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Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus Lands in North America
In search of a faster route to Asia through the Atlantic Ocean, Columbus set sail and accidentally landed in North America. The discovered land was later named the New World. The new continent was now introduced to the rest of the world. Powerful countries in Europe staked claim on the new land. They also came in contact with the Natives living there. The relationship between the Natives, colonists, and the resources of the new land would be crucial to the development of America. -
Jamestown
Jamestown is established in order to settle in the New World. At first, the town surfers immensely. Many die due to starvation and the weather. With the help of Natives the first cash crop of the US, tobacco, as well as other food crops, are grown and the the town finally starts earning money and surviving. Later, due to the headright system, many people from Britain flock to the colonies in the hopes that the land they get will get them rich or at least give them a better life. LAND=OPPURTUNITY -
Mayflower Compact
This document was created by the male passengers on the Mayflower Compact. It is one of the most important documents in history due to the fact that it was the first self governing document that was made by the people. One could argue that it lay the foundation for the American right to be self governed. -
Bacon's Rebellion
The causes of Bacon's Rebellion can be attributed to the economic difficulties faced by Virginia along with the harsh environment that the colonists lived in. It was triggered when the grab for Native American lands were denied. It was one of the first major disputes involving Native Americans. We can see the effects of that throughout American history as Natives were often pushed out of the way for land, etc. -
John Locke: Second Treatise of Government
In the 1st Great Awakening, people are questioning the nature of power and rights as well as where they come from. In comes John Locke, a philosopher, who wrote in the Second Treatise of Government, about the idea of natural rights. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of property. This was a very important new idea at the time because people started to believe that it wasn't the government who gave them certain rights, they were born with them. We can also see this in the Declaration of Independence. -
Montesquieu: The Spirit of Laws
During the Enlightenment period, along with John Locke there was Montesquieu who also believed in the idea of liberty and natural rights. He went a step further and creates the idea of the separation of powers between the government. He creates the idea of checks and balances and states in "The Spirit of Laws" that in order to protect liberty the government must be split up. Not rules by one person. This is extremely important to our history as our government is based on this idea. -
Albany Congress
Benjamin Franklin asks colonies to send representatives for an assembly to discuss the act of allying with the Native Americans. Way ahead of his age, Franklin intends for the plan to get the colonies united. The Albany Plan is to stand together in the French and Indian War. It fails due to the lack of votes, but it puts the idea of unifying in the colonies head. -
Proclamation of 1763
Following the 7 years war, the colonists were excited to live on the newly won lands. But, the Proclamation denied them access to any lands past the Appalachian Mts. This angered many colonists as they thought they would get rewarded for their bravery in the war. It was an economic tactic by the British to keep the colonists on the coast. But, colonists who wanted to move west did, and the Proclamation did not stop westward expansion, though it did fuel wants for revolution in the colonies -
Sugar Act 1764
As colonists were smuggling sugar from the French, the Sugar Act was aimed at stopping that. The Act reduced taxes on molasses in hopes that colonists would stop smuggling and trade with the Empire. The Britsh also enforced admiralty courts in which merchants and seamen were charged if they were found smuggling goods. All this angered the colonists as the Sugar Act and the use of admiralty courts were used to assert dominance over the colonists. This only strengthened revolutionary ideas. -
Stamp Act 1765
Imposed taxes on all papers and documents in just the colonies. This act drew way more resistance than any of the other acts because it directly affected the elites. Lawyers, businessmen, etc were heavily affected by this act because it taxed everything they needed to make a living. Since they had the most power in the colonies, the elites were able to generate massive resistance against the act. Overall, the Act backfired on the British as it strengthened revolutionary ideas in the colonies. -
Quartering Act 1765
Required colonial authorities to provide food, housing, etc to British forces stationed at their towns or villages. This act angered the colonists as it disrupted their economic and private lives. They had to spend more money on food or drinks for the soldier living at their house. They could also have no privacy or talk about matters relating to the King as there was always a soldier keeping an eye on them. Overall, this act was just one of many that led the colonists toward revolution. -
Intolerable Acts
These were laws passed after the Boston Tea Party which mainly punished Boston After the Party the Crown was ready to assert dominance on the colonies as the entire world was watching what the British would do.The laws in turn made Americans fume as they declined their economy and rights.Some of the laws included were the Port Bill in which the city's harbor was closed. The Government Act denied town meetings and the Justice Act let British Officials get away with almost anything in the colonies -
Battle of Bunker Hill
In one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War, the British attack Boston as they saw it as a strategic holding point. It was not an easy battle for them. This impacted both the colonists and the British as it showed signs that this could be a long harsh war contrary to what the British thought. It reflected a continuation of the fact that the British had yet again underestimated the colonies. It led to the King officially calling the war treason and broke all ties with the colonies. -
