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Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon felt very similar to how a lot of settlers in Virginia felt. They were tired of political corruption and wanted more voting rights. Bacon became leader of an armed rebellion, known as Bacon's Rebellion. Eventually this rebellion curbed the power of the governor and restored voting rights to landless men. -
George Whitfield Travels to American
George Whitfield was a incredible religious speaker who used his loud and clear voice to preach to hundreds of people. All kinds of people would travel miles to come and hear him preach. Whitfield would preach a series of revivals about a loving and personal God. These series of revivals would become part of the Great Awakening which permanently changed American religious ideas. -
Albany of Congress
Benjamin Franklin calls a meeting called the Albany of Congress to discuss the war against the French. Delegates from seven colonies would meet with the Iroquois to try and from an alliance. Benjamin Franklin also presented the Albany Plan of Union. Franklin wanted all 13 colonies to unite and become one. This was the first idea of unity in the New World. The plan failed but it sparked the first ideas of unity. -
Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was issued by King George lll. This Proclamation said there could be no expansion or settlement past the Appalachian Mountains. This was issued after the Treaty of Paris and colonist were exited for a new opportunity to acquire land in the Western lands. When the Proclamation of 1763 was issued many colonist were very angry and some settlers went anyway. This meant they had no protection from the King. -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act, followed shortly after the Stamp Act enraged the colonist even more. The Act said that any colonist had to house and feed any British solider that came to their door. The colonist had to spend their own money to feed the soldiers. This made the people feel less free. From these Acts the Sons of Liberty were born. -
Stamp Act
After the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act was issued. The Stamp Act caused a ton of resistance because it required a tax stamp on all printed items. This Act bore very heavily on the rich because printing was becoming popular and wealthy people were likely to print a lot of materials. The colonist took the stand of no taxation without representation. From the Stamp Act Grenville hoped to raise 60,000 pounds per year. -
Sons of Liberty
After the passing of the Stamp Act and other reforms, the Sons of Liberty were created. They were a mob consisting of primarily merchants and artisans, going around and destroying buildings and trying to undermine British rule. They were often seen marching in the streets and crying "Liberty." They were also responsible for the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Massacre
British march to Lexington to try and stop the rebellion before it happens and to capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock. The Americans know about the Redcoats coming thanks to Paul Revere and 70 militia men are standing in the towns green waiting to meet them. A shot was fired but no one knows which side it came from. It was known was the 'shot heard around the world.' The British fire and 3 men were killed and 8 were wounded. This was the first shot fired in the American Revolution. -
Boston Tea Party
The Tea Act of May 1773 gave financial support to the East India Company, and the patriots accused the British ministry of bribing the Americans with cheaper East India Company tea. They did this so that the Americans would give up their opposition of the tea tax. On December 16, the enraged sons of Liberty dressed up as Indians and boarded three ships. They broke 342 chests of tea which is worth about 1.5 million dollars today and threw them into the harbor. This made King George III outraged. -
First Continental Congress
In response to the Boston Tea Party the British government enforced the Coercive Acts. This act enforced old and new laws. In response, delegates from most of the colonies met in Philadelphia to agree on the response. The delegates had many different opinions of what they should do. Radicals wanted to declare war and fight, and Conservatives wanted try and reconcile with Britain. They decided on reconciliation and made the Olive Branch Petition saying they will stay loyal with limited taxation. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
With the idea of war floating around the patriots had started too prepare for war by building a weapons stash. The British secretly try to march to concord to seize the weapons and capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Paul Revere and others find out about this and ride into the night to warn the people that the red coats are coming. As British arrive in Lexington there are militia men in the towns green. The 'shot heard around the world' was fired. It was the first shot in the Revolution. -
Common Sense
Americans were divided on whether they should go to war or not with the British. There was one thing that tipped the scale. Thomas Paine published Common Sense. It was written in the vernacular, and it lays out a passionate case for independence. Paine urged the Americans to create independent republican states: "A government of our own is our natural right, tis time to part." This inspired the American people to declare independence. -
Declaration of Independence
