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Salutary Neglect
This approximately 150 year long period was a time when Britain allowed its American colonies to govern themselves. The colonies set up self government systems, and when Britain took away self government after the French and Indian War, the colonies retaliated. -
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House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was a form of democratic government in Virginia during the colonial times. I was one of the first instances of democratic government, and white landholding men were allowed to attend meetings and elect officials. It was instated during the time known as Salutary Neglect, and showed the early "self government" system America started developing. -
The Mayflower Compact
This outlined the government of the Separatist Pilgrims who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It established a self government system run by majority rule, helping set the foundation for the US Constitution. -
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Puritan Government
During most of the seventeeth century, Puritans lived in the New England area. They sought freedom to practice their own religion from England, and therefore were mostly governed by the clergy. They sought for the 'City Upon a Hill' and had a strict life and government. -
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Connecticut was founded by Thomas Hooker. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was the government system set up. It included majority rule (only by free white men but still very progressive for so early on) and was more based on the ideas of the people. It was a definite sign of early US self government and freedom, setting the precedent for later on. -
Proclamation of 1763
After the French and Indian War, Britain restricted settling in the Ohio River Valley basin to avoid tension with the Native Americans living there. This showed colonists Britain was starting to interfere in America.
After this proclamation, Salutary Neglect ended and Britain started getting more involved in America government, using
America for more resources money from taxes to pay war debts. -
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Articles of Confederation in Use
From 1781 to 1787, the Articles of Confederation were used as acts to govern the country. However, the Articles of Confederation gave much more power to the states than the central government, making the U.S. unable to levy taxes and control commerce. This led to separate small state governments taking a larger role than the central government, causing many problems like commerce and currency. Shay's rebellion showed the issue with a lack of federal power and virtually no executive branch -
United States of America is Formed
In 1783 with the Treaty of Paris, the United States of America finally became an independent nation from Great Britain after the Revolutionary War. This was the beginning of the official America and its democratic government. America had the first democratic government in the world. -
The Connecticut (Great) Compromise
A result of the NJ and Virginia plans. It set up the national government as bicameral (house and senate) and also highlighted the separation of state and national power, with national power being superior. It set the basis for voting using an electoral college, and based representation partially on proportional populations in each state. This was the foundation for the US government system. -
Three Fifths Compromise
The North wanted slaves to count as property, but the South wanted them to count towards the population to get more representatives. The compromise counted three out of every five slaves as a person. This was completely dehumanizing to slaves. This set the precedent that slavery and race would be an issue between the North and South, and showed that the US government's own internal splits over this issue will lead to more questionable compromises in the future. -
Commerce Compromise
The third Compromise from the Constitutional ?Convention of 1787. It stated Congress could regulate trade, could not tax exports, and slave trade would be allowed for twenty years. It pushed of the slavery problem to the future, which would hurt the US later on. It also gave the government some more control in trade, but set some boundaries to this, establishing public and states' rights as well. -
Constitution of the United States Approved
In 1787, the new Constitution of the United States was approved because of the Articles of Confederation not working well. This document gave the central government more power and established separation of power in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Along with the Constitution the first ten amendments, the Bill of Rights, was also passed, ensuring American citizens their rights. This document was also designed to be flexible to the needs and changing events of the country. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
During John Adam's Presidency and the time of the America France Quasi War, the Alien and Sedition Acts were passed. The Sedition Act limited malicious or false writing against the government (essentially prohibiting free speech), and was meant to offset Democratic Republican criticism of the Federalist party in office. The Alien Act increased the time to become a citizen, and made deportations easier. This was because of the fear that immigrants would side with France if a war arose. -
The Louisiana Purchase
In 1803, Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from Napolean. This purchase doubled the size of the US. During the purchase, Jefferson felt conflicted because acquisition of new land was not authoried in the Constitution. However, Jefferson eventually bought the land without amending the Constitution. This was controversial since Democratic Republicans generally believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution. This purchase marked the dissolution of a strict interpretation. -
Embargo Act
This cut off US exports to all other nations during Jefferson's presidency because of harsh feelings before the War opf 1812. It severly hurt New England shipping, but it did increase the role of the government in trade. It was early US government intervention in daily lives, illustrating the increase in government power. -
