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Industrialization
Industrialization is the period in which a country develops industries and relevant technology. This includes mass manufacturing, efficient transportation, inventions and innovations, and more. The Industrial Revolution in America occurred between 1760 and around the 1830s. -
Indian Removal
Indian Removal was the mass movement of American Indians from their homelands to reservations in the west. The Indian Removal Act was signed by President Andrew Jackson on May 28, 1830, which started an age of such relocation and maltreatment. Manifest Destiny would continue to push the Indians further west, until they were restricted to the harsh lands that the government didn't want. -
Manifest Destiny
The belief that it was America's God-given right to expand and occupy the continent from coast to coast and spread their beliefs and culture. This caused the settlement of the west across many trails, such as the famous Oregon Trail. To acquire this land, the US fought with other countries, fought with Native Indians, and purchased plenty of land to reach the western coast. -
Homestead Act
This act declared that for a $10 fee, a person could register for land available to settle (160 acres). If that person farmed, built a house, or otherwise improved the land, they got the title in five years. It was very hard work, but the land was worth it to many. -
Third Party (Politics)
A third party is a political group that fails to match the polls of the top two contending parties. The modern Green party is a good example, as the Republican and Democratic parties always outpoll it. In 1872, Victoria Woodhull became the first woman to run for president, under the Equal Rights Party, a third party shared with Fredrick Douglass. The Constitution doesn't require there to only be two parties. -
Nativism
A way of thinking that supports xenophobic nationalism. Nativists are against immigration, and may be afraid that their culture will become assimilated with the immigrants'. They tried to limit the rights of immigrants because they believed they were "true Americans." One example of this was the "Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. -
Civil Service Reform
The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 is a federal law which establishes that federal positions should be based on merit rather than any political ties. This United States Civil Service Commission to move all federal employees to the new merit system, which replaced the "spoils system." This was one of the many ways that the US government cracked down on corruption in the political system. -
The Gilded Age
Occurred from the 1870's to around the 1900's. This was a hard time for workers, since many received wages too low to pay all their bills. New inventions hurt farmers when they increased the amount of crow that could be made, yet lowered the price since more were made. African Americans also suffered during this era, as they were denied their rights and lynched. -
Haymarket Riot
A labor protest was occurring in Haymarket Square to try to secure better working conditions and the 8 hour work day as a right. The protest turned into a riot when someone threw a bomb at police. A total of 8 people died that day, and the event was seen as a setback for the labor movement. -
Dawes Act
A federal law that attempted (unsuccessfully) to break up reservations. It authorized the President to survey American Indian tribal land and divide it into allotments for individual Indians. Those who accepted allotments and lived separately from the tribe would be granted U.S. citizenship. -
Jane Addams
Jane Addams is known as the "mother" of social work, and was a leader in the women's suffrage movement and in world peace. In 1931, she became a co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. She created one of the first US settlements, the Hull House, in 1889. She was an anti-war pacifist. -
Susan B. Anthony
A civil rights activist who would eventually lead the National American Woman Suffrage Association. She worked alongside Elizabeth C. Stanton. Susan was once fined $100 for voting, yet she never paid it.She was also an influential member in the abolitionist movement to free the slaves. -
William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan was a Nebraskan public speaker and politician. Starting in 1896, he was elected the representative for the Democratic Party 3 times. He is known for his Cross of Gold speech, which supported free silver. -
Klondike Gold Rush
Gold was discovered in a branch of the Klondike river in the Klondike region of the Yukon of Canada. This sparked the migration of around 100,000 people to the Yukon region, Klondike region, and Alaska in hopes of getting lucky and finding gold. Despite this, only 30,000 people made it to the Klondike, and only 4,000 found gold. -
Initiative & Referendum
These are powers given to the voters that allows them to propose or repeal legislation through petition. This allows for additions such as new amendments to be added to the ballot. It was first adopted in 1898 in South Dakota. -
Theodore Roosevelt
The 26th President of the United States, whose presidential term started in 1901. He was a popular writer before his presidency, and his popularity only continued during his term. In fact, he is considered by many to be the first modern president. He was originally the vice president, though in 1901 President William McKinley was assassinated. -
Dollar Diplomacy
One of America's foreign policies, wherein loans made to foreign countries are guaranteed. The United States has the obligation to interfere in situations where foreign countries are politically and financially unstable. President Theodore Roosevelt began this in 1904 with his "Roosevelt Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine, which sent US Marines to Central Africa. -
Andrew Carnegie
One of the richest industrialists to ever live. Over the course of his life, he gave over $350 million away, and even said that the rich have a moral obligation to give away their fortunes. He established many technological, scientific, and educational institutions. On February 15, 1904, he establish the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh. -
