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Jamestown Colonie
The Virginia Company dispatched in search of gold. They arrived in the colonies and established Jamestown in 1607, making it the first permanent English settlement. While there settlers endured the "starving time" and many died of malnutrition and infection. They was also uneasy tension between the English and the Powhatan who both believed the other should pay tribute. Additionally in Jamestown, John Rolfe planted tobacco which would become the first cash crop. -
Headright System Introduced
In Jamestown, Virginia, the Virginia Company began to offer headlights to settlers. Settlers already residing in Virginia were granted 100 acres of land. It granted 50 acres of land to those who paid passage. Additionally, anyone who paid for the passage of another was also granted an additional 50 acres. This prompted people to pay for extra people for more land, these people became indentured servants. These servants had to work with a master for 4-5 years before being free. -
Mayflower Voyage
The ship was headed for Virginia where the colonists had been authorized to settle by the British Crown. These pilgrims (or better known as separatists), landed at Plymouth. There they drafted the Mayflower Compacts which covered rules and regulations and was the first self-governance document in the country. However, the group struggled to attract new converts and settlers because of their strict views and were eventually overshadowed and absorbed by the Puritans. -
Anne Hutchinson Exiled
Anne Hutchinson was a Puritan spiritual advisor, religious reformer, and an important participant in the Antinomian Controversy which shook the infant Massachusetts Bay Colony. She believed that women could read and teach the bible. For these "radical" beliefs she was exiled from Massachusetts for having nonconformist religious views that advocated personal revelation over the role of the clergy, which were considered dangerous. And so she fled with her family to Rhode Island. -
Trade Restriction
The first Navigation Act was passed in 1651. These were acts passed by Parliament intended to promote the self-sufficiency of the British Empire by restricting colonial trade to England and decreasing dependence on foreign goods. This long series of English laws developed, promoted, and regulated English ships, shipping, trade, and commerce between other countries with its own colonies. -
Bacon's Rebellion
This rebellion in Virginia is considered by many historians to be the first stirring of revolutionary sentiment in America. It began with a local dispute with the Doeg Indians on Potomac River. Bacon mobilized his neighbors and attacked any Indians he could find. He issued a "Manifesto and Declaration of the people" that demanded removal of Indians and an end to the rule of the wealthy. -
Salem Witch Trials
The Salem Witch Trials were a series oh hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts in the town of Salem. A special court was set up by the governor in order to convict these individuals. Overall, 150 persons are accused of witchcraft, with 20 people (14 women), being executed. By October, the hysteria subsides, remaining prisoners are released, and the special court is dissolved. -
Molasses Tax
The Molasses Act is passed by the British Parliament, it imposes heavy duties (six pence per gallon) on molasses, rum, and sugar imported from non-British islands in the Caribbean to protect English planters there from French and Dutch competition. Rum distilling was one of the leading industries in New England. American colonists feared the act would increase the price of rum manufactured in New England which would disrupt the region's exporting capacity. -
1763 Proclamtion
The Proclamation of 1763 meant no expansion past the Appalachian Mountains. According to the colonists, they believed they greatly contributed to the French and Indian war effort, they believed the Western lands would be opened, and they would be seen as equals with Britain. However, to Britain, the colonists had been cowards and were subservient to the empire. This specific proclamation angered colonists because it was like a slap in the face for all the fighting they had done in the war. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a confrontation between British Soldiers and colonists. The patriot mob was agitating the soldiers by throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks at them. Following an unknown command, the British soldiers released fire, killing five patriots. This event was exaggerated with Paul Revere's drawing of the incident. The Boston Massacre serves an example on how the propaganda following an event can be more impactful than what actually happened. -
Boston Tea Party The Americans Rebel
The Sons of Liberty, a group of instigators and actionists who used extreme measure to outrage the British, disguised themselves as Indians and dumped 342 chests of the East India Company's tea into the harbor at Griffin's Wharf in Boston, Massachusetts. This was a political protest against Britain for imposing "taxation without representation". Parliament responded to this with the Coercive Acts of 1774 or the "Intolerable Acts". -
The Intolerable Acts Or Taxes
In response to the Boston Tea Party, Britain passed the Coercive Acts, dubbed the "Intolerable Acts" by colonists. These acts closed the port of Boston until the lost tea was paid back. It outlawed assemblies and took total control of colonial government. Additionally, if royal officials were accused of a crime they would be tried in England, ensuring an unfair bias. Additionally, the Quartering Act was more greatly enforced, trade and commerce was regulated, and higher taxed were enacted. -
The Second Continental Congress Meeting
A month after the revolution began, all 13 colonies sent delegates to the second continental congress in Philadelphia. The proceedings quickly split between two factions. The conservatives, who desired reconciliation with Britain, and sent the Olive Branch Petition. And the radicals, who desired support for the revolution. King George rejects the Olive Branch and declares the colonies to be in open rebellion. The delegates charge Thomas Jefferson to write a declaration of American Independence -
The Decoration Of Independence Freedom!
The adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress declaring that the thirteen colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, and no longer a part of the British Empire. This document contains the ideals and goals of our nation. It also contains a list of complaints against the British king. Most importantly, it contains the arguments the colonists used to explain why they wanted to be free of British rule, and their reasons for wanting independence. -
Common Sense A Encouraging Book
After intense fighting in and around Boston, Paine writes Common Sense. Largely thought of as a brilliant propaganda piece, Common Sense lays out a passionate case for independence, in the language of the common people. Since it was written in such a way that anyone could understand, it picked up momentum and inspired thousands and was pivotal in helping American colonists to realize the mistreatment from Britain and declare independence. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga represents a turning point in the war. British General John Burgoyne and his army plans to move South where he will meet up with two other British armies and face the continentals. The other two British armies are not there, and Burgoyne is quickly surrounded and forced to surrender along with his whole army. It was fought in two stages in September and October of 1777. It gave a decisive victory for the Americans. -
End of Civil War
After a grueling campaign through the southern colonies, General Cornwallis retreated to the coast of Yorktown, Virginia. He was not aware that the French Navy had defeated the British fleet and he found himself cornerd. The Americans and French laid seige to the British position and, with no where to turn he surrendered. This ended major fighting in the Revolutionary War. Legend says that, as they surrendered, their band played the song "The World Turned Upside Down". -
Three-Fifths Compromise
This compromise was an agreement between delegates from both the North and South that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining taxation and representation in the House of Representatives. Northern delegates wanted population to be calculated based on the free population. The South, however, wanted the slaves to count towards their population because this would gain them more representation in the House. This compromise showcases the hypocrisy of the South. -
George Washington Becomes President
In 1789, Washington (Virginia) is inaugurated as the first president of the US and John Adams (Massachusetts) becomes the vice-president. Under Washington, precedents were created that would be followed in years to come. With Washington's presidency came the establishment of the court system in 1789, establishment of the first presidential cabinet, Hamilton's financial plan (notably creating a national bank), and The Whiskey Rebellion, The French Revolution, and Pickney's Treaty. -
Bill Of Rights
Many people were concerned with the Constitution in terms of rights. So the Bill of Rights was added in order to assure citizens that their rights were protected. The Bill of Rights is also known as the first ten amendments to the Constitution. These amendments guarantee essential rights and civil liberties, such as the famous freedom of religion, freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, trial by jury, and other recognizable American rights. -
The Cotton Gin
The cotton gin was invented by Eli Whitney. The cotton gin removes the seeds from cotton fiber. This invention makes cotton more profitable and changes the course of the South. Previous to this invention, slavery and free labor had been on the decline, but now, with this invention, cotton is made extremely profitable and the use of African slaves skyrockets. Consequently, the South becomes ultra-dependent upon their free labor and the system of slave use. -
Alien and Sedation Acts
These Acts were passed by President Adams. The Alien Act allowed the president to deport any alien considered dangerous. The Sedition Act made it illegal for newspapers to print any material that is critical of the president or congress. Additionally, the naturalization act increased the amount of time immigrants had to live in the US before they could become citizens. Adams passed these laws so he could control the public and he hoped that if immigrants could not vote he would win re-election. -
Louisiana purchase
The Louisiana Territory, the land that made up western Mississippi basin, was purchased by Thomas Jefferson from Napoleon in 1803 for the final price of $27 million. President Thomas Jefferson then commissioned Lewis and Clark to cross the continent and explore the new frontier and make contact with the Indians that lived there. They were instructed to make observations on the geography and the biodiversity and to potentially make deals with the Native Americans that lived there. -
Marbury vs Madison
James Madison, a member of Jefferson's cabinet finds the letter granting John Marbury a federal judgeship. Jefferson orders Madison not to deliver it. Marbury sues in order to get the position he feels is his. The Supreme Court sides with Madison and refuses to grant Marbury the position because they find part of the Judiciary Act unconstitutional and void. In doing so, the Supreme Court claims the right of "Judicial Review" or the right to declare laws unconstitutional and strike them down. -
