American History Timeline

By NoraGrahamcracker

  • 1. 18th Amendment Passed

    U.S. congress banned the sale, production and transport of alcohol which marked the start of Prohibition.

  • 2. Volstead Act

    U.S. congress enforced the 18th amendment, giving power to the government power to aswell.

  • 3. Prohibition Begins

    Alcohol became illegal for U.S. citizens nationwide, drinking was officially a crime

  • 4. Rise of Speakeasies

    Citizens began opening secret bars in urban areas, illegal bars became popular.

  • 5. Bootlegging and Al Capone

    Al Capone and Gangster sold illegal alcohol in Chicago, crime rose as gangs collected money from illegal booze.

  • 6. Flappers and Cultural Shift

    Young women challenged traditional roles in the U.S., which was a sign of major cultural changes.

  • 7. The Scopes Trial

    John Scopes had a trial over teaching evolution in Tennessee, which highlighted the clash in science and religion.

  • 8. Prohibition Crime Wave

    Increased violence and crime with many gangsters in major U.S. cities., the laws had led to more crime.

  • 1. Great Depression Begins

    The 1929 Stock Market Crash created massive financial collapses and left many citizens poor.

  • 9. Stock Market Crash

    The market collapsed on Wall Street, devastating many investors and starting the Great Depression.

  • 2. Many Bank Failures

    Thousands of banks closed, causing citizens to lose all of their money and savings.

  • 3. Unemployment Soars

    25% of Americans were unemployed and families struggled to make a living.

  • 4. Dust Bowl Begins

    Drought and dust storms came about the Great Plains, trapping many citizens and limiting anything they could do.

  • 6. FDR Elected President

    Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected in 1932 by U.S citizens, promising a "New Deal".

  • 5. Bonus Army March

    WWI veterans protested for early payments in Washington D.C., but were removed by force.

  • 10. 21st Amendment

    U.S. Congress repeal Prohibition, ending the nationwide ban on alcohol.

  • 7. New Deal Programs

    Government programs like CCC, WPA, and SSA created jobs and supported U.S. citizens.

  • 8. Bank Holiday

    All banks were closed temporarily to help restore trust in the financial system.

  • 9. Social Security Act

    Government aid was put in place for the elderly and unemployed, which was a major part of the New Deal reforms.

  • 10. Dust Bowl Migration

    U.S. families moved to California, fleeing their ruined farms for a better life.

  • 1. Sit-In Movement

    African American students in Greensboro, NC had a peaceful protest against segregation.

  • 2. Freedom Rides

    U.S. protesters rode buses into the south, challenging segregated bus terminals.

  • 3. March on Washington

    U.S. civil rights activists marched to see MLK Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech.

  • 4. Civil Rights Act Passed

    Discrimination of races in the U.S. was banned, which was a huge win for the civil rights movement.

  • 5. Voting Rights Act

    Banned voter suppression in the U.S. and protected African American voting rights.

  • 6. Watts Riots

    Violent protests were made in Los Angeles by U.S. citizens over police brutality.

  • 7. Vietnam War Escalation

    U.S. increased troops, trying to get an advantage in the war which sparked protests nationwide.

  • 8. Anti-War Protests

    Students and activists were against the Vietnam war, participating in non-violent protests.

  • 9. MLK Jr Assassinated

    Martin Luther King Jr. was shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN, sparkling a nation wide mourning and many riots.

  • 10. Democratic Convention Protests

    A series of protests in Chicago, IL against the U.S.'s involvement in the Vietnam war, which were violent clashes between police and protesters.