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Triangular Trade
Triangular trade was the trade among the American colonies, Africa, and the Old World. Slaves, rum, molassas, guns, sugar, tobacco, and many other items were traded. -
Spain offers Freedom to Slaves
After Bacon's rebellion many Southern planters became disenfranchised with the concept of Indentured servitude, and rather turned towards slavery as a source of labor. In the Carolinas, many slaves began to escape, and Spain - thw proprietor of florida- began to offer refuge to escaped slaves. -
Rise of Colonial Tensions Against British
The Treaty of Paris of 1763 ended the French and Indian War. It was followed by the Proclamation of 1763, which limited colonists to east of the Appalachians. To pay off English debt, the British enacted several measures mostly internal taxes and restrictions on trade. -
Rise of Colonial Tensions Against British (cont.)
The Writs of Assistance allowed authorized officails to search the colonists for illegally immported goods. The Sugar Act (1764) was designed to raise revenue for the British. The Stamp Act (1765) required a tax on paper goods. It was met with much resistance and the fpormation of the Stamp Act Congress. It was repealed, but the Declaratory Act reiterated Parliament's power to legislate for the colonies. -
Resistance and Rebellion
John Dickinson wrote "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania" in response to the Townshend Acts. Committees of Correspondence shared ideas on protests in the America. The Boston Tea Party on Decomber 16, 1773, showed American resistance to the Tea Act. The First Continental Congress met in 1774 and wrote the Declaration of Rights and Grievances and the Suffolk Resolves after the Intolerable Acts closed the port of Boston. -
Burgoyne Surrenders at Saratoga
British General Burgoyne had previously led a campaign through New England in an attempt to divide the region in half and deal a crippling blow to the Rebelling colonies. He was defeated by Washington's army slightly south of Saratoga New York. This was a turning point in the war, particularly because it convinced the French to aid the continental army. -
France Throws hat in the Ring
After the Defeat of Gen. Burgoyne at Saratoga New york, the french both recognize the fledgling United States, and declares war on Great Britain. French aide was instrumental in he American success. -
Battle of Yorktown
This was arguably the final great battle of the American Revolutionary war. In it, the British were cornered in Virginia, with their retreat into the atlantic blocked off by the french Navy. British General Cornwallis eventually surrendered to the Americans and French which led to the Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the war. -
Treaty of Paris
This Treaty of Paris (not to be confused with that which ended the french and Indian war) ended the American Revolutionary war. It hapened about the same time as the Peace of Paris, in which Great Britain signed treaties with other rival powers in North America like the Dutch, French, and Spanish. It was negotiated by American trio Ben Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams. -
New Orleans Closed
The Spanish, who had control over New Orleans at the time, closed the port city to American vessels. This was particularly bad for many western farmers because New Orleans was a bottlneck for western shipping. It was much easyer to transport goods down the Mississippi and Ohio rivers than across the Appalachain mountains. -
Jay's Treaty
Jay's Treaty avoided war against Great Britain. America recieved British withdrawal from forts in the Northwest Territory and compensation for British impressment of soldiers; however, they did not stop impressments. Great Britain recieved a most favored status for trade and payment of private debts. -
Pinckney's Treaty
The treaty gave Americans navigation rights along the Mississippi River. This treaty was faovred by Americans over Jay's Treaty. -
Conclusion of Louisiana Purchase
The Spanish had been trying to secretley sell the vast Louisiana territory to Napolean (the leader of the French at the time). Thomas Jefferson learned of this and sent iplomats to France to try to negotiate for the Purchase of New Orleans. The French offered to sell the territory directley to the U.S. The Americans accepte and this purchase more than doubled the American country. -
Embargo Act
The French and English had been warring during this timeperiod and had routinley been sezing American Ships which were bound to the oposing country. in responce, the U.S. congress enacted the Embargo Act, which banned trade with all countries. This was severly disputed in many commercial centers who did mhc of their trade with the two powers. -
Congress Prohibits external slave trade
Slave trade from West Africa was outlawed in 1808, effectivley ending the importation of slaves. Unfortunatley, internal slave trade was still alowed and it kept slavery alive and well up into the civil war. -
Non-intercorse Act
This act was imposed as the Embargo Act was lifted due to extreme protest. It banned only shipping and trade to Great Britain and France. -
War on Great Britain
This war was declared on Great britain after a series of economic measures put forth in desire to avoid war such as the Non-intercorse Act, and Macon's Bill Num. 2. It was fought mostly on the American in the Americann Southwest, the lower Canadian region, and at Sea. It is during the War of 1812 that the British sac Washington D.C. -
Treaty of Ghent
This treaty ended the War of 1812 with Great Britain. In it, most lands captured during the war were returned to their original owners and the British were forced to leave a series of forts that they had been holding since the American revolution. Notably, the battle of New Orleans (in which Andrew Jackson emerged victorious) was not fought until after the signing of the Teaty of Ghent. -
Adams-onis Treaty
This treaty was between the Spanish and the Americans and it ceded all of florida to the United States, in exchange for a solid boundary in the West between the U.S. and Spanish possesions. -
Indian Removal
The Indian Removal Act secured by Jackson set aside land in the west, mostly present day Oklahoma, for Indians. Jackson ignored the Supreme Court's decision that the Cherokees in Georgia were entitled to protection. The Cherokees were forcefully removed via the Trail of Tears where many died. This cleared land east of the Mississippi River of Indians. -
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