Embargo Acts of 1807
This act was a law passed by the US Congress and signed by the President Thomas Jefferson. It was a nonviolent resistance to British and French molestation of US merchant ships. It prohibited American ships from trading in all foreign ports. While this act hurt trade, it spurred domestic manufacturing. With the growth of the cotton gin in the South, textile factories sprung up to spin the cotton into fabric. The sewing machine, invented by Elias Howe, contributed to this industry. -
Battle Of New Orleans
This was the last battle in the War of 1812. This battle is significant because the Treaty of Ghent was signed a month prior, however, word had not yet reached America and so many assume this was the battle that won the war. In this battle, the American forces are a multicultural motley band of experienced soldiers and warriors. American forces at New Orleans are led by Andrew Jackson. Jackson will be associated with winning the war, and will be considered a national hero for his actions. -
Panic of 1819
This was the first widespread and durable financial crisis in the United States that slowed westward expansion and was followed by a general collapse of the American economy that persisted through 1821. This financial panic affected the growth of trade that had taken place after the War of 1812 and brought it to an abrupt halt. It cause unemployment to rise, banks to fail, and agriculture prices to fall. -
Election of 1824
Four candidates ran in this election, and no candidate received a majority of the electoral votes and so according to the 12th amendment, the vote went to the House of Representatives. Adams and Clay met privately and no one knows what is discussed. In the days following, Clay, the speaker of the House, publicly supports Adams and the House elects him as president. Three days later Adams appoints Clay to become his secretary of state. Jackson supporters claim it was a 'Corrupt Bargain'. -
The Trial Of Tears
The Removal Act created the Indian Territory on national lands acquitted in the Louisiana Purchase, this relocation would later be known as the Trail of Tears. They were promised money and reserved land to Native American peoples who would give up their ancestral holdings east of the Mississippi River. The Cherokees carried the defense of their land to the Supreme Court where they claimed the status of a "foreign nation". However Jackson ignored the decision made under Marshall's court. -
The Liberator By Lloyd Garrison
William Lloyd Garrison was a printer, newspaper publisher, radical abolitionist, suffragist, and civil rights activist. Garrison's paper The Liberator advocates for abolitionism. This paper denounced all people and acts that would prolong slavery including the United States Constitution. It was the most widely circulated anti-slavery newspaper during the antebellum period and throughout the Civil War. -
The Nullification Ordinance
South Carolina adopted an Ordinance of Nullification which declared the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 to be null and void. They also threatened secession if federal officials tried to collect duties. This ordinance was supported by the States' Rights interpretation of the Constitution which was developed in The South Carolina Exposition and Protest which was written anonymously by John C. Calhoun. In the end, both sides settled on a compromise where they could both "win". -
The Reaper Invented
The Reaper, created by McCormick Co., revolutionizes the way we harvested wheat and other grains. The mechanical reaper replaced the manual cutting of the crop with scythes and sickles. With the reaper, wheat could be harvested much faster and with less labor force. While it was ultimately good for agriculture, it left many people unemployed, replaced by the efficiency of the machine. It was an important step in the mechanization of agriculture during the nineteenth century. -
Battle Of Alamo
Mexico offered Texas land to Americans for free on the conditions that they had to farm the land for a profit and become a Mexican citizen. There were too many so Mexicans shut off the borders, but Americans still came anyway. Texas wanted to break off from Mexico so Mexico wages war against the Republic of Texas. The Battle of the Alamo was the most notable and garnered the most support for the annexation of Texas. They were outnumbered 10 to 1. Everyone died but they would not surrender. -
Fredrick Douglas "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave"
Frederick Douglass was an escaped slave who became a prominent activist in the abolition movement. His autobiography, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave", he described his time as an enslaved worker in Maryland. This autobiography allowed people to understand the world from a slave's point of view. It brought Douglass widespread publicity and allowed him to use his public image to further advocate for abolitionism. -
Compromise of 1850
