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Following the hopes of land and for opportunity, 104 settlers from Great Britain landed in Virginia and established the first permanent settlement, Jamestown. They immediately faced problems and 80% died before the natives took pity and showed them how to survive in the New World with their knowledge. Eventually, the settlement would thrive after the discovery of tobacco, which had high demand in Europe. This would be the cradle of the colonies and would be seen as the start of its history -
Following the major boom in tobacco demand but lacking the manpower to harvest it, royal officials allow for the headright system to take place. It guaranteed 50 acres to any family that would come over and farm the land, leading to a massive surge in the colonies and creating opportunity for many. It would help to develop and expand the colonies as more and more people came, creating bustling towns and expanding industry, truly helping to build up colonies and their own identity. -
Although slavery had been a human construct since the time of Rome, the first slaves landing in North America was a massive point for the continent. This landing would proceed 200 years of racial bondage and servitude to a class that saw them inferior and sub-human to them. Slavery and this moment would have enormous consequences, leading to a war, to domestic terrorism, and the struggle for equality that would last until today. -
Although religion was already a major part of the colonists lives, they were separate and very traditional. Intent on reforming the faith, several prominent preachers began to preach about God, some through fire and brimstone, others through the saving power and good works of faith. George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards are the two prominent examples, and the Awakening would lead to deep religious conviction and a sense of shared unity among the colonists, which would be seen in the Revolution. -
The French and Indian War was a frontier war fought over the rich and fertile Ohio River Valley area. It would see british forces pitted against the french and their indian allies and fighting took place all over the frontier. At the end of the war, it would see all of french territory in North America east of the Mississippi and also increased the british debt. That debt would renew british attention on the colonies and begin the new waves of acts to make the colonies pay for the war. -
The product of attempts by the crown to prevent frontier fighting, King George III approved the proclamation to prevent settlement past the Appalachian Mountains. This infuriated the colonists, who saw the fertile land as a right and that they should be the only people in charge of that. This would mark the end of salutary neglect and begin to show royal affairs take shape in America. This would also spark extensive amounts of anger and would begin to fuel ideas of removing the crown. -
Following years of salutary neglect, the crown of Great Britain had a a renewed interest in the colonies and funding after severely indebting themselves during the French and Indian War. The Stamp Act, passed by Parliament, was meant to alleviate the massive debts and to be more equal, hurting the upper class more than the lower. However, colonists saw this as a threat to the system of government they had established for themselves and fought vehemently against its introduction. -
Already running high with tensions, soldiers are ordered into Boston to protect British government offices and houses. One customs house became the target of an angry mob, who threw ice and rocks at the sentry guarding it. Eventually, a squad of soldiers rush to support their comrade, and they form up on him. In the confusion however, a soldier shoots. Soon, 5 lay dead and anti-British sentiments have never run higher. THe public was outraged by this and fueled the Revolution movement -
With unrest brewing in Boston and whispers of rebellion spreading, British officers catch news of gunpowder and ammunition being stored in Concord, on the outskirts of Boston. Preceded by several riders, including paul Revere, the redcoats encounter a band of minutemen at Lexington green where the first shot is heard of the Revolution. After a brief fight, they march to Concord, only to be driven back. This fighting would be seen as the start of the AMerican Revolution and commence hostilities. -
Signed by 56 legislatures from the Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence formally declared the 13 colonies as as independent nation. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration was both a list of reasons why the colonies should be separate from the tyranny of the king and the declaration of sovereignty by the government. This document would drastically change world events, making a sovereign nation and for the first time, a colony would openly revolt against the motherland. -
