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Jamestown, Virginia was Founded
The Virginia Company sent an all-male group to the New World which was named Jamestown, after the King, and their goal was to obtain valuable commodities. Survival rates were low, and difficult to survive. This was the first English permanent settlement in the New World and the first contact between the English and Native Americans. This changed how the English and the Native Americans lived and influenced the Columbian Exchange because of the interactions between different cultures. -
Navigation Acts
The Navigation Acts created tensions between the colonies and Parliament because they required that goods only be carried on ships by English or Colonial Merchants and that the colonies could only do foreign trade through England. This helped England make a profit from the colonies and confined the colonies' source of income. Many colonies violated the Navigation Acts and the government became outraged and punished groups for doing so, one of which was the Puritans, who were virtually outlawed. -
Metacom's War Began
Also known as King Philip’s War, Metacom’s War occurred due to the unstable relationship between the Native Americans and the English that would not last, and the Wampanoag leader Metacom realized this, so he forged a military alliance with the Narragansetts and Nipmucks attacked the English, destroying nearly one-half of English towns and killing 5% of the adult population. This also killed 4,500 Indians and destroyed their ability to exist independently. -
Bacon's Rebellion Began
In Virginia, the economic and political power was controlled by a small circle of men including William Berkeley, and they controlled nearly half of all settled land in Virginia, which made it difficult to obtain land. The Frontier War began, and when Nathaniel Bacon, was refused a military commission because of his viewpoint he mobilized his neighbors and attacked Indians. This caused some political reforms, restored voting rights to landless freemen, and curbed the powers of the governor. -
The Salem Witch Trials
The Puritans in Salem, Massachusetts, believed that the world was full of supernatural forces and the ones who tried to manipulate those forces were witches, which were to be tried and hung. 175 people were tried and 19 were hung in Salem, with 18 of the hung being women. Although the exact cause of the trials is unknown, Enlightenment beliefs caused the people of Salem to be educated about the irrationality of believing in witches. -
The Great Awakening Began
The Great Awakening was sparked by George Whitefield in America, and another speaker, Jonathan Edwards, also helped to inspire beliefs. Previously, the Christian Church was regarded as irrelevant, but the Great Awakening allowed for a revival of the Church, which ultimately created conflict between the Old Lights and the New Lights. The Great Awakening allowed for the encouragement of equality, questioning of authority, charity charitable organizations, and much more. -
The Stono Rebellion
With slavery on the rise in South Carolina and the Chesapeake due to the “tobacco revolution,” there were more slaves than ever in America. The slaves wanted freedom, and that was what the Catholic governor of Spanish Florida instigated the revolt. Slaves began to try and escape and when war broke out, they began to fight, and eventually, the large revolt was stopped by the South Carolina militia. This caused slave importation to be slowed, and slaves were monitored closer than previously. -
The Albany Plan of Union
Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union during a conference because he believed that colonies needed to be unified to effectively be able to defeat the French. After all, the colonies alone would not be able to defeat a world power. He created the political cartoon, “Join, or Die” to help his idea to gain attention and publicity. This was the first time in the New World that the idea of unity had been suggested and although the idea did not pass, it planted the seed. -
The Royal Proclamation of 1763
The Royal Proclamation of 1763 denied colonists the right to settle West of the trans-Appalachian due to Indian control of the region. The British parliament and King did this to assert force over the colonies and control them. The Americans ignored the British and continued to settle West of the trans-Appalachian mountains because the British could not take anything away from them since they already did not have the support of the King. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party occurred when colonists dressed up as Native Americans and dumped crates of tea in the Boston harbor, causing the British to lose millions of dollars worth of profit. The colonists did this as a way to protest the high taxes that they had received, and to rebel against the British Parliament. The British responded to The Boston Tea Party by creating The Intolerable Acts. The British also closed the Port of Boston, enforced high taxes, and more. -
The Declaratory Act of 1766
The Declaratory Act of 1766 gave Parliament the right to legislate over British colonies however they pleased. This helped Parliament to reaffirm its authority over the colonies and allowed them full power and authority over the colonies. It also caused the colonies to become more bitter towards the British, which led to the colonies becoming independent of Britain. -
Declaration of Independence
As more military conflicts began to occur, it became apparent to the Second Continental Congress that the United States should declare its independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence was created by Thomas Jefferson, and was revised and edited by others. It also was an act of treason, and it was very dangerous to sign it. Nevertheless, it was signed and approved by Congress on July 4, 1776, which became known as America’s Independence Day. -
Battle of Saratoga Began
The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point in the American Revolutionary War for several reasons. Americans learned of General John Burgoyne’s plan and were able to corner them, forcing Burgoyne’s army to surrender. This victory greatly assisted America in its war efforts because Benjamin Franklin was able to convince France that they should form an alliance with America, which in turn helped America to win the war against Britain. -
Treaty of Paris
After the Americans and French laid siege on Cornwallis’s army and forced his surrender on October 20, 1781, major fighting in the Revolutionary War ended. Almost two years later, the Treaty of Paris officially ended the Revolutionary War and America won its independence. Since the war was over, the world recognized America as an independent nation, but their hardships had just begun, because they had to learn how to run a nation like no other. -
Shay's Rebellion Began
Before farmers had returned home after fighting in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, they had previously practiced subsistence farming. Once they returned home, they borrowed money to keep their farms going but quickly went into debt. This angered many, so Daniel Shays assembled some 5000 merchants and farmers and attacked courthouses using violence. This shone a light on the brokenness of the Articles of Confederation. -
