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After 7 long years of fighting between the English and French, the Treaty of Paris (1763) was signed. This marked the end of the French and Indian War. The initial tension had subsided after conflict on which country owns land past the Ohio Valley. This area of land was highly profitable as it provides many resources and ports. After the war, problems began to arise between the British and Colonists; Acts such as the Stamp and Tea Act were imposed to recoup the money spent on the war. -
The Sugar Act was a tax on sugar and other goods passed by the British Parliament in 1764. The act was intended to raise revenue for the British government and help pay for the expenses of maintaining a standing army in the American colonies. The Sugar Act also established new regulations for the importation of foreign goods into the colonies, including a requirement that all goods be shipped only to England, Wales, or the British West Indies. -
The 7 year war left major debts and problems for the British Parliament to deal with. One of the expenses they supposed they could avoid was building and maintaining barracks for the countless amount of soldiers. This act allowed any British soldier to be housed in a colonial home. The colony was required to provide food and water. If any problems occurred, the colonials were deemed responsible to find solutions at their expense. The Quartering Acts of 1765 first planted the seed of rebellion. -
The Stamp Act was a tax imposed by the British Parliament on the American colonies in 1765. It required that a tax, or stamp, be placed on a variety of printed materials, including newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, and playing cards. The act was intended to raise revenue for the British government and to help pay for the expenses of maintaining a military presence in the colonies. Many colonists argued that they should not be taxed without representation in Parliament. -
The Boston Massacre is also declared as a “last straw” for the Colonials. The Massacre took place on March 5, 1770 when it shocked America. An initial argument was skewed between a colonial and British soldier and would eventually turn into a bloodbath. After the 7 years war, the British were continuously passing heavy tax laws to recoup their debt. Tensions were continuously high. After the death of 6 innocent colonials, The Sons of Liberty used the momentum to motivate colonials to fight, -
As more tension increased between the British and the Colonials, a group of freedom fighters (The Sons of Liberty) caused havoc by sinking and ruining tea worth millions. The main causing factor to this event were the countless acts being passed by the British to recoup all the expenditure that occurred during the 7 years war. The Sons of Liberty spoke for millions of Colonials who were upset over taxation without representation. Historians believe this event was monumental for the colonials. -
A direct result of the Boston Tea Party, this First Continental Congress was the first meeting held in regards to American politics. 12 out of 13 states sent representatives to discuss issues regarding the Acts being passed by the British Parliament, specifically the Intolerable Acts which had been passed in response to the Boston Tea Party. The First Continental Congress specifically sent the Continental Association in its Declaration of Resolves which would be a ban on English Trade. -
Lexington and Concord were the first battles of the American Revolution. This significant battle would kick start the rebellious war towards American freedom. As the Intolerable Acts took place, the tensions rose to an all time high. Insider information was leaked to the Sons of Liberty and they found out Concord was being to be attacked. The famous Paul Revere and William Dawes were sent to alert residents to escape before the bloodshed began. Colonials were given hope after this battle. -
The publication, Common Sense, is deemed as a major motivating factor for the American people during the Revolutionary War. Thomas Paine’s work was a 47-page argument on why each and every single Colonist should not let the British trample over their rights. It is recognized that during the extreme winter at Valley Forge in 1776, many soldiers were deserting the premises of the American bunkers. Over 500,000 copies were sold in the first year alone. -
The Declaration of Independence was constructed at the iconic Second Continental Congress meeting in Pennsylvania. On July 4, 1776 (July 3 in some texts) the 13 states that were colonized by the British declared independence due to injustice, lack of representation, abundance of taxes, and many other reasons. This article clearly stated why it was important for the 13 colonies to separate from British Rule. Contributors to this piece of writing were Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. -
