-
b- Department Stores
Department Stores first opened in 1846. Goods were organized into different "departments". There were fixed prices, which meant no bartering. They had money back guarantees for unsatisfied customers. People would shop for the experience, not just deals. They also had discounts for buying in bulk, for big businesses that fed other customers. -
Period: to
1a) Transforming The West
The changes of the West. -
a- Transcontinental Railroad
The Transcontinental Railroad began being built on May 10th,1862. The labor to create this railroad exploited Chinese and Irish, and many will die. Congress granted railroad companies 10 square miles of land for every mile of track built. Railroads also exploited settlers with high prices for shipping and land purchases. It also prompted the Interstate Commerce Act which was in 1887. It designated to stop monopolization of the railroad industry. -
a- Homestead Act
On May 20th, 1862, the Homestead Act was passed. It was basically an act that gave free land. Settlers received 160 acres if land was "improved" for 5 years. Landless farmers, former slaves, and single women to advantage of the act, and went and got land. -
a- Cattle
The Longhorns, the mixture between Spanish and English cows, became popular on American dinner tables in the 1860's. They were $40 per animal in the North, and $4 in the South. Cowboys herded cattle from Texas to the North across plains to get them to the railroads, which were called Long Drives. There were no railroads that went to the South into Texas. -
Period: to
2b) Becoming an Industrial Power
The reform of Businesses -
a- Railroads
On May 10th, 1869, railroads were established because of the Pacific Railway Act. They were a great contribution to the economy of the West. There were numerous tracks, and they created a new transportation network. They opened up new lands for farming. This allowed farmers to sale products on the national market. The railroads also caused ranching, mining, as well as many towns to boom into major cities. -
a- Mining
Mining was an contributing factor to the economy of the west. It made fortunes in the West in the 1860's and 1870's. Mining lead to gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc being found. Mining also prompted the Klondike Gold Rush which occurred in from 1880-1890. Population increased during that time period because people wanted to find gold in California. -
b- Laissez Faire
Laissez Faire made its way from France to America in the 1870's. It was a system that basically portrayed that the government should staying out of the private sphere. The market takes care of itself and there were no regulations and rules, -
a- Battle of Little Big Horn
The Battle of Little Big Horn occurred on June 25th, 1876 in Montana Territory. George Cluster led offensive before reinforcement arrived. Custer wanted to be hero, but he got slaughtered. He underestimated the size of the native forces, who were lead by the infamous Sitting Bull. After the war, media portrayed Custer as a hero, and down played his error. This war prompted an excuse for further settlement and reservations. -
Period: to
3c) The Gilded Age
Booming Cities. -
b- Great Uprising
The great uprising was one of many early strikes. It was a railroad strike that spreaded from West Virginia to other cities across the country. As a result Labor Unions become better organized. The National Guard was also created. -
a- Exodusters
Exodusters were given the name to African Americans in the late nineteenth century. Exodusters were former slaves who migrated west for better opportunity. Some were successful, but many had settled on bad land, and lacked money. They would relocate back to the South, or continue out farther West. -
b- Knights of Labor
The Knights of Labor was established in the 1880's. It was made to re-organize labor, due to worsening conditions. They wanted to get rid of market competition for a cooperative one. It was open to all workers. It was also strictly secret to avoid sabotage by other employers who didn't agree. Because of them, Labor Day was established as a national holiday. They pushed for equal pay for man and women, and 8 hour work days. -
c- Political Machines
Political machines were established in the late 1800s. Large cities needed new political structures. It helped the mobilization of immigrants. They played a big role in voting, jobs, and services. These political machines were controlled by ward bosses. Boss tweed runs the most famous Tammany. -
c- Pendleton Act
The Pendleton Act established that positions within the federal government should be awarded on the basis of merit instead of political affiliation. It created the spoils system, which contained favoritism. It followed Garfield's assassination by Charles Guiteau. -
a- Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show
