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On this day, 104 men arrived in North America, and they decided to settle in Jamestown, Virginia. This was the first permanent settlement in the New World. Although there was much struggle, Jamestown became an example for others. It showed that people could build lives in the New World. People driven by the want of religious freedom, new resources, and new life, ventured over to this new land. Jamestown lasted around 100 years and it was the capital of the Virginia colony. -
The Mayflower Contract was created on the trip to the Americas by the Pilgrims. This was essential to the survival of the Plymouth Colony. It laid out a form of self-governance, and had many key ideas of modern American democracy. Drafted by Separatists, they wanted a fresh start from the Anglican Church. It continued the idea of law made by the people for the people. This event was important because it was a new life without a king, and would eventually lead to a democratic American government. -
The Plymouth colony was established by English Separatist Puritans in December of 1620. The Pilgrim left England looking for religious freedom and hopes for a better life. The impact to the colony was that it was the first English settlement in New England. It set the groundwork for others to come and settle in North American alongside them. -
Prominent Enlightenment thinker John Locke outlined the idea that all individuals are equal in the sense that they have certain inalienable natural rights to life liberty and property, later similarly outlined by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence. Other Enlightenment ideals also outlined the future American government. Its impact shone in the greater necessity for schools and the importance of education; a great surge of literacy in the colonies and an appetite for reading resulted.
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The Salem Witchcraft trials were a series of hearings. There were many people in the town of Salem, Massachusetts that were being accused of witchcraft. 30 people were found guilty and 19 people were hanged because of it. It was all based off speculation and there was no actual proof of this witchcraft. The impact of these trials was seen in the U.S. court system. People would get the right to legal representation. The idea of being innocent until proven guilty would also come from these trials. -
Jonathan Edwards's Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, preached on July 8, 1741 in Enfield, Connecticut, is an appeal to 'sinners' to recognize that they will be judged by God and that this judgment will be more fearful and painful than they can comprehend. Three themes stand out as particularly important for understanding Edwards's approach to his message: Corrupt sinners face a fearful judgment.
Time is short for the unrepentant: God's righteous wrath will come suddenly and unexpectedly. -
The Battle of Fort Necessity is widely regarded as the battle that marks the beginning of the French and Indian War. It took place in Fayette County Pennsylvania. It was Geroge Washingtons' only surrender of his military career. The impact of this was that it was the first major event in George Washingtons' military career. It was the start of a legendary career that has shaped the world into what it is today. -
The Albany Plan of Union was a proposal written by Benjamin Franklin and introduced during the Albany Congress, which was held in Albany, New York in 1754. Prior to the Albany Congress, Franklin wrote down his ideas for a union of the colonies, which he called “Short Hints.” He provided a copy to Congress but soon found out that union was not only on his mind but also the mind of others. -
In the Battle of Quebec the British achieved victory over the French. The British were led by General James Wolfe. They defeated the French on the Plains of Abraham. The impact of this British victory led to the conquest of Canada by Britain. This battle was a stepping stone in Britain's journey of conquest. -
The Sugar Act was parliament passing a modified version of the sugar and molasses act of 1733 that was about to expire. This sugar act actually reduced the tax that was on sugar. This was an attempt to get the colonists to stop smuggling and purchase British products. The impact of this was American protest. This did nothing to stop smuggling. The Americans did not care about the money they wanted representation. They did not want taxation without representation. -
The currency act was parliament assuming control over the colonial currency system. The act prohibited the issue of new bills and the reissue of existing currency. The impact of the currency act was the colonists boycotting British goods. They wanted to receive representation and have a say in the things that happened to them. -
The Stamp act marks parliament's first direct tax on the American colonies. The purpose of this act was to raise money for Great Britain. It taxed newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, broadsides, legal documents, dice, and playing cards. The impact of the stamp act was huge protests from the colonist. They felt it was unfair if they were taxed without representation. -
The Quartering Act required colonists to house any British troops that were staying in their town or village. Along with shelter they also had to provide food, drink, fuel and transportation to the British soldiers. The impact of this left some very angry colonists. They felt that this was an invasion of privacy. They protested and wer very against this act. -