Hoping to split New England in 2 and cut off the colonies into 2, General Burgoyne marched south from Canada. However, units under General Horatio Gates moved to intercept him and quickly cut off his attempts to advance. With Burgoyne's army surrounded, General Benedict Arnold launched an attack and would force the surrender of an entire british army, the first in the world. It would show a shifting tide against the british and would cause France to begin to send troops and supplies to America. -
With winter approaching and the campaign in the South seeing little success, Cornwallis moves his troops to Yorktown in hopes of linking up with the Royal Navy and wintering there. When he arrives however, he is met with the French navy and besieged by American and French forces for nearly 3 weeks before surrendering. This battle would be the deciding factor in Britain suing for peace, as the war had become extremely unpopular and would create a new nation, the United States of America -
WIth thousands of former soldiers in debt and being forced into prisons or to sell their farms, Daniel Shays leads a number of men to close courthouses. They hoped to stop the debts from being collected and began to march towards Boston. The wealthy feared them, and raised a private army after the government couldn't, and managed to turn back the rebels. The uprising showed the failures of the Articles of Confederation and would directly lead to the Constitution for stronger government -
One of the few successes of the Articles of Confederation, the Northwest Ordinance created the Northwest Territory and began to pave the way for American expansion. It would charter the government for the territory, as well as providing a method to admit states into the Union, and would list the rights guaranteed to states by the government. This method would be used well into the 1800's and would help to shape American expansion programs and territorial incorporation for the future -
After heated debate and many compromises, the Constitution is ratified and signed by 39 out of 55 delegates. In it, it details the fundamental laws of the United States and sets up the powers of the government and the branches that would make it up. This document is a massive effort to create a republican democracy and establish the government for the people, by the people, and would see America rise as a democratic nation, one of the few in the world at the time. -
Afraid that the Constitution put too much power into the hands of the federal government, James Madison offered to add 12 amendments to protect person rights. The Federalists, although opposed to the idea at first, saw it as a way to protect peoples sovereign rights while not hindering the effective ability of the government. This would be critical for America as it outlined all the rights of its citizens and its protections from the government that would continue to be amended even to this day -
Eli Whitney is credited with the creation of the cotton gin, a revolutionary device that could produce 10x more cotton than handpicking could in one day. The cotton gin would bring the revival of slavery back into the South and see slavery and cotton as a massive part of the economy in the South. Intended to reduce the amount of labor it takes to process cotton, Eli Whitney would end up creating a machine that would bring slavery back into the forefront of the south. -
Called "The Revolution of 1800", it would be the first time in history that a elected government had been democratically removed from office and replaced peacefully by a member of the opposing ideology. After a string of failures by his government, Adams was deeply unpopular while Jefferson was gaining support among the farmers and artisans. Unable to redeem the Alien and Sedition Acts, Jefferson would win the the presidency, creating history with his inauguration and peaceful transfer of power -
After the loss of the election to Jefferson, Adams appoints new judges right before leaving but is unable to deliver them. Madison finds this, and withholds the positions, refusing to deliver them. Marbury sues Madison, and , Marbuy is allowed to have his position as a judge. However, the Supreme Court under Marshall gains the power of Judicial Review, claiming a part of the Judiciary Act is unconstitutional. This would see its use for the first time and created a more powerful Judiciary Branch -
Hoping to secure the vital Mississippi and port that served as the life blood for the Midwest and South, Thomas Jefferson sent Monroe with $3 million to go and buy the port of New Orleans. Napoleon is hardly interested in that, but offers to sell all of Louisiana to Jefferson for $15 million. Jefferson debates this idea for days, and after setting aside his person beliefs, he agreed to the purchase and doubled the size of the US in one purchase. -
Created by american inventor Robert Fulton, the steamship revolutionized trade in America and turned the Mississippi into a highway. Originally, rafts were floated down the river and into New Orleans where goods were sold, but steamships allowed for goods to travel up and down the river at anytime throughout the year without the problems of currents. It would push river commerce farther than ever before and would lead to a rise in canals as well, before the railroads were laid in ernest. -
