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Jamestown was the very first permanent settlement when the crown chartered it. It was created not for religion, but for profit to give back to the company, however, it proved harder than they expected. They were met with disease and starvation, while also having no knowledge about the land that they were dealing with. Through the indigenous people, they learned things like what to eat and also where to plant, however, their relationships with the indigenous would soon become tense. -
Protestants, or the Pilgrims, founded Plymouth because they wanted a break from the Anglican Church. They landed in Plymouth aboard the Mayflower and came with strict religious beliefs. They also chose William Bradford as their leader. After settlement, they found it hard to attract new converts until eventually they were overshadowed by the Puritans. Most importantly, they created the Mayflower Contract, the first attempt at self-government, an idea that became the foundation of the Country. -
The Pequots lived in New England before Europeans arrived. Because of their alliance with the Dutch, they became a problem for the English traders. Tensions rose until violence broke out. Connecticut and Massachusetts militiamen attacked a Pequot village and killed 500 people. In the aftermath, those in New England drove the Pequots further and further away and divided their land. This was because the Puritans believed that they were God's chosen people and their presence was divinely ordained. -
As Charles II expanded power into America, he sent eight loyal noblemen to settle the Carolinas. The new settlements in Carolina were called proprietorships. This ensured that the Duke of York and William Penn owned all the land in their new colonies and they could rule them as they wished. This was significant because it meant that the laws conformed to those in England. Slowly, the Carolinas were envisioned to be like a traditional European society with a manorial system and powerful nobles. -
Bacon's Rebellion took place in Virginia. As tensions rose with the neighboring Indians, violence broke out between the colonists and the Indians that surrounded the settlements. It also started because of the refusal of Governor William Berkeley to support the "rebels". The rebels were led by Nathaniel Bacon, who created his own army. The army then marched on the capital and was put down by the government. This highlights the fact that the colonies were still looking for stronger foundations. -
Although the Second Hundred Years' War was not fought by the colonies at the time, it still had a large impact on them. Conflicts from Europe, especially those from Great Britain came into the colonies. With the rising demand to create more profit from the British government to help the British military, the colonies were put under great economic pressure. This pressure was seen by the Native Americans, and they often tried to take advantage of that, leading to alliances being created with them. -
During the reigns of both George I and George II, the colonies were put under a strategy known as salutary neglect. This was a result of European conflicts that Great Britain was involved in over the course of many generations. It was extremely significant because it meant that the colonies would grow their trade and import duties, while also having little supervision of their affairs from Great Britain. This was important because it allowed the rise of American self-government to take place. -
People began to feel that religion was becoming too dry and distant. Preachers also wanted to shift people's focus to their inner emotions as opposed to their outward behavior. Not only this, but people began to read and interpret the Bible on their own because of their Puritan background and their value towards literacy. All of these reasons pushed the country towards a Great Awakening in which the colonists were given a shared national religious experience and a sense of unity and equality. -
The Stono Rebellion was the largest slave uprising in the mainland colonies. It all began when the Catholic governor of Spanish Florida started a revolt by promising freedom to fugitive slaves. When war broke out between England and Spain, many of the slaves rose up in revolt and killed many whites near the Stono River. The colonists, however, were able to suppress the rebellion quickly before it moved to more plantations. This revolt highlighted how difficult it became to achieve success. -
The Albany Plan of the Union was voted on but never passed, however, the idea was very important. It aimed to unite the colonies. This was because, before the French-Indian war, colonists were loyal to their community, and then their colony. They wanted to change this in order to strengthen the colonies as a whole. Benjamin Franklin was amongst the first to think that the colonies were better off together. The plan first started with New England and moved throughout the rest of the colonies. -
The Proclamation of 1763 was a milestone in the war for independence. The Proclamation Line of 1763 said that the boundary that marked the Appalachian Mountains was a border. They prohibited the colonists from settling on land that was acquired from the French. This infuriated them because it beat the purpose of fighting and sacrificing during the French-Indian War. Not only this, but it also prevented colonists from expansion and economic growth, which also angered them since the war hurt many. -
The Sugar Act was a continuation of the act passed by Great Britain in 1733 on molasses. Thinking that it would bring in more profit for them, they passed the sugar act a century later. It resulted in the opposite. Angered colonists often smuggled in molasses and sugar, even if it meant higher costs for them to show resistance. This was significant because their involvement in the resistance paved the way for the Revolutionary War, and allowed them to cause English producers to lose customers. -
