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Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America. Originally set into motion by The Virginia Company of London, settling the unexplored terrain was not an easy task. The men were faced with lack of food, supplies, and water. During the starving times many men died, but with the help of Native Americans Jamestown became a successful tobacco colony, and a blueprint for future colonies to come. This increased the amount of incoming settlers, setting the stage for future conflict. -
The Headright system was used to swell population in the newly founded colonies. Those who survived where granted 100 acres, new settlers who paid where granted 50 acres of land and paying for passage of others gave 50 more acres (families and indentured slaves) this greatly swelled the population of the colonies and set slavery & indentured servant system in place. -
The first Slaves came to the Americas in 1619 this set the stage for the long history of slavery in America. Due to the colonies success with their cash crop, Tabaco, more help was needed than the few servant that where paying of the debts from families bringing the to the new world. African slave began pouring into the colonies , they were not paid and easy labor for land owners. Slavery began to slowly replace the indentured servant system. -
The Mayflower compact were rules set by the English men aboard the Mayflower which outlined the rules for self-governance. Prior to the compact were two groups, the Puritans and Separatists (Pilgrims) , who came to the new world aboard the Mayflower for different reasons such as religious freedoms. Eventually They did this because they knew life without laws would be disastrous and to ensure social structure would prevail in the new world -
The Enlightenment in America was heavily influenced by the similar European enlightenment. It was were people began to question the nature of power and rights, Its major influencers where John Locke and Montesquieu.John Locke advocated for natural rights life, liberty and the pursuit of property.Montesquieu, a French philosopher who created the idea of separation of powers the idea that government should be divided into sperate branches. These ideas were shown in the Declaration of Independence -
The Scientific Revolution was one of the four major movements of thought in colonial America. The reasons for these movements where due to young Americans finding their way in the new colonies and religion, ideas, and concepts spreading from the Europe. The Scientific Revolution began when Americans started placing emphasis on Science and education, logic and new ideas began to spread and take roots in the minds of colonists. -
The Great awakening occurred due to waning religion in the colonies/skepticism of the once undeniable existence of god.It was known as a spiritual re awakening in the colonies, it put greater emphasis on religious experiences and having a personal relationship with god. Its key figures where Johnathan Edwards who was most famous for his startling sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an angry god", and George Whitefield who was incredibly influential and gave the opposing message of a kind, gentle god -
The Albany congress was called to discuss being potential allies with Native Americans at the start of the French and Indian war. Legislatures from each of the 13 colonies came together to discuss the plan, which was that an attack on one colony is an attack on all of them. Each delegate voted to see if the plan would go into effect, those opposing the plan won, those who agreed to a unified nation would later be known as the Founding fathers. The Albany plan, although failed, planted the seeds. -
Salutary neglect lasted for almost 150 years, Britain avoided strict enforcement of parliamentary laws and"turned a blind eye" to any trade violations. As a result colonist got used to being left alone and developed a sense of independence. The end came when Brittan's costly war needed to be paid off, America was their golden ticket. Britain started enforcing strict trade laws and unfair taxation on the colonies in order to pay their debt. This sewed the seeds for the downfall of British control -
Following the end of Salutary neglect one of the first acts in the colonies passed by Parliament. It was created by George Greenville,who was lead in increasing revenue for Brittan after the war,in hopes that if the taxation on sugar was lowered it would reduce illegal smuggling and increase revenue on British sugar. Ultimately the plan failed, this was due to many reasons. The first being out of spite, the tax on sugar was still there and colonist felt they were paying for their own subjugation -
Following the Sugar Act, the quartering act forced American colonists to house and feed British forces who were still serving in North America even after the war had ended. This further inflamed tensions between America & Britain and the outcome of the close contact between soldiers and colonist did not elicited good feelings between the two and in the end had negative effects on Great Brittan. -
Political Activism arose due to the unfair acts being placed on the colonies after they had had a taste of independence. It began as inflammatory writings in newspapers and letters then spread to riots and boy cots. Influencers like Patrick Henry, a gifted speaker and legislator in Virginia introduced the Virginian resolves against the stamp act. Samuel Adams, a propagandist and political activist help organize the famous Sons of Liberty. There was also John Hancock who help fund the resistance -