Buffalo Bill was former scout and buffalo hunter that started his own western show in the eastern U.S. His shows dealt with Indian fights, cowboys and cattle drives, lassoing, and marksmanship. Many former cowboys, sharpshooters and and even Indians , Sitting Bull, starred in his shows. Many Americans today get their view of the west through this show. -
c- Skyscrapers
The world's first skyscraper, the ten-story Home Insurance Building in Chicago, was built in 1885. It was only five floors high. The building of tall buildings in the 1880s gave the skyscraper its first architectural movement the Chicago School, which developed what has been called the Commercial Style. Many lives were lost during the construction of these early skyscrapers. -
c- Settlement Houses
The first settlement house was opened in 1886 and was called Neighborhood Guild on the Lower East Side of New York. Settlement houses were established in major cities. They had social programs. As well as educational services. The goal was to share knowledge and culture, and help low- income families. -
b- Haymarket Riot
The Haymarket Riot occurred on May 4th, 1886. It was protests planned for killed strikers at Haymarket Square in Chicago. There were 300 police that came to breakup and calm down the crowd, but a bomb suddenly exploded. Angry police then attacked the crowd with batons and gun, which left 7 police dead. The press hysterically proclaimed it as a riot. This damages the labor movement into the early 20th century. -
b- American Federation of Labor
The American Federation of Labor was founded on December 8th, 1886. This organization took the place of the Knights of Labor. They didn't allow unskilled labor. They also didn't allow blacks, immigrants, or women. It was a capitalism instead of cooperatives. There were 1.6 million members by 1904. It caused disunity in labor, which hindered changed until the early 20th century. -
a- Dawes Severalty Act
The Dawes Severalty Act was established in 1887. It called for breakup of reservations. It prompted assimilation of Natives into American Christian society. It provided 160 acres to farm. The act also provided self sufficient, 25 year trusts, that could be seized if the trust was broken. As well as, application for citizenship to the Indians. -
b- Sears Catalogue
Sears catalog was one of many mail-order catalogs. The other department stores followed. Most of he nation lived in rural areas until 1920. The perfect consumer culture was formed and shared across the country. It was made small so that it could sit on the top of other stacked catalogs. -
b- Steel Monopoly
Andrew Carnegie owned the largest steel monopoly in 1889. Steel was the building block of industrial America. It couldn't mass- produce in the early 19th century. Andrew Carnegie pushed production costs to the lowest levels possible. He invested in the Bessemer process to push for mass production of strong steel at low prices. This caused his monopoly to grow stronger. -
c- Hull House
The Hull House was a settlement house that was established in 1889 , founded by Jane Addams. The house in Chicago taught cooking, sewing, hygiene, civics, and English. It was a model for other Settlement Houses, that was opened to recently arrived to European immigrants. -
b- Holding Companies
Holding Companies replaced trusts in the 1890's. They were large corporations that brought, and ran others. They also bought company stock. They were shielded from Sherman Anti-Trust. -
Period: to
5e) Imperialism
A New World Power? -
b- Sherman Anti-Trust Act
The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was enacted July 2, 1890. It originally made trusts illegal, and banned monopoly business practices . Corporations bought politicians, and watered down its language down. It wasn't essential unless to tackle monopolies. It will be successful later. -
c- The Depression of 1893
The Depression of 1893 was one of the worst in U.S. history. Banks, railroads,and everyday businesses went under. Many questioned laissez-faire capitalism. Coxey's army marched in Washington peacefully and protested capitalism. Their actions showed patriotism. -
c- World's Columbian Exposition
The World's Columbian Exposition was the largest fair that began on May 1st, 1893. The fair occurred in Chicago. The fair contained technology, science, architecture, urban design, and 1000s of exhibits. The movement and expositions inspired city planners for a generation. It also expired the Old Texas Courthouses. -
c- Pullman Strike
George Pullman built luxury railroads cars, and a company town built for employees. The Depression of 1893 hurt company, and they laid of workers and salaries by 30%. Because of this, the workers went on strike on May 11th, 1894. The American Railway Union is gained from this situation, and they shut down railroads. President Cleveland intervenes and strikers gain some public support. It also increased attention. -
Period: to
