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Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first document that created laws for Plymouth. This document was written by 41 male colonists, like William Brewster. The purpose of the Mayflower Compact was to state their remaining loyalty to King James though still having their own self-government. Other reasons were the still live a life of Christian faith, to live in unity with each other as one community and to have their own laws. Their importance to history is having the first self-governed community. -
City Upon a Hill
The speech, City Upon a Hill, was written by their future governor, John Winthrop. He wanted to tell everyone that his colony would be one that everyone would look up to. During his speech, Puritans he talks about them coming together as a community. The passengers of the Arbella were determined to be "A Modell of Christian Charity,". The Arbella was a ship which carrPuritans over to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. -
Salem Witch Trials
The Salem Witch Trials started when a group of girls claimed to be possessed by the devil in the spring of 1692. Later, some women were accused of doing witchcraft. The colony of Massachusetts soon made a special court to hear people's trials. Over 150 men, women and children were accused in the span of several months. The trial ended once the govern's wife was accused. -
Sugar Act
Colonial merchants had grown rich from trade. They often smuggled or bribed officials to avoid duties or taxes on imports. The Sugar Act was put into affect to lower the duty on foreign molasses. -
Stamp Act
Parliament passed a bill to raise money from the colonies. The Stamp Act required colonists to pay a tax on almost all printed materials.This was the first time that Parliament had imposed a direct tax within the colonies. -
Quartering Act
This act required the colonies to provide housing and supplies for the British troops stationed there after the French and Indian War. This was a very unpopular among the colonist. They complained, but most went along with the changes because they accepted Parliament’s right to regulate trade and provide for defense. -
The Eleventh Amendment
The 11th Amendment to the US Constitution says that US courts cannot hear cases and make decisions against a state if it is sued by a citizen who lives in another state or a person who lives in another country. John Adams declared this amendment in full force. This secures that federal courts should not have jurisdiction over litigation between citizens from state to state. -
Alien and Sedition Act
The Alien and Sedition Acts were powers to deport foreigners as well as immigrants becoming citizens and voting.Four acts were adopted during Adam's presidency. Naturalization Act was harder for an immigrant to become a citizen. Alien Friends Act allowed the president to imprison and deport non-citizens who were deemed dangerous. Alien Enemy Act deported those from a hostile nation Sedition Act criminalized making false statements that were critical of the federal government. -
Cotton gin
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1793. This machine reduced the amount of time and the cost of separating the cotton seeds from the white fiber. The cotton gin made cotton more profitable. This caused cotton to become the South’s leading product. Slavery also became more profitable when cotton became the leading crop. -
The XYZ Affair
The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic incident between French and United States diplomats. The U.S. signed the Jay Treaty in 1795 so a war would not be started with Britain. The treaty limited the ability of nations that were hostile to Great Britain to trade in U.S. ports. This was the most pressuring moment in Adam's presidency. -
1800 election
This election was between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Although, Aaron Burr received 73 just like Thomas Jefferson which would result in a tie. The election was decided by the House of Representatives. Thomas Jefferson ended up winning this election over Aaron Burr. -
Louisiana Territrory
The Louisiana Purchase was the purchase of land between the United States and France. U.S. gained approximately 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for $15 million. Jefferson wanted to purchase just New Orleans at the time but was afraid Napoleon would withdraw the offer so he purchased the entire territory. Napoleon needed money at the time to fund his wars so he had the U.S pay for the territory in gold. Jefferson was concerned that this purchase was unconstitutional. -
Lewis and Clark Expedtion
The purpose of the Lewis and Clark expedition was to explore the Louisiana Territory. Thomas Jefferson hired Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead this expedition. The time frame of the expedition lasted from May 1804 to September 1806. They met Sacagawea who helped lead them through their expedition. -