Olive Branch Petition
During the 2nd Continental Congress, the colonies first send the Olive Branch Petition to the King. It states that the colonies will return to being citizens of Britain and stop all resistance only if the colonies get all their rights back. It is sent out because though the colonies want freedom, many of the delegates feel as if they don't stand a chance. The King is mad that the colonists try to negotiate with him and rejects the petition. This leads to the colonies declaring independence. -
Tomas Paine's Common Sense
Thomas Paine, in the "Common Sense" lays out a passionate case for independence in the colonies. It is a massive success and people all around America are reading it. It is written in vernacular, meaning in the language of the common people, and is a great act of propaganda. In it, he criticizes the British government and calls for the Declaration of Independence. It works beautifully as quickly after it's published, the colonies declare independence. -
Declaration of Independence
Congress passes the document that declares the American colonies independent from the British state. The document was written mostly by Jefferson. It's one of the most significant documents ever written. The American colonies were united now and the values of self government and republicanism are sowed in this document. And these ideas of liberty and justice and freedom would follow us all the was until present day. -
Thomas Paine's: American Crisis
At the time, American soldiers were stuck in Delaware and many were deserting, losing hope, etc. due to the harsh conditions. Thomas Paine, who was with Washington at the time, was seeing all this happening. He wrote American Crisis in order to boost the morale of the rebels. And it did. It was the spark that they needed to stand up for their cause in those tough times. It led to the army believing and strongly supporting their cause. -
Valley Forge
At Valley Forge, the Americans stayed here for the winter to keep an eye on the British. The winter was very harsh and many soldiers died due to starvation, ill supplies, and the weather itself. But, it also gave Washington an opportunity to build a stronger and more disciplined army. Valley Forge is considered bittersweet because even though the continental army shrunk significantly, the army itself ended up becoming a world class army which showed in the Battle of Monmouth -
Articles of Confederation (Ratification by all States)
After the War, Americans needed a new form of government. We were really scared of a total monarchy, so we created a government way too weak. It basically gave all power to the states and the government couldn't enforce laws or do much. This weakness could be highlighted in the government's inability to tax its citizens and events such as Shay's rebellion. After a while, we understood that a weak federal government would not be able to run a proper country and it led us to the Constitution. -
Battle of Yorktown
At the Battle of Yorktown, Washinton decides to trap Cornwallis at Yorktown as a way of forcing a British defeat. It results in the American win of the war and the British surrender. America has finally won and a change of government is ensured. It is significant for 2 reasons. 1st, America is now an official country. 2nd, colonies around the world have now realized that they too could fight for their freedom. For example, the French have their Revolution shortly after America gains its freedom -
Constitutional Compromise
Started in the Phili. Convention, big states wanted representation based on population, and small states' votes to be equal for all the states. This leads to the Great Compromise in which both sides get what they want into the government. There is a change from the Articles of Confederation where there was only 1 legislature making the fed. gov. weak. Now, there were 2 houses. The Senate(Upper) and The House (Lower). This is very important as our government is still structured this way. -
Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin
Was just one of the many inventions that came to life during the Market Revolution. The cotton gin basically made it way easier to separate cotton fibers from their seeds. Now, a task that took days could be done in hours. This was a massive boost for the economy as cotton began to rise up again in its value. But, it does have one negative effect though. The cotton gin increased the use and demand for slaves again. Slavery was trending down before this invention and now it was on the rise again. -
The Whiskey Rebellion
Was the first test of this new Constitution. The Whiskey Tax made people mad because it put a tax on whiskey, a common drink in order to gain revenue. So, farmers and distillers, who were most affected, created a violent protest in western Pennsylvania.They were creating havoc and Washington decided to flex his muscles and stop the rebellion. And he was allowed to raise an army for this cause due to the new Constitution. Washington suppressed the rebels and the Constitution passed its first test -
The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
These were written by Henery Clay and Jefferson. It stated that if the government did something against the Constitution and against the States, the states have every right to nullify the law. Though at the time these resolutions were good for the Alien and Sedition Acts, they would be looked upon during other bad events as well. Such as the SC nullification crisis and even the Civil War. If states begin to nullify any law that they don't like, then the country does not remain a country anymore -
Embargo of 1807
The Embargo might have been a fluke for Jefferson. As GB and France were at war, Jefferson realizes that the US has trading relations with both countries and he wants to remain neutral. So, he imposes a ban on all foreign trade as his grand solution. Though it seemed bad at the time, the embargo allowed for domestic manufacturing, trade, and entrepreneurship to boom. The US did not have to be dependant on other countries and could now mostly sustain itself. -
Missouri Compromise
