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(VUS.2, 3) English Colonial Development
Early European exploration and colonization resulted in the redistribution of the world's population as millions of people from Europe and Africa voluntarily and involuntarily moved to the New World and initiated worldwide commercial expansion as agricultural products were exchanged between the Americas and Europe. In time, colonization led to ideas of representative government and religious toleration. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.4) Toward the American Revolution
New political ideas about the relationship between people and their government helped to justify the Declaration of Independence - formulating the political philosophy and laid the institutional foundations for the system of government under which we live. Inspired by ideas concerning natural rights and political authority, and its successful completion affected people and governments throughout the world for many generations. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.4) The War for Independence
The American rebels won their independence because the British government grew tired of the struggle soon after the French agreed to help the Americans. Heroes from the war would become framers of a new government, a successful experiment in democracy. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.5) The Critical (Constitutional) Period;
Americans made two attempts to establish a workable government based on republican principles. American, fearful of a powerful central government, created the Articles of Confederation, which proved too weak. The Constitution of the United States of America, established a government that shared power between the national government and state governments, protected the rights of states, and provided a system for orderly change through amendments to the Constitution itself. Click HERE to see this -
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(VUS.6) George Washington
George Washington took the oath of office in the nation’s new capitol city, New York! Thus began the government which is still in effect today. Under Washington’s presidency, the first political parties would develop, his authority would be tested by a “whiskey rebellion”, a cabinet would be established, and much more. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.6) John Adams
In spite of intensifying desire for war with France during this administration, John Adams was able to avoid a challenge the young nations was ill-prepared for. His administration is considered controversial – but worthy of study and interpretation. The first President to live in the White House, Adams was also the first partisan president – most noted for problems with France and judicial appointments. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.6) Thomas Jefferson
The Election of 1800 was proof power could be transferred without bloodshed. We already remember Thomas Jefferson as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, and the Statute for Religious Freedom, and the leader strict-constructionist who opposed Hamilton’s economic programs. Jefferson would purchase the Louisiana Territory, launch the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and increase tensions with Britain. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.6) James Madison
We already know James Madison as “The Father of the Constitution”, author of the VA Plan of Government, and author of America’s Bill of Rights. After serving as Jefferson’s Secretary of State, it was his turn to be President. James Madison would become the first President to guide America through a second war for independence against Britain – the War of 1812. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.6) James Monroe
It is called the “Era of Good Feelings” because there was only one dominant political party, the Democratic-Republicans. The Federalists faded after the War of 1812, and a new spirit of nationalism was sweeping America. The Purchase of Florida, the Missouri Compromise, and the Monroe Doctrine highlight his presidency. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.6) John Quincy Adams
The son of President John Adams, John Q. had served as the Secretary of State for James Monroe. Holding that position was the logical stepping stone to the Presidency, he advocated Henry Clay’s American System, held office when the first railroad was begun, and the “Tariff of Abominations”. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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Andrew Jackson and the Age of the Common Man (VUS.6)
The changing character of American politics “in the age of the common man” was characterized by; Heightened emphasis on equality in the political process for adult white males, The rise of interest group politics and sectional issues, A changing style of campaigning, and Increased voter participation. Jackson supported Indian removal policies, destroyed the National Bank, and is considered the founder of the Democratic Party. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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Martin Van Buren (VUS.6)
He served as Vice-President under Andrew Jackson, replacing the “agitated” John C. Calhoun after the nullification crisis. Van Buren was Jackson’s own choice to succeed him as the next president. His biggest battle during his presidency was handling the Panic of 1837. He opposed the annexation of Texas, forcing the Texans to wait for statehood. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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William Henry Harrison
The Campaign of 1840 is considered to be the first modern campaign. It was complete with songs, name-calling, posters, rallies, and plenty of lies. The Whigs supported William Henry Harrison as their “main man”, and nominated the former Democrat, John Tyler (of Virginia) to run as the Vice-President. “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too”. His most notable accomplishment was that he was the first president to die in office. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.6) John Tyler
John Tyler was the first president to ascend to the office by the death of a president. He was selected as the running mate of William Henry Harrison (a Whig), because he had previously been a Democrat from Virginia and he could help win votes. Tyler held the presidency when the first telegraph message was sent, and authorized annexation of Texas late in his term. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.6) James K. Polk
A surprise candidate from the Democrats (considered a “dark horse”), and a strong supporter of MANIFEST DESTINY, the election of Polk symbolized the readiness of America to expand again. He had inspired the annexation of Texas, fought a war with Mexico to gain territory including modern day California, and secured the Oregon Territory in a treaty with Britain. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.6) Zachary Taylor
Earning his nickname as a war hero from the Mexican War, he was the likely Whig candidate in 1848. The key issue in the election was THE WILMOT PROVISO, a bill that would prevent slavery in the Mexican Cession. Even though Taylor was likely in favor of the bill, the fact that he owned 100+ slaves won him support from the South. The “Free Soil” Party ran as a strong third choice in the election! Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.6) Millard Fillmore
After the untimely death of President Taylor, Millard Fillmore became the second VP to ascend to the presidency. While his predecessor opposed the Compromise if 1850, Fillmore was able to sign the legislation and postpone the Civil War. However, he failed to receive his party’s nomination, and was another one-term president. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.6) Franklin Pierce
The election of Pierce marked the demise of the Whig Party. He united the Democratic party and added voters from immigrant groups. The extension of slavery and states’ rights were the major issues during his presidency. He signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act which led to “Bleeding Kansas”. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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James Buchanan (VUS.7a)
The only bachelor president, James Buchanan takes much criticism for “allowing” the Civil War to begin. He marks the last of the Presidents of the 1850’s whose lack of leadership provided the circumstance for secession. The Dred Scott decision was made, South Carolina led the secession and the Confederacy was born during his presidency. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.7) Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln served during the most crucial period in American History. With a “hands-on” approach, he guided the nation through the Civil War, preserved the Union, and instigated what he called a “Second American Revolution”. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.7d) Andrew Johnson
Chosen as Lincoln’s running-mate in 1864, Johnson was actually a Democrat. The actions of John Wilkes Booth changed everything for the Republicans – and Johnson became the President. Marred by battles with Congress, he was considered incredibly ineffective, and even impeached. The 13th and 14th Amendments were added during his presidency, and America purchased Alaska. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.7d,f) Ulysses S. Grant
As a war hero and most electable candidate, Grant urged Radical Republicans not to be harsh with former Confederates. Elected President and served during most of Reconstruction, Grant advocated rights for the freedman and opposed retribution directed to the defeated South. Even though his administration was marred with scandals, he was never implicated in others’ corruption. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.7d) Rutherford B. Hayes
In return for support in the Electoral College vote from Southern Democrats, the Republicans agreed to end the military occupation of the South. This enabled former Confederates who controlled the Democratic Party to regain power. It opened the door to the “Jim Crow Era” and began a long period in which African Americans in the South were denied the full rights of American citizenship. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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James A. Garfield
Garfield’s went into office with a couple of goals – protective tariffs, equality for African-Americans, and to reform the Civil Service. As it turns out, his greatest legacy was that his assassination heightened awareness for ending the corruption of the Spoils System. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.8) Chester Arthur
Ascending to the Presidency at the death of James Garfield, President Arthur is best known for curbing Chinese immigration, and helping to reform the civil service system. He also led a battle against Congress’s attempt to “raid the treasury” by passing pork barrel projects, but thase efforts ultimately failed. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.8) Grover Cleveland
The only person to serve two non-consecutive terms as president, Cleveland had two goals when he first took office. The first was to reduce tariffs, the second was to reduce the coinage of silver. He failed at both of these goals with an uncooperative Congress, and he earned his nickname by using the veto more than the 21 preceding presidents COMBINED! Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.8) Benjamin Harrison
The only grandson of a president to also hold the office, Ben Harrison split the terms of Grover Cleveland. He wanted the reverse of Cleveland, to increase purchase of silver (appealing to the people in the West), and he favored higher protective tariffs (appealing business interests in the East). He signed into law the Sherman Anti-trust Act which marks early government regulations of business. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.8) Grover Cleveland
Cleveland spent much of his efforts, with a more cooperative Congress this time, attempting to un-do what Harrison had done! Again, Cleveland is the only President to serve two terms that were not consecutive…The tariff and silver were the big issues in the election of 1892, and they had to deal with a rising third party, The Populists. The landmark court case, Plessy v Ferguson was decided, establishing “separate but equal” doctrine. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.9) William McKinley
Under the administration of William McKinley, America had come of age in the world. Once a set of colonies, the US was now creating an empire of its own that would stretch from the Philippines to Puerto Rico. Annexation of Hawaii, War with Spain, and finally his assassination – Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS8-9) Theodore Roosevelt
The youngest person to hold the office, Roosevelt was selected by the Republicans to be the Vice-President – an unimportant position where his interests in reform would be buffered. However, with the assassination of McKinley, the Rough Rider was about to start the Progressive Era by offering a “Square Deal” to everyone! Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.8-9) William Howard Taft
The hand-picked successor to Theodore Roosevelt, Taft continued modified policies regarding Progressivism and Imperialism. Much less bombastic that TR, Taft was not heralded as a strong President – perhaps even a bit reluctant. He would later serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the only man to have held both positions. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.8-9) Woodrow Wilson