Tariff of 1816
British goods were brought into the United States after the war, which threatened to overwhelm American manufacturers. Congress imposed the Tariff of 1816 to protect American industry. This tariff increased the price of imported manufactured goods from about 20 to 25 percent. The price for imports was used to encouraged Americans to buy Cameraman products.The tariff helped industry, but it hurt farmers, who had to pay higher prices for consumer goods. -
Missouri Compromise
Henry Clay crafted the Missouri Compromise in 1820. The northern district of Massachusetts entered the Union as the free state of Maine to balance admission of Missouri as a slave state. To discourage future disputes over state admissions, the compromise drew a line across the continent. Territories south of that line would enter as slave states and those north of the line would become free states. -
The Erie Canal
A second transportation advance of the early 1800s was the construction of canals. The best-know canal of this time was the Eire Canal. It was completed in 1825. It ran across New York from Lake Erie to the Hudson river which is 363 miles. It used to cost $100 or more to ship a freight. Now, the canal lowered that cost to just $4. -
The Morse Code
In 1837, American Samuel F.B. Morse invented the electric telegraph. This created electrical pulses would travel along metal wires as coded signals. Before the telegraph, a message could only travel by a horse or a ship. When using Morse’s invention, a message could be delivered immediately. By 1860, America had 50,000 miles of telegraph lines. -
Credit Mobilier scandel
The scandal's origins dated back to 1864 when the Union Pacific Rail Road was chartered by Congress and associated with Credit Mobilier was established. The construction company charged the railroad higher rates than usual, and $9 million in discounted stock were given as bribes to 15 powerful Washington politicians. In 1867, Congressman Oakes Ames distributed cash bribes and discounted shares of Credit Mobilier stock to other congressmen in exchange for votes. -
Social Injustice
The Social Gospel was used to spread catholic teachings. The Settlement houses were a demand were better housing and living conditions for the poor. Feminist movements occurred. Females worked at the Settlement houses. They Americanize immigrants and help women mother. -
The urban political machine
Political machine was a party organization which was lead by a single boss or small group. They would get enough votes to have control over politics of a city, country or state. The Tammany Hall run by William Tweed was formed to build a loyal voter group by giving benefits. -
Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner "The Gilded Age: a Tale of Today."
This was a book by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner. It talked about greed and the corruption of politics during post Civil War. The name of the book from Shakespeare's King John, "To gild refined gold, to paint the lily... is wasteful and ridiculous excess." The book has been made in 100 editions since its original publication back in 1873. This was a remarkable due to Twain writing this book with a collaborator, and its title very quickly became synonymous. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
A federal law signed by President Arthur. It prohibited immigration of Chinese labors to America. This was the first immigration law that excluded one specific ethic group. The Chinese were trying to escape the economic chaos in China and get lucky with the Gold Rush in California. -
George Plunkitt
Plunkitt was a Tammany Hall in New York City for decades. He wrote a book in 1905 about his long and complicated career in political machines. He had his own epitaph, which became famous, "He seen his opportunities and he took 'em." He says he held four government jobs in one year. He also held office in New York until his seat there was taken from him. -
1883 Pendleton Civil Service Act
The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act was a United States federal law passed by the 47th United States Congress.The act initially only applied to about ten percent of federal employees, but it now covers most federal employees. It established the principle that federal jobs should be awarded on the basis of merit rather than through political connections. The act made it unlawful to demote an employee for political reasons who were covered by the law. -
Sherman Antitrust Act
The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 was the first passed by the U.S. Congress to prohibit trusts and was based on the constitutional power of Congress to regulate. The trusts were to dominate someone's major industries and then destroy their competition. Ironically, this was only effective for a number of years. -