One of the most important Compromises of our time, the Missouri Compromise drew a line from east to west along the 36th parallel dividing the nation into complete halves. The states and territories below the line would be slave states and the ones above would be free states. One could argue that this is the beginning of the divide of America as the line split the country into two. Instead of dealing with the issue of slavery, it enhanced it as the country became more divided than ever. -
The American System
Henry Clay develops this system in the vision for a strong economy that could boost jobs and American business. The American System states that 1.)a strong central bank should provide easy and abundant credit. 2.)Protection tariffs should be in place to spur manufacturing. 3.)Revenue raised by those tariffs should be used to create a stronger transportation system. This system worked great as domestic trade and business started booming. And America finally had a proper transportation system. -
Indian Removal Act
Jackson issues the Act which authorized the President to grant lands west of the Mississippi in exchange for Indian lands within existing state borders. Andrew had completely disregarded John Marshals rulings in Cherokee Nation vs. GA which stated that the Natives were a domestic dependant nation and that Jackson could not do this. But, Jackson went on with it anyway and it led to the Trail of Tears. This move by Jackson represented the complete disregard for the Natives and greed for their land -
Compromise of 1833
In 1831, South Carolina is still angry about the Tariff of Abominations and threatens to nullify the law. This refers back to the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions. Jackson passes a lower tax but SC is still not pleased and they threaten to secede. Jackson at this point is ready to use military power but Henry Clay steps in. He proposes a Compromise that would reduce the tariff a lot over the next 10 years and then would be gone. As a response, SC does not secede and the union is intact -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention created a starting bullet for the women's suffrage movement. It was created by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Susan B. Anthony also had a role to play at this convention. It brought women together to discuss about the future of the women's suffrage movement and create plans and action methods. It propelled women's suffrage forward and gave it a bigger base. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty effectively ended the war between Mexico and the US. By its terms, Mexico had to give 55% of its territory which later brought states such as Arizona, New Mexico, California, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah into existence. The Treaty essentially halved the size of Mexico and doubled the size of the US. The US got more resource-filled land full of minerals, natural resources, and even gold. It was a lose-lose situation for Mexico as they lost land and were in economic ruin. -
Compromise of 1850
In order to diffuse confortation between free and slave states, Congress passed the Compromise of 1850. 1.) Claifornia would enter the UNion as a free state. 2.) Slave trade would be outlawed in the capital 3.)Strict fugitive slave law 4.)Popular soveinty from now on will decide if a state is a slave state or not. Though it diffused the tensions between both slave and free states, the Compromise could not stop the tensions surrounding slavery which would lead to the Civil War. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act repealed Missouri Compromise by letting the states of Kansas and Nebraska choose whether or not they would be free or slave states based on popular sovereignty. It also produced Bleeding Kansas in which proslavery and antislavery activists flooded into the territories to sway the vote which eventually resulted in a fraud election and bloody violence. It was controversial because it raised the possibility that slavery could extend to places where it was supposedly banned. -
Dred Scott vs. Sandford
Dred Scott is a slave but he and his master move to a free state. Scott then sues his master in order to gain freedom and argues that since he is in a free state, he should not be a slave anymore. It's a logical argument but the Court rules against Scott. The court says that no black has rights that white people have to respect. This indirectly means that there is no such thing as a free state and the ruling is hated by people in the North and abolitionists aiding to the tensions going on. -
Lincoln Douglas Debates
The Lincoln Douglass debates were one of the main reasons why Lincoln got elected. Since he wasn't very popular, Lincoln realized that the only way to get his name and ideas out in the public would be to have debates. We still have these today. Lincoln eventually wins the election due to a major part played by these debates in which he was able to build a stronger base. Right after Lincoln becomes President though, SC secedes in fear that Lincoln will ban slavery. -
Fort Sumter
The Civil War begins with the attack on Fort Sumter. The for was located in SC and Lincoln wanted to send supplies to the soldiers trapped in there. SC sees this as a plan by Lincoln to send in weapons and troops to the Fort and the SC militia attacks the Fort and the US soldiers within it. The soldier's surrender and the war has officially begun. -
Battle of Bull Run
In the first battle of the Civil War, the Union loses. The Union was overconfident in the fact that the Civil War would be a short and sweet war due to the many advantages the North has over the South. But, the South was more prepared in this battle and ended up defeating the North. It was a wake-up call for the North and they began to realize that the war might not be so short and sweet. Geroge Mcllelen was also a reason behind the defeat as the general was too timid and not aggressive enough. -
The Homestead Act
The West was very untamed, sparsely populated, and had an abundant amount of fertile land which made it economically unproductive. The East was overpopulated which resulted in poor living conditions, crime, and poverty. The Homestead Act used the free land in the West and gave it to people in the East. It gave 160-acre plots to any head of a household but the people had to improve and farm on it. This allowed towns and cities to be built, which in turn upped the economy of the West and America. -