4d) The Progressive Era
Growing Division -
d- Plessy v. Ferguson
The Plessy versus Ferguson case occurred on May 18th, 1896. It was significant because, it challenged Jim Crow. It prompted the principle of "Separate but Equal". This caused for separate buildings, restrooms, and other facilities. Thy had to be equal to white facilities. -
c- Election of 1896
In the Election of 1896, William Mckinley of republics, ran against William Jennings Bryan of democrat. Mckinley wanted the gold standard, which symbolized the rich. Jennings wanted free silver, which symbolized the workers. In the end, McKinley wins because he used corporate money to win. -
e- U.S.S. Maine Incident
U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana Harbor on February 15th, 1898. The explosion killed 268 men and shocked America. The media blame the Spanish . They say it was harbor mine. The faulty ship design was likely the cause. This incident started the Spanish American war. -
e- Spanish American War
The Spanish American War was fought between the United States and Spain in 1898. It began in the aftermath of the internal explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in Cuba, leading to U.S. intervention in the Cuban War of Independence. At the end of the was 385 were dead from the battle, and 2000 were dead from the diseases. -
e- Philippine American War
The Philippine American War occurred from 1899 to 1902. Philippines used guerilla warfare. About 70k U.S. soldiers fought in the Philippines. Over 4k U.S. soldiers died. About 220k filipinos died and there were many starved. The war ends in July 1902. -
e- Open Door Policy
Open Door policy was a statement of principles initiated by the United States in 1899 and 1900. It was for the protection of equal privileges among countries trading with China and in support of Chinese territorial and administration. It was a non binding, U.S. sponsored agreement. The Chinese market was open to everyone. It also stopped european colonization of China. -
e- Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion occurred from November 2nd, 1899 to September 7th, 1901. It was filled with terrorists campaigns that were aimed at Europeans and Americans. It attacked foreigners everywhere in China. The Chinese government secretly funded it. In the end, the U.S. ensured China wouldn't be taken over. The European and American armies rescued foreigners, and put down the rebellion. China was fined $333 million. -
d- Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington was a prominent black intellectual around 1900. He is the founder of the Tuskegee Institute. He wanted black economic improvements, not just social justice. He also pushed for economic equality with whites. -
e- Election of 1900
The election of 1900 occurred on November 6th, 1900. William Jennings Bryan of the democrats runs against William McKinley of the republicans, with Theodore Roosevelt as his vice president. McKinley wins easily because of the fame and heroism of Theodore Roosevelt. -
c- Tenements
Tenements were established in 1901. They were a series of multiple family dwellings that were 4-6 stories high. There were dozens of families in each. Had poor ventilation and were poorly lit. There were many diseases spreaded, and rents soared due to overpopulation. Many were evicted from falling behind. They were also known for being the homes of crimes, and prostitution. The anonymity helped the crime go up. -
e- Platt Amendment
On March 2, 1901, the Platt Amendment was passed as part of the 1901 Army Appropriations Bill. It designated seven conditions for the withdrawal of United States troops remaining in Cuba at the end of the Spanish American War, and an eighth condition that Cuba sign a treaty accepting these seven conditions. -
d- Teddy Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was first vice president to Mckinley , until his assassination in September 1901. He was a likeable guy full of energy and enthusiastic. Because he saved a bear cub, the stuffed animal was named "Teddy Bear". He was pragmatic and the mediator of strikes. He also filed suits against trusts, if they were against the public. -
d- W.E.B. Dubois
W.E.B. Dubois was a prominent black intellectual like Booker T. Washington. He paved the way for elite professionals and teachers, not vocational workers. He believed that economic betterment wasn't possible without Civil Rights. He was also the Co- Founder of the NAACP. This overturned Jim Crow. He was considered the father of Civil Rights. -
e- Roosevelt Corollary
The Roosevelt Corollary was an addition to the Monroe Doctrine articulated by President Theodore Roosevelt in his State of the Union address in 1904 after the Venezuela Crisis of 1902–03. It declared Latin America off limits. It made U.S. an international police power. It also prompted the "Big Stick" Policy. -
d- The Jungle