The Development of Political Parties
Prior to the election of 1788, there had been the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans, which were the two extremities of beliefs in America. Leading up to the Election of 1788, there were tensions between both groups, which emerged as prominent political parties in America. George Washington had advised against political parties because he believed that it would divide a united nation, and he was right. -
The Bank of the United States was Established
As America continued to grow, it became evident the nation needed a way to handle federal money. Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the State, believed a national bank would allow the nation to collect tax revenues, make loans, and pay bills. Thomas Jefferson declared that this was unconstitutional, but George Washington signed the legislation. The excise tax was imposed on everything to increase trade and debt. As beneficial as the bank was, it was largely controversial among Americans. -
The Cotton Gin
Cotton was very difficult to produce and labor intensive, and because of this, slavery began to die. Then, in 1793, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, which made it much easier to produce cotton, and significantly quickened the process. This greatly increased the settlement of Mississippi and Alabama and they were able to join the Union in 1817 and 1819. This revived slavery in the South and cotton became America’s leading export and a cash crop that America largely depended upon. -
The Alien and Sedation Acts
President John Adams, to protect the Federalist legislature, passed the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Alien Act gave the President the ability to deport dangerous “aliens,” the Sedition Act violated the First Amendment by preventing newspapers from printing any critical article of the President or Congress, and the Naturalization Act increased the time an immigrant had to live in America to become a citizen. These acts limited American rights and were eventually declared unconstitutional. -
Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson began to worry that if America lost control of New Orleans, then they would lose their access to the Mississippi River, so he sent James Monroe to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans for three million dollars. But France insisted they must buy the entire Louisiana territory for fifteen million dollars. The purchase doubled the size of America, increased disagreements between parties and worries about Westward expansion, and there was open discussion about leaving the Union. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition Began
After Thomas Jefferson had made the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson commissioned the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore the new territory, begin trading relationships with Native Americans, make scientific discoveries, and find a water route to the Pacific Ocean. Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and Native American, Sacagawea traveled a journey of more than 2,000 miles which helped Americans to have a better understanding of the West. -
The Embargo Act of 1807
America had a good trading relationship with both France and Britain, who were at war with each other again, and Thomas Jefferson wanted to remain neutral, so he imposed an embargo (ban) on all foreign trade, which did great damage to the American economy but encouraged the growth of domestic manufacturing. This is ironic because Thomas Jefferson supported an agrarian America, but ended up supporting manufacturing more than Federalists could. -
The Star Spangled Banner was Written
During the War of 1812, the Star Spangled Banner was written by Francis Scott Key, a prisoner on a British barge, who witnessed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry. He awoke in the morning and the American flag still flew, so he was inspired to write “The Defense of Ft McHenry,” which was renamed the Star Spangled Banner. This became one of the most well-known and inspirational songs in America to this day. -
American Colonization Society was Created
The American Colonization Society was an attempt at ending slavery. Founded in 1817 by Henry Clay and other prominent individuals, they believed that African Americans should be freed and then be resettled in Africa or wherever was fit. The efforts of the American Colonization Society ultimately had a negative effect because most relocated African Americans ended up dying. -
McCulloch v. Maryland
McCulloch v. Maryland, which was settled by the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Marshall, was a case where Maryland wanted to tax the Federal government branch in their state, which was ruled as unconstitutional, and allowed the Supreme Court to claim the ability of judicial review. It also showed the belief that was commonly shared by the anti-federalists that states should have stronger powers than the federal government. -
Missouri Compromise
Arguments over slavery and how it should be managed became a focal point of the nation, and Henry Clay, Secretary of the State, proposed the Missouri Compromise as a solution. It stated that Missouri would enter the Union as a slave state, and Maine as a free state to preserve the balance. It also set the boundary of slavery at Missouri’s southern border. This solution was very wise and allowed for the Union to not separate at the time. -
Monroe Doctine
The Monroe Doctrine was America’s first foreign policy, which stated that Europe should not interfere with the Western Hemisphere, and in return, America would not interfere with Europe, England supported this idea because they did not have other European powers colonizing the New World. This showed that America was becoming a world power and they believed that they should be respected. -
The Tariff of 1828
The Tariff of 1828, also known as the Tariff of Abominations, was created to tax foreign goods so American merchants had an advantage. The North viewed this as beneficial, but the South suffered because European countries retaliated by purchasing less cotton, which damaged the Southern economy. The Tariff of 1828 also led to the Nullification Ordinance, The Force Bill, and the Compromise Tariff. -
The Book of Mormon was Published
Joseph Smith began to have religious experiences in the 1820s, and he published The Book of Mormon in 1830. He translated it from ancient hieroglyphics that were written on gold plates and shown to him by an angel. He organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons. This became the most successful utopian movement of the Second Great Awakening. -
Indian Removal Act of 1830
President Andrew Jackson believed that Native Americans should be resettled to “protect them,” and he pushed the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Once it was passed, Indians were marched out of their lands by American soldiers in what became known as the Trail of Tears. