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The Sugar Act
After winning the French and Indian War, Britain needed to repay its costs. Up until this point, British ministers had ruled the colonies with salutary neglect, but it changed with the introduction of the Sugar Act. The act replaced the previous Molasses Act which had been proven to be a failure. The Sugar Act was enforced by the British troops that remained after the war, but the colonists refused to follow it. They continued to smuggle sugar even though it was cheaper to just pay the tax. -
Boston Massacre
Tensions throughout the colonies, especially in Boston, ran high as acts like the tea act effected the everyday lives of the citizens. A group of drunk and unhappy colonists insulted a British soldier left to guard his post by himself. The soldier was struck with snowballs and called for reinforcements. As the chaos ensued, an unknown soldier fired into the crowd, which caused others to fire as well. Paul Revere would go on to glorify the incident and use it as a rallying call to other patriots. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of colonists, mainly Sons of Liberty and fed up with taxation without representation, took it upon themselves to board a ship in the dead of night, dressed as Native Americans, and dump 342 chests of tea into the Boston harbor. This was the first major act of defiance by the colonists and served as a wake up call to the monarchy. The British tightened their grip over the colonies by passing the coercive acts, which would be the point of no return for the American Revolution. -
Declaration of Independence
The 1rst Continental Congress had sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George. George thought that the colonists were crazy for thinking that they were in any position to make demands. During the 2nd Continental Congress, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, which justified the colonies breaking apart from the monarchy. The document featured a list of 27 grievances against George. After it was signed, the document represented an official departure from Britain. -
Battle of Yorktown
Throughout the start of the war, the British had handed loss after loss to the Continental army. The Battle of Saratoga had served as the turning point of the war. Cornwallis had been forced to retreat to Yorktown, but failed to realize that the French navy was at his back. After American and French bombing, Cornwallis surrendered, but refused to meet Washington on the battle field and give up his sword. This ended the major fighting of the war and proved the America was a prominent power. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was the official ending of the revolution. The treaty formally recognized the US as an independent nation, which was important because the colonies had just proven themselves to the world. The colonies were granted all British lands between the Atlantic and the Mississippi river and north to British Canada. Leaving Britain would prove to be the easiest part of building a new nation as leaders would have to develop a fair government that would successfully run the new country. -
Shay's Rebellion
Fearing the tyrannical and overbearing government that they had just left, leaders of the new nation created the Articles of Confederation. They gave the government no standing army, no taxing authority, and power to the states. Shays' Rebellion showed the weaknesses of this new form of government as a group of farmers were able to take over courthouses throughout Massachusetts and the government could do nothing but watch. The articles were quickly removed and substituted for the Constitution. -
Northwest Ordinance
With the constant migration of citizens to unclaimed territories, the federal government needed to determine how to admit territories as states. An appointed governor would lead until the population reached 5000. When the population reached 60000, the territory could apply for statehood. The ordinance outlawed slavery in the northwest territories and forced towns to have public schools. The removal of slavery would allow the Union to have a strong foothold in the north during the civil war. -
The Whiskey Rebellion
In protest of the whiskey tax, farmers from Pennsylvania refused to pay the tax. The rebellion gave Washington a chance to test the new government and his executive powers. He led an army to face the farmers and intimidate them by firing his cannons. The farmers would disband out of fear and it showed that the new government was effective at governing the new country. It was stronger than the Articles of Confederation but not strong enough to threaten the personal liberties of its citizens. -
Whitney Applies for Cotton Gin Patent
Learning about the difficulty of producing cotton, Eli Whitney sought a solution to the issue. He developed the cotton gin, which allowed a user to remove seeds out of 50 pounds of cotton each day. Although it had many benefits to planters in the south, it also provided a justification for plantation owners to use slaves. The invention increased the slave trade as cotton planters simply bought more slaves to increase their margin of profits. -
Pinckney's Treaty
After the American Revolution, Americans profited in any way that they could. Wealthy farmers wanted to export their crops to other countries and needed a water route that would allow them to transport their goods to a port city. New Orleans was a developed and important port city that was under the control of the Spanish. Thomas Pinckney was able to negotiate to allow Americans to travel along the Mississippi and deposit goods at New Orleans. This was vital to the developing economy. -
XYZ Affair
At the start of Adams' presidency, he had to sort out foreign relations with France, as they were not happy with Jay's treaty. Adams sent 3 of his trusted diplomats to sign a treaty that would appease both the US and France. The foreign minister refused to meet with them, so he sent 3 low level diplomats, named XYZ, to meet with the Americans. XYZ demanded a bribe before negotiations. The Americans were infuriated as France still did not respect the power that the US had attained. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
