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George Washington Elected President
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Judiciary Act of 1789– Established the Supreme Court
Established the Supreme Court -
Rhode Island becomes 9th state to officially ratify the Constitution
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1791 – Alexander Hamilton creates Bank of the United States (opposed by Jefferson)
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Proclamation of American Neutrality (by George Washington)
keeps America neutral after France declares war on Britain, Spain, and Holland (example of U.S. foreign policy) -
Whiskey Rebellion
1st time U.S. Government uses Federal troops to subdue domestic issues (Farmers did not like new excise taxes) -
Treaty of Greenville
U.S. cheaply pays 12 Native American tribes for Ohio territory -
John Adams (Federalist) defeats Thomas Jefferson (Republican) in first contested Presidential Election; Jefferson becomes Vice President
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XYZ Affair
French try to extort U.S. for diplomatic meetings – public wants war -
1798– Alien & Sedition Acts – Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions
Alien & Sedition Acts – expands Gov’t power, limit dissent and weakening of Gov’t, ruled unconstitutional
-Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions – increase state rights over Federal rights, written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison -
2nd Great Awakening
major religious reform movement; helps increase abolition -
1800 – Thomas Jefferson defeats John Adams (controversy); Aaron Burr is VP
1800 – Thomas Jefferson defeats John Adams (controversy); Aaron Burr is VP
-Alexander Hamilton suggests U.S. capital moves to Washington, D.C. (move helps gain
Southern support for Hamilton’s economics) -
John Marshall becomes first chief justice of the Supreme Court
John Marshall becomes first chief justice of the Supreme Court -Judiciary Act/Midnight Judges – Adams attempt to secure the Federalist party days before he is to leave office by appointing Federalists into office -
Aaron Burr kills Alexander Hamilton in a duel
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Marbury vs. Madison establishes Judicial Review
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Louisana Purchase
not known to Jefferson if it was constitutional to annex land, Congress approves purchase from France, doubles the size of U.S. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition sets to survey land of Louisana Purchase (Sacagawea guided)
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Embargo Act
placed by Jefferson on Britain/France; fails – hurts U.S. economy -
James Madison elected President
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Tecumseh establishes union of Native Americans to resist westward movement of U.S.
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William Henry Harrison leads attack on Tecumseh at Battle of Tippecanoe
William Henry Harrison leads attack on Tecumseh at Battle of Tippecanoe -
Native Americans begin attacking U.S. settlers (weapons provided by Britain)
Native Americans begin attacking U.S. settlers (weapons provided by Britain) -
Congress declares war on Britain (issues – impressments, blockades, economy, Native Americans)
Congress declares war on Britain (issues – impressments, blockades, economy, Native Americans) -
Treat of Ghent ends War of 1812
Treat of Ghent ends War of 1812 -
‘Era of Good Feelings’ (one party politics) begins in the U.S.
‘Era of Good Feelings’ (one party politics) begins in the U.S. -
Harford Convention
New England’s states threaten secession; Federalist Party is no more -
U.S independence finally confirmed
Good relations with Britain begins (i.e. sharing of Oregon Territory) -
Underground Railroad provides Northern escape for slaves
Underground Railroad provides Northern escape for slaves -
James Monroe elected 5th President (reelected in 1820)
James Monroe elected 5th President (reelected in 1820) -
Erie Canal
construction begins (connects Great Lakes to Atlantic Ocean) -
McCulloch vs. Maryland
ruling confirms Congresses’ right to found the 2nd Bank of the United States -
Spain cedes Florida to the U.S.
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Missouri Compromise
sets dividing line between free and slaves states at
latitude 36’30’ o Above line (free), Below line (slave) -
Stephen F. Austin establishes first U.S. Settlement in Texas
Stephen F. Austin establishes first U.S. Settlement in Texas -
Monroe Doctrine
claims western hemisphere closed to European intervention (first major U.S. foreign diplomacy) -
Gibbons vs. Ogden
establishes federal control of interstate commerce -
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams die on same day (50th anniversary of Dec. of Independence)
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams die on same day (50th anniversary of Dec. of Independence) -
Andrew Jackson elected 7thPresident
Andrew Jackson elected 7thPresident -
First Jim Crow Laws established (legal segregation)
First Jim Crow Laws established (legal segregation) -
Manifest Destiny
U.S. destiny and duty to expand and conquer the west -
William Lloyd Garrison
wants immediate emancipation (he was white) -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
ends Mexican War, Mexico cedes Texas and all land north of the Rio Grande to U.S. (creates modern border of the U.S. with
Gadsden Purchase) -
Compromise of 1850
North gets California as free states, ban of sale of slaves in D.C.