The Boston Massacre happened on March 5, 1770. It was between the patriots and the British soldiers. The patriots were throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks at the soldiers. The British soldiers felt attacked and that led to them open firing, which resulted in the death of multiple colonists. This event helped unite the colonists against Great Britain. The Massacre sparked a great desire for American Independence. -
The Tea Act was put in place by the British Government to try and help out the East India company. The act granted the company the right to ship its tea directly to the colonies without first landing it in England, and to commission agents who would have the sole right to sell tea in the colonies.Colonists thought this was outrageous. They believed this would undercut the business of colonist merchants. The importance of this event is that it led to the Boston Tea Party. -
American colonists were frustrated and angry at Britain. They were mad about the taxation without representation. In order to get back at Parliament, The Sons of Liberty snuck onto East India Tea Company ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. This was the first significant act of defiance by the colonists. This act made the revolution inevitable. At this point the relationship between the colonies and Great Britain was beyond repair. -
The First Continental Congress was a meeting between 12 delegates, 1 from each colony, except Georgia. They wanted to decide what the best course of action was in order to deal with Britain's rule. The impact of this meeting was that it was an attempt to unite the colonies. This was to show that they could stand together against Britain. -
This was the beginning of the battle of Lexington and Concord. It was the first shot of the war. This was the marker for the first victory for the U.S. against the British army. The impact of this was that America had finally taken action to earn its freedom. This was the beginning of a long journey to freedom. -
Thomas Paine wrote "Common Sense", which was a 47 page pamphlet. Thomas Paine wanted to convince people that the colonies needed more independence from Great Britain. It was a persuasive piece. It used moral, logical, and political arguments. The impact of Common Sense was that it united the colonists. It put the idea in everyone's head that colonies needed independence. -
During the Second Continental Congress The Declaration of Independence was written. It announced that the colonies were separating from Great Britain, and gaining their independence. The declaration said that Britain did not respect the colonies, and because of this the colonies would have to separate. The impact of the Declaration of Independence was that it was the start of the U.S. as a new nation. This led to the Revolutionary War, the war for their independence. -
The Battle of Saratoga occurred in September and October, 1777, during the second year of the American Revolution. It included two crucial battles, fought eighteen days apart, and was a decisive victory for the Continental Army and a crucial turning point in the Revolutionary War. -
The Articles of Confederation are the first attempts at a centralized government. It was created once the colonies declared independence. The impact of this was that it would lead to a government that controlled all thirteen states. It did not last very long because it was not a stable list of rules, more of a collection of fears. The Articles were written so that they would not undergo another Britain-like monarchy. It would eventually lead to the government we have today.
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The Battle of Brewton Hill, also known as The Capture of Savannah. In this battle, the British were beginning their push into the south. Local Militia and the continental army met British forces on Brewton Hill. The British won the battle and remained in control of Savannah, an important economic city. The impact of this was that the British began to focus on securing British colonies in the south. They felt that by securing the south it would be much easier to secure the North as well. -
Beginning in 1776 the French had been secretly helping the colonists fight their war against Great Britain. They had been shipping supplies to help them with their army. In 1780 the French decided to send soldier to help the colonists. The French troops were led by General Rochambeau. The impact of this was that the colonists were no longer alone in their fight against the British. They had a world power in France fighting alongside them. The French Navy also helped significantly. -
When British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and his army surrendered to General George Washington’s American force and its French allies at the Battle of Yorktown on October 19, 1781, it was more than just military win. The outcome in Yorktown, Virginia marked the conclusion of the last major battle of the American Revolution and the start of a new nation's independence. It also cemented Washington’s reputation as a great leader and eventual election as first president of the United States. -
The Treaty of Paris was signed in Paris by British and American delegates. It officially ended the revolutionary war. The united states had earned their independence. The impact of this is that a new nation was formed. The United States had earned their independence. -
Shay's Rebellion took place in Massachusetts. It was a group of people who rebelled against the high taxes. Many citizens were already struggling to make ends meet and the high taxes were making it even harder to get by. The taxes were a result of America's debts from the war. The impact of this was that it showed the flaws in the Articles of Confederation. This led to a stronger national government being created. -