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War of 1812
This war between the United States and Britain was the first war the U.S. had fought since the Revolutionary War. As tensions between Britain and the Unite States increased from no fufilling terms signed in the original Treaty of Ghent after the Revolutionary War, the U.S. declared war, showing that America was not afraid to fight for itself and defend its rights and government. This proved the American country and government internationally. -
The Missouri Compromise
This admitted Missouri as a slave state, but Maine as a free state. It also created a line determining which states would be free or slave states, effectively splitting the country. This showed divisions in the US. Also, this howed how clear tensions and divisions existed in the US government over slavery. These splits affected the entire country, and though many acts and compromises were passed prior to the civil war, the issue did not improve, and hostilities increased on a national level. -
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Government and Slavery
This time prior to the Civil War marked a series of government compromises over the expansion of slavery. This struggle edified how the issues over slavery affected the national government, causing splits and tensions. In addition, these compromises were not very successful in keeping the slavery debate under control, thus leading to the Civil War. This shows how major divisions in the government hurts the country. -
Monroe Doctorine
In 1823, the Monroe Doctorine took effect and stated that Europe could not colonize any more land in the Western Hemisphere and that America would not become involved in European Wars. This established the United States as a more isolationist country. However, it also showed that America was taking control as a major power over the Western Hemisphere by prohibiting European colonization. -
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Jackson's Presidency
During Jackson's presidency executive power greatly increased, as Jackson took on a larger role in government. The era also so a rise in state banks, which Jackson approved of instead of the Bank of the United States, which was helpful to more state banks. Jackson also advocated more cash initially, which had helped some farmers with debt, though he eventually switched back to specie, which was originally favored by the government. -
Force Act
This allowed President Jackson to use military forces to stop Southern nullification of the tariff of 1828 if needed. It showed how much more power the presidency had under Jackson, and how states had less power, could not use nullification to overcome federal government actions. It also illustrated fear of a Civil War, which many thought would be an indirect result of allowing nullification. -
Compromise of 1850
This was a compromise intorduced by Henry Clay (the "great compromiser") instated after the Mexican War to determine if the states receives in the mexican Cession would be slave or free states. It showed how slavery and race was already a major political issue and how divisions in the states as well as the federal government led to the necessity for a compromise to avoid a Civil War. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
Effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820. It allowed the new territories of Kansas and Nebraska to determine if slavery would exist there based on Douglas' ideas of popular soveriegnty. It led to a lot of violence and competition between the proslavery groups and abolitionists. This showed slavery as a main political issue as well as emphasizing how split the country was over the issue of slavery. -
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Creation of National Parks
From the 1860s to the 1890s, many people who went west thought that the landscape was breathtaking and worth maintaining. In response, some petitioned to Congress to preserve these areas and prevent it from being sold or settled. Through this process, Yellowstone National Park was created in 1890. However, Native Americans were disregarded when disallowing any distrubance of nature, again exemplifying the harsh Native American sentiments that were seen through government actions. -
Lincoln Suspend the Writ of Habeas Corpus
In January of 1863, President Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus, which is a court order that requires a prisoner to be shown their reason of arrest. This was the first suspension of rights in wartime, and Lincoln did so to prevent border states from joining the South during the Civil War. This was further supported in ex parte Merryman, and showed the increased US federal power in a war. -
Emancipation Proclamation
This bold action by Lincoln banned slavery in all seceded states. It also accepted black men into the Union Army and Navy. Though the border and loyal states were not technically free, this legislation did demonstrate the president's power as well as provide a precedent for future freedom legislation. -
Freedman's Bureau
This was set up by Congress under President Licoln to help blacks and poor whites in the South after the Civil War during Reconstruction. It showed the federal government getting more involved in the lives of the lower classes, helping them get food, housing, medical aid, education, and legal representation. Though under funded and short lasting, it did demonstrate an increase in government intervention in the poor class, showing greater power and setting a precedent for social welfare programs. -
Thirteenth Amedment is Ratified
The 13th Amendment outlawed slavery, freeing African Americans from bondage. This showed the American Government 's(particularly North) support of delegalization of slavery. For the first time, the United States did not have slaves and former slaves' rights were legally supported. However, the enforcement of this was lacking, and things like Black Codes and violence still hurt blacks. -
Civil RIghts Act of 1866
In 1866, during the Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 was the first major law to be passed over a president's veto. It's purpose to give blacks equal civil rights and disallow the 'black codes' in the South showed that the the American Government supported more black freedom. It also showed how the President's power can be overturned by Congress. -
Fort Larmarie Treaty of 1868
The Fort Lamarie Treaty of 1868 was signed by the Sioux and American Government, where the Sioux agreed to live on an reservation in return for keeping the Black Hills, money, and supplies -
Fourteenth Amendment is Ratified
In the 14th Amendment, citizenship was determined to be everyone born or naturalized in the United States. It also threatened less representatives in Congress of a state that denied all males suffrage. In addition, it disqualified Confederate officers for government positions and repudiated Confederate debt. This showed that the United States government wanted to rebuild the country and supported civil rights regardless of race. -
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Spoils System Reaches Height
During the Gilded Age, the Spoils System, where supporters of politicians received perks if the politician was elected, reached its height. Political bosses, which helped certain parties stay in power in an area, often awarded jobs or money if people voted for their party. In this way political bosses, such as 'Boss' Tweed, were often corrupt. President Garfiel was shot by Charles Guiteau because he did not give Guiteau a position. This showed the corruption of the governement. -
Fifteenth Amendment is Ratified
The 15th Amedment prohibited the denial of voting rights based on race or previous servitude. It helped many African Americans finally have the right the vote, showing that the government supported civil rights, though Southern state govenments and people still did not support black voters. -
Enforcement Act
This act, signed by President Grant, gave the government the right to enforce the fifteenth amendment (giving blacks the right to vote). It was the first law in retaliation to the Ku Klux Klan's violence against blacks. Though it didn't solve the problem and violence against blacks was still very prevalent, it at least showed that the US government had started taking more actions to protect the freedom of the black minority. -
Custer's Last Stand
George A. Custer was sent by the American government to forcibaly force Native Americans to move from the Black Hills. This showed the American government's dishonesty with the Native Americans and hunger for more western land. -
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Gilded Age
During the "Gilded Ags", the American government supported the big industrialists and took little control over the economy. The Federal Government generally believed in an laissez-faire or "hands off" capitalist economic system, and frequently passed laws favoring monopolies and major corporations rather than the poor class workers and farmers. -
The Pendleton Act
In the "Gilded Age" time period, many politicians such as president Garfield used the Spoils system to get elected. This meant that people who voted and supported Garfield would be rewarded through civil service jobs or money. This also played a role in the political machines who gained power using the spoils system. When Garfield was assassinated, the vice president Arthur passed the Pendleton Act to only allow those who passed a test to get government jobs, increasing civil service jobs reform -
Interstate Commerce Commission
Though this act did not do much, its purpose was to regulate railroads and stop big company owners from getting rebates to use a certain railway. It was one of the only interventions of the US government in this time period, but it did not work well since the government was hesistant to intervene against the railroads and there were many people high up in the railroad industry who had connections in the government. -
Dawes Severalty Act Approved
The Dawes Severalty Act was passed by the American government in attempts to assimilate the Native Americans into white culture. The Act broke up the land in Native American reservations into 160 acre plots, giving one plot to each head of the family. This contradicted with traditional Native American customs of just borrowing the land for use. -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was passed in 1890 to regulate business. It prohibited business that hindered trade. Under this act, officials were required to investigate funds. It was one of the earlier actions taken by the government in the economy. -
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American Imperialism
This was a time when American nationalism and feelings of America as a strong, great nation led to people wanting to expand American democracy. It was seen as America's job to help other nations by promoting democracy throughout the world. -
The Sherman Silver Purchase Act
This act was considered a victory of the Populist party since having the government purchase some silver to back up monmey with could potentially lead to inflation, making farmer's debts easier to pay off. -
Repeal of Sherman Silver Purchase Act
In 1893, President Grover Cleveland repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase act because the introduction of silver into the treasury to back money partially caused the Panic of 1893. This demonstrated how the government still favored the gold standard, which implies the government will continue to take actions to help big companies over poor farmers. -
Curtis Act
The Curtis Act got rid of most of the Native American reservations in Oklaholma. It was passed to prevent Native American tribal governments from getting too much power and placed all Native Americans under federal law. This allowed Oklahoma to attain statehood. -
McKinley annexes Hawaii
Without the consent of the people living there. president McKinley annexes Hawaii as a US state. This was hypocritcal on the government's part, because America was supposed to be spreading democracy, but by doing that it ended up taking away democracy from other people in weaker countries. -
The Spanish American War - the "Splendid Little War"
Though the war itself is not a government action, the acts passed before, during, and after the war are. The Teller Amendment passed early on in the war guaranteed the US would not annex Cuba, and would leave it as a free country. However, the post war Platt Amendment states Cuba is not allowed to get into too much debt, the US is allowed to intervene if Cuban order is in danger, and Cuba must lease a naval base to the US. The US leaves Cuba free, but it is still involved and profits. -