A federalist controlled government, scared of losing power to the democratic-republicans, passed a group of laws that would be 1 of the biggest violations of freedom that would ever occur. These acts allowed the president to deport any aliens considered dangerous, increased the time immigrants had to live in the US before they became citizens, and banned any newspapers from printing material critical of the government. Adams' presidency was ruined as people thought his power was too overbearing. -
The Revolution of 1800
Jefferson winning the election of 1800 marked the first time in America that power had passed peacefully from 1 party to another. It was the first time that the main ideology in the government had changed from 1 of loose construction and a strong government to that of strict construction and a decentralized government. The transition proved to the world that America had a viable government that allowed for different opinions and voices to be heard. -
Louisiana Purchase
Worried that the Spanish would void Pinckney's treaty, Jefferson looked to purchase the port of New Orleans. Instead, Napoleon only offered it if Jefferson bought the whole Louisiana territory. Being a strict construction believer, he struggled to make the right decision as nowhere in the Constitution does it give the president the power to purchase land. He ignores his political views and purchases the land because he thinks it's best for the country. He purchased the land at 4 cents per acre. -
Embargo of 1807
Jefferson was struggling to maintain neutrality when both France and Britain wanted the US to end trade with the other. Jefferson has enough of it and decides to impose an embargo on all foreign trade. He thought that France and Britain would come back, but he overestimated their dependence on American exports. The embargo destroys the American economy, but it does boost domestic manufacturing and American industry. The embargo tarnishes the influential and highly successful career of Jefferson. -
Battle of Tippecanoe
Tired of the invasive Americans, Tecumseh organized a confederation of Native American tribes to repel the settlers. William Harrison was tired of the resistance and led 1000 soldiers to destroy Prophetstown. Tenskwatawa led an offensive against the troops despite Tecumseh's warnings and lost. The natives abandoned the town and Tecumseh returned 3 months after he had left to find a burned town. This battle was vital as Tecumseh would later ally the natives with Britain during the War of 1812. -
Treaty of Ghent
After 2 years of total warfare, a treaty that ended the War of 1812 on Christmas eve was signed in Belgium in 1814. As a consequence, fighting continued for a few more months until news reached America. The treaty returned everything to how it was before, but it allowed for a wave of nationalism to sweep through America. They proved again that they could best the strongest army at that point. The natives were also removed form the Ohio river valley, opening the Midwest for expansion. -
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was fought after the Treaty of Ghent had already been signed. The British wanted to take New Orleans, but Andrew Jackson recognized its vitality to the US. He recruited a militia of random people and set up a defense around the only area that the British could offload their supplies. British officers continued to send their troops to their deaths, which resulted in an overwhelmingly American victory. Andrew Jackson built a name for himself by winning the last conflict. -
The Missouri Compromise
As the issue of slavery was becoming a major conflict, lawmakers attempted to ease tensions by forming the Missouri Compromise. The compromise allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state and Maine as a free state, but it also banned slavery from lands north of the border of Missouri. The compromise would prove to be ineffective as it would be redacted just 30 years later. It was the start of the buildup to the American Civil War. -
Monroe Doctrine
Worried that major European powers would effect upon the US sphere of influence by creating colonies in the Americas, the US government sought a solution. Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine during his annual message to Congress. It stated that the US would not tolerate further colonization of the Americas, get involved in European affairs, and would not interfere with existing European colonies. The doctrine established the US as the head of the western hemisphere which can still be seen today. -
The Corrupt Bargain
The election of 1824 was a highly contested election that consisted of 4 candidates. Andrew Jackson had the most votes, but not the majority of votes, which the Constitution stated a candidate needed to become president. The 12th amendment had been recently passed, making Henry Clay's favor vital to the candidates. Clay endorsed Adams after a private meeting behind closed doors. After Adams won the presidency, Clay was appointed secretary of state, which Jackson's supporters viewed as a bribe. -
Tariff of Abominations
After having a disappointing and boring presidency, Adams needed something important for his reelection campaign. He created a tariff on foreign goods so that more people would buy American goods. Northerners viewed it favorably as their industries would profit from the increased business. Southern states viewed the tariff as abominable because Europeans would retaliate the tariff by buying less southern cotton. Farmers bought European goods to appease them, but it forced the economy to suffer. -
Indian Removal Act
After his election to office, he signed the Indian Removal Act into law which gave the federal government the power to exchange Indian land for land further west that the US had allocated for them. The act would be the start of the Trail of Tears in which 100000 Indians were forcibly removed from their lands. The government used the US army to intimidate and destroy any resistance that the Indians attempted. The Supreme Court also ruled that the Cherokee were a domestic dependent nation. -
The Liberator is Published
