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Reconstruction
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Sand Creek Massacre (2 of 2)
... by many soon after it occurred, and Chivington eventually resigned. But this event would not change the government and army's attitude of relentless western expansion. -
Sand Creek Massacre (1 of 2)
On this day over 400 natives of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes were killed simply as an act of treachery by Colonel Chivington’s and his Colorado volunteers. There was a longstanding tension between the tribes and the government about the reservations given to the natives, although in August of 1864 they had met with Black Kettle and everyone was happy with the peace talks. They killed even women and children, based seemingly only off racism and nationalism. The massacre was condemned... -
Civil Rights Act of 1866 (1 of 2)
President Johnson's Reconstruction plan was hinged on the hope that punishing the aristocrats more heavily would cause a new class of Southerners to replace them in power. In reality many states developed Black Codes which seriously limited freedmen's rights. While Johnson declared his state restoration plan a success, Republicans were not satisfied and responded with this act which defined the rights of all American-born citizens. This act cemented the Rebublicans' intent... -
Civil Rights Act of 1866 (2 of 2)
... to fight for black rights, as well as (perhaps more significantly) their intent to pass whatever would secure them the black vote. -
Enforcement Acts (1870-1871) (2 of 2)
... only to be "waving a bloody shirt" for political opportunity. Democrats regained political control in the South in the following years, and much of the violence these acts aimed to prevent eventaully returned. -
Enforcement Acts (1870-1871) (1 of 2)
The Enforcement Acts passed by Congress from '70-'71 marked a shift away from the federal attitude that the Acts themselves meant to strengthen. They made it criminal to deprive African Americans of their rights. Although they worked to slow racial violence to an extent at first, Democrats used the acts to argue that Republicans were making up the violence and creating these laws (which they argued restated crimes that were already made illegal by the Civil Rights Act and 14th Amendment)... -
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Guilded Age / Corruption
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Panic of 1873
A six-year global depression spurred a lot of poverty in America and a platform for politicians and businessmen to gain from corruption. Too much money from the War led to an increased reliance on borrowing and buying. Companies failed and unemployment skyrocketed. Led to large urban movement. The gov't cemented the gold standard, reducing available money even more. NY Stock Exchange closed, tens of thousands of Americans went bankrupt. The gap between the super-rich and super-poor widened. -
Democratic Return to Congressional Power (1/2)
Events in late 1873 led to an economic depression, which particularly affected the industrial North and added to the already suffering post-war South. Democrats leveraged their interest in restoring the economy against Republican civil rights interest, appealing to the masses and allowing them to return to power. This forced Republicans to focus on the same. Hayes (Rep) was elected in a very close race, and Democrats would only cede the presidency if Republicans removed the presence of troops.. -
Democratic Return to Congressional Power (2/2)
from the South. This led to a long, dark period of largely unrestricted violence against blacks and supporting Republicans and a large setback for black rights in America. -
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Imperialism
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Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 (1 of 2)
After the assassination of President Garfield by disgruntled political office-seeker Charles Guiteau, civil office reform became a big topic in the midterm elections of '82. The bill provided for the open selection of gov't employees, guaranteed the right of citizens to compete for federal appointment without regard to politics, religion, race, or national origin, and made mandatory election contributions from federal agents illegal, ensuring jobs in gov't were based on merit, not friendships. -
Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 (2 of 2)
However, with campaigns no longer being funded this way, big business became the main source of funding. This led to the beginning of an era defined by the Senate being "owned" by business. -
Ending Native American Culture (1 of 2)
Sacred dances of various tribes were banned to promote European religion. Then, as the Sioux tribe practiced the "Ghost Dance" (which prayed for the removal of white settlers), troops intervened and caused a skirmish which resulted in 200 Natives and Sitting Bull dead. The Dawes Severalty Act of 1887 further allowed the breakup of tribes into small plots (conforming with American individualism). Some of the land was sold to railroad companies and the money from the sales supposedly was used... -
Ending Native American Culture (2 of 2)
... to further civilize Natives. Some of the money was used to create Native-only schools in New England that aimed to replace Native culture with white culture. -
Jane Addams (1860-1935)
Addams founded the Hull House in Chicago in 1889, which worked to provided services for the community as well as expose unsafe living and working conditions. In 1912, she became the first woman to give a nominating speech at a major party convention when she seconded the nomination of the Progressive Party's Theodore Roosevelt. She publically disavowed the government's excessive military spending, advocating for spending on social reform. She recieved the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. -
Alfred Mahan (1840-1914)
Mahan is most notable for writing "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History" in which he argued that having a strong navy and building defense bases and refueling stations across the world's oceans were the key to world dominance and empire. The book was very popular in Germany and Britain, which influenced the countries' naval forces during WW1. It also influenced the public's opinion of expansion in Cuba and Hawaii. -