The War of 1812 was fought for several reasons, some minor, some major. Following reports of impressment of US sailors by the Royal Navy, as well as hopes for territorial expansion mixed with defending US pride and influence, James Madison declared war on Britain. The US was hardly prepared, and would watch the White House burn from a british attack, but would ultimately end in a white peace. The only side to really lose were the indians, who allied with the British and were destroyed. -
Although a peace treaty had been signed, news had not reached the british army that was heading to Louisiana. Hoping to defend the vital city of New Orleans, General Andrew Jackson gathered a ragtag force of militia, pirates, and regular infantry. After constructing defenses, the americans would repulse attacks by the british forces and would see almost 1000 british die. It was a stunning victory that would boost Jackson to famousness and build his reputation for his presidential campaign. -
Facing a crisis with the delicate balance of power between slave and free states, Henry Clay engineers a deal to save the nation. It would admit Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free, while making all territory north of Missouri's southern border free soil. This Compromise would help to maintain the delicate balance of power between north and south, and would kick the issue of slavery down the road until the next major compromise while making sure to keep the union together for longer -
Concerned with the idea of European influence in the Americas and hoping to extend American influence, president Monroe issues a doctrine to the world. It stated that From now on no European nation could interfere with the affairs of the Western Hemisphere and that any attempts at colonization or reclaiming independent states would be met with hostility. This would help to secure the Americas for the US and push European powers off the continent politically while preventing them from returning. -
Led by Charles Finney and Lyman Beecher, new preachers championed the idea of good will and good works for others. They believed that the church is a vehicle for social change and called for more personal relationships with God, something that resonated with the people at the time. . It would help to unite America and shape religion as well as introduce new social movements, as it would drive abolitionism, women's rights, and temperance movements -
Signed into law by Andrew Jackson and declared unconstitutional by the supreme court, the Indian Removal Act allowed for the government to take indian land in the east in exchange for western lands. Jackson, already opposed to the indians, used public opinion to allow for white settlement of the fertile land many tribes owned. This would see 25 million acres taken and open to white settlement, creating massive tracts of land and would lead to forced removal and genocide of many indian groups. -
Following major tariffs on foreign goods that were made to improve US manufacturing, South Carolina passed the Nullification Ordinance nullifying the federal tariff and making it illegal. Andrew Jackson, infuriated, pushed several bills through Congress for him to use military force against a state, while Henry Clay would create a compromise to reduce the tariff and prevent secession. This crisis would see the federal government flex its power and assert that it had power over state government. -
Following a declaration of independence by Texas, Santa Anna moved into Texas and attacked the small mission called the Alamo. Defended by 250 Americans, including senator Davy Crockett, they would fight off the Mexican army for 13 days before being completely overwhelmed by troops. Every defender would perish, and it would garner massive sympathy for the Texan cause in America, as well as rallying Texans, who would go on to defeat Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, gaining independence -
Iron plows were originally used to till up the soil during the colonial times, but as America pushed west, the need for a better plow became apparent. John Deere would fix this with the invention of the steel plow, which enabled farmers to cut deeper, was more durable, and prevented sod from clumping to the blade. This invention would allow for far greater productivity and harvests, and would see extensive use in the west for its ability to cut underneath the roots of grasses for planting -
Following Andrews Jackson's war against the First National Bank, his attempts to supplement it turned into disaster. Although he would leave office before the Panic of 1837, Jackson's use of specie in exchange for gold would see economic ruin devastated America well into the 1840's. It would damage the west even more, as land speculation out west and the use of specie would crash the system and destroy the Democratic Party, leading to the rise of the Whigs who would dominate for 2 decades. -