The Battle of Saratoga is often declared as the turning point in the war for the Americans because of the high death toll on the British Army. As the Revolutionary War waged on, the Americans were able to counter attacks but had not taken a significant lead. This Battle proved otherwise as the Americans gained a great morale boost as well as many prisoners of war. Saratoga’s victory convinced the French to supply Americans with resources. French support was key for victory. -
The British were showing no signs of defeat and it was tough on the Americans. When Washington and his men were forced to be sheltered at Valley Forge, it was a great morale let down. After dealing with many losses, soldiers were dejected severely. The harsh winter, small rations, and diseases were all major struggles. The Americans were placed here for over 6 months. During this long tenure, many soldiers would die or abandon the Continental Army. -
When the Articles of Confederation were first formed, issues were not shown. However, problems such as too little power with the central government and abundance of power with the states arose. The roles of the central government include taxation. The issue was the central government not having enough power to enforce this. Without enough money collection through the US population, it was making things very hard for the country to survive. -
Shays' Rebellion was a series of protests and armed conflicts that took place in Massachusetts in the late 1780s. The rebellion was led by Daniel Shays, a former Continental Army captain, and was motivated by economic and political grievances. Shays and his followers believed that the state's government was not addressing the needs of the common people and that it was unfairly benefiting the wealthy elite. -
More and more people were moving westward after the war for more opportunities. With the population increasing in the west, a new form of governing the area west of the Appalachians became necessary. Thus, the Northwest Ordinance was passed to create a process for organizing that territory and inventing a process to admit new states into the union based on population. This allowed the citizens moving west to have an opportunity at representation in the congress. -
The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. It was signed on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and took effect on March 4, 1789. The Constitution has a preamble and seven articles that delineate the national frame of government. Its first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, whereby the federal government is divided into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. -
Textile mills were factories that produced textiles, or fabrics and other materials made from natural or synthetic fibers. Textile mills in the United States were typically powered by water or steam and used a variety of machines to spin yarn, weave or knit fabric, and finish the final product. Textile mills played a significant role in the economic development of the United States, as they provided jobs for thousands of people and contributed to the growth of the country's manufacturing sector. -
The Excise Act of 1791 was met with resistance in many parts of the country, particularly in the western frontier where whiskey was an important part of the economy.
The Whiskey Rebellion was led by farmers and distillers in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and other states who opposed the tax. They argued that the tax was unfairly burdensome. The rebellion involved acts of sabotage, vandalism, and violence against federal officials who attempted to enforce the tax. -
The cotton gin is a machine that was invented in the late 18th century by Eli Whitney. It was designed to separate the seeds from raw cotton fibers more efficiently than manual cotton separation methods. Prior to the cotton gin, the process of separating seeds from raw cotton fibers was extremely labor-intensive and time-consuming. The cotton gin revolutionized the cotton industry by significantly increasing the production of cotton, making it a more profitable crop for farmers. -
The XYZ Affair was a political scandal that occurred in the late 1790s in the United States. The French sent 3 delegates to negotiate a bribe with American diplomats in order to resolve tensions between the two countries. It also contributed to the development of a more nationalistic and anti-foreign sentiment in the United States and fueled the Federalist Party's calls for a stronger national government. The XYZ Affair was a significant event in the early history of the United States -
The Alien Act authorized the president to deport any non-citizen deemed to be dangerous or undesirable. It also increased the amount of time required for an immigrant to become a citizen from five years to fourteen years.
