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Reconstruction Begins
Although Reconstruction lasted only ten years it opened doors to African American men to enter into professions other than hard labor and subservient positions and led to their transition to wage labor. In addition to the 13th Amendment, the 14th Amendment was ratified prohibiting states from depriving any male citizen equal protection under the law and the 15th Amendment ratified granting the right to vote to African American males.
National Archives Website, The Constitution. -
Ratification of the 13th Amendment
After the Civil War ended, restoring the union was the focus. The ratification of the 13th Amendment of the Constitution put an end to slavery and involuntary servitude. This had a great economic effect on southern plantation owners in the Confederate states since this was the end of free labor. States affected were: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. National Archives Website, The Constitution. -
The Transcontinental Railroad is Complete
Central Pacific Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad connected their tracks at Promontory Point, UT, shortening travel time from months to weeks. For the first time new migration to the west was possible for the less prosperous who settled in the Midwest. Populations increased in California, Nevada, Kansas and Texas. This led to urban development and development of infrastructure and created wage earners who now had disposable income as the iron, wood, mining and coal industries grew. -
Thomas Edison Invents the Light Bulb
The invention of the light bulb had positive and negative effects. The first power plant opened in 1882 and for the first time businesses were able to extend available work hours around the clock. This allowed them to increase production to meet growing customer demand for products, thus the demand for employees working long hours in poor conditions also increased. These workers needed to live close to the factories so this spurred urban development and population explosions in major cities. -
Alfred Mahan's "The Influence of Sea Power upon History" was Published
Mahan's book was Instrumental in the country’s move toward foreign expansion. It listed three strategies to assist the U.S. in constructing and maintaining an empire. This led to the passage of the Naval Act of 1890, resulting in the U.S. becoming the 3rd largest naval fleet in the world. In addition to annexing Puerto Rico, this allowed America to expand in the Pacific allowing control of maritime routes and naval stations.
OpenStax, US History (Houston TX:OpenStax, 2017), 641. -
The Spanish American War
Often referred to as the first "media war" due to sensationalized journalism led by William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, their yellow journalism, as it was called, fueled the public's passion for war after the explosion of the USS Maine, blaming Spain without evidence. Fought in the Caribbean and the Pacific, the war helped liberate Cuba from Spanish Control. The world realized the U.S. as a formidable military power."Crucible of Empire The Spanish American War." ,PBS. -
John Hays Wrote His "Open Door Notes"
Secretary of State Hays sent a letter to Great Britain, Japan, France Russia and Germany to express U.S. interest in China’s markets and to gain America access for trade. He wanted equal treatment for all foreign trade in China and to minimize the imperial power of countries with "spheres of influence". His three main points discussed equality regarding treaty ports, tariffs, levies and recognition of the Chinese government.
Letter,1, Hays https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/opendoor.htm. -
The Panama Canal Opens
The Panama Canal forever changed world trade and military defense patterns. It connected the Atlantic and the Pacific, shortening travel times and saving merchants millions. It opened up global trading to Latin America and increased America's influence in the Caribbean. It further solidified the U.S.as a global power and highlighted U.S. technology and innovation. Michael E. Donoghue, "The Panama Canal and the United States," - Oxford Research Encyclopedia of American History, June 08, 2017. -
The United States Declares War on Germany
The U.S. enters WWI after German U-boats sunk five American passenger ships, straining U.S.-German relations; then in Feb.1917 the Zimmerman Telegram is intercepted by British Intelligence inviting Mexico to join the war on Germany’s side should the US declare war on Germany, encouraging Mexico to invade America. This led to Congress passing the Protective Service Act created to draft men to shore up a fighting force. OpenStax, US History (Houston TX:OpenStax, 2017), 641. -
WWI Ends
Germany and allies declare an armistice. This is the beginning of the peace process. 117,000 American soldiers died, 206,000 were wounded. The war cost the U.S. over $32 billion. Fifty-three years after reconstruction America emerged as the dominant world power. At home millions of women entered the workforce and African American men and women held jobs unavailable to them prior to the war. This led to a shift in cultural expectations.
OpenStax, US History (Houston TX:OpenStax, 2017) 684. -
The Roaring Twenties Begin
After WWI ends Americans begin to loosen up and enjoy life. Attitudes have changed. The Women's Suffrage Movement leveraged the war to get the 19th Amendment passed, one year earlier, giving them the right to vote. More women were seeking an education and thinking about careers. Consumerism was here to stay, The country's focus was on entertainment and goods and services beyond necessities. More American owned cars and radios and spent money on movies and live sports events. -
Black Tuesday
The stock market crash was a major event that played a role in the economic downfall that led to the Great Depression. Greed, speculation, low bank reserves, a lack of bank safeguards and a weak global economy were responsible for sending the U.S. into an economic depression. Low public confidence and accelerated stock margin loans created a run on the banks and created a sell order frenzy to cover those loans. In one month the stock market lost 40% of its value. The Roaring Twenties were over.
