it allows everyone an equal opportunity for justice they may have otherwise not had. Also, cop shows are much more interesting when they read their Miranda Rights. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
In an attempt to obliterate the communist regime in Northern Vietnam pilots bombed until there was nothing but dirt. This was a show to Southern Vietnam that we were on their side, which is a weird show of unity but alright. The Vietnam War was ultimately a useless gesture as we did not win and thousands of civilians were decimated from Operation Rolling Thunder. We didn't stop to consider the consequences of the bombings much like Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Were the civilian casualties worth it?No -
The Moon Landing
"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". A huge milestone for Americans was landing a man on the moon in the Space Race with Russia. The single event aside from his assassination that the Kennedy Administration is most remembered for. Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin made their daring flight to space aboard Apollo 11 which was broadcast to millions across the nation who were sitting eagerly on the edge of their seat excited and fearful of what could happen next. -
Period: to
Nixons Presidency
-
Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA regulates businesses to ensure that they are conducting with regards to a safer environment. While Richard Nixon is known for Watergate, his agency focused heavily on working towards a healthier planet and making sure that animals were protected. Nixon was a very progressive president but was ultimately disabled by his attempt to cover up Watergate. He also introduced the mammal protection act, the clean water act, and the clean air act. The EPA made sure that the environment was safe. -
Title IX
Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in public education. Women had long fought for this right as they had been discriminated against as long as history has existed. Women finally had the right to not be discriminated against. Of course they would continue to be discriminated against but companies would have to come up with more elaborate reasonings. People could now enter the workforce, do schooling, get loans without their gender being something at play. Women had gained many rights. -
Watergate
The Watergate Break-in occurred when people aligned with Nixon's campaign broke into the hotel and stole documents relating to the Democratic Convention. Instead of fessing up to the mistake and firing those who had caused the problem, Nixon instead paid hush money and tried to cover up the break-in. When journalists and the FBI tried to investigate the scandal Nixon had CIA agents attempt to block the investigation. The scandal ultimately led to Nixon resigning rather than admitting his mistake -
Roe v Wade
Roe v Wade ensures that people would have the right to choose whether or not they had an abortion. Roe v Wade would remain in effect for nearly 40 years but was struck down in 2022 and now the decision is up to the states on whether or not they have abortion rights. 17 states retain the right to an abortion as well as the District of Columbia, the other 33 states have banned abortions. Abortion has been a topic for debate for well over 100 years and will remain a large topic for years to come. -
Period: to
Fords Presidency
-
Period: to
Carters Presidency
-
Iranian Hostage Crisis
Under the Carter Administration 52 Americans were taken as hostages by the Iranian government. They refused to work with Carter because he supported the installment of a leader they did not approve of. This plagued Carter throughout much of his presidency as the hostages were taken for 444 days. He worked until he was forced out of the White House to get the hostages home but was unsuccessful. The second that Reagan became president the hostages were freed because the Iranians feared him. -
Period: to
Reagans Presidency
-
Iran-Contra Affair
Allegedly without his knowledge the Reagan Administration was fueling the Iranians with weapons. They could not use any of the money they got from the transaction without stating where it came from so they funneled the funds into the Contras in Nicaragua so they could fight the communist uprising. Kill two birds with one stone. Unfortunately people found out and blamed Reagan and called into question his age. What may be worse is his administration was acting without his knowledge. -
Berlin Wall Falls
In a stunning end to the Cold War and the crumble of the USSR, the USSR demolishes the Berlin Wall and allows East and West Germany to finally re-unite. A long struggle had been fought to end the Cold War and fears had begun to die down until Reagan bled the USSR dry of their funds. Reagan increased defense spending and the USSR could not keep up leading to countries abandoning communism. Today, Russia can be seen attempting to regain control of parts of the USSR starting with Ukraine. -
Period: to
Bushs Presidency
-
Period: to
Clintons Presidency
-
Defense of Marriage Act
This act prohibited gay marriage and promoted heterosexual marriages throughout the nation. This leads to mass protests and riots throughout that nation that continued up until 2013 when gay marriage was legalized in the United States. LGBTQ+ rights continue to be a heavy topic of debate within the United States and ways to handle and rights to give are constantly fought for and against within all levels of government. Recent debates have called for revoking the rights of gay marriage. -
Period: to
Bushs Presidency
-
Period: to
Afghanistan War
-
9/11
Early in the morning passenger planes were hijacked and were turned back towards major American symbols and buildings. The Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the White House were all targets for the hijackings. The Twin Towers and the Pentagon were hit but the plane that was directed towards the White House was taken back by passengers and flown into a field in Pennsylvania. The TSA and the Department of Homeland Security were created due to 9/11. -
Period: to
Iraq War
-
Period: to
Obamas Presidency
-
Period: to
Trumps Presidency
-
Period: to
Bidens Presidency