The Transcontinental Railroad
The Transcontinental Railroad emerged in 1862 during the time of the Civil War. Lincoln understood the importance of having a railroad that could connect the entire country. This project opened up the West to more rapid development as it cut the travel time from 6 months to 7 days! Connecting America made the economic export of Western resources to the Eastern markets more efficient and faster. The railroad helped Westward expansion and later conflicts with Natives through the Homestead Act. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Proclamation frees all slaves in the South. It basically tells the South that if they join the Union they get to keep their slaves without bloodshed but if they don't, when the Union conquers their land, all slaves in those areas will be free. Lincoln switches the reason behind the war from saving the union to freeing the slaves. This makes sure that the South doesn't get any European support as Britain and other countries have already banned slavery. -
10 Percent Reconstruction Plan
In order to set up a way for Confederates to come back into the Union, Lincoln sets up a 10% plan. That plan states that Confederate leaders could join the Union again if they gave a pledge to the US. Confederate states could join if 10 percent of the population gives an oath. And all states had to ratify the 13th Amendment. It was viewed as too lenient on the traitors. Eventually, President Johnson puts forth the Reconstruction Plan which models the 10% Plan. -
The Sand Creek Massacre
A band of Native Americans were massacred by Colorado militia. The cause can be traced back to the long conflict of control over the Great Plains. Natives were given land in reservations, but settlers kept moving west putting pressure on the Natives. In 1864, Colorado promised to protect the Natives if they camped near Sand Creek. But, Chivington moved his troops there and killed many Natives. It was at first praised but it later acted as a stain on the nation on their treatment of Natives. -
Appomattox
In the last battle of the Civil War, General Lee is surrounded by General Grant at Appomatox and Lee eventually surrenders. The Civil War has finally ended and Lincoln has succeeded in preserving the Union. But in the aftermath of all the destruction, Lincoln had to come up with a plan for reconstruction. The South's cities were mostly rubble, its economic life was at a halt, its agriculture was failing, and its slave labor system had collapsed. Yet the South was still defiant. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment of the US Constitution officially banned slavery throughout the country. After the Confederates lost the War, all states that seceded needed to ratify the 13th Amendment in order to be welcomed back into the Union. The Amendment was a huge step towards equality as it removed slavery. But, slaves were free but not equal. Slaves were still discriminated against throughout the country and treated like lower-class citizens even after the passage of the Amendment. -
National Labour Union
As the country began to grow more industrially, great monopolies were formed in the steel and oil business. This allowed these monopolistic companies to get away with providing horrible working conditions for their workers. Low wages and unsanitary conditions are just some examples. This led to labor unions forming. The unions focused on getting better rights for workers along with other benefits they termed necessary. One of the first unions formed was the National Labor Union. -
Reconstruction Act of 1867
This Act was crucial in getting the Confederates back into the Union while also punishing them. The Act stripped the Southern states of their political power and divided them into five military districts where the Union army was stationed. This army oversaw the Sothern states and made sure that they weren't denying rights to blacks. Also, all Southern territories had to ratify the 14th Amendment in order to become a state. -
14th Amendment
It stated that all people born and naturalized in the US were full citizens meaning that they also received full rights. It also required all US states to protect those rights. Any state that denied anyone their rights would be ejected from the Union. Also, Confederates had no political power. This Amendment was a huge step forward in making sure the law protected freedmen's rights though it took a long time for those rights to be respected. -
Battle of Little Bighorn
As Native Americans were being pushed back into smaller areas, there was a tribe led by Chief Sitting Bull that was resistant.General Custer was tasked with hunting them down but didn’t know the size of the Indian army or the terrain.The Indians circled the US troops and defeated them.It was one of the major victories for the Natives on the Great Plains.Terming the battle as heroic,the US started sending out more military and became more aggressive in its approach of rinsing out defiant Indians. -
Pendleton Act
After the assassination of President Garfield, Congress passed this Act to reduce corruption and eliminate the spoils system. The Act made almost every federal job be filled in by examination. Meaning that President couldn't just appoint someone they liked as they did in the spoils party. The civil service brought stability and consistency to the government since officials didn't lose their job just because their party lost power. It reduced corruption significantly. -
The Dawes Act
The Dawes Act was structured like the Homestead Act but for Natives. Natives were expected to farm on these lands and improve the property given to them. Citizens thought this act was a generous move in which Natives could get free land and opportunity to be successful in the US. The government saw the Act as something to break tribal ties in Native communities and gain access to Indian Lands. Natives who took land would not be living communally anymore and culture wouldn't spread as much. -
How the Other Half Lives - Jacob Riis