The First Bank of The United States was established in Philadelphia. It was chartered for a term of 20 years. The bank acted as the federal government's fiscal agent. It secured the government's funds, made loans to the government, transferred government deposits, and paid the government's bills. The impact of this bank was that there was now something in place to help fund the public's debt after the revolutionary war. -
Eli Whitney invented the Cotton Gin in 1793. The Cotton Gin is a machine that was created in order to separate cotton fibers from their seeds. Before this invention it was very hard and time consuming to do this, but after the invention it was much and done more efficiently. This hugely impacted the south, and made the economy boom. The South was able to produce cotton much easier and faster. -
The XYZ affair was a political disagreement between the United States and France. The XYZ affair happened when the U.S. signed a treaty called the Jay treaty with Great Britain. The French were angry because they felt it violated their alliance with the U.S. In response they seized American ships. This led to political tension between France and America. Eventually they would resolve the issue. -
These were a collection of 4 laws passed by congress. These laws raised the residency requirement from 5 years to 14 years. This also gave the president the authority to deport aliens, permit their arrest, imprisonment, and deportation during wartime. They were signed into law by John Adams. The impact of this was that many immigrants were being targeted by the government. Their first amendment rights were violated and they could be removed at any time for no reason at all. -
The Louisiana Purchase was the purchase of the Louisiana territory by the United States. They purchased it from France. They paid 15 million dollars for the land, 18 dollars per square mile. The United States acquired a total of 828,000 square miles The impact of this was that the U.S. doubled in size. The country acquired a large number of resources and this was the beginning of the expansion Westward. -
The Americans and the British created the Treaty of Ghent. This treaty was made to end the war of 1812. In the treaty, it stated, all conquered lands must be returned. The U.S. did not accomplish their goal which was to acquire land from the British. Although they did obtain land from the French when they were defeated by the Spanish. The impact of this treaty was that the Great Lakes region was now open for settlement. Which allowed for more expansion and growth for the Americans. -
The Missouri compromise was a political compromise that stopped the North from prohibiting the expansion of slavery. Missouri was admitted as a slave state and Maine was admitted as a free state. The Compromise stated that any states below a certain line would be slave states and any states above would be a free state. The impact of the Missouri compromise was an uproar that it was unconstitutional. This led to the bleeding Kansas and the beginnings of the civil war. -
Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law in 1830. In this act the president granted lands west of the Mississippi in exchange for Indian land within state borders. The impact of this was that more room was made for the U.S. to expand to the west. Another impact was an increase in tension with the Native Americans. They were being forced off their land and onto less desirable land. -
Cyrus Black a Virginian blacksmith invented the mechanical reaper in 1831. This revolutionized farming in the United States. His invention was a horse-drawn machine that harvested wheat. It changed the way that we farmed. The impact of this was that we could now cut more wheat in a day than 6 farmhands. The machine increased crop yields and helped make farming more profitable. -
At the time California was relatively unknown and not many had explored it. There were rumors and many people suspected that there was gold in California. In 1848 James Marshall discovered gold in California. The impact of this was a huge rush of people to California. They wanted to find gold and get rich. This brought thousands to California and many people began to populate the area. -
Dred Scott vs. Sandford was a court case that made it all the way up to the Supreme Court. The decision made was a shocking one. The court had decided that it was okay to own slaves in the North. Dred Scott was not freed despite being held as a slave in a northern state. The impact of this was that the Missouri Compromise was made invalid based on this ruling. This basically stated that congress had no power to abolish or forbid slavery. -
John Brown was an anti-slavery leader who had gained lots of followers. He often had violent revolts against slavery. This plan involved raiding a Federal Arsenal and stealing weapons to give to free slaves. He wanted to arm the slaves for a revolt against their masters and earn their freedom. His attempts ultimately failed and he could not steal the weapons from the arsenal. The impact of this was more tension between the north and the south. This tension ultimately led to civil war. -
After Abraham Lincoln was elected president South Carolina seceded from the Union. This secession made a civil war inevitable. This had a huge impact on U.S. history. It was a key event in the starting of the civil war. -
