-
California Gold Rush begins
The American West experienced a rapid gold rush, unlike homesteading farmers' slow plod. The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, sparked the California Gold Rush. The Forty-Niners were individual miners who sifted gold out of dirt and gravel using "panning" or sluice boxes. -
Homestead and Pacific Railway Acts encourages westward migration
The Homestead Act and the Pacific Railway Act were passed by Congress to aid settlers in their westward migration, with President Lincoln aiming to promote a "free soil" mentality. The Homestead Act granted 160 acres of land to individuals over twenty-one, while the Pacific Railway Act commissioned the Union Pacific Railroad to build new tracks, providing ownership of public lands and additional land grants through load bonds. -
Congress passes Civil Rights Act
Southern states implemented Black codes to maintain racial slavery's social and economic structure. These codes restricted civic participation, denying freed people rights like voting, serving on juries, owning weapons, and renting land. They also forced people to sign contracts with employers, leading to low wages and forced labor. Congress created Civil Rights Act establish African Americans' citizenship and allowed federal intervention in state affairs to protect their rights. -
Labor rally at Haymarket Square erupts in violence
The Knights of Labor's popularity and the labor movement's momentum declined due to the Haymarket affair in Chicago. An anarchist group protested after a death at a nationwide demonstration for eight-hour workday. The protest was quiet, but police arrived armed, leading to a bombing that killed one officer and injured another. Seven anarchists were arrested, charged with murder, and sentenced to death, with the press blaming the KOL for the incident, causing damage to the labor movement. -
Populist Party forms out of Farmers' Alliance movement
Populist Party was formed to address the struggles of average farmers. The party had modest success in nonpresidential year elections but modeled themselves after the popular parties to shock the country with a third-party victory in the presidential election. They wrote the Omaha Platform, which vilified railroad owners, bankers, and big businessmen as part of a conspiracy to control farmers. It aimed for a more proactive government supporting economic and social welfare. -
Homestead Steel Strike
The worker union had good relations with Carnegie Steel Company's Homestead factory until Henry C. Frick became manager. Frick's strong anti-union stance led to negotiations for union contract renewal in 1892. When no settlement was reached, Frick ordered a lockout and hired Pinkerton detectives. A gunfight involving union workers and Pinkertons resulted in the deaths of three Pinkertons and six workers. The lockout ended with the union defeat and individual workers seeking job restoration. -
Coney Island amusement parks open
Working-class residents in cities found entertainment in amusement parks like Coney Island on the Brooklyn shoreline. These parks offered wild rides, animal attractions, and large stage productions, allowing them to escape their struggles. Freakshows,
such as high-diving horses and moon maidens eating green cheese, fascinated the public with technological marvels and exotic wildlife. The treatment of animals in these parks drew attention from middle-class reformers. -
US fights Spanish American war
The Spanish-American War was a conflict between the United States and Spain over Cuba. Americans supported the Cuban rebels due to the brutal Spanish response. However, McKinley remained resistant to American military intervention. An explosion destroyed the USS Maine, killing American sailors. Yellow journalists called for war, leading to the "Remember the Maine" campaign. Congress officially recognized Cuba's independence and authorized McKinley to use military force. -
World War I begins in Europe
The Selective Service Act in 1917 created a fighting force, requiring all men aged 21-30 to register for the draft. However, eligible Americans refused, leading to harsh punishments. To ensure adequate supplies, the Lever Food and Fuel Control Act was passed to control food production, distribution, and price. The U.S. Railroad Administration was established to efficiently move personnel and supplies. The war effort was costly, the government sold liberty bonds to the American public. -
Nineteenth Amendment guarantees women right to vote
The women's suffrage movement began with the Declaration of Sentiments in Seneca Falls. Legislators sought to enfranchise women to counter Black men's votes. NAWSA organized state and local chapters to urge the passage of a federal amendment to guarantee a woman's right to vote. Led by Carrie Chapman Catt, the group made suffrage a priority and used modern marketing to attract a younger audience. Leading to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment. -
Charles Lindbergh flies solo across Atlantic Ocean