The Boston Massacre was the result of years of silent hatred burning between American colonist and British soldiers. British soldiers where guarding the Parliament house and told not to fire,knowing this colonist began to tease them,becoming bolder they even threw rock filled snowballs at the soldiers.In the end the soldiers open fired into the crowed killing 5 people.Paul Revere publishes a very popular drawing of the Boston massacre depicting the crowed as innocent and the soldier fully armed. -
The Boston Tea party was organized by the resistance group, The Sons of Liberty, in the famous Green Dragon Bar. In response to the taxation on tea the group disguised themselves as Indians and threw three million dollars worth of British tea into the Boston harbor. Enraged the empire tightens their grip on the colonies, further enforcing old laws and setting into motion the intolerable acts which closed the port of Boston outlawed assemblies and took control of colonial government. -
This was a meeting of representatives from the 13 colonies about a month after the revolution begins with Lexington and Concord. Quickly a division in partied became evident there were the Radicals who desired support for the resolution and independence and the Conservatives who desired reconciliation with Britain and proposed the olive branch petition. In the end radicals made a deal to support the conservatives. King George rejects the petition and declares the colonies are in open rebellion. -
Thomas Paine rights the famous propaganda piece n response to the intolerable acts and Brittan's mistreatment. It was written after Paine fought in Boston and laid out the case for Americas independence. It gained its popularity because it was written in the common language of the people. It is one of the most influential pamphlets of the time. -
As a result of the failed Olive Branch petition from the 2nd Continental Congress the radicals gain conservative support in drafting the Declaration of independence from Britain. Written by Thomas Jefferson for the delegates to approve it states America will be independent and that all men were created equal & the government exists to serve its people. Originally Jefferson wrote there would be steps to eradicate slavery but this was erased since they wanted full support from all delegates. -
Yet another one of the act passed by parliament in an attempt to replenish funds from the war, was the Stamp Act. It was only applied to the colonies and says that any legal documents have to have a stamp which implied the tax, this was on Birth and Death certificates, marriage licenses, and property. It greatly affected the wealthy middle class such as lawyers, attorneys, and doctors who deal with these kinds of documents every day for their livelihoods . -
After major losses this battle represents the turning point in the war. Not only did it boost morale of the soldiers but it gave foreign allies like France the initiative to send troops and aide the American cause. John Burgoyne (British general) was surrounded and forced to surrender giving all the supplies, food, and weapons to American forces. This had never happened before and it leveled the playing field between Brittan and America. -
Women suffrage was closely linked with the abolitionist movement, Women were avid supporters of ending slavery but felt overlooked and related to slaves. The movement started in the west and expanded due to the Seneca falls convention in 1848, which led to the short period of time women's rights surpassed abolitionism.The movement was stalled due to the civil war but picked up with the founding of NAWSA in 1869, this also led to a new generation of supporters. The 19 amendment ended the movement -
The Treaty of Paris officially marks the end of the Revolutionary war and declares American victory and independence. The newly founded united states are given all of the land once owned by Brittan form the Atlantic ocean and Mississippi river + everything north of the great lakes. This is the begging of Americas true independence and shows them how young of a country they are. Officials scramble to establish some form of government while political divisions already begin to form. -
George Washington becomes the first president of the united stated and establishes many governmental proceedings.The federal judiciary act created and independent federal court system which included the supreme court and lower courts,the supreme court began with a chief justice,John Jay and 5 associate justices.This was only the start soon after the presidential cabinet was created which allowed congress to create departments that aided the president, both included many reps. from the fed. party -
The election of Thomas Jefferson in 1801 marked the official end of federalist power in government. After 12 years in power they strengthened the national government,established a sound financial system with the help of Alexander Hamilton, and sparked growth in American Industry. In spite of Jefferson's fair victory the former President, John Adams, made a desperate attempt to keep federalist in power with the Midnight Judges, he filled all federal courts with loyal federalists on his last night -
During Thomas Jefferson's time in office he was faced with the dilemma of purchasing new land for the country, he was a strict constructionist, and believed it wasn't in his powers to make this grand of a purchase since it wasn't written in the constitution. He pur aside his personal feelings and made the purchase for 4 cents an acre from France. This doubles the size of the country secures important land such as the Mississippi river & New Orleans, and sparks the Lewis & Clark expedition. -
Begging after the election of Andrew Jackson, the spoils system was a process in which a president would replace qualified government officials with those who supported them. Jackson employed this system due to his faith in the common man but the consequence's of this were a slow moving and less efficient government. The spoils system went on for another 55 years and set the stage for the Pendleton act which ended it for good. -
Sparked by the new technology already sweeping through the nation such as the cotton gin, and the reaper, this was arguably one of the most important times for American growth. The movement of people and goods throughout the country was essential for economic growth, rivers and the advancements that went along with them where the first major source for trade and transportation. Steam boats enhance trade, a canal system is established, soon after waterways are replaced by the steam engine. -
This was a movement based around utopian communities and communal living. Transcendentalists were led more by emotions rather than reason & were heavily influenced by Romanticism, ideas of spirituality through nature and individualism. These were considered to be the hippies of the 1830s and wanted a perfect society. This movement lasted until 1850 -
Mexico began to offer free land, what is now known as Texas, on the condition people became Mexican citizen+covert to Catholicism, floods of people came even after Mexico closed its boarder As a result they began to heavily enforce laws + raise taxes. Texans declared independence, which leads to the bloody battle at the Alamo. US forces then enter the disputed territory & war is declared. It is a US victory which leads to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which gained NM, CALIF,NV,&AZ. -
With complications over new territories coming into the union as a free or a slave state tensions were high. Especially with California, because it straddled the line of being free/slave due to the Missouri compromise. Henry Clays compromise allows California to enter as a free state, but to appeal to southern states, strict fugitive slave laws are put into place. All new states entering the union will be governed by popular sovereignty. Henry clays death in 1852 leads to future conflicts. -
One of the many consequences of rapid urbanization was tenement housing. These buildings had no running water, and no bathrooms and the neighborhoods typically had high crime rates. Many poor immigrant families and lower-class citizens had no other choice but to live in the unsanitary and unsafe conditions that tenement houses held. The collection of the immigrants and other ethnicities led to the development of ethnic enclaves which ultimately slowed immigrant assimilation. -
In applying for statehood Kansas had to decide weather they would enter as a free or slave state. Both the North & South sent citizens to live in Kansas to sway the vote in their favor, Sensing the vote would go to the north, a group from Missouri crosses the boarder and sets fire to an avid abolitionist town, they took control of the ballots & swayed votes, Kansas enters as a slave state.This led to bloody encounters across the state and went on for 5 years, and influenced the coming civil war. -
The Dread Scott case was a Supreme Court decision that upheld slavery and denied the legality of black citizenship. Dread Scott and his wife sued their owner for freedom after 11 years of fighting in lower courts the case made it to the Supreme court. In a 7:2 decision the court declared the Scotts were still slaves and upheld slavery in the US. The north was outraged and the nation was shocked. -
The result of tensions between North & South over slavery the attack made by the South marked the beginning of the long war.After the Southern states succession they elect their new president Jefferson Davis.Not all slaveholding states succeed,boarder states stayed loyal to the Union,abolishing slavery out of the question for congress,if they did the boarder states would succeed.The outlook for the war was always in favor of the North but with a mirage of poor leadership the tides shifted often -
The "Anaconda Plan" Designed by Naval captain Winfield Scott. Its main purpose was to block the Southern Boarders using major waterways, this would devastate the already weakened economy. The problem was they did not have enough ships to stretch across the whole southern boarder so they blocked all the major port cities making supplies difficult to receive. Major inflation occurred in the South, this was one of the keys to North victory in the civil war. -
Signed into law by Lincoln this act paved the way for the Transcontinental Railroad, a huge project that would connect the country and fuel the economy. The government hired 2 companies, 1 started in the east & had relatively easy land to lay but more , and 1 in the West that had to cover mountainous land. As payment land was offered for every mile of track laid, time constraints were also made. Once the railroad was completed towns began to form,trade,religion,ideas spread like wildfire. -
Due to regional problems in the East & West, the East having an abundance of land w/ a sparse population, and the North dealing with overpopulation+pollution problems the Homestead act was created.It used government funds to move people from East to West by offering 160 acres of land to any head of household. The conditions were they must live on the land, farm for 5+ years, & improve the property.This worked very well even though many failed at meeting these requirements the West began to fill. -
The need for education grew as the transcontinental railway took shape, while ideas spread so did the need for knowledge. The Morrill land grant act gave government land to any state that wanted it on the\ne condition they establish a public university. They could use the land given to build, sell the land and use the money, as long as a university was built. This made education more accessible and widespread. -