This act by Henry Clay, helps to prevent a civil war on the issues of slavery and territorial expansion. According to the compromise, California would enter the Union as a free state, slave trade (not slavery) would be abolished in Washington D.C., strict fugitive slave laws are enacted nationwide, and territories applying for statehood will now be governed by the concept of popular sovereignty. -
Bloody Kanses
Kansas has an important election that would decide if they would enter as a free or slave state by popular sovereignty. This enticed migration to the territory in order to sway votes. On election day, a posse of pro-slavery 'border ruffians' from Missouri crossed into Kansas. They invaded Lawrence, armed with rifles, a canon, and sidearms. Violent skirmishes like this between the two factions lead to the ear known as 'Bleeding Kansas'. -
Dred Scott vs sanford
The US Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott in his landmark case. Scott, a slave, moved with his owner into a free state. He argued that, if slavery is illegal in that state, that he cannot be a slave because it would violate law. However, the supreme court upheld slavery in the united states territories, denied the legality of black citizenship in America, and declared the Missouri Compromise to be unconstitutional. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Since the East was densely populated and overcrowded, and the West was sparsely populated, had abundant fertile land, and was economically unproductive, the Homestead Act was created. This Act freed land in the West, and gave away 160 acre plots to any head of household under the conditions that they must live on the land, must farm for five years, and must improve the property. This opportunity was enhanced by the transcontinental railroad which further increased the progress of the West. -
Homestead Acts
Since the East was densely populated and overcrowded, and the West was sparsely populated, had abundant fertile land, and was economically unproductive, the Homestead Act was created. This Act freed land in the West, and gave away 160 acre plots to any head of household under the conditions that they must live on the land, must farm for five years, and must improve the property. This opportunity was enhanced by the transcontinental railroad which further increased the progress of the West. -
Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
Lincoln felt that the nation could only be unified again if there were no feelings of animosity. So his 10% plan stated that pardons would be given to any Confederate leader who swore an oath to the Union and Constitution, and that also agreed to emancipation. Additionally, any state could be readmitted once at least 10% of its voters has sworn loyalty oaths. States also had to form new state constitutions that outlawed slavery. -
Wade-Davis Bill
Most Republicans in Congress at the time, many of them radicals, felt that Lincoln's 10% plan was too lenient on the Southern rebels. This Bill proposed that 50% of a state's voters had to swear oaths of loyalty to the Union. Additionally, only non-confederates were allowed to vote and hold political offices. Lincoln refused to sign this bill stating that it was too hard, but then he is assasinated in 1865. -
14th Amendment
The fourteenth amendment stated that all people born in the US were full citizens and, that all people who were naturalized (completed the immigration/citizenship process) were full citizens. All US states were required to protect US citizens with full protection through the laws and the legal process. Former confederate leaders could no longer hold state or federal offices. And lastly, if a state denied people their voting rights, they lost representation in Congress. -
Andrew Jackson Is Impeached
Congress had passed the Tenure of Office Act (the president could not remove some military officials without congressional approval) to protect some Radical Republicans in Andrew Johnson's cabinet. However, Johnson went ahead and removed the secretary of war Edwin Stanton. The House impeached Johnson for this, but the senate fell one vote short of removing him from office. So now, President Johnson was officially powerless. -
First Transcontinental Rail Road
The Government enlisted the help of 2 companies to get the first railroad that went across the whole United States. This would also come with incentives for the railroad companies they would get certain amounts of money for what terrain they had railroad on depending on the price on how hard it was to build it there. But also they would get land that the government would give to them when they would build a mile of track they would get against land every mile. -
Knights of Labor
Led by Terrence Powderly, the Knights of Labor accepted both skilled and unskilled workers, men and women, all religions, and race. This diverse group of workers wanted to abolish the wage system and create a co-operative economy of worker owned industries by backing certain political candidates and pushing for the 8-hour work day. They were also against child labor. These workers were an example of many labor unions that formed due to decades of poor wages and working conditions. -
National Women Suffrage Association is Founded
The National Woman Suffrage Association, headed by Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, focused exclusively on women's rights and took up the battle for a federal suffrage amendment. Notable leaders were Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony. In a court case, Minor v. Happersett, the supreme court ruled that suffrage rights were not inherent in citizenship. A major set back for women's suffrage as it meant that legislature could deny women the vote if they wished. -
15th Amendment
Recognizing from the Election of 1868 that African Americans needed the right to vote, Republicans quickly had the 15th Amendment pushed through Congress. It prohibited any state from denying any citizen the right to vote, regardless of "race, color, or previous condition of servitude". The 15th Amendment was actually incredibly unpopular in the North and won the Democratic party much needed Northern support. -
Election of 1876
In this 'election crisis', according to the polls, 100% of the South voted for Tilden. Questioning the validity, a recount was initiated. After the recount, all three states went to Hayes. The Constitution did not account for this type of crisis, and so an election commission was created with 5 democrats, 5 republicans, and 5 supreme court justices. After backroom negotiations Hayes is named President, and military oversight of the South was over. This marks the end of Reconstruction. -
Pendleton Act
In the wake of Garfield's death, Congress passed the Pendleton Act, establishing a nonpartisan Civil Service Commission to fill federal jobs by examination. This provided that Federal Government jobs would be awarded on the basis of merit and that Government employees be selected through competitive exams. This ensured the end of the Spoils System -
The Dawes Act
This Act offered 160 acres to each Native American family or 80 acres to single Native men. Many whites believed this was a generous act, however, the government saw it as a way to break tribal ties and gain access to Indian lands. It severed ties because any native who took the land, could not longer live in their communal living, and were conditioned to accept white views. It was an attack on their culture, tradition, and way of life. In the end, they lost 86 million acres of reservation land. -
Plessy V. Ferguson
Plessy V. Ferguson was a court case that was taken up by the Supreme Court. The case was about a man who bought a first-class ticket to a train but was removed from the train as first-class seats were only for whites. The man explained that there were no first-class seats for blacks, and that it was not fair for him to be removed from his seat which he had already bought on his own. The court ruled in against the man, saying that it was "separate but equal". -
De Lome Letter
The De Lome Letter was a letter written by the Spanish ambassador to the United States, which criticized the president and called him weak and only concerned with the favor of the crowd. Cuban revolutionaries then intercepted the mail and published the letter. The letter angered the people as they felt that the Spanish ambassador was mocking the president and felt offended. This fueled support for a war with Spain over the independence of Cuba. -
Rough riders
The Rough Riders was a regiment of the US cavalry created by Theodore Roosevelt to aid with the battle of Santiago de Cuba. Roosevelt himself recruited the people in the cavalry. These soldiers were made up of cowboys, miners, athletes, and others. They became extremely popular with the public due to their untraditional ways of fighting. -
Spanish American war
The Spanish-American War, like the name, was a war between the United States and Spain. The US was fighting for the independence of Cuba from Spain. Due to the struggle of Cubans for their independence, the US trade with Cuban ports almost ended. To solve this problem President McKinley decided to help Cuba gain independence and due to the De Lome Letter being published this further influenced there to be a war with Spain. -
Open Door Policy
The Open Door Policy was a statement of principles issued by Secretary of State John Hays. The policy would ensure the protection of equal privileges among countries trading with China. It was received with almost universal approval in the US and heavily influenced future foreign policies involving East Asia. -
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion was a rebellion against foreigners that occurred in China. It was at first begun by the civilians and it was later supported by the government. A Chinese society known as the "Boxers" decided that they wanted to throw all of the foreigners out. They began a violent campaign to achieve their goals. If they succeeded this would mean that the "open door policy" would prove insignificant and would not work. -
Square Deal
The Square Deal was a deal proposed by President Roosevelt. It would propose the idea of a peaceful coexistence between big business and labor unions. The concept of the Square Deal was later largely incorporated into the Bull Moose Party (Progressive Party) in which Roosevelt was the candidate in the election of 1912. -