The Webster-Ashbourton Treaty resolved a border dispute between America and the British. The Great Lakes were to be shared, and a border was set between Maine and New Brunswick. -
Oregon Boundary Dispute
The Oregon Territory was occupied by both Americans and British. Joint occupation terminated with the Oregon Treaty that divided the territory. America recieved the Oregon Territory south of the 49th parallel although Americans had demanded control of all of the territory up to the 54 40. The treaty resolved the conflict without a war against Britain. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This treaty ended the Mexican-American war. With it's signing, huge amounts of land centered around Calfironia, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, were ceded to the United States. -
Period: to
Americans Push Mexicans off of land
After the Treaty of Guadelupe-Hildalgo, Americans had promised to preserve the property and liberty of Mexicans living on now-american land. American ranchers and settlers however, forced most Spanish-speaking societies off of the land, -
Juan Cortina attacks Brownsville
After the ceding of Mexican lands to Americans through the treaty of Guadelupe-Hldalgo, ethnic tensions mounted between anglo settlers in the region and hispanic settlers. The conflict eventually drove Cortina, a Mexican rancher, to attack the border town of Brownsville, Texas, and free all of the prisoners in hetonw prison. -
Aquisition of Alaska
The Russians had territory in North America in what is now known as Alaska during this time period. Seeing it as hard to defend, the Tsar of Russia offered to sell it to both America and Britain, but Britain showed disinterest. America , under the influence of Secretary of State Will H. Seward, bought the territory from Russia in 1867. -
Socialist Labor Party of America
Originally named the Workingmen's Party, the Socialist Labor Party did not gain much support in America. The party believed in Marxist ideology. It was most mainly of German immigrants. -
Juan Cortina Captured
Juan Cortina, had attacked the Texan town of Brownsville Texas in 1859, freeing all of the prisoners. He had battled with the U.S. army for years after this. In 1875, the Mexican govenrment took him prisoner, fearing invasion from the Americans. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed when Americans feared Chinese immigrants would steal jobs by working for very low wages. It banned immigration from China for ten years. It was renewed twice and finally repealed in 1943. -
Pearl Harbor
Congress allowed the US Navy to lease Pearl Harbor as a naval base. -
Immigration Restriction League Formed
Formed by prominent Bostonians, the immigration restriction league's aims were to, as the name might suggest, restrict immigration during the progressive period. This was born out of a sort of racism prominent during the period against eastern european immigrants. -
Boundary Dispute between Venezuela and Britain
Venezueala and Britain disputed over the boundary between Venezuela and British Guiana. The disagreement worsened when gold was discovered on the disputed territory.. America intervened and set up a commission. Britain accepted the commission's findings. -
DeLome Letter
Hearst's Journal published a letter by Spain's minister. In the letter, McKinley was described as "weak" and "a bidder for the admiration of the crowd." The publication of this letter contributed to anti-Spain sentiment in America bfore the Spanish-American War. -
Recognition of Cuba's Independence
A joint resolution by Congress recognized Cuba's independence and authorized force to expel the Spanish. -
Teller Amendment
This amendment was added to the joint resolution. It renounce any US interest in sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control in Cuba and and pledged that America would leave the island once its independence was secured. -
Anti-Imperialist League
Anti-Imperialists opposed expansion and believed Imperialism would cause the loss of American ideals. Famous Anti-Imperialists were Carl Schurz, E.L. Godkin, William Jennings Bryan, Jane Addams, Mark Twain, and Carnegie -
Annexation of Hawaii
Congress, under McKinley, annexed Hawaii after white planters removed Queen Liliuokalani from the throne and proclaimed independence. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris of 1898 ended the Spanish-American War. Spain recognized Cuba's independence and for $20 million ceded to America Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. -
Open Door Policy
America's Open door Policy began when John Hay asked major European powers to not interfere with American trading rights in China. Although the countries gave noncomimittal answers, Hay announced they ahd accepted the Open Door Policy. -
Open Door policy in China Asserted
To compete with other Foreign markets in China at the time, secretary of State, John Hay sends letters to all other prominent countries in the weakening countr of China, at the time. It outlines his ideas that there shoud be free unrestricted trade in China. Because the other countries make no omment on it, he declares an "Open Door" to chia for all nations. This was really to protect American trade interests. -
Samoan Islands
On December 2, 1899, America accepted a treaty between America, Germany, and Britain. At the Tripartite Convention of 1899, the Samoan Islands were split with the United States gaining accesss to port Pago Pago. -
Boxer Rebellion Squashed
A group of xenophobic Chinese-called the boxers- rose against foreing buisnessmen in China. They killed many of foreigners and christians. They occupied Peking until an expeditionary force, manned by mainly U.S. soldiers, put them down. -
Big Stick Policy
Theodore Roosevelt summed up his foreign policy with the statment, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." It reflected America's active role as the "police force" in the Western hemisphere. -
Hay-Pauncefote Treaty
This treaty between America and Britain gave America the right to build a canal across Central America. -
Platt Amendment
The Platt Amendment was added to the Cuban Constitution. It defined Cuba-America relations. It stipulated the American withdrawal of troops if Cuba agreed not to make any treaty with foreign countries limiting its independence, and US reserved right to intervene and maintain a naval base in Cuba. -
Panama Canal
When Columbia refused to give America rights to build a canal through Central America, Bunau Varilla declared Panama independent with the help of America. On November 6, 1903, Phillipe Bunau-Varilla signed the Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty which granted rights to the United States to build the Panama Canal. The canal was completed in 1914. -