The Sedition Act made it a crime to publish false, scandalous, and malicious writing against the government. The act was widely criticized as an attempt to suppress freedom of speech. -
The Revolution of 1800, also known as the Democratic-Republican Revolution, was a political revolution in the United States that occurred during the presidential election of 1800. The election marked a significant shift in the country's political landscape, as the Federalist Party, which had held the presidency since the country's founding, was replaced by the Democratic-Republican Party. The election also marked the first peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another. -
Marbury v. Madison was a landmark legal case decided by the United States Supreme Court in 1803. The case arose from a dispute between William Marbury, a lawyer and supporter of President John Adams, and Secretary of State James Madison, who was appointed by President Thomas Jefferson. At issue in the case was the appointment of Marbury as a justice of the peace in the District of Columbia by President Adams. Madison had refused to deliver Marbury's commission, and Marbury sued Madison. -
The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal in which the United States acquired the territory of Louisiana from France in 1803. The Louisiana Territory included much of the land west of the Mississippi River, including present-day Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, parts of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. It also had New Mexico, the portions of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado east of the Continental Divide, and Louisiana west of the Mississippi River. -
The Embargo Act of 1807 was a law passed by the United States Congress that prohibited American ships from sailing to foreign ports and prohibited foreign ships from sailing to American ports. The embargo was an attempt to protect American interests and to avoid involvement in the Napoleonic Wars between France and Great Britain. However, the embargo had severe economic consequences, as it disrupted trade and hurt American merchants and manufacturers. -
The steam engine was an important part of the Industrial Revolution in the United States and around the world. It was a type of machine that used steam to power machinery and other devices. The steam engine was first developed in the early 18th century and was used to power a wide range of machines, including pumps, mills, and transportation. In the United States, the steam engine played a significant role in the development of the country's transportation infrastructure. -
The Battle of New Orleans was a military engagement fought on January 8, 1815, during the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. The battle took place near New Orleans, Louisiana, and was a major victory for the United States.
The battle was fought after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the war, but before the news of the treaty had reached the combatants. As a result, the battle was fought without either side knowing that the war had already officially ended. -
The Monroe Doctrine was a policy enunciated by President James Monroe in 1823 that declared the Western Hemisphere off-limits to European colonization and intervention. The Doctrine stated that any attempt by a European power to establish a new colony or to interfere with the affairs of an independent nation in the Americas would be viewed as a threat to the United States and would be met with resistance.The Doctrine was motivated by a desire to protect the newly independent nation. -
The Corrupt Bargain of 1824 was a political crisis in the United States that arose after the presidential election of 1824. The election was a close race between four candidates: Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, William H. Crawford, and Henry Clay. None of the candidates received a majority of the electoral votes, so the decision was left to the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives ultimately chose John Quincy Adams as the winner, and he was inaugurated as President in 1825. -
Under the spoils system, political parties would often make extensive lists of their supporters, and then use these lists to fill government positions after winning an election. This often resulted in the appointment of inexperienced or unqualified individuals to important government positions, as political loyalty was often considered more important than merit or qualifications.The spoils system was criticized by many as corrupt. It was eventually replaced by the merit system. -
The Tariff of Abominations was a protective tariff passed by the United States Congress in 1828. The tariff was designed to protect American industries from foreign competition, but it was extremely unpopular in the South, where it was seen as benefiting Northern manufacturers at the expense of Southern farmers. The tariff was a major factor in the growing sectional tensions between the North and the South in the lead-up to the American Civil War. -
he Indian Removal Act was a law passed by the United States Congress in 1830 that authorized the President to negotiate with Native American tribes in the southeastern United States for the purpose of exchanging their lands for lands west of the Mississippi River. The law was a key part of the government's Indian removal policy, which was designed to remove Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the Southeast and resettle them in the West. -
The Trail of Tears was a forced relocation of Native American nations in the United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The legislation, signed into law by President Andrew Jackson, authorized the government to negotiate treaties that exchanged Native American land in the eastern United States for lands west of the Mississippi River. The forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) resulted in the deaths of thousands. -