Populism & Progressivism
Populism is the support of the concerns of everyday people. Progressivism was a period of social activism and political reform in the US from the 1890's to the 1920's. Examples of this can be found throughout the timeline. The era ended when World War 1 began and exposed the cruelty of people. -
Upton Sinclair
An influential writer, muckraker, and socialist who worked towards better working conditions. His greatest work was "The Jungle" which tried to expose appalling working conditions, but also sparked outrage over the meat packing industry. He once said, "I aimed at the public's heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach." -
Muckraker
Those who push scandals and try to expose public figures for personal gain are called muckrakers. They will publish misdeeds and corruption to call forth change. This is due to a speech by President Theodore Roosevelt, wherein he states, "[a man] with a muckrake in his hand..." -
Pure Food and Drug Act
Prevents the manufacture, sale, and transportation of misbranded or poisonous food and drugs, and provides federal inspection of food and products and medicines. It also created the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to protect consumers' public health and strengthen protections. This was as a result to the outcry caused by Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle." -
Ida B. Wells
Known internationally as a "crusader for justice," Ida traveled across the United States and even foreign countries to raise awareness of the oppression of African Americans and women. She was a teacher, journalist, and a public speaker. She was one of two women who signed "the call" for the formation of the NAACP in 1909. -
16th Amendment
Established Congress' right to impose a Federal income tax. Despite this, the government had collected income tax even before this, usually to help fight wars. Some people today question whether or not the government should have this power. -
17th Amendment
Before this was passed, US Senators were chosen by state legislatures. The 17th Amendment allowed voters to directly vote for U.S. Senators. States that the Senate is to be made of of 2 Senators per state, and that they will serve for 6 years. -
Federal Reserve Act
Created and established the Federal Reserve System as the central bank of the United States. This created the authority to issue US Dollars and Federal Reserve Bank Notes for the payment of debt. This is the current system used by the US today, though the act has been amended over the years. -
Eugene V. Debs
Debs was one of the founding members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), as well as a supporter of the labor movement. He was a union leader and the Socialist party candidate for US president 5 times. He was arrested in 1918 after giving a speech denouncing American participation in World War 1, which is something he and many others were against. -
18th Amendment
The infamous Amendment responsible for Prohibition. This caused the transportation, production, and sale of alcohol to be illegal. Due to the uproar caused, this decision was reversed December 5, 1933. -
Urbanization
Urbanization is the process in which the population shifts from rural areas to more urban ones. These could be housing developments or cities. Either way, industrialization is needed before urbanization can occur. In 1920, the number of Americans living in urban areas surpassed the number living in rural areas. -
Suffrage
Suffrage itself is just the right to vote in political elections. However, the context here is the right for WOMEN to vote, more specifically in the US. Countless people worked towards this single goal, which was finally achieved in 1920 with the 19th Amendment. -
19th Amendment
Gave all women who were citizens of the US the right to vote. The Suffrage movement had been working for hundreds of years to achieve this. This was a huge step towards the United States we live in today, and it was inevitable that this would occur at some point. -
Political Machines
A political organization in which members or businesses are swayed by the leader/s. They receive rewards for their actions, monetary or otherwise. Edward Flynn, a notorious political machine leader from 1922 until 1953, once wrote "[...] the so-called 'independent' voter is foolish to assume that a political machine is run solely on good will, or patronage. For it is not only a machine; it is an army. And in any organization as in any army, there must be discipline." -
Teapot Dome Scandal
An example of high-level corruption between the presidency of Warren G. Harding and the oil companies. The Teapot Dome area, among two other areas in California, was meant for emergency use by the US Navy only if they needed the oil. However, bribe money was passed between Mammoth Oil Company, Pan-American Petroleum Company, and the Department of the Interior for exclusive rights to drill in the lands. This gave the Supreme Court the power to investigate such cases, and the leases were voided. -
Clarence Darrow
Darrow was an American lawyer and a leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union. He was also a prominent advocate for the Georgist economic reform, where economic value derived from land should belong equally to all members of society. He is most known for successfully defending a Tennessee public-school teacher who taught evolutionary theory. -
Immigration & the American Dream
Immigration is the act of relocating from one country of residence to another. The American Dream was an ideal in which the freedom of the US allowed for prosperity and success, and was the reason that so many people immigrated to America. They could start a new life, live well, follow their own religions, raise a family, and have plentiful social interactions. It was formed in 1931 by James Truslow Adams, "That dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man."
