-
Department Stores
Department stores first opened in 1846, and goods would be organized into different "departments". There was also fixed prices, meaning there would be no bartering, and also money back is guaranteed. Department stores also offered free delivery, and people would shop for the experience, not just the deals. Five and dime stores offered large discounts to customers. Discounts were offered for buying in bulk. -
Immigrants
During this time period, many people from Europe and Asia would immigrate. Many Chinese people would come and they faced the most racism and violence. Whites saw Chinese people as job takers, so the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was created to ban further Chinese immigration. The Irish faced racism and violence as well, and like the Chinese they were were wage workers. Then, the Swedish, Norwegian, and German would be in the Northern areas. Immigration quotas were used to protect white workers. -
People
There were still hundreds of Native tribes roaming in the plains, Northwest and Southwest. The introduction of the horse changed the range of Plains Indians, meaning it increased conflict with other tribes and white settlers, and introduced the buffalo. Many African-Americans became exodusters, who are former slaves who migrated west for better opportunity. For Native Whites, many farmers wanted to expand their lands and profits. -
Period: to
Transforming the West
1860 - 1900 -
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act was for free land, and settlers would receive 160 acres of land, only if the land would be improved for 5 years. This would help the landless farmers, former slaves, and the single women, they would all take advantage of this. -
Morill Land Grant College Act
The Morill Land Grant College Act was an act passed by U.S. Congress which would fund new universities in sparsely populated areas (which was usually in the West) through taxes on the sale of public land. -
Period: to
Becoming an Industrial Power
1865 - 1900 -
Transcontinental Railroad
The Transcontinental Railroad was a railroad that stretched all across America from East to West. There were two corporations at the time, the Union Pacific (building West) and the Central Pacific (building East). They met at Promontory Point, Utah, in May 1869. However, this would be used to exploit the new immigrants, the Chinese and Irish, which will cause many of them to die. -
Assimilation of the Natives
Some Americans see the injustices towards the natives. Helen Hunt, wrote the book "A Century of Dishonor", which talked about the injustices the Natives faced. Congress looked at the mistreat of natives, and so began the support of educating the natives. Boarding schools were created and Sarah Winnemucca, a native and reformer, dressed as an Indian princess. Formal education was given to Native Americans. -
Oil
John D. Rockefeller was the Carnegie of oil production. He did the exact same thing that Carnegie did, and eventually he would control 90% of all domestic oil. He also went to vertical integration from horizontal integration, and invented two important business elements: trusts and holding companies. -
Granges
Granges were patrons of husbandry. Farmers would form societies for solutions to agricultural problems (lecture, newspaper, experts). There were hundreds of thousands of members by 1870, and they were politically powerful. They formed parties in 1873 after economy tanks. Granges will disappear when the economy starts to recover. This would be the first populist movement. Democrats and Republicans will add grange issues to their platforms as well. -
Tenements
Tenements were basically like apartment buildings for people to live in. Most immigrants who came to America would live in these places, so this would result in multiple family dwellings, and each tenement would be about 4-6 stories high. These tenements were poorly ventilated, poorly lit, and this would cause disease to spread. Since overpopulation was a problem, rents began to soar, and many would be evicted for falling behind. -
Political Machines
Political Machines was created for large cities that needed a political structure. There was a mass amount of immigrants, so they needed jobs, and they wanted to vote as well. Ward bosses would give immigrants jobs, in exchange for their votes. These ward bosses would be full of precinct captains, ward captains, district captains, and many would have close relations with business. Graft became a thing, and it was considered as corruption, as it robbed taxpayers. -
Farmers Alliance
The Farmer's Alliance took reins from the Granger Movement, and there will 5 million members (whites only). Farmers were being overcharged on shipping crops, which resulted in higher interest loans. Cooperatives united farmers, and they negotiated higher crop prices, better loan rates, ad insurance. They became political to fight monopolies, and they won big in 1890. -