After letting Texas claim its independence, Mexico became the target of Polk's expansionist ideas. After sending in troops on a border excursion, Polk declares war when they are shot by the Mexicans who were sent in to contest them. The US army begins to defeat the Mexicans in battle after battle, ending with the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. The war would see America become a bicoastal nation and open up new trade opportunities while expanding America, gaining access to new ports and resources. -
The California Gold Rush begins with the discovery of gold in the river by James Marshall, who was building a sawmill. Soon, thousands of settlers and prospectors came flooding into California to find a piece of gold and strike it rich, but most would leave empty handed. It would help to develop the ports and the west coast through the massive population boom and expansion of trade, as well as bringing thousands of Chinese immigrants, which mean expansion and population growth with it. -
As another crisis loomed in Congress threatening to divide the union apart, Henry Clay once again stepped up to save the union from collapse. He offered a compromise that would see California become a free state, created a harsher Fugitive Slave Act, and would set up the Utah and New Mexico territory. This compromise would save the union, but would find little sympathy in the north from its Fugitive Slave Clause. It would help to keep the nation together, but would fuel hate between the 2 sides -
Having been born into slavery but moved with his master up north into Wisconsin, Dred Scott sued his master for his freedom. He argued that being in a free state freed him from slavery, but the Supreme Court ruled against him. They said he must remain a slave even in a free state, meaning no state is really free, as well as calling the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional. It would cause massive uproar in the north and saw abolition movements gain lots of support, even in the government -
A staunch abolitionist and veteran of Bleeding Kansas, John Brown hoped to arm a slave uprising form weapons stored at Harpers Ferry. He led a small contingent of 13 men in there and successfully secured the weapons, but would die when troops under Robert E. Lee surround the armory and open fire. He would later be hung for treason and the north would secretly mourn his loss and ring their bells, infuriating the south and causing sectional ties to boil almost to the point of spilling over -
A sharp lawyer from Illinois with little luck in politics, Lincoln was chosen as the nominee for the new Republican Party. He was skilled at debate and would thrash his opponents with logic and reason. He saw slavery as an evil, but had no desire to abolish it in any states, just to prevent it from spreading . He would win the election off a split vote, and this would plunge the nation into crisis. The South feared he would take away their slaves, and seceeded to prevent him from doing so. -
After the Confederate states declare secession, Lincoln orders the fort resupplied to prevent any attempts by the confederacy to claim it. Upon hearing this, troops under P.T. Beauregard began to open fire on the fort after attempting to force the undersupplied troops inside to surrender. Union men refused and fired back, but would be forced to surrender after constant bombardment from Confederate forces. This is considered the beginning of the Civil War and would mark open hostilities. -
Thinking towards the future, Congress passes the Homestead Act to encourage western settlement and develop the extensive west for farming and ranching. It granted 160 acres to each household who payed the $18 filing fee and farmed the land for 5 years while improving it. This Act would see thousands of migrants travel west to the Great Plains and further to claim land and find their own opportunity. This would see rapid development in the west and would bring the west into the national economy -
Bolstered by his victory at Chancellorsville, Lee decided to move north to threaten the Washington D.C. and attempt to force and end to the war. After arriving at Gettysburg, He would find a strong Union force under General Meade prepared to stop his advance into Pennsylvania. After 3 days of bloody battle, Lee would lose 1/3 of his fighting force and force him into a retreat back into the South towards Richmond. This would be the bloodiest multi day battle of the war and see 75,000 men die. -
Hoping to end slavery once and for all in America, Abraham Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing any slaves outside of union territory. This would mean once the union army arrives, then the slaves would be considered freed people and would be able to do as they please. However, this didn't free slaves in border states or US controlled territory, but it would keep foreign powers out of the war as well as paving the way for the 14th amendment that would ultimately free them -
