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Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower was inaugurated into the presidency after defeating Adlai Stevenson. Eisenhower beame popular after his miltary achievements in World War II, especially with the success of his D-day invasion. "I like Ike" soon became a saying. Eisenhower -
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
President Eisenhower made changes to welfare programs. He created the department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) under Orveta Culp Hobby. She was the first woman in a Republican Cabinet. Department Of HEW -
Dien Bien Phu
In the battle in Dien Bien Phu in communist North Vietnam, the North Vietnamese were successful in pushing the French back. France, in need of help, asked for American help but Eisenhower denied it. With no other hope, the French Garrison surrenered on May 7th. Dien Bien Phu -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Brown v Board of Education contained five major cases. Under Supreme Court Justice Warren, his court unanimously decided that "seperate educational facilities are inherently unequal." This monumental case reversed the the previous decision. It desegregated schools and made it llegal to do so. -
Montgomery Bus Boycotts
On December 1, 1955, African American female Rosa Parks had refused to give her seat up to a white man on a public bus. If there were not enough seats for both blacks and whites to sit, African Americans had to give up their seats. When Rosa Parks was arrested, the African American community started a boycott on the uses and walked to their locations. Almost empty buses rode around Montgomery until the boycott ended in December 1956. -
Interstate Highway System
President Eisenhower approved the construction interstate highways. It would be 42,000 miles of road that would link all the nation's major cities. It was successful in creating thousands of jobs, along with providing a route to quickly and efficiently move nuclear weapons. The American Interstate Highway System provided a model for the rest of the world. -
Dwight D. Eisenhower's Second Term
Eisenhower defeated Stevenson for a second time in the election of 1956. Again, the election was not very close, and Eisenhower won by a landslide. In his second term, he made accomplishments for African Americans in their fight for Cvil Rights. Eisenhower -
Little Rock Central High School Integration Crisis
The Little Rock Nine was made up of nine African American students. After the Brown v. Board of Education case decided to end segregation in schools, the Little Rock Nine were still denied entrance into the integrated high school. Governor Orval Faubus used the police to ensure these nine wouldn't enter. Then, President Eisenhower used the US Army's 101st Airborne division to escort the students to school. -
"Sit-In" of 1960
Four African American college kids in North Carolina went to be served at the lunch counter, but were refused service based on their race. In a peaceful revolt they decided to just sit there in order to make a statement. A "sit-in" wave spread across the nation in peaceful protests against segregation. Sit In -
John F. Kennedy Inaugurated
Democrat John F Kennedy beat Republican Richard Nixon in the very close election of 1960. JFK's victory was partially due to the effects of television and the televised debates. He was very charming and good-looking. He is also the youngest president ever elected. John F Kennedy -
Robert Kennedy Attacks Organized Crime
Robert Kennedy was the younger brother of President John F Kennedy, and was attorney general. Robert began an attack on organized crime. By September 1963, organized crime conxictions had dramatically increased from 4 in 1961 to 373 in 1963. -
Attack on Steel Industry
Kennedy was aggressive in the attack against the big steel industry, and forced a roll back of of price increases. Even though the big companies did not obediently follow the President's orders immediately, they did eventually agree to fairly lower the prices. -
Children's Crusade
More than 2,000 children skipped school to gather at the 6th Street Baptist Church in order to peacefully march. Children were very efficient in making a difference. Children would not have to miss work and suffer the economic consequences in order to march. Under Bull Connor's demands, fire hoses and police dogs were used to break up the march by force. -
March on Washington
In August of 1963, Doctor Martin Luter King Junior led 200,00 black and white demonstrators on a peaceful "March on Washington" in support of proposed legislation. King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the LincolnMemorial. This monumental march was a prime example of King's moving peaceful protests. March On WashingtonI -
16th Street Baptist Church Bombing
On a Sunday in 1963, the 16th Street Baptist Church, which had been used as a meeting place for Civil Rights leaders, was bombed. The Ku Klux Klan had placed a pipe bomb under the structure of the church. Four little girls were innocently killed in this act of extreme racism. The 16th Street Church Bombing -
The President's Assassination
While riding in the back of a convertible alongside his wife, Jackie, in Dallas, Texas, JFK was shot. He was killed by Lee Harvey Oswald. The President and First Lady were smiling and waving in a parade when the shots were fired. The country was devastasted, and the bright future seemed to darken. John F Kennedy assassinated -
Lyndon B. Johnson Sworn In