At the end of the war President Lincoln is already thinking about how to bind the union back together, his idea of reconstruction was the 10% plan it stated pardons would be given to confederate soldiers who swore an oath, any state could be readmitted once 10% of its voters swore the oath,&states had to form new constitutions that outlawed slavery. This was unpopular with most Northerners but it was the best way to ease the South back into normalcy,it also set the stage for congressional power. -
The freedmen's bureau was created by the radical republicans to help aide newly freed blacks in the transition to a life of freedom. It established schools for children and adults, negotiate labor contracts for families, secured loans for houses and provided legal aide to those in need. The Bureau was a great accomplishment and helped many africans americans. However, The Bureau was short lived due to Johnson vetoing its continuation which left many black supported by it helpless & without jobs. -
After Lincolns death Andrew Johnson takes over as president. He was very lenient on the South which upset Northerners.Congress and Johnson went back and forth denying each bill until Radical Republicans gained super majority in congress giving them the right to overrule the presidents Veto.Congressional reconstruction was harsh and made southern states pass the 14th amendment to be a state once again.Knowing it would end their majority congress passes the 15th amendment allowing all men to vote. -
Due to the unpopularity of the 15th amendment radical republicans lost super majority and congress but still had some control. Andrew Johnson's unpopularity led to the election of Ulysses S. Grant. While in office his presidency was a quite one, but southern defiance was still a big problem. Racial hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan arose and caused problems for the government. Never the less Grants served two full terms and paved the way for the election crisis of 1876. -
The election of 1876 was a race between Samuel Tilden (democrat)&Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican) once the ballots where tallied it seemed 100% of the south voted for Tilden, suspicion arose and a recount was done. The recount results were all of the states that were democrat turned republican. After many arguments an election commission was made with 5 democrats 5 republicans & 5 supreme court justices after discussion Hayes was named president and military oversight over the South was ended. -
A result of the Plessy vs Ferguson case in 1896 were the supreme court rules that "separate but equal" accommodations should be made, although the equal requirement was overlooked and marked the begging of systematic racism. Jim crow laws, made by Democrats, legalized segregation and further restricted black civil rights. Terrible facilities and curfews were enforced on African Americans. Northerners did little to nothing to prevent this, the situation worsened after reconstruction ended -
Prior to the assassination of James Garfield by one of his supporters who felt he should have a place in government dur to his support in Garfield's success the Pelton act was put into place. The act outlined a merit based job system. Federal job seeker had to pass a civil service exam and other test for higher positions. The act fully ended the spoils system, but had negative results. Without any competition for jobs the feral government began to work slowly and proved to be ineffective. -
After admiral Alfred Mahan publishes a book based on the idea of navalism, great nations were sea faring nations & depended on foreign markets for trade + wealth. The idea of imperialism spreads, William Henry Seward also advocates for a commercial empire, demanded equal access to foreign markets and attempted to link U.S. factories + Ports to markets in Asia & the Pacific. Those against imperialism were people that believed the US should sever ties with all foreign government. -
This work of photojournalism shed light on the horrors of Tenement housing, Thorugh his photographs of dilapidated buildings and the impoverished state that many Americans were forced to live in, government reforms emerged. Building codes were enforced, certain standards for living were introduced which helped the overall well-being of society at that time, -
The populist party rose in response to high farming debt, falling farm prices, & the high unemployment rate in lower classes. It was most popular among farmers + laborer's. The party tended to be anti-industry and were avid supporters of the secret ballot, a method in which votes are concealed and not open for public record. They also advocated for the direct election of US senators. -
Cubans with the desire for independence begin to organize revolts against the Spanish government. Spain retaliated with brutal & inhuman treatment of cuban citizens, sensing tension the US intervenes and helped Cuba + Spain make peace. Shortly after a letter sent from a Spanish official was intercepted, it mocked the president and ridiculed america. In response the US anchors one of our biggest navy battle ships on the heart of the Havana Harbor to send a message, this was the begging of the war -
Prior to being docked in Havana the USS maine, a military battleship, explodes in the middle of the night killing 260 americans. Thought to be the Spanishes doing president Mckinley asks congress for a loan to go to war with Spain, it is granted. Once the war begins the US makes it clear that once won they will have no claim of Cuba, which will have Cubans gain their independence. The Spanish Navy is quickly defeated early on, and the battle on land begins. -
Due to US forces heavily outnumbering the Spanish, the "splendid little war" was an easy US victory. The signing of the Treaty of Paris officially ended the war, Spain lost control over Cuba and signed the territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, and The Philippines over to the US. Cuba being newly freed offered a portion of land to the US to build a Military base for $1 a year for the protection. The major outcome of this war was the final end to Spain being a world power. -
During this time of major social reform, the government was changing as well. A result of this change was the Wisconsin Plan, created by Wisconsin Senator Robert Lafollet, who believed the current government to be corrupt and too big to react to local needs. The plan proposed ideas such as the Australian ballot which meant no one could see who others voted for, it also proposed the direct election of US Senators -
Big stick diplomacy was the ideal held by Roosevelt to "speak softly and carry a big stick" meaning negotiate and reason but there will always be a threat (military) this was a huge contrast to the Monroe Doctrine which stated that US involvement inf foreign countries should be little to none. -
After being thrown into the presidential spotlight after McKinley's assassination, Roosevelt springs into action by enacting all of his promised ideas. Such as trust-busting, he believed there were good and bad trusts. So by using the Sherman antitrust Act he began to break up what he considered bad trusts. This trust-busting leads to less horizontal integration allowing small businesses to continue thriving, and paves the way for future presidents to continue "trust-busting". -
The meat inspection act was one of the many results of the popular novel "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair, a muckraker advocating socialist views, this novel featured the horrors of the meatpacking industry. Shining light on this dark corner caused major reform in the food industry, This act prohibits the sale of misbranded livestock and insures sanitary packing conditions, it was signed by Teddy Roosevelt along with the Pure Food and drug act. -
Henry Ford revolutionizes the automobile industry with the invention of the Model T,an affordable automobile that the common people could use. Previously cars were considered too expensive for the common people, however, after the model T the middle class could now afford to own a car. Furthermore,to keep production, morale, and completion at bay Ford changes labor expectations for his employees-giving days off, shorter working hours, and higher wages, this creates a model for future buisnesses. -
Many blacks in the south who moved during The Great Migration formed newly established black communities. This led to flourishing artistic expression and a thriving community. The Harlem renaissance as a whole led to the emergence of a black middle class such as doctors, lawyers, business owners ect. -
Although Taft was popular among the republican party, his popularity among the public never compared to Roosevelt. Due to the two republican nominees, the party was split allowing democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson to become the 28th president of the United States. Wilson pledges to continue to trust bust and strengthens the Sherman Antitrust act he also strengthens the banking system, reflecting our current banking system today. -
After the Guilded age,positions such as management positions, lawyers, and accountants began to emerge as higher-salary jobs. This led to the creation of the middle class, those who wanted to separate themselves from the lower class.They did this by purchasing nicer clothes, jewelry, quality homes, and putting overall importance on education for their children. The middle class was very influential most middle-class women didn't have jobs that allowed them to dig deep into muckrakers and reform. -
Tensions with the war are rising while the US government is unclear about if they should enter into the war or stay neutral. A telegram is intercepted from Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman to Mexican government officials it outlines a plan for Mexico to create problems on the US borders to distract us from the war and interfere with entrance on the side of the allies. In some ways, this was seen as a "final straw" and is one of the main reasons the US enters into WW1 on the side of the allies. -
As many Americans advocated for neutrality in the war the reasons for entrance grew by the day. Starting with Germany's disobedience in stopping unrestricted submarine warfare and sinking the Lusitania killing 128 Americans. Then the interception of the Zimmerman telegram in which Germany attempts to bribe Mexico into creating conflict at US borders. The US is forced to enter the war on the side of the allies and the long road to victory begins. -
One of the many results of the red scare and the spreading of communism, the Palmer raids were a series of raids conducted by the US government (led by Woodrow Wilson) on the Department of Justice to root out any suspected communists. Overall these raids were high unsuccessful in reaching their goal of finding socialists. -
As a result of the temperance movement, set into motion by muckrakers and reformers the 18th amendment was passed. This outlawed the sale distillation or importation of alcohol across the US. However, this led to organized crime, bootleggers, speakeasies, and many more who profited off the sale of illegal alcohol since they could sell it at a much higher price for its high demand. The 18th amendment ultimately failed due to how popular alcohol was in society and major pushback from citizens. -
The radio takes the world by storm and emerges as a new communication tool people can now listen to sports, current news, music, and sermons in their homes to stay updated on current events and feel connected with one another. America starts to go to theatres for silent films sparking growth in the film industry that would continue to rise.Some Hollywoods products made racial tensions, even more, severe, like the film "The Jazz Singer" where the current rendition of black face is referenced from -