The Jungle was novel written in 1906 by Upton Sinclair. It played major role in reforming the government. It was about struggling immigrant family enduring poverty and working conditions. It also showed the reality of the food industry. It talked about rotten food, severed fingers, and rat feces. -
e- Gentleman's Agreement
The gentleman's agreement occurred on February 15th, 1907. It was an informal agreement between the United States and Japan, enacted via unilateral action by President Roosevelt. It was nullified by the Immigration Act of 1924, which legally banned all Asians from migrating to the United States. It limited Japanese Immigration. -
d- Ida B. Wells
Ida B. Wells was a Co- Founder of the NAACP in 1909. She documents lynching in the South. She makes it known that white on black violence is meant to control African- Americans. She was a suffagette as well. -
d- Election of 1912
In the election of 1912, Roosevelt runs again. The republicans nominate Taft. The progressive were also known as the "Bull Moose Party". In the end, Progressive republicans followed Roosevelt. This was called the Bull Moose Movement. There was new nationalism, which caused political reform and more regulation. -
d- 17th Amendment
The 17th amendment was ratified on April 8th, 1913. It allows voters, not state legislatures, to appoint senators to congress. Before this amendment, senators were chosen by state legislatures. -
d- Assembly Line Process
The Assembly Line Process reduced costs of mass production. Henry Ford used it in his auto industry. It standardized auto parts. It produced more cars for less. As well as, passing saving on to consumers. Many other businesses will use this process as well. -
Period: to
6f) World War 1
How It Began -
f- Western Front
The Western Front was full of trenches. It existed from 1914 to 1917. It never moved more than 20 miles. There were new developments of war on this front. Millions died because of mustard gas, airplanes, tanks, machine guns and barbed wire. -
f- Machine Guns
Machine Guns came into the war in August 1914. Machine guns of all armies were largely of the heavy variety and decidedly ill-suited to portability for use by rapidly advancing infantry troops .Machine guns could shoot hundreds of rounds of ammunition a minute and the standard military tactic of World War One was the infantry charge. Casualties were huge. Many soldiers barely got out of their trench before they were cut down. -
f- Barbed Wire
Barbed wire was first invented in 1867 by Lucien B. Smith. It was invented in the United States of America. Barbed wire used to slow enemy soldiers from getting into the trench. -
f- No Man's Land
No Man's Land was the term used by soldiers to describe the ground between the two opposing trenches. Its width along the Western Front could vary a great deal. The average distance in most sectors was about 250 yards . -
e- Panama Canal
The Panama Canal was opened August 15th, 1914. It was the shortest route between the Caribbean and Pacific. It was started by the French with disease and mudslides. Theodore Roosevelt purchased the right to build it with 40 million dollars. Colombia resists and Panama Province revolted. -
f- RMS Lusitania
The RMS Lusitania was a Cunard ocean liner that sunk on May 7th, 1915. Germany waged submarine warfare against the United Kingdom which had implemented a naval blockade of Germany. The ship was identified and torpedoed by the German U-boat U-20 and sank in 18 minutes. About 1200 people died., and americans were on board. -
d- National Park System
The National Park System was established on August 25th, 1916. It was a big business conservationists advocate. It was a public demand for the creation of the National Park System. The National Park System runs all national parks, monuments, and historical sites. -
f- Zimmerman Telegram
The Zimmerman Telegram was intercepted and deciphered by British intelligence in January 1917. Zimmermann instructed the ambassador, Count Johann von Bernstorff, to offer significant financial aid to Mexico if it agreed to enter any future U.S-German conflict as a German ally. -
f- American Expeditionary Force
The American Expeditionary Force was led by John Pershing in May of 1917.He helps stop Germans in France. They also push Germans back to the trenches. -
f- 14 Points
The Fourteen Points was a statement of principles for peace that was to be used for peace negotiations in order to end World War I. The principles were outlined in a January 8, 1918 speech on war aims and peace terms to the United States Congress by President Woodrow Wilson. -
f- Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28th, 1919. It was signed on the anniversary of Archduke's assassination. It cripples the german economy. Germany also couldn't rebuild an army. They had to give up colonies. It also forced them to take responsibility for the war. -
Period: to
7g) The 1920s
Cars Become King -
g- First Red Scare