It was a was a legislative measure that was passed by the United States Congress in an effort to resolve a long-standing dispute over tariffs between the North and South. The issue of tariffs had been a source of tension between the two regions for many years, with the North generally supporting high tariffs to protect its industries and the South opposing them as they believed they benefited the North at the expense of the South. -
Texas gained independence from Mexico in 1836. The journey to independence for Texas, which was then a part of Mexico, began in the early 1820s when a group of American settlers began to establish themselves in the region. Over time, the settlers became increasingly disgruntled with the Mexican government, which they felt was not responsive to their needs and was overly oppressive. As a result, they began to agitate for greater autonomy and independence from Mexico. -
Under the terms of this treaty, Mexico ceded a large portion of its territory to the United States, including what is now California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma. In exchange, the United States agreed to pay Mexico $15 million and assume responsibility for the claims of American citizens against the Mexican government. The treaty was ratified by the United States Senate in March 1848 and by the Mexican Congress in May 1848. -
During the gold rush, hundreds of thousands of people, traveled to California in the hope of finding gold and making their fortune. Many of these people were unsuccessful, but others were able to strike it rich, leading to a rapid increase of economic development of California. The gold rush had a significant impact on the United States and its economy, as it helped to fuel the growth of the country. It also had a significant impact on the culture and society of the United States. -
The Seneca Falls Convention was a historic women's rights convention that took place in Seneca Falls, New York in July 1848. It was organized by a group of women's rights activists, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, and was the first convention in the United States to focus specifically on women's rights.The main purpose of the conven tion was to discuss the social, civil, and religious rights of women and to demand equal treatment under the law. -
The Compromise of 1850 consisted of five separate bills: the Fugitive Slave Act, Texas Debt Settlement Act, the New Mexico Territory Organization Act, the California Admission Act, and the Utah Territory Organization Act. The Compromise of 1850 was seen as a temporary resolution to the conflicts that were dividing the country. As the issues of slavery and states' rights would continue to be sources of conflict, they eventually contribute to the outbreak of the Civil War. -
The election of 1860 was a significant event in American history as it marked the beginning of the United States' transition from a union of states with a federal government to a federal union of states. The election was held in November 1860 and was won by Abraham Lincoln, who ran as the candidate of the newly formed Republican Party. It marked by a deep divide between the North and the South over the issue of slavery. -
South Carolina seceded from the Union in December 1860, the Confederate Army demanded that the Union forces leave the fort. When they refused, Confederate forces fired on the fort on April 12, 1861, starting the Civil War. The battle of Fort Sumter was a significant event in the history of the United States, as it marked the beginning of the Civil War, which lasted until 1865 and resulted in the deaths of over 600,000 Americans. -
The Battle of Bull Run was a major battle of the American Civil War that took place on July 21, 1861, near Manassas, Virginia. It was the first major battle of the war, and it was fought between the Union Army, led by Brigadier General Irvin McDowell, and the Confederate Army, led by Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard. The Union Army was heavily outnumbered, and the Confederate Army was able to secure a decisive victory. The Union Army suffered over 2,000 casualties. -
The Pacific Railway Act was a United States federal law signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on July 1, 1862, providing for the construction of a transcontinental railroad in the United States. The railroad would be built by the Union Pacific Railroad in the east and the Central Pacific Railroad in the west, and the two would meet in the middle. The act provided land grants, loans, and other financial assistance to the railroads. -
The Emancipation Proclamation was a presidential proclamation and executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. It declared that all slaves in the Confederate states "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." The proclamation did not actually free any slaves, as it only applied to areas that were in rebellion against the United States and did not have the legal authority to free slaves in states that remained in the Union. -
The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the American Civil War, and it is considered one of the most important battles in the history of the United States. It took place from July 1 to July 3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and it was fought between the Union Army, led by General George Meade, and the Confederate Army, led by General Robert E. Lee. The Battle of Gettysburg was a major victory for the Union Army, and it was a decisive defeat for the Confederacy. -
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. The 13th Amendment was a crucial part of the process of Reconstruction following the Civil War, and it marked the end of slavery in the United States. It had been proposed by President Abraham Lincoln in his State of the Union address in 1862 and was passed by Congress in 1865. -
The Surrender at Appomattox was a pivotal event in the American Civil War. It occurred on April 9, 1865, when General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate Army, surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, commander of the Union Army, at the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia.The Surrender at Appomattox marked the end of the Civil War, as it effectively ended Confederate resistance and ended the fighting. -