Townshend Acts, which only affected the colonies were enacted in 1766 and were a step in the way toward the Revolutionary War. Economically, they taxed the colonies on things like glass, lumber, paint, and nails. In general, these acts were a way for the British government to tax anything imported into the colonies. Its purpose was to increase revenue. However, the colonies just saw this as an abuse of the power of Parliament. It also showed injustice in terms of taxation without representation. -
Political activism was being taken by many colonists through riots and boycotts. After the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party took place. Led by Samuel Adams, he and his men met mid-day in a tavern while drinking. They dressed like Indians and planned to through crates of tea into the Boston harbor. This caused 1.8 million in revenue lost through tax and also caused the British government to quickly react. They closed the Boston ports and took strict control through the Intolerable Acts. -
After the tightened grip by the British, the American delegates wanted a middle ground, so they created the Olive Branch Petition. It was created at the First Continental Congress meeting where Radicals wanted war and change and the Conservatives wanted a less-expensive approach. Samuel Adams decided that they must speak as one and create a compromise, which included staying with the British empire and lowering taxes. They sent it as a sign of peace, however, the king refused to consider it. -
The Declaration of Independence was a combination of political views written by Thomas Jefferson, who then gave it to the delegates to revise and approve it. It combined the ideas of Locke, Montesquieu, and Rosseau. Even though it was imperfect, it was still significant because it said that all men were created equal and that the government existed for the people. This was revolutionary in a world of monarchy and aristocracy. When it was finally signed, a somber mood spread around the room. -
As colonies were ready for growth, domestic production and factories were encouraged. Out of this, the steam engine was extremely important. Although many versions of the steam engine were made, this was one of the first. Created by James Watt and Thomas Savery, the steam engine powered mechanical equipment uses the movement that steam caused. It was later used for many important machines in factories and als o railroads, which were a major foundation for the coming decades in American history. -
Thomas Paine's common sense acted as a major relief after a period of intense fighting around Boston. After independence was declared, many soldiers were struggling and "Common Sense" served as a way to boost morale and the affection for independence around the colonies. It was written in the language of the people, which is what made it so popular and also a successful form of propaganda. The book spread through the colonies at an incredible rate and became available to everyone who wanted it. -
The Battle of Saratoga is known as the turning point of the war. After a series of defeats for the Continental army, this battle was not easy. The British had a 4:3 advantage in the number of men they had. Not only this but many American soldiers were struck with disease and famine. However, General Burgoyne is surrounded by the Continental Army when he realizes the other armies are not there. After being forced to surrender, the message of an American victory spreads around the colonies. -
After campaigns throughout the Southern colonies, General Cornwallis is forced to retreat to the coast of Yorktown. He was supposed to meet with the Royal Navy for protection and also to prepare for the winter in Virginia. However, he met with the French navy, after they had agreed to join the Continental Army after the Battle of Saratoga. The French Navy and Continental Army surrounded him, forcing him to surrender. This caused the work to turn upside down and ended major fighting in the war. -
The Articles of Confederation were a way to correct the wrongs done to the country in the past. It had basic rules such as no executives, no standing army, no taxing authorities, and also giving all the power to the states, which meant a small federal government. The Articles proved to be a failure in the way that they had set up the government. They needed a much stronger federal government. This was highlighted in Shays' rebellion when there was no executive to stop the riot from taking place. -
The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia where delegates met in order to find a new way to govern the country. They needed to revise the Articles of Confederation, however, many delegates wanted more change. They called for compromises, like the Connecticut Compromise, which ensured two houses in the government. The 3/5 Compromise gave them answers to slavery. The meeting was also significant because it created a solution that was much stronger, starting with the Bill of Rights. -
Hamilton believed that in order to solve the issues at hand, the federal government needed to be stronger than the state government. First, in order to gain the respect of other countries, and their trust, they must pay off their war debt. To do this, he raised the federal government's revenues through tariffs and taxes. Second, he created a national bank, which became the topic of many debates in the future of the country. With all of these revisions, he strengthened the national government. -
During George Washington's presidency, the Whiskey Rebellion took place. The Whiskey Rebellion was a violent protest created by rebels in western Pennsylvania who were angry because they were being taxed, which they believed was against their consent. This was because, until 1795, Pennsylvania did not have any state representatives. This caused the army to get involved to enforce it. This was significant because it enforced the power of the federal government to uphold the laws that they pass. -
For the common people, the cotton gin was extremely important, especially for those in the South. It was first invented by Eli Whitney, and it removes the seeds from the cotton fiber. This invention was very significant because it made cotton very profitable and changed the course of the South for decades to come because cotton became the most valuable export. However, it did increase slavery because of the labor needed to produce the cotton at the rate at which the fields were being planted. -