The first Red Scare began following the Bolshevik Russian Revolution of 1917 and the intensely patriotic years of World War I as anarchist and left-wing social agitation aggravated national, social, and political tensions. There was a fear of communism taking over. -
g- Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was an intellectual, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York, spanning the 1920s. It approved lives. The whites adopt, and denounce clacks trying to be white. This leads to skin lightening and hair straightening. -
f- League of Nations
The League of Nations was established on January 10th, 1920. It was an intergovernmental organization that was a result of the Paris Conference that ended World War 1. It was headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and provided a forum for resolving international disputes. -
g- Margaret Sanger
Margaret Sanger was a nurse and birth control advocate. She believed children made women improvised, so she came up with birth control. She opens the very first birth control clinic to educate women. She teaches them about the dangers of illegal abortion, as well as contraceptives. She was later arrested. -
g- 18th Amendment
The 18th Amendment went into effect on January 17th, 1920. It outlawed manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquor. It didn't outlaw the consumption of liquor, just the sale, manufacture, and transportation of it. The 21st amendment will later reverse it. -
g- American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union began on January 19th, 1920.The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It offered help to a teacher challenge of law,. -
g- Benefits
Benefits were introduced to working life in the 1920's. Workers were given personal luxuries. They had stock ownership, and pensions. They were also given medical insurance. As well as paid vacation, and sick leave. Many companies offered these things to instill loyalty. -
g- Temperance Movement
The Temperance movement was a social movement against the consumption of alcoholic beverages. It was lead by women who were tired of being beaten by their drunk husbands. Frances Willard was one of the powerful leaders. She proposed the "wet" opposition for alcohol. Anti- Saloon league was big contributor, as well as Billy Sunday. -
g- Eugenics
Eugenics was introduced in the 1922. It was the improvement of human race through selective breeding. It was used to receive desirable traits, and eliminated bad traits. During this time it was used to sterilize mentally ill, criminals, epileptics, and African Americans. -
a- American Indian Citizenship Act
The American Indian Citizenship Act was established on June 2nd, 1924. The act legally gives native american citizenship. Though it gave citizenship, the act didn't allow for Native Americans to vote. They won't have the right to fully vote until the 1940's. -
g- Charles Lindberg
Charles Lindbergh flew non- stop from New York City to Paris in May 21st, 1927. The flight took 33.5 hours. He didn't sleep for 55 hours. He didn't have a radio, nor radar. All he had was a flashlight, rubber raft, wicker chair, water and sandwiches. Because of him, airplanes became popular and numerous. Lindbergh becomes famous. -
h- Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover was the president in 1929. He was orphaned as a child. He was a humanitarian and a poor public speaker. He was also introverted, and limited government intervention. He started out good, but then everything went downhill. -
Period: to
8h) The Great Depression
Beginnings of The Depression -
h- The Stock Market Crash of 1929
The Stock Market Crash of 1929 occurred on October 20th, 1929. There was 10 days of plummeting stocks. Many investors sold off their stocks. Thousands of people try to run to the banks and get their money. Millions of people lost their life savings. This created more crucial issues. Hoover's presidency goes down hill from here. -
h- The Dust Bowl
The Dust Bowl occurred from 1930 to 1940. The topsoil was blown away by drought and poor farming. Southern plains was the worst hit. Dust blanketed major cities. People barricade themselves in their homes. Millions of cattle will die from suffocation. There was hardly any production of agriculture during this period. -
h- Election of 1932
In the election of 1932 had Herbert Hoover of the republicans running against Franklin D. Roosevelt of the democrats. Herbert Hoover had a bonus march that sealed his fate. He was also indifferent towards people. Franklin D. Roosevelt ran a conservative campaign and wins overwhelmingly. -
h- The New Deal
The New Deal was a series of federal programs, public work projects, financial reforms and regulations enacted in the United States during the 1930s in response to the Great Depression. It reforms to fight the Depression. It creates dozens of new government agenecies. -