Jacob Riis, a photographer + author was a famous muckraker who wrote this book. Inspired by the horrible conditions of the tenement houses, Riis brought to light the poorly constructed apartment buildings which were overcrowded, dangerous, and disease spreading. Riis's book eventually reaches the middle/upper classes, especially women who help push for the creation of building codes which created strict rules for buildings and determined the necessary conditions needed for a building to be safe -
Wounded Knee Massacre
As the Natives practiced the Ghost Dance, US citizens were threatened and attacked Native settlements. In fear, Natives headed for the safety of the Pine Ridge reservation. They were met by Colonel Forsyth and were ordered to lay down their weapons. Out of nowhere, a rifle fired causing a battle that killed at least 150 Lakota’s. After the massacre, there were protests at the site which helped bring attention to the atrocities that the Natives faced under the hands of the US government. -
Anthracite Coal Strike
Coal miners, during a harsh winter, go on strike but the owners refuse to negotiate. Knowing that the strike would lead to a decrease in coal and thus a major crisis in the cities, Roosevelt demanads that the owners negotiate or the military will take control of the mine. This signifies a huge abuse of power by TR and sets a precedent that the government has the ability to take over private business. This also is the first time that the gov. chooses labor over business. -
The Jungle- Upton Sinclair
Upton Sinclair was a socialist who tried to diss capitalism by writing about the harsh conditions in which immigrants worked. In it, he writes about the abuses and horrid conditions in the meatpacking industry. The description was so gruesome people pushed for reform in the industry as America ran on meat. It led President Roosevelt to pass the Meat Inspection Act as well as the Pure Food and Drug Act to help regulate the food industry and make sure that the food put out to the public was safe. -
The Wisconsin Plan
Robert Lafollette, a Wisconsin Congressman believes that the government is super corrupt and is too large to pass laws fast enough to result in change. He puts forward the plan. The Plan gives the people more voice in their local governments and allows for better cooperation between the government and its people. It makes way for recall, referendum, and initiative. It also allows for the people to directly elect their senators and the usage of an Australian ballot to secure privacy while voting. -
Model T is Introduced
The economy of the 1920's was booming to say the least. There was low unemployment, low priced goods, and wages were rising. It allowed the middle class to buy luxury items for status. The Model T, first released at the price of $850, fell to the price of $280 as a result of the economy and Ford's new assembly line. But, as people were buying cars, fridges, etc., they were buying on credit. This lead to many being in debt and ultimately banks collapsing and thus the Great Depression. -
Zimmerman Note
A telegram, sent to Mexico from Germany, is intercepted. It states how Germany promises Mexico its lands back from the Mexico Succession if Mexico fights the US. The US takes this as an act of war and eventually declares war on Germany This wasn't the only reason though. The US had also suffered through Germany's use of unrestricted submarine warfare and had economic ties with GB. The note was just the last straw. The US helps end the war really quickly, the war ended 2 years after it joined. -
Emergency Quota Act
After World War I, there was a massive wave of immigrants coming into the United States. Nativism played a huge role. The fear of immigrants and radical ideas that these immigrants brought with them scared Americans. So, Congress passed this Act which limited the num. of immigrants who can come to the US to only 2% of the num. of people from that country in the US in 1890 census. This was an unfair way of allowing immigrants to come in and it went against America's "The Land of Immigrants" motto -
Stock Market Crash 1929
The Stock Market crash was a result of mass speculation in the stock market. It was one of the leading causes for the Great Depression along with installment buying, buying stocks on margin, etc. Under President Hoover, the public suffered. Hoover refused to give financial aid and feared that spending money would only put us deeper into the depression. Mostly seen as a "do nothing" President, Hoover was hated by the public. The country saw 25% unemployment.This led to FDR's easy victory later on -
Bonus Army March
After WWII, veterans were promised a bonus in reward for serving. This would be given once they reached a certain age. But, during the depression, everyone was doing bad money wise so the veterans wanted to receive their bonus early. They marched onto DC, but were ran out of there by troops under President Hoover. This sparked a lot of rage within the public as Hoover attacked the people that protected us. This drove down Hoovers reputation even more allowing for FDR to swiftly gain power. -
Election of 1932
The Election was a steamroll by FDR due to Hoover's horrible reputation as a "do nothing President". FDR won his campaign by focusing on his "Relief, Recovery, and Reform" program. He wanted to create an enormous debt thinking that it would get the US out of depression. This would all be highlighted through FDR's New Deal which focused on getting the US out of the depression. But, FDR's New Deal would also be controversial as it brought upon a new role in the gov., expanding its role greatly -
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Part of FDR's New Deal, the FDIC declared a national bank holiday in which all banks were closed and inspected. This was to make sure that only healthy banks were sourced to the public in an attempt to make sure banks didn't shut down and lose the people their money. It insured individual bank deposits. It was praised by the left as the President this time was actually doing something but it infuriated conservatives as this was a massive extension of fed. power and it was dangerous. -
National Industrial Recovery Act (NRA)
Part of the New Deal, the NRA passed the fair works and competition codes that could be changed, approved, and enforced by the President. The right saw this as a major breach of power as it isn't the President's job to make legislation, yet this act did just that. It also favored unions. It's most controversial part was that it set work hours, minimum wage, and price controls. Setting price controls for the market was/is dangerous and it moves us towards a more socialist economy. -
