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13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment to the constitution was passed by Congress. The amendment would outlaw slavery and involuntary servitude. While it easily passed in the senate, the law would face resistance in the house of representatives because of northern Democrats, but was eventually passed with a vote of 119 to 56. -
The U.S. Purchases Alaska
In 1865 the government of Russia approached U.S. Secretary of State William Seward with a treaty to purchase Alaska for $7 million. Seward was very eager to make the purchase but would be held back for two years by Congress who were reluctant to purchase what they thought was a barren land. The press would mock Seward and President Andrew Johnson for considering the purchase, but in 1867, Congress ratified the purchase. -
Yellowstone National Park Founded
On March 1, 1872 Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act into law. The law was proposed after an expedition into the area by Ferdinand Hayden, who brought a photographer and painter to document the area's beauty, these paintings and photos would be presented to congress to promote the creation of the park. If it weren't for Hayden and his team, the area may not have been preserved. The picture is one of Thomas Moran's paintings of the area. -
Sitting Bull Surrenders to US Forces
Sitting Bull was a leader of the Lakota tribe who had participated in battles against the US government in the 1870s. After his victory at the battle of Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull and his forces exiled themselves to Canada due to an increasing number of US troops hunting them. After four years of exile in 1881 Sitting Bull surrendered himself to the US government due to the increasing hunger and desperation of his followers. The photograph is an 1800s picture of Sitting Bull. -
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Progressive Era
The Progressive Era was a time of activism and political reform. The objectives of the movement were to fix problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, immigration, and corruption in politics. The movement was responsible for the creation of many antitrust laws to promote equal competition. Women's suffrage would be hugely promoted by progressives in the 1900's. This time also saw more government roles introduced such as the FDA to ensure the nation's food was safe for consumption. -
Spanish American War
Following the Cuban rebellion Spain signed an armistice to grant Cuba limited self governance, the US congress came to a resolution that Cuba had the right to independence, and demanded Spain's withdrawal from the island. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris which had Spain forfeit control of Cuba and concede Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the US for 20 million dollars. -
The Square Deal
The Square deal was Theodore Roosevelt's program that reflected his platform with three main focuses: preventing large corporations from having complete control over a market, to make sure that consumers would receive safe products, and conservation of nature. -
The US Enters WW1
Up until now Woodrow Wilson had promised not to enter the war, but with tensions rising between the US and Germany, and with the American death toll of merchant ships being sunk by Germany, the US was out of options. On April 6th 1917 the US congress voted to declare war on Germany and would remain in the war until the Treaty of Versailles was signed. The 1918 photographs shows a detachment of Americans leaving for the front lines in France. -
The 18th Amendment
The 18th Amendment prohibited alcohol in the United States. This amendment was the result of the temperance movement, which advocated for the banning of alcohol. The amendment itself declared that production, transportation, and sale of alcohol illegal. Enforcement of this amendment proved difficult as speakeasies grew in popularity, and the ban didn't have the positive affect its advocates had hoped for. The 18th Amendment was fully repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933 -
The 19th Amendment is Ratified
On August 18, 1920 the Tennessee House of Representatives voted 50-49 to ratify the 19th Amendment, the last vote needed to make the 19th Amendment law. -
The New Deal
The New Deal was a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations. These programs were enacted by president Franklin D. Roosevelt between 1933 and 1939 and many of these administrations still play a huge role in government. All the programs were created to raise the quality of life for Americans. -
Executive Order 9066
Executive Order 9066 was an order that would place 120,000 people of Japanese descent into internment camps over fears that they were spies. This order was signed by president Roosevelt 3 months after the attack of Pearl Harbor.