As abolition became increasingly important, William Lloyd Garrison sought to highlight the achievements of black slaves and citizens. It was very controversial as it went against the South's justification for slavery, a positive good. It proved that African Americans could be educated and they could be important to society. The Liberator became the most published anti-slavery newspaper during the 1830s and served the abolitionist movement greatly. -
Force Bill
During the nullification crisis, Andrew Jackson searched for a resolution to the Ordinance of Nullification. He declared that states did not have the authority to nullify a national tariff and asked Congress to pass the Force Bill which gave the president the power to use the military to enforce the collection of taxes. The bill continued the trend of a stronger executive and the federal's government having more power over state governments. He was seen as a hero for keeping the Union intact. -
Remember the Alamo
During the Texan Revolution, a group of Texans had taken the Alamo from Mexico. The Mexicans sent thousands of troops to retake the fort from the group. The Texans fought valiantly until they were all dead after 13 days. Texans used the Alamo as a rallying call, crying "Remember the Alamo" as they attacked. Davy Crockett's last stand served to persuade Texans to continue their fight and for the US to offer to absorb Texas from the Mexicans. -
Panic of 1837
With the movement of valuable metals westward, away from the coast, British financiers became alarmed at the decrease of specie in the central bank. Although cotton production had doubled in the past decade, British merchants bought less of it, which devalued it. Along with a poor harvest, these events compounded to force Americans into an economic panic. With high food prices and little money, people lost their jobs and became bankrupt. They struggled to provide for their family. -
Mormon War
After being shunned from multiple cities, Joseph Smith took his followers to Missouri. Tensions rose between the Mormons and the non-Mormons and after a skirmish between the 2 groups, the governor of Missouri ordered the Mormons to leave Missouri or be killed. Eventually, Smith was captured for treason but escaped custody. The war showed a continuation of the role that religion, although to a lesser extent, still played in the daily lives of American citizens. -
"Manifest Destiny" Appears
Although thousands of settlers had already settled throughout the west, the phrase "manifest destiny" finally gave justification for the removal of the natives. White settlers thought that God has destined the United States to spread its people across the continent. The settlers would let nothing come in their way when settling further westward. This movement would lead to massacres of the natives that would drive them out of their original lands and into reservations. -
Wilmot Proviso
As slavery became an increasingly prevalent topic throughout the chambers of Congress, David Wilmot sought a solution. The Wilmot Proviso desired to ban slavery from any new territory acquired in the Mexican-American war. The bill was passed in the House but it failed in the Senate, where the South had more power. Although seeking to end the issue of slavery, the Wilmot Proviso had an adverse effect where it accelerated the timeline of the American Civil War. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo effectively ended the Mexican-American war. It heavily favored the US as Mexico was forced to cede 55% of its territory, relinquish all claims to Texas, and recognize the Rio Grande as the southern border of the US. The treaty was spurred on by the fall of Mexico City. The treaty gave the US many of its largest present day states, including Texas and California. It also presented the continental dominance portrayed by the US that is still present to this day. -
Compromise of 1850
With the issue of California entering as a free state or a slave state raged on, the vampire of American history, Henry Clay thought up a compromise. The compromise stated that California would enter the Union as a free state and the slave trade would be abolished, only if strict fugitive slave laws were enacted and territories applying for statehood would be ruled by popular sovereignty. The compromise would prove to be ineffective as it failed 10 years later, when the Civil War was fought. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin became an immediate sensation when it was released. Abolitionists in the north praised it while southerners denounced it and the author, Harriet Beecher Stowe. The novel showed success because Beecher depicted Tom as similar to Christ, which resonated with the majority of the population. The story became one of the leading pieces of work for the abolition of slavery that would eventually lead to the Civil War. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act created Kansas and Nebraska as states that would be governed by popular sovereignty. Northerners used the Church to buy land in Kansas to donate to other abolitionists. Southerners counteracted this by terrorizing those that took the land. 1 group rode to Lawrence, Kansas, and took over the courthouse and destroyed other buildings. Their fraudulent votes flipped Kansas, which caused problems throughout Congress. This period of time was known as "Bleeding Kansas." -
Dred Scott v Sandford
As issues of slavery were brought up throughout the Union, Dred Scott, a slave of an army surgeon, decided to make his own case. He argued that as he followed his master throughout free states, it violated the law for him to be a slave. The case was brought in front of the Supreme Court, in which a vital decision was made. The court ruled against Scott and stated that black men had no rights in which white men needed to respect. Abolitionists were worried that any states could be slave states. -
Harpers Ferry Raid
As the buildup to war continued, abolitionists became more and more radical. John Brown was a perfect example of this. After John had wreaked havoc to slave owners, he decided to raid Harpers Ferry to establish a stronghold of freed slaves. After a couple of fighting ensued, John and his followers lost or were killed. The incident electrified the south and convinced slaveholders that abolitionists would stop at nothing. John also became a martyr for the abolitionist cause. -
Secession of South Carolina