South gets stricter enforcement of Fugitive Slave Act, $10 mil to Texas -
Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes Uncle Tom’s Cabin -
“Bleeding Kansas”
John Brown leads antislavery massacre at Pottawatomie Creek, fight over slavery in Kansas -
Dred Scott vs. Sanford
ruling effectively nullifies Missouri Compromise, declares that slaves are property – cannot sue. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Stephen Douglas wins Illinois Senate seat. Lincoln a household name -
John Brown leads attack on arsenal at Harper’s Ferry; later captured and hanged
John Brown leads attack on arsenal at Harper’s Ferry; later captured and hanged -
– Abraham Lincoln elected 16th President; South Carolina secedes the Union = Civil War
– Abraham Lincoln elected 16th President; South Carolina secedes the Union = Civil War -
– Confederate States formed , Jefferson Davis – 1st and only President
– Confederate States formed , Jefferson Davis – 1st and only President -
– Fort Sumter (S.C.) – confederates attack Union – war starts
– Fort Sumter (S.C.) – confederates attack Union – war starts -
Homestead Act
160 acres to each farmer willing to cultivate land in West -
Battle of Antietam
bloodiest battle of the Civil War -
Battle of Gettysburg
turning point of Civil War; South never recovers -
– Emancipation Proclamation
frees slaves in only Confederate states; foreign diplomacy! -
William Sherman – ‘March to Sea’
Atlanta to Savannah – destroys everything! -
13th Amendment
abolishes slavery -
– Gen. Robert E. Lee (confederacy) surrenders at Appomattox Court House to Union Gen. Ulysses Grant
– Gen. Robert E. Lee (confederacy) surrenders at Appomattox Court House to Union Gen. Ulysses Grant -
– Abraham Lincoln assassinated by John Wilkes Booth; Andrew Johnson now President
– Abraham Lincoln assassinated by John Wilkes Booth; Andrew Johnson now President -
South establishes Black Codes–
limits rights of freed blacks -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
grants citizenship to all people born in U.S. (14th
Amendment -
Tenure of Office Act
used to impeach Andrew Johnson (said he had violated it) -
U.S. purchase Alaska from Russia (becomes 49th state in 1959)
U.S. purchase Alaska from Russia (becomes 49th state in 1959) -
– Transcontinental Railroad–
connects the coasts of the United States; greatest transportation achievement -
15thAmendmen
grants protection of voting rights to black males -
Hiram Revels
first black senator – Mississippi -
William “Boss” Tweed
– greatest example of a political machine (NYC) -
Slaughter House Cases
authority of state governments over individuals -
Whiskey Ring Scandal–
corruption in Grants administration & Republican party -
– Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse lead Sioux to crushing victory of General George Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn
– Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse lead Sioux to crushing victory of General George Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn -
Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone
Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone -
- Susan B. Anthony –
- Susan B. Anthony –leads to 19th Amendment
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Thomas Edison creates the electric light
Thomas Edison creates the electric light -
President James Garfield assassinated
President James Garfield assassinated -
Booker T. Washington
gradual approach to equal rights – prove yourself W.E.B Dubois – changes in civil rights now; founds the NAACP -
Chinese Exclusion Act –
bans Chinese immigration for 10 years -
– John D. Rockefeller –
Standard Oil Trust; Andrew Carnegie – Steel -
Dawes Severalty Act
denies tribal rights, advances forced assimilation, opens lands to whites -
Wounded Knee
Federal forces massacre 200 Sioux Indians -
Sherman Antitrust Act
Sherman Antitrust Act –restraints -
Populist Party
formed specifically to give farmers a voice in government -
Yellow Journalism
– journalism that features unethical or unprofessional practices by news media
organizations or individual journalists -
- **Plessy vs. Ferguson
‘Separate but Equal’ is constitutional (overturned by Brown vs. Board of Education) -
– Grandfather Clause
– voting rights of blacks challenged with literacy tests and poll taxes -
Spanish-American War
Teddy Roosevelt leads Rough Riders, U.S. crushes Spain’s Navy -
Treat of Paris
ends the Spanish-American War -
Open Door Policy –
– U.S. attempt to gain foothold in Chinese markets -
President McKinley assassinated, Teddy Roosevelt now 26th President
President McKinley assassinated, Teddy Roosevelt now 26th President -
Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine –
increases U.S. presence in Latin America -
Muckraker
writers who expose big business corruption -
– Pure Food and Drug Act, Meat Inspection
set food quality standards -
– Panama Canal
connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (opens in 1914) -
Henry Ford introduces the Model T car, assembly lines introduced
Henry Ford introduces the Model T car, assembly lines introduced -
16th Amendment
– establishment of income tax , 17th Amend.– direct election of senators -