The Alien Act allowed the President to deport an alien considered dangerous. This gave too much power because it meant pointed to Anti-Federalists who were against his plan. The Sedition Act made it illegal for newspapers to print any material that was critical of the President. These acts were significant because they proved Jefferson's fears right. They also scared the American people. Not only this, but it leads to Adams not winning his next election, and giving the Presidency to Jefferson. -
Because of the laws that were being created by the federal government, many states were infuriated by the amount of power that they had. In response, they decided to review these acts and nullify them if it seemed necessary. The Resolutions stated that the Constitution was a "pact" between the states and the federal government. If the federal government broke it, states could make laws void in their states. This led to the end of federalist power and the beginning of Jefferson's presidency. -
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States when it was acquired from the French. However, it did pose some problems. Jefferson was a strict construction and the Constitution didn't mention the acquisition of new land as a power for the President to have. This was extremely important because it meant that Jefferson would have to go against his own morals to attain the need city of New Orleans and the Mississippi River. This purchase also led to the Lewis and Clark exploration. -
The Battle of Thames was during the War of 1812 and it represented a major victory amidst the war. On October 5, British and Indian forces were defeated by American forces in Canada. With the Indians who were allied with the British defeated, it ended the Indian resistance in the Ohio River Valley. Tecumseh and Profit's death were also a major factor in this because he, and his brother, Profit, rallied Indian nations together and Tecumseh himself acted as a military leader during the war. -
American forces in New Orleans are led by Andrew Jackson, who ordered his soldiers to dig ditches with shovels and wait at the top. When the British were forced to go into the ditch to make it across, the American forces shot at them with cannons. Despite the British having a more trained army, the American forces still won with an army of soldiers with vast backgrounds. This battle was significant because it causes a sense of nationalism to sweep the nation when the war was declared over. -
The United States was ready for growth after a long period of war. In order to encourage factories and trade, Henry Clay comes up with the American system, which was based on ideas from Hamilton. He sought a strong central bank that provided easy and abundant credit. He also wanted to protect manufacturing to grow it. Not only this but the revenue from taxes would be used in order to help the public transportation system by creating a network of roads and canals, which benefit small companies. -
The Election of 1824 was a widely debated election. With Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson being the candidates for the election, when election day came around, none had the majority. According to the 12th Amendment, the House must decide what to do. Clay decided to drop out since he was the Speaker of the House. Eventually, Adams won the election. However, it left a bitter taste as many saw his victory as a corrupt bargain. In the coming years, he didn't accomplish must either. -
After a poor presidency from Adams, Jackson was elected in 1828 to solve many issues at hand. After gaining Presidency, Jackson wanted to recreate the old Jeffersonian coalition. He also wanted to create a national committee that oversaw both local and state party units, which was significant since it saw the creation of the first political party, the Democratic Party. Additionally, the Election of 1828 was important because it ended up providing the foundation for modern political campaigns. -
After the Election of 1828, Jackson was set on making many radical changes. He fired many government employees to the point where many critics accused him of rewarding Democrats instead of choosing qualified men for the positions available. From Jackson's point of view, he felt that ordinary Americans could gill government jobs, instead of just wealthy people. This was significant because it spread the idea of his faith in the "common man" and his distrust of establishments and monopolies. -
In 1830, Congress passed the Indian Removal Act. After Jackson took over as President, he signed the act on May 28. It authorized him to grant land west of the Mississippi River in exchange for Indian lands that were within existing state borders. This act causes lots of anger among the Native Americans. In the coming decades, Native Americans would lose even more land due to expansion. Not only this, but it was also significant because it saw Native Americans as domestically dependent nations. -
The Liberator was a monthly newspaper first published in 1831. At the time, it had many controversial ideas and was led by a controversial leader called William Lloyd Garrison. It included debates and open letters on topics such as the abolition of slavery. It also highlighted African American accomplishments. Not only this but it was written by Henry Ward Beecher, the son of Lyman Beecher. This was significant because the more well-known they became, the more abolition ideas they spread. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion took place because of frustrations from a group of enslaved people in Virginia. Led by Nat Turner, those involved killed about 50 to 60 people, many of which were the masters of those enslaved. Nat Turner's Rebellion was a bloody and significant uprising. The aftermath caused fear to spread around the South of similar uprisings taking place. From the political side, it caused the Southern states to put out much stricter laws over both freed and enslaved African Americans. -