The Alaskan Purchase was the acquisition of the territory of Alaska by the United States from Russia in 1867. The United States paid Russia the sum of $7.2 million for the territory.The Alaska Purchase was controversial at the time, as many Americans saw it as a waste of money. However, the purchase was eventually justified by the discovery of gold in the Klondike region of Alaska in the late 1890s, which led to a gold rush and a significant influx of settlers into the territory. -
The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1868, is one of the Reconstruction Amendments. It addresses citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws, and was proposed in response to issues arising from the passage of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. The 14th Amendment had a significant impact on the United States, as it granted citizenship to African Americans and established the principle of equal protection under the law. -
The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1870, prohibits the federal government and the states from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The 15th Amendment was a crucial part of the Reconstruction Amendments, which were passed after the Civil War to extend civil and political rights to African Americans. It followed the 13th and 14th Amendment. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was a significant piece of legislation aimed at prohibiting racial discrimination in public accommodations, transportation, and jury service. However, the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional in 1883, effectively ending federal protection of civil rights for African Americans until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.However, its enforcement was weak, and it was ultimately declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1883. -
In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone, a groundbreaking device that revolutionized communication. Bell's invention allowed for the transmission of voice over long distances, allowing people to speak directly to each other without the need for letters or telegrams. This new technology dramatically changed the way people conducted business and interacted socially, paving the way for the modern global telecommunications industry. -
The Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand, took place in 1876 in the Montana Territory between the United States Army, led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, and a coalition of Native American tribes, including the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho. The battle was part of the Great Sioux War of 1876, a conflict triggered by the United States' desire to control the Black Hills, which were sacred to the Sioux and rich in gold. -
The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was a nationwide labor strike that began in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and quickly spread across the United States. The strike was triggered by wage cuts and poor working conditions faced by railroad workers. Workers across the country went on strike, halting rail traffic and leading to violent clashes between workers, strikebreakers, and government forces. The strike marked the first large-scale labor conflict in the United States -
On July 2, 1881, President James A. Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau, a mentally unstable man who had been rejected for a government job. Garfield was shot at a Washington, D.C. train station and lingered for 11 weeks before dying on September 19, 1881. His assassination highlighted the vulnerability of public figures and the need for better security measures. Garfield's death also led to reforms in the civil service system. -
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a U.S. federal law that prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers for ten years. It was the first significant law restricting immigration into the United States, fueled by anti-Chinese sentiment and economic fears. The act was initially intended to be temporary, but it was extended and made permanent by subsequent legislation until its repeal in 1943. During this period, Chinese immigrants faced widespread discrimination. -
The Haymarket Square Riot took place on May 4, 1886, in Chicago, Illinois, when a peaceful rally in support of workers' rights and an eight-hour workday turned violent. The gathering was organized in response to the killing of workers by police during a strike the previous day. An unknown person threw a bomb into the crowd, killing a police officer and leading to chaos, with police and protesters exchanging gunfire. The incident resulted in the death of several police officers and civilians. -
The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29, 1890, near Wounded Knee Creek on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. U.S. Army troops, attempting to disarm a group of Lakota Sioux, clashed with the Native Americans, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 150 to 300 Sioux men, women, and children. The massacre marked the end of the American Indian Wars and the resistance of Native American tribes to westward expansion by the United States. -
The Panic of 1893 was a severe economic depression in the United States that lasted from 1893 to 1897. The crisis was triggered by a series of events, including the collapse of railroad overbuilding, a drop in agricultural prices, and the failure of several banks. The depression led to widespread unemployment, business failures, and homelessness, as well as social unrest and calls for political reform. The Panic of 1893 exposed the weaknesses of the U.S. financial system. -
The Plessy v. Ferguson decision was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1896 that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the doctrine of "separate but equal." The case was brought by Homer Plessy, an African American man who was arrested for sitting in a whites-only train car in Louisiana. The ruling effectively legalized racial segregation in public accommodations, transportation, and other areas of life, leading to the establishment of the Jim Crow system in the South. -