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Progressive Era
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Increase in Immigrants and Problems in Cities (1 of 3)
Housing in cities was the root of many issues. The explosion of poor immigrants arriving in cities meant lots of new factory jobs but not enough homes to house them. They were often sold rickety and gross spaces with absentee landlords. The close proximity in neighborhoods and lack of government support meant lots of diseases, lack of transportation and high risk of fire. With so much poverty, theft and violence were rampant and gangs came to take over the streets. -
Increase in Immigrants and Problems in Cities (3 of 3)
This partially influenced the outcome of the election of McKinley in 1896. Bosses like Tweed could also leverage the poor workers of the city to vote for Democrats by helping them. -
Birth and Death of the Populist Party (1 of 2)
The Populist Party was created mainly to combat the corruption in Washington and support the small farmers across the newly developed west. These farmers were deeply in debt and inflation only worsened their situation. They called for graduated income taxes, loans that allowed farmers to house crops in federal warehouses, a secret ballot (so their employers could no longer affect their votes), a 1-term president (to combat corruption), and
free and unlimited coinage of silver... -
Birth and Death of the Populist Party (1 of 2)
There were not enough debted, low-income farmers to support the Populist-turned-Democrat William Jennings Bryan in the 1896 election, and the party fizzled soon after. -
Increase in Immigrants and Problems in Cities (2 of 3)
However, immigrants stayed there because there were plenty of jobs, potential to rise economically, and schools. The country also benefitted from the great influx of low-paid immigrants, spurring quick national industrialization and development. More immigrants working under factory owners meant politicians and crime bosses could easily influence a large voter base using bribes and extortion. -
De Lome Letter
The letter influenced how Spain was percieved by the United States prior to the Spanish-American War. American ambassador Enrique DuPuy De Lome called President McKinley an incompetent leader, angering the United States. This led to a more warlike policy with expansion, especially in Cuba and the Philippines. -
USS Maine
The explosion of the USS Maine was an excellent example of yellow journalism during this period, which was a fabricated/exaggerated style of providing news; utilized prevalently by newspaper publishers William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. The explosion was an example of the influence of yellow journalism in America and the initiating factor of the Spanish-American War. The American battleship was blown up while docked in Havana harbor and Spain is blamed, even though it was an accident. -
Teller and Platt Amendments
The Teller Amendment made clear that the United States had no desire to colonize Cuba after the Spanish American War, ensuring Cubans their sovereignty. However, only 3 yrs. later the Platt Amendment nullified these promises. Cuba could not enter into any treaty with any other nation without America's permission, military intervention was permitted, all legislation passed in Cuba during American occupation was to remain, and Cuba was to sell or lease the U.S. land for naval purposes upon demand. -
Carrie A. Nation (1846-1911) (1 of 2)
Carrie A. Nation is best known for her axe-wielding rampages through bars, destroying bottles of alcohol to advocate for prohibition. She was revolutionary because she didn’t follow the expectations of even the Woman ‘s Christain Temperance Union that she founded, the leaders of which called her “unwomanly and unchristian.” She openly defied a very rich and luxurious hotel in order to share her stance on prohibition... -
Carrie A. Nation (1846-1911) (2 of 2)
...which was a bold move considering most woman’s clubs were made up of upper-class, educated woman. Her claim that she was motivated by the will of God also made her cause more justified and inspiring, and her actions helped to transform organizations like hers from conservative clubs to radical, “do everything” reform groups. -
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WWI
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Frederick Taylor (1856-1915)
Taylor's theory of Scientific Management said that workers should have close relationships with their managers and that jobs should be simplified and optimized. Additionally, workers should be incentivized with money, not employment, by only paying them if they do the required amount of work in a day. His ideas helped usher in the age of mass production. Many of his contributions aided the economy rather than worker's rights, as implementation of his practices caused resentment with his workers. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
On March 25, 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York caught on fire, killing 146 of the workers inside and injuring another 71. The workers were locked in as an effort by the owners to prevent unadministrated breaks, and the fire escape critically failed almost immediately. The workers had protested for safer conditions only a year earlier but their concerns were unmet. Although the owners were not found guilty, the event began a national growth in workplace reform. -
Gifford Pinchot (1865-1946)
Pinchot was the first Chief of the United States Forest Service from 1905 until his firing in 1910 and was the Governor of Pennsylvania from 1923 to 1927 and 1931 to 1935. He was an avid conversationalist and was a believer that natural resources should be protected and used for the benefit of people. His advcation for the building of the Hetch Hetchy Valley Dam helped lead to its creation. He was also a supporter of scientific, renewable, and profitable forestry. -
WW1 Propeganda
The CPI (Committee on Public Information), headed by George Creel, sent out 75,000 four minute men to deliver persuasive, patriotic speeches to support the war effort and created posters, pamphlets, and movies spreading anti-German propaganda. This led to some national fear and unsubstantiated accusations (especially towards German-Americans) but also revitalized the draft and created nationalism with ideas like Meatless Mondays and Wheatless Wednesdays that got all citizens involved. -
Tampico Incident
