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Settlement of Jamestown
Jamestown, named after King James I of England, was the first permanent English settlement in North America. Jamestown was struck with famine and disease until another shipment of goods and supplies arrived at the settlement in Virginia. Tensions between the English settlers and Native American tribes were high until John Rolfe married Pocahontas. This marriage created a symbiotic relationship in which the Native Americans helped settlers grow tobacco and settlers respected the Native Americans. -
Founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony
After the Mayflower reached present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts from England, nearly 100 Puritans sought to purify the Church of England. Land in Plymouth, Massachusetts was obtained from King Charles of England by John Winthrop. The Puritans faced extreme weather, famine, and disease. Despite the hardships they faced, the settlers persisted and made the Massachusetts Bay Colony one of the largest and most prosperous English colonies in the New World. -
Bacon’s Rebellion
Bacon's Rebellion was the first popular rebellion in the American colonies. Nathaniel Bacon led the rebels. Nathaniel prompted all to attack any Native Americans he could find. Governor Berkley removed Bacon from the governor's council and arrested him. As a result, Bacon's army forced the Berkley to release Bacon, and reforms such that changed the powers of the governor and gave rights to landless freemen were made. Bacon died and his army was dispersed. -
Steam Engine Patented
Thomas Savery patented the revolutionary steam engine in 1698. This machine used the steam from boiling water to move pistons back and forth, which turned a wheel and provided the force to carry out tasks. This invention was later revised by James Watt in 1765. The steam engine reduced the need for human labor in factories. Additionally, the steam engine provided the force needed for steam boats and trains, which benefitted transportation and trade. -
The Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan of Union was formulated by Benjamin Franklin at the Albany Congress on August 10, 1754 in Albany, New York. The plan sought to unify the Thirteen Colonies under one centralized government. Although the plan failed, it foreshadowed the unification of American States under the Declaration of Independence. -
Pontiac’s Rebellion
Pontiac's Rebellion, or Pontiac's War, was a battle fought near the end of the Seven Years' War. The battle began in the Great Lakes region of North America in 1763. A Native American man by the name of Pontiac was led a loose confederation of Native Americans to protect their land from the invasion of the British. After the battle, settlers were forbidden to travel west of the Appalachian Mountains, which is known as the Proclamation Line of 1763. -
Proclamation of 1763
As a result of Pontiac's Rebellion, the Proclamation of 1763 was enforced. The proclamation prohibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains and was enforced by British troops. This proclamation was enforced to appease the demands of the Native Americans. -
Stamp Act of 1765
To help pay for the debts caused by the Seven Years' War, Great Britain began heavily taxing its American colonies. One of the first taxes is known as the Stamp Act of 1765. This act placed taxes on all papers and official documents. As a result, colonists boycotted British goods and lead to the formation of the Sons and Daughters of Liberty. -
Quartering Act of 1765
The Quartering Act is an example of yet another tax placed on the American colonies by Great Britain. The act was in place to help raise money to pay of Britain's debt from the Seven Years' War. The act forced colonists to provide food and housing for any and all British soldiers. The Quartering Act, on top of several other taxes, placed significant pressure on the colonists. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was ultimately caused by rising tensions between the patriots and loyalists. A group of patriots attacked a loyalist, who fired a gun and killed a boy. The hostility soon elevated into the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770. Colonists were seen as a threat to the British soldiers and the soldiers opened fire, killing several colonists. The event was heavily publicized as a British attack on colonist victims, fueling the desire for American justice. -
Boston Tea Party
As a result of the Townshend Acts, the Boston Tea Party occurred on December 16. 1773. The Sons of Liberty disguised themselves as Mohawk Native Americans and raided three ships. They dumped a total of 342 chests of British East India Company tea into the Boston Harbor in protest of the tax on tea. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies met in Carpenters' Hall in Philidelphia, PA. Congress assembled to discuss the future of the American colonies under the control of British tyranny. They organized a boycott of British goods to protest the unfair taxation of the American colonies. -
Second Continental Congress
On May 10, 1775, delegates from the Thirteen Colonies assembled to discuss actions that need to be taken to secure American independence. At this conference, they wrote the Declaration of Independence, declaring independence from the wrath of Britain. This declaration led to the American Revolutionary War. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill, also called the Battle of Breed's Hill, was a consequence of Britain attempting to seize Boston. The battle occurred in Massachusetts. The British won the battle and boosted the morale of the British soldiers in the Siege of Boston. -