After almost 4 years of bloody fighting that would be the costliest in American history, Lee is trapped at Appomattox Courthouse by Grant. Realizing the situation and that he has no supplies left, Lee surrenders to Grant and orders his troops to disarm , effectively ending the Civil War. This moment saw the end to the bloodshed and prevented Lee from resupplying and continuing to fight, something that would have dragged the conflict on even more. It would also effectively end the COnfederacy -
Although sporadically at conflict for over 200 years, the Indian Wars saw great violence in the 1860's and forward as settlers began to push onto indian land. Attempting to force tribes onto reservations and destroying the buffalo herds, indians began to push back against the settlers who threatened to destroy their lives This would see many massacres committed by white settlers against tribes of indians and cost thousands of dollars and lives as the government fought battles across the plains -
Thought to be impossible by many and foolish by some, the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad is one of the biggest achievements in american history. It linked the east and west of America and allowed for massive amounts of goods and passengers to travel along it, linking together the nation. It would help to incorporate the west into american economics and would create a stronger economy and nation. It would also mark a massive railroad boom for the nation, binding it together more. -
Hoping to keep control of the south and protect the fights of freedmen, Congress passed the 15th Amendment, which guaranteed the right to vote to any male, no matter the color of skin or previous bondage. This would cause massive uproar in both the north and south, but also established civil rights for freedmen who would go and support politics extensively. Its protection of African American rights was a major step forward and would see freedmen become politically active to assert their rights -
The worlds first national park, Yellowstone was the product of both big companies and efforts to conserve the west. Some feared the extensive development of the west was leading to destruction of many landscapes, while railroads saw it as a way to attract tourists and raise money. Authorized by Grant, it protected 2 million acres and would create the first national park, something that attracted millions of tourists through the railroads, encouraging tourism and exploring the west -
Following years of extensive spending and corruption by government officials, The US was shook by a massive depression that destroyed the economy. The spending and crash in Europe would see unemployment rise and the price of grain fall, leading to many desperate people begin to beg as the wealthy feared a breakdown in order. The Panic would see the power of the republicans began to wane as well as helping to end reconstruction as the development policies began to fall apart from no funding -
Following years of bitter internal conflict with southern politicians and common men alike, troops are removed from the South, ending Reconstruction. Originally, the south was split into 5 military sectors covered by US troops who protected freedmen's rights and laws. However, the election of Rutherford B. Hayes saw a deal that would remove troops protecting Reconstruction, allowing Democrats and extremists to control of the states, which would enact Jim Crow Laws and ended government oversight -
The Dawes Act, passed in 1887, was a double edged sword used against the indians. In name, it meant to protect the land rights of the indian people by offering them the 160 acre lands whites had, but it took from the reservations and would destroy the tribal culture. It would do little to protect the land, as over 97 million acres were taken by whites while indian culture began to degrade as they were forced to settle. This act would be one way America attempts to Americanize the indian people. -
With the passing of the 14th amendment, questions began to arise about what it meant when it said equal protection. Plessy brought the case before the supreme court that segregated train cars were illegal under the 14th amendment, saying that they aren't equal while Ferguson used "separate but equal" to justify. The judges ruled in favor of Ferguson, and would see a major setback for civil rights as segregation was permitted, and wouldn't change until 1954, paving the way for Jim Crow laws. -
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After the assassination of President McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt becomes the president that the republicans feared. Originally put under McKinley to boost his reputation, Teddy would soon become a major force of change as he pushed forward a flurry of legislation and progressive reform unrivaled up until then. His actions would see progressive laws and reforms take place, including laws aimed at trust busting and at offering consumers factual and healthy products as well as national parks.