Kennedy's Vice President, Lyndon B. Johnson, was sworn into office the day of Kennedy's death. He was sworn in on Air Force One with widowed Jackie Kennedy standing right next to him. He was sworn in by Sarah Hughes, the first woman ever to swear in a president. Lyndon B. Johnson -
"Great Society"
The "Great Society" was LBJ's biggest effort to prove his talent and leadership to the American people. It was a continuation of New-Deal like programs that were aimed towards helping the poor. The four main areas it stressed were education, immigration reforms, welfare programs and voting rights. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act banned racial discrimination in most private facilties oen to the public. It strengthened the federal government's power to end the rampid segregation. It also created the Federal Equal Emplyment Opportunity Commission to end racial discrimination in the work force. Conservatives tried to destroy the bill, but it still passed. [The Voting Rights Act of 1965](<a href='http://www.core-online.org/History/voting_rights.htm)' >Civil Rights Act of 1964</a> -
Civil Rights Legislation
Under LBJ, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were successfully passed. These two monumental laes were huge accomplishments in the fight for racial equality. Taking after Kennedy's lead, LBJ made a significant effort in the civil rights effort. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Two US Warships were reported being "attacked" by North Vietnamese ships. Two days later, it was claimed that there was another attack. This was never proven. This inspired a more involved United States in the Vietnam War. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The "attack" by North Vietnam on American ships inspired action. In response to ths incident, Congress granted Prsident LBJ a blank ckeck for the Vietnam War and to aid any Southeast Asian country against communism. -
Lyndon B. Johnson Inaugurated
LBJ was inaugurated into the presidency on January 20, 1975. He won the election after beating Barry Goldwater. This election produced the widest margin in the popular vote history. Lyndon B Johnson -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act was passed by President Lundon B Johnson. It outlawed literacy tests and sent federal voter registratars into the southern states. This was passed because of denying devices, such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation stopped African Americans from exercising their right to vote. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 -
Watt's Riots
Protests on behalf of African Americans went from peaceful to miltant after the Voting Rights Act og '65 was passed. The Watt's Riots in California were particularly violent. The frustration of discrimination had mounted so high after years of waiting for justice. -
Tet Offensive
Surprise attacks on South Vietnam occured during the ceasefire holiday, Tet, when North Vietnam and Viet Cong joined together. The Northern forces overtook Saigan and the US embassy, which required a few weeks to regain. Although the US militarly won, the improved strength of the North was unexpected. -
Shift in War
The huge decision of scaling back the bombings an ceasing the sending of troops to Vietnam was publicly televised when LBJ announced it. This compromising act aimed to somewhat satisfy both American hawks and doves, This also sparked the North Vietnamese to decide on negotiating in Paris. -
Richard Nixon Takes Office
Republican candidate Richard Nixon beat Democrat Hubert Humphrey and Independent George Wallace in the election of 1968. He was known for his foreign policy, which presidents following him would consult him for. Richard Nixon -
New Federalism
Since the beginning of his time as president, Nixon had a domestic policy of "New Federalism," With this, Congress approved giving $30 billion over five years in grants to local governments that could spend it as they thought was needed. Now, the responsibility of social programs settled with local and state governments instead of the federal government. -
Biracial State Committees
To plan and implement the desegregation of schools, biracial committees had been set up by Nixon beginning in 1969. After starting in Mississippi, it had traveled across the South. The committees success was proven when only 18% of southern African American children remained in all black schools, instead of the staggering 70% when Nixon took office. -
Richard Nixn's Re-election
Richard NixonRichard Nixon was re-elected to the presidencu in the 1972 Election. He beat democrat George McGovern by another wide margin. He stressed his "Great Society Plan" and placed emphasis on foreign affair policies. The future would unfold how hs second term would not go as well as his first. <a href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/01/10/the-fixs-10 -
Gerald Ford Takes the Oath
After fighting a losing battle agaibst the Watergate Scandal, President Richard Nixon resigned his presidency on August 8, 1974. His Vice President, Geral Ford, became president August 9, 1974. He is the only president to be solely picked by Congress, being that Nixon's original VP resigned during the term. President Gerald FordA -
Pardoning of Nixon
President Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon after he was sworn in as president after the Watergate scandal. This gesture caused much controversy. Ford pardoned Nixon in an effort to put the scandal in the past. -
Return of Draft Dodgers
The unfortunate effects of Vietnam and domestic chaos infuenced Ford to take action. He announced that anyone who had fleed to Canada in order to avoid the draft could return to the US without suffering consequences. He saw this as a way to heal and somewhat return to normal.