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The Phillipine American War
The US annexed the Phillipines after the Spanish American war. However, due to the lack of consent in the Phillipines, riots and outbursts break out against the US. The US army is able to quiet the Filipinos, but a self government system rose in the Phillipines, and the US promised the Phillipines eventual freedom. This showed how much the US wanted to expand, but also how the government did care about spreading democracy to help weaker nations, even if it did not help the Phillipines too much. -
U.S. Becomes Involved in the Boxer Rebellion
In 1900, the United States became involved in the Boxer Rebellion in China. By doing so, the United States showed that it was moving to Imperialism, whereas it had been a isolationist country before. U.S. involvement abroad showed that the United States had become stronger and that it was able to play on the grobal stage. -
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Progressive Era
During the Progressive Era, people sought to reform society because of the many problems left from the Gilded Age. However, they wanted Federal involvement. People wanted the government to provide things like welfare, creating more control and action taken by the American government. -
Newlands Reclamation Act
The National Reclaimation Act was passed in 1902 under Theodore Roosevelt, and was designed to modify lands in the west so that they could be used for agriculture. It also funded dams and irrigation products, showing government interest in improving and modifying America's land -
The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine passed in 1823 did help initiate America as a world power, but was quite passive. Roosevelt strengthened this act in his presidency by stating that America could use military force to help restore peace in nations in the western hemisphere like in latin America. This helped assert America as a world power and as an international police while increasing American nationalism. Many Americans felt that it was America's duty to help spread democracy to weaker nations. -
Hepburn Act
The Hepburn Act was passed under Theodore Roosevelt and allowed the ICC to set maximum railroad rates and enforce it. The ICC was also allowed to view railroad financial records and also had power over other methods of transportation companies. The Hepburn Act showed the government's involvment in restricting major companies that the government did not really do before the Progressive Era. -
Pure Food and Drug Act Becomes Effective
The Pure Food and Drug Act required that companies put nutrition labels on all food products. This was one of the first times the government had become involved in regulating the safety and health about food products, and it was later followed by the meat inspection act. -
Mann Act is Passed
The Mann Act was a law against prostitution that forbade a man from crossing state lines for "immoral purposes". This action taken by the government showed federal involvement in working conditions and reform. However, this act was still quite vague and did not do much for the causes of the Progressive Era. -
16th Amendment is Adopted
Congress is allowed to impose an income on American citizens. Citizens now have to pay a graduated income tax, making the wealthy pay more, allowing the government another source of income that allows the tariff to be lowered and helping the poor. -
17th Amendment is Ratified
Under the 17th Amendment, senators are directly elected by voters in popular vote instead of by a state legislature. This helps the general public have a say in government business, as senators can't only be supported by legislature anymore. IT also helped to break up senator 'millionare clubs' that were forming. -
Federal Trade Commission Act is Signed into Law
President Wilson created the FTC to help regulate big businesses and bust trusts. Through the creation of the Federal Trade Commission by the Federal Trade Commission Act, the government had more power to control businesses and break up harmful trusts. The FTC was allowed to investigate violations of federal regulations and could require financial reports from any company. -
Clayton Antitrust Act
The Clayton Antitrust Act was passed to allow the government to more effectively bust trusts. WIth the Clayton Anti-trust Act, the law could not be used to bereak up unions, which was extremely helpful to the labor groups. The government had taken a more progressive verses conservative role. -
Federal Farm Loan and Federal Warehouse Acts
Under these acts, farmers who used land and crops as a collateral were allowed to get low interest federal loans. This helped farmers greatly to help pay off debts and get money and was one of the early steps taken by the U.S. government to specifically help farmers. -
Keating Owen Act
The Keating Owen Act was a short lived Act that prevented products made from child workers to be sold accross state borders. Though it was short lived, it showed how some of the federal government was revising working condidtions to benefit the poor working class and with the goal of helping children receive education. -
18th Amendment is Certified
Under the 18th Amendment, sale, production, transportation, and consumption of alcohol was made illegal. The amendment showed the government was taking legal steps to help reform the common American citizen's rights, which was previously rarely done. -
19th Amendment is Ratified
Under the 19th Amendment, women receive the right to vote. Reform by the government helped women gain more rights and a say in politics. Women were able to become more influential as a result of this reform. -
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Presidencies of Harding and Coolidge
During the presidencies of Harding and Coolidge, the Federal Government adopted the motto of "return to normalcy" and advocated government like that during the Gilded Age. At this time, the government took little action and authority. -
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Hoover's Response to the Stock Market Crash