The Spanish-American War was a conflict between the United States and Spain that lasted for roughly four months in 1898. It was sparked by the mysterious explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, which led to American intervention in the Cuban War of Independence. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which granted Cuba independence and ceded Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States. This conflict marked the emergence of the U.S. as a global power. -
The annexation of Hawaii in 1898 was a significant event that resulted in the United States acquiring the Hawaiian Islands as a territory. This process was driven by American economic interests in the islands, particularly in the sugar industry, and strategic military concerns. The annexation was controversial due to the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, led by American businessmen and supported by U.S. Marines, which occurred a few years prior. -
President William McKinley was assassinated in September 1901 while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. The assassin, Leon Czolgosz, was an anarchist who believed that killing McKinley would advance the cause of the working class. McKinley was shot twice and succumbed to his wounds eight days later. His death led to the ascension of Vice President Theodore Roosevelt to the presidency, which had significant implications for American foreign and domestic policy. -
The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, successfully completed the world's first powered, controlled, and sustained flight of a heavier-than-air aircraft on December 17, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Their invention, the Wright Flyer, was a biplane with a wingspan of 40 feet 4 inches and was powered by a 12-horsepower engine. The first flight lasted 12 seconds and covered 120 feet. This breakthrough marked the beginning of modern aviation and had a profound impact on transportation. -
The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 was a catastrophic natural disaster that struck the coast of Northern California on April 18, 1906. Measuring 7.9 on the moment magnitude scale, the earthquake and the subsequent fires that swept through the city caused widespread destruction and loss of life. An estimated 3,000 people were killed, and over 80% of San Francisco was destroyed, leaving around 250,000 residents homeless. The disaster brought attention to the need for better building codes. -
The 1908 Model T, also known as the "Tin Lizzie," was created by the Ford Motor Company and is often credited with revolutionizing the automobile industry. While automobiles had been invented earlier, the Model T, developed by Henry Ford, was the first affordable and mass-produced car, making automobile ownership accessible to the general public. The Model T was manufactured using assembly line techniques, which greatly reduced production costs and time. -
The 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1913, authorized the federal government to impose and collect income taxes on individuals and corporations. The amendment was a response to the Supreme Court's decision in Pollock v. Farmers' Loan & Trust Co. (1895), which had declared the federal income tax unconstitutional. The 16th Amendment provided a new source of revenue for the federal government, enabling it to fund various social programs and infrastructure projects. -
The Panama Canal, a 50-mile long artificial waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, officially opened on August 15, 1914. The canal was built to shorten the maritime route between the two oceans, which previously required ships to navigate around the treacherous southern tip of South America. The construction of the canal, led by the United States, took over a decade and was an incredible engineering feat, overcoming numerous challenges such as tropical diseases. -
The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917, after maintaining a policy of neutrality for the first few years of the conflict. Several factors, including German unrestricted submarine warfare, which led to the sinking of American ships, and the Zimmermann Telegram, which revealed Germany's proposal to ally with Mexico against the U.S., ultimately pushed the country into the war. The entry of the United States provided the Allies with critical resources, troops, and support. -
The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified on January 16, 1919, established the nationwide prohibition of alcohol. This legislation was largely driven by the temperance movement, which sought to reduce alcohol consumption and its associated social problems. The amendment was enforced by the Volstead Act, which defined the types of alcoholic beverages that were prohibited and the penalties for their production and sale. -
World War I ended on November 11, 1918, with the signing of the armistice between the Allies and Germany. The war, which lasted from 1914 to 1918, involved many of the world's major powers and was marked by trench warfare, chemical weapons, and unprecedented casualties. The end of the war was followed by the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, which imposed heavy financial reparations on Germany, redrew national boundaries, and established the League of Nations. -
The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified on August 18, 1920, granted women the right to vote. This significant milestone in American history was the result of a long and arduous struggle by women's suffrage advocates, who campaigned for equal voting rights for women for over seven decades. The passage of the 19th Amendment marked a turning point in the fight for women's rights and gender equality in the United States. -
The first commercial radio broadcast in the United States occurred on November 2, 1920, when station KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, transmitted election results of the Harding-Cox presidential race. This pioneering event marked the beginning of the radio broadcasting era, which revolutionized mass communication and transformed the way people received news, entertainment, and information. Radio broadcasts allowed for real-time updates on current events, sports, and weather. -