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After years of low paid labor and dangerous working conditions, coal workers go on strike in the Anthracite Mine to protest these problems. The mine owners however, refused to sit down and negotiate with the workers about the issues. As winter approaches and the fear of a coal shortage grew, Teddy Roosevelt took a personal interest in the issue. He ordered the owners to negotiate or the army will mine the coal themselves. This signaled a major shift of the government from owners to the workers. -
In Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 2 bicycle shop owners and brothers flew the first heavier-than-air aeroplane. Since they were kids, they had been fascinated with toys that would spin blades using rubber bands. They used this idea to come up with the model that would be the Wright Glider, a powered and manned plane that could get off the ground. Their success would mean the creation of one of the biggest modern inventions and would be though history in everything from commercial flights to war. -
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"The Jungle" was a short book written by the socialist journalist Upton Sinclair about the gross horrors of the meatpacking industry and the awful conditions that migrant workers experience in the factories. The story details how rats, diseased meat, odd meats, and even fingers would be ground up with beef and served to consumers, shocking the nation. The story would be so shocking that Teddy Roosevelt would pass the Pure Food and Drug Act to make sure that food is up to standards for consumers
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CEO and Founder of the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford invented and built the first mass produced car in history. The Ford Model T was to be durable, cheap, and easy to build so that the average consumer could afford it while Ford could churn out thousands a day. The Model T was a massive success and would find a massive market with the rising middle class of Americans that saw the cars as the next step in personal freedom. The T would help to build the car culture that we see even to this day. -
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is America's oldest and largest civil rights organization. It was formed in New York City by white and Black activists and serves to help those who experience racism or race violence through legal and advisory services. It also serves to help those who are economically and financially challenged and to try and reform the systems that serve African Americans. It was one of the leaders of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s with MLK -
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One of the deadliest fires in US history, the Triangle Shirtwaist fire took the lives of 146 workers, mainly young women and girls. The fire started after a spark caught the scrap linens on fire, but the real danger came from the locked doors and lack of fire escapes to prevent theft. Many doors and staircases were locked by the foremen who escaped first, leaving many to the mercy of the fire or to try and escape through the windows. It would mark the start of safety legislation and create OSHA. -
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Following the Zimmerman Telegram and the sinking of the Lusitania with Americans on board, Woodrow Wilson asks Congress to vote to declare war on Germany. The US was already more inclined to supporting the British, who had accounted for $30 billion in trade revenue versus the Germans $1 billion and had been actively neutral while preparing for war. The US entering the war would serve as the final straw that would serve to break the Central Powers ability to wage war and would ultimately end WWI.
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After 4 years of brutal and bloody war that has rocked the world, an armistice is signed by the Allies and the Central Powers on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Americans took to the streets to celebrate the end of the war that took the lives of 116,000 American soldiers and military personnel. Armistice Day is celebrated even to this day and was changed to Veterans Day to remember all those who served, but had its roots in the ending of the first massive modern war. -
With more and more people supporting the Temperance Movement, Congress is pressured to pass the 20th Amendment to ban liquor. Very quickly, government agencies began to raid liquor warehouses and pour the alcohol into the sewers and streets, but would quickly be replaced by illegal bootleggers. the Mafia sprang up as a source of illegal booze, and speakeasies that acted as hidden bars became the normal. Crime and corruption became rampant, and the 20th Amendment gave rise to organized crime. -
After almost 200 years of attempts by reformers to give women the right to vote, the 19th Amendment was finally passed, giving the right to vote to women. The events of WWI and women entering the workforce had shows the need to reform in this area, and major pushes by reformers to grant them the right to vote. WWI had also shown how women could step up and do jobs traditionally done by men, breaking down the gender stereotypes of the time. In all, it was a major step on the progressive journey. -
After decades of immigrants coming in waves, and with many sick of the "new immigrant" that had come, Congress passes legislation to set quotas on immigrants. The quota allowed for immigration to two percent of the total number of people of each nationality in the US as of the 1890 census. This was significant as it lowered the quotas for many southern and eastern countries, favoring western and protestant countries far more heavily. It wold also ban all Chinese but only limited Japanese people. -
