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Alexis de Tocqueville
1835-published Democracy in America; identified the value he found critical to America's success:
-Egalitarianism (equality)
-Individualism
-Laissez-faire(hands off_
-Liberty
-Populism (popular sovereignty) -
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The Gilded Age – Post Reconstruction [1877] - 1900
A period of expansion, industrialization, immigration and urbanization with significant effects on
Native Americans, workers, immigrants, and the rise of big business in the late 19th century. -
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Age of Imperialism and Reform – 1898 - 1919
During the early 20th century the U.S. entered a new historical era: an Age of Expansionism
beyond our natural borders as the country moved from isolationism. U.S. imperialism led to
involvement in the Spanish-American War, changing policies in Latin America and Asia and
eventually to World War I. At home, reformers made efforts to correct economic and social
abuses of the Gilded Age. -
16th Amendment
This amendment has to do with the income tax. It gives the Congress to tax a person income. -
17th Amendment
People would elect their Senator. This established direct election of United States Senators by a popular vote. -
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World War I – 1914 – 1918
This was an era in which the global conflict of World War I and its effects had an impact on all
Americans. -
18th Amendment
Prohibition of alcohol. It banned the sale of alcoholic beverages, -
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The Roaring 20s
This was also an era of significant prosperity and social change as Americans became more
isolationist and responded to significant change in social norms, consumerism, technological
advances and artistic achievement. -
19th Amendment
It gave the right for women to vote. This established that no state could discrminate a citizen the right to vote based on gender. -
Warren G. Harding
-President from 1921-1923
-Called for a "return to normalcy"-less foreign involvement; emphasis on prosperity at home.
-Appointed friends to positions;Teapot Dome scandal tainted his reputation. -
Woodrow Wilson
President from 1913-1921
Advocate fro women's suffrage
President during WWI
Proposed Fourteen Points as a basis for post war peace
Supported US membership in League of Nations; US failed to join -
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Great Depression: 1930s
Beginning with the Stock Market Crash in 1929, this era is marked by severe depression and
the increasing role of the Federal government to improve the economy. -
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Rise of Dictators and World War II – 1930s and 1940s
The rise of totalitarian governments in Europe and East Asia led to World War II and
involvement of the United States in that conflict. -
Douglas MacArthur
Commander of US army in the Pacific during WWII
Commander of US forces in Korean Conflict
Disagreement with Truman over use of nuclear weapons in North Korea and China.
Public criticism of Truman led to his removal -
George S. Patton
Commander of US forces in North Africa and Sicily
Led Third Army across Europe
Throught US should turn on & flight Russians after Germany's surrender -
Omar Bradley
World War II general
Selected by Eisenhower to lead US forces into France after Normady invasion
Commander during Battle of the Bulge
Pused his troops for the final offensive into Germany -
Harry S. Truman
-President form 1945-1953
-Used atomic weapons against Japan to bring WWI to an end.
-Assisted in the founding of the United Nations.
-Executed policy to contain communism(Truman Doctrine) -
Franklin D. Roosevelt.
-President from 1932-1945 (elected to 4 terms)
-Pulled country out of Great Depression with New Deal.
-Declared war on Japan after bombing of Pearl Harbor - US entered WWI.
-Worked closely with Winston Churchill during WWII. -
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Cold War – Post WWII through the 1980s
This post-war era is marked by issues of communism vs. democracy in Europe and America
after World War II. It includes the United States and the Soviet Union as competing
superpowers in the balance of power. The escalation of the Cold War from containment to the
outbreak of the Korean War and foreign policies of the Kennedy / Johnson years including the
growing conflict in Vietnam as well as the ending of the Cold War in the 1980s. -
Chester W. Nimitz
-Commander of Pacific Fleet during WWII.
Commander at Battle of Midway victory
-Successfully organized halt of Japenese advances. -
John J. Pershing
-Named Commander of American Expeditionary Force (AEF) during WWI by Woodrow Wilson
-Insisted that US soldiers fight as a unit and not be spread throughout French forces.