Currency Reform
There were many issues concerning the implementation of a standardized national currency. Hard money, for businessmen and republicans, was the idea to keep the status que, while soft money was for labor, democratic, and it's idea was favoring paper money. Hard money couldn't support the expanding economy, so a compromise was made, the Silver Act, and higher tariffs. This causes prices to skyrocket and silver prices to fall, which causes the Panic of 1893. -
Strikes
Workers began to strike, all because they want better pay. Police routinely broke up these strikes, and arrested the leaders. Many judges ruled in favor of the employers. The labor union didn't have enough money to continue striking. The Great Uprising was a railroad strike spread from W. Virginia to other cities across the country. Labor unions will become better organized, and the National Guard was created. White workers were also racist to Black and Asian workers. -
Period: to
The Gilded Age
1877 - 1900 -
Nativism
Americans were once again becoming weary of immigrants. They wanted to stop this influx of immigrants, so slums and strikes would propel their idea. The Chinese Exclusion Act was also passed, which stopped Chinese immigrants from entering America. American Protective Association (APA) was created and it lobbed for restrictions. Immigrants would also get deported, many of which are diseased, criminals, or radicals. Literacy tests were also created for these immigrants. -
Farmers
Many farmers would struggle in the 1880s due to droughts and insects. This would lead to the decrease in the price of their crops. This would also lead to the foreclosure of many farms due to the failure to succeed, and only large farms would be profitable. -
Cattle
Longhorns were a mixture between Spanish and English cows, and they were very popular on American dinner tables. In the North, it was $40 per animal, and in the South it as $4 per animal. Long drives were needed because no railroads went South into Texas, so this brought the rising of cowboys, who were symbolic of manliness, courage, and independence. Many cowboys were Hispanic and Black. However, this would last only 20 years, because of the low beef prices, barbed wires, and railroads. -
Social Gospel Movement
The Social Gospel Movement began in England, and this advocated for the poor working class. This causes religious leaders to be upset, which were the Social Darwinist views. The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) was created, and they had libraries, a kitchen, a place to exercise, and housing. The Salvation Army was also created, as a soup kitchen. -
Railroads
There were numerous tracks being created, as this was the new transportation network. This opened up new lands for farming, and farmers would sell products on the national market. Many people would also ranch and mine for money. Many towns will boom into major cities (Denver, San Francisco, Portland, Omaha), and time zones were created for departures and arrivals of trains in 1883. -
Settlement Houses
Settlement Houses were created as a system to educate people in many ways. These were established in major cities, and it included social programs, and educational services provided for the people. Jane Addams created the Hull House in Chicago, where women were educated in hygiene, cooking, sewing, civics, and English. The Hull House was a model for many other settlement houses. -
Interstate Commerce Commission
The Interstate Commerce Commission was the first attempt of controlling business. They made pools (inter-company deals) and special deals between businesses illegal. However, the act itself was weak, and so the Supreme Court of the United States declared this unconstitutional. -
Steel
Steel was the building block of industrial America. However, in the early 19th century, steel couldn't be mass produced. Andrew Carnegie will change that with the Bessemer Process, which was the mass production of strong steel at low prices. Carnegie was an immigrant, and he was poor growing up. He worked hard and invested a lot to become successful. -
Monopolies
A monopoly is a few or one individual controlling a sector of the economy. Railroads were some of the first monopolies, and railroad men would bribe elected officials. Prices would be gouged routinely, and stock prices would be manipulated. -
Trusts
Trusts brought different companies in the same industry under the control of Board of Trustees. The companies would turn over stock for a profit guarantee. Rockefeller, a monopolist, had 40 companies in his trust. Rockefeller would appoint his board. -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was an act originally made to make trusts illegal. Corporations will then bring politicians and water its language. The act was then essentially useless to do anything to monopolies, but it will be successful later. -
