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First Transcontinental Railroad
The Union Pacific built the railroad from the east, and the Central pacific built the railroad from the west to form the Transcontinental Railroad. This led to the rise of industrial America
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/transcontinental-railroad -
Interstate Commerce Act
Federal government would oversee business and banned pooling, rebates, and rate fixing. Was the first large scale attempt by the Federal Government to regulate business for society at large.
Source: https://www.granger.com/results.asp?searchtxtkeys=interstate%20commerce%20commission -
Imperialism
A period of time where nations start to look to expand their power through military pressure. Throughout the 19th century this would be the driving power as countries looked to establish empires across the world.
Source: https://www.studentsofhistory.com/motives-for-european-imperialism -
Spanish American War starts
A conflict between Spain and the US. This occurred mostly from the US requesting the withdrawal of Spain’s armed forces from Cuba, as the US wished to protect US business interests in Cuba.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/early-20th-century-us/spanish-american-war -
Treaty of Paris 1898
This treaty ended the Spanish American War, granting the US its first empire overseas. Puerto Rice and Guam were ceded to the US, and the Philippines were bought for $20 million. Cuba also became a protectorate.
Source: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/treaty-of-paris-ends-spanish-american-war -
Boxer Rebellion
As a result of the Open Door Policy in 1899, which granted all nations equal trading privileges in China, many people in China began blaming their poor standard of living on foreigners colonizing their country. The Boxer Rebellion was an attempt to remove this influence from China, but it was ultimately put down by international force.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/china/boxer-rebellion -
Great Migration
A migration of African Americans to northern cities. This was both an escape from bad racial relations such as Jim Crow Laws in the south, but also for African Americans to seek opportunities in northern factories while white men were drafted for WWI.
Source: https://history.house.gov/Exhibitions-and-Publications/BAIC/Historical-Essays/Temporary-Farewell/World-War-I-And-Great-Migration/ -
Espionage Act
An act that prohibited interference with the draft or war effort. This was passed shortly after the US entered World War I.
Source: https://www.history.com/news/sedition-espionage-acts-woodrow-wilson-wwi -
Harlem Renaissance Start
A period resulting from the Great Migration that led to an increased pride in African American culture, with a focus on self expression through art and music. This exposed other groups in America to African American culture as well and marks the beginning of when American Americans began to truly be recognized as a group of people
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/roaring-twenties/harlem-renaissance -
Start of Great Depression
Many Americans fell into debt, and factories and businesses slowed down and began firing workers. Waves of panic hit the working class of America as wages well and thousands of banks closed.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/story/causes-of-the-great-depression -
Start of World War II
On this day, Hitler invaded Poland, and two days later, France and Britain declared war on Germany leading to the start of World War II. Eventually, nearly every country of the world got involved, with most conflicts revolving around the axis powers.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
A surprise military strike by Japanese Air service on Pearl Harbor. This attack was an attempt to destroy most of the US ships but ended up backfiring and leading to the US entering WWII.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Start of the Korean War
A war to stop the spread of Communism to South Korea. Known as the “Forgotten War,” this war led to a division in the Korean peninsula along the 38th parallel that still exists to this day, creating both North and South Korea.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/korea/korean-war -
Start of the Vietnam War
The beginning of a long and expensive divisive conflict that was essentially between North Vietnam and South Vietnam and the US. Over 3 million people were killed, and over 500000 troops suffered from PTSD afterward.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnam-war-history -
American Feminism
The American Feminist movement focused on dismantling workplace inequality that included denial of salary inequity. The movement didn’t really have a leader but was rather non hierarchical and divided between young and old, upper and lower class, or conservative and radical.
Source: https://tavaana.org/en/case-studies/1960s-70s-american-feminist-movement-breaking-down-barriers-women -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act prohibited discrimination based on race, religion, color, or national origin in public places, schools, and employment. However, it was only until Congressman Howard With offered an amendment was sex added to the original four categories, and only in Title VII, which was equal employment.
Source: https://www.archives.gov/women/1964-civil-rights-act -
Reaganomics
Reagan’s “trickle down economics” plan proposed a tax cut to the wealthy as a method to create more jobs and fix the economy. However, the national debt suffered, and this plan created a wage gap between the rich and the poor that would last for years to come. -
Bill Clinton Impeached
Bill Clinton was impeached, making him the second person to ever be impeached out of Presidential office. This was mostly due to his sexual affairs with another White House employee.
Source: https://www.sheppardsoftware.com/History/presidents/Presidents_42_Clinton.htm -
Globalization
An idea that refers to the unification of the world's economic order. It described the process where economies, societies, and cultures became integrated. This was mostly a result of increased communication, transportation, and trade.
Source: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/how-globalization-4-0-fits-into-the-history-of-globalization/ -
Information Age
Also known as the Information Revolution, this was a period where technology brought major new options and lifestyles to Americans. The computer, internet, and electronic mail became a part of everyday life, and the possibilities were endless for what could come next.
Source: https://www.ushistory.org/us/60d.asp