As sectional tensions, the election of abolitionist Abraham Lincoln was the tipping point. South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union. The secession set off a chain of events which caused 10 more southern states to secede from the Union. The states would form the Confederacy which would go to war with the Union. This war would go on to become the biggest and most influential war in all of America's history, as it tackled the largest issue that divided the entire country. -
Homestead Act of 1862
Dealing with a heavy increase in immigration throughout the northeast, Lincoln sought to topple the rising population. The Homestead Act gave land out west for free to anyone who wanted it. The only stipulations were that it had to be farmed for 5 years, the family had to live on it, and the land had to be improved. This incentivized poor people to leave the big cities and migrate west. The act almost had an adverse effect as more migrants came to America to obtain free land. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg became the biggest battle of the Civil War after the Union suffered 23000 casualties and the Confederates suffered 28000. General Robert E Lee ordered Pickett's Charge, which allowed 15000 southern troops to pierce Union lines. After 3 days of harsh fighting, Lee had lost 1/3 of his army. He was so demoralized that he offered his letter of resignation to Jefferson Davis. The battle became the turning point of the entire Civil War. -
Battle of Appomattox
After an onslaught of Union victories. Robert E Lee and his army were chased throughout the south. Eventually, Ulysses S Grant caught up to the army and forced its surrender in the town of Appomattox. The terms of surrender were kind as Grant and Lee had been companions before the war. The surrender marked the end of the Civil War, officially putting down the largest resistance in American history. The slaves were freed and the southern states rejoined the Union. -
Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad
The completion of the transcontinental railroad marked a major achievement not only in American history, but world history. The railroad was technically important as it spanned the entire continent. It provided citizens of the US access to places and goods from all over the country. The government paid the railroad companies by land, rather than currency, which incentivized the railroad companies to work fast. The railroad allowed for an increased American presence throughout the Great Plains. -
15th Amendment
The 15th amendment was revolutionary as it finally gave African American men the right to vote. Following the Civil War, the right to vote was inevitable after the emancipation of the slaves. A northern led Congress passed the amendment easily and showed how much views had changed since the early 1800's. The passage of the 15th amendment would lead to the passage of the 19th amendment later on, giving women the right to vote. The 15th amendment is arguably 1 of the most important to ever exist. -
Yellowstone National Park
After rapid expansion of the continent, Congress became wary of the decreasing natural biodiversity. They decided to take action when they decided to make Yellowstone the first national park in the US. It protected more than 2 million acres of beautiful landscape. The park also housed herds of bison and elk. The creation of the national park became very important as in modern day, Yellowstone is 1 of the most revered sites to visit by travelers all around the world. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was vital to the path to equal rights between African Americans and whites. The act banned discrimination in public accommodations including public transport, movie theatres, and cemeteries. Unfortunately as reconstructive governments were failing, Ulysses S Grant was unable to enforce the act. African Americans still faced racial discrimination throughout the country and they were powerless to do anything about it. -
Custer's Last Stand
As the US government sent the military to move tribes to reservations, natives became angered as they were kicked of off their traditional lands. Some natives defied the government and left to join Sitting Bull on the Little Bighorn River. General Custer attempted to surround the natives, but he attacked too early. With the underestimation of the native army and the decreased American army, Custer's men were slaughtered. The US used the battle as evidence to show the hostility of the natives. -
Compromise of 1877
Reconstruction governments had failed throughout the south, which allowed Democrats to gain support. In the election of 1876, Samuel Tilden went against Rutherford B. Hayes. In the first count of ballots, all states in the south had given 100% of their votes to Tilden. Obviously faked, a recount was demanded. 3 of the states were won by Hayes, but democrats were unhappy. Democrats elected to give Hayes the election if he vowed to remove all reconstruction governments from the south. -
Assassination of Garfield
Throughout Garfield's election campaign and term, he found vocal supporters all throughout the nation. Charles Guiteau, an active proud supporter of Garfield thought that he had done his part in getting Garfield elected by giving public speeches. He thought that he should've been given an important position in his government due to the spoils system, but Garfield refused. In return, he shot and killed Garfield. This led to the Pendleton Act, which requires applicants to federal jobs pass exams. -
Wild West Shows
Seeking to romanticize the American west, William Frederick Cody created his wild west shows. He created a circus-like atmosphere that featured tons of different events. Audiences loved his reenactments of frontier events including Custer's Last Stand. His shows also featured amazing feats of western skill including rope tricks, bulldogging, and marksmanship. He even included real natives to participate in his shows like Sitting Bull. His show was also a success in Europe. -
Dawes Act
The Dawes Act replicated the Homestead Act but for natives. It stated that native households could claim 160 acres of land out of their reservations for themselves. The government saw it was a way to break tribal ties and to gain access to native lands. Advocates for natives saw it as a chance for natives to integrate into white society and for their children to have a bountiful and successful life. Corruption was intense throughout the system and led to many natives being cheated out of land. -