There was significant changes in air travel, with Charles Lindbergh becoming the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. This flight, completed in the Spirit of St. Louis, became an international news and exemplified Americans' ability to conquer the air with innovative technology. The small airline industry began to blossom, with companies like Boeing and Ford developing airplanes for passenger air transport. Air travel became more popular. -
Stock market crashes
Stock market crash, resulted in financial ruin for many Americans. The Ponzi schemes, encouraged novice investors to invest in unfounded ventures, leading to speculation and easy credit. On Black Tuesday, stockholders traded over sixteen million shares and lost over $14 billion in wealth. Banks demanded payment for loans, leading to the sale of stocks and loss of life savings. Over 90% of all banks failed due to dwindling cash reserves, leaving customers penniless. -
Dust bowl results from serve drought conditions and poor farming practices
Farmers enjoyed prosperity due to good growing conditions, high commodity prices, and government policies. Prosperity dwindled, leading to overproduction, dust storms, and a massive drought. Livestock died or had to be sold, and crops withered. Over million tons of soil blew away, causing dust pneumonia. Farmers stripped the land, moving away from traditional practices like crop rotation and allowing land to lie fallow between plantings. This led to farmers losing homes and livelihoods. -
Scottsboro Boys trials begins in Alabama
The Scottsboro Boys case involved nine Black boys accused of vagrancy and disorderly conduct after an altercation with White travelers. The all-White jury convicted the boys and sentenced all but one to death, highlighting the court system's injustice. The case led to protests from people, with the Communist Party and NAACP joining the cause. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed that the defendants had been denied adequate legal representation at the original trial. -
First New deal legislation passes
The First New Deal aimed to reform banks, stimulate job creation, and regulate the economy. President Roosevelt imposed an emergency banking act, limiting paper money circulation. The Securities Act requires full disclosure from corporations and investment banks. The Beer Tax was introduced for revenue generation. These bills aimed to provide short-term emergency assistance and build long-term economic growth -
Japanese planes bomb US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Japan faced pressure from the American embargo and sought to obtain oil supplies by taking control. They realized this could increase the possibility of American intervention. Japanese leaders tried to secure a diplomatic solution by negotiating with the US. If no peaceful resolution could be reached by, Japan would have to go to war against the US. The Japanese attacked the US Pacific fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, causing significant casualties. -
US drops atomic bombs on Japan
The Manhattan Project, launched in 1941, involved a $2 billion nuclear bombing program that employed 150,000 people and resulted in the first atomic bomb being tested in 1945. The military prepared for the bombing by selecting targets like Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Enola Gay dropped "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, causing a mushroom cloud and resulting in the death of 78,000 people. A second atomic bomb, "Fat Man," was dropped on Nagasaki, killing at least 60,000 people. -
Little Rock’s Central High School integrates
The Little Rock Nine, nine African American students, were forced to attend Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, this led to mob violence, but Eisenhower placed the Arkansas National Guard under federal control and sent soldiers to escort the students. Despite being insulted, harassed, and physically assaulted, the students returned to school daily. Faubus closed all public schools in Little Rock, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the school had to be reopened. -
Martin Luther king Jr assassinated in Memphis
The death of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee, significantly impacted the peaceful collaboration between White and African Americans to end racial injustice. Younger African Americans, who supported a more militant approach, challenged older activists. Violence in cities occurred, with white people fearfully critiquing African Americans for destroying their neighborhoods. Most of the violence targeted businesses not owned by Black people. -
Nixon resigns due to Watergate scandal
Nixon initially denied involvement in the Watergate scandal, leading to the Watergate Committee being appointed. Evidence of close connections to the burglary was discovered, and former administration members confessed or denied their roles. Many people were indicted and charged with conspiracy. Nixon refused to hand over his conversations, citing executive privilege. The Supreme Court ordered Nixon to release the actual tapes, and he accepted blame for the scandal and resigned.