Publication of "Common Sense”
During the Enlightenment Era, Thomas Paine, an influential and well-educated philosopher, wrote and published "Common Sense". In his work, he advocated for independence from England by writing in the language of the common man. "Common Sense" united colonists under the idea of freedom, encouraging a revolution. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was written on July 4, 1776 at the Second Continental Congress and was approved on August 2, 1776. The document formally declared the separation of the colonies from Great Britain. The document also included reasons behind their declaration of independence and stated the core values of the unified colonies. The Declaration of Independence initiated the American Revolutionary War. -
Battle of Trenton
During the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington and his troops led a surprise attack on Hessian soldiers. Washington had to cross the Delaware River, creating the inspiration for the iconic painting seen above. Washington plotted his attack to be the day after Christmas when the Hessians would be drunk and heedless. The soldiers defeated the Hessians and secured a win for America, boosting the morales of patriots in the colonies. -
Valley Forge
Valley Forge was the home of General George Washington's troops throughout the winter of 1777. The fort was a plateau where the troops recovered and trained for upcoming battles. The soldiers experienced an extreme shortage of medical supplies, food, and clothes. The soldiers were exposed to extreme weather and plenty of diseases, leading to the death of nearly 2,000 American soldiers. -
Battle of Yorktown
In the Battle of Yorktown, General George Washington ordered Marquis de Lafayette and 5,000 American troops to surround British General Cornwallis at Yorktown. The French navy surrounded Cornwallis's troops by sea. The British were forced to surrender, bringing the American Revolutionary War to end and securing the independence of the colonies from Britain. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris was a document declaring the end of the American Revolutionary War. The treaty also established The United States of America as an independent nation. The document was signed in Paris, France. America would now need to learn how to prosper as an independent nation. -
Shay’s Rebellion
American farmers were being taxed for their land to help pay for American war debts. Farmers who were in debt were forced to sell their land. Additionally, farmers who served in the Revolutionary War were not being compensated properly. In response, Daniel Shays led a rebellion that attacked courthouses and other government properties in protest. As a result, the rebellion ceased and revisions to the Articles of Confederation were made. -
Proclamation of Neutrality
The Proclamation of Neutrality was a formal message given by President George Washington on April 22, 1793 addressing America's standpoint on the French Revolution. Because America was still recovering from the American Revolutionary War, the message declared that America would remain neutral in the conflict with France and Great Britain. By doing so, questions were raised about foreign policies. The proclamation gave America time to recover from the war. -
Cotton Gin Patented
In an era of prominent slave labor, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. This machine separated cotton seeds from cotton fibers in just the turn of a handle. The cotton gin decreased the time and labor needed to perform such task, which also increased the profitability of this product and decreased the time it took to mend. -
Louisiana Purchase
Washington's Jay Treaty previously secured territory west of the Mississippi River. President Thomas Jefferson was worried about the dependability of this treaty and decided to purchase the land, despite his constructionist values. Jefferson bought the land for 15 million dollars from Napoleon. The size of the U.S. doubled and opened up for westward expansion, prompting the Lewis and Clark expeditions to explore the new territory. -
The Embargo Act of 1807
In response to the French Revolution, the Embargo Act was passed by Congress and approved by Jefferson on December 22, 1807. The act prohibited all foreign trade of American ships. The Embargo Act helped the U.S. remain loyal to the Proclamation of Neutrality. The act also boosted America's economy. -
The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem written by Francis Scott Key on September 14, 1814. The anthem, which was originally a poem, served as a unifying tune that promoted national unity and patriotism. After the release of the poem, Americans began to use the American flag to express national pride. -
Panic of 1819
The Panic of 1819 was the first economic crisis in American history. After President Andrew Jackson issued the Specie Circular, banks began to collapse, leading to economic chaos. Trade dwindled, unemployment skyrocketed, banks failed, and mortgages were foreclosed. As a result, new political parties were established, the national debt increased, and a great social divide began to emerge. -
Monroe Doctrine
In response to concerns that European powers would encroach on U.S. influence, President James Monroe released the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine established a clear divide between North America and Europe, asserting America's lack of tolerance for European monarchs. This declaration helped the U.S. be perceived as a rising international power. -
Tariff of Abominations
The Tariff of 1828, or Tariff of Abominations, was a tariff designed to protect the northern and western U.S. industries by taxing imported goods and materials. Although the tariff benefitted the northern states, the southern states were hurt by these taxes. They had to pay significantly more for European goods. The south demanded equality, thus leading to Henry Clay's Compromise Tariff of 1833. -
Indian Removal Act
President Andrew Jackson issued the Indian Removal Act. The act was an executive order that negotiated federal lands west of the Mississippi River in exchange for unsettled land in the west. Over 46,000 Native Americans were forced into the federal lands and more than 4,000 of them died due to disease, starvation, and exposure. The Indian Removal Act allowed for white settlers to expand westward, ultimately leading to the Homestead Act. -
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia
In the Supreme Court case Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, the right for a state to impose laws on its Native American citizens was debated. The Court ruled that they could not judge this case because Cherokee Nation was a "domestic dependent nation". The court case legally defined the relationship between the Native American tribes the U.S. government. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner, an enslaved man, led a revolt of slaves on August 21, 1831. Turner and the enslaved men traveled from plantation to plantation and killed as many white masters as they could, hoping to free as many slaves as possible and overthrow slavery and white tyranny. As a result, Turner was hanged for his rebellion and white masters became even more strict and oppressive to ensure cooperation of their slaves. -
The Reaper Patented
The reaper was invented by Cyrus McCormick and patented on May 21, 1834. This machine was designed to be pulled by a horse. As the horse moved forwards, a wheel would spin and cause a blade to chop the crop beneath the reaper. The reaper allowed for a much quicker and more profitable harvest, reducing the demand for laborers and increasing income. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo officially ended the Mexican-American War and was signed on February 2, 1848. By winning the Mexican-American war, the U.S. gained nearly 500,000 square miles of land and extended U.S. territory to the Pacific Ocean. Having available ports on both sides of the country allowed for more accessible trade with countries around the world. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was the first women's rights conference in U.S. history. The meeting was held in Seneca Falls, New York to address the lack of women's freedoms, liberties, and opportunities. The women's suffrage movement was launched and gained national recognition, which ultimately led to the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. -
Compromise of 1850
Senator Henry Clay came in clutch once again with another compromise, this time called the Compromise of 1850. The compromise addressed the issue of slave states and free states. California became a free state, established Utah and New Mexico (no mention of slave state or free state), a new Texas-Mexico border was established, and the Fugitive Slave Act was included to help slave owners recover their runaway slaves. -
Bessemer Process
Henry Bessemer, born and raised in England, invented the first Bessemer Process in 1856. The use of the process in the United States revolutionized the means of steel production by improving the efficiency of production and the quality of the finished product. This ultimately reduced the cost of steel in America, making it a mass-producible product. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott v. Sandford was a Supreme Court case in which the Court ruled that a slave in a free state is not entitled to any freedoms. The ruling ultimately meant that there was no such thing as free states and that all African Americans were not and could not become U.S. citizens. This court case ruling played a prominent role in the road to the American Civil War. -
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on May 20, 1862. The act encouraged eligible citizens to settle west of the Mississippi River. The head of the household was offered 160 acres of public land. All the family had to do was live on the land, improve the land, and pay a minor fee. Because of this act, many families traveled west. Tensions between settlers and Native Americans began to rise. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation, or Proclamation 95, was an executive order by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. Because of the Confederacy's continued disobedience, the proclamation declared that all slaves in Confederate states were now freedmen. Although this freed slaves in rebellious southern states, slaves in border states remained as slaves. This proclamation was in favor of the Union and helped reunite the country. -
Battle of Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg is arguably the most important battle in the American Civil War because it split the Confederacy in half and gave the Union control of a major Confederacy city. Ultimately, the Union took control of Vicksburg, Mississippi by executing the Union anaconda plan. The Union victory boosted the morale of the northern states and divided the Confederacy. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Beginning on November 15, 1864, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman led nearly 60,000 men on a journey to kill the Confederacy. After seizing Atlanta, Sherman marched 285 miles to Savannah, Georgia. He burned and destroyed everything Confederacy-related in his path on his way. Sherman's March to the Sea left southerners with little to nothing, hurting the morale of many Confederates. This march frightened Confederates of the Union's power and influence over them. -
Sand Creek Massacre
On November 29, 1864, nearly 700 U.S. soldiers led by Colonel John Chivington attacked nearly 1,000 Cheyenne and Arapaho Native Americans in eastern Colorado. A discovery of gold in Pikes Peak caused an increase in gold miners and settlers. The Treaty of Fort Wise was then signed to relocate the Native Americans into a territory 1/13 its original size. Some Native Americans agreed, but those that did not continued to live on the original land. The U.S. Army removed the tribes by force. -
Freedmen’s Bureau
The Freedmen's Bureau was established on March 3, 1865 in response to the Emancipation Proclamation and the near end of the American Civil War. The Freedmen's Bureau provided food, shelter, medical aid, and land to newly-freed slaves. Although the Freedmen's Bureau provided for some slaves, its lack of funding led to its downfall in July of 1872. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
Enacted on April 9, 1866, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 redefined citizenship in the United States. The act declared that all citizens of the U.S. are protected by the law. The act stated that everyone born in the United States was a citizen of the U.S., "without distinction of race or color, or previous condition of slavery or involuntary servitude." This was especially impactful for Freedmen. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was the first U.S. law to define citizenship in American history. -
Ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment
The Fourteenth Amendment, one of three Reconstruction Amendments, was ratified on July 9, 1868. The amendment granted equal rights and U.S. citizenship to all African Americans. The amendment was a turning point for Freedmen in America. -
National Woman Suffrage Association
The National Woman Suffrage Association was founded by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton in May of 1869. This organization advocated for equal rights and opportunities for women. Women's suffrage advocates were often supporters of antislavery. The National Woman Suffrage Association played a major role in attaining the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, granting American women the right to vote. -
Ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment
The Fifteenth Amendment, the last of three Reconstruction Amendments, was ratified on February 3, 1870. The amendment granted the right to vote to all American citizens regardless of race or color. Ultimately, this law allowed Freedmen to vote but left women's right to vote untouched. Although women's rights advocates were happy for the Freedmen, they were enraged by the audacity of the government to ignore their protests, thus allowing the movement to gain momentum and popularity. -
Women's Christian Temperance Union
Established in 1874 in Cleveland, Ohio, the Women's Christian Temperance Union aimed to combat the countless detrimental effects of alcohol abuse. Influential women such as Annie Wittenmyer, Mary Johnson, Frances Willard, and Mary Ingham lead the campaign organization. They believed that by ceasing excessive alcohol consumption, there would be a more positive effect on family life and society as a whole. -
Pendleton Act
Because of several previous presidential assassinations, the Pendleton Act was ratified by President Chester A. Arthur on January 16, 1883. The act declared that Federal Government jobs would be given to people based on their qualification for the job. These candidates would then be selected through competitive exams. The act was approved to abolish the spoils system, which would prevent angry political party advocates from assassinating any more presidents. -
Ghost Dance Movement
The Ghose Dance Movement became popular amongst Native American tribes, reviving past Native American practices to cause the disappearance of whites and the abundance of land and buffalo. This spiritual ritual stirred up fear in white settlers, thus causing massacres such as Wounded Knee. -
"Gospel of Wealth"
Written by Andrew Carnegie in June of 1889, the "Gospel of Wealth" is an article that discusses the responsibilities of wealthy men. More specifically, Carnegie's article claimed that the rich man is obligated to spend his money to benefit the "greater good". The "Gospel of Wealth" was targeted to impact selfish, self-made, rich men of the time, commonly known as robber barons. -
Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890
Passed by Congress in 1890, the Sherman Antitrust Act was enacted by President Theodore Roosevelt to prevent monopolistic business practices. More specifically, the Sherman Antitrust Act outlawed "every contract, combination, or conspiracy in restraint of trade," as well as any "monopolization, attempted monopolization, or conspiracy or combination to monopolize." Basically, Roosevelt intended to break up "bad trusts" but allow
"good trusts" to continue. -
McKinley Tariff
The McKinley Tariff was passed on October 1, 1890. The law raised taxes on imports by nearly 50%. The law was enacted the protect American businesses from foreign competition. The act was favored by Republicans, but despised by Democrats. As a result, American industries saw rapid growth and prosperity. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Decided on May 18, 1896, Plessy v. Ferguson was a major Supreme Court case that established the legality of the "Separate but Equal" principle. Ultimately, the court case ruling acted as a gateway to the unjust treatment of African Americans because they were not treated equally. Given time, civil rights activist organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) would soon rise to advocate for black rights. -
Platt Amendment
Approved on May 22, 1903, the Platt Amendment was a treaty between the United States and Cuba that was passed to protect Cuba from foreign intervention, ultimately playing a prominent role in ensuring Cuba's independence. By protecting Cuba's new government and ensuring its independence, the U.S. further demonstrates its dominant world power and influence and stresses its confidence in the importance of an independent nation. -
First Ford Model T
Introduced in 1908, the very first Ford Model T automobile manufactured by Henry Ford was released to the public for $850. Ford created an assembly line and was able to reduce the time it took to produce a Model T from 12 hours to 90 minutes, reducing the price to $280. Ford wanted the best and most loyal employees, thus he offered his workers better wages, shorter hours, and weekends off. The boom of the automobile industry leads to expansion in other industries such as steel and oil companies. -
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded on February 12, 1909 by W. E. B. Du Bois and other activists such as Ida B. Wells and Mary Chuch Terrell. The NAACP played a prominent role in the spread and influence of the emerging civil rights movement. The NAACP was focused on the elimination of racial prejudice, arguing against the 'separate but equal' clause. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
The Pure Food and Drug Act was passed by Congress on June 6, 1906. Upton Sinclair's novel, The Jungle, raised awareness of the unsanitary practices of large food corporations. As the public read and reacted to Sinclair's novel, public outrage arose and thus prompted Congress to address the unhygienic practices, therefore enacting the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. The act revolutionized the food industry by ensuring a safer future for the consumer. -
Dollar Diplomacy
William Howard Taft's Dollar Diplomacy was the strategy of using U.S. financial power, as an alternative to Big Stick Diplomacy, to influence other countries throughout the world. The Dollar Diplomacy ultimately led to an increase in diplomatic relations with countries such as Costa Rica and Guatemala. Finally, the Dollar Diplomacy caused an increase in immigration to America, thus leading to an increase in America's population. -
Sixteenth Amendment
The Sixteenth Amendment is known as one of the first amendments of the Progressive Era. Passed by Congress on July 2, 1909, and ratified on February 3, 1913, the Sixteenth Amendment allowed the federal government to collect an income tax, soon becoming the federal government's largest source of revenue and thus increasing the power and influence of the federal government. -
Federal Reserve Act
Signed by President Woodrow Wilson on December 23, 1913, the Federal Reserve Act created a Federal Reserve System, commonly known as the central banking system of America. The act essentially reorganized America's banking system to ensure that the banks of America could effectively supply its people. -
Great Migration
The Great Migration was the movement of roughly six million African Americans from the rural regions of the south to the industrial regions of the north. The Great Migration began in 1916 and ceased around 1970. The abrupt movement was due to the availability of war-time jobs that became available as northern American men were drafted to war. Additionally, blacks migrated north to escape extreme racial discrimination. The movement resulted in the Harlem Renaissance and Jazz Age. -
Zimmermann Telegram
Written by German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann, the Zimmermann Telegram was addressed to Mexico's Heinrich von Eckhardt. Germany was hoping to form an alliance with Mexico by promising to recover land lost to the U.S. by Mexican cession after the Great War was over. Unfortunately for Germany, the Zimmerman Telegram was intercepted by the United States. America considered the message as an act of war and sided with the British in World War I. -
Espionage and Sedition Acts
The Espionage Act of 1917 was enacted by Congress on June 15, 1917. The act was enforced to prevent America's enemies from obtaining any vital information during World War I. To do so, the Espionage Act prohibited the obtainment of any sources that were related to U.S. national defense. The Sedition Act of 1918 was enacted by Congress on May 16, 1918. The Sedition Act further limited the freedom of speech of American citizens during World War I. -
Houston Riot of 1917
On August 23, 1917, 156 black soldiers from the 24th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army revolted against the police. The riot was caused by an instance in which a black man interfered with the arrest of a black woman. The man was arrested by two police officers. Seen as an unjust arrest, over 150 black U.S. soldiers revolted against the police, ultimately leading to the death of four black soldiers and 15 white officers and civilians. The riot led to an increase in racial tensions in America. -
Jazz Age
Emerging in 1918, the Jazz Age was a period in which black musical arts and culture were popular within the white population. Arts included primarily jazz music and dance styles that originated from New Orleans. The popularity of jazz music in the 1920s and 1930s was heavily influenced by the Harlem Renaissance, a period in which African American artists, writers, and musicians shared their talents with the public. The Great Migration of African Americans contributed to the rise of the Jazz Age. -
Wilson's Fourteen Points
Wilson's Fourteen Points was delivered on January 8, 1918, by President Woodrow Wilson. Wilson proposed a plan for peace consisting of fourteen points aimed at ending the war and preventing future wars. They proposed no more secret alliances, freedom of the seas, elimination of tariffs and trade barriers to boost economic ties, reduction of arms, adjustment of colonial claims and international borders, and the creation of the League of Nations. -
Palmer Raids
The fear of the rise of communism, the rise of stronger unions, immigration from Easton Europe, and a rash of bombings in several large cities in the heat of the Red Scare prompted the government to act. Attorney General Mitchell Palmer encouraged raids that involved mass arrests and deportation of those suspected to be anarchists, communists, and radicals throughout 1919 and 1920. -
Treaty of Versailles
Signed on June 28, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles ended World War I. Germany agreed to the armistice, believing that it would be based on Wilson's Fourteen Points. The treaty forced Germany to take the blame for World War I. Germany was also forced to pay reparations for war damages that damaged its economy, limit its army to just 10,000 men, have only six battleships, and could not own any planes or submarines. These limitations ultimately led to Germany's vengeance in World War II. -
Nineteenth Amendment
The Nineteenth Amendment was one of the last amendments of the Progressive Era. The amendment passed the U.S. Senate on June 4, 1919, and was ratified in August 1920. After decades of numerous organizations advocating for women's rights, the Nineteenth Amendment enabled the American woman to vote. One of the most prominent women's rights organizations during the Progressive Era was the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). -
Immigration Act of 1924
The Immigration Act of 1924 was signed into law on May 26, 1924. The act limited the number of immigrants that could be admitted to the U.S. to two percent of the total number of individuals of each nationality in the United States in 1890. Thus, the Immigration Act played a major role in reducing the number of new immigrants in America. The scarce visas were awarded to the most suitable, worthy immigrants. These immigrants would then bring their innovative ideas to America. -
Scopes Monkey Trial
Lasting from July 10 to July 21, 1925, the Scopes Monkey Trial was a major Supreme Court case that represented a conflict between science and religion. Formally known as The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, a town in Tennessee banned the teaching of evolution via the Butler Act, yet John Thomas Scopes continued to teach evolution. Scopes was ruled guilty of violating the Butler Act. -
Sacco and Vanzetti Trial
As a result of Attorney General Mitchell Palmer's "Palmer Raids", two Italian immigrants (and admitted anarchists) were charged with the murder of an employee of a shoe store during an armed robbery. They were found guilty with very little evidence and were sentenced to death. They were executed on August 23, 1927. Their deaths sparked widespread protests and debate about civil rights. -
Great Depression
Beginning in August 1929, the Great Depression was a period of drastic economic decline in America. Although the U.S. economy boomed in the 1920s, unnoticed cracks had formed in our economic foundation, such as weak banks, little federal oversight, bad lending practices, and poor personal spending habits. Roosevelt then created the New Deal, which aimed at creating new agencies and programs to protect people from economic disaster and provide relief or temporary work. -
New Deal
Lasting from 1933 to 1939, the New Deal was President Franklin D. Roosevelt's program to address the Great Depression that was focused on "Relief, Recovery, and Reform". The New Deal created enormous debt spending, known as Keynesian Economics, to consume America's way out of the economic depression. The ‘New Deal’ was aimed at creating new agencies and programs to protect people from economic disaster and provide relief or temporary work. The American people appreciated Roosevelt's efforts. -
Emergency Bank Relief Act
Passed as one of his New Deal programs on March 9, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Emergency Bank Relief Act was prompted by the loss of trust in the national banking system after the stock market crash of 1929 that suggested the beginning of the Great Depression. The legislation was passed to give the president greater influence over the nation's banking system, hoping to stabilize the nation's banks and regain public confidence. -
National Industrial Recovery Act
The National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 was signed into law on June 16, 1933, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression. The National Recovery Act of 1933 allowed the president to regulate industry in hopes of improving the poor economic status of America during the Great Depression. The National Recovery Association was effective in providing millions of new jobs and improving business ethics to improve America's economy. -
Twenty-first Amendment
Ratified by Congress on December 5, 1933, the Twenty-first Amendment to the U.S. Constitution repealed federal prohibition that had been previously enforced by the Eighteenth Amendment in 1919. The ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment legalized the sale, production, and transportation of alcohol. The amendment put an end to secretly-stashed speakeasies, which were common places to attend to gain illegal access to alcoholic beverages. -
Social Security Act
Signed into law on August 14, 1935, the Social Security Act was a legislation that was a part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. The law created the Social Security program and insurance against unemployment, hoping to prevent extremely high levels of unemployment as seen in the Great Depression. It acted as a safety net for all Americans and was intended to supplement income. The Social Security Act enabled elders to retire and younger people to take their places in the workforce. -
Second New Deal
First utilized in 1935, Franklin D. Roosevelt's Second New Deal was a program to help free American citizens from the economic wrath of the Great Depression. The Second New Deal consisted of union protection programs, the Social Security Act, and the Banking Act of 1935. The programs were aimed at redistributing wealth and power, revising the social classes of America. -
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
Because Japanese troops were stationed in Indochina, the United States responded by limiting trade with Japan. The invasion of Japanese troops in Indochina prompted the U.S. to stop trade with Japan. Japan countered by planning and executing an attack on a U.S. naval base known as Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The attack killed more than 2,400 Americans. Germany and Italy declared war on the United States and the U.S. joined World War II. -
D-Day
D-Day was the largest seaborne invasion in history and was the turning point in WWII. The invasion took place on June 6, 1944. Allied forces had 156,000 troops on or supported by nearly 5,400 ships that crossed the English Channel landing the troops on five beaches in Normandy. The night before D-Day, 23,000 Paratroopers landed behind enemy lines to secure bridges and roads. Pre-dawn bombardment of Nazi guns to ‘soften the Wall’. Within seven days, the Allies controlled 80 miles of the coast. -
G.I. Bill of Rights
The G.I Bill of Rights was the United States government’s way of thanking World War II veterans by paying for education (college or trade school), giving low-interest home loans, and providing low-interest business loans. People began to think of college as an attainable way to achieve a comfortable middle-class life. Low-interest business loans aided veterans in opening businesses and benefitted the U.S. economy. Low-interest home loans aided veterans in purchasing a home for their families. -
Yalta Conference
The Yalta Conference, lasting from February 4 to February 11, 1945, was the formal gathering of leaders from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. The conference consisted of conversations regarding post-World War II matters. Matters included the reorganization of Germany after the war. The Big Three, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin, agreed to divide Germany into four postwar occupation zones. -
The Baby Boom
People living in the U.S. during the Great Depression were reluctant to expand their families because of difficulty providing food, shelter, etc. After the end of the Great Depression and WWII, there was a huge surge in baby births across America. Therefore, the U.S. population increased by 30 million. The baby boomer generation created jobs everywhere they went because of the immense size of their generation. -
Marshall Plan
Signed into law on April 3, 1948, President Harry S. Truman's Marshall Plan was a program aimed at reconstructing victimized European countries after the Cold War. The program modernized European industrial equipment, created sound currencies and national budgets, expanded trade and increased exports, increased economic cooperation among European countries, and improved transportation systems. The Marshall Plan was an overall effective program that restored and advanced European infrastructure. -
Hollywood Ten
The Hollywood Ten consisted of Alvah Bessie, Herbert Biberman, Lester Cole, Edward Dmytryk, Ring Lardner, Jr., John Howard Lawson, Albert Maltz, Samuel Ornitz, Adrian Scott, and Dalton Trumbo. During McCarthyism and the Red Scare, these ten influencers were sentenced to six months to one year in jail for refusing to answer posed by the HUAC. The ten individuals were suspected of potentially sharing communist ideals. -
Truman Doctrine
Passed on March 12, 1947, President Harry S. Truman's Truman Doctrine was enacted to provide relief and support for nations under oppressive external forces. President Truman asked Congress for $400 million in aid in addition to U.S. troops and advisors to help both Greece and Turkey fight back against the communist threat. The Truman Doctrine was successful in stabilizing European countries under communist forces while also reinforcing America's foreign influence and power. -
Berlin Airlift
Lasting from June 24, 1948 until May 12, 1949, the Berlin Airlift was a program designed to provide for the citizens of Berlin during the Berlin Blockade. The airlift was used to keep the city supplied with food, fuel, and consumer goods. Truman made it clear that if one cargo plane was shot down, it would mean war between the U.S. and the USSR, thus causing the Russians to end the Berlin Blockade after a long eleven months. -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Formed on April 4, 1949, in Washington D.C., the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established. Ten west European countries, the United States, and Canada sign the Washington Treaty, which creates the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an alliance that brings together free and sovereign countries in order to create a collective security system. The system creates a sense of security for each of the countries, both weak and influential or small and weary. -
Brown v. Topeka Board of Education
Decided on May 15, 1954, the Brown v. Topeka Board of Education was a major Supreme Court case that ruled that racial segregation in public schools violated the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, thus ending segregation in public schools. This court ruling was a momentous achievement for African Americans and those supporting the civil rights movement. The Brown v. Topeka Board of Education also created an uprising in some of the white community, leading to violence and destruction. -
National Interstate and Defense Highway Act
The National Interstate and Defense Highway Act was an enormous public works project that updated and modernized America’s roadways by making automobile transportation safer and more efficient. The act also connects the country and creates many jobs for American citizens. To sell the idea, President Eisenhower played on cold war fears by convincing citizens that evacuation would be easier in the case of an emergency. Additionally, the interstate could act as emergency runways for aircraft. -
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
Founded in April 1960, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was an organization of both black and white students advocating for peace and civil rights reforms. The organization planned and coordinated civil rights protest activities throughout the south. Ultimately, SNCC gave young students the opportunity to be actively involved in the civil rights movement. In later years, the organization becomes frustrated with the slow pace of change and becomes more radical. -
Equal Pay Act of 1963
Ratified on June 10, 1963, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was a part of President John F. Kennedy's New Frontier Program. The legislation was aimed at eliminating the wage gap between men and women. The reduction of the wage gap boosted the morale of women's suffrage and women's rights organizations such as the New York Radical Women and Redstockings. The act provided equal opportunity between wages of sexes in America. -
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
On August 28, 1963, over 250,000 people attended the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference planned the march on Washington D.C. with the help of the NAACP, SNCC, and CORE. It was at this rally that Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. The March on Washington led to the ratification and signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. -
Clean Air Act of 1963
Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on December 17, 1963, the Clean Air Act was the first U.S. legislation aimed at controlling air pollution throughout the nation. The act marked one of the early environmentally-oriented laws that would surface in the late 1960s and 1970s. The Clean Air Act reduced the nation's net air pollution by authorizing research into ways to reduce air pollution. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Signed by President Johnson on July 2, 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 'prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. The Civil Rights Act is a direct result of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, with the help of civil rights activist organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Signed into law on August 6, 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 banned discrimination in local, state, and national elections and polling places. The act also bans literacy tests, intimidation, and physical violence at polling places. A peaceful civil rights march led by Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama led to the announcement of the Voting Rights Act. Unarmed protesters were attacked by tear gas and State Troopers, later becoming known as 'Bloody Sunday'. -
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment, known as the Twenty-eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, was passed by the Senate on March 22, 1972. The amendment called for equal opportunities to be given to each sex. Opportunities include property, employment, divorce, etc. Women's rights organizations such as the National Organization for Women (NOW) celebrated such a great, monumental victory as they continue to advocate for women's rights.