Works Program Administration
In order to get young people back into work as they were dispirited, FDR began to pass a number of jobs programs. The biggest one was the WPA. It employed 8 million people and had a $2 billion fund. The worker's main job was to build infrastructure throughout the country such as bridges, schools, and playgrounds. It paid minimum wage as well. It was best known for pulling people out of soup lines and giving them a purpose. Though it was a tedious job, it lifted the spirits of the country. -
Social Security Act
Starting with the SSA,the New Deal goes into a transformation.It goes from being focused on the economic side of the country, to actually helping the people directly.It was a safety net for all Americans as the gov. payed you after you were 65 + retired.It was used as an incentive for old people to retire and let young people have jobs.But,it made the people more reliant on the gov. People started to use it as a source of income + one can see the result as people are more reliant on the gov. now -
Neutrality Act
The Neutrality Act of 1935 was an attempt by Congress to keep American's out of the war. It basically tried to isolate America from the world and thus the war. It forbade the United States from selling weapons to nations involved in the war and denied American citizens from traveling on ships of these nations. This also meant that America didn't take in as many immigrants. This especially hurt Jews as they were trying to escape Germany as conflict there began to rise. -
Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor brought the US into World War II. The Japanese surprise attacked and killed many soldiers and civilians. After this, FDR gave his " This date will live in infamy" speech urging Congress to declare war on Japan and thus the Axis Powers. Congress did swiftly. But, FDR also passed Executive Order 9066 which put the Japanese into internment camps and clearly violated their rights. -
War Powers Act
The War Powers Act was an American emergency law that increased Federal power during World War II. It was a great increase of federal power that frightened many strict constructionists and others who did not like seeing the government getting bigger and using the war as an excuse to gain more power over the people. It gave FDR the power to reorganize the executive branch, federal agencies, and government corporations. It was put into effect weeks after the Pearl Harbor attack. -
Executive Order 8802
The Executive Orders passed by FDR were of two polar opposites. Order 8802 banned discriminatory practices while hiring employees in Federal agencies as well as all unions and companies engaged in war-related work. This was a huge step in the right direction when it came to equality and desegregation. FDR's Executive Order as well as his liberal agenda would inspire the likes of JFK and LBJ to pass similar Civil Rights legislation to create an equal society in America. -
Executive Order 9066
Unlike Executive Order 8802, Order 9066 was a complete contrast. It was inspired by the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Many people living near the coast were Japanese and many Americans feared espionage and sabotage by the Japanese living amongst them. It made FDR sign this order putting anyone of Japanese descent into internment camps. Even though many of them were American-born, they looked different enough for them to be put in these camps. It was a great violation of their rights and freedoms. -
GI Bill of Rights
After proving to the World that America was indeed a superpower with a force to be reckoned with, the American veterans were treated to the GI Bill of Rights as a thank you for their service.The bill of rights paid for college/trade school. It gave low interest home loans and provided low inetrest business loans. It was transformational for education as well as the economy as many succesfull businesses came out of this opportunity. This appreciation wasn't really there from the gov. after WWI. -
YALTA Conference
The YALTA Conference consisted of Churchill, FDR, and Stalin. They made a World Organization similar to Woodrow Wilson's Leauge of Nations called the United Nations. They also dismembered Germnay from this organization and disscussed Russia's enetry into the war agaisnt Japan. The United Nations is sitll active today and plays an important role in thrw world's polictics and peace keeping activities. -
Postdam Conference
Postdam, unoike YALTA, had Chruchill, Truman, and Stalin. They decided how to deal with Germany and Japan after World War II. There was tension though, between US and USSR. Democracy vs. Communism.This tension would also be followed into the Cold War as the US and USSR tried to contain/spread Communism through proxy wars, lending money, and supporting countries that have similar ideals -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Towards the end of world war II, Japan was refusing to surrender even though its allies Germany and Italy already had. It was a sense of national pride for them. The US wanted absolute revenge for the events at Pearl Harbor and decided that the nuclear bombardment of Japan was the best option on getting them to surrender while also making sure not a ton of lives were lost in the process. President Truman orders the bombings and Japan surrenders. This solidifies the US as a global power. -
Berlin Airlift
Truman uses planes to bring in supplies and resources to West Berlin. After the blockade, Truman was still not going to back out. The airlift went on for 8 months and Truman stated that if one plane was shot down, there would be war. This proved that the US was going to do everything possible to contain communism and that capatlism could indeed support another country with resources unlike Communism. Thus, invalidating Putin's whole idea that capatilism was an inferior method. -
Marshall Plan
The US Sec. of State George MArshall made an economic plan in order to rebuild Europe's economy. The Plan provided economic assistance to almost every country in Europe by providing foreign aid worth over $13 billion. There were two reasons for this plan. One, it would help open up markets in Europe allowing for the US to continue trading succefully in Europe. It also allowed for the US to show to the world the benefits of capatlism and how it was better than communism. -
