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Alaska is purchased from Russia
Would begin an American trend of imperialism throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s. Allowed the United States more land outside of the contiguous U.S. and would give them more opportunity through a number of affairs including those that were political, military, strategic, etc. -
Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad
Was a major breakthrough in American history, and would create better communication between the East side of America and farther in the West. Allowed for the development of communities as well as better transport and a better economy. Helped America become more powerful in its earlier stages through better communication and trade within its borders. -
John D. Rockefeller starts Standard Oil
Rockefeller starts Standard Oil, a large oil company that would have a stronghold on the economy for many years. This would make Rockefeller one of the richest men in American history, and would also cause many supporters and non-supporters to clash and question workers rights. Along with this, the ability of maintaining a monopoly was also brought to legal question in the United States. Changed the business world in America. -
Alexander Graham Bell invents the first practical telephone
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Thomas Edison officially introduces the light bulb to America
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The Chinese Exclusion Act is passed and enforced
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Samuel Gompers founds the American Federation of Labor (AFL)
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The Sherman Antitrust Act is officially passed
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Ellis Island opens
With the official opening of Ellis Island, immigration to America would rapidly increase at an exponential rate, and would not only change but would temporarily divide America on the topic of immigration. This brought a lot of discussion to the table regarding the topic of immigration. Along with new discussion, rapid immigration caused crowding and many more jobs to be filled, seen as growth but also as recession for America. -
Strike breaks out on Carnegie's Homestead Mill
Exposed the injustices that early corporate capitalism had on the lower class worker, and resulted in a split among Americans between who was for large businesses and corporations running the economy or those who wanted the workers to have a more fair advantage. would eventually lead to the Sherman Antitrust Act among other laws that would limit the ability to legally hold monopolies over certain industries. -
Plessy v. Ferguson decrees segregation is Constitutional
A court case that decreed "separate but equal", that segregation should be continued. This would create further tension between blacks and whites in America, and would also continue another 60 years of segregation and mistreatment. Is a showcase of how intolerant America was during this time period. -
The U.S. declares war on Spain
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Hawaii is annexed by the U.S.
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Rudyard Kipling publishes "The White Man's Burden"
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The Boxer Rebellion breaks out in China
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The Tenement Act is passed
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Pres. McKinley is assassinated;Roosevelt becomes President
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The Philippine Insurrection ends
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Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine declares right for U.S Intervention in Western Hern
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Upton Sinclair publishes "The Jungle"
Sinclair published this revolutionary novel that would expose the horrors and lack of sanitation within the meat packing industry in the United States. Sparked rightful outrage from American citizens and allowed for change and reform for sanitation laws regarding foods and drugs around America. -
Pure Food & Drug/Meat Inspection Act passed
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Peak year of immigration for Ellis Island
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Henry Ford produces first car model (T Car)
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Creation of NAACP
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Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
An incident that occurred in New York City at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in which a fire broke out during a day of work. Because of the building's improper architecture with regards to easy escape, it was a deadly incident and a number of people died in the fire or while attempting to escape. Opened many eyes to the unsafe work conditions in factory jobs and allowed for reform and laws that would improve working conditions. -
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
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The Panama Canal is open and completed
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The U.S. enters WWI
Would be the war that would begin to establish the U.S. as a world power. Their involvement of the war greatly influenced its outcome and helped in the eventual defeat of the Central Powers in Europe. Also established America as a nation not to be messed with during times of war. -
Ratification of 18th Amendment-Prohibition
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Women get the right to vote
Was passed through the 19th Amendment, and declared that no American should be denied voting rights on the basis of sex. Was a major breakthrough for women's rights in America and created a better environment and more freedom to women living in the U.S. Was a step closer to America becoming an even more free nation.