Roosevelt Corollary
The Roosevlet Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine denied any territorial ambitions in Latin America, but said that any wrongdoing would justify US intervention. -
Treaty of Portsmouth
In 1900, Russian troops took advantage of China’s weak gov’t and built railroads in China. Japan also had railroads plans, so Japan attacked Russian ships at Port Arthur, Manchuria. The Japanese dominated the Russo-Japanese War that followed. Roosevelt invited both countries to a peace conference, and both countries agreed to the treaty of Portsmouth which formally ended the Russo-Japanese War. -
Gentlemen's Agreement
The Gentlemen's Agreement was an informal agreement betwen America and Japan which ensured that America would treat Japanese immigrants well and would not restrict immigration to America as long as Japan does not allow emmigration to America. -
Period: to
Great White Fleet Tours the World
Theodore Roosevelt sent a fleet of battleships to visit various ports around the world as a show of American naval power. -
Root-Takahira Agreement
The Root-Takahira Agreement was an agreement between the United States and Japan that recognized the independence of China, the territorial status of the Philippines and Hawaii, Japan's right to annex Korea, and the limitations on immigration from Japan. -
Congressional Comittee Finds Immigrant's "Inadequacy"
A massive statistical study produced by a congressional commission. It was backed up with phony scientific immigration that supported the immigrants supposed inadequacy. -
International Opium Treaty Signed
the international Opium Treaty was a diplomatic responce to the growth in the abuse of both opium (a derivitive of the poppy plant and of the same general classification as heroin) and cocaine during this time period. It was signed by the U.S. along with other countries (including the U.K., France, Germany and China) at The Hague. It basically stated that all involved powers would controll any persons manufacturing, importing, or selling cocaine or morphine (a different derivative of poppys) -
Period: to
Fivefold increase in Foreign investments
During this timeperiod, many U.S. investors loaned money to foreign nations and economies, in part so that they could repay war debts to the United states. Private investment increased fivefold during this era. It is also important to note that many companies like Gm and Ford built production facilities abroad, lie a GM plant in Chile. -
World War one Breaks out
Starting with Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia, most of Europe was soon dragged into the "Great War" with the main central powers being Britain, France, and Russia against the main central powers; Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. The U.S. will not join the war untill April 6th, 1916- a year before the war ended. -
Period: to
World War One
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Britain Declares North Sea a war zone
Britain, at risk of loosing American public favor, declared the North sea to be a war zone, in Early 1915. Although the Germans had very strong u-boat patrols, the British had an incredibly powefull navy and as able to plant mines, and blockade all of Germanies ports -
Germany Declares British Waters a war zone
In responce to the British blockade, Germans declared all British waters a war zone, and caution Americans from intervening. President wilson responds that Germany would be help strictly responcible for any loss of lives incurred. The Germans favored U-boats in naval warfare, and cautioned that they woud=dl fire on all enemy ships. -
Lusitania Sunk
The steamboat Lusitania was sunk by German U-boats off of the coast of Ireland at the cost of 1 198 lives, 128 of which were American. Surprisingly, this did not actually tip the U.S. into war, but certainlyfostered a huge amount fo anti-german sentiment. Historians have now discovered that the Lusitania secretley carried munitions for Britain. -
Annual Trade Wtih Allies v. Central Powers
Annual trade with belligerent nations during the Great war is fascinating. The U.S. had $3 200 million of trade with allied nations, and only $1.2 million of trade with central powers. This may be the result, both of an anti-germanic sentiment building up in the states, but more importantly, actual trade constraints. German U-Boat patrols, and little coastline made trade with the central powers very difficult. -
Sussex Sunk
After a lull in attacks on passenger ships by germany (after the sinking of the Lusitania and the according backlash) German boats sink french passanger ships Sussex in the English chanel, wihch injures many americans. Wilson threatens to break diplomatic ties and Germany in responce pledges not to attack merchant vessels without warning. -
Literacy tests Passed
Against president Woodrow Wilson's Veto, a law requiring literacy tests for foreign immigrants was passed. It would allow Border control agencies to turn away immigants if they failed written test in English, or sometimes, another language, thusly discriminating against under-educated immigrants. Smilar bills had been proposed by Henry Cabot LOge, and passed by congress, only to see themselves veto'd in 1896 1913 and 1915. -
Germans declare Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
facing an intense stalemate, the Germans declared total submarine warfare, meaning they will attack with the intent to destroy, any vessel operating in Enlgish waters. This marks the end between American-German relations. -
Wilson Breaks Diplomatic relations with Germany
In responce to the german's declaration of unrestricted Submarine warefare, Wilson breaks all diplomatic ties, basicly allowing the country to slide into war. -
Zimmerman Telegraph is released
the Zimmerman telegram was a diplomatic offering from the Germans, to Mexico, to help it reclain the territories in the south-west of the united states it had lost during the Mexican-American war. It was intercepted by British forces and released to the American public, causing a huge public outcry. This offer was sent by the Germans to the Mexicans near to the time that they declared unrestricted submarine warfare, shoing they anticipated the U.S. be goaded into war on the side of the Allies. -
Wilson calls for Declaration of War
After the release of the Zimmerman telegram, and the declaration of unconditional submarine warfare by the Germans, Wilson appeared before a joint session of congress to ask for a declaration of war against the central powers. The senate and house both overwhelmingly vote in favor of war, and thusly, the U.S. is sentcareening into war. -