Inspired by Thomas Paine's Common Sense, Patriot conventions urged a break from Britain. On July 4, 1776 congress approved the Declaration of Independence, which contained principles and a lost of grievances that declared separation from Britain. It was adopted by the Second Continental Congress, and the main author was Thomas Jefferson. The document gave Enlightenment ideas "that all men are created equal," and that they have the rights of "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point in the war. Burgoyne takes his army to the south where he wait for 2 other armies to join him, and when those 2 other armies don't show up the Americans attack them and force them to surrender. They got the British resources, captured 10,000 of their soldiers, and boosted the morale of the troops. Most importantly though the Battle of Saratoga gave Franklin the leverage he needed, and now France is an ally of the U.S. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first form of government in the U.S. The Articles provided for a loose union in which "each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence. It had no executive branch, no standing army, no taxing authority. It provided for powerful states, and a weak federal government. The Articles of Confederation was a reflection of the American fears, they wanted it to be nothing like England. In the end the Articles failed miserably. -
Valley Forge
The British took control of Philadelphia and Washington's troops had to retreat. They were tired and worn out, and winter was coming so they camped out at Valley Forge. They were there for six months and it was horrible conditions. Many officers and soldiers left, and many of them died from malnutrition and disease. Von Steuben made a strict drill system and got the army to be professional. After Valley Forge the army was smaller but a much tougher and better disciplined force. -
Thomas Paine's 'American Crisis'
The American forces were tired and did not have much fight left in them. While in the army Thomas Paine wrote American Crisis to remind the soldiers of why they were fighting and to renew hope in the American cause. Washington and his army were greatly inspired by these series of essays, and they claimed the motto of “victory or death.” It reminded the army why they were fighting and helped them win the war. It also helped the moral of the troops and helped them win the battle of Trenton. -
Battle of York Town
The British were pushed back, and Washington had a decision, should he attack the British in New York City or attack York Town in Virginia. They decided on the South because they new the French Navy had defeated the British Navy and they would be assured naval support from the French. Washington surrounded them from the other side. they laid a surprise siege. It was the final battle and ended British rule in the colonies and it started the birth of a new nation, the United States of America. -
Treaty of Paris
After the Battle of Yorktown, U.S, Britain, and France began to negotiate a treaty. After almost 2 years it was signed. The Treaty of Paris officially ended the American Revolution, and formally recognized the U.S as a independent nation. America got all British lands between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mississippi River and north to British Canada. The treaty was harsh on France, all territory on the mainland of North America was lost. The US and France also signed a alliance of friendship. -
Shays Rebellion
Shays Rebellion was a revolt led by Daniel Shay, and consisted of angry farmers. They were war veterans who were not paid for their services, and when there farms collapsed they had no money to pay for it. They also hated the tax policies. Shays men burned down courthouses so that their farms wouldn't be closed. The government had no army so wealthy elites had to raise a private army to stop the rebellion. Shays rebellion was a spot light on the Articles to show it's weaknesses and flaws. -
Steam Boat
The invention of the steam boat was a revolutionary invention. The steam boat allows us to travel up stream and down stream in a much faster way. This also enhances our nations rivers, turning them into our first highways. As the steam boat was getting more popular more canals were built. Canals were created to link towns to major rivers and Lakes. The steam boat was a huge invention and it allowed people to get to places much faster. It also helped carry resources and improved trading. -
Constitution
The ratification of the constitution was a heated debate between the Federalist and the Anti-Federalist. Federalist were scared by Shay's Rebellion and they wanted a stronger federal government and less state rights. Anti-federalist wanted more state rights and less power in the federal government. The constitution was a balance between federal power and state power. Anti-federalist only signed it with the Bill of Rights, which was 10 things that protected the individual rights of citizens. -
Washington - 1st US president
Washington retired and was known as a war hero who led the U.S. to victory. The federal government needed a person who would unify the nation, and so they persuaded Washington to be the first U.S president. As president Washington established many governmental precedents like the 2 term president. He also established the court system, and established the presidential cabinet which was departments that helped him make decisions. Washington helped unify the nation and create the U.S. -
Hamilton's Financial Plan
When Washington became president he made Alexander Hamilton his Secretary of Treasury. Hamilton believed in a stronger federal government and created a plan where he established a national bank. He also wanted to get rid of war debt to develop the trust of other nations for trade and created the Plan of Assumptions where all states would contribute to get rid of other states debts. In his plan they also had tariffs on imported goods, Hamilton believed tariffs would encourage American industry. -
Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney's cotton gin made the process of separating cotton much more effective and easy, and it make cotton more profitable. Slavery was on a decrease, and when this machine was invented slavery exploded again, and the demand for slaves drastically increased. This machine was great for the south because it boosted their economy but was devastating for slaves because they now had to work longer and harder. The Cotton Gin helped and strengthened the American economy but hurt slaves. -
XYZ affair
To prevent a possible and to repair relations with the French, Adams sends X,Y, and Z diplomats to negotiate a treaty. The French dame a gift of $250,000 before they negotiate but America refuses to pay. The Americans are angry and they feel like they are getting pushed around, and they want war. Thankfully Adams avoids war by negotiating peace with Napoleon. This was very unpopular with the people. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
These were three terrible acts passed by president John Adams, that were passed to maintain Federalist power restrict people opposed to John Adams and the Federalist. The Alien Act allowed the president to deport any alien that was considered dangerous. The Sedition Act made it illegal to print anything that is critical of the president or congress. Finally the Naturalization Act increased the amount of time immigrants had to live in the U.S. before they could become citizens. -
Thomas Jefferson's Election
In the election of 1800 Thomas Jefferson beat John Adams, and became president, this ended the reign of the Federalist and the Jeffersonian Era began. The transition of power was peaceful and there was no conflict. This was the first change in president from different political parties in US history. It also showed the world that there could be a peaceful change in power without bloodshed or violence. This election was known as the "Revolution of 1800." -
Marbury V Madison
This was a landmark supreme court case. Chief Justice Marshall sides with Madison based on the fact that they found the Judiciary Act as unconstitutional. In this supreme court case the court established for themselves the right of Judicial Review, or the right to declare laws unconstitutional and strike them down. -
Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson worried that the U.S. could lose control of New Orleans and access to the Mississippi River. He send James Monroe to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans for 3 million dollars. Napoleon is not interested unless they buy the whole territory. Jefferson who is a stick constructionist thinks about it. Eventually he buys the whole territory for 15 million. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the U.S. and and expanded the nation westward. He then sends Lewis and Clark to explore it. -
Embargo Act
Great Britain and France are at war, and the U.S finally has a good relationship with both of them. Jefferson wants to remain neutral so he imposes an embargo (ban) on all foreign trade. The Embargo Act is very unpopular among merchants, traders, and the business community. The embargo ends up doing great damage to the American economy, but it does encourage the growth of domestic manufacturing (American industry). -
War of 1812
The British Navy was taking U.S. sailors from American ships and forcing them into service on British ships, this is called impressment. The British army was also supporting Native American resistance against the US, providing them with weapons and training. The US demanded respect from the world, and were forced to fight a defensive war against an invading professional army. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent ended the war of 1812. Neither side really gained anything from the war, and kept the conditions and boundaries prior to the war. The impact of the War of 1812 was great for the US. A sense of nationalism swept through America, the nation embarked on foreign trade, and began to build a transportation system. The US has also now gained the respect they deserve from the rest of the world. -
Missouri Compromise
The discussion of slavery was creating heated tensions and arguments. Missouri applied to enter into the Union as a slave state, and Congress was not sure if they should allow the expansion of slavery west of the Mississippi. But here comes Henry Clay to save the day. He created a compromise that created a balance of slave and free states. He said Maine would enter as a free state, and Missouri would enter as a slave state. This help of the discussion of slavery for a long time. 3 -
Monroe Doctrine
President James Monroe in a speech to Congress, outlined US foreign policy towards the Western Hemisphere. It was called the Monroe Doctrine and it opposed colonialism in the Western Hemisphere. This was the first foreign policy, and it told European countries to stay on there side and to stay out of American territory. This was the first time the US took a stand in the world, and took power. -
Andrew Jackson's presidency
Jackson was known for being a war hero, and he got his fame in the Battle of New Orleans. When Jackson first took office, he introduced the spoils system, which was the practice of rewarding supporters with government jobs. Jackson's heart and soil was with the "plain folk." He believed that the common man was capable of uncommon achievements. As president Jackson was accused of gaining too much power and acting like a king, he also led the brutal Indian journey called the Trail of tears. -
Indian Remonval Act