When America entered the Great Depression, Hoover was against the government taking charge of helping the people cope with the recession. Hoover argued that helping individual citizens was against the American spirit of individualism and hard work. This showed the government as taking a traditional role of being uninvolved in lives of citizens and the economy, even in hard times. -
The Reconstruction Finance Corporation
This was the main action taken by president Hoover that helped the US economy by providing loans to banks and businesses. It did help unemployment a bit, since businesses with more money could afford to keep workers. However, this illustrates how even when Hoover did take action, it was very pro business, and though it did help America's economy, it did not do that much for the common man. -
The National Industrial Recover Act
This was one of Franklin D. Roosevelt's acts instated in the first new deal. It led to the creation of the National Recovery Administration. Though this was overturned in Schechter vs. US, while instated it encouraged worker unions by forcing the businesses who joined to respect union rights. Businesses joined because the government told the public not to shop at businesses not part of the NRA and the businesses in the NRA were exempt from anti trust laws, showing increased government power. -
Tennessee Valley Authority
This federal program was instated to promote electricity, flood control, navigation, fertilizer, manufactering, and economic improvement in the Tennessee Valley, a group of states in the midwest most affected by the Great Depression. This act shows how the government is more actively helping Americans in need, not just leaving them to survive on their own. Also, the government is promoting economical advancement in affected regions. -
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First New Deal
The First New Deal was the first time the government took an active role in ensuring the economy and welfare of the people. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt promoted mainly relief and recovery as part of the First New Deal, trying to improve the economy state of the individual American on the short term, noy worrying about the long term reform as much. -
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Hundred Days
During the first one hundred days he took office, FDR took major actions to stop bank runs and help the economy get back on its feet. This showed that the government was becoming more involved in economy instead of being almost entirely laissez faire. During this time, Congress passed an enormus amount of legislation to help improve the economy. -
Emergency Banking Act
Passed during the Hundred Days, the Emergency Banking Act created a four day bank holiday so that FDR and his cabinet could assess which banks were healthy and which needed aid before opening again. The Emergency Banking Act also set up stricter regulations on governing banks. This was the first major act that allowed the government to take a role in bank health. It showed how much more involved the government was in common people's lives. -
Unemployment Relief Act
The Unemployment Relief Act created the Civilian Conservation Corps to provide jobs for unemployed men in public works projects. This act was the first govenment act that helped the unemployed citizens, however it only applied to males. It did show a major increase in the government's actions in dealing with workers, though it did neglect almost half of America's population -
Agricultural Adjustment Act
The Agricultural Adjustment Act set up the Agricultural Adjustment Administration that helped farmers by paying them to plant less crops, and hopefully cause the price of food to go up, helping the farmers. This was one of the first government programs passed to help farmers, and though there were still many farmers living in poverty and hard times, it atleast showed the government was doing something to help the farmers. -
Banking Act of 1933 (FDIC)
The Banking Act of 1933 set up the Federal Deposit Insurance Coporation, which ensured 5000 dollars in every bank account. This was the first time the government ensured individual investments and helped to fix the economy. This act stopped bank runs since people were more confident their money was secure. -
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The Civil Works Administration
This was a shortlived works projects program that provided short term jobs to people to help them survive the 1933 to 1934 winter. Though shortlived, it did provide many unemployed Americans with a source of income and demonstrated the government helping the unemployed. -
The Twenty First Amendment
This amendment ended the prohibition on the sale, manufactering, and consumption of alcohol. It did this because the government did not want to have to spend more money upholding prohibition, and many committed crimes to get around prohibition. By repealing the eighteenth amendment on the prohibition of alcohol, the government hoped to not spend as much money and limit crime. -
Social Security Act
The Social Security Act was part of the Second New Deal and established a welfare system for the unemployed, the disabled, the elderly, and widowed mothers with children. The Social Security Act was one of the first programs that ensured the livlihoods of people who could not work. Instead of the "hands off" government system that was present before, the government started to help out those not able to work. Previously, these people would have been given little to no aid and left on their own. -
Works Progress Administration
This program started by Harry Hopkins provided white collar jobs (artists, actors, writers, journalists, photographers) as well as the more traditional blue collar jobs. It supplied work to many Americans, and though jobs were short lasting, they did appeal to Americans with unique skills. Mostly, males were employed, but this administration did demonstrate how the government was trying to think about many types of citizens, not just traditional factory workers. -
Ludlow Amendment
Though never passed, this amendment was introduced multiple times. It called for a national referendum to declare any war. This showed how prior to World War two, the public really did not want to go to war, and wanted to remain neutral. It was important because it illustrated that the publc wanted more say in whether the country goes to war, and wants to make it more difficult for the country to go to war, not just allowing Congress to declare war without public consent. -