In the aftermath of the Indian Removal Act, Marshall argued that you cannot remove the Indians from the land. On the other hand, Jackson wants to ignore the Supreme Court and the Constitution. This was significant because it showed how much power Jackson was after. Not only this but he famously quoted "John Marshall has made a decision, not let him enforce it." Jackson was almost daring Marshall to go against him. His power-driven decisions resulted in him being impeached by the government. -
During Andrew Jackson's Bank War, Jackson wanted state governments to have more financial rights. He charted state banks and he also vetoed the second national bank. With all of this, he was able to move money to state banks, or as many called them "pet banks". This caused rapid inflation and also caused the Panic of 1837. When Van Burren won the election, the effects of the economic crisis could be felt as many were bankrupt. Many people also lost jobs and unemployment rates skyrocketed. -
The Schism was a result of two reform movements coming together. During a convention for abolitionists, women were not involved and had to be seated on the balcony where they were not allowed to vote or be involved in the discussions. Organizations also did not like that there were women there. One famous example of abolition and women's suffrage coming together during the schism was William Lloyd Garrison coming up to the balcony because he wanted women to be involved in the discussion. -
After declaring the Mexican-American war in 1846, President Polk flooded the area with troops and pushed the Mexican army back. He then laid siege on the capital and used it as leverage to conquer the land. Looking at the war from a present-day perspective, it was not justified as the treaty signed was forced and based on unnecessary tension. The treaty resulted in Texas' border being the Rio Grande and also caused Mexican Session (Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, California, and Nevada). -
Seneca Falls was a result of the women's suffrage movement that called for equal rights for women and also for women to get more representation. The convention met in Senecal Falls, New York, and they discussed issues such as voting rights, property rights, and income. Lef by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, over 300 people attended, many of which also discussed abolition topics. In the end, they created a Declaration of Sentiments, which included 12 Resolutions of ideas and demands. -
The Dred Scott decision came about when a man named Dred Scott sued for his freedom. When his owner moved to a free state, he believed that he should be free and that the bond of slavery should be dissolved when you take up residence in a free state. Roger Taney, the Supreme Court Justice at the time decided that black men had no rights and that they must respect white men. This was significant because it resulted in the idea that a free state and a slave state had no real legal significance. -
After tensions rose between the two sides, the Battle of Fort Sumter took place. The South had their dislike for the Union troops occupying "their" soil. They also were fearful of the idea that from such a close position to the South, the North would be able to launch attacks. Lincoln at the same time, sent a convoy of supplies to the fort and the South did not trust them and attacked Fort Sumer. This was significant because the capture of the fort marked the first casualties of the Civil War. -
During the Civil War, Lincoln signed the Homestead Act. He realized that there was a growing problem of too much land but not enough people in the West. The other problem was that the land was not productive. He wanted to make the land taxable and productive. In order to bring people from the Northeast to the West, he gave away 160 acres of land to anyone who lived on it, improved it, and farmed on it for 5 years. This resulted in millions leaving their home and growing productive crops. -
Lincoln felt that the nation could only be unified after the Civil War if there were no feelings of animosity. His plan included the Proclamation of Amnesty and also Reconstructionist ideas. From his perspective, there wasn't a need to harshly punish the states. He wanted to give pardon Confederate leaders, while also readmitting states with at least ten percent of its voters wearing loyalty. The result was that Radicals felt that his plan was too lenient and stricter actions were called for. -
As the war is coming to an end, Lee keeps retreating toward Richmond and realizes that Grant will try to mimic the Battle of Vicksburg. In order to prevent Grant's army from getting supplies, he burns everything. Grant, meanwhile, splits his army in half and surrounds Lee. As a result, Lee is forced to surrender at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. He gives up his sword and Grant gives the sword back as a sign of respect. Word of the Union's victory begins to spread throughout the states. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was a result of Congressional Reconstruction taking place after the Civil War was over. It was important because it offered citizenship to African Americans. Not only this, but it offered some protection against the Black Codes. However, the result was that there were still fears over Democrats overturning the act, even though Republicans were gaining strength in Congress. They wanted to create a more permanent solution, which led to the Fourth Amendment. -
The Dawes Act was a result of the government hoping to use the law as a way to break tribal ties and gain access to Indian Lands. The Dawes Act gave 160 acres to each family who wanted to farm or live on it. It was for Native Americans and many whites believed that it was a kind act by the government. Many even called themselves "Friends of the Indians". However, it resulted in an attack on their culture, tradition, and way of life. Each grant given meant less land for communal reservations. -
Republicans were afraid that their solutions were too temporary and that their work would be undone quickly. In order to recognize the Election of 1868 and the fact that African Americans needed the right to vote, they quickly brought the 15th Amendment to Congress. It resulted in the fact that states were prohibited from denying any citizen the right to vote, regardless of "race, color, or previous condition of servitude". The unpopular decision also won the Democratic party needed support. -