Hull House
Immigrants who were lucky enough to land in America often ran out of luck when the ships left the port. They struggled to find housing, jobs, and communities that they were welcomed in. A group of women sought to help them and created a few settlement houses. Immigrants could come to learn basic English, get material assistance, and gain access to legal help. The most famous was the Hull House, the private home of Jane Addams and the first social settlement in Chicago. -
Wounded Knee
As the Ghost Dance movement took reservations by storm, the US government became increasingly worried. The US increased the military presence near Wounded Knee Creek. As tensions rose between both sides, a shot was fired, unknown from which side it came from. The military reacted and killed an estimated 150 natives while they only lost 25 men. The massacre ended the Ghost Dance movement and was the last major confrontation in the series of battles between the US and natives. -
How the Other Half Lives
During a period of advancement and modernization, the middle class, especially women were prone to reform. They read works by muckrakers, who were journalists that shed light on issues that society chose to ignore. Jacob Riis published "How the Other Half Lives" which documented the poor conditions in which the people in the slums faced. He used photographs to journal the atrocities of tenement housing and eventually helped put an end to them. -
De Lome Letter
After a series of Cuban revolts faced harsh crackdowns from their Spanish rulers, the US attempted to negotiate both sides. In a letter that was written after an agreement, the Spanish minister in Washington admitted that Spain had no intention to honor the agreement. The letter also degraded the current president, William McKinley. Americans felt a sense of hatred sweep through them as they waited for the US to go to war with the Spaniards. This led to a war that ended in Cuban independence. -
Teddy Roosevelt becomes President
Originally sent to the White House as the vice president of McKinley, Roosevelt found success and was elected as president. His administration occurred during a time of heavy social reform led by muckrakers. Legislation that came from his administration included the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act. He also respected national lands and forests by creating national parks. This led to the childhood toy of teddy bears being invented. -
Portsmouth Treaty
During Teddy Roosevelt's presidency, he was recognized for many strong and important actions. Foreign policy during his administration included shows of force and strength to scare other countries. He also organized the Portsmouth Treaty which ended the Russo Japanese war. He was given a Nobel Peace Prize for his participation in negotiations. Although the US barely played a role in the war, they still held influence in the outcome of the war. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
Influenced by muckrakers and social reformists, Teddy Roosevelt decided to take action about the injustices that people faced in the food industries. The Pure Food and Drug Act stated that food needed to meet certain standards and they had to go through testing. This act was 1 of many that Teddy Roosevelt's administration enacted. The Pure Food and Drug Act is still in use today. Roosevelt's administration led to many reform acts that still are in use today. -
Creation of the FBI
Before Teddy Roosevelt's time as president, corruption ran through all levels of the government. Roosevelt sought to fix this by creating the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The department had been specifically made to investigate corruption throughout the government, but when Hoover's administration took over, it increased the range of crimes that it investigated. The FBI became the most well-known federal bureau to date due to its success in investigating crimes. -
Dollar Diplomacy
In an attempt to increase American influence in the world, Taft decided to implement dollar diplomacy. He sent financial aid all over the world to countries in need. Unfortunately, the loans that Americans sent to these just went into the hands of the wealthy and elites. This sparked revolutions against the upper class and led to the involvement of the US army. Generally, Taft's dollar diplomacy was considered a fail due to the loss of money and involvement of the military. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
In New York City, the Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory burned up, killing 146 workers. The fire was ingrained in people's heads as the deaths were easily preventable. The factory had neglected many safety features and there were many locked doors during the fire. This event brought major attention to the dangers of factory work and the neglect to safety conditions that owners had. This led to a series of laws and regulations that better protected the safety of the workers. -
The Assembly Line
Henry Ford was business-driven, so he was always looking for ways to improve his production. He hated unions so he banned his workers from joining them. In return, he treated his workers well and paid them more than the average employer. After Henry Ford invented the assembly line, his production became faster and easier than ever. People who wanted to work didn't need to know how to make an entire car, just an individual part. The assembly line revolutionized the mechanical industry. -
Lusitania
During World War 1, the US refused to join the war and pick a side, but they had been secretly supplying the Allies with ammunition and supplies. Eventually, the Germans caught wind of this and stated that any ships suspected of carrying supplies would be destroyed. The Lusitania, which was supposed to be a passenger ship, was carrying American supplies to the Allies. The Germans sunk it, and killed 128 American passengers. This infuriated Americans and calls for war began to spark. -
Selective Service Act
