-
Period: to
Roaring 20, Great Depression and WWII Timeline
-
Selective Service Act passed
After President Wilson went in front of Congress and pushed for the passage of the Selective Service Act. This would enact a draft and required men between the ages of 21 and 30 to enlist in the military. This was due to the lack of troops left on the Allied side of the war. There has been speculation that the war would have been lost had the US not enacted this when they did. -
18th Amendment (Ratification)
The eighteenth Amendment would end the sale, distribution, and creation of any form of alcoholic beverage in the United States. This would start a time period called Prohibition which would be riddled with speakeasies, bootleggers, and the rise of gangs in order to keep alcohol going. This Amendment was pushed by women and Christian organizations seeing as they saw alcohol as evil. -
Beginning of the Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was literary and cultural revolution for African-Americans that started in New York. The Harlem Renaissance gave birth to new styles of art and culture, one being Jazz music. This era was important because it gave African-Americans a sense of pride and entitlement, and it also saw some improvement in the race relations. It left a legacy of a new culture and identity for African Americans. -
Sacco and Vanzetti Trial
This was the court case attempting to convict two Italian immigrants of a murder in which they did not commit. Despite there being sufficient proof to say that these men did not kill the victim, they would be convicted and executed. This just illustrates America's fear of immigrants during this time period due to the Red Scare that was sweeping the nation. -
19th Amendment Ratification
The 19th Amendment would help to close the gap between genders. It would finally give women the right to vote nation wide, due to the long hard fight for women's rights. There were some critics saying that women weren't capable enough to vote and a lot of men boycotted the next election, but women's rights would continue to grow throughout time. Women's suffrage started with Wyoming giving women the right to vote in state elections until the 19th Amendment would give the right to vote. -
Emergency Quota Act
The Emergency Quota Act was an immigration law signed by President Harding that went into effect on May 19, 1921. This law limited how many people could come to the US based on a quota system. The Emergency Quota Act was intended to be a temporary measure, but it continued until 1965. The Emergency Quota Act was caused by the growing influence of nativism and the Red Scare. The Emergency Quota Act left a legacy of decreased immigration and the passage of the National Origins Act/ -
Publication of The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald illustrates what American life was like during the 1920s. It showed how Americans worked their way around laws like Prohibition and the corruption of America. It also showed how oblivious Americans, especially the rich ones, were to everything. Their life consisted of nothing but parties and alcohol, not working or news. This book would go on to become a couple major motion pictures and become a bestseller. -
John Scopes Trial
The John Scopes Trial was one that represented the ongoing battle of Fundamentalism vs. Modernism. Scopes was put on trial for illegally teaching Evolution, and was soon found guilty and stripped of his teaching license. This case was important because it displayed how Fundamentalism still played a part in our country and was still in power. This case left the legacy that still remains today where there are still some limits on teaching evolution in classrooms around the country. -
Flight of Charles Lindbergh
On this date, Charles Lindbergh took of in his plane, "The Spirit of St. Louis," from New York and landed in Paris, France the next day. This flight made him the first man to successfully fly a plane across the Atlantic Ocean. This event helped the state of Missouri become leader in the developing world of aviation. Lindbergh also became a world-famous celebrity. -
The Jazz Singer
The Jazz Singer was an American musical film that was the first of its kind. It was the end of the silent-film era as it was the first feature-length movie that had synchronized dialogue. This movie was important because it helped give birth to the Flapper movement. It also led to an improved form of entertainment that is still popular to this day. -
Herbert Hoover elected President
Hoover was elected president in 1928 continuing a long line of Republican succession in the White House at the time. His election was important because he was the president during the Stock Market Crash, He was an important part of the Great Depression because he was very conservative and laid-back in his approach to helping stop or relieve the Depression. His presidency ultimately led to the end of Republican reign and led to the election of FDR. -
St. Valentine's Day Massacre
Considered on the bloodiest day in mob history, the St. Valentine Massacre occurred February 14, 1929 on the North Side of Chicago. This is considered the “climax” of gang violence after seven men, associated with “Bugs” Moran, were gunned down by men dressed as police officers. Because of the lack of eyewitnesses, the mobsters behind the attack is still unknown, but many believe it was Al Capone. The event marked the end of any opposition to Capone’s rule and he became a notorious gangster. -