A farm boy from Utah, Philo Farnsworth was fascinated by engineering and by creating things with his hands. . He found the inspiration for the tv when working among the fields, imaging how you could line up images and photons like rows of crops. He would debut his TV in 1927 and would change the world. Tv's are in billions of homes throughout the world and are the leading source for news and entertainment. Hs invention allowed people to see things never seen before and bring lives to your home. -
After almost a decade of large scale spending and economic boom, the Roaring 20's came to an end when the stock market crashed on Tuesday, October 29th. Stocks plunged as investors panicked and pulled money out, or lost everything after buying on the margin. Panic turned into chaos as normal people began to pull money out of banks, fearing a crash that would end up wiping out a third of the banks in America. This infamous day would plunge the US into the grips of the worst Depression in history. -
After almost 4 years of Depression, the American people put FDR into office to help change the course of the Depression. FDR responded with enthusiasm, passing a flurry of legislation in his first 100 days that would earn him a reputation as a reformer. He would pass major financial reform, create the FDIC and other government bureaus that aimed at preventing and recreating the economy of the US. He is credited with pulling the US out of Depression and creating the modern government of today. -
Considered one of greatest engineering feats of modern history, the Hoover Dam provides flood control, reliable source of water for farmers, and electricity for nearly 1.3 million people. Planned by Herbert Hoover while he was the secretary of commerce, the dam would be a major feat that would help to electrify the west and assist the drought prone farmers that rely on the river for water. It would be one of the biggest part of the New Deal and would employ thousands, giving many workers jobs. -
With another war looming in Europe and fears of the US being dragged into war, FDR passes the Neutrality Act of 1939. It banned the export and sale of weapons to warring countries and from American passengers to travel on
their ships. It also banned foreign made weapons from being cargo on American ships. It was a step towards the isolationist policy that many Americans supported mixed with the memories of the chaos that had been caused by US trade policy between European nations during WWI. -
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Following months of tense negotiations about Japan's imperial expansion, Japan believes war with the US is inevitable and launches a surprise attack on the US Pacific fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor. Attacking with over 200 fights and bombers, Japan would kill over 2,000 and sink 18 ships, including the 8 battleships in the harbor. This attack would see the US enter WWII the very next day and would see a crippled US fleet try and contest the power of the Japanese Navy for control of the Pacific
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The largest amphibious assault in the history, Operation Overlord began with D-Day. With over 100,000 troops taking part in the battle, soldiers from Canada, the US, and Britain attacked the 5 beaches that made up Normandy. The goal was to push up the beach and to break the hold of the Nazis on mainland Europe. The soldiers would encounter stiff resistant and would take 10,000 casualties, but would ultimately push off the beach and take key towns with the help of already deployed paratroopers. -
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Following almost 4 years of war and death totals that shocked the world, the US government needed a different way to end the war in the Pacific. Military analysts believed that 250,000 US soldiers would have to die to take the home island of Japan, but the decision was made to drop the bomb on Hiroshima. The blast was to end the war and see the effects of this devastating weapon. Made by Dr. Oppenheimer, the bomb would kill an estimated 80,000 civilians and see the world enter the Atomic Age.
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the brainchild of FDR and Joseph Stalin, the United Nations was meant to be an organization to govern world commerce and to maintain international peace. The UN would have representatives from every nation in the world and would have a security council made up of the big 5 from after WWII, US, Britain, France, Soviet Union, and China. It has been effective in helping with international crises such and protecting the sovereignty of nations, like during the Korean War when UN troops were deployed. -
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With Europe left in a devastated mess after WWII and fearing the rise of Communism, Truman authorizes the plan by George Marshall to loan millions of dollars to the nations in western Europe destroyed by war to help rebuild their economy and government. The plan would help start the rebuilding of many European countries such as France and Germany that were devastated by bombings. The plan would be a major success and create democratic, stable, and economically viable countries without communism
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NATO, or the North Atlantic Trade Organization, was created to serve as a force against the growing threat of the Soviet Union. Originally made up off western European countries, the US, and Canada, NATO served as a major point for cooperation in the west through both trade and mutual defense pacts that are in place today. This counter to the Soviet Union would also see a greater emphasis placed on allies and would see a flurry of diplomatic activity to try and secure allies by both sides.