At the beginning of World War 1, America had a small and ill equipped army. Woodrow Wilson sought to alter this by introducing the Selective Service Act. The act required all males aged 21 to 30 to register for the armed forces. Then, he instituted a draft to build up the army. Following this act, America was able to mobilize 4.5 million troops, which would be sent towards the war effort. The act was highly successful in increasing the American army and helping the Allies win. -
19th Amendment
Ideas about women's suffrage first developed out west because men grew to respect women as equals. Women used different types of protests to fight for their rights including hunger strikes. Eventually, this caused the 19 amendment to be ratified which prohibited states from denying the right to vote based off of sex. This was historical as in the entire history of America, women had always held very little political power. This amendment changed women's position in politics forever. -
Tulsa Race Massacre
As commonly seen throughout history, tensions between different races always ran high. After a confrontation between a white woman and a black man, stories about the incident spread throughout both communities. The stories became extremely exaggerated and led to riots breaking out. The Greenwood District, a predominantly black district, was looted and destroyed by white groups. Incidents like this would later fuel the civil rights movement. -
Immigration Act
Coming out of the world war, Americans were fearful of immigrants from eastern Europe and Asia. Congress acted on this by passing the Immigration Act of 1924. This limited the number of immigrants who could come to the US each year from a certain country to 2% of the amount of people from that country in 1890. The US took an outdated statistic and took a tiny percentage of that to limit how many immigrants could come to the US. This was a continuation of immigration fears throughout US history. -
Sacco and Vanzetti
After World War 1, groups who had views that differed from the general population faced extreme prejudice. Sacco and Vanzetti, 2 Italian anarchists were arrested and executed for 2 murders. Many socialists and radicals protested their innocence and felt that the trial had been unfair. The evidence that had been used to prove their guilt was completely circumstantial. Protests arose all around the nation over the case and brought attention to the unfair treatment of immigrants and radicals. -
Stock Market Crash
The Roaring 20's were a time of prosperity and never ending riches. The continued wealth seemed to have no end on sight. This all ended on October 28, 1929, in which the New York stock market crashed. People lost their life savings after banks closed debts hit an all time high. This marked the start of the Great Depression and left a life long impression upon those who suffered during it. Unemployment hit 25% and people never trusted banks in their life again. -
The Bonus Army
During the Great Depression, many veterans struggled to make a living. After World War 1, veterans were promised compensation for their service, but they were not due to receive it until 1945. Because of the current financial circumstances, many wanted and needed it now. Thousands of veterans marched on Washington, but the Senate refused to pay them out. After months, President Hoover called the army to disperse of the protestors. Their camps were burned down and many veterans were injured. -
Chancellor Hitler
Amidst a struggling society, Adolf Hitler had somewhat secretly risen up through the ranks of the German government. The German population saw Hitler as their escape ticket from the suffering they had faced from World War 1. He blamed their loss on the Jews, which became a scapegoat for the entire war, and he refused to pay reparations. He slowly built up the German army and tested the limits of the Treaty of Versailles. His policies would lead to the most destructive war ever. -
Social Security Act
As a Democratic president, FDR supported government aid to those who were suffering. In 1935, he signed the Social Security Act, which provided a safety net for all Americans. The government would take a percentage of each paycheck and put it towards the program. Then, they would received payments after retirement that took the place of an income. This opened new jobs as older people were more inclined to retire, and it lowered the unemployment rate. This turned America into a welfare state. -
Pearl Harbor
The US demanded that Japan withdrew from China and Indochina because they needed the natural resources. This led to a Japanese attack on America. The Japanese thought that attacking the US would be an easy win and would give them an abundance of land to rule. The attack was successful, but it only awoke a sleeping giant. Japan's choice to involve the US directly in the war would eventually lead to their downfall. The military might of the US worked in sync with the Allies to defeat the Axis. -
Executive Order 9066
After Pearl Harbor, many Americans became fearful of Japanese and other Asian immigrants. In turn, FDR signed Executive Order 9066, which relocated Japanese immigrants from their homes to internment camps. These camps were located in the middle of nowhere and were guarded by American troops. Although faced with unfair circumstances, many of the Japanese effected by the order still tried to help the Americans. Some joined the army while others crafted supplies. -
D-Day
As the Axis drove British forces out of continental Europe, the Allies hatched a last-ditch effort to stop Hitler's armies. Eisenhower was chosen to lead Operation Overlord, which became the largest seaborne invasion ever. His troops were meant to storm the beach with no hope of retreating. Within 7 days, the Allies controlled 80 miles of the coast of Normandy, which made the operation a success. D-Day would allow the Allies to gain a foothold and eventually defeat Hitler and the Axis. -
Yalta Conference
The Yalta Conference symbolized the end of Nazism as the Big Three met up to decide what would happen to them after the war. Another topic on the agenda was what to do with the Eastern European countries that had been defeated or liberated. The Allies agreed on Soviet government until free elections could be held. FDR and Churchill were already worried about the spread of communism even before the world war had officially ended. This would later develop into the Cold War, defined by proxy wars. -