World War I begins in Europe
World War I begins in Europe -
German U-Boat sinks British passenger liner Lusitania, Americans killed on board
German U-Boat sinks British passenger liner Lusitania, Americans killed on board -
– Germany continues unrestricted submarine warfare
– gets warning from U.S -
Zimmerman Telegram
– intercepted by British, asks for Germany/Mexico alliance against U.S.;
US. Enters WWI -
– Selective Service Act
– establishes the draft -
Fourteen Points
by Woodrow Wilson, 14th pt most important – calls for League of Nations -
Treaty of Versailles
ends WWI; calls for heavy reparations on Germany, disarmament, and creation of League of Nations; U.S. Senate rejects it -
18th Amendment–
outlaws purchase, sale, and transport of alcohol -
– 19th Amendment
women’s suffrage (right to vote) -
– Teapot Dome Scandal –
exposes massive corruption in Harding Administration -
Dawes Plan
ease war reparations on Germany -
– Scopes Monkey Trial
popularizes debate over teaching evolution in schools – outlawed -
Charles Lindbergh
completes world’s first solo flight across Atlantic – seen as a hero -
– Sacco and Vanzetti
– executed for murder; controversial because the were anarchists, politically
motivated and unjustified -
– Stock Market Crash
‘Black Tuesday’ – launches Great Depression -
Bonus Army (WWI vets) march on Washington demanding compensation – forced out
Bonus Army (WWI vets) march on Washington demanding compensation – forced out -
Franklin Delano Roosevelt elected President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt elected President -
U.S. unemployment rate reaches 25%, FDR claims Bank Holiday to fix banks
U.S. unemployment rate reaches 25%, FDR claims Bank Holiday to fix banks -
- Fireside Chats –
– FDR address public on radio – continues to 1944 – gives public hope -
1st 100 Days
creation of countless jobs, most productive of any president’s 1st 100 days -
- Unemployment Relief Act and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to employ public works
Unemployment Relief Act and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to employ public works
oAAA – controls crop production, compensates farmers for cooperation
oTVA – established to construct dams in Tennessee River to generate electricity
oNIRA – sets nationwide business practices
oNRA – manage industry recovery
oPWA – employ jobless -
huey long
criticizes FDR, “Share Our Wealth” proposes large tax burden on wealthy -
Wagner Act–
supports union rights, protects collective bargaining -
- Social Security Act –
establishes funds for unemployed and elderly -
– FDR elected for unprecedented 3rd Term
– FDR elected for unprecedented 3rd Term -
– Lend-Lease Act
provides U.S. loan aid to Britain, USSR & allied powers -
Atlantic Charter–
agreement b/n U.S President FDR and Britain Prime Minister Churchill -
- Propaganda–
motivate U.S. citizens to support war efforts -
Battle of Midway
U.S. defeats Japan, seen as turning point in the war in the Pacific -
Interment of Japanese Americans
imprisonment of Japanese in California -
Manhattan Project
– creation of the Atomic Bomb -
– Allies invade Normandy, France on D-DAY, June 6, 1944 (largest land/sea invasion)
– Allies invade Normandy, France on D-DAY, June 6, 1944 (largest land/sea invasion) -
Battle of the Bulge
– begins to break down Axis position on western front -
Allies liberate Nazi concentration camps in Eastern Europe
Allies liberate Nazi concentration camps in Eastern Europe -
FDR dies, Harry Truman becomes President; Adolf Hitler commits suicide
FDR dies, Harry Truman becomes President; Adolf Hitler commits suicide -
Germany surrenders on V-E-DAY(victory in Europe day)
Germany surrenders on V-E-DAY(victory in Europe day) -
U.S. drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima (Aug. 6) and Nagasaki (Aug 9) – Japan surrenders
U.S. drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima (Aug. 6) and Nagasaki (Aug 9) – Japan surrenders -
United Nations created with 51 founding nations
United Nations created with 51 founding nations -
Nuremberg Trials
prosecute Nazi war criminals Baby Boom, Economic Prosperity, -
“Iron Curtain” – describes division of Communist Eastern Europe from Western Europe
“Iron Curtain” – describes division of Communist Eastern Europe from Western Europe -
– Truman Doctrine
U.S. intent to fight Communism by helping free nations resist it. -
– Marshal Plan
– postwar economic recovery to help Western Europe; largest relief aid given by the U.S. in U.S. history -
Berlin Blockade
– USSR blocks all aid into West Berlin; Berlin Airlift – U.S. drops food and supplies by air to West Berlin -
Harry Truman orders desegregation of military
Harry Truman orders desegregation of military -
– NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) created
– alliance system of 26 countries in North America and Europe -
Korean war begins ; U.S. aids South Korea against North Korea; Peace Treaty in 1953
Korean war begins ; U.S. aids South Korea against North Korea; Peace Treaty in 1953 -
Joseph McCarthy
– begins rabid anti-communist campaign; hurt when he accuses military of having communists; alcoholic -
Communist Fear in U.S.