The Union Fort Sumter was a fort located in South Carolina. The men in the fort were stranded and they were running low on supplies. President Lincoln sent men to resupply the fort with food and other essential supplies. South Carolina thought this was a trick and that they were bringing military supplies to fight against the south. South Carolina opened fire with artillery and the fort was later surrendered. The impact of this was the beginning of the Civil War. -
The Battle of Bull Run was the first major battle of the Civil War. The battle was fought in Prince William County, Virginia. It ended with a confederate victory. It reseulted in the loss of thousands of American lives. The impact of this was that the northerners realized that this would not be as quick of a victory as they once thought. The North realized that this was going to be a long and hard war to reunite the nation. -
The Transcontinental railroad act was an act that stated that railroad would be built from coast to coast covering the entire United States. They were going to fund this through federal subsidies, giving away of land, and loans. Two railroad companies were employed to complete this and they started on opposite coasts. The impact of this was significantly reduced travel time from coast to coast. It also led to the homestead act and helped many people to expand to western parts of the country. -
The Battle of Antietam was a battle that stopped the Confederate advance into Maryland. This advance was regarded as the greatest confederate threat to Washington D.C. This battle resulted in a Union victory. The union victory at Antietam led to the emancipation Proclamation which granted slave freedom. -
The Emancipation Proclamation was released by president Lincoln in the 3rd year of the war. The Proclamation declared that all persons held as slaves are and henceforward shall be free. This allowed for the union to gain support from slaves and many joined their fighting cause once they were freed. The impact of this is that many slaves were freed and their burden of slavery was finally over. They would be able to change their situation and help future generations. -
The battle of Gettysburg is widely considered the most important battle of the Civil War. Union and Confederate forces clashed at the crossroads of the town of Gettysburg. This was the largest battle of the civil war and it is the largest battle ever fought in North America. The union won the battle of Gettysburg. The impact of this is that the souths hopes of becoming an independent nation were crushed. It became inevitable that the union was going to win the Civil War. -
Union General William T. Sherman 60,000 men embarked on a 285-mile march from Atlanta to Savannah. Sherman wanted to march all the way to the sea. He did this to frighten Georgia's people into abandoning the Confederate cause. The impact of Sherman's march was a detrimental blow to the morale of the south. Everything in Sherman's path was destroyed. This wrecked morale in the south. -
General Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox Courthouse. He surrendered his 28,000 troops to General Ulysses S. Grant of the Union Army. He surrendered after one of the longest battles of the Civil War. The impact of this was that it ended the Civil War. The confederates had failed in becoming independent and they would once again become a part of the Union. -
After General Lee's surrender, there were still some people in the south that felt that the confederacy could still be restored. One of these people was John Wilkes Booth. With this thought in mind, he shot and killed President Lincoln. The impact of this was that Andrew Johnson took over as president of the United States. Ultimately the Confederacy was never saved and the south would rejoin the Union. -
The 15th amendment was created to allow black men to vote. The amendment states that no law could limit any man's right to vote. Women were upset by this because they believed that they should also be given the right to vote. The amendment was also unpopular among democrats, but since republicans were still the majority the amendment passed. This is a huge step in finally reaching equality for Black African Americans. -
On this date in history, Thomas Edison received the patent for his light bulb. Edison did not invent the first light bulb, but he did create the first long lasting light bulb. It was the first light bulb that many others could purchase and use. The light bulb had a great impact on history. It changed the way people loved back then, and continues to affect our lives today. People were able to work later because of artificial light. -
Many US citizens wanted to get rid of the Native Indians on the land that they viewed as theirs. The Dawes Act was created to try and address these concerns. The act offered any Indian, who wanted to move outside of their tribal lands, 160 acres. The Natives that decided to move became isolated and distant from their tribes. They became more "Americanized". This is what the Dawes Act intended to do. The lasting effect of this act was that they were trying to diminish the Native American tribes. -
The USS Maine was stationed off the coast of Cuba. The US battleship was there to try and scare Spain into leaving Cuba alone. On the 15th of February, the ship mysteriously exploded. With Imperial Fever high in the states, the Americans wanted revenge. The saying "Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!" gained popularity, and soon everyone was saying it. This event led to the US to war, and eventually would lead to the recognition of the US as a major world power. -
