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US
This timeline pinpoints a series of noteworthy events that have impacted the path of the United States in the past century and a half. These significant social, political and international movements/moments have impacted not only the visible course of our nation, but also greatly influenced our current beliefs, and perspective on the present. -
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Nativism
Nativism is the idea that establishes inhabitants of a place are superior to immigrants. This is (unfortunately) still a thing in the US today, but I am talking about it in relation to the early 20th century. When things like the Chinese Exclusion Act, and our treatment of immigrants in the work force were emblematic of the US's ethnocentric world view.
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/rise-to-world-power/1920s-america/a/transformation-and-backlash-cnx -
Philippine-American War
The Philippine American war notable point in Americas imperialism. After the Spanish American War, Spain gave the Philippines to the US, but needless to say the Filipinos were pretty ready to be independent. A violent war broke out, and America was conflicted with how to deal with the Philippines, and what level of control they should take. The Philippines didn't gain full independence until the 1940s.
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/war -
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Americanization
The term americanization is the process of things becoming more american, and is often used synonymously with globalization. Though the term existed since early 20th century, referencing the shift to specifically valuing American things, it became more used after Cold War. With less competition from the Soviet Union, the US became dominant in pushing globalization on the world stage, especially with the introduction of new technology.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Americanization -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
During the second Industrial Revolution, safety was not a priority for business owners. The horrible accident at the Triangle Shirt Waist Factory was a turning point, at which safety regulations were put into effect. On March 25th, 1911 while the women were packed closely together, a fire began. Panic arose because (locked in) women were unable to escape. With fire below them, they jumped from windows, hundreds of lives were lost.
http://trianglefire.ilr.cornell.edu/story/introduction.html -
Panama Canal
During Americas imperialistic pursuits, Roosevelt enabled the creation of a canal through Panama to drastically reduce travel times. He supported the Panamanians revolt from Colombia to ensure the creation of this passage. This canal greatly influenced the efficiency of trade.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Panama-Canal -
World War I (America's Involvement)
Americas formal involvement with the war began because of Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare, tired of being attacked at sea the US abandoned its strategy of isolationism and entered the war. Our involvement with WWI impacted all aspects life at home (gender roles, business, family life, policies), and caused the usage of a draft. It also ensured that the Allies won.
https://history.delaware.gov/exhibits/online/WWI/US-involvement-ww1.shtml -
Harlem Renaissance
This movement also known as the New Negro Movement centered in Harlem, New York was "an intellectual, social, and artistic explosion". African-American arts and artists (like Langston Hughes and Louis Armstrong) became widely influential in popular culture. And though we had/have still a long way to go, this was the first major celebration of African-American culture, and their contributions to American culture.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/harlem-renaissance -
Treaty of Versailles
This treaty marked the ending of World War I. It was created by the Allied Powers negotiations, mostly to address the wants of the French, British and US (Wilson famously brought in his fourteen points). Some of its effects were creating the League of Nations and heavily punished Germany, both taking some of its land and crippling it with reparations to pay. Some say this ineffective solution is what caused World War II.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Versailles-1919 -
Great Depression
Marking the end of the Roaring Twenties, America was thrust into the Great Depression by the stock market crash of 1929. This crash caused a time of extreme economic lows and poverty that lasted through the 30s. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/dustbowl-great-depression/ -
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack on a US military base in Hawaii, by Japan. It was the spur to the United States entry to World War II, and the cause of obvious tensions/rage from the Americans towards the Japanese. It was also psychologically impactful and it caused the American government to mis-place their fear and create Japanese interment camps in the US.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/pearl_harbour_01.shtml -
The Dropping of the Bomb
In August of 1945, America was still fighting on the pacific front. Ready for the war to be done and after threatening to act if Japan didn't surrender, the US dropped Fat Man and Little Boy over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However (ironically) in the decision to drop the atomic bomb, the United States effectively ended World War II and in turn began(or fueled) The Cold War.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima -
Korean War
The US joined the Korean War motivated to act on Truman's idea of containment. They fought against North Korea (which was communist led) and China to keep South Korea from being taken over by communist rule, and to preserve separation at the 38th parallel. Ultimately they were successful in containing the spread of communism, but high tensions still remained.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Korean-War -
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Nonviolent Protest
Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophy of peaceful protest, influenced by ideas of Thoreau's civil disobedience and Ghandi's protests, were defining throughout the Civil Rights Movement. Nonviolent protest forced change. Though the Civil Rights movement is technically over, the idea of nonviolent protest is still how our culture stands for change. Or at least should aspire to.
http://time.com/5101740/martin-luther-king-peaceful-protests-lessons/ -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
This was a super impactful part of the Civil Rights Movement, to protest segregation. The protest was ignited by Rosa Parks who, when asked to give up her seat at the front of the bus for white passengers, did not. After her arrest, the boycott began and lasted until the following year when racial segregation on public transportation was deemed unconstitutional. This was pivotal for both gender and racial equality.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/montgomery-bus-boycott -
Cuban Missile Crisis
This was the only physical altercation during the Cold War, the Soviet Union sent missiles to Cuba (who wanted them so that they wouldn't be invaded). The US had a 13 day naval blockade to stop more missiles from being supplied, and dismantle the ones already there. The incident also had a lot of miscommunication so it resulted in a Moscow-Washington communication line which slightly helped further tensions.
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1961-1968/cuban-missile-crisis -
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Reaganomics
Reaganomics was an economic plan introduced by (surprisingly) Reagan to lower taxes, address over regulation and reduce spending on social programs. Though this plan aligned with many Republicans views, it significantly hurt the lower and middle class.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/59b.asp -
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Internet
The creation of the internet enabled globalization by becoming not only a front for rapid communication, but also a new market. It publicized global sharing of media and information and redefined the possibilities for business.
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/the-impact-of-the-internet-on-globalization -
Iran-Contra Affair
This was a secret deal Reagan made with Iran to give missiles in exchange for hostages, and also support Nicaraguan conflict. It was extremely controversial and cost Reagan a lot of support because despite opposition from fellow cabinet members he still proceeded out of the public eye.
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/reagan-iran/ -
End of the Cold War
During Reagan's presidency, Mikhail Gorbachev came to power over the Soviet Union. He introduced new ideals, the Berlin wall fell and the Soviet bloc/satellite states began to dissolve, in addition ending the Cold War.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/59e.asp