Period: to
U.S. Involvement in World War one
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Wilson’s Fourteen Point Plan
WIlson's Fourteen Point plan outlined Wilson's goals for World War I in a speech to Congress. It included open alliances, freedom of navigation, reduction or arnaments, restorastion and creation of nations after the fall of the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary, and the creation of a League of Nations to dimplomatically resolve iworld issues. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles ended World War One; however, it was not signed by the United States. In the, Germany was disarmed, stripped of colonies, forced to admit blame, and pay for reparations.The independence of many new nations in Europe were recognized. Territorial settlements in eastern Europe were designed to weaken Russia. It also included the creation of the League of Nations. It was not ratified by the Senate because of opposition to the League. -
Washington Naval Conference
Japan the U.S. and Great Britain began to have a naval arms race of sorts. Recognizing this, president Harding called a meeting Washington wherein a plan of specific fleet ratios were proposed to delegates from the three nations, by Harding's Secretary of State Hughes. By 1922, Japa, the U.S., Britain, France, and Italy had all pledged to halt battlehsip contruction for ten years and reduce their fleet size. The U.S. and Japan also both agreed to respect their repsective lands in the Pacific. -
Fordney-McCumber Tariff
This was a record breakingly high tariff enacted during the early twenties. The reason tariffs were consistenley pushed higher and higher throughout the twenties was an effort to increase domestic trade by putting a large handicapp on foreign trade. Unfortunatley however, tariffs tend to push up all prices, causing inflation (devaluation of currency). -
National Origins Act
The National Origins Act restricte the immigration from certain countries into the United States. The quota set was 2% of the total number of persons of that national origin in the U.S. in 1890 (later changed to 1920). The law completley excluded Asians and Southern Asians. -
Dawes Plan
This was a plan, in post WWI Germany to pay war reparations to the United States. It is important because the plan itself was only feasable if Germany were to take on loans from American companies to repay their reparations, and therefore, Germanies market was made extremley suceptible to fluctuations in the American market, like the great crash of October 1929. -
Marcus Garvey Deported
The U.N.I.A leader Marcus Garvey was deported to Jamaica after serving out two year prison term for fraud in one of his buisness practices. He was a Black community leader th advocated black solidarity. His assosciation, the Universal Negro Improvement Assc. urged black buisnesses. -
Lindberg Crosses the Atlantic
Charles A. Lindberg flew a solo flight across the atlantic, from New York City to Paris in a contest offered by a New York hotel. He was the first person ever to cross the atlantic by solo plane flight, and quickly was propeeled to the highest echelons of celebrity culture. -
Sacco and Vanzetti executed
Sacco and Vanzetti were two Boston anarchists executed after being tried for the murder and robery of a paymaster at a shoe factory. Many people saw the case as unjust because the jury and judge presiding over the case gave indication of being swayed by their radicalism. Later forensic evidence points to the fact that it most probably was Sacco, however the importance in the case is how it highlights american xenophobia of the time. -
Kellog-Briand Pact
The United States and France signed the Kellog-Briand pact, and were eventually joined by some sixty of countries. The idea behid the pact was to outlaw war, although it was generally ineffective. -
Black Teusday
The fall of the stock market greatly affected European countries. MAny European nations, escpecially Germany, used loans from American banks to remain viable. When American institution could not supply loans, these nations became economically unstable. -
Hawley-Smoot Tariff
The Hawley-Smoot Tariff was the highest import tariff ever passed. In response, European countries drastically increased their own tariffs as well. -
Good Neighbor Policy
The United States under FDR pracitce something called the "good neighbor" policy towards Latin America. It was a much more hands-off approach than had previously been practiced. Troops were withdrawn from Haiti and the Dominican republic. Also, the influence of the Platt Amendment was significantly reduced. Rather than militarily intervene in Latin American countries like Cuba, the U.S. indireclty supported some leaders. -
Hitler Becomes the German Chancellor
Hitler became the chancellor of Germany right in the midst of the great depression. His national socialist party, or Nazis, promised prosperity and strength for Germany, and eventully started WW2. -
Nye Committee
THe Nye Committee studied the cause for US entry into WWI. They concluded it was pressure from banking and munitions industries. This contributed to Americans' unwillingness to enter another war. -
Indian Reorganization Act
Passed by FDR, the Indian Reorganization Act reversed the Dawes-Severalty Act. Indian tribes were restored some of their land. The act attempted to restore the tribal basis of Native AMerican life, and tribal life was recognized as "normal." -
Neutrality Acts
After having reveiwe the causes of U.S. involvment in WW1, the Senate passed a series of bills called the Neutrality acts, designed to keep the United States out of the war Brewing in Europe. They outlawed he sale or loan of weapons or money to belligerent powers. They were eventually chipped away at by amendments like the Cash-and-Carry provisions until the U.S. entered WW2. -
Mexican National reform
When the Mexican National govenrment wen tthrough a period of reform, several Mexican oil feilds were quickly nationalize,d even though they had previously to private U.S. and British corperations. Rather than militarily intervene, the U.S. goaded the MExicans into providing compensation for the oil feilds. -
FDR asks Hitler+ Mussolini to stop expanding
After the Germany occupation of Czecholslovakia, FDR sent letters to both Mussolini and HItler not to invade 31 listed nations. Both his requests were met with derision. In responce, FDR asked congress for $300 million in military appropriations, and submitted a $1.3 billion defense budget for 1939. -
St. Louis denied docking in U.S.