The Iron Curtain
Immediately following the end of World War 2. The free countries of Western Europe and America became fearful of the spread of communism. Winston Churchill gave a speech at Westminster College in which he described the divide between the West and East of Europe as an iron curtain. Although many Americans still regarded the USSR as an ally, Churchill was ahead of his time. The iron curtain would represent the divide between communism and capitalism until the end of the Cold War. -
Truman Doctrine
Following World War 2, America's number 1 goal was to stop the spread of communism. Truman's administration attempted to form different ways to combat its spread. The Marshall Plan promised any economic help to any country that wanted it. The idea behind this was that these countries would not be enticed by communism if they had booming economies. They would also look to capitalism as its savior and they would reject communism. The US sent about $14 billion to recovering countries. -
Berlin Airlift
Immediately following the end of World War 2, the US came to the conclusion that the USSR was just as bad as Nazi Germany. Berlin was split down the middle, but the city was still surrounded by communism. When the USSR stopped all imports by car or train, the US sought a solution. Truman authorized immediate airlifts that would transport and drop supplies off to those in West Berlin. The airdrops were so successful that Stalin ended the blockade and was powerless to do anything. -
McCarthyism
The Cold War caused immense fear in American society, as anyone's neighbor could be a communist spy, and they would never no about it. Joseph McCarthy brought these fears to light when he claimed to have a list of government officials who secretly supported communism. This sparked fear and distrust throughout the nation. Although he never revealed his list, he gained national fame and headed his own movement. Eventually, his movement failed after he targeted the US army. -
Support for the Koreans
As Cold War tensions rose, proxy wars began to occur. In Korea, the USSR supported the North Koreans in an invasion of the south, to which the US responded by sending its own troops. The Americans were able to push the communists all the way back to China, which proved to be a mistake. When China entered the war, they pushed the Americans all the way back. Eventually, the war ended and Korea was divided at the same parallel as before the war. The Cold War was fought through proxy wars. -
Brown v Board of Education
After the Plessy v Ferguson ruling, schools were allowed to be segregated as long as they were fair. Unfortunately, African American schools were out of date and filled with low-level books and broken materials. They were also smaller and led by less qualified teachers. Eventually, Thurgood Marshall, a black lawyer, decided to use Linda Brown, an elementary school girl, as the client for the case. Eventually, Brown won and the Plessy ruling was overturned. -
National Interstate and Defense Highways Act
The Eisenhower administration played on Cold War fears to write the largest public works project in history. The National Interstate and Defense Highways Act sought to modernize and update America's roadways. This connected the entire country and made it easier to evacuate from cities. The highways also acted as emergency runways in which planes could land. This act was created as a defense act, but it became a crucial part in many American's daily lives. -
Creation of NASA
As tensions continued to rise between the USSR and the US, Eisenhower sought ways to combat the advantage that the Soviets had when it came to the space race. He signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act which established NASA. NASA has had a continued and lasting impact on modern day society. They have sent satellites into space, astronauts to the moon, and rovers to Mars. Their continued impact has been shown as they just announced another moon mission under Artemis 3. -
Lunch Counter Sit-Ins
Inspired by peaceful protests like the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, college students wanted to get involved in the Civil Rights movement. They did so by organizing lunch counter sit-ins, where they visited diners who refused to serve them and simply sat. They continued to visit the same diner each and every day, even if they got arrested. They did this until the diner finally decided to serve them. This movement took off all across the US, and included over 50000 people. -
Bay of Pigs
In 1959, Cuban revolts overtook the government. Fidel Castro brought communist USSR closer to the US, as Cuba was 90 miles away from the tip of Florida. As Eisenhower's term ended, he formulated a plan to retake Cuba. JFK inherited this plan but never fully supported it. He sent exiled Cubans back to Cuba with no naval or aerial support. This led to the invasion being a massive failure and all of the forces were either captured or killed. This represents JFK's biggest mistake during his term. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest that the USSR and the US ever got to fighting a direct war. Spy planes discovered that the USSR was building up military buildings in Cuba. Missile launch sites were being put in place to threaten the US. Tensions rose as Soviet ships attempted to push past the naval blockade set up by the Americans. Eventually, the ships turned back and the situation was deescalated. The USSR then stated that they would remove the missiles if the US left Fidel in power. -
JFK's Assassination
As issues arose both domestically and internationally, JFK provided a young face that was supposed to lead the US through troubling times. He had just denounced racial segregation and pledged to pass a civil rights bill when he was shot by Lee Harvey Oswald, a supporter of Marxism and the USSR. Many thought that this was just the beginning of a larger plot by the Soviets to destabilize the US government. Lyndon Johnson became president and acted on JFK's promise to pass civil rights bills. -
Civil Rights Act
