American History 2 Technology Project 3: American History from 1942 to 2001
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World War 2
The War which had begun in Europe in 1939 ended in 1945 with 3
months between the end of the European and Pacific theaters. The war changed the world in too many ways to count, but it propelled the US and the Soviet Union into global dominance and set up the world for the Cold War. Around 55 million total casualties. -
First Nuclear Reactor built
Chicago Pile-1, in Chicago was the first artificial nuclear reactor made in the world. -
Franklin Delano Roosevelt elected to a fourth term
President Roosevelt was wildly popular for his efforts in getting the US out of the Great Depression and for his actions in WW2 -
G.I. Bill passed
The bill provided many benefits for returning veterans and helped to transition America to a post-war state. -
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American Prosperity
With the Great Depression behind, the US moved into the most prosperous era in its history. With newfangled devices and machines to help make life easier, more Americans had leisure time and credit, which they used to buy more expensive things. The economy was on a constant rise until the first oil crisis in 1973, when a revolution led to oil being embargoed to the US, sending prices soaring. This effectively halted the unpresedented economic growth in the US for awhile. -
First Digital Computer
At the Moore School of Electrical Engineering in Philadelphia. The computer was the size of a large room and weighed 60,000 pounds. -
First meeting of the United Nations
In London, where Winston Churchill cautions of the dangers of communism and the Soviet Union. -
Marshall Plan introduced
By Secretary of State George Marshall, the plan called for massive investments into Europe to bring the communities back to normal and to help prevent the spread of communism. -
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The Cold War
Beginning with the nuclear race, then the Space race, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, then the Cuban Missile crisis and many other events are all part of this major fight of ideals. Capitalism and Democracy vs Communism. The two countries, the US and the USSR, fought to win influence over modernizing countries across the world. In the end, the USSR collapsed and free markets and people won. -
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Soviet Blockade of Berlin
An attempt by the Soviet Union to blockade Western Berlin and force the Allies out failed when the US dropped millions of pounds of food and supplies into the city. -
NATO formed
A mutual defense pact between Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the US. To defend each other, mostly from the threat of communism. -
First Modern Credit Card
Diners Club card -
Mccarthy's Accusation
Senator Joseph McCarthy falsely claimed to have the names of over 200 communists that were working in the state department. This led to several other false accusations and left the American people frightened and unsure of who to trust. -
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The Korean War
The War began when communist supported North Korea invaded US supported South Korea. The war was fought back and forth and eventually the war ended without a clear winner. The border was moved slightly further north than it had originally been, but 5 million lives had been lost, with about half of those civilians. The war was primarily fought by the US in order to prevent the spread ot communism. -
Segregation ruled unconstitutional.
In Brown v Board of Education, segregation was ruled unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court. -
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The Civil Rights Movement
The movement officially began when Emmett Till was murdered, followed by Rosa Parks' bus boycotts in Montgomery, Alabama. The movement grew in support with great leaders like Martin Luther King Junior and others leading the movement to its successful legal conclusion with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. However, with these legalities in place, most Americans' prejudices weren't changed, that would take time. -
First Televised Presidential Debate
Between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. -
The Bay of Pigs Invasion
A failed attempt by the US to get Cuban immigrants to invade their home country. But a combination of faulty information and a small turnout of immigrants led to the failure of the mission and national embarassment. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
When Soviet nuclear missiles were found in Cuba, tensions between the two countries escalated to a climax, with both countries ready to launch hundreds of nuclear warheads at each other for thirteen days straight. Eventually the US and the USSR came to an agreement which involved the US removing warheads from Turkey. -
JFK assassinated
Whilst driving through Dallas on the campaign trail, John was shot in the head. -
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The Vietnam War
The war was primarily fought between the communist North Vietnam and the Nationalist South Vietnam. South Vietnam was supported by the US and when US ships were struck by fire in the Gulf of Tonkin, the US engaged in all out warfare with the North, often having to fight southerners who sided with the North. Victories in battle were not decided in land taken, but in kill to death ratios. After long years of unchanging war, an anti-war movement blew up in the US and eventually the US withdrew. -
MLK Jr Assassinated
The revolutionary civil rights leader, who promoted peacefully protesting for equality in all fields of life was killed. -
First Man on the Moon
Neil Armstrong, US astronaut, was the first man on the moon. "Thats one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." -
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Watergate
The break-in into the Democratic National Convention headquarters by supporters of then-president Richard Nixon along with other events led to his impeachment and subsequent resignation. This event led to distrust among the American people for their governement. -
Roe v Wade
In the landmark US Supreme Court decision, abortion in the US was legalized, resulting in the deaths of tens of millions of babies. -
Hostages in Iran
52 Americans were held hostage in Tehran for 444 days, until US President Reagan was inauguration in 1981. -
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Ronald Reagan President
His presidency marked a victory for the growing wave of conservatism in the US, mainly as a rejection of radical and exclusivist liberal policies and ideas. He was a popular president, leading the US through its economic stagnation and several intense situations across the world. -
Assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan
The attempt left Reagan wounded and his press secretary and a policeman. -
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AIDS epidemic
The illness, spread through blood, effected hundreds of thousands of AMericans throughout the 1980s and early 90s. Through testing and preventative medication, the spread of the disease has slowed exponentially. -
US marine barracks bombed
241 Marines killed in Beirut, Lebanon by a suicide bomber, leaving Americans shocked. -
US invasion of Grenada
The invasion to overthrow the communist government lasted a week, with Grenada's hasty surrender ending the conflict. -
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Iran Contra Affair
This scandal occurred as the Reagan administration sold weapons to the terrorist Iranian government in exchange for that government to help free US hostages in neighboring Lebanon. The funds from this deal would go towards overthrowing Nicaragua's Marxist government. -
Challenger Failiure
The shuttle Challenger explodes just after launch, killing 8 people -
George H. W. Bush elected President
The third republican presidential victory in a row, showing the growing popularity of conservatism throughout the 80s. -
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The Gulf War
A coalition of several dozen nations led by the US against Iraq because of its annexation of Kuwait. The war ended with Iraq withdrawing from Kuwait. -
Clinton impeachment trials
Multiple attempts to impeach President Clinton all failed to secure the two-thirds majority needed to impeach the president, but his reputation was ruined in the eyes of the American people. -
Panama Canal returned
The US returns the land upon which the canal was dug, fully allowing the local government to run the canal. -
First High School Shooting
At Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. 15 dead. -
9/11
Terrorists hijack multiple airplanes and topple the twin towers in New York City and crash into the Pentagon. A third hits the pentagon and a fourth crashes in a field. Over 3000 dead and the way international travel operates completely changed. -
The Great Recession
A worldwide negative economic spiral, resulting in the collapse of multiple industries, especially real estate. Millions of people lost their mortgages, their savings and more. The second worst economic catastrophe in the US, besides the Great Depression.