As the NAzis began to grow in power inEurope, many Jews and other minorities tried to flee Europe to travle to the United States. The St. Louis was a ship jammed packed with these very refugees. IT tried to dock in Fort Lauderdale, Fl but was denied permission. It as eventually forced to turn back to Germany. -
Cash and Carry provisions instituted
After both England and France had declared war on the Nazis, these provisions to the Neutrality Acts wererecommended by FDR. They states that belligerent nations could in fact bye war materials in the United States, provided that they carry them off in their own ships. -
Americans apply Economic presure on Tokyo
In an effort to quell the Japanese expansion, the United States ended several trade treaties with Japan and imposed an embargo on aviation feul and scrap metal to Japan. Japan responded by occupying Indochina (Vietnam) a french colony. The Japanese responded by expanding yet more, and FDR followed by freezing all trade between the U.S. and Japan in 1941. -
Lend-Lease program instituted
Further reducing the Neutrality acts, FDR proposed the Leand-Lease acts which were passed by congress in 1941. They stated that the united States could lend and lease war materials to nations deemed vital to U.S. interests. Supplies began to flow mainly into the Soviet union and Britain. -
Atlantic Charter Issued
The United States had been becoming increasingly more involved with the British- they had even begun escorting British cargo ships across the Atlantic in an effort the protect them from German boats. FDR and Churchill met on a warship off of the coast of Newfoundland to draw up what amounts to a declaration of Germany's misdeeds and a plan for post-war Europe. -
Reuben James Sunk
A German u-boat sank an American supply ship while it was crossing the Atlantic. In rsponce, FDR convinced congress to allow for U.S. ships to enter into belligerent powers' ports, which basically destroyed anything less than the neutrality Acts. -
Pearl Harbour
Pearl Harbour was a surprise attack on Americn soil by the Japanese army, which destoryed a significant fleet of warships stationed at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. the Japanese attack was immediatley incited by the trade embargo clamped upon them by FDR but another motivation may have been a recognition of the military superiority of the US. The japanese may have recognized that they would lose a full out battle against the U.S. and tried to tae out a significant portion of the U.S. fleet. -
U.S. enters WW2
After the attack on Pearl Harbour, congress votes to go to war with Japan, with only one dissenting vote. Three days later Germany declares war on the U.S., the U.S. reciprocates. -
Executive Order 9066 and Korematsu v US
Executive Order 9066 was a presidential order by FDR to designate military zones and later relocation of Japanese-Americans in those areas. In Korematsu v. US, the Supreme Court ruled internment constitutional as it protected against potential espionage, -
Casablanca Conference
The first signifcant conference among Allied powers during the war, the Casablanca conference was a meeting between Churchill and FDR. It was decided that they would attack Italy before invading mainland France, and to continue the war until the unconditional surrender of the Axis powers. -
Cairo+ Tehran conferences
FDR met in Cairo, Egypt with Churchill and Jiang Jieshi to speak about Chinese involvement in the war. In an effrt to goad the Chinese into staying, FDR promised the return of Manchuria, and Taiwan, along with a free Korea after the war. Then FDR moved to Tehran to speak with Stalin. They agreed to invade France in June, 1944, and to divide Germay into zones of occupation after the war. -
Bretton Woods Agreement
A cnoference in Bretton Woods, NH resulted in the Bretton Woods Agreement- a post WW2 plan for the world economy. Out of the conference came the International Monetary Fund, and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Developement. Also, foreign exchange rates were tied or "pegged to" the American dollar, which stabilized rates. One of the most prevelent reasons for the agreement was to avoid the financial debacle that resulted in the rise of the Nazis in Germany after WW1. -
Yalta Conference
This was one of the final significant metings among the "big three". Here, they outlined vagueley a series of interim government to control Europe after the war, as well as delegated the division of Germany to a post-war comission. Stalin agreed to invade Japan 2-3 months after the defeat of Germany, but was also promised concessions in Manchuria, as well as Poland. -
Truman reduces economic assistance to Soviets
Almost direcltey after taking office, truman begins to lash out at the Soviets. Citing their failure to hold open elections in Poland, he threatens to remove the lend-lease aide going to the USSR, and stalled on a $1 billion loan to the Soviets. -
V-E day
Victory in europe day was the day the the third Reich officialy surrendered to the Allied powers. Hitler had killed himself 8 days previously. -
Potsdam Conference
In an effort to resolve some of the ambiguously answere questions at the Yalta conference, the big three met again in Potsdam Germany after German had been defeated. Absolutley nothing cam of it, they could barley agree on how to set up a system to punish Nazi war criminals. Truman did inform Stalin of the U.S. possession of the atomic bomb at this conference. -
American drops the Atomic bombs on Japan
In early august America dropped two atomic bombs on Japan in an effortto force Japan to surrender. They did on August 9th, the day after Stalin declares war on Japan. The terms of surrender actually allowed the Japanese emporer to keep his thrown, but the United States occupied Japan for a significant period of time afterards. -
Truman Threatens to send American Troops to Iran
The soviets had occupied Oil-rich Iran in the time preceding 1946. Truman, in an effort to "go hard" on the Soviets, threatened to send American troops to combat the Soiets in Iran, if they did not withdraw. -
Iron Curtain Speech