The Scopes Trial, also known as the Scopes Monkey Trial, took place in 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee. It centered around high school teacher John T. Scopes, who was accused of violating the state's Butler Act, which prohibited the teaching of human evolution in public schools. The trial became a national sensation, drawing attention to the conflict between religious fundamentalism and scientific thought, particularly the teaching of evolution in the public education system. -
1929: Stock market crash and beginning of the Great Depression
The stock market crash of 1929, also known as Black Tuesday, occurred on October 29, 1929, when the U.S. stock market experienced a sudden and dramatic collapse. This event marked the beginning of the Great Depression, a severe and long-lasting economic downturn that lasted from 1929 to the late 1930s. The Great Depression was characterized by widespread unemployment and bank failures, -
The Dust Bowl was a severe environmental disaster that occurred in the 1930s in the central United States, primarily affecting the Great Plains region. The combination of prolonged drought, poor soil conservation practices, and high winds led to the erosion of topsoil and the creation of massive dust storms. The Dust Bowl resulted in widespread agricultural devastation, economic hardship, and mass migration from affected areas. -
In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt became the 32nd president of the United States and launched the New Deal, a series of sweeping economic and social programs aimed at addressing the country's deepening economic crisis. The New Deal included measures such as the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Agricultural Adjustment Act, and the National Recovery Administration, among others. The New Deal helped to provide relief for millions of Americans suffering from unemployment, poverty, and other hardships. -
The Social Security Act of 1935 was a landmark piece of legislation that created a system of old-age, survivor, and disability insurance for workers and their families. The law was designed to provide a safety net for vulnerable Americans who were unable to support themselves due to age, illness, or disability. Social Security has since become a cornerstone of the American social welfare system, providing support to millions of Americans in need. -
Pearl Harbor attack: On December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing over 2,400 Americans and destroying numerous ships and aircraft. This event led to the United States' entry into World War II. This point was critical in World War II because it lead to such a great power of United States to enter and ultimately end the war. -
Internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II: In 1942, the U.S. government ordered the internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans, many of whom were U.S. citizens, into internment camps during World War II. This decision was based on fears of Japanese espionage and sabotage following the Pearl Harbor attack. The internment of Japanese Americans is now widely regarded as a gross violation of civil liberties and human rights. -
D-Day was a major Allied invasion of German-occupied France during World War II. It took place on June 6, 1944, and involved the landing of over 156,000 troops from the United States, Great Britain, and Canada on the beaches of Normandy. The invasion was a massive operation involving thousands of ships, planes, and other vehicles, and was intended to establish a foothold in France and open a second front against Nazi Germany. -
The GI Bill of Rights was a landmark piece of legislation signed into law in 1944 that provided educational and financial benefits to returning World War II veterans. The bill helped millions of veterans to obtain higher education and job training, and to purchase homes and start businesses. The GI Bill had a profound impact on American society and contributed to the economic growth of the post-war period. -
The dropping of atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 remains a controversial and highly debated event in history. The bombs killed an estimated 200,000 people and devastated the cities, leading to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II. Supporters of the bombings argue that they were necessary to end the war and prevent further loss of life, while critics argue that the bombings were immoral and unnecessary given Japan's already weakened military position. -
Following the end of World War II, the United States experienced a period of high birth rates known as the "baby boom." This period lasted from 1946 to 1964 and saw a significant increase in the number of children born in the U.S. The baby boom had a significant impact on American society and led to increased demand for goods and services, as well as changes in social norms and cultural attitudes. The following generations were heavily impacted by the heavy surplus of population. -
The Truman Doctrine was a foreign policy initiative announced by U.S. President Harry S. Truman in 1947. It stated that the United States would provide military and economic assistance to countries threatened by communism. The doctrine was a response to the growing influence of the Soviet Union and the spread of communist ideology throughout the world. The Truman Doctrine set the stage for U.S. intervention in conflicts such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War. -
The desegregation of the U.S. military began with Executive Order 9981, signed by President Harry S. Truman in 1948. The order prohibited racial discrimination in the armed forces and called for equal opportunity and treatment for all service members. The desegregation process was slow and often met with resistance from military leadership and some enlisted personnel. The full integration of the military was not achieved until the late 1950s. -
