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US History 1877-2011
This time period starts just after the reconstruction and carries through both world wars to modern day. This is for a US History online class. -
Transcontinental Railroad Completed
The golden spike completed the Transcontinental Railroad. It united the East with the West and made Westward expansion much easier. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/36a.asp) -
Imperialism
Expanding a countries influence by subjugating nations through politics or military force. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/44.asp) -
Spanish-American War Ends
After the treaty of Paris, America was granted access to many of Spain's previously lands in the Pacific and Caribbean. Some would go on to become US territories, other would gain independence. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/44d.asp) -
Total War
Total war is not just fought between soldiers. Countries also blockade trade routes, destroy factories, and burn farms to cripple the enemy economy. Civilians are often caught in the middle. WW1 is a strong example of a total war. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/45b.asp) -
America Declares War on Germany
After not supporting either side for the previous duration of the war, America finally declared war on Germany due to its unrestricted submarine warfare sinking U.S. ships and the Zimmermann telegram. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/45a.asp) -
Stock Market Crashes
The stock market suddenly crashed without warning, triggering the great depression. With extreme poverty and unemployment, it was a stark contrast to the 20's. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/48a.asp) -
Roosevelt Signs the Glass-Stegall Banking Act
This act was part of a series of acts passed by Franklin D. Roosevelt to prevent a second great depression from occurring. This specific act created the Federal Deposit Insurance Company, which would refund failed banks using government money. It proved successful and helped pull America out of the depression and prevent another. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/49a.asp) -
The United Nations is Formed
The United Nations is an international organization dedicated to peacekeeping and security. Russia, China, the UK, the US and France hold a permanent seat on the council and other nations are elected in two year terms. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/52b.asp) -
Victory in Europe Day
The German army had almost nothing left, they were on the retreat and unable to put up much resistance in the final weeks of the war. Adolph Hitler committed suicide and Germany surrendered soon after. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/51c.asp) -
United States Drop an Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
The Japanese had not surrendered after America's island hopping campaign toward the mainland. Instead of attempting an extremely high casualty amphibious assault, President Truman decided to drop an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, killing tens of thousands instantly. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/51g.asp) -
Rosa Parks is Arrested
Rosa Parks was sitting on a bus, when the driver requested that she give her seat up to white people. She refused and was arrested. Her arrest galvanized the civil rights movement and led to laws reforming public transportation. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/54b.asp) -
America Pulls Out of the Vietnam War
America had made little progress in Vietnam and lost many soldiers. With antiwar movements back at home, the United States withdrew soldiers over the course of a few years. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/55e.asp) -
Trickle Down Economics
This economic idea was created by President Reagan. It involves tax cuts to the rich, in the hopes that they will invest and help the economy. Trickle Down Economics worked to pull America out of a decade long recession, but it left the government with 3 trillion in debt. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/59b.asp) -
The Internet is Released to the Public
Up until 1984, the internet was used solely by the American military. When it became public, the internet opened up tons of possibilities and had its own diverse multicultural identity. Information was only a search away. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/60d.asp) -
Martin Luther King is Assassinated
MLK was unquestionably the leader of the civil rights movement. His "I have a dream speech" drew a massive crowd and still resonates today. He risked his life fighting for what he believed in and was arrested multiple times for doing just that. Nevertheless, he persisted. Terribly, King was assassinated, but he inspired many and became a martyr for the civil rights movement. -
Impeachment
Impeachment is the process by which the congress acts as a judge and jury to a president who has committed an offense that is grounds for removal from office. Congress needs a 2/3 majority to successfully impeach a president. Bill Clinton was impeached on two charges, but was not convicted on either. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/60c.asp) -
Americanization
Americanization is the process of a culture becoming more like American culture. After the collapse off the Soviet Union, America was left as the sole remaining global superpower. As a result, American culture began to mix with other cultures around the globe as the world became more globalized. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/60e.asp)