Anthracite Coal Strike
The Anthracite Coal Strike was caused after mine operators refused to meet with representatives of the United Mine Workers of America. The strike almost caused a coal famine, as it was generally used for almost everything. Roosevelt feared the strike would cause the people to be cold in the winter and decided to give the people what they wanted and solve the strike. -
Muckrakers
The Muckrakers was a group of journalists that provided detailed and accurate stories about the corruption and hardships caused by big businesses. The Muckraker's style of writing was inspired by yellow journalism from the 1890s. The emergence of a Muckraker magazine was first seen in January of 1903, by the McLure Magazine. -
Niagara Movment
The Niagara Movement was a movement organized by the black community led by W.E.B. Du Bois, which called for the rights of African Americans. The movement could be compared to the NAACP, one of the biggest civil rights campaigns. The movement is named after it's first meeting place, which was in front of the Niagara falls. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire was a terrible fire that occurred in a New York City Sweatshop. The fire really impacted the nation due to it being a demonstration of the importance of having safety measures at work. Many people tried to escape the fire at once and got stuck in the stairs and doors and couldn't get out. Due to this, many decided to escape through the windows, or some even decided to just die instead. -
Progressive Party
The Progressive Party, otherwise known as the Bull Moose Party, was a political faction that nominated President Roosevelt, as a candidate for the election of 1912. They opposed the conservatism of the original Republican Party and decided to make one of their own, with their own ideals. The nickname of the party was due to Roosevelt describing himself as strong and vigorous, which was often used to describe the party. -
Prohibition Act
The Prohibition Act was an act that prohibited the sell, manufacture, and transport of any alcoholic beverage. The reason the act was put in place was due to the desire to prevent accidents and improve the efficiency of the factory workers. The act was supported by factory owners, women in the temperance movement, and people in the anti-saloon league. -
Stock Market Crash
The Stock Market Crash occured when Wall Street investors traded about 16 million shares on the New York Stock Exchange in a single day. Thousands and thousands of dollars were lost and many investors were lost as well. The aftermath was called "Black Tuesday", and it is believed that the stock market crash was one of the main factors for the Great Depression. -
Dust Bowl
The Dust Bowl is the name for a drought in the Great Plains that lasted about 6 years, as well as the section of it that extended south. Due to the many many years of overcultivation and poor land management, a drought began. Then some very strong winds brought about what is regularly known as the dust bowl. In which a large cloud of dirt and dust became so thick it would cover the sun and sky, and people would die of suffocation over not being able to breathe while covered. -
Good Neighbor Policy
The Good Neighbor policy was a policy issued by FDR. The policy was supposed to improve foreign relations with Central and South America. The policy would emphasize cooperation and trade rather than military force to maintain stability in the Western hemisphere. The policy was basically what its name says, to be a good neighbor to our neighbors. -
New Deal
The New Deal was a series of programs and projects that were issued by FDR during the Great Depression. The New Deal was basically supposed to help stabilize the economy and provide more jobs and relief to those suffering. Some of the programs that were created through the New Deal are, The CCC, The WPA, the TVA, the SEC, etc. -
Court Packing Scheme
On February 5th, 1937, FDR proposed to expand the Supreme Court to 15 judges, to make it more efficient, supposedly. However, people then accused him of trying to "pack" the court to neutralize the justices who didn't like the New Deal. This later on became known as the court-packing scheme, in which FDR tried to turn the supreme court in his favor. -
Munich Conference
The Munich Conference was a settlement by several countries including the US, Germany, Italy, etc, that would allow the German annexation of Sutentland in western Czechoslovakia. After having absorbed Austria, Hitler now wanted Czechoslovakia. Thus, the Munich Conference and agreement was put in place. -
Lend Lease Act
The Lend-Lease Act was an act that would allow the US to give necessary supplies to any nation which the US considered "vital to the defense of the US". The act was issued by FDR. The main reason for the act was due to Britain requiring supplies but the US couldn't actually give it to them just like that, and so the act was created. -
Operation Barbossa
Operation Barbarossa was the codename for the German invasion of the Soviet Union. This campaign would ultimately decide the start of WWII. Hitler the then ruler of Germany, considered the Soviets to be his enemy and therefore wanted to destroy them. However, even though Germany was winning in the beginning, they ended up failing. -