Black Tuesday
On this day, the American Stock Market crashed. Over billions of dollars were lost and it sent the country into a panic, and soon after, the Great Depression. This infamous day occurred due to a weak foundation of our economy based on consumer spending and speculation during the Roaring 20s, This led to a downfall in our economy and ultimately left the legacy of leaving the entire world being affected negatively by the Depression. -
Empire State Building Built
On this date, the Empire State Building was opened. At the time, it was the tallest building in the world. This was significant because along with the Statue of Liberty, it became a symbol and icon for the city of New York. The building of this left a legacy because a signified a time where there was a race to build buildings of what we now know as skycrapers. -
Bonus Army
The Bonus Army was the assemblage of WWI veterans in Washington, DC to demand cash payment redemption on their service certificates. Peace was kept at first during the protest, but violence erupted after the Patman Veterans Bill was defeated on the Senate floor. Because of the violence, the federal army had to step in to remove the veterans from the capital. The Bonus Army reinforced the idea that the federal government should be held responsible for the suffering of the people. -
1st Election of FDR
Democrat Franklin Roosevelt defeated Republican incumbent Herbert Hoover to become the President of the United States in 1932. This election was important because it ended the long succession of Republican presidents and marked a new shift in the Democratic Party. It was also important because it marked the start of the New Deal that would slow down the Depression until the beginning of WWII ended it. FDR's presidency left a legacy of being the only president with more than two terms. -
Hitler Elected Chancellor of Germany
Hitler became Germany’s new chancellor on January 30th, 1933. Hitler didn’t rise to power overwhelming upsurge of popular demand, but achieved substantial support. Hitler’s election as chancellor gave rise to the Nazi. -
FDR First 100 Days
At the start of FDR’s presidency on March 4, 1933, the stock market had plunged 85% and nearly one-fourth of the workforce was employed. During his first 100 days, FDR and his administration got 15 major bills through Congress. It was the most intense period lawmaking ever taken by Congress. With his first 100 days, Franklin D. Roosevelt provided relief to the unemployment and started to recover the economy. -
FDIC passed
President Franklin D. Roosevelt created this in response to the failing banks in America. This was meant to help recover and regulate banks which would in turn improve the state of America's economy. Banks would be put on holiday until the FDIC deemed them stable enough to open up and serve the American people once more with the knowledge that their money would be insured. -
21st Amendment Ratification
The 21st Amendment was passed to end prohibition. To nullify a constitutional amendment, another one must be passed which caused the 21st to be passed. The 21st Amendment was passed due to an increase in crime related to alcohol smuggling that lead to criminals such as Al Capone. This amendment led to a decrease in mob-related crimes. -
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
The US Securities and Exchange Commission was created in 1934 as a part of the New Deal. FDR created this program to protect investor and the stock market. This program is still around today and helps regulate the stock market. -
National Labor Relations Act
This act was passed by Congress to protect the rights of employees by prohibiting employers from discouraging labor unions and collective bargaining. This was important due to the reasoning of trying to prevent the "general welfare of workers" and prevent harm to the US economy. This left a legacy because it finally gave labor unions the boost they needed to succeed. -
Social Security Act Passed
The Social Security Act was passed as a way to give relief to elderly and retired workers, along with the disabled. This gave monthly pensions to those who qualified (over age of 65) by taking amounts out of their paychecks throughout their working careers and giving it back at the age of 65. This was significant because it gave a way to help our retired citizens. -
Neutrality Act
These are a series of acts that would try to keep the United States out of the war during the 1930s. Despite the push from some for America to join the war and protect the right for democracy, many would rally for US neutrality. These acts would fuel the fire in some Americans for the United States to become isolationist to avoid any conflicts with any foreign countries. -
Hoover Dam Construction
Building of the Hoover Dam began in 1922 after the Colorado River broke through the canals in 1905, creating the inland Salton Sea. The construction of the Hoover Dam provided many jobs to help the unemployment rate and provided water and hydroelectric power for the developing southwest. This major project is one of the only things Hoover did to provide relief.