As centuries of racism had gone by and decades of reform had passed, social reformists finally won some ground. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This was not only a win for African Americans, but for women, Jews, and Asians as it won more rights for all groups. Lydon B Johnson signed the act into law and reformers celebrated the idea that equal rights were finally backed by the government. -
US Sends Troops to Vietnam
In an effort to prevent the spread of communism, the US decided to help the nationalist party beat the communists. The domino theory stated that if 1 Asian country fell to communism, they all would. Americans sent financial aid and troops to Vietnam. Many Americans were clueless and hated the idea that American troops were dying in a foreign country for no reason. Eventually, even with the aid of the US, the nationalists still lost, and the communists took over. -
Miranda V Arizona
Before the ruling in Miranda V Arizona, defendants were subjected to different interrogation techniques without being informed of their 5th Amendment rights. The amendment protects defendants from testifying if they might incriminate themselves. The Supreme Court ruled that Miranda's constitutional rights had been violated. Now, law enforcement officials need to advise suspects of their right to remain silent and to obtain an attorney during interrogations while in police custody. -
Thurgood Marshall to Supreme Court
The Civil Rights movement that ran throughout the 50's and 60's was spearheaded by Thurgood Marshall. He advocated for different African-Americans that faced all sorts of discrimination. Lyndon B Johnson recognized the Marshall's political aptitude and the strength that African-Americans felt through him. He decided to nominate Marshall to the Supreme Court and the nomination was well received. He became the first African-American to serve as a justice of the Supreme Court. -
MLK's Death
As the Civil Rights movement reached an all time high, nothing could seem to stop it. Martin Luther King Jr. was visiting Memphis to participate in a march on behalf of Memphis sanitation workers. When he was standing on his hotel balcony, he was shot dead by James Earl Ray. King's assassination led to wide spread racial violence and major riots. The face of the Civil Rights movement had been killed and with it, the peace and tranquility that followed it. Many reformers became radicals. -
Apollo 11
As the Russians sent the first dog into orbit and the first man in space, Americans became increasingly worried for their lives. They were scared that the Russians would send nukes from space. Their fears were quelled when NASA launched Apollo 11. The American rocketship was the first spaceflight that landed people on the moon. The landing was both a symbolic and material victory. Americans had technology that was further advanced than the USSR. There was also an American flag on the moon. -
26th Amendment
Just 2 decades ago, people were finally allowed to vote regardless of sex, color, or religion. However, this did not include age, which was still 21 to vote. In 1971, Congress passed the 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age to 18. This was partly due to the fact that 18 year olds were being sent to fight in Vietnam. Proposers stated that if they could fight a war for America, they should be able to vote for its leaders. The 18 year old voting age has become a staple in American politics. -
Watergate
After 5 men were caught sneaking into a Democratic meeting and spying for the Nixon campaign, they were sent to jail. 1 of the accused men revealed that although Nixon did not know about the break-in, he attempted to cover it up after it came to light. Then, when Nixon refused to release the White House tapes, he was forced to leave office by Congress. The Watergate Scandal tarnished Nixon's reputation forever, causing his administration to only be viewed in a negative light. -
Vietnam Ceasefire
As the Vietnam war had been raging for 8 years, it became heavily unpopular in the domestic US. Americans failed to see why a war was being fought so far away and why American troops were being sent to their deaths in protection of non-Americans. After 58000 American casualties, a ceasefire was finally signed. Americans pulled out of Vietnam, and the ceasefire was immediately broken. Vietnam fell to the communists and the progress America made disappeared. -
Camp David Accords
The Middle East was vital to the American economy due to its oil supply. Jimmy Carter sought to keep the Middle East peaceful by brokering an agreement between Egypt and Israel. He was able to convince the 2 leaders to come together and sign a peace deal. This was the highlight of his presidential term and boosted his poll numbers. Eventually, the Middle East was engulfed in turmoil through the Islamic Revolution and terrorist organizations like the Taliban and ISIS. -
Iran Hostage Crisis
During Carter's presidency, the Islamic Revolution took place. As a part of the revolution, the US embassy in Tehran, Iran, was taken by Iranians, and all US officials were taken as hostages. Carter worked tirelessly to save the hostages, but the Iranians refused to work with them as he was an ally to the previous ruler. As Reagan became president, he was able to secure the safe return of all of the hostages and was credited with skillful negotiations. -
Sally Ride in Space
The 70's and 80's were characterized by increased participation in social reform. Women sought to tear down the traditional patriarchal society. They advocated for women to explore their sexuality earlier in life, work jobs that were stereotypically dominated by men, and provide for their household. This movement was captured perfectly when Sally Ride became the first American woman in space. She represented hope and was a role model to young women all across the nation. -
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
Ever since the end of World War 2, the Cold War had continuously divided capitalism and communism. Reagan was able to build better relations with the USSR than ever before. He sought to end the heavy influence of communism on Eastern Europe. In 1987, he told Gorbachev to "tear down this wall" referring to the Berlin wall. The wall had been built to divide west and east Berlin. The wall being taken down symbolized the end of the Cold War and a bright future ahead for the world.