After a brief pause during the Great war, the KKK emerges again on a more national mainstream level. The group was violent and willing to use violence, intimidation, and political means to get their way. This led to even more fear and uncertainty for black communities, especially in the South where segregation and Jim crow laws were rampant. -
After the Great war and the generations who lived through its inclination to feel comfortable amongst conformity and similarities with others. The flapper was a major contradiction to this, the new woman often had short hair, wore shorter more revealing dresses, smoked, cussed, and overall rejected the commonly held views of a woman role. -
Competitions for customers were intense in the business world, companies began to use advertising to convince customers that they needed to buy their products rather than the competitors. This vicious cycle still continues today, the progress made in the 1920s was the building blocks for consumer culture and advertisement today. This is also where the stock market gains popularity and the buying and selling of stocks increases, causing devastating economic problems in the future. -
Herbert Hoover wins the Republican vote in the election of 1928, a decision many would soon regret. Hoover opposed direct federal aid during the great depression, and he dared that raising taxes and going on a government spending spree would only deepen the depression. Due to his unpopular opinions and his lack of action to help the American people he was referred to as a lame-duck president. -
The Dustbowl was one of the largest economic and environmental devastations in history. The entirety of the southeast and mid-west was covered in dust, crops were ruined, houses were buried, fields blew away, no healthy soil to plant on. As a result, food became scarce and many families migrated in order to find prosperity else. These families faced harsh discrimination and were referred too as "okies" -
After WW1 veterans had been promised a bonus for their time in service, due to their financial circumstances many need financial aid. However, after the depression hit there was simply no money to spare, to protest thousands of veterans marched o Washington and congregated at the white house. The current president had their camps burned down and evicted them from the property. This added even more to his unpopularity. -
Due to Hoover's unpopularity, FDR's popularity led him to take his seat in office. He created the New Deal which is aimed at creating new agencies and programs to protect people from economic disasters and provide relief to temp workers. he wanted to increase government spending and make changes to the current financial system such as investigations of banks and the invention of the Securities and exchange commission (SEC) -
HUAC stood for the House Unamerican Activities Committee. they had the power to call on random people (who they suspected of communism) and try them for spreading socialist views. Those who were tried (often against unfair odds) were blacklisted, even if they were found innocent. They would often be fired, turned away by family and friends, and become outcasts. HUAC ruined lives during the red scare, I also influence the Hollywood 10 protest. -
A result of Japan's refusal to remove troops from info china and Manchuria the US cuts off certain exports to Japan which they see as an act of war, The Japanese used bombers, torpedo planes, fighters a, and midget submarines to attack the US military base in Hawaii, the attack was very successful for the Japanese however this leads to a definite entry of the US into WW11 which proved fatal for the enimies. -
The homefront was one of the main reasons for the US's success in the war, however, it doesn't just take one race to supply a war. FDR saw this problem of labor and workplace segregation which led to the creation and signing of executive order 8802, this states that discriminatory hiring practices in government and in all other facilities will be eliminated. This sews the seeds for the upcoming civil rights movement. -
Supplies for all are tight during wartime so as a result, the government created ration books for the purchasing of goods. Resources are tightly considered and many Americans are encouraged to be self-sufficient. such as planting a "victory garden" which was based on the idea that if we produce food ourselves (veggies, fruits, crops) the more we can send ou to soldiers at war. Americans are also urged to buy war bonds, which helped soldiers overseas -
After 18 months of meticulous planning and training, the US prepares for the largest seaborne invasion in history. They stormed the beach early in the morning and within 7 days the allies controlled 80 miles of the coast, and from this day forward they would only gain momentum. This was seen as the tuning point of the war and showed the world how big of world power the United States was. -
As a "thank you" to the soldiers who fought in the war the bill pays for the education of veterans (college or trade school), gave law interest home loans, and business loans. This bill was a stepping stone for future advancements. It places education in the spotlight by giving it new importance among the middle class, and it also sparks the rise of the suburbs due to the home loan portion of the bill. -
After the war, Germany was divided into 4 zones: USSR, French, American, and British. The allies united their zones into one forming West Berlin. However, the problem was that West Berlin was deep inside the communist-controlled part of Germany. America feared that if communism overtook Berlin it would only spread. This conflict leads to the marshall plan and ultimately more fueds with Russia. -
