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1898
On February 15, 1898, the American ship, Maine blew up in the Havana port. The Spanish claimed it was an accident (spontaneous combustion in one of the coal bunkers), while the Americans claimed that Spain had sunk it. The American people did not believe the Spanish, and war with Spain became imminent. -
1901
In September 1901, President McKinley was assassinated. Theodore Roosevelt took over the presidency.
Roosevelt felt that the president should lead, boldly. He had no real respect for the checks and balances system among the 3 branches of government. -
1902
In 1902, coal miners in Pennsylvania went on strike and demanded a 20% raise in pay and a workday decrease from 10 hours to 9 hours. When mine spokesman, George F. Beyer refused to negotiate, President Roosevelt stepped in and threatened to operate the mines with federal troops. A deal was struck in which the miners received a 10% pay raise and 9 hour workday. -
1906
After botulism was found in American meats, foreign governments threatened to ban all American meat imports. President Roosevelt passed the Meat Inspection Act of 1906. The act stated that the preparation of meat shipped over state lines was subject to federal inspection. The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 was designed to prevent the adulteration and mislabeling of foods and pharmaceuticals. -
1913
In 1913, Congress passed the Federal Reserve Act. The new Federal Reserve Board, appointed by the President, oversaw a nationwide system of 12 regional Federal Reserve banks. Each reserve bank was the central bank for its region. The final authority of the Federal Reserve Board guaranteed a substantial level of public control. The board could also issue paper money, called Federal Reserve Notes (the U.S. Dollar). -
1914
In 1914, World War I broke out when the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary was murdered by a Serb patriot. An outraged Vienna government (backed by Germany) presented a series of demands to Serbia. Serbia (backed by Russia) refused to comply. Russia mobilized its army, causing Germany to also mobilize its army.