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The Second New Deal
In the later part of the New Deal, the government started focusing more on long term reform rather than immediate relief or recovery to the public. -
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Neutrality Acts before US entering World War Two
These were a series of neutrality acts to prevent US intervention in World War two. However, amendments such as Cash and Carry, Destroyers for Bases, and Lend Lease acts lessened this neutrality, making the US more involved in the war, though technically America was still neutral. -
National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act)
The National Labor Relations Act allowed unions to have bargaining rights with companies, permitted closed shops, and made blacklisting union members illegal. This was one of the first steps taken by the government that helped and favored unions, showing a shift to a more involved and pro worker rights government system. -
Cash and Carry Act
The Cash and Carry Act was an amendment to the neutrality act of 1937. It stated that other nations could buy US supplies if they paid in cash and provided their own transportation. Though the US was still committed to isolation and nonintervention in WW2, this act lessened America's neutrality. The US were now helping the allies get weapons and supplies, and even though the US was not in the war, it was showing a clear support for the allies. -
Farm Tenancy Act
The Farm Tenancy Act created the Farm Security Administration to help small farmers, sharecroppers, and tenants. The program helped fight rural poverty during the Great Depression. This was one of the first government programs that specifically helped poor farmers directly, and exemplified how government support was for multiple groupos of people, showing an increase in the government's power and actions taken to help the poor class. -
Fair Labor Standards Act
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, child labor was banned successfully and a national minimum wage and maximum work hours of 40 hours per week was set. This showed that the government cared about the working conditions of workers and was among the federal government's efforts to improve working conditions. Legislation that helped workers on a national level was not really passed before the start of the Great Depression. -
America First Committee
This was one of the largest noninterventionist organizations in US history. It was a pressure group attempting to prevent America from going to war. However, after the Pearl Harbor attack on dec, 7, 1940 the organization was deestablsihed. But, it did show how many Americans had a very antiwar sentiment before the US entered WW2, even though this changed a lot after the Pearl Harbor Attack. -
Destroyers for Bases Act
In the Destroyers for Bases Act, the US gave European allies fifty US navy destroyers in exchange for the right to use British bases. Like the Cash and Carry Act, this reduced US neutrality claims. The US was showing a very definite support for the allies, even though neutrality was still in action. All these acts lessened US noninterventionism and made the US more likely to enter World War Two on the side of the allies. -
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U.S. Involvement in World War II
From the end of 1940 to the end of 1945, the United States fought in World War II. This marked the U.S. coming out of isolationism as the U.S. government increasingly allowed involvement overseas and aid to other countries. The United States also played a big role in the Yalta and Postdam conferences, which were helpful in ending the war and also foreshadowed the Soviet Union's want for control in the post war time. -
Lend Lease Act
In the Lend Lease Act, the US stated that they were just letting allied nations in WW2 borrow or rent supplies. However, after the weapons were used, the US did not really expect them back, so it was like the US was giving the allies weapons to use. Though still technically neutral, the US showed they supported the allies and would do a lot to help them win. -
Creation of OSRD
In 1941, FDR created the Office of Science Research and Development to develop more weapons and medicine, an organization of government scientists. This was the first time that the government majorly funded science research and provided huge sums of money towards it. -
Creation of WPB and OPA
In June of 1941, after U.S. involvement in World War II began, FDR created the War Production Board and the Office of Price Administration. This was the biggest amount of control that the U.S. had ever taken on its industries, somewhat violating the idea of capitalism despite the fact that it was partially justified by war. This showed that the government was expanding in function and power -
GI Bill
Also known formally as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, the GI Bill allowed World War II veterans get funds for housing, attend college on the government's money, and get other benefits. This helped many people to find better jobs and finish their education after the war. The G.I. Bill showed the governments concern for war veterans and helped them readjust to postwar life. -
Employment Act of 1946
The Employment Act of 1946 was an attempt to ensure economic growth in the United States by establishing the Council of Economic Advisors, who informed the president on maintaining employment rate, production, and purchasing power of the U.S. This showed the executive branch's concern for the welfare of the people, especially after the war. However, Congress did not approve of the act. -
Atomic Energy Commission
This agency was created after World War Two to promote the development and control of atomic energy in peacetime. It was created during Truman's administration, but was expanded and given more funds in Eisenhower's presidency as well. It showed America's shift to more effort and energy put into atomic energy development to use as a threat and a source of defense against the Soviet Union. -
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Containment