As tensions solidified between western powers and the Sviets during the begining of he cold war, leaders began to become more openley anti-soviet. Winston Churchill, the prime minister of England, came to speak in March of 1946 at president Truman's request at Westminister College. While at the college, he gave a speech that famously proclaimed that the Soviets had drawn a METAPHORICAL iron curtain across eastern Europe and an anglo-american alliance was needed to counter soviet expansionism. -
Marshall Plan
Americans invested heavily in Europe post-WW2 in an effort to try to stop the spread of communism into the area. $17 billion were eventually invested in the european recovery program. This was invested on the condition that several signifcant European powers develope a joint plan to recover. Aid was also offered to the Soviets but was refused. -
National Security Act
This was an act aimed towards national security passed during the begining of the cold war. Its main effects were to centralize the branches of the military under the Department of Defense, to create the Central Intelligence Agency (The U.S. spy agency) and to create the National Security Council. -
Containment& Truman Doctrines Established
George F. Kennen was an American advisor who proposed the dominant theory in dealing with Soviet expansionism during the Timeperiod. He basically stated that a prolonged "containment" of the Soviets (by making allies of their surrounding countries) was the best way to stop the spread of communism across the globe.
President Truman was of the same mind and proposed the more specific Truman Doctrine. It stated that the United States should provide aid to countries resisting communism. -
Aide to Turkery & Greece
During the time that the Soviets were begining to establish a significant sphere of influence in Europe, both Turkey and reece were of large interest to the United States. Both governements were begining to become unstable and potential targets for communist rebels. President Truman, in an effort to support the struggling governments, asked congress for $400 million in aide to the countries. -
Berlin Blockade
After the end of WW2, germany was divided into Soviet, American, French, and British secotrs, as well as Berlin (which was buried deep in the Soviet sector). The French and British sectors eventually joined the American. In an effort to claim all of Berlin, the Soviets cut off all land access for more than a year. In an effort to keep Berlin, but avoid war with the Soviets, the AMericans organized a round-the-clock airlift of food and supplies into Berlin, entitled the Berlin airlift. -
Fall of China to Communism
A shock to many Americans who had previously thought of China as a bastion of capitalism in a Communist landmass, the Nationalist government was ovverrun by communist rebels led by Mao Zedong. The leader of the old government JIang JIeshek was forced to flee to Taiwin. -
NATO & Warsaw Pact
In an effort to establish a sphere of influence in Europe to counter that of the Soviets, Americans established the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO basically stated that all countries involved would come to the aide of any one country under attack, It was largley controlled by the United States. In responce, the Soviets created the Warsaw pact in 1955. To a large extent the Warsaw pact was basically obligatory for any nation in the soviet's sphere to sign, while NATO was optional. -
Soviet Union Detonates First Atomic Bomb
Three years ahead of what American strategists had predicted, theSoviet Union detonated their first atomic bomb in 1949. This scared the U.S. predictably and spurred a kick-start of U.S. developement into the more powerfull H-Bomb of Hydrogen bomb. -
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U.S. Technical Defense Developement
In an effort to combat Soviet technological advances and be better prepared in the case of a war, the U.S. developed a series of impressive technological advances. Tehy built the Distant Early Warning System, which would have warned of a soviet invasion across the North pole. Nuclear submarines as well as a significant number of nuclear weapons were also developed during this period. -
NSC-68
The NSC-68 was a security report released by the National Security council. It had a huge impact because it dictated that the United States was best to increase military spending in an effort to counter the growth of the Soviets. After its release, U.S, military spending increased to 20% of the national GNP. It is important to note that NSC-68 differed from the Marshall plan and Truman octrine because it advocated militarized anti-commnist offensive, while the previous two focused on passivity. -
Advent of the Korean War
In June 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea. Truman immediatley called a special session of the U.N. security counsel which ended up sending a large number of troops to south Korea, under the direction of general Douglas MacArthur, to combat the North Koreans. The U.N. forces seemed on the brink of defeating the North Koreans- by driving the front of the war to the border between Korea and China, but then Chinese troops joined on the side of the North Koreans and eventually a border. -
U.S.-Japanese Security Treaty
After WW2, the United States had occupied mainland Japan. In 1951 this occupation ended. In its place the Japanese Security treaty was put into place. It had two major provisions: one that had Japan surrender land claims in the Pacific, as well as Korea, one that allowed for continued stationment of American troops in Japanese military bases. -
Ending of the Korean War
After the Chinese invasion of Korea, the border between the two warring sides eventually stabilized around the 38th parallel. General Douglas Macarthus heavily reccommended use of nuclear weapons and carpet bombing on North Korea, which Truman declined looking to fight a limited war. MacArthur publicly denounced Truman's descision and was eventually fired-hurting Truman's popularity at home. An armisitice was eventually signed in 1953 which set the border near the 38th parallel. -
Operation Ajax
The prime minister of Iran had begun to nationalize oil feilds in his country. Fearing that he might be becoming subordinate to the Soviet Union, the U.S. overthrew him and replaced him with a pro-American regime. This trend in CIA operations was begining to really be developed during this timeperiod, with the CIA covertley attacking communim. -
Overthrow of Guatemalan Govt.