The assassination of President Garfield was by Charles Guiteau, a vocal supporter of Garfield. It was caused because of the fact that he wanted a job in the government under the spoils system. Angry that he had not been given the job, Garfield was shot and died eleven days later. This was significant because it highlighted the changes that needed to be made to the spoils system, leading to someone getting elected. Not only this, but it also caused both parties to switch control frequently. -
After the assassination of Garfield, it was clear that reforms needed to be made. Leading up to this act being passed, it was expected that most politicians wanted the spoils system in place as it favored them to win elections. However, when the Pendleton Act was passed into law, federal job seekers needed to pass civil service exams. This affected the structure of the Republican and Democratic Party and it helped the rise of the Populist Party as well because it aligned with their beliefs. -
After McKinley's assassination, Roosevelt was elevated to the presidency. He was popular and a strong believer in the idea of trust-busting. In order to do this, he passed the Sherman Anti-Trust Act which allowed him to break up what he believed were bad trusts or monopolies. This was vital because it meant that competition between businesses would increase and it would stimulate the American economy. Later on, the Clayton Act strengthened the Sherman Anti-Trust Act under Woodrow Wilson. -
During the progressive era, women began to take the lead on moral issues. In order to fight for their rights, they started with the temperance movement because they viewed alcohol as the root of social ills like abuse, neglect, unemployment, and other struggles. They used this league in order to get together with other women in order to spread their ideas and opinions. This was important because it lead to the creation of church groups and letter campaigns against the consumption of alcohol. -
Many Americans had business in Cuba which led to the government wanting to intervene between them and the Spanish. Revolts there were met with brutal punishments and the U.S. attempted to intervene and create a peaceful solution with stability and morality. The de Lome letter was stolen and received by the American government and this was significant because it led the U.S. to discover that the Spanish had no intent to honor the deal. This led to the USS Maine exploding and the Teller Amendment. -
During the progressive era, foreign policy went through many changes. Roosevelt's election brought new ideas of democracy. He wanted to use force and show military preparedness in order to stop war from happening. This was to support the corollary to the Monroe Doctrine that would call for American intervention. His policy was also significant because it led to the Portsmouth Treaty. This put the United States on the map as a foreign power in terms of negotiation and military as well. -
Consumer reforms were taking place at a fast rate during the Roosevelt presidency. This related to safety and food reforms. However, it also had to do with labor reforms as well. When coal miners went on strike, their owners would refuse to negotiate. In this case, Roosevelt demanded that the owners negotiate or he would use the military to take over the mine. This was significant because it led to a big shift in the government as they sided with labor unions and workers over business owners. -
Muckrakers were a vital part of social reforms and they covered a various number of topics. One of which was the struggles of the industrial cities. Lincoln Steffans wrote this work in order to expose the corruption of political machines who would take advantage and expose those that were in need of jobs or housing. He also was exposing the city's sanitary conditions and how polluted the cities were because of factories. This led to people seeing what cities looked like without any filters. -
Muckrakers covered many topics and Upton Sinclair was one of them. He wrote "The Jungle" in order to support socialism. However, he had unintended effects. For example, it shines a light on the abuses and conditions of the meat packing industry. People are horrified by what goes in their meat and it causes major uproar. The Pure Food and Drug Act is created as a result. The FDA is also created. With all of the attention on the issue, Roosevelt signs the meat inspection plan as well. -
The expansion of the automobile industry can be traced back to the introduction of the Model T by Henry Ford. Using scientific management and a moving assembly line, it revolutionized the idea of owning a car. It led to the reduction of production time and it also reduced the overall price. This was significant because it meant the middle class could afford them because of standardization. It also changed business practices as his employees had better wages, shorter hours, and weekends off. -
During the progressive era, W.E.B. DuBois was an integral part of the fight for civil rights. His idea was that they shouldn't wait and fight segregation now. He founded the NAACP to help African Americans advance in society. Through this, he created the controversial idea of the Talented Tenth. He wanted to help the top ten percent of the African American population who were ready to succeed at the college level. This was significant because it funded their education and gave scholarships. -
The election of 1912 was significant because of what Taft enacted during his time. Teddy Roosevelt picks Taft in order to campaign for him as they were from the same party. After getting elected, he breaks up more trusts than Roosevelt and creates more preserves and national parks. The party is uneasy with the president enacting such broad social reforms and so they split the vote. This was significant because it led to the Democrat candidate Wilson winning over the Republican candidates. -