Proposed by American diplomat George R. Kennan, who was stationed in Moscow, Containment united military, diplomatic, and economic strategies to curb expansion of communism. America was asserting its role as a world power and was actively containing communism. -
National Security Act of 1947
The National Security Act of 1947 unified the armed forces under the Department of Defense, created the National Security Council to afvies the president on military matters, and the Central Intelligence Agency to gather information from other countries and work as spies. This showed the increased militarization of the United States and made the U.S. government a more militaristic and dominant force. -
Truman Doctorine
The Truman Doctorine stated that aid would be given to any right wing government that opposed communism. It first helped Greece and Turkey fight against communism. By providing such aid, the U.S. asserted itself as a dominant world power, its desire to spread democracy, and divergance from former isolationism. -
Executive Order 9835 - Federal Employee Loyalty Program
This executive order, FELP, was passed by president Truman to root out communism influence in the national government. He wanted to make some groups such as the right wing conservatives see that he is not "soft" on communism and gain public support. It again showed how fearful and dubious the country was about the extent of communism's influence in America. -
Taft Hartley Act Enacted
The Taft Hartley Act banned closed shops and removed leftest leaders from the CIO. Power was also given to the president to call cooling off periods to delay strikes. This act was an attempt to solve the problem of postwar stikes at vital industrial factories in the U.S. -
Fair Deal
This was Truman's plan for a domestic policy. A lot of the proposals continued New Deal liberalist ideals, but because of the conservative domination in Congress only a few measures like Social Security increase and limited acts helping workers was passed. It did not really do much since Congress did not accept a lot of it, but it showed Truman's committment to more democratic and liberal ideas. -
US joins NATO
In 1949, the United States joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance with Western European countries and Canada. This involvement in an alliance and agreeing to help fight when other countries needed aid marked an end to traditional American isolationism. -
McCarren Internal Security Act
The McCarren Internal Security Act stated that any organization deemed to be communist by the Attorney General had to register with the Department of Justice. Passed over Truman's veto, this act showed the extent of fear in the U.S. government about communism, as it went so far to restrict personal rights of groups and people who were deemed to be a threat. -
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Korean War
From 1950 to 1953, the United States fought in Korea as part of a UN police action. This showed that the United States was going to be continually involving itself in world affairs and would cease to be an isolationist nation. It also showed that the U.S. was not afraid to use force. Additionally, the Korean War was the first war to be a limited war fought by the U.S. It was also the first war with desegregated forces, showing the American government's support of racial equality. -
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Eisenhower "New Look"
This was the main foreign policy during Eisenhower's administration. It related to the Eisenhower doctrine, but it also discussed putting more money into nuclear development, less into traditional military aspects. It called for a lot of measures against communism, strengthening the nuclear force was a big part of it. -
Social Security Amendments
Though Eisenhower was a republican, he was considered a moderate politcian. This is an example where he extended the New Deal program of social security to provide more people with economical support. It showed Eisenhower's moderate presidency as well as the government's increased role in the well being of the US people. -
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Liberal Warren Court
During this time period, them Cheif Justice Earl Warren supported the rights of the disadvantaged and accused criminals. With his cases, Warren was shown to protect the individual rights of Americans more than at any other time, showing the government was interested in protecting the rights of individuals and was liberal. -
Massive Retaliation
This was an idea introduced by Eisenhower's Secretary of State Dulles. It basically stated that even at the slightest Soviet Union threat, the US would strike back full force. As a results, the Soviet Union adopted a similar policy. This led to the mutually assured destruction of the two countries, because if one went even the slightest bit out of line, the consequences would be a full scale nuclear war. It heightened the feelings of nervousness and suspicion surrounding the Cold War -
Interstate Highway System
Eisenhower helped create the Interstate Highway System in the US. This showed how much the president plays a role in internal improvements and US advancements. This system led to easier transportation and the rise of Suburbs outside of major cities. -
Eisenhower Doctrine
This was a major part of president Eisenhower's foreign policy. This doctrine agreed to help Middle Eastern countries escape communism, and contributed to the CIA covert missions to start coups to overthrow communist regimes in these developing countries. It also singled out the Soviet Union as the main threat to the US. It showed how Eisenhower was willing to spend time and money into stopping and containing communism, continuing and extending the cold war with the Soviet Union. -
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LBJ's Presidency
LBJ's main goal was the Great Society. This included very liberal social welfare programs that helped with education, housing, unemployment, and civil rights. LBJ stated the US was in a "war against poverty." This expanded the role of the federal government and president a lot, but LBJ had to cut short his goals once the US got involved in Vietnam. -
Civil Rights Act