After the freely-elected guatemalan ruler (Jacobo Arbenz) nationalized several privatley owned fruit feilds, the CIA coordinated an operation conducted by mercenaries to overthrow the Guatemalan government. This new government was very harsh on any political opposition. -
Signing of SEATO
In the years leading upto 1954, the French government had been trying to hold onto land claims in indochina and were eventually defeated by communist rebels. Fearing that this communist uprising would trigger similar uprisings in Asian countries, the U.S. organised the Southeastern Asian Treay Organization which operated to the same effect as NATO. -
Suez Canal Crisis
The Egyptian government had a new leader come into power, named Gamal Abdel Nasser, which the United states tried o inlfuence by extending loans too. After he bought arms from Czechoslovakia and recognized China, the loans were cancled. In retaliation, Nasser seized the Suez canal. England France and Israel then all attacked Egypt, but were forced out BY the Amercians after the Svoiets threatened to intervene. -
Geneva conference
Eisenhower and Soviet leaders met meaningfully for the first time in Geneva since WW2. There were no concrete effects of the meeting, but in 1958 the Soviets stopped atmospheric nuclear testing, and the United states similarly backed down -
U.S. Involvement in South Vietnam
After the french had been defeated in indochina (Vietnam) the country was seperated into northern and southern provinces. The northern province were controlled by communist parties, and the southern by an American imposed dictator Ngo Dinh Diem. The CIA supported the buildup of Diem's military and blocking a vote that would have reunified Vietnam. -
Dawn of the Space race
The Soviet's launched the first ever man-made satellite into orbit on Octobr 4, 1957, quickly following in mid-november with aonther satellite. This struck the United States off-balance, as beforehand, the U.S. had been confident in their superiority in techological development. In responce, the U.S. tried to launch the Vangaurd rocket into space in mid December, but failed spectacularly. Eisenhower quickly diverted large funds to research & developement and soon began testing ICBMs. -
Invasion of Lebanon
Eisenhower eventually began to espouse the ideas of the Eisenhower Doctrine which stated that Americans would send military aid to middle eastern countries threatened by Communist power. In example, he sent 14000 marines to Lebanon in 1958 to stop a revolt against a christian pro-western government. -
U2 spy plane shot down
Almost direcltey preceding a peace-conference between the Soviet premeir and Eisenhower, an American U2 spy plane was shot down behind Soviet lines. In it were detailed photos of Soviet missile sites. After Eisenhower refused to apologise, the planned usmmit collapsed, and each country resumed nucleear testing in 1961. -
Peace Corps
Established by JFK's Executive Order 10924, the Peace Corps was program where Amercans volunteered in Third World countries. -
Flexible Response
JFK's foreign policy of flexible response supported responding to foriegn attacks equally. America was not limited to only a nuclear response as it was under Eisenhower's massive retaliation. -
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American Indian Movement and policy with Indians
Native American tribes created a Declaration of Purposes to criticise the termination of policies of the 1950's. They lobbied for inclusion of indians in the War on Poverty. Johnson created the National Council on Indian Opportunity. AIM, the American Indian Movement, protested to protect the traditional ways of Native americans. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
US spy planes discovered Soviet nuclear missile in Cuba to counter another invasion like the Bay of Pigs. JFK stated any attack from Cuba was equal to an attack from the USSR. He ordered a blockade of Cuba. Khrushchex and JFK agreed that the Soviets would remove the missiles from Cuba if the US did not invade Cuba. The Soviets also demanded JFK remove missiles from Turkey. American missiles in Turkey were enetually removed. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution authorized the president to take all necessary measures to repel armed attack and prevent further aggression in Vietnam. It allowed Johnson’s opponents to accuse him of misleading congress and lying to Americans. -
Vietnamization
Vietnamization was Nixon's policy of replacing American ground troops with South Vietnamese troops to decrease American involvment in the Vietnam War. -
US Intervnetion in Chile
Covert action by the CIA attempted to oppose the Socialist Salvador Allende in Chile in the Election of 1970. -
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Détente (cont.)