Jackson had a very aggressive Indian removal policy, and this led to the creation of Indian reservations. Native Americans did not like this at all. Resistance from the Native Americans led to the horrible journey of the Trail of Tears. which was a journey where Indians were forced off of there ancestral land, and many died from disease. This did open land and new opportunities for whites. -
Alamo
Mexico created their own constitution and with more harsh immigration rules. This angered many Texans, and they formed a Texas War Party to fight for an Independent Republic of Texas. Santa Anna led a army to go stop the rebellion at the Alamo. Davy Crockett and a few hundred men defended the Alamo, they fought for independence. Not a single one survived. The Texans motto was "remember the Alamo" and it inspired the Texan people to fight to the end for independence. -
Oregon Trail
Cheap land, and the idea of a better life drove many people to Oregon. They trekked across the plain called the Oregon Trail. The Oregon Trail is a roughly 2,000 mile route from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon. The trail was rough and snaked through Missouri and present-day Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, and finally into Oregon. Between 1840 to 1860 300,000 to 400,000 settlers traveled the Oregon Trail. -
Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny was coined by John O' Sullivan, and it was the belief that America was destined by God to expand from coast to coast. Many American people thought it was there job to spread this belief. The Oregon Trail, California Gold Rush, Texas Independence, and West Ward expansion were some of movements that came with Manifest Destiny. As new states were added towards the west, the issue of slavery got much more intense. -
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo officially ended the Mexican-American war. Americans drove the Mexicans all the way back to Mexico City where they forced the Mexicans to sign this Treaty. The treaty said that Texas is now with the U.S. the Rio Grand River is the border. Mexico also must give up Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and California. This treaty made the U.S. a by coastal nation. This was huge because they could now trade with anyone in the world. -
Compromise of 1850
California straddles the line of free state or slave state, and tensions rise of if it should be able to have slaves or not. But Henry Clay comes to the rescue with the Compromise of 1850. The compromise had 4 major provisions. California enters the Union as a free state, the slave trade is abolished in Washington D.C., strict fugitive slave laws are enacted nation wide, and territories applying for state hood will now be governed by the concept of popular sovereignty. -
Bleeding Kansas
On the day of Kansas voting on slavery, "border ruffians" from Missouri came into the town square and destroyed the court house, and burned homes and businesses of abolitionist. Fraud definitely happened, but Congress did not redo the voting. The north is absolutely furious. One abolitionist named John Brown killed 5 pro-slavery men in the Pottawatomie Massacre. Kansas was a hot mess, and would be a key event leading to the Civil War. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected
Lincoln became a rising star within the Republican party, and the south is worried about what Lincoln would do to slavery, the economic system, and their way of life. The Lincoln-Douglas debate seemed to confirm to the south that Lincoln would disrupt their way of life. When he became president it was a breaking point for the already weak Union. The South started to become more and more frustrated and southern states started to secede from the Union. South Carolina was the first to secede. -
Battle of Gettysburg and Gettysburg Address
The Battle of Gettysburg was fought in Pennsylvania, and the battle was a crumbling defeat for the Confederacy. The South lost to the North, and in the Battle of Gettysburg, the Confederacy lost 28,000 men more than a third of general Lee's army. This was a turning point in the war. After the battle Lincoln gave one of the most famous speeches ever called the Gettysburg Address. Lincoln redefined the Civil War as a struggle for freedom and democracy. This helped lead the Union to victory. -
13th amendment
After the movement of abolitionist the 13th amendment was passed. The 13th amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude unless it was a punishment for a crime. This was a huge step for the nation, slavery had finally ended and a new chapter of the United States had started. -
14th Amendment
when the 13th amendment was passed it was a huge deal for the United States. Former slaves were still being used in different ways. Black codes were used by people in the south which restricted black peoples right to own property and buy and lease land. They were also forced to work for their families and sign bad and unfair deals. The 14th amendment granted citizenship to all people and provided all citizens with "equal protection under the laws." -
Transcontinental Railroad completed
The purpose of the of this was to connect the east and west coasts via railroads, enabling coast to coast trade within the U.S. and global trade with the world. Congress provided funding for the project and hired 2 companies to do it. The Union Pacific Railway Company, and Central Pacific Railway Company. They had 10 years to do it and were given land for every mile laid. When completed the U.S. was capable with Europe and Asia and it promoted Westward expansion and caused problems with Indians. -
15th Amendment
First the 13th amendment was passed ending slavery, then Congress saw the importance securing civil rights for freedmen and passed the 14th amendment. Then they passed the 15th amendment which granted African American men the right to vote. The problem was they made no provisions for poll taxes, which eventually led to "Jim Crow" laws. -
