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WW1(Ended Nov 11, 1918)
A war mainly in Europe and more than 9 million combatants and 7 million civilians died as a result of the war. It was one of the deadliest conflicts in history, paving the way for major political changes, including revolutions in many of the nations involved -
The Sinking of the Lusitania
Commonly mistaken as the cause of WW1, a well constructed ship was sunk due to efforst from Germany. The ship from New York City that was Liverpool bound to help British war efforts was torpedoed. The ship carried arms and guns, 124 americans died. -
Selective Service Act
Authorized the federal government to raise a national army for the American entry into World War I through the forceful enlistment of people. It was thought of in December 1916 and brought to President Woodrow Wilson's attention shortly after the break in relations with Germany in February 1917. This shows that the US would do anything to protect itself. -
Sedition Act
It forbade the use of "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about the United States government, its flag, or its armed forces or that caused others to view the American government or its institutions with contempt. Those convicted under the act generally received sentences of imprisonment for five to 20 years. -
US Isolationism in the 1920s(Ended in 1940s)
The US refused to join the League of Nations. Although President Wilson pushed hard for US membership, opposition in the US Senate was significant. Americans, after learning of the destruction and cost of World War I, did not want the United States to become entangled in another European conflict which could lead to another devastating war. -
Selective Training and Service Act
Also known as Peacetime Draft required men between the ages of 21 and 35 register with local draft boards. Later, when the U.S. entered World War II, all men aged 18 to 45 were made subject to military service, and all men aged 18 to 65 were required to register. -
American Century(Book) by Luce
Life magazine editorial urged the United States to forsake isolationism for a missionary's role, acting as the world's Good Samaritan and spreading democracy. He called upon the US to enter World War II to defend democratic values. This helped the US dominate and influence its power throughout this century over the Soviet Union and later named the hegemon. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
A surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, in the United States Territory of Hawaii.The attack led to the United States' entry into World War II. -
Bataan Death March
A forced march from Saisaih Pt. and Mariveles to Camp O'Donnell by the Imperial Japanese Army of 60,000–80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war which began on April 9, 1942, after the three-month Battle of Bataan in the Philippines during World War II. About 2,500–10,000 Filipino and 100–650 American prisoners of war died before they could reach their destination -
Bracero Program(Ended 1946)
A series of laws and diplomatic agreements, initiated by an August 1942 exchange of diplomatic notes between the United States and Mexico, for the importation of temporary contract laborers from Mexico to the United States. Helped with shortages of food and other goods. -
Zoot Suit Riots
The Zoot Suit Riots were a series of riots in 1944 during World War II that broke out in Los Angeles, California, between Anglo American sailors and Marines stationed in the city, and Latino youths, who were recognizable by the zoot suits they favored. Important because even though with all the American pushes for equality, semitism and race superiority was still a huge issue. -
G.I. Bill (of Rights)
A law that provided a range of benefits for returning World War II veterans. Benefits included low-cost mortgages, low-interest loans to start a business, cash payments of tuition and living expenses to attend university, high school or vocational education, as well as one year of unemployment compensation. -
Potsdam Conference
A war time conference held at Potsdam, Germany that was attended by Truman, Attlee, and Stalin. It agreed on the establishment of the Oder-Neisse line as the border of areas administrated by government of Poland, the expulsion of the German populations remaining beyond the borders of Germany, war reparations, reversion of all German annexations in Europe after 1937, statement of aims and means of the occupation of Germany, and the prosecution of Nazi war criminals. -
Truman Doctrine
President Truman's policy of providing economic and military aid to any country threatened by communism or totalitarian ideology. -
Marshall Plan
USA helped rebuild Europe by giving them money. This would increase foreign trade and prevent communism. -
Nuclear Arms Race(1950s)
Was a competition for supremacy in nuclear warfare between United States, the Soviet Union, and their respective allies during the Cold War. During the Cold War, in addition to the American and Soviet nuclear stockpiles, other countries developed nuclear weapons, though none engaged in warhead production on nearly the same scale as the two superpowers.