Atlantic Charter
Atlantic Charter was a joint declaration issued by FDR and Winston Churchill after meeting the government of Newfoundland. The charter would provide a broad statement of the goals of the British and the Americans regarding war. The meeting was originally called as a response for the situation in Europe, in which Germany was determined to take over the world. -
Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack on the US by the Japanese military. During this time, Japan had been expanding in Asia and the Pacific, the US threatened to stop supplying it with oil if they did not stop. Japan decided to attack Pearl Harbor so that if they wouldn't be supplied with oil, no one else would. This caused the US to go to war with Japan, but it also influenced things such as the Japanese Internment Camps. -
Japanese Internment Camps
After the attack on Pearl Harbor from Japan, the American people were scared and feared national security. Due to this fear, FDR passed Executive Order 9066, which resulted in the internment of thousands of Japanese-Americans. The order would authorize officers and others to "evacuate" all people deemed a threat to the US into internment camps, which the government called "Relocation centers". -
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was a battle in which the US fought with the Japanese, mainly in aircraft. Fortunately for the US, they completely destroyed the Japanese and won the battle. The Battle of Midway was incredibly important as it marked the end of the threat of Japanese invasion in the US. -
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was an operation of the invasion of North Africa during the WWII. It first started on November 8th, 1942 when thousands of soldiers landed in several parts of Africa. The French authorities then concluded an armistice three days after the invasion. The victory of the invasion marked the end of the Axis powers in North Africa. -
Operation Overlord (D-Day)
The operation overlord was a heavily planned operation that had been planned for almost 18 months before. It is the largest "amphibious" invasion in military history. The invasion ended in victory with German General Alfred Jodl signing an unconditional surrender at Reims, France. -
Korematsu v. U.S.
Korematsu V US was a case in which Fred Korematsu, a 23-year-old Japanese-American refused to leave his home and go to an internment camp. He did many things to try and escape the government, such as altering his eyes, changing his name, and claiming to be from somewhere else. And on May 30, he was arrested for refusing to go to the "relocation center". During his trial, the court ruled that his relocation was a "military necessity" that had nothing to do with race. -
Yalta Conference
The Yalta conference took place in a Russian resort town during WWII. At the conference, FDR, Churchill, and Stalin met to discuss the future progress of the war and what they would do after the war. In the conference, they all agreed on the conditions for which the Soviet Union would enter war with Japan. They also discussed the futures of their nations and what was to be of them after the war. -
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine was a message given by President Truman during one of his addresses. The Truman Doctrine asked Congress for 400 million dollars to lend assistance to Turkey and Greece. The reason was that Britain could no longer provide them assistance, and they now relied on the US to give them the aid they needed. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan was a plan issued by George Marshall. The plan proposed that the US would give economic aid to Europe to help them restore their postwar state. This was marked as the beginning of the Cold War with the Soviet Union, as the Soviet union didn't want the US to provide the countries they were trying to conquer to get their aid. -
Berlin Airlift
The Berlin Airlift was a part of the Marshall Plan campaign. Due to the Soviet Union refusing the aid of the US, they threatened them if ever touched the ground in the Soviet Union they'd be considered a threat. As a response, the US agreed and gave out aid through airplanes, without touching the ground. This was the best way to get the people some aid. The president even threatened that if any of the aircraft were to come down for any reason, they would consider it a declaration of war. -
Hollywood Ten
The Hollywood Ten was a series of directors and producers who when interrogated about being communist spies, refused to say anything. Due to this they were blacklisted in Hollywood and were pretty much outcast. Not only that, but they were also arrested, for refusing to be interrogated. -
Brown v. Board
The Brown V. Board case was a case in which the court ruled that separating public schools on the base of race was unconstitutional. This heavily impacted the world, as it was a very big victory for the civil rights movement. This case overruled the Plessy V. Ferguson case which stated that segregation was constitutional as long as it was "separated but equal". -