Seven American sailors were arrested by the Mexican government for being in off-limit areas. The sailors were released but America demanded a formal apology from Mexico as well as a 21-gun salute. When Mexico refused, Wilson demanded armed intervention. This eventually led to the destruction of diplomatic relations between U.S. and Mexico, the destabilization of the Mexican government, and the fall of General Huerta. -
Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924)
Early in his presidency, Wilson focused on reform, establishing the Federal Reserve and the Federal Trade Commission. He initially avoided the war, warning Germany of their sea practices but remaining neutral. He eventually entered to protect democracy (moral diplomacy). At the war's end, Wilson built the League of Nations to further ensure peace but could not convince Americans to join (over fear of entering another war). Later he would go against Prohibition and support women's suffrage. -
Final Push for Woman's Rights
By the 1890s, organizations like the Woman's Christain Temperance Union (which Nation founded), Woman's Trade Union League, and National American Suffrage Association were advocating for the woman's vote as a method of furthering respect for woman and economic participation; others used white supremacy as support. After WWI the NASA pushed for both state voting laws and a Constitutional amendment using marches and protests and by picketing the White House. In 1920, suffrage became a reality. -
Prohibition and Response
The 18th Amendment banned the creation and sale of any intoxicating beverage. This marked a cultural control of America by religious (temperance movement) and nationalistic beliefs. Bootlegging became prominent, first with importation and then with the creation of liquor. Organized crime grew and prohibition wasn't enforced because cops either wanted the alcohol or said it was more important to focus on the crime. Prohibition was repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933. -
Wilson's Struggle with the League of Nations
Wilson met pushback about the LON from other countries who were unsatisfied with territorial divisions and the Allied Powers' mild surrender terms on the Central Powers after the war. He was forced to concede many ideal goals for the preservation of peace.
Wilson was also unable to persuade Americans, who refused to allow the United States to enter any binding agreements with other nations, to back the League of Nations. Helped influence other countries' push into WWII. -
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Roaring 20s
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Emergency Quota Act of 1921 and Immigration Act of 1924
The first limited immigration to 3% of any given nationality per year based off of population in America in 1910, while the second changed this to 2% instead of 3 and 1890 instead of 1910. This caused more "old" immigrants and less from Southern Europe. The aim was to freeze the current American population. These acts were done in the name of the good of all Americans, but really they protected whites and encouraged discrimination against immigrants who were now isolated. -
Resurgence of the KKK
The KKK was built on nationalism and pride. The Great Migration and deeper assimilation of immigrants of different races helped to breed an environment of resentment that amplified the isolationist and nationalistic attitudes caused by WWI and the LoN. Immigration bans were lobbied for by the Klan, and hijacked elections took place across the country. Protestant religion was a major incluence of the Klan, as in the 20s they denounced alcohol, Jews, and Catholics. -
The Stimson Doctrine
Under Hoover Administration. Proclaimed that the United States would not acknowledge any former-Chinese Japanese military states. Western disapproval led to Japanese withdrawal from the League of Nations in 1933. The United States was opposed the Japanese aggression but the country had neither the political or physical capabilities to intervene. Made a clear statement that the US would keep its isolationist policy unless there was a direct reason to intervene. -
Chinese Exclusion Act (1 of 2)
The Chinese Exclusion Act, which barred Chinese labor immigration for ten years ending in 1943, was a typical example of the government passing a racially-charged bill rather than passing legislation that would force employers to be fairer. Workers were panicking about the immigrants entering the country to steal their jobs, but the government could have responded by either blocking all immigration or by forcing employers to raise wages. -
Chinese Exclusion Act (2 of 2)
However, the Gilded Age was a time in America defined by corporate influence over Congress, and the separation of immigrant ports made it easy to systematically discriminate against all Chinese. -
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WWII
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Franklin Delano Roosevelt during WWII (President 1933-1945)
At first, FDR maintained US neutrality, reflecting the public's sentiment since WWI. Although he lowkey supported the allies, suggested by his Four Freedoms speech in January 1941. After Pearl Harbor in December 1941, though, the US began to intervene, at first through the Lend-Lease program supplying the Allied nations with American equipment, and then with troops on both the Pacific and European fronts. He also enacted Executive Order 9066, interning over 100,000 Japanese during the war. -
Non-whites during WWII
African Americans, moving northward, filled both positions in the draft and positions in labor-hungry factories. Over five million Mexicans under the Bracero Program worked on railroads and fields. A. Philip Randolph advocated against the lack of black integration in defense. Roosevelt ordered EO8802, which banned discriminatory practices & rose the black defense workforce from 3 to 9% by 1945. The war was not all good for non-whites; Executive Order 9066 brought back good ol' American nativism. -
Creation of the United Nations
The UN aimed to be better than the League of Nations at quickly ending international conflict- more of a police force. Much of it reflects FDR's Four Freedoms, and FDR worked closely with other leaders (Churchill, Soviet leaders) to outline their new goals of war. The other goal was to have a more legislative branch that all peaceful countries could be a part of.