– Julius and Ethel Rosenberg executed for espionage -
– “Containment"
”-(Truman) must stop spread of all communism; “Domino Theory” (Eisenhower) – fears that Indochina must not go communist or it will spread all over the world -
- * Brown vs. Board of Education –
overturns Plessy vs. Ferguson; says separate but equal is unconstitutional -
Geneva Peace Accords
– temporally divides Vietnam at 17th parallel -
Rosa Parks arrested for not giving up seat on bus to whites; sparks Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks arrested for not giving up seat on bus to whites; sparks Montgomery Bus Boycott -
– Jonas Salk
creates polio vaccine -
USSR launches first satellite in space
– Sputnik -
1st televised Presidential debate
JFK vs. Nixon (JFK wins); JFK president 1960 -
JFK launches New Frontier platform to help America
JFK launches New Frontier platform to help America -
Lunch Counter “Sit-Ins” spark waves of civil rights protest; SCLC created by MLK, Jr.
Lunch Counter “Sit-Ins” spark waves of civil rights protest; SCLC created by MLK, Jr. -
Bay of Pigs
failed invasion of Cuba by U.S. (CIA) trained military -
– Berlin Wall
– divides East and West Berlin (East was communist) -
- Cuban Missile Crisis
standoff b/n U.S. and USSR after Soviets placed missiles in Cuba pointed at the United States; no fighting incurs -
– “I have a dream” speech given by MLK –
speech for civil rights -
– Lee Harvey Oswald assassinates JFK in Dallas, TX
– Lee Harvey Oswald assassinates JFK in Dallas, TX -
Lyndon Johnson President
– launches “Great Society” program to end poverty and racism -
– Civil Rights Act of 1964
bans discrimination in education, employment, & public places -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
broadens LBJ’s military powers in Vietnam – no declare war -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
bans literacy tests for voting -
– Malcom X (Nation of Islam) –
– blamed whites for African American problems; assassinated -
Miranda vs. Arizona
police must read suspects their rights -
Thurgood Marshall
– first black justice of the Supreme Court -
– James Earl Ray assassinated MLK, Jr
– hurts Civil Rights movement -
– Tet Offensive launched by North Vietnamese Army
– turning point of U.S. in Vietnam -
Sirhan Sirhan assassinated Robert Kennedy, JFK’s brother; Richard Nixon voted President
Sirhan Sirhan assassinated Robert Kennedy, JFK’s brother; Richard Nixon voted President -
– Apollo 11 lands on the moon, Neil Armstrong first to walk on moon
– Apollo 11 lands on the moon, Neil Armstrong first to walk on moon -
– My Lai Massacre
– U.S. soldiers kill 200 innocent men, women, and children -
Pentagon Papers
– 7,000 page document outlining U.S. government plan in Vietnam; shows gov’t was not telling truth to public. -
– Watergate Scandal
Nixon authorizes break-in and wiretapping of Democratic National Committee headquarters in Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. -
– Roe vs. Wade
– legalizes abortion (up to 3 months) -
– U.S. Energy Crisis
fuel shortage in U.S. due to OPEC raising prices -
U.S. withdraws from Vietnam; North Vietnam overtakes South after departure
U.S. withdraws from Vietnam; North Vietnam overtakes South after departure -
Jimmy Carter elected President
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Camp David Accords
Carter negotiates peace between Egypt and Israel -
Three Mile Island
nuclear power accident causes concern of nuclear safety -
Ronald Reagan elected 40th President
Ronald Reagan elected 40th President -
Iran releases U.S. embassy hostages released after 444 days in captivity
Iran releases U.S. embassy hostages released after 444 days in captivity -
– Strategic Defense Initiative (a.k.a. STAR WARS) –
space based missile defense proposed -
– Space Shuttle Challenger explodes on takeoff, crew killed; space program never the same
– Space Shuttle Challenger explodes on takeoff, crew killed; space program never the same -
– U.S. bombs Libya for supporting Palestinians
– U.S. bombs Libya for supporting Palestinians -
Osama Bin Laden founds Islamist group Al Qaeda
Osama Bin Laden founds Islamist group Al Qaeda -
Chinese government crushes pro-democracy revolt in Tiananmen Square
Chinese government crushes pro-democracy revolt in Tiananmen Square -
– Berlin Wall falls (Reagan feels its U.S.’s great est accomplishment of the era)
– Berlin Wall falls (Reagan feels its U.S.’s great est accomplishment of the era) -
Saddam Hussein orders invasion of Kuwait; starts Operation Desert Storm
Saddam Hussein orders invasion of Kuwait; starts Operation Desert Storm -
Bill Clinton President; appoints Janet Reno first female attorney general
Bill Clinton President; appoints Janet Reno first female attorney general