Muckrakers
Muckrakers were used expose corruption and inequality. Ida Tarbell, Lincoln Steffins, Jacob Riis, and Upton Sinclair are a few well know muckrakers. They were journalists who exposed their writings through newspapers and magazine that was well know. Big businesses, immigration and urbanization caused their exposure of corruption. -
Forest Reserve Act
Roosevelt felt that wildlife lands and forests need to be persevered and used. The Forest Reserve Act gave the president the power to use land for public forest and make national parks. The National Reclamation Act gave the government the power to control how and where the use of the water would be used. Dams were also made for power and direct water flow for water to be used at certain locations. -
Homestead Strike
The Homestead Strike went from June 30, 1892- July 6, 1892. The workers were energy about the wage decrease, so they went on strike. This became a setback in unionization of steel workers. This took place at the Carnegie Steel Company. -
Panic of 1893
A economic depression in America that took place from 1893 to 1897. This was due to a series of stocks that undermined the public and weakened the economy. Many financial crisis contributed to this panic too. Thousands of businesses were ruined and 4 million were unemployed. -
World's Columbian Exposition
A world fair held in Chicago in the year of 1893. It took place to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival here. The fair had an effect on architecture, sanitation, art, Chicago's image to those around them, and American industrial. -
Pullman Strike
A railroad strike that was nationwide. It took place from May 11 to July 20, 1894. It became a turning point in US Labor Laws. Although, it was unsuccessful. It was due to the economic depression of 1893. The Pullman Railroad Company was laying off workers and decreasing wages. -
Theodore Roosevelt
President of NY board of policemen then governor of NY after Spanish American war. McKinley's running mate and when he was assassinated, Teddy took over the office. Believed in ending bad trusts and that the government was corrupt. 3 C's. Wanted to regulate big businesses so everyone has a chance- Square Deal. 1901-1909 -
Roosevelt's policies
Sherman Antitrust Act- canceled monopolies and practices that allowed that trade.
National Reclamation Act- Federal projects uses of money for selling public land.
Elkins Act- stopped fines on railroads to allow better rights for shippers.
Hepburn Act- federal government regulated railroad rates and set prices for ferries and bridges tolls.
Meat Inspection Act- federal government is approved to inspect meat.
Pure Food and Drug- government inspects food and meats -
Panic of 1907
Trusts were a big part of the market. Brokers had a system using call loans to keep a flow of trusts to built up stock. The stocks dropped 25% in 1907. For the future of the US economy, banks stopped offering loans for stocks. NY clearing house banks and JP Morgan provide money to prevent banks and stock market from crashing. Positives from this were the monetary reform and Aldrich Vreeland Act and Owens Glass Act. -
William Taft
Took over presidency after Roosevelt and followed his policies. Stopped focusing on trusts which angered Roosevelt. They ran against each other in 1912 and both lost due to the split party. (Taft: Republican vs Ros: Progressive Party) Dollar Diplomacy was created by Taft and wanted to create a stable way to promote American commercial interests. His policy: Mann Elkins Act- Interstate Commerce Comissions increase to created one set railroad and telegraph rates. 1909-1913 -
The Amendments created during Progressive Era
16th Amendment- ratified in 1909, graduated income tax
17th Amendment- ratified in 1913, allowed direct election of senators
18th Amendment- ratified in 1919, Prohibition
19th Amendment- ratified in 1920, women's suffrage -
Woodrow Wilson
1913- 1921. Defeated Taft and Roosevelt as a Democrat. Lowered tariffs to stop US companies from raising prices and made foreign competition. Polices: Underwood Tariff Act- lowered tariffs on imported goods for a income tax. Federal Reserve Act- Federal Reserve Board to watch banks and reserve funds. Federal Trade Commission Act- FTC monitor business practices, false advertising and labeling. Clayton Anti Trust Act- bettered Sherman antitrust act specified what business could do. -
New Freedom vs New Nationalism
NF: small business corporations, better competition, less government impact, any social issue becomes a state issue, competition will hurt monopoly.
NN: federal government would have the power to fix social and economic issues, regulation of large business, tariff reforms, income taxes, stop government and voting corruption, protect workers, minimum wage for women, creation of child labor laws. progressive goals