Americanization
Americanization was basically cultural genocide. The U.S. set up schools like boarding schools for Native American children. Children were taken from their homes at six years old and were forced to live at these schools. They were made to were uniforms of white children and could not speak their own language and had to learn the whites language. They were also not allowed to practice their old ways or religion. Americanization was stealing their cultural identity. -
Sem 2 Tammany Hall
Political machines offered both aid to immigration and preyed on them. They helped immigrants find jobs and homes, and in exchange they expected to be able to direct the vote of immigrants. They also stole millions of dollars form the government at the expense of taxpayers. They were very corrupt. The most notorious of this political machines was boss Tweed and he operated out of Tammany Hall. -
Haymarket square and Knights of Labor
workers were frustrated with working conditions so they joined unions such as the Knights of Labor. They went on strikes, and at it's peak reached 750,000 members. There was a meeting in the market and police say it is time to end it. Someone throws a bomb into the market and kills a police. Police start shooting and a fight breaks out. 73 people are wounded, 6 police die, and many workers also died. This was known as the Haymarket square, and this led to a lot of Unions being shut down. -
How the other half lives
Jacob Riis was a photographer and author who brought to life the horrors of tenement housing through his book 'How the other half lives.' This was a direct cause of massive industrialization and immigration, and the cities could not hold that many people. He dove into the terrible living conditions of tenement housing, and showed people who were unaware, of what other poeple were living in. His book brought about awareness, and people sought to change the situation by creating movements. -
Pullman Strike
George Pullman paid high wages but expected the workers to pay high rent on the homes he built by the factory. The system went well until a economic panic recession happened. There was less need for railroads, so Pullman started to cut wages. The workers began a strike and brought in well known socialist. The workers also walked off the job, and this greatly hurt the U.S. economy and infrastructure. -
Tenement Housing
Many immigrants and people from the lower classes, were forced to find the cheapest housing available. They found it in tenement housing. These housing apartments were poorly constructed and often times dangerous. They were also narrow and tight, and land lords stuffed families into small compact rooms. Tenement housing also was not well cleaned and there was disease and bacteria everywhere. -
Muckrakers
Muckrakers were journalist and photographers who shone a light on issues which society had ignored. They were crusaders for certain issues and fought for reform. They gave nation-wide publicity to accidents, and unsafe conditions. Some famous Muckrakers were Jacob Riis who shone a light on tenement housing, Lewis Hines who shone a light on child labor, and Upton Sinclair who shone a light on abuses and conditions in the meat packing industry. -
Spanish American War
Many people in Cuba want to be Independent. There were Cuban revolts that are met with harsh crackdowns. Eventually after the De Lome Letter, and the explosion of the USS Maine, the US was pushed to war. The US wanted to gain Cuba freedom, and that is what they did. After a few short brutal battles, the U.S. defeated the Spanish. From the war Cuba gains Independence, the US gains the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Teddy Roosevelt also gained popularity and became loved by the people. -
Roosevelt becomes president
Roosevelt was not elected, but was a vice president under McKinley, and when McKinley was assassinated Roosevelt became president. Roosevelt went on to lead the progressive era of American history. Through the war, Roosevelt became a national hero, and was elected to a second term. Roosevelt helped establish national parks, did a lot with trust busting, and established the big stick diplomacy. To this day we still use some of Roosevelt's tactics. -
Roosevelt creating national parks
Roosevelt was an avid outdoors man, and when he became president, one of the things he wanted to do was protect and preserve some of Americas national wild lands. He did this by establishing national parks. He passed the Antiquities Act, which allowed presidents to create national parks. People could now experience Gods creation and see wildlife in a whole new way. Roosevelt doubled the amount of national parks during his presidency. -
The airplane
In 1903 the Wright Brothers created the airplane. This is one of the greatest inventions known to man. It revolutionized travel of people, and goods. You could now travel from the U.S. to Europe in a matter of days. Before this goods were transported by boat, and it was much slower. Now goods could be transported much faster then ever before. This would effect warfare in WW1 and WW2, and still effects our lives to this day. -
Wilson's presidency
Wilson was the 3rd progressive president, and was the first democratic president in 16 years. Wilson, like Roosevelt pledged to break up big trusts, and passed the Clayton Act, which allowed him to break up more trusts. He also created Federal Trade Commission, and the Federal Reserve. While he was president the 16th and 17th amendment was ratified. Wilson although is probably best known for being the president that led us into WW1. -
Trench Warfare.
During WW1 a new strategy of war emerged, and it was called trench warfare. The idea behind it was that you can't kill what you can't see. Soldiers in the trenched have to expose very little of themselves, and the attackers have to expose their whole bodies. Previous wars, ground was gained in miles, in trench warfare, ground is gained in inches or feet making this a stalemate war. The men in there had terrible conditions. There was disease, rats, urine, and little food. -
Zimmerman Telegram
The US was greatly angered when Germany sunk the Lusitania. US responds to Germany, and the agrees to stop unrestricted warfare. However, they soon started it back up because it weakened their coastal blockade, and four more US ships are sunk. The US then intercept a message called the Zimmerman Telegram and consider it to be an act of war. This greatly angers the US, and they enter the war on the side of the allies 2 months later. -
Wilson's 14 points
President Wilson created a plan for peace called the 14 points. His goal with this was to end the world war, and prevent future world wars. The points included no secret alliances, freedom of the seas, and reduction of arms. This was very smart, because it did not blame anyone for the war, specifically Germany. The Germans agreed to the armistice and thought a peace treaty would include these points. However Britain and France suffered greatly and wanted to punish Germany badly. -
18th Amendment
Women and a lot of other Unions thought the alcohol was the root of all evil, and that it should be illegal. Through the temperance movement, They got there wish when the 18th Amendment was passed. The 18th Amendment outlawed the manufacture, sale, distribution, or importation of alcohol nation wide. As a result of this more people now wanted to drink alcohol, and rates of drinking went a lot higher. There was also more organized crime, bootleggers, and NASCAR. -
19th Amendment ratified
After years of rallies, marches, magazines, articles, and debates, the 19th Amendment was ratified. The 19th Amendment allowed woman to vote. This milestone took required a lengthy and difficult struggle. It prohibited the U.S. to deny U.S. citizens the right to vote on basis of sex -
Treaty of Versailles
The great world leaders meet in Paris at the palace of Versailles to discuss the treaty. They did not allow Germany to attend. Great Britain and France insisted on Germany to be punished for the war. Germany did not have to strength or resources to fight back, so they were forced to sign the treaty. The treaty officially ended WW1. It blamed Germany for the war, and made them pay massive amounts for the destruction in the war. It was designed so that Germany could never again rise to power. -
Rise of KKK
The KKK have not been active since the 1880's, but comes to live again in the 1920's. The clans membership reached a staggering 5 million. In 1926 the clan marches in Washington, to show their power and determination. They were willing to use violence, intimidation, and political means to achieve their ends. Their tactics were aimed at African Americans, Jews, Immigrants, and Catholics. -
Marcus Garvey
Marcus Garvey was a very influential man of his time, and was the founder of Universal Negro Improvement Association. He also led the 'back to Africa' movement, in which he urged blacks to move back to Africa, and create settlements. Some people listened to him and did move back to Africa, while others did not. He was eventually convicted of tax evasion, and was deported back to Jamaica. He was important however because what he did showed cultural changes. -
Harlem Renaissance
During WW1 many white workers were called to war, and left behind there jobs. Many blacks from the south moved to northern cities seeking economic and creative opportunists. Newly established black communities saw a flourishing of black artistic expression. Black journalist, poets, musicians, and artist created a pride in being black and wrote about the experiences of being black. -
Radio
Radio emerges as a new form of communication tool. It was used for sports, news, music, and sermon. As the radio emerges, so does music, and films. People become obsessed with music, films, and live shows. Hollywood becomes the capital of the film industry. They play silent films, and there are jazz singers. -
Herbert Hoover presidency
President Hoover was the president during the first half of the great depression. During this extremely rough time, he opposed direct federal aid, he did provide some help to strengthen banks, but thought the U.S. could ride out the depression. He pushed for people to seek help from charitable organizations, such as churches. He was seen as a do-nothing who was unable or unwilling to act in a time of national economic crisis. -
Great Depression
After WW1, the U.S. is a creditor nation, providing loans to other countries who were already experiencing a depression and couldn't afford to pay the loans back. Other factors of the Great Depression were people began to run up large personal debs to get the new best things. They bought on credit, and the people could not pay the debts back and it caused a economic collapse. Banks lacked money, people lost savings, production stopped, workers fired, and consumption declined. -
The Dust Bowl
Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas, suffered a severe drought. They experienced the economic and environmental disaster known as the Dust Bowl. Farmers did over production, and single crop farming, and plowed up grasses for farms to meet the needs of a booming wheat market. The result was soil exhaustion, and soil erosion. There was also a drought, and strong winds blowing sand. Crops turned to dust, home were burned, and fields blew away. #1 ecological disaster of 20th century. -
Bonus Army/March
WW1 veterans were promised a bonus for there service in the army, but they weren't due to receive them until 1945. Because of financial circumstances, many wanted and needed it now. Thousands marched in Washington, but their request was denied by the senate. Many left, but those who stayed congregated around the White House. After months, Hoover called the army to disperse them. The military evicted them from D.C. and burned the camp, many veterans were injured and one was killed. -
Franklin Roosevelt presidency
Roosevelt promised programs to address the Depression. He focused on "Relief, Recovery, and Reform." He created enormous debt spending, and wanted to consume our way our of the depression. He created the 'New Deal' which aimed at creating new agencies and programs to protect people from economic disaster and provide relief or temporary work. people loved him because he seemed like he worked hard for them. Some of the deals were unconstitutional and people questioned how much power the gov had. -
Works Progress Administration (WPA)
This was the biggest agency that FDR created. It was established in 1935 and employed 8 million people, and had $2 billion funds. This agency created bridges, reservations, irrigation's, sewage, schools, playground, education, and training. The works program paid minimum wage. It also pulled people off unemployment, charity, and soup lines. This was one of the many New Deal programs that FDR put in to help the country and the unemployment rate. -
Social Security Act
The 1935 Social Security Act of part of the 2nd New Deal. It was a safety net for all Americans. A percentage of everyone paycheck would go into this fund. People had been less inclined to retire, because they would lose their income, the SSA gave people an incentive to retire. This was based on a shorter life-span, and was intended to supplement (not replace) a persons income. This did greatly help older people when they retired. -
The Blitz
By June 1940, France had surrendered to the Germans, and Britain now stood alone as the last remaining enemy of Hitler. For about a year, The Blitz happened. There was nine months of the German air-force launching repeated bombing raids on British towns and cities. This was known as The Blitz, and was an attempt to bomb Britain into submission. -
Executive Order 8802
During WW2, the need for workers rose, but most most companies and industries would not hire black people. With the Executive Order 8802, Roosevelt ended all discriminatory practices of hiring in the federal government. This not forced companies and industries to hire black employees, and this doubled the black employment. This was a major step in the right direction. This gave black people a sense of pride, that would carry beyond WW2. -
Pearl Harbour
Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in a surprise attack.They thought that attacking them would provide an easy win, and a territory with abundant land and resources to rule once they were victorious. Japans attack was crippling to the U.S. fleet. Thousands of American soldiers died, and the US lost a lot of military resources like ships and planes. 'The sleeping giant was awakened.' This forced the US to join the war, and declare war on Japan. Britain also did the same. -
Executive Order 9066
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, many Americans were afraid of Japanese spies that were in the US. Roosevelt then authorized the military to exclude "any or all persons" from areas of the U.S., designated as "military areas." Japanese people were force to leave there homes and everything they had, and go to camps where they said for months. Some Japanese people were even executed. There was never even a single Japanese spy or sabotier that was convicted of being one of those. -
The Homefront
Without the home front, the Americans do not win the war. Everyone citizen was on the same page, and they were all going for one major goal. They supplied the army with a ton of supplies, ammunition, and resources. The US home front supplied the army with a lot more resources then the enemy did, and this was a huge reason why the US won. Women even had a major role in winning. They worked as Nurses, the Red Cross, Pilots, and even factory workers. -
D-Day
The allies had spent 18 months planning and training for D-Day. D-Day was the largest seaborne invasion in history, and was the turning point in the war. Allied forces had 156,000 troops and nearly 5,400 ships cross the English channel, landing the troops on 5 beaches in Normandy. The night before planes and 23,000 paratroops landed in Normandy, and protected the bridges, so that when the troops won they could use the bridges to advance inland. Within 7 days they controlled 80 miles of coast. -
G.I Bill of Rights
This is the governments way of saying thank you to our soldiers. This Bill paid for education for soldiers. It also gave low interest on home loans, and provided low interest on business loans. This was huge, because many people could not afford an education, it was out of reach. Now soldiers could go to college, and this helped the economy because soldiers created jobs, and it put an emphasis on college. This was a great things, and it helped a lot of WW2 veterans. -
The baby boom
After the war, soldiers came home, and got busy. Between 1946 and 1963, the US population increased over 30 million. There was 1 birth every 10 seconds. This flooded the hospitals, and hospitals rooms were full of babies. The baby boom generation is very important because of their size of generation. It required more hospitals to be built, it also required more materials and resources to be made. This greatly stimulated the economy. -
The suburbs
Levitt and Sons created a type of neighborhood where housed were close together, and not very expensive. New homes now cost only $8,000. They built these suburbs quickly and mass produced these houses. This allowed families to move out of apartments, or older buildings in the inner cities. This helped fulfill the part of the American dream -- home ownership. -
Hollywood 10 appear before HUAC
The HUAC was the House Un American Activities Committee. They investigated potential communist threats to the American way of life. 10 prominent Hollywood people were investigated by the HUAC. They refused to answer questions regarding if they are affiliated with communist, and after the televised hearing, they were blacklisted, and did not work again. This shows the fear of Communism that was present in the US during the Cold War, and how fear can lead people to make bad decisions. -
Marshall Plan
After WW2 surrounding countries were destroyed, and there economies were failing. This when the marshall plan was created, and it was enacted to rebuild Europe. We helped rebuild cities, build industrial equipment, and increase national budget. This increased economic cooperation among countries. We gave a bunch of money to countries to help them rebuilt their infrastructure after the war. We also helped rebuild Germany, and them, other countries would be forever grateful. -
Operation Vittles
Stalin wanted to control the entire city of Berlin. So the USSR set up a complete blockade on railways, roads, and canal traffic. President Truman decided that the US was going to hold on to our promise with Berlin. It was called the Berlin airlift. We were going drop boxes and land them on airports, and give them food and materials. We never stepped foot in west Germany and didn't cause conflict with Stalin. On May 1949, the Russians ended the Berlin blockade. -
NATO
Dean Acheson became the secretary of state. He creates a policy to contain communist. He does this by creating a organization called NATO. Ten west European countries, the US, and Canada sign the treaty. This creates the North Atlantic Treaty. Thus brings security to free nations, that will protect each other. If one of these nations got attacked, then it is an attack on all of them. -
Korean War
Communist North Korea, attacks the Democratic South Korea. North Korea wanted to make all of Korea communist. The US and South Korea push North Korea all the way up north near China. China then sends 1 million troops to aid North Korea and push them back. President Eisenhower is elected president, and pledges to end the war in Korea. A armistice is signed ending the Korean war. Korea remains divided at the 38th parallel line. -
Brown V. Board
In the previous case (Plessy V Ferguson) Plessy determined that schools could be separate if they were equal. This however was not the case, and black schools were worse than white schools. There was out of date info, they were smaller, and did not have as good equipment or resources. For example Linda Brown had to walk to a black schools, and walked right past a white school on her way. This went to the supreme court, and they overturned it. This opened the door for black and white schooling. -
Rosa Parks, and Alabama boycott.
In Montgomery Alabama, Rosa Parks challenges Jim Crow laws by refusing to give up her seat on the bus. It was required that blacks give up there seat to whites, and she did not. She was arrested and black leaders organized a boycott. 40,000 blacks in Montgomery participate in the boycott, which lasted 382 days. 75% of the bus companies customers were black, so they fought to end the boycott. This sparked other black people in other communities to fight for equality. -
Eisenhower Interstate Highway Act
This is the largest public works project in history was the US. This massive project updated and modernized America's roadways, and connected the country. To get the plan across Eisenhower also played into the cold war fears. He said it would act as a emergency runway for planes, In case of a war, and made evacuation easier. If a town was not connected to this highway, then people would not move there, and it would become a ghost town. Similar to the railroad being built. -
Little Rock 9
In the south, discrimination was still a big part of society. Integration was still being blocked by local and state governments. By law blacks could go to white schools, but were fearful of the treatment they would get. 9 students in Little Rock were the first to attempt integration. The governor then send the national guard to protect the school from them. They were stopped by guns and told they can't enter. Eisenhower then sent the 101st airborne division to escort the 9 to school. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
US intelligence received reports that the USSR was creating nuclear armed missiles. These were on ships, that could target he whole US. There were maps that convinced JFK that the soviet missiles must be removed from Cuba. He chose to order a naval blockade and fire shots to stop Soviet ships from bringing missiles and other equipment. Khrushchev gave into the US pressure and removed the missiles from Cuba. This was the closest the world has come to a full scale nuclear war. -
Freedom Rides
Over 1,000 college students organized by CORE and SNCC begin taking peaceful bus rides through the south. They do this to test new laws outlawing segregation in bus and railway stations. People in Alabama know they are coming coming, and when the bus pulls up they bomb the bus. The college students are forced to evacuate the bus and they are viciously attacked and beaten. Birmingham becomes known as "bombingham." -
March on Washington
The SCLC planned a March and rally on Washington D.C. with support from NAACP, SNCC, and CORE. Over 250,000 people were in attendance. People were bused in from all over the country. The event made nation news, and hosted many speakers, most notably Martin Luther King JR. At this event he delivers his famous "I have a dream" speech to inspire the country. This event created a feeling of unity and pride within the people. This was one of the few marches or protest that didn't end in violence. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
President Johnson is elected into office, and sign into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. This creates a sweeping national change in the nation. During this time discrimination was still heavy, and this was a huge step in the right direction for African Americans. This Act is the nation's greatest civil rights legislation, and still resonates in America to this day.