During Taft's presidency, he creates the idea of Dollar Diplomacy, which was important as it gave money and guaranteed loans to foreign countries. This was in the hopes that it would strengthen the American economic ties and also cause more good to come. It also hoped to earn the U.S. preferential treatment in trade negotiations with other European countries. This was significant during the imperialism era when the trade of American goods was vital in order to remain a global economic power. -
The Wilson administration was the first democratic administration in sixteen years. Coming into office, he pledges to break up big trusts, however, he saw little distinction between good and bad trusts like previous presidents. Not only this, but he also used the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and strengthened it with the Clayton Act. This was significant because it meant that he would be able to create the FTC, which would help regulate commerce and look into trading violations of big businesses. -
Amidst the re-election of Woodrow Wilson and the declaration that the United States would be neutral during World War I, Germans blockade the allied powers and declare submarine warfare. this led to the sinking of the Lusitania with American citizens on board. As Americans were realizing that entering the war was imminent, they intercepted the Zimmerman Note, a telegram from Germany that tried to get Mexico into a war with the United States. This causes the U.S. to put soldiers on the border. -
American freedoms during the war were tightened because of the fear of losing the war. In order to make the freedoms tighter they rolled out a series of acts. One of which was the Sedition Act of 1918, which punished anyone that criticized or questioned the government, war, or any action taken by the government to win the war. This was significant because it raised many questions about the extent of the power of the government and over 2,000 people were imprisoned for violating this law. -
As the end neared, all sides wanted a war, and trench warfare meant that a traditional victory was not possible. This led to Germany agreeing to an armistice. The Treaty of Versailles was proposed as an opposition to Wilson's Fourteen Points. It was a strict restriction of Germany's military and land rights. This was significant because it was the cause of World War II. It also showed the United State's stance on the treaty because they did not sign it, nor do they join the League of Nations. -
After the war, the Red Scare took over the country. Fear of communism, immigration, and unions were driving the actions of many figures. After bombings in large cities, Attorney General Mitchell Palmer encouraged raids that involved mass arrests and deportation of any suspects. Suspects that were thought to be anarchists, communists, and radicals were also punished. This led to growing fear and limited the rights of many as those accused were accused based on very little evidence and facts. -
The Red Scare caused a rising hatred against communism. This was important because it led to anti-immigrant feelings throughout the country. As a response, the Immigration Act of 1924 was passed. It limited the number of immigrants to only two percent of the number of people from the country in the United States. It was also important because of the fact that it was limited due to using a census taken from 1890. The act also caused people who were doubted to be unpatriotic to be ostracized. -
The trial took place in Tenessee and was caused by what they ruled a violation of the Butler Act, which prohibited teachings of evolution in state schools. John Scopes who used a textbook to teach about evolution was put on trial because of his methods of teaching. This case was significant because it tested how religion and science were taught in schools. Scopes was eventually found guilty. The trial also caught the attention of the media immediately and spread throughout the country. -
The stock market crash was a combination of many mistakes. For example, creditor nations caused the U.S. to not be paid back after loaning money. Ballooning stock market prices also led to speculation and buying "on margin" caused people to run up large amounts of debt. Buying on credit allowed people to live beyond their means. The stock market crash eventually led to banks lacking money, people losing their savings, production stopping, and workers being fired. This was a repetitive cycle. -
The 18th Amendment or the Volstead Act outlawed the manufacture, sale, distribution, or importation of alcohol nationwide. This, however, led to organized crime, speakeasies, and bootleggers. Competitions between organized crimes in order to supply alcohol were intense as well. The St. Valentine's Day Massacre was an example of this. Al Copone and Bugsy Morane's men clashed when Bugsy Morane's men were met with police (Al Copone's men) who took bribes and were killed after doing so. -
Many western states experienced the economic and environmental disaster known as the dust bowl. Over production and single-crop farming replaced deep roots that took nutrients out of the soil. This led to soil exhaustion and erosion. Draught and strong winds caused extreme dust storms that caused entire fields to be blown away and homes buried. It was the worse ecologic crisis to take place and it caused food to become scarce. Many families were forced to abandon farms and move to California. -
World War I veterans were promised a bonus for their service. However, they would not receive it until 1945. Under the current financial and economic circumstances, they needed the money at that time. Thousands marched on Washington but their request was denied by the Senate. Those who stayed congregated around the White House. After months, Hoover called the army to disperse them. The military burned the camp and this injured many veterans. It also caused veterans to be rounded up and arrested. -
Roosevelt's financial system included various new additions to the federal government. One of them was the NRA, which was an important show of the power that the executive government held. It stated that fair work and competition had to be code-approved. Not only this but it was enforced by the president. It also guaranteed labor's right to organize. Not only this, but it set work hours, minimum rage, and price controls. This was significant because it demonstrated an overreach of powers. -