It included visits to the Soviet Union and China. Détente collapsed with the Watergate scandal, differences in opinion over human rights, and Nixon's inability to rapidly end the Vietnam War. -
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Détente
Détente refers to decreased tensions between America and China and America and the Soviet Union. Nixon visited the People's Rupublic of China, loosened trade and visa restrictions, and engaged in Ping-Pong diplomacy. The Nixon Doctrine refers to American money and aid to Third World countries but no troops. Nixon engaged in strategic parity, a policy that accepted that since both Soviets and Americans possessed mayn nuclear weapons, neither would dare to start a war. -
SALT I
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks with the Soviet Union resulted in the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. The treaty limited each nation to two antiballistic missile systems, froze offensive nuclear missiles for 5 years, and committed both nations to strategic equality rather than nuclear superiority. -
Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords were negotiated by Henry Kissneger and Le Duc Tho. It called for the removal of US troops, return of American prisoners of war, and allowed North Vietnamese troops to remain in South Vietnam. -
Oil Embargo of 1973
In the Six-Day War of 1967, Israeli forces routed forces of Egypt, Jordan, adn Syria and siezed territories. Arab states refused to negotiate with Israel, adn Palestinians turned to the militant Palestinian Liberation Organization. Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on Yom Kippur, and Arab states cut off oil shipments to the US and its allies. The demand and price of oil in America increased. -
War Powers Act
The War Powers Act effectively took away the power given to the president in the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. It stated that the president needed the consent of Congress to send troops abroad for more than 60 days and needed to advise Congress within 48 hours. -
Fall of South Vietnam
After America stopped military intervention in Vietnam, Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, fell to North Vietnam and the National Liberation Front. Americans were evacuated shortly before the city fell. -
Panama Canal Treaties
The Panam Canal Treaties were two treaties signed by Cater and Panamanian Torrijos. The treaty promised Panama would gain control of the Panam Canal after 1999. Control of the Panama Canal was peacefully given to Panama by 2000. -
Camp David Accords
Egyption leader Sadat and Israeli leader Begin met in Camp David in Maryland for negotiations led by Carter. Egypt and Israel established borders for Palestinian territories. The Camp David Accords also disunited the Arbs against Israel in the Middle East. -
Carter extends full diplomatic relations to China
In contrast to previous administrations, Carter extended Diplomatic contact to the Communist Mainland China during his term as president, which began a long legacy of Diplomatic relations from thereon. -
Camp David Accords
Carter hosted Israeli and Egyptian leaders Begin and Sadat in an effort to hep buld a compromise between the two previously antagonistic nations. Out of Camp David came and agreement that Isael would better respect the rights of Palastinians in the West Bank and Gaza strip. -
SALT II and SALT II Treaty
SALT II was a negotiation between Carter and Soviet Brezhnev to limit the manufacturing of nuclear arms. An agreement was reached; however, the SALT II Treaty was not passed by the Senate when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. -
Iran Hostage Crisis
After the Former shah Reza Pahlavi was admitted to the United States for cancer treatmnt, riots erupted in Tehran, and the United States embassy was swarmed by a mob of Irans, who took hostage most people in the Mebassy. The hostages were kept until the inaugeration of the next president (Reagan) for a total of 444 days. -
Panama Canal Treaty
Under Carter, a series of agreements transferring the Panama canal to Panaminian control by 1999 were put into place. This was in responce to increasing amounts of anti-Amerian sentiment in the area, but was also met with derision in the United States. -
Salt II Treaty Signed
Carter tried to pass the SALT II treat with the U.S.S.R. which would further limit the nuclear-weapon arsenals of both countries. unfortunatley, it stalled and died in Congress when the Soviets invadd Afghanistan. Eventually, relations with the Soviets soured to the point where the U.S. boycotted the 1980 Olympics. -
Cia Funds Contra War Against Nicaraguan Sadinistas
After Reagan came into presidency he critiscized the Sadinista government of Nicaragua (which had been installed by Carter) as too leftist and procommunist. The Cia, under Reagan funded and trained "Contras" which attacked the Sadinista government of Nicaragua. After congress demanded Reagan stop funding the rebels, the Iran-Contra scandal came to light. -
Implementation of SDI
Under Ronald Reagan, military spending shot up a significant amount. One of the programs which was funded was the Strateegic Defense Initiative, which was a system of satellites designed to fire lasers at Intercontinental Ballistic missiles as they were being launched so as to stop their launch. It is indicative of the general attitude under the early Reagan administration, towards the U.S.S.R. -
Beirut ,Lebanon
After conflicts with he Palestinian Liberation army, Israel invaded Lebanon, a country in the middle East. The united States sent in a peacekeeping force of Marine. These Americans were widley perceived as favor the Israeli side and a suicide attack was carried out in 1983 which killed 239 marines. IN 1984, Reagan withdrew the troops. -
U.S. deploys missiles in Europe
The Reagan Administration deployed 572 nuclear missiles in Western Europe. This was arguably to balance out a series of Nuclear Missiles that the U.S.S.R. had installed in Eastern Europe. -
Invasion of Grenada
Under the Reagan administration, 2000 marines invaded the small Caribean island of Grenada and set up a pro-U.S. government. The textbook says that a significant number of Grenadian natives supported this new government. -
Russians shoot down Korean plane
The relationship between the U.S. and the Soviets soured whn the Soviets shot down a Korean passanger jet in Soviet airspace, which killed the 269 passangers. -
Anti-Apartheid Act
South Africa had been a dutch colony in Africa where a small white minority had imposed a racist rule over the black majority of the country. The United States congress passed a series of economic sanctions against South Africa until a series of steps were put in place to eliminate Apartheid, and free South African black leader, Nelson Mandela. -
INF treaty signed
The Soviet Union, under reeformer Mikhail Gorbechev, and The U.S., under REagan, passed the Intermediate Nuclear Forces treaty in 1987 which eliminated a class of nuclear weapons. This signifies a significant shift in Reaganism's foreign policy, which is paralleled in Reagan's visit to Moscow in 1988. -
Pan Am Flight 103
Following a series of Terrorist atacks durin the timeperiod, a bomb was placed on Pan-American Airlines flight 103 from London to New York, killing all 259 passangers. Formal charges were brought against the country of Libya and eventually (in 1999) two men were extradited.