The Korean War was a conflict that took place on the Korean Peninsula from 1950 to 1953. The war was fought between North Korea, which was supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, which was supported by the U.S. and other United Nations forces. The war resulted in the division of the Korean Peninsula into North and South Korea, and tensions between the two countries continue to this day. -
Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark Supreme Court case that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. The case was brought by the parents of African American students who were being denied admission to white-only schools in Topeka, Kansas. The court's ruling marked a major victory for the civil rights movement and paved the way for further efforts to end segregation and discrimination in American society. -
: The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a protest movement in Montgomery, Alabama, sparked by the arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. The boycott lasted for over a year and involved the African American community boycotting the city's buses in protest of the segregated seating system. The boycott was a major victory for the civil rights movement and helped to galvanize support for further efforts to end segregation and discrimination. -
Launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union; beginning of the Space Race (1957): The launch of Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, by the Soviet Union in 1957 marked the beginning of the Space Race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The Space Race was a competition between the two superpowers to explore space and achieve technological dominance. The U.S. responded to Sputnik by ramping up its own space program, which ultimately led to the moon landing in 1969. -
The integration of Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, was a major event in the civil rights movement. The school had been ordered to integrate by the Supreme Court in 1954, but when nine African American students attempted to attend the school in 1957, they were met with violent opposition from white protesters. The students eventually gained admission to the school with the help of federal troops, but the incident highlighted the continued resistance to desegregation. -
The Greensboro sit-ins were a series of protests in Greensboro, North Carolina, in which African American students sat at "whites-only" lunch counters and refused to leave. The protests sparked a wave of similar protests across the South and helped to galvanize the Civil Rights Movement. The sit-ins were a significant milestone in the movement for racial equality and helped to inspire further efforts to end segregation and discrimination in American society. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day political and military standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over the installation of Soviet missiles in Cuba. The crisis was the closest the world had ever come to nuclear war, and it ended when the Soviet Union agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for a U.S. promise not to invade Cuba and to remove U.S. missiles from Turkey. -
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. He was riding in a motorcade with his wife and several others when shots were fired, striking him in the head and neck. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested and charged with the assassination, but he was killed two days later by nightclub owner Jack Ruby while in police custody. The assassination of JFK remains one of the most tragic and controversial events in American history. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation that prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The law was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson and was a major victory for the civil rights movement. The act outlawed segregation in public places such as schools, parks, and restaurants, and also prohibited employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. -
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that aimed to protect the voting rights of African Americans. The law prohibited discriminatory voting practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes and provided federal oversight of elections in areas with a history of voter discrimination. The law had a profound impact on American society, helping to enfranchise millions of African American voters and contributing to the growth of the civil rights movement. -
The National Organization for Women (NOW) was founded in 1966 by a group of women's rights activists who sought to promote gender equality and combat discrimination against women. The organization advocated for a range of issues, including reproductive rights, workplace equality, and political representation. NOW played a significant role in the feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s, and helped to advance women's rights in the United States. -
Thurgood Marshall was a prominent civil rights attorney who argued several landmark cases before the Supreme Court, including Brown v. Board of Education. In 1967, he became the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court, where he continued to advocate for civil rights and social justice. Marshall's appointment was a significant milestone in the struggle for racial equality and helped to diversify the highest levels of government. Marshall's legacy continues to inspire generations. -
On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. King was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement and had led a campaign of nonviolent resistance to discrimination and segregation in the U.S. His death sparked widespread grief and outrage, and led to riots and protests across the country. King's legacy as a civil rights icon continues to inspire activists and leaders around the world. -
Roe v. Wade was a landmark 1973 Supreme Court case that established a woman's right to obtain an abortion without undue interference from the government. The case originated in Texas, where a woman named Norma McCorvey (who used the pseudonym "Jane Roe") challenged the state's restrictive abortion laws. The Supreme Court's ruling was based on the constitutional right to privacy, which the court held encompassed a woman's decision to terminate a pregnancy.