After rising tensions between America and Spain war was declared on April 4th, 1898. This war's main fighting happened in the Philippines and Cuba, ending on December 10th, 1898. This secured America as a world power and freed Cuba from Spanish domination. The US also gained the Philippines for 20 million dollars, resulting in another war with the native people. The US gained influence in Latin American and became a pacific force. -
A Polish-American anarchist, assassinated President McKinley. Teddy Roosevelt, the vice president at the time, became the new president. McKinley was very pro-business and often took large donations from companies in order to turn a blind eye. Under Roosevelt however, restriction was put into place. The Progressive Era began, and with it lots of social and political change. -
The Jungle, written by Uptown Sinclair, was created to expose the brutality of the workplace. The reader was given a rather gruesome description of the meat packing industry. teddy Roosevelt read the book and then created the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act. These were made to get the meat industry under control. The FDA was also created, which we can still see today This book had a lasting impact on the food and work industry. -
WEB DuBois was the first African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University. As an important intellectual, scholar, and political thinker, DuBois advocated political actions and a civil rights agenda. He argued social change could be accomplished by developing the small group of college-educated blacks he called "the Talented Tenth". DuBois helped to found the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People which carried well into the 1950s civil rights movement and beyond. -
After completing his terms, Roosevelt hand picks William Howard Taft to be his successor and campaigns tirelessly to see him elected. Despite Roosevelt's legacy, Taft actually ends up breaking more trust and creating more national parks and preserves than Roosevelt. However, he is uneasy with a president enacting broad social reforms. Angry over Taft's failure to carry on his policies, Roosevelt challenges Taft for the Republican nomination, but this splits the Republican vote. -
Government reform was greatly needed as at the time the gov. was very inefficient and corrupted. Robert Lafollette was an incorruptible Congressmen from Wisconsin who believed the government could be purified. He proposed the Wisconsin plan which introduced a recall, referendum, and initiative to give the people more power. It also helped the 17th amendment pass as it wanted senators to be directly elected. An Australian ballot was also to be introduced. This idea was essential to gov. reform. -
As a result of the split Republican vote during the election of 1913, Woodrow Wilson is elected as the first Democrat in 16 years. He pledged to break up big trusts as well, but unlike Roosevelt, made no distinction between good and bad trusts. He passed the Clayton Act which strengthened the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. He also created the Federal Trade Commission which helped regulate interstate commerce. He created the Federal Reserve which reorganized the country's banking system. -
Henry Ford previously introduced the model T in 1908 for $850. Using scientific management and creating a moving assembly line, he was able to reduce the time it takes to produce the model from 12 hours to 90 minutes. This, in turn, also reduced the price to $280. This created a boom in the automobile industry, and provided opportunities for the industries of steel, oil, insurance, and construction. This benefited transportation and created the suburbs as people could now live farther from home. -
The Federal Reserve Act created the Federal Reserve. The goal was to stop financial crisis by creating a better and more flexible currency and raising interest rates. The Federal Reserve Act provided the American people with more confidence in the banking system. The Federal Reserve Act is still active today and it continues to support the dollar and works to stop inflation and crisis. -
The Panama Canal was started in 1904 and completed in 1914. US wanted a canal in Panama, but at the time Colombia still controlled Panama, and they didn't want a canal. After the two split, Panama agreed to the canal with the promise that the canal would be open to all.The canal shows the influence that the US holds over Latin America. -
The US was angered when a German U-boat sinks the Lusitania. Under pressure from the US, Germany agrees to stop unrestricted sub warfare. However, this weakened their coastal blockade and they resumed practice. Four US ships were torpedoed further sending a wedge between Germany and the US. Germany sought an alliance with Mexico through the Zimmerman telegram, which is intercepted and considered to be an act of war. The US enters the war on the side of allies, just two months later. -
President Wilson proposed a plan for peace. His 14 points aimed at ending WWI and preventing future wars. The points included no more secret alliances, freedom of the seas, and reduction of arms. They were unique because they put no blame, punitive actions, or admission of defeat on Germany. The Germans agreed to the armistice believing that a treaty would be based on Wilson's 14 points, but great Britain and France suffered greatly on the Homefront and insisted that Germany be punished. -