New Women
Women in the 1800s were still fighting for their rights. The idea of "New Women" was created by middle class women who had more free time, and they wanted increased roles, and they would attend college. These women championed temperance, and they were also suffragettes. Women were also criticized for being immoral for riding bikes, and they need supervision in public. They were also criticized for showing too much skin. -
Period: to
Imperialism
1890 - 1914 -
Pullman Strike
George Pullman was a man who built luxury railroad cars. The Depression of 1893 hurt the company, and this laid off workers and cut salaries. This began a workers strike, and the American Railway Union shuts down American railroads, but President Cleveland intervenes. Strikers gain some public support, and it brought attention to this issue. -
Holding Companies
Holding Companies will replace trusts in the 1890s, and this is where large corporations will buy a company and own their stocks. They will also be shielded from the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Holding companies usually don't produce good or services; their main purpose is to own shares of other companies, to form a corporate group. -
Cuba
Cuba wanted independence from Spain, and they had their first rebellion in the 1860s, but they failed. Americans had invested in Cuba, and exports would go back to the U.S.. Cuba had a second rebellion, because of the economic depression in the 1890s, and rebels destroyed sugar plantations, but they left the American plantations alone. Spanish troops became ill, and they used guerrilla warfare. -
American Media
Yellow Journalism was a common thing in America, especially during the Spanish-American War.Yellow journalists would be dramatic, full of sensationalists, and they highly exaggerated stories. This caused an increase in newspaper sales, and it was also used against the Spanish. Tales of rape and murder in Cuba, and women abuse was included. William Hearst was a prominent figure in this, and his famous quote was "You furnish the pictures, I will furnish the war". -
Period: to
The Progressive Era
1895 - 1915 -
War in Cuba
American ships blockaded Cuba, and they were training a capable army to fight. Roosevelt, the assistant Secretary of the Navy, creates the Rough Riders, and he leads the First Volunteer Cavalry. These people were cowboys, cops, athletes, Indian scouts, and African Americans. The army grew to 300K, and the Battle of San Juan Hill was a major battle in the war. Americans raced to the top of the hill to secure position, and Roosevelt led the Rough Riders. The Siege of Santiago was also a major one. -
U.S.S. Maine Incident
The U.S.S. Maine was on its way to Havana harbor. On February 15, 1898, the U.S.S. Maine exploded in the harbor, and this deterred Spanish loyalists, and Americans wanted to defend their property. Tensions were already high, and this was a main cause for war. The media (yellow journalists) blamed the Spanish, saying it was a harbor mine set up, but in reality it was a faulty ship design that likely caused the explosion. -
Territorial Acquisition
During the war, the U.S. acquired many territories from Spain. Guam, was captured from the Spanish and becomes a U.S. territory. Hawaii was also obtained, but it was a monarchy and Sanford Dole obtained a high position and overthrew Queen Liliuokalani, and this was obtained for a strategic base that was needed, Pearl Harbor. U.S. used the war to annex Hawaii in 1898. U.S. forces invade Puerto Rico and becomes a U.S. territory as well. Cuba, however could not be obtained because it was illegal. -
City Reform
With the increasing population, many cities needed to be reformed. This will lead to a demand of a police force. Sanitation was also desired, as disease was still a fear factor to many people. Public parks were created for people to be able to relax and spend time with their families. Slums were also condemned. For education, public school became mandatory, and immigrant children would attend it. These immigrants would be Americanized, and the Pledge of Allegiance became mandatory. -
Child Labor
Children had to work in order to keep their families financially going. Some believe that this would build character, but others claimed it ruined childhood, as it damaged health and caused a lack of educational opportunities. New laws were passed, but the SCOTUS found them unconstitutional. School attendance would also chip into child labor. -
Exploitation
With the influx of employees, strict rules were placed on employees to keep them in order. Workers were expected to work in silence, and thus foremen/managers were created to enforce these workplace rules, and non-compliance resulted in fines or termination. Blacklists were also created, and these were a list of records of an employee, and the things in the list were associated with badness, so they wouldn't be hired. -
Alcohol
Women were champions of temperance, and the Women's Christian Temperance Union was created by Frances Willard with the 18th and 19th amendment. These women saw saloons as bad. A famous woman was Carrie A. Nation, a 64 year old religious woman who smashed up bars with her small axe and bible. Alcohol doubled from 1885 to 1900, and thus a new temperance movement was created. Alcohol will become illegal in most states by 1917, and this was all a result of suffrage. -
Civil Rights Movement
In the late 19th and early 20th century, people were still fighting for civil rights. Booker T. Washington was a prominent black intellectual, and he proposed the Tuskegee Institute. He wanted black economic improvement, not just social justice, and he wanted economic equality with whites. W.E.B. DuBois was also a prominent black intellectual, and he wanted immediate civil rights. He believed in black intellect, not economic betterments. he was a co-founder of the NAACP. -
Technology
During America's time of "imperialism", technological advancements was a big factor. These technological advancements help spur expansion, as well as increasing technology throughout the country. News traveled faster, and there was a new quicker way of travel, using steam power. The U.S. Navy also updates their ships to steel, proposed by Henry Cabot Lodge, and U.S. will be the 3rd most powerful navy. The great White Fleet was created. -
Election of 1900
During the Election of 1900, William Jennings Bryan ran for the Democrats and William McKinley ran for the Republicans. Theodore Roosevelt also ran for VP, and he becomes VP because of his fame and heroism. McKinley will win the election easily. -
Teddy Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest President (42), and he was VP to McKinley, who was assassinated in 1901. Roosevelt was a very energetic and enthusiastic man, and he was an athlete and lecturer. He's also very likable because he saved a bear cub, giving him the nickname "Teddy". He also started the Bull Moose Party and started a new nationalism. Roosevelt was also known as a "trustbuster" where he strengthens the ICC and creates the square deal. -
Roosevelt Corollary
Europeans wanted to colonize Latin America. Latin America had debt, and was considered a U.S. Lake, and this altercation led to the revival of the Monroe Doctrine, renamed as the Roosevelt Corollary. This declared Latin America off limits to Europeans, exempting Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. Roosevelt's quote "Speak softly an carry a big stick and you will go far", is what he implemented with the Big Stick Policy. Europe reacted positively because of America's dominance. -
The Jungle
The Jungle, was a book created by Upton Sinclair. It was about a struggling immigrant family, showing the poverty and working conditions, and also the reality of the food industry. In the food industry, it displayed the rotten meat, severed fingers, and rat feces in meat. They were champions of socialism and this led to the Meat Inspection Act in 1906. -
Gentlemen's Agreement
The Gentlemen's Agreement was an informal agreement between the U.S. and Japan, about not banning Japanese immigration to the U.S. Roosevelt was the executive order, and he limited Japanese immigration, not banning it. Hawaii needed Japanese sugar workers, so immigration was allowed there. The Japanese would issue passports to families not in America as picture brides. -
Henry Ford
Henry Ford revolutionized the auto industry, and he reduced costs by creating the assembly line process, Model T. There would be standardized auto parts, improved machinery, and this led to the production of more cars for less cost. He also passed benefits onto his employees, like $5 for an 8 hour day. Ford has a rule for a $5 workday as well, and investigators would check on workers to make sure they are following his rules. -
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the Secretary of War at the time Roosevelt was President. However, in 1908, Roosevelt promised not to run for presidency in 1908, so Taft runs and easily beats William Jennings Bryan. However, Taft & Roosevelt eventually drift apart because of philosophical differences. Taft was more of an executive kind of man, instead of making policies. -
Mexican Revolution
Before America joined the Great War, they were having troubles with Mexico. U.S. relations were tense with Mexico, because they supported the corrupt Mexican government. So then Pancho Villa decided to do something about it, and almost started a war with General John Pershing, but it was averted. Germany also resumes attacking merchant ships, and they've taken interest in Mexico. They supported the Mexican rebels in order to distract the U.S. -
Angel Island
Angel Island was the Ellis Island of the West Coast. Thousands of Chinese immigrants after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Birth records were lost, and so Angel Island opened to help identify immigrants. It was illegal in California for Japanese immigrants to own property, as they feared the Japanese in the ag industry. The SCOTUS also ruled Japanese ineligible for citizenship, and Congress bans Asian immigration in 1924 with the Immigration Act of 1924. -
Election of 1912
During the Election of 1912, Roosevelt decided to run for presidency again, but the Republicans nominate Taft. Roosevelt then created a new 3rd party, the Bull Moose Party, which Progressive Republicans follow Roosevelt in. The Democrats nominate the New Jersey Governor, Woodrow Wilson. There was a new freedom, and a competitive market for the "small guy". Wilson will win the election. -
Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson wins the Election of 1912, and he does many things during his Presidency. He decided to cut tariffs, which lost income necessitated new income, creating the 16th amendment, which is for income tax. He also created a new banking system, which had no central authority, and supplies would be in the hands of individual banks. Banks were now operating independently. The Federal Reserve Act was created, which creates the Federal Reserve, holding bank funds in emergency times. -
Eastern Front
The Eastern Front was larger than the Western Front. It was also largely trenchless, and this is where Imperial Russia collapses. The Tsar was overthrown in February, 1917, and the Bolshevik Revolution begins in November, 1917. Russia will turn communist, and Vladimir Lenin will lead them. A peace treaty will be made with the Central Powers, and WW1 will now be a 1-front war. -
Hysteria
During the war, hysteria was high among Americans. Americans feared for German spies, and so acts were created. The Espionage Act, which said it was a crime to obstruct military recruitment, encourage mutiny, and to spread lies. The Sedition Act, which the SCOTUS upholds, and used it against socialists and communists. At this time, Germans faced discrimination, so many Germans would change their last name and stop speaking German. Some would be killed, ridiculed, and assaulted. -
Western Front
In the Western Front, it is more of a trench war. The trenches were never moved more than 20 miles. These trenches were made because of new developments of war. Some of which are mustard gas, airplanes, tanks, barbed wires, and machine guns. Millions will die, but one important person was Alvin York. Alvin York was an American sharpshooter, who has over 100 confirmed kills of Germans. -
The Homefront
American Industry transitions from ordinary products to weapons during the Great War. There were artificially high food prices, and they would be conserved for the troops. Women will take over the factory jobs because of the shortage of men due to the draft. The Great Migration continues, and they still fight for prejudice. Suffragettes are holding protests in D.C. until the 19th Amendment passes. -
President Woodrow Wilson (WWI)
President Woodrow Wilson created the 14 Points, which mentioned democracy, free trade, disarmament, and resolution of territorial disputes. The League of Nations was also included, but Henry Cabot Lodge said it wasn't a good idea to join it. The Selective Service was created to draft men it, and many men will protest and no apply. However, Wilson will have a stroke, and he will paralyzed and Mrs. Wilson will take over and act in secret as president. -
Period: to
World War I
The Great War 1914 - 1918 -
Sinking of the RMS Lusitania
The RMS Lusitania was a British passenger ship that sank on May 1915. A total of 1200 people will die, Americans included. This infuriated the Americans, they wanted reparations. The Germans were the ones that sank it, but they believed that the Lusitania was carrying weapons, and that was not allowed. Americans however didn't believe them, and the newspaper were starting to warn them about the Germans. The Germans will begin to start ceasing attacks. -
National Park System
The National Park System was established in 1916. Big business conservationists, like Roosevelt, advocated for these national parks. There was also a high public demand for the National Park System, and the NPS would run all national parks, monuments, and historical sites. The National Park System was created as a part of Progressive Reform. -
Zimmerman Telegram
Arthur Zimmerman, was a State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the German Empire, and he sent a secret telegram to Mexico. In the telegram, Germany would recover Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, for Mexico, for their alliance. Also, they convince Japan to attack American colonies. The British however intercept the telegram, and they give it to the Americans. Americans want war now, and Wilson asks Congress for war. American troops will arrive in 1917, and they are an associate power. -
American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
The American Expeditionary Forces were created for this war. General John Pershing led this force, and they were sent in to help stop Germans in France. They will be successful and push the Germans back to their trenches. -
Weimar Republic
At this time, this was the rise of the Nazis. They went from a Monarchy to a Republic, and was named the Weimar Republic. However, there was a Great Depression in Germany at the time due to the hyperinflation, ripping the country apart. World War I reparations will also take a toll on the Germans. Savings accounts would also be wiped out. Adolf Hitler will be sworn in as Chancellor of Germany, but the Reichstag will occur soon after. -
End of the War
The End of the War will be at the battle of Battle of the Argonne Forest. American deaths surged during this time, and the casualties would be about 2,550 a day. Germany will call for an armistice, and the war will end without a major defeat for the Germans. The Paris Peace Conference was occurring for months in secret, and Germany was left out. France, Italy, Britain, and U.S. determine provisions. The Treaty of Versailles will pass. -
The First Red Scare
The First Red Scare first occurred from 1919 to 1920. There were lots of immigration restrictions, due to many people's fear of communism. WWI would also make Americans more fearful of the Germans in the U.S.. Thus, led to the passing of the Immigration Act of 1924. The Russian Revolution was the main catalyst, as anarchists and communists were deported. Anarchists would set off bombs. Sacco & Vanzetti were innocent people who got deported, and this shows how paranoid people were. -
Prohibition
At this time, was the Temperance movement. Frances Willard and many others were against the wets, and were against saloons. Billy Sunday was one of many to preach about evils of alcohol. This led to the 18th Amendment passing, which outlaws manufacture, sale, and transportation of liquor. And this went into effect in 1920. Police would raid neighborhoods and smash up wine, beer, and other alcohols. They hoped this would make society become more law-abiding. -
Ku Klux Klan
The Ku Klux Klan had a comeback during the 1920s. They would ride waves of fear following The Red Scare, suffrage, prohibition, and immigration. They were initially suppressed by the government. But, by the 1920s, there were millions of members. There would be thousands of lynchings and burnings, and many whites were upset over the Great Migration. Their targets were Jews, Catholics, immigrants, and feminists. -
Cars
During the 1920s, car ownership will begin to blow up. The assembly line allowed Ford to mass produce cars, and it was better than before, especially since it is now cleaner. Cars would be bought on credit, and sometimes on 100% of income. For some people, 25%-45% of take-home income was used to pay for the cars. -
The Lost Generation
The Lost Generation was a time where people rebelled against Victorian values. This was affected due to the negativity and remorse of the WWI era. Some famous people in this Lost Generation were F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, and T.S. Elliot. They spoke against public codes of conduct, and during this time was sexual liberation. People would escape unhealthy confines of modern life, and alcohol was an important release to many. -
Period: to
The 1920s
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Teapot Dome Scandal
The Teapot Dome Scandal was a political scandal involving Albert Fall. Albert Fall accepted oil preserve leases without bidding it, and at that time it was illegal. The Senate vigorously investigated this, and Fall was convicted of accepting bribes. Albert Fall was the first cabinet member in U.S. history to go to prison. This was also the largest political scandal in the 20th century, until watergate. -
New Industry
The oil industry was back in business, and there were two new types of industries. One of them, was the roads. New roads were needed because of the sudden boom of cars, which was about 27 million cars by 1930 and bridges and tunnels were created. The other was hospitality industry, where cottages were put on roadsides and and motels. Signs and billboards were implemented to advertise, and this was where restaurants and gas stations were coming up. -
Worker Life
The U.S. Government would guarantee worker safety, unions, and good wages during the Great War. But, after the war, there were no guarantees because strikers would be accused as communists, union memberships were at an all time, but big businesses would get back to normal. For the people, benefits were created to benefit them. People were now able to take a sick leave, have stock ownership, given pensions, medical insurance, and were paid on vacation. -
Leisure
Americans had more time off and times were more lenient. They would be allowed the satisfaction of buying goods. They also have cars, radios (which were the TV of the time), and other house hold items that were put to use. Silent films were also started during this time era. -
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh was a pilot during the 1920s, flying the Spirit of St. Louis, non-stop, from New York City to Paris for 33.5 hours. He didn't get sleep for 55 hours, he only carried a flashlight, rubber raft, wicker chair, water, and sandwiches he had packed. There was no radio or radar, just him. Lindbergh becomes a famous, and he promotes commercial air travel. Kidnappers kill his son, and he was also a Nazi supporter before WWII, but he becomes a fighter pilot afterwards. -
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover became President in 1928. As a child, he was orphaned and he lived a fairly poor life. Herbert Hoover was also a humanitarian. Since he lived a fairly poor life, he was more of an introvert, and he was also a poor public speaker. The beginning of his presidency was good, but as time went on it just got worse. He believed in limited government intervention, like laissez-faire. -
The Crash
The Stock Market Crash of 1929 originated due to the overproduction of goods, which leads to falling demand. There was also unequal income distribution and high tariffs. This was 10 days of plummeting stocks and investors sold off stock. Thousands would run on banks, and millions lose will lose their life savings. 3 major issues were speculation of stocks, use of short-term loans, and prices were over-inflated. -
Hoover's Response
As President, Hoover had to respond. During 1930-1932, no one had money and prices would still plunge. Companies began to cut wages and layoffs would begin as well. Hoover decides to lend federal money, and this would give big businesses benefits, but the average people were still hurt. The Emergency Relief Act of 1932 was passed, and money would be lent to farms. Hoover was publicly out of touch, saying "No one is actually starving", and 20% of people were unemployed. -
Period: to
The Great Depression
1929 - 1940 -
Invasion of Manchuria & Indo-China
Japan and the United States mistrusted each other since WWI. U.S. wanted to keep Chinese trade while Japan was building an empire in East Asia. They will invade Manchuria in 1931, killing 6 million Chinese people. They invaded parts of Indo-Chinese, and FDR places sanctions on Japan. This will limit iron and oil, which was needed for war. The US. freezes all Japanese assets after Indo-China invasion continues. -
Election of 1932
During the Election of 1932, Herbert Hoover ran again as a Republican. However, the Bonus March had sealed his fate, and was indifferent towards people. Franklin Delano Roosevelt ran as a Democratic. He was Teddy Roosevelt's cousin, and he ran a conservative campaign. Roosevelt will win the election overwhelmingly. -
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt was Theodore Roosevelt's niece, and cousin of Franklin D. Roosevelt. She was FDR's right hand woman, and she was overall an awesome person. She cared very much for people and their plight. She would travel 30,000 miles and was never really in D.C., and she also never went to the South because of Jim Crow. She was the first outspoken First Lady, and allowed women to be in politics. -
Franklin's Concealment
As a President, Franklin D. Roosevelt didn't want to appear weak to his people. So, FDR decided to hide his disability to the public. He believed that America needed a strong leader, mentally and physically. He had help from others to move around. The press knew of his disability but they agreed to and promised to not take his photo, and there are only 2 photos of him in a wheelchair. -
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the fifth cousin of Teddy Roosevelt. However, he had developed polio disease, and he loses feeling in his legs. Like Teddy, FDR was very charismatic, likable, and athletic. FDR would be elected 4 times as president, and this would kill him. He also starts the First 100 Days, where the new President would devote time getting legislation passed. He had a commitment to alleviate the Depression, and was overall an optimistic person. -
The New Deal
Like Teddy's Square Deal, Franklin created the New Deal. This was a reform to fight the Depression, from 1933-1938. This included The Brain Trust, and the Progressive Era would reignite, where the government would actually participate. Dozens of new government agencies would form. FDR would also connect with the public, using the Fireside Chats. FDR talked to the nation every work on the radio and he reassured things were getting done. He was very optimistic and improved conditions. -
Banks
During March, 1933, a national holiday was declared for banks. This was created for good banks and bad banks even. The Federal Reserve would check these banks, and compliant banks would be reopened. People would deposit more than they withdrew. The Glass-Stegall Act was created for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The government insured small accounts, and separated investment from commercial banking. No speculative loans, stock purchases with deposited money were allowed. -
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was a natural orator and was very charismatic. He took leadership of the Nationalist Socialist Party, also known as NAZI. He attempted a coup of the Weimar Republic in 1923, and was arrested for treason. he spent 9 months in jail, and at this time he wrote "Mein Kampf", translated to "my struggles". He blamed all of Germany's troubles on the Jews, and sought new territory in Eastern Europe. He will become the Chancellor of Germany, and soon the Fuhrer, establishing the Third Reich. -
Social Security Act
Dr. Frances Townsend had campaigns for old age pensions. Geriatrics almost always went to poverty because no one would hire them. He relied on family for survival, and the Depression made the geriatric poverty worse. He then starts a nationwide campaign, and had 10 million signees. FDR supports the Social Security and liberal politics force his hand, and conservatives were against it. Social Security would be paid through payroll taxes and collected by unemployed. -
U.S. Neutrality
The United States were still weary of war, since the Great War, and the cost of it. The Great Depression forced many European countries to default American loans, and they didn't want to help others. Non-interventionists and interventionists argue over intensifying international issues. The Neutrality Acts were created, restricting arms sales, loans, and transportation of goods to nations of war. -
Invasion of Poland
In September, 1939, Hitler invades Poland. He used Blitzkrieg, lightning war, which was a new tactic developed to disorganize enemy forces. He used a combination of tanks, planes, and infantry, which would quickly penetrate and surround the enemy. Britain and France will declare war on Germany, and WWII will begin. -
WWII Alliances
The two major groups of World War II were the Axis Powers and the Allied Powers. On the Axis powers, was Germany (Hitler), Italy (Mussolini), and Japan (Emperor Tojo). And on the Allied Powers was the British (PM Churchill), British Commonwealth Nations (Canada, Australia, New Zealand), Soviet Union (Stalin), and The United States (Roosevelt & Truman)(1942). -
Period: to
World War II
1939 - 1945 -
The Battle of Britain
Germans will try subdividing Britain by bombing them, from July 1940 to June 1941. Night attacks would occur, and they would be known as blitz. However, Hitler hoped to negotiate peace with them. Germans were gaining air superiority, initially bombing military targets. They turn to terror bombing of major cities, leading to night raids. Britain will return by bombing German, and Luffwaffe (German Air Force) fails. Winston Churchill leads Britain w/o assistance. -
Operation Barbarossa
Hitler will eventually turn to war on the Eastern Front, starting with Operation Barbarossa. 4 million German troops attack the Soviet Union on a thousand mile front. The Germans wanted land and access to oil, because Germany has no oil reserves. They will continue to use blitzkrieg. Russians used scorched earth against the Germans, which devastated the land so Germans couldn't use it. Germans will then halt their advances in December, 1941. Germans will turn to defense after this. -
Pearl Harbor
Japan surprise attacks the American Fleet at Pearl Harbor in December, 1941. 8 battleships were damaged,planes, and supplies were destroyed. The Japanese fail to cripple the American fleet, because most important pieces were not in the harbor. Japanese troops continue to attack American and British territories in SE Asia. FDR will declare war on Japan the next day, and Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S. America begins gearing up for war. -
Bataan Death March
Japan will have the Bataan Death March. 70k American and Filipino soldiers forced to walk 100s of miles through the hot and humid jungles. 5-11k soldiers would die from illness or mistreatment, and there were hardly and food or water. Japan hoped to take more territory before America recovers, and they knew that it would be hard to defeat the U.S. with its industry. They hoped for a peace agreement at some point in the war. But they would make it difficult and costly for America to make it.
