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Alexis de Tocqueville
published democracy in America and identified five values he found critical to America's success. egalitarianism, individualism, laissez faire, liberty, and populism -
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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. -
Woodrow Wilson
president from 1913-1921. advocat for women's suffrage. president durring WWI. proposed 14 points as a basis for post-war peace. supported U.S. membership in League of Nations; U.S. failed to join. -
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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. -
John J. Pershing
named commander of American expeditionary Force (AEF) durring WWI by Woodrow WIlson. insisted that U.S soldiers fight as a unit and not be spread throuought French forces -
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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. -
Warren G. Harding
called for a return to normalcy appointed friends to positions. teaopt dome scandal tainted his reputation -
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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. -
Franklin D. Roosevelt
pulled country out of the great depression with the new deal. declared war on japan after bombing of pearl harbor. -
Douglas Macarthur
comander of U.S. armi in the pacific durrin WWII. comander of U.S. forces in korean Conflict. disagreement with truman over use of nuclear weapons in North Korea and China. public criticism of Truman lead to his removal -
Omar Bradley
WWII general. selected by eisenhower to lead U.S. forces into france after normandy invasion. commander durring battle of the bulge. pushed his troops for the final offensive into germany. -
Dwight D Eisenhower
supreme comander of D-day and alied invasion of Europe in WWII. president from 1953-1961. created the interstate Highway system in 1956. extended U.S. containment of communism policy to middle east -
Chester W. Nimitz
commander of pacific fleet durring WWII. commander at battle of midway victory. successfully organized halt of japanese advances -
George Marshall
army chief of staff and advisor to Rosevelt durring WWII. Created the marshall plan designed to rebuild the economics and spirits of europe. -
George S. Patton
comander of U.S. forces in North Africa and Sicily. lead third army accross europe. thaught U.S. should turn on and fight russians after Germany's surrender. -
Harry S. Truman
used atomic weapons against japan wo bring WWII to an end. assisted in the founding of the united nations.executed policy to contain communism (truman doctrine) -
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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. -
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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 U.S. government. no proofe of his allegations ever provided. lead a "witch" hunt for communists. -
Rosa Parks
aressted for refusing to give up her seat on a buss to a white person. her actions lead to montgomery boycott; lead to integrated buses and thrust her into the national spotlight. -
Martin Luther King Jr.
clergy man, activist & leader in the civi rights movement. advanced civil rights by using non violent civil disobedience. (influenced by Gandhi) -
Cesar Chavez
leader of the chicano movement to eliminate racism against mexican americans. organized farm workers in california. demanded increse ages and beter working conditions. emphasized non-violent methods- boycotts, strikes, hunger fasts. -
John F. Kennedy
supported space race- john glenn orbited earth. embarrased by bay of pigs invasion (unsuccesfull atempt to overthrow castro). created Alliance for Progress and Peace Corp- programs to promote progress in under-developed countries to discourage the spread of communism. avoided nuclear showdown- cuban missile crisis -
Betty Friedan
leader in women,s liberation moveement. helped form NOW (national organivation of women) became central voice of women's movement. wrote the feminine mystique- challanged the traditional role of women. -
Richard Nixon
normalized relations with china. introduced detente with soviet union (relaxing of tention and de-escalading arms race. resigned office to avoid impeachment after watergate scandal -
Phyllis Schlafly
conservative activist. founder of the eagle fourm - opposed modern feminism. campaigned against Equal Rights Ammendment -
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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 the supreme court in1918. first female justice. established her voice as a swing vote between conservatives & liberals -
Ronald Ragan
reduced taxes and regulations to encourage business activity- Reaganomics. belived you achieve peace by being prepared for war. "peace throught streangth". his presidency saw the biginings of the end of the cold war. -
Hector P. Garcia
Mexican American physician and surgeon durring WWII. human rights advocate and founder of AMerican G.I. Fourm. First Mexican American to serve on the U.S commision of Civil Rights. awarded presidential medal of honor freedom (highest civilian honor) in 1984 -
Bill Clinton
balanced federal budget-cut spending, raised taxes on the rich and closed military bases. Supported NAFTA- gradualy phased tarrifs. stood against human rights abuse in Kosovo and China. Avided impeachment- vote went along party lines. -
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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. -
Barack Obama
1st african american to be elected president. appointed sonia Sotomayor to supreme court. supported health care reforms and banking reforms