The 18th Amendment or Volstead Act gets passed outlawing the manufacture, sale, distribution, or importation of alcohol nation wide. This was a result of the temperance movement and an advocation for prohibition taken on by many groups such as the Women's Christian Temperance Union and anti-saloon league. These groups and others believed alcohol to be 'the root of all evil'. By banning alcohol, the nation saw an increase in organized crime, speakeasies, and bootleggers. -
The Germans agree to an armistice believing that a treaty would be based on Wilson's 14 Points. However, Great Britain and France insisted Germany be punished. Germany didn't have the resources to start fighting again and were essentially forced to sign the the treaty. The treaty officially ended the Great War. It caused Germany to accept full blame for the war and they had to pay massive reparations. The treaty was designed to punish Germany and make sure they could never rise again. -
The Klan's activity hadn't been seen since the 1880's, but it begins to rise again during the 1920s. Membership reached 5 million, showing how mainstream they were. The KKK marched on Washington in 1926 as a display of their power. The group was willing to use violence, intimidation, and political means to achieve their ends. Their tactics of violence were aimed at minority groups such as African Americans (predominately), Jews, Immigrants, and Catholics. -
The Great War created a sense of patriotism, and unpatriotic ideas were feared and anti-immigrant feelings arose. Affects of the Red Scare and animosity toward immigrants and those with 'dangerous political positions' were highlighted in the case of Sacco and Vanzetti. With little evidence, two Italian immigrants, admitted anarchists, were charged with the murder of an employee. They were found guilty and sentenced to death. Their deaths sparked widespread protests and debate about civil rights. -
Hoover was the president during the first half of the Great Depression. He opposed direct federal aid, fearing that doing so would deepen the depression. He provided help to banks but mostly thought the US could 'ride it out'. He was deeply criticized by citizens who saw him as unwilling to help. During his presidency, banks closed, land foreclosed, unemployment was 25%, and we had extremely high levels of debt. His 'do-nothing' attitude inspired the country to elect FDR in the next election. -
After WWI, the economy was on the decline. Ballooning stock market lead to speculation and buying 'on margin'. People began to run up large personal debts in order to have the newest products. The Great Crash in 1929 was a symptom of the US' economy. Banks lacked money, people lost savings, debts were called in, and no one had cash. This led to production being stopped, workers fired, consumption declined, and no profits. President Hoover did little to help and opposed direct federal aid. -
WWI veterans had been promised a bonus for their service, but they weren't due to receive it until 1945. The financial circumstances of the country prompted many of them to demand it now. Thousands marched on Washington, but their request was denied by the senate and many left. Those who stayed congregated around the White House. After months, Hoover called the army to disperse them and the military evicted them from DC and burned their camp, and many veterans were injured. -
Roosevelt promised programs to address the Depression that was ignored by Hoover. Roosevelt focused on "relief, recovery, reform". He created enormous debt spending so we could consume our way out of the depression.The 'New Deal' created new agencies and programs to protect people from economic disaster. He's loved by the people because he seems to be working hard to help them. However, some said the deals were unconstitutional and posed questions on what power the govt. has in times of turmoil. -
Under President Franklin Roosevelt, the Social Security Act of 1935 was passed. This created a safety net for all Americans. A percentage of everyone's pay check would go towards this fund. However, this system was based on a shorter life-span and intended to only supplement (not replace) income which has created problems. On the bright side, however, people had been less inclined to retire because they would lose their income and the SSA gave people an incentive to retire. -
FDR created many new organizations and agencies. His alphabet soup expanded the government's power dramatically and in some cases the expansion was deemed unconstitutional by the SCOTUS. After a number of his New Deal legislation was shut down he threatened to expand the court to 15 justices. After this incident no other New Deal legislation was cut down. This event destroyed his reputation as well as the momentum that the ND had accumulated. Comparisons to a dictator were beginning surface. -
This Act was the country's first peacetime draft, but even with draftees coming in before the attack on Pearl harbor it only had about 300,000 men. The US calls on American men to enlist and the American people respond. The government is overwhelmed with the number that decides to join and patriotism sweeps the country. Industry transfers to wartime production and produces weapons faster than anybody thought was possible. In one month, the US was able to produce up to 4000 tanks and 4500 planes. -
During WWII, the need for workers began to arise, but most industries wouldn't hire blacks. So FDR signed Executive Order 8802 which eliminated discriminatory hiring practices in the government and forced companies to hire blacks so the nation could meet wartime production quotas. And so, black employment doubled. This is a reflection of the continuation of The Great Migration, as African Americans moved North to attain jobs. This gave them a sense of independence that would carry beyond WWII. -