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After several years of being split in half by different ideologies, North Korea crosses the 39th Parallel and invades South Korea. The US and UN very quickly mobilized troops and arrived in Korea, where they encountered ferocious fighting. Eventually, a counterattack would push the North Koreans back to the very border with China, where the Chinese made a surprise attack and pushed US troops back to the 39th parallel. Peace talks yielded an armistice that would allow both countries to exsist. -
In a unanimous decision that sparked controversy across the country, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation in schools was illegal. It overturned the idea of "separate but equal" that had been established by Plessy v. Ferguson and would allow for the integration of all schools in the US. Thurgood Marshall argued the case for the NAACP and would become a judge for the Supreme Court, with his efforts being remembered through the history of his actions during the Civil RIghts Movement and beyond -
Having been a general in WWII, Dwight D. Eisenhower saw the need for greater access to transportation and to update the roads across the country. He modeled the interstate system off the Autobahn in Germany, while also making it so that it could be used in emergency as landing strips in case war comes. The Interstate would prove to be a major development, serving as the arteries for commerce and for travel throughout the country. The modernized system proved to be one of Eisenhower's legacies. -
After a revolution sweeps through Cuba that puts Fidel Castro in power, The Soviet Union begins to take a vested interest in the region. Communist Cuba had been hoping for protection against US aggression, and found the USSR willing to provide nuclear missiles. Kennedy found the missile sights and ordered a blockade around Cuba to prevent any deadlier missiles from entering. Eventually both sides would back off, with the USSR taking back its missiles and the US promising not to invade Cuba. -
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On a cool winter day in Texas, John F. Kennedy was shot twice by Lee Harvey Oswald while touring through downtown Dallas. Kennedy would die later that day in a hospital in Dallas from a headshot would and a shot through the shoulder. The assassination shocked a nation at a moment when it was threatened by the Soviets, but it was deemed that Oswald had worked alone with unknown motives. The death of Kennedy would see his image as a major US president cemented, and would leave behind his triumphs.
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After decades of protesting, picketing, and challenging stereotypes, the Civil Rights Act was passed by Lyndon B. Johnson with MLK in attendance. It guaranteed the rights of all people are prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. It was a step many, especially in the black community, had been pushing for decades and was finally achieved. It would go on to be the basis of progressive reforms made to society and was a major step forward for civil rights. -
Similar to what happened in Korea, North Vietnamese troops stormed across the border and rolled into South Vietnam. Fearing the domino theory, Johnson begins to bomb strategic locations and deploy troops into the region to prop up the South Vietnamese. What was thought to be an easy war quickly turned into a quagmire as thousands of troops are sent over to try and destroy an enemy that they couldn't see. Troops were often drafted, and disproportionately poor and minorities would have to serve. -
While in Memphis to march with sanitation workers the next day, MLK was shot by a sniper from across the street where he was staying when he walked out on his balcony to address some colleagues. His death would rock the nation and would lead to violence in nearly 100 cities nationwide, and over 100,000 people would attend his funeral in Atlanta. His life is remembered and celebrated on the third monday of January and his life will be remembered as fighting violence and racial discrimination. -
After years of research and many failed experiments, NASA launches Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in Apollo 11. These 2 would become the first humans to step on the moon, winning the space race for the Americans and shocking the world with the news. Watched by millions around the globe, this symbolized the start of the Space Age and the advancement of technology and research never before seen. It would also prompt more exploration into space, giving us the modern foundation for NASA and space. -
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One of the major achievements of the Nixon administration, Title IX was passed signed into law by Nixon and guaranteed education rights for all people and made it illegal to discriminate based on gender in schools and universities. This was seen as a major step forward for women's rights as for decades women had been protesting for equal access to college level education, especially since colleges wouldn't allow women to enter and far preferred male candidates that would bolster reputations.
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After almost a year of news revolving around the chaos of the Watergate Scandal, Nixon decides to resign as president of the US rather than be impeached by Congress. Although he had not ordered the break in, Nixon's attempts to circumvent justice and use the power of the Oval Office to cover up the scandal were the final nails in the coffin. Although he would later be pardoned by his former VP, Nixon's image as a president would be tarnished through his cover up attempts and involvement in it.