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US History: VHS Summer: Morgan Brennan
An interactive timeline of topics I have learned about in my VHS US History class. It covers important ideas and events from 1877 to 2011. -
Martinsburg Strike
10% pay cut leads to workers deciding to strike. Workers in other locations join in. Militia is called to break up the strike.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/37a.asp) -
Annexation of Islands
Hawaii, American Samoa and the Phillipine Islands are annexed. American expansionism and Interference in foreign countries begins in earnest.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/44c.asp) -
Spanish-American Tensions
Tales of Spanish misdeeds are published by newspapers. The public believes they sabotaged an American ship. Teller Amendment promises that America would not annex islands such as Cuba from Spain(4/11/1898). U.S. then declares war on Spain.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/44c.asp) -
Successful Unionization
American Federation of Labor is prospering. Campaigned for "bread and butter" issues that all workers agreed on, like higher pay and better working conditions.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/37d.asp) -
The U.S. Declares War on Germany and Enters World War 2
After a long period of Isolationism the US acts, prompted by German submarine attacks on British ships. -
Roaring Twenties: The Harlem Renaissance
African American influence in the arts.
Development of Fads and the ”american teen”.
Prohibition leads to the rise of organized crime.
Increased leisure time and less expensive conveniences.
Young women "flappers"
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/46.asp) -
League of Nations
Founded on Jan 10 1920
organization dedicated to world peace, lasted 26 years
sought to resolve issues through diplomacy and negotiation
Expelled Soviet Union without a majority vote
LN falling apart was an important event leading into World War 2 The United States never joined the League of Nations
many countries left, including founding nations like Brazil. -
The Great Depression
Stock Market crashes, banks collapse, unemployment and poverty is widespread. -
Hitler Gains Absolute Control of Germany
The Reichstag gives Adolf Hitler absolute control over Germany. Anti-semitic sentiments are on the rise. Hitler violates the Treaty of Versailles and forms the Rome-Berlin Axis with Mussolini. Fascism spreads.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/50b.asp) -
America Uses Atomic Bombs
On August 6th and August 9th the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and then Nagasaki. This led to Japan's surrender on the 14th of August. Many people see this as an atrocity and believe it could have been prevented. These events are important to World War 2 and to the Cold War. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/51g.asp) -
The United Nations is Formed
The purpose of the UN is to promote peace through communication. It is above the standard political fray and is a symbol of hope for many. Their purpose is to solve problems through diplomacy and communication between any of the 193 nations. It is about making connections on the global scale. The U.N. is located in New York City but is an international organization.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/52b.asp) -
Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka
It is ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court to have "separate but equal" facilities. The vote was unanimous. Ruby Bridges becomes the first African-American child to be integrated into a previously all-white school. Violent protests prompt the government to supply guards to keep her safe. Laws are changed quickly in the north and more slowly in the south, but racist attitudes remain. A critical moment for the civil right movement.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/54a.asp) -
Sputnik Goes to Space
A Soviet satellite named Sputnik is sent into orbit in 1957 during the Cold War. Much early advancement in space was the product of US competition with the USSR. In response the U.S. created NASA, leading to Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon in July of 1969
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/53e.asp) -
"I Have A Dream" Speech
A preacher and prominent activist for the civil rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in equality and nonviolence. He led marches and gave his famous "I Have A Dream" speech in Washington D.C.
His assassination prompted violent riots throughout the country.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/54f.asp)
(https://americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm) -
The Tet Offensive
A turning point in the Vietnam war, the Tet Offensive kicks off the anti-war movement in America. North Vietnamese guerrilla fighters attacked cities and even took over the American embassy in Saigon. American and South Vietnamese troops recaptured those areas, but the American public no longer supported the war, believing it was better to just cut their losses.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/55c.asp) -
Roe vs. Wade
Roe vs. Wade is heard by the Supreme Court, and abortions are legalized. Pro-choice vs Pro-life debate becomes politically polarized, decision is often challenged.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/57b.asp) -
Trickle Down Economics
President Reagan enacted a 25% tax cut to the wealthiest Americans, using the theory that it would allow them to invest more, therefore stimulating the economy. Trickle Down Economics worked in theory but not in practice, with its most lasting legacy being one of widening the gap between the rich and the poor, a defining idea in the American consciousness going into the 21st century.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/59b.asp) -
World Wide Web
The World Wide Web comes as a solution to speed problems with the Internet, developed by the government in the 70s and made available in the mid 80s. It allows people to connect to each other and revolutionizes businesses and advertising.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/60d.asp) -
Fall of the Soviet Union
Gorbachev assumed control of the USSR and announced a new policy of openness to western ideas and some incentives in the economy. In June 1989 Poland elected a non communist legislative branch. The USSR did not respond, dictatorships collapsed, and the Berlin wall was torn down from both sides. A coup resulted in Gorbachev's house arrest. Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine declared independence in 1991 and the USSR was over. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/59c.asp)(http://www.ushistory.org/us/59e.asp) -
School Shootings
After the Columbine High School shooting, America saw increasing numbers of school shootings, sparking debates about video game violence, school safety, trauma, shooting safety drills, and gun control. In 2018 alone there were 24 school shootings, and several of them mass shootings. Many perpetrators have claimed inspiration from the Columbine shooting.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/60e.asp)
(https://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/the-school-shootings-of-2018-whats-behind.html)