After WW11 and the depression, America had been living through plagues of uncertainty and fear, the generations who had experienced this needed some direction. Conformity was comforting to this generation who has seen these horrors, it provided order for their lives, and it also gave them social rules to follow which added certainty. The younger generation didn't understand this notion because they grew up in a time of prosperity, this is was ultimately sparked rebellion that opposed conformity. -
Soldiers returning to their families who had been separated for so long causes an increase. The baby boom enhances the population by 30 million causing the largest generation in history. This generation sparks major growth in different industries as they mature through life. For example at birth baby food, clothing, schools, hospitals., and diaper companies, all had to increase production, and more had to be built in order to meet the demands of this huge generation. -
Many families began to move and look for new towns after the G.I. bill of rights due to the home loan opportunities it offered. These new homes were relatively affordable and allowed people to leave crowded cities for the suburbs. However, this caused "urban decay" in the areas they had left in the cities. People who could not afford to move away watch as their buildings fall into ruin because they had no money to fix the damages, -
As a result of the growing fear of communism and the previous World war, the Marshall plan is created to rehabilitate the German/ European economy post-war. Specifically in West Berlin, however, the USSR feared that the US's help would encourage capitalism in their territories which leads to the Berlin Blockade. -
The Berlin Blockade was Stahlins's response to US help for the people of Berlin. On June 23rd, 1948 the USSR imposed a complete blockade on the railway, road, and canal traffic leading to West Berlin from the allied German zone. This outlawed supplies such as food, fuel, and clothing to not entering Germany. Station wanted the city to be so desperate that they submit (starve into submission). This resulted in the Berlin Airlift, -
The establishment of East and West Germany was due to the fact that East Germany was ruled by the USSR or the German Democratic Republic while West Germany was independent (the German Federal Republic. -
As a response to Stalin's Blockade around Berlin President Truman decided that the US was going to fight for Berlin, so he chose to airlift the supplies the city needed. Everything from coal to chocolate was loaded onto cargo planes and dropped over Berlin. To ensure the safety of the pilots, Truman declares that if one cargo plane is shot down it would mean war between Russia and get US. As a result in June of 1949, the Russians retracted the Berlin Blockade. -
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established after West European Countries, the United States, and Canada, Sign the Washington Treaty. NATO was an alliance that brought together free and sovereign countries to a collective security system. The creation of NATO facilitates European economic integration and promotes togetherness between European countries and the US. -
As the communists North Koreans pushed back South Korean forces, unprepared US forces make their way to assist South Korea. General Douglas MacArthur was put in command of these forces and led a very successful invasion at Inchan which threatened to trap all the North American forces. This was at the same time former General Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president. -
At the peak of the Red Scare was McCarthyism. Senator Joseph McCarthy only added to the panic of communism taking over sweeping across the nation. He claimed that he had a list of over 205 known communists working in the state department, however, he would not release the list to anyone and it was later debunked after he accused the military of fraternizing with socialists. There was some truth to McCarthyism, there were Russian spies however not nearly the amount publicized. -
In Montgomery Alabma Rosa parks (african american) challenged Jim crow laws by refusing to give up her seat to a white man. Parks is arrested and the black community is enraged. Black leaders organize a boy cott on the Montgomery bus system over 40,000 African Americans participate in the 382 day boycott, walking to works and back home everyday. Eventually the bus comapined joined in fighting the laws due to their business plummeting because 75% of their customers were African american. -
Due to major growth in businesses and the recent migration to the suburbs, the road system needed updates. Most businesses supported this idea however some were still skeptical. In order to sell his idea to the American people, Eisenhower uses cold war fears and says these new roads will be used for emergency evacuations. This was the largest Public works project in history and ultimately created the modernized road/ highways system we see today. -
The ICBM (International Ballistic missiles) were nuclear bomb-carrying missiles that have ranges over 5,000 miles. The knowledge of these missiles added even more terror into the heart of Americans during the Cold war because they knew nowhere on earth was safe. Russia was the first to successfully launch these missiles (the US soon followed) this would soon lead to the Cuban Missle crisis. -
After US intelligence received reports of soviet missiles in Cuba. Panic spreads throughout the country due to the close proximity of Cuba to the states, if an ICBM were to be launched no US land would be safe. After a low flying U-2 flight confirms the allegations JFK is forced to make a difficult decision: order airstrikes on the missile sites and risk war is the USSR or Order a naval blockade and stop Soviet ships from bringing in more missiles and other equipment, he chose the ladder.