Vietnam War
The war that the united states had gone into during the 1955 presidnecy. This had been a war that the united states poeple had not been happy about joining. There had been many protests for us to pull out of the war since it had been uneeded in many peoples eyes. This was one of the most controversal wars of all time also. -
Space Race
After WWII, the conflict of the Cold War had begun. In the mdidle of this conflict, a new competition had begun. The US had gotten to nuclear power first, this race was to determine who got to space first. American's consider the moon landing to be the victory of America vs Russia, hwoever Russians will tell you that the launch of Sputnik was the actual winner. -
Little Rock Arkansas
In 1957, integration was still being blocked by the government. When the law was changed, many black Americans were scared to go to school because they feared they would be attacked. However, nine students in Little Rock Arkansas decided to try and go to an integrated school. When this happened, Govenor Orval Faubus ordered the Arkansas National Guard to not let them in. Eisenhower resonded to this and sent the 101st Airborne Division to make sure they got into the school. -
The Eisenhower Interstate Highway Act
The US was very divided because there weren't direct connections to specific places. This public project was the largest ever done, and it was very beneficial. It connected many small towns to modern cities. Smaller cities benefitted from this because they received more attention because people could actually get to them. Evacuation also became easier because there were emergency runways to go down. Overall, the creation of these roads allowed for our country to be better connected. -
The SNCC
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee was established in 1957. They worked to plan and coordinate Civil Rights protests throughout the south. This gave young black students the opportunity to get involved in their community and the causes they wanted to change. They also brought to light how the changes that were being made weren't happening very fast. They wanted to see these changes sooner because they needed to happen in the country. -
The Election of 1960
Nixon and Kennedy were the two main running candidates for this election. Nixon was a politician with a proven track record. He had good plans for the country and was a decently liked man. Kennedy was a young and unproven politician. This election televised a debate for the first time ever. Kennedy focused a lot of his election on his image and the way he looked. He would wear makeup to make himself look young and presentable. In the end, this must have worked because he won the 1960 election. -
The Children's Crusade
This was an event where hundreds of school kids staged a walk-out in Birmingham. Many of these kids were arrested for this. When they were released they would just go out and do it all over again the next day. Bill Conner was someone who tried to stop the marches by spraying the crowds with fire hoses and releasing dogs. This was simply a group of kids who wanted to see change happen, and adults felt the need to respond in such negative ways. -
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
Lyndon B Johnson was the current president at the time. He signed in the law saying that discrimination in local, state, and national elections polling places is banned. This was a step towards bringing the black community into the normal life of every white person. It seemed like change that was needed was finally going to happen in the country. Black people were now given the opportunity to vote on manners that had to do with the future of our country. -
Richard Nixon and Watergate
Richard NIxon was elected president in 1968. He started off as a good president. He created the EPA and he helped try and give women more say in matters for the country. However, the scandal at Watergate messed up his career. It was discovered that the Democratic Headquarters had all their technology bugged. Nixon made the mistake of trying to cover it up, and this drew lots of suspicion. In the end, this ruined his presidency and he resigned halfway through his second term. -
Roe v. Wade
Women were doing all they could to try and make calls on the future of the country. Roe v. Wade was a case brought to the Supreme Court about the rights and legal stance of abortion. The court ended up deciding to allow abortion. The court stated that the 14th Amendment protected the rights of abortion. This was restricted and regulated by the state depending on how far along the pregnancy is. Either way, women were being voted in favor of. -
The Reagan Doctrine
The Reagan Doctrine was the US offering any help to get rid of any communist forces. They were offering help to anti-communist guerrillas to try and stop the spread of communism. Reagan wanted to help anyone in whatever way he could so that way the US could stop the spread of communism in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Communism was very prominent in these areas of the world, and the government wanted to help the people who were against it, so that way they could stop the spread.