-Led forces at Battle of Argonne Forest. -
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Civil Rights – 1950s, 1960s and beyond
This era highlights the issues of emerging rights for minorities and the leaders and critical
events of the modern 20th century civil rights movement. -
Joseph McCarthy
Conducted hearings to identify Communists he claimed infiltrated US government
No proof of his allegations ever provided
Led to a "which" hunt for Communists -
Rosa Parks
-Arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to white person.
-Her actions led to Montgomery Bus Boycott(1955-56).
-Led to integrated buses and thrust her into the national spotlight. -
Dwight D. Eisenhower
-Supreme Commander of D-DAY &allied invasion of Europe in WWII
-President from 1953-1961 (2 terms)
-Created the Interstate Highway System in 1956
-Extended US containment of communism policy to Middle East. -
George Marshall
-Amry Chief os Staff and advisor to Roosevelt during WWII.
-Churchill referred to him as the "organizer of victory"
-Create Marshall Plan designed to rebuild the economies and spirits of Europe.
-Served as Truman's Secretary of State. -
Martin Luther King Jr.
-Clergy, activist & leader in the Civil Rights Movement
-Advanced civil rights using non-violent civil disobedience (influenced by Gandhi)
-Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955), Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963), March on Washington (1963). -
John F. Kennedy
-President from 1961-1963
--Supported Space Race - John Glenn orbited earth
-Embarrased by Bay of Pigs Invasion (unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Castro)
-created Alliance for Progress & Peace Corp - programs to promote progress in under developed countried to discourage the spread of communism.
-Avoided nuclear showdown- Cuban Missile Crisis -
24th Amendment
Prohibits any poll tax . A poll tax was when a citizen had to pay a fee to vote in a national election. -
26th Amendment
People who were 18 can vote now, since in Vietnam they will fight, so they can vote, too. -
Richard Nixon
President from 1969-1974
Normalized (rreopened) relations with Red China (1972)
Introduced ditente with Soviet Union (relaxing of tension and de-escalating arms race)
Resigned office to avoid impeachement after Watergate scandal/ -
Phyllis Schlafly
Conservative activist
Founder of Eagle Forum - opposes modern feminism
Campaigned agaisnt Equal Rights Amendment" -
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Late 20th Contemporary Issues 1980s – 2000
An era of change as the U.S. experienced the end of the Cold War, new conflicts in the Middle
East, the impeachment of a President and a controversial election to begin a new century. -
Sandra Day O' Conner
-Appointed to Supreme Court in 1981
-First female Justice
-Established her voice as a swing vot between conservatives & liberals -
Hector P Garcia
Mexican American physician & surgeon during WWII
Human rights advocated and founder of American GI Forum
First Mexican American to serve on US Commission on Civil Rights
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom (highest civilian honor) in 1984 -
Ronald Reagan
President from 1981-1989
Reduced taxes & regulations to encourage business activity - Reaganomics
Believed you achieved peace by being prepared for war - "Peace Through Streght "
His presidency saw the beginings of the end of the Cold War. -
Cesar Chavez
-Leader of Chicano Movement to eliminate racism against Mexican Americans
-Organized farm workers in California
-Demanded increased wages and better working conditions.
-Emphasized non violent methods boycotts, strikes, hunger fasts. -
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21st Century
Early in this century America dealt with a new threat of terrorism at home with the attacks on the
World Trade Center on 9/11 and a decade of the “War Against Terror”. This era also marked the
election of the first African-American President of the United States in 2008. -
Betty Friedan
-Leader in Women's Liberation Movement
-Helped form NOW (National Organization of Women)-became central voice of Women's Movement.
Wrote the Feminine Mystique.
-challenged the traditional role of women. -
Bill Clinton
President from 1993-2001 (2 terms)
Balanced federal budget cut spending, raised taxes on rich and closed military bases
Supported NAFTA - gradually phased out tariffs.
Stood agaisnt human rights abuse in Kosovo and China
Avoided impeachment - vote went along party lines -
Barack Obama
1st African American to be elected President
Appointed Sonia Sotomayor to Supreme Court
Supported health care reforms & banking reforms