On September 30, 1935, with a crowd of 20,000 people watching, President Franklin Roosevelt commemorated the completion of the dam. -
Hindenburg Disaster
The Hindenburg was an airship created by Nazi Germany that travelled across the Atlantic from Frankfurt, Germany to Lakehurst, New Jersey. Arriving to Lake Hurst, the airship burst into flames killing 36 passengers and 61 crewmembers. This disaster was immortalized by Herb Morrison with the famous on-the-scene description “Oh, the humanity!”. -
Golden Gate Bridge Completion Date
The Golden Gate Bridge was completed and opened to the public on May 27, 1937, and at the time, was the longest suspension bridge in the world. This bridge is very significant because when it construction began, the United States was still in the Great Depression and the construction created many jobs. The bridge stands as a symbol of American rising out of the depression. -
Nazi Germany Invades Poland
Hitler led his troops into Poland in 1939 and defeated the Polish army within a few weeks. This was significant because Hitler went against the Treaty of Versailles by expanding German territory and increasing his army size. This was also significant because it planted the seed for the start of WWII. This invasion began a legacy of another world war and ended up with atomic warfare and nuclear arms races. -
Lend-Lease Act signed by FDR
This act would be a part of what led the US into joining the war. This act would provide aid to foreign countries that would prove to be allies and important for America's survival. The main country helped by this act was Great Britain. Some weren't fans of this act considering they saw this as the President trying to get involved in the war despite the Neutrality Acts that were in place, but it was passed and put into use nonetheless. -
Pearl Harbor
Hundreds of Japanese fighter planes bombed the American naval base at Pearl Harbor close to Honolulu, Hawaii. Over the course of two hours, the Japanese destroyed 20 American naval vessels and 300 airplanes. Over 2,000 Americans lost their lives and another 1,000 were injured. This event marks when FDR asks Congress to declare war on Japan. -
D-Day
This was the day where 156,000 American, British, and Canadian forces invaded the beaches of Normandy. Less than a week later, the beaches were secured. By the end of August, the Germans had been successfully removed from France, and Hitler had already committed suicide. This was important because it led to the German surrender and the end of WWII after Japan surrendered, and marked a legacy of the world's most costly war. -
Concentration Camps Liberated
On July 23, 1944, Soviet soldiers entered the Majdanek Concentration Camp in Poland. They were to first to liberate camp prisoners in the final stages of the war. The discovery of the first camp jumped started the liberation of others including American forces liberation of Buchenwald camp (April 1945) and British forces liberation of Bergen-Belsen camp (April 1945). -
Yalta Conference
The Yalta Conference was the second wartime meeting between the Big Three (the United States, The Soviet Union, and Great Britain) in February 1945. This meeting was held to discuss the plans for Europe after the war was over. This conference became controversial after the Soviet-America wartime cooperation ended and the Cold War began. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The island of Iwo Jima was considered by the US as an important location in the Pacific. Despite it being guarded by 23,000 Japanese soldiers, US military managed to take over the island. However this showed that the Japanese were changing their defense tactics from the shoreline to more inland. The outcome of this battle was the ownership of an important island, and an image that would be used for inspiration for years to come. -
FDR Death
On April 12, 1945, while spending the day with his mistress in Warm Springs, Franklin D. Roosevelt complained of a headache and suddenly died of a massive cerebral hemorrhage. FDR’s death came as a shocked to the nation, and many were worried about losing a president during a time of war. With the nation mourning, Harry S. Truman- FDR’s vice president- took office with “big shoes to fill” and was left with the decision to use the atomic bomb or not. -
VE Day
Victory in Europe Day was marked as the end of war. This was the day that the United States and Great Britain celebrated the end of the war. On this day German troops surrendered effectively ending the first World War. -
Hiroshima Atomic Bomb
The United States under President Truman's order dropped the very first nuclear bomb on a Japanese city effectively destroying most of everything for miles. This bombing came after Japan's refusal to surrender unconditionally. This would open the door to a new type of warfare that would become relevant many years later, nuclear warfare. After this bomb was dropped, another would be dropped a few days later due to Japan's refusal to cooperate. -
Nagasaki Atomic Bomb
The US dropped their second atomic bomb on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. This occurred 3 days after the bombing of Hiroshima. The bomb dropping on Nagasaki ultimately forced the Japanese to surrender. -
VJ Day
This was the day that Japan surrendered to the Allied Powers ending the second World War. After years of long fighting and disasters such as the atomic bombs, Japan surrendered unconditionally with the acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration. The surrender took place upon the USS Missouri anchored in Tokyo's Bay. -
United Nations Established
The United Nation is an intergovernmental organization created to promote international co-operation. It was created after WWII and was created to replace the League of Nations. The United Nations is still in effect today and monitors the world today.