As a Progressive, Woodrow Wilson backed the “New Freedom” plan which was highlighted by tariff reform, banking reform, and business reform. Wilson was able to keep us out of the Great War for three years. To “make the world safe for democracy”, America joined the fight and guaranteed a victory for the Allies. But failure to conclude a lasting peace left a bitter legacy… Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.10) Warren G. Harding
Warren Harding’s administration envisioned America returning to the pre-war greatness. Plagued by scandals and corruption, none directly connected to Harding, America withdrew to a state of isolationism –”. Immigration was greatly reduced, and ushered in the decade known as “The Roaring 20’s”. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.10) Calvin Coolidge
Ascending to the presidency at the death of Harding, perhaps the least talkative of Presidents, he is credited with saying, “The business of America is business.” His conservative policies encouraged investment and growth in industry, but careless speculation in the stock market would lead to economic collapse, and traditional values would be challenged. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.10) Herbert Hoover
Hoover was the unfortunate president holding the office when the Stock Market crashed and started the Great Depression - even though the causes (uneven distribution of wealth, easy credit, high tariffs strangling world trade, unsafe banking practices, careless speculation in the Stock Market and a global depression since the end of World War 1) had already doomed the nation. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.10, 11, 12) Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Franklin Roosevelt is the only president to serve more than two terms. Guiding America through the Great Depression and World War 2, FDR oversaw the greatest transformation of the government since the Civil War. Vastly increasing in size and strength, the Federal Government’s relationship changed with the people, and with the world. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.11, 13, 14) Harry S. Truman
Truman becomes the President upon the death of FDR, he will make the final decisions regarding the ending of World War 2, and also make decisions that will set the stage for a Cold War with the Soviet Union which will last almost 50 years. Truman would also encourage advancements in Civil Rights during his presidency. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.13,14,15) Dwight D. Eisenhower
“Ike” was a hero from World War 2; the architect of D-Day, he was credited with defeating Hitler. During his campaign in 1952, he pledged “I will go to Korea” – a promise to pursue peace. He would be President as Cuba turned communist, as American schools were integrated, and the Soviets jumpstarted the Space Race. Eisenhower’s policy of “massive retaliation” would help shape foreign policy. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.13) John F. Kennedy
JFK, the youngest man elected President and a WW2 Veteran, faced increased pressure in the Cold War as tensions around Cuba grew to near catastrophe, and domestic challenges included the swelling of the Civil Rights movement. Inspiring hope, he pledged support for containment of communism, regaining the lead in the space race, and bringing society closer together. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.13, 14) Lyndon B. Johnson
Johnson succeeded the assassinated John F. Kennedy. Selected to help balance the ticket as a Southern Democrat (from Texas), Johnson would embark on his own ambitious programs of building a “Great Society”. Unfortunately for Johnson, the necessities of a growing war in Vietnam would undermine these aspirations. He forced two Civil Rights Bills through Congress, and escalated the war in Vietnam. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.13) Richard Nixon
Nixon is best remembered as the only President to resign after association with the Watergate Scandal. He also brought an end to the Vietnam War, normalized relations with China, and worked towards a détente (cooling off) in the Cold War. “Peace with Honor” in Vietnam and “Law and Order” at home were his campaign promises. Click HERE to see this timeline -
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(VUS.13,15) Gerald Ford
The only President not elected by the Electoral College he was a replacement for VP Spiro Agnew, appointed by Nixon and approved by the Senate. The Ford and Carter years are often referred to as a time of malaise – suffering from economic, political in global instability. Ford pardoned Nixon, offered clemency to “draft dodgers”, and held office when Vietnam fell to communism. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.13, 15) Jimmy Carter
The years of Jimmy Carter were marred by tensions in the Middle East, energy shortages, inflation combined with rising unemployment, and general malaise. There would be hostages taken in Iran, a near nuclear accident, but peace between Israel and Egypt. Adjusting to the Post-Watergate Era, America seemed to be searching for a new identity. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.13,15) Ronald Reagan
Reagan’s policies had an impact on the relationship between the federal and state governments. The conservative philosophy of prompted a re-evaluation of the size and role of government in the economy and society. Reagan advocated: tax cuts, transfer of responsibilities to state governments, appointment of judges who exercised “judicial restraint”, reduction in the number and scope of government programs, cut regulations and strengthen American military. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.13, 15) George H.W. Bush
A strong military was the key to America’s victory over the Soviet Union in the Cold War. Internal and external pressures caused the collapse of the Soviet Union. With the end of the Cold War, the United States changed its goals and policies. George H.W. Bush was the first President to face the post-Cold War challenges, as communism lost its grip in Europe. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.13,15) William Jefferson Clinton
Considered a “moderate”, President Clinton would be most remembered for ending trade barriers in North America (NAFTA), normalizing trade with Vietnam, attempting health care reform, and being only the second president impeached (Andrew Johnson was the first). Clinton also held office when apartheid ended in South Africa and genocides occurred in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. Click HERE to see this timeline. -
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(VUS.13,15) George W. Bush
Holding the office during the most deadly attack on American soil, President George W. Bush (son of former President George H.W. Bush) helped guide America into two “wars” in the Middle East, and a massive economic bailout to help save a floundering economy. The “Reagan Revolution” ideals would continue under George W. Bush’s presidency. Click HERE to see this timeline.