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Civil Rights Act of 1866
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was passed in response to Southern States passage of black code. Civil Rights Act is questioned about constitutionality since Supreme Court passed in 1857 that black people can never be citizens. Civil Rights Act requires Amendment XIV to make it effective saying all people, regardless of race, can be citizens.1
1. "Black Legislator's Primary Sources", PBS.org, last modified: Dec. 19, 2003, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh//amex/reconstruction/activism/ps_1866.html -
First Transcontinental Railroad 1869
The first transcontinental railroad is completed in Promontory, Utah. This opens the door for exponential business growth and social change as rail lines experience massive growth into the 1890's allowing for quick and easy passage of products and goods and quick transportation across the country.1
1. "Completing the Transcontinental Railroad, 1869", eyewitnesshistory.com, last modified: 2004, http://www.eyewitnesshistory.com/golden spike.html -
The Depression 1893
The impressive benefits the rail industry provided quickly collapsed in 1893 due to overinvestment and expenses that outweighed income. Literally overnight rail companies collapsed followed closely by banks and big businesses leading to massive layoffs and unemployment and worst economic situation America has faced. This is hampered more by an ill-prepared federal government to be able to provide any financial assistance to its people. -
Ford Model T 1908
Henry Ford creates the Model T car and finds a way to quickly and efficiently mass produce the vehicle. The assembly line is born that makes it quick and efficient to mass produce goods while making them affodable to working Americans.1
1. "Henry Ford Changes the World, 1908", eyewitnesshistory.com, last modified: 2005, http://www.eyewitnesshistory.com/ford.html -
World War I 1917
The U.S. Attempted to remain neutral during WWI and maintaining business with all of its pre-war trading partners. War was politically unpopular as well with people who were disinterested in fighting other peoples war, and fractured immigrant ideals. Eventually, German unrestricted U-boat warfare and Germany's attempt to encourage Mexico to go to war against the U.S. and losing business due to naval blockades forced America to go to war and end the trench stalemate. -
The 19th Amendment 1920
WWI led to more social, and economic freedom for women that was inexperienced before and at the war's end, women began to fight for political freedom as well. President Wilson stated the war was to insure democratic freedom for all, which was believed hypocritical as women at home still did not experience this. This led to passing of Amendment XIX and allowing women the right to vote.1
1. "19th Amendment", Cornell Law, accessed June 25, 2017, http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/Amendmentxix