This finally ended De jure segregation in the US. It showed the government successfully dealing with civil rights on a national level. However, even after this act De facto segregation and race problems still continued. -
The 24th Amendment
This amendment ended the poll taxes in voting. This, coupled with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, helped more blacks vote. It also showed the government using its power to help minority groups. -
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U.S. Involvement in Vietnam
From 1964 to 1975, the United States attempted to prevent communism from spreading according to the US containment policy. The war was unsuccessful, eventually resulting in South domination by the North. The war led to LBJ's credibility gap and cynicism by the American people about the ability to trust the government, as well as general unhappiness about the involvement, losses, and eventual stalemate. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
After North Vietnam attacks a US destroyer, Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) is granted unprecendeted complete control over the actions and involvement in Vietnam. This showed how leading upto the Vietnam War, president power was at a peak. -
Voting Rights Act
During LBJ's presidency, the Voting Rights Act was passed to end racial discrimination in voting, especially in the South. It banned ther literacy test and the Grandfather Clause and helped more blacks become more involved in the government. -
Immigration Act
In this act, the quota system for immigration set up in 1924 was repealed. It showed the government under LBJ taking liberal actions by using its power to help minority groups like immigrants. After this, the US saw an increased amount of immigrants from Asia and Africa. -
Tet Offensive
LBJ did not tell the public how the US was doing in Vietnam, leading to the public losing trust in the government. It contributed to the switch to a more conservative government in the election of 1968 as well, and led to many feeling like the federal government had too much power. -
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Watergate Scandal (Nixon's Presidency)
This scandal that resulted in President Nixon's resignation caused the US public to lose trust in the US government. It did not come out in time for the Election of 1972, but once it did come out the US public lost faith, and became more cynical regarding their government. It caused suspicions are most hostilities than ever before from the US public -
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Dentente
From Nixon's presidency to the end of Carter's presidency, the United States tried to ease tensions with the Soviets and other communist countries like China. This was an attempt to bring the Cold War to a close earlier as most Americans were unhappy with he government and the war that resulted from communism in Vietnam. Among some of the Detente programs were Ping Pong Diplomacy, SALT I and II (though II did not actually work), and Nixon's visit to China in 1972. -
Kent State Massacre
This was a big anti war protest at Kent State University retaliating against Nixon's increased participation in the war and the invasion of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Cambodia and Laos. Nixon responded by employing the national guard, which used tear gas and shooting to put down the conflict, killing three college students. The nation was outraged. It showed the growing anti war sentiment against the government. It also demonstrated how the government was willing to use force, showing power. -
Committee for the Re-Election of the Preseident
This was a group, sometimes mocked as CREEP, started to help Nixon's renomination campaign in 1972. It was perfectly innocent until the illegal searching at the democratic conventio hotel (Watergate scandal). News did not come out until after Nixon had been re elected, but this contributed to the more controversial and secretive nature of Nixon's presidency and also led to a greater distrust of the government. -
Christmas Bombings Hanoi, NV
Nixon tries to end the war by bombin North Vietnam to get them to agree to US terms of peace. Itdid not work well, and though Nixon had tried to keep it a secret, the public did know about it and was angry that the war had continued so long, was not going well, and that Nixon had kept secrets. It contributed to more antiwar sentiment and protests and a greater distrust of the US government. -
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty and Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
When Nixon met with Soviet leaders in 1972, they signed in SALT I and ABM. Both were intended to help stop the arms race and symbolized the beginning of that goal, along with going along with Nixon's idea of dentente. SALT I prevented both sides from building more nuclear weapons for five years, and ABM prevented deployment of missile-defence systems. -
War Powers Act
At the end of the Vietnam War, this act took power away from the president regarding sending troops into war. It showed how at this time the US was more conservative, and many thought the federal government's power had increased too much, which takes away from what the US people want. -
Helsinki Conference
During Gerald Ford's PResidency, agreements were made to legitamize Soviet dictated boundaries of East European countires for the exchange of the Soviet Union to give its people more civil rights, despite their later violation. This was an example of the the American government trying to continue detente, though the US was eventually angry over USSR violation of the treaty and continuance of selling arms to pro-communist forces. -
Camp David Accords
President Carter was able to personally negotiate the Camp David Accords between Israeli and Egyptian prime ministers. In the Camp David Accords, Israel withdrew from th Sinai Peninsula and Eygpt recognized Israel as a nation. This showed Carter's ability to negotiate and his more humanitarian and moral approach to politics, trying to keep peace and stability in he world -
Alaska Lands Act Approved
Created by President Carter, The Alaska Lans Act set aside 100 million acres of public land to be protected and conserved. This act, along with creating the federal "Superfund"", showed Carter as wanting to do the right thing and caring about conserving the nation's resources.