Germany Splits
1949 saw the establishment of two german nations. East and West Germany. East was ruled by the USSR while the West was independent while being watched over by the US. The city of Berlin was also split into the East and West though it was completely in the East. The Westside of Berlin was considered an "Island of democracy in a sea of Communism". The US delivered supplies through trains and trucks Stalin didn't like this and so he created a blockade further intensifing the Cold War. -
NATO is Formed
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization consisted of ten west European countries, the US, and Canada. They signed the Washington Treaty to create NATO.NATO was created to create a collective security system, trade, and diplomacy. An armed attack on one country would be an armed attack on all the countries. NATO became such a powerful force that Stalin crates the Warsaw Pact which was an alliance of communist nations. -
Korean War
With nobody to lead Korea after WWII, the North took on a communist approach while the South took on a capitalist approach. The North was supported by Russia + China while the South was supported by the US. The North sneak attacked the South and took over much of its land. The US intervenes and takes back that land. As the US gets closer to China, the Chinese attack and bring the border back to normal. It is mostly a stalemate so Eisenhower goes to Korea and signs an Armistice. -
McCarthryism
During and after World War II, the red scare had taken much control of people's lives. Senator McCarthy agitates the public even more by starting a campaign against alleged communists in the US government and other institutions. It led to people distrusting each other, ratting each other out, and the country turning on itself. It also led to mass conformity as anyone who was even a bit out of the norm was considered a Communist. -
Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education
Plessy v. Fergurson determined that schools could be separate but equal. But this was not the case. They weren't equal. Black schools had out of date books, low level teachers, and had smaller and fewer resources. All the core black refrom gorups focused on battling this chose Linda Brown as their plantiff for the case. They used her story to convince the Supreme Court that schools weren't eqaul and thus overturning Plessy. This was huge towards eqaulity as schools were finally integrated. -
Eisenhower Interstate Highway Act
The highway interstate act was used to update and modernize America's roadways. It connected the country. Many businessmen saw this as an opporunity to send goods faster from all over the country. It took time to convince the public but Eisenhower did this by playing on Cold War fears. He said that it would serve as an emergency runaway in case the country was bombed. Overall, the Act made business transactions easier and helped connect the country just like the Transcontinental Railroad. -
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a controversial war that was fought on the basis of containing communism. North Vietnam had taken on a communist approach and the South had taken on a capatilist approach. The communist North scared the United States as its leader thought of South Vietnam as his country and wanted to take it over. Communist Nations such as Russia also supported the North side. As conflicsts began to rise, the US eventually declares war and the Vietnam war is fought. Though we later pull out. -
Space Race Begins
The Space Race added extra tension to the Cold War between the US and USSR. Russia launched Sputnik, the first sattelitte into space. Russia also sent the first man into spcae. It was during this, the JFK challenged NASA to send a man to the moon before the Soviet Union. And NASA acheives it. The Space race brought a lot of tension into the Cold War with the competition. Whoever won would be glorified in history and it prove what is better. Communism or Capatlism. -
Little Rock Arkansas
Plessy has been struck down but integration was still being blocked by local and state gov. in the South. By law, blacks could go to white public school, but didn't out of fear. The NCAAP gets 9 students to agree to go the high school, but they are blocked by the Arkansas National Gurad. There is lots of protest. In the end, Eisenhower orders the school open and orders troops to get Little Rock 9 into school. This was the first time a school had been integrated and it was huge for the movement -
Revolution in Cuba
The revolution in Cuba overthrows the gov.and on Jan. 6th, Fidel Castro becomes premier and later communist dictator of Cuba. Many Cubans fled to the US. Fearing the communism would spread, Eisenhower authorized CIA Plan to overthrow Castro using Cuban exiles living in the US.(Bay of Pigs). Eisenhower isn;t President anymore though and the job is passed to JFK.JFK scales the attck back to minimize US involvment and the plan fails.It leads to communism staying in Cuba and the Cuban missile crisis -
Election of 1960
Television played an important role in this election. Nixon, a politician with a proven record was going up against Kennedy, a young uproven politician. There was an issue of Catholicism as no catholic President had been elected. It was also the first televised presidential debate. JFK won because he looked and spoke better on camera. JFK winning ushered in an era of liberal politics inspired by FDR that focused on Civil Rights and equality. This was also followed by LBJ after JFK's death. -
James Meredith Case
James Meredith applies and is denied admittance to the Uni. of Mississipi. It is because of his skin color. He appeals the decision all the way to the Supreme court and wins. This is huge as he would be the first black person to go to a white college. The governor of Miss. tries to block his entrance similar to little rock 9. Eventually, JFK sends US marshals to keep peace and enforce the ruling. JFK was also the first President to advocate for Civil Rights and his rulings support it as well. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Russians were installing nuclear misslies launchpads in Cuba aimed at the US. The US later find out that there is a ship from Russia containing misilies.This would be dangerous as Cuba is right next door to the US and it is Communist.JFK has three options.He can do nothing, order airstrikes on missile sites and risk war, or he can do a naval blockade.He chooses the third option and it works. This is so important as it "contains'' communism and protects the US from an attack that could happen -