Japan attacked Pearl Harbor using a combination of fighter planes, dive bombers, horizontal bombers, torpedo planes, and midget submarines. They did this because of the US demands that Japan withdraw from China and Indochina, and the US oil embargo was hurting their economy. This attack cost the US 2,335 servicemen and 68 civilians, 188 planes, and 18 ships. This was a deep blow to the US pacific fleet. This forced the US to finally join WWII, and so the US and Britain declared war on Japan. -
Unlike WWI, which evoked widespread harassment of German Americans, WWII produced relatively little condemnation of European Americans. This harassment moved instead towards Japanese Americans. Early in 1942, Franklin Roosevelt responded to anti-Japanese fears by issuing Executive Order 9066, which authorized the War Department to force Japanese Americans from their homes and hold them in relocation camps for the rest of the war. -
After the attack on Pearl Harbor the American public and government were fearful of spies and saboteurs in their midst. The large population of Japanese / Jap-Americans that lived on the west coast resulted in FDR signing EO 9066 which forcibly removed thousands of American Citizens from their homes and into internment camps. In the camps the inmates experienced uninsulated barrack-like housing with basic heating and water. The trend of civil rights being squashed in times of war is continued. -
WW2 saw a drastic transformation of life on the home front. While many men went to fight the women that stayed behind were essential in buildings ships, tanks, guns, and other supplies. Rosie represents the essential role that women played during the war and the traditionally male jobs that many women took on. War jobs led to better opportunities, pay, and conditions for women. Women gained a tougher mindset and began to think higher of themselves and their abilities, creating independence -
The allies spent 18 months planning and training for D-Day. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history and the turning point in WWII. The Allied forces had 156,000 troops that landed on five beaches in Normandy. The beaches were stormed early in the morning and were supported by nearly 23,000 airborne troops that had been landed behind enemy lines the night before. Within 7 days, the Allies controlled 80 miles of the coast. This broke the Atlantic wall and allowed the Allies to push inland. -
After WW2 the US gov. wanted to reward its GI's for sacrificing important years of their life. The gov. payed for returning vets college or trade school, gave low interest business/home loans, as well as created and ran VA hospitals. Higher education became accessible and changed who it was "meant" for. The home loans also fueled the expansion of suburbs, creating high demand for infrastructure and other accommodations. The population also exploded as families had more room to raise kids. -
n the midst of the cold war, Greece and Turkey faced communist revolts in 1947 and asked the US for aid to defend themselves. And so, President Truman asked congress for $400 million in aid plus US troops/advisors to help both Greece and Turkey fight back the communist threat. The Truman Doctrine was the principle that the US should give support to countries threatened by Soviet forces or communists. This was first expressed in his speech to Congress about seeking aid for Greece and Turkey. -
After WW2 European cities were demolished and the US feared the citizens would lose hope and turn to communism. George C. Marshall devices a plan in which the US will give economic aid to any country that ask for it. This was a great success that helped many countries rebuild their infrastructure and stabilize their governments and economies. The trade/aid provided by the US helped ensure the development of free nations and made communism as a whole look bad. This is a blow to communism. -
Stalin wanted control over the entire city of Berlin, so the USSR imposed a complete blockade on railway, road, and canal traffic. No supplies of any type (food, fuel, and consumer goods) were allowed to enter West Berlin. Truman decided that we were going to hold on to West Berlin. He chooses an airlift to keep the city supplied. Truman made it clear that if one cargo plane was shot down it would mean war between the US and the USSR. And in May of 1949, Stalin ended the Berlin Blockade. -
After WW2 European cities were demolished and the US feared the citizens would lose hope and turn to communism. George C. Marshall devices a plan in which the US will give economic aid to any country that ask for it. This was a great success that helped many countries rebuild their infrastructure and stabilize their governments and economies. The trade/aid provided by the US helped ensure the development of free nations and made communism as a whole look bad. This is a blow to communism. -
This organization was originally made of ten European nations, the US, and Canada. The alliance was meant to strengthen economies, trade, diplomacy, as well as defense. The threat of communist expansion was a major concern for the group. It was believed that strengthening ties would help stop the influence and spread of communism in Europe. The US's involvement helped make it stronger than the LoN. The USSR saw this alliance as a threat and tensions began to rise. -
Communist North Koreans had pushed the South Korean and unprepared US armies all the way to Pusan in the South. The Korean War faced lots of back and forth wins as General Macarthur commanded US forces. With pushes from Macarthur and the UN troops and pushes from communist china turned the war in Korea into a stalemate. In 1952, Eisenhower was elected president, and he vowed to end this war. In 1953, an armistice was signed ending the Korean War, and Korea remained divided at the 38th parallel. -