h- 20th Amendment
The 20th amendment was enacted on January 23rd, 1933. It changed term dates for president and congress. The presidential inauguration is moved up to January instead of March. -
h- Banks
Banks were re-opened with the New Deal in March 1933. There was a bank holiday declared for good and bad banks. The federal reserve compliant banks reopen. People were depositing more than they withdrew. -
h- Glass-Steagall Act
The Glass-Steagall Act effectively separated commercial banking from investment banking and created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, among other things. It was one of the most widely debated legislative initiatives before being signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in June 1933. -
h- 21st Amendment
The 21st amendment was enacted on December 5th, 1933. This amendment repeals the 18th amendment. The 18th amendment made alcohol illegal in all ways but of consumption. The 21st amendment reverses it and makes alcohol legal again. -
h- Securities and Exchange Commission
The Securities and Exchange Commission designed to restore investor confidence in our capital markets by providing investors and the markets with more reliable information and clear rules of honest dealing. It reformed buying and selling of stock. It disclosed financial details to investors. It also created regulation of stocks on margin. -
h- Wagner Act
The Wagner Act was established in July 5th, 1935. It prevented employers from firing. It established the National Labor Relations Board and addressed relations between unions and employers in the private sector.As well as blacklisting. It allowed workers to join unions. It prevented employee espionage. -
i- Munich Conference
The Munich Conference was a settlement reached by Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy on September 30th, 1938. It permitted German annexation of the Sudetenland in western Czechoslovakia. Hitler promises to take over no more territory , but chooses other wise. He was convinced the allies were weak. He thinks there is a need for more living space. -
Period: to
9i) World War 2
Rise of the Nazis -
i- German- Soviet Non- Aggression Pact
The German- Soviet Non-Aggression Pact was enacted on August 23rd, 1939. It was Hitler and Stalin's agreement. It bought time for both sides to prepare for war. Hitler didn't want a two front war. He wanted to take the west out first. -
i- Dunkirk
Dunkirk was an evacuation that occurred in June of 1940. Hundreds of British ships and planes came. They evacuated over 300k soldiers, before the Germans could reach Paris. -
i- Operation Sealion
The operation sea lion occurred in September 1940. Hitler's plan to invade Britain marked with publication of Nazi war charts.Hitler's shock troops lined up along the coast of France and prepared to launch an invasion. He later cancelled the invasion after he realized he had lost the Battle of Britain. -
i- The Blitz
The Blitz occurred from September 7th, 1940 to May 10th, 1941. The blitz were night attacks. Hitler wanted peace, and initially wanted to bomb military targets. They soon turn to terror bombing major cities. The british counter after one of their cities is hit, and the Luffwaffe fails. Operation Sea Lion never materializes. -
i- Operation Barbarossa
The operation of barbarossa occurred from June 22nd, 1941 to December 5th, 1941. Four million Germans attached the Soviet Union. The Germans wanted land and oil. They used Blitzkrieg, while Soviet used scorched death. Soviet set anything that was a benefit to them on fire. This caused the German advance to halt in December 1941. This was the turning point of European Theater. The Germans were now on defense. -
i- Pearl Harbor
The Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7th, 1941. It was a surprise attack. Eight battleships were damaged. Planes and supplies were destroyed. The intention of the bomb was to destroy american fleet, but the mission was failed since they weren't there. -
i- Quebec Conference
The First Quebec Conference was a highly secret military conference held during World War II between the British, Canadian and United States governments. The conference was held in Quebec City, August 17, 1943 – August 24, 1943. It laid out the framework for the constitution of Canada. -
i- D-Day
D-Day was when the Normandy landings were the landing operations. It was the largest seaborne invasion. The goal was to surprise Germany, but Germany was ready to fight. It was the beginning of the end of World War II. -
i- Battle of Bulge
The battle of bulge occurred from December 16th, 1944 to January 25th, 1945. Hitler attempted to split the Allied armies in northwest Europe by means of a surprise blitzkrieg thrust through the Ardennes to Antwerp.As the Germans drove deeper into the Ardennes in an attempt to secure vital bridgeheads, the Allied line took on the appearance of a large bulge.