The Security and Exchange Act was also another way that the Roosevelt administration changed the financial system. It, however, was different from others as it was not an overreach of presidential powers. It regulated trade practices in stocks and bonds, while also outlawing buying on credit. This forced many businesses to submit quarterly earnings. This was significant because it was part of his reform plan in his overall recovery, relief, and reform agenda. -
The Second New Deal was another try at creating new programs in order to help Americans. One of the parts was the Social Security Act of 1935. This was a safety net for all Americans and it was intended to supplement income. Not only this, but people would have an incentive to retire because this would take a percentage of their paycheck. This was significant because it is still in place today. However, it was a long-term success, rather than short-term relief, which was what they needed. -
Executive Order 8802 was a result of the fact that the country needed industries to hire more people. Eventually, it was passed in order to enforce the fact that hiring processes in the government and companies that got federal money couldn't hire with discrimination. Not only this, but it was a stepping stone for the Civil Rights Era. The order did cause riots to take place, such as the Detroit Riot Race. The executive order also promoted the Double V campaign, victory at home and abroad. -
The United States entered the war shortly after Pearl Harbor. When the U.S. demanded that Japan withdraw from China and Indochina, Japan thought that attacking the U.S. would provide them with an easy win. They also were motivated by the fact that the U.S. oil embargo was hurting Japan's economy. The outcome was significant as Japan began its quest for a Pacific empire. It also caused the U.S. and Great Britain to declare war on Japan, which led to Germany and Italy declaring war on the U.S.. -
The G.I. Bill of Rights was a way of saying thank you to the soldiers that served. After the war, it was to help them get back to their lives by paying for their education, whether that was college or trade school. It also helped them get low-interest home loans or VA loans and low-interest business loans. This was important because it led to the growth of small businesses and it also led to the growth of the suburbs, especially those created by Levitt and Sons. -
D-Day was the turning point in the war and it was the largest seaborne invasion with 156,000 troops and 5,600 that sailed across the English Channel. They landed on five beaches where they used a combination of tactics to storm them early in the morning. Over eight thousand casualties occurred and four thousand para-troopers died. It was also effective because it liberated France, Netherlands, and Belgium. Through this, they were able to force their way through Europe and isolate Axis powers. -
After World War II, the fear of communism began to spread once again and it was almost as if they were re-living the Red Scare. The Hollywood Ten were a group of people who worked in the entertainment industry who testified when they were accused of being in relation to communist groups. They refused to answer questions and protested instead. Their story was covered in the media and it highlighted the hysteria around communism and how people were being accused on little to no evidence. -
After the end of the war, the United States was worried about the spread of communism in Western Europe. In order to help provide stability and to provide economic help, George Marshall, the Secretary of State, proposed the Marshall Plan. This would provide a series of economic and infrastructure aid to Europe. This was significant because it helped restore many countries, which stopped the spread of communism and allowed American markets to eventually open in Europe again. -
This court case resulted because of Plessy v. Ferguson which establishes the legality of the "separate but equal" clause. Plessy demanded that schools could be segregated because of this. Brown was a little girl in Topeka, Kansas who was represented by Thurgood Marshall. The court eventually decided in her favor and said that schools would have to integrate at some point. This led to the major reforms over the next decade as tensions rose in communities when integrated was put into place. -
The Interstate and Defense Act was created under Eisenhower and it was the largest public works project in history. It reflected Eisenhower's military background because it updated and modernized America's roadways. It also connected the country. This was significant because it played on the effects of the Cold War. In case evacuations need to be made, it would be easier for larger populations to mobilize. They could also act as emergency runways for plans in case of emergencies. -
After Plessy v. Ferguson had been struck down in 1957, it was still being blocked by local and state governments in the South for years after the decision had been made. By law, blacks could go to white public schools but they were fearful of the treatment. In Kansas, nine children tried to be the first, but they were met by the National Guard of Arkansas. This conflict was only put down when Eisenhower ordered the troops of the 101st Airborne Division to make sure they safely make it to school. -
The Cold War brought many conflicts between the USSR and the United States. After ICBMs had been created and Khrushchev had taken rule, competition between the two countries had risen. Fear of the competition rose when the USSR put the first satellite into space in 1957. This scared the public as it was unnatural at the time. In response, the United States began putting more money into the scientific and space exploration sectors of the government. It also led to patriotism within the country. -