Children's Crusade
Hundreds of school kids stage a school walkout to participate in a march in downtown Brimingham. Many are arrested, only t be set free and repeat the process again the next day. Bull O Connor stops the march and orders the use of fir hoses and dogs to attack the protesters. The March is televisd and causes JFK to publicly support the civil rights moement and push for civil rights legislation. -
March on Washington
The SCLC plan a march and rally on Washington D.C. with the support of the NCAAP, SNCC, and CORE. Over 250,000 people attend this march and are bused from all over the country. This is the place where MLK delivers his "I Have A Dream" speech. This speech has a great impact as JFK pushes for civil rights legislation and the very next year, LBJ signs into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. -
Medgar Evers
In the summer of 1963, well known high level represenative of the NAACP in Mississipi was on a crusade to register black voters. His name was Medgar Evans. Evans was later murdered outside his house sending shockwaves through the black community. Though his killers were found, they wasn't any punishment towards them and the black community protested and mourned his death. -
Economic Opportunity Act
Johnson introduced the Office of Economic Opportunity and the Economic Opportunity Act to Congress. Johnson wanted to address the underprivileged members of the U.S. by creating a Job Corps. He also asked for local and state gov. to develop work training programs. The program provided for many underprivileged people to get jobs and get into the workforce. This highlighted Johnson's War on Poverty promise in which he wanted to build a better society by keeping the unemployment rate close to zero. -
Medicare and Medicaid
When Johnson took office, many elderly and underpriveleged people did not have healthcare. Once President, he signed the Medicare and Medicaid Act. Johnson was a New Dealer, and thought a lot like FDR. One could compare this Act with FDR's SSA which focused on helping the elderly and underprivileged. Medicare helped to provide coverage for hospital and physician visits for the elderly and Medicaid helped cover healthcare costs for those suffering from poverty + receiving assistance from the gov. -
Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 came about due to unfair polling practices which denied blacks the right to vote based on literacy tests, fees, etc. Though the Civil Rights Act was a step in the right direction, blacks wanted nothing more but to have a voice in their country. Signed by LBJ, the Act banned discrimination in local, state, and national elections and polling places. It also banned literacy tests, intimidation, and physical violence at polling stations. -
MLK and RFK Assasination
The assasinatons of prominent and influential publice figures Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy brought the country to a standstill. MLK was shot in his balcony while Kennedy was killed at one of his speeches. Riots broke out, espescially after MLK, in the black community as three of its big supporters were killed in a matter of years. One would think that the deaths of these leaders would bring the civil rights movement to a stop, but LBJ continued on with it. -
Moon Landing
The Moon landing was a revelutionary moment both for America and the world to see a man on the moon, but in the context of the Cold War as well. JFK had given NASA a challenge in 1961 to land a man on the moon before the decade was out.Russia had already beat the US by getting the first man into space.Getting a man on the moon was a thing of national pride. It also played well in terms of the Cold War as the US used this achievment to prove to the world that capatalism was better than communism -
Environmental Protection Agency
Though he was a conservative, Nixon pushed for many big government enviornmental laws. It was oppositie of what the party stood for as Conservatives did not want a big government meddling with the people's daily lives. Before the EPA, the country had no central authority overseeing the protection of the environment. The EPA gave the country just that and it now writes and enforces rules governing the enviornment. Some could say that the types of acts Nixon passed were a continuation of LBJ. -
Watergate
The Watergate scandal ruined the people's trust in the government.Nixon's team members secretly bugged Nixon's rival's room at the Watergate Hotel to get information. Even though they were going to win. Nixon apparantly didn't know about it at first, but when he found out, he lied and tried to cover it up. He later resigned as he new he would be impeached on the basis of prejury and abuse of power. Nixon''s scandal remains a scar on his presidency and America's decreasing trust in the government -
Roe vs. Wade
Roe vs. Wade was monumental and super controversial. It deemed it so that the Constitution allowed women to have abortions without any excessive force from the government. Democrats thought that Roe v. Wade allowed for women to have greater freedoms in their life and allowed them to be independant. On the other hand, conservatives believed that for women to have abortions was a decline in America's traditional values of having numerous babies and starting families. -
3 Mile Island Accident
The three miles island accident was one of the most significant accident in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant history. It was a partial meltdown of the Three Mile Island, Unit 2 reactor in Pennsylvania, United States.Though it caused no deaths, the area is still radioactive and caused effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, deaths of pets and farm and wild animals, and damage to plants. Many of the people interviwed thought it could be prevented as well.