Senator Joe McCarthy was the head of the investigative subcommittee of the Government Operations Committee and had been making claims of communist infiltration into the US government. His string of investigations came to an end when he accused the US Army of being compromised. These televised hearings began to turn the already sour public opinion further against McCarthy. His cruel and bully like tactics were exposed and resulted in the end of public support and his and the GOC's power overall. -
The SCOTUS case Plessy v. Ferguson had given the southern states the ability to keep schools segregated. The schools weren't equal as black schools had old material, no transportation, and provided less services. Thurgood Marshall and other NAACP lawyers specifically picked cases they thought were impactful and that they could win. They took Brown's case and were able to over rule the Plessy ruling through the use of the 14th amendment. This case sets up a number of other critical events. -
In Montgomery Alabama, Rosa Parks challenges the Jim Crow laws by refusing to give up her seat. She is then arrested and black leaders use this to organize a boycott. 40,000 blacks in Montgomery participate in the boycott and it lasts 382 days. The bus companies eventually joined in fighting the law in order to end the boycott and regain black customers which made up 75% of their business. This civil rights protest illustrates the power African Americans had to leverage their economic influence. -
Despite the Brown v Board ruling 3 years prior, integration was still being blocked by local and state governments in the South. And so 9 students in Little Rock enrolled in the white high school. However, Governor Faubus ordered the National Guard to deny them entrance. Whites picketed and protested, threatened lynching, and didn't let their kids go to school. However, Eisenhower ordered the school open and ordered the troops of the 101st Airborne division to escort the Little Rock 9 to school. -
In Greensboro North Carolina, four black college students sit down at a segregated lunch counter in a Woolworth department store and ask to be served. When they're denied, they refuse to leave and begin a sit-in at the restaurant. The event inspires similar sit-in protests at lunch counters throughout the South. Six months after the four North Carolina students were denied service, they are finally served lunch at the same Woolworth counter. -
This was the first election where the pres. debates were televised. Richard Nixon, an experienced politician, and JFK, an unproven rookie, were competing. Kennedy used the televised debates to his advantage as he used makeup and good posture in front of the camera. Anyone reading the debates transcript would've declared Nixon the winner while those watching the silver screen swore Kennedy was the better candidate. This election highlights the huge influence that appearance has over reality. -
US intelligence began receiving reports of Soviet missiles in Cuba. Aerial photographs from US spy planes left no doubt that the Russians were installing nuclear missiles in Cuba aimed at the US. Almost all major US population centers were within range, and JFK was convinced we had to take action. And so a naval blockade was put into place. In 1962, the Soviet ship crossed the quarantine line, but stops after US navy ships fire. Khrushchev gave in to US pressure and removed missiles from Cuba. -
In the Summer of 1962, over 1,000 student volunteers both black and white, organized by CORE and SNCC begin taking rides through the South to test new laws outlawing segregation in bus stations. Several groups are viscously attacked and buses bombed by mobs of angry white racists. "Bull" Connor, commissioner of public safety, knows the mobs are waiting and intentionally arrives 15 minutes late, giving the mobs more than enough time to do serious damage. Birmingham becomes known as "bombingham". -
SCLC, along with support from SNCC, CORE, and the NAACP, planned a huge march in the capital to pressure congress and the JFK administration to pass civil rights legislation. Over 250,000 people bus in from everywhere in the country to support the protesters. MLK delivers his famous "I have a Dream Speech". His speech and the shear numbers that attended delivered a powerful message to the country and the world. Eventually Lyndon B Johnson would sign two bills, directly influenced by the march. -
This was the culmination of the civil rights movement. All of the struggle and effort had led to this moment as LBJ signed this act into law surrounded by a number of prominent civil rights leaders such as MLK. This act prohibits any discrimination of race, sex, religion, color, or nation of origin in processes such as hiring, firing, or promoting. It also outlawed segregation in public buildings, discussed voting rights, and education. It also allowed for agencies to enforce the act. -
Richard Nixon had been elected into his second term by a landslide, the largest Rep victory during the Cold War. He had opened trade with China, Detente was forming, and his bombing strategy of North Vietnam had worked and negotiations were beginning to form. It all came crashing down as evidence of his men spying on Democratic campaigns and his attempted cover up were exposed. This destroyed the public's faith in the government and ended in Nixon's resignation after being impeached.