In Greensboro, North Carolina, four North Carolina students who were black decided to sit down at a segregated lunch counter. They were in college and were not allowed to sit there at a Woolworths department store. When they were denied, they refused to leave and began coming back to the restaurant. Using the ideas of MLK, they kept coming back and didn't fight. This inspired sit-in protests throughout the country. Six months later, they were finally served at the same Woolworths lunch counter. -
In the summer of 1962, over one thousand volunteers, both black and white, decided that they were going to take rides throughout the South to test new laws that outlawed segregation. They were organized by CORE and SNCC and brought young activists into the movement as well. Several groups of riders were attacked and buses were bombed by mobs and angry white mobs. They were important because the media covered the violence that the mobs had inflicted upon them which added to the movement. -
The Vietnam War was technically not a war as Congress had not declared it one. However, the United States wanted to fight in Vietnam. North Vietnam saw it as an act of aggression, but the United States continued to fight because they believed in the Domino Theory. This led to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which did not declare war but gave Johnson financial power. This was significant because it caused him to spend billions and people were angry about the effects of the conflict. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest conflict to a nuclear war. It was under Kennedy who wanted to partially implement Eisenhower's plan. This resulted in launch sites being built and ships leaving Russia and heading for Cuba. Kennedy eventually decided to create a naval blockade and tried to intercept the Grozny with the ICBM. Russia eventually stopped and turned around. This event, however, proved how dangerous the situation could have been if they hadn't stopped and turned around. -
The Children's Crusade involved hundred of school kids who stages a school walkout in order to participate in the protest in downtown Birmingham. Many were arrested and set free only to repeat the process the next day. Marchers were then ordered to be sprayed with fire hoses and were released dogs on. The march was televised and it put immense pressure on JFK to publicly support the movement. It was the first time a president fully voiced public support for Civil Rights as well. -
The March on Washington was a planned march by the SCLC. They wanted to rally in Washington D.C. and they did so with the support of the NAACP, SNCC, and CORE. Over 250,000 people were in attendance and people were bussed in from all over the country. There, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech which inspired many around the country to keep fighting for their civil rights. The march further pressured Kennedy to act on the demands of civil rights leaders. -
After the march from Selma to Montgomery, marchers put pressure on the government to give black voters better voting rights. Despite marchers being brutally attacked, they kept trying and eventually marched to the capitol successfully with 25,000 protestors. Lyndon B. Johnson signed it into law and it banned discrimination in local, state, and national elections and polling places. This was important because it got rid of barriers such as literacy tests, intimidation methods, and physical tests. -
The Women's Liberation Movement started before the 70s but it took a while for society to come face to face with it. They demanded equal education amongst other things. As a result, Title IX was passed after the Equal Rights Amendment was promised. Not only this, but Title IX was responsible for equal rights in education. Sports was also included in this and this was important because it gave more opportunities to young girls. The movement also aimed to get rid of a double standard. -
The Watergate Scandal began when high-ranking Republicans who were tied to Nixon admitted they knew about the burglars who broke into Watergate. After various resignations and cover-up attempts, Nixon was asked to turn in the Nixon Tapes. He never gave them over and eventually resigned after this. This was a significant event because it influenced people's perceptions about Nixon and the government. Gerald Ford then became president and he inherited many problems within the country. -
The election of 1976 took place between Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. Carter was unknown to many and when they debated, it was an opportunity for him to make himself known. The debate was won by Carter after Ford was criticized by many because of his pardon of Nixon and the way he handled questions about Soviet Domination. This was significant because Carter's presidency was a vital period of time for dealing with foreign policy in Iran, Egypt, and Israel and economic struggles at home. -
Carter inherited one of the hardest issues when he was met with the gas shortage crisis of 1977, which was one of the worst winters of the decade. It started with the end of the Ford presidency. In order to help, he rolled out policies, but they did not go anywhere as Congress did not pass them. The gas shortage also led Carter to fire his Cabinet, which painted the picture that Carter was making mistake on mistake. His peace talks with Iran and Israel were also not helping his reputation. -
The Camp David Accords were one of the positives that came out of the Carter presidency. It was a historic peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. It was significant because of last-minute decisions that had been made by the leaders of the countries. The images also went through the media quickly. However, after the accords were signed, the Shah of Iran fell and U.S. diplomats were being held captive in Iran, which quickly put the United States back into foreign conflict with another country. -
After the public's perception of Carter had been made, Ronal Reagan entered the next election. Right around the time of the election, Carter's mission to rescue the other diplomats of Iran had failed after the helicopters encountered issues. He scrubbed the mission and the hostages were freed in the last hour of his presidency. Reagan had beat Carter by a landslide and his presidency started off to a perfect start when one of the first images was of the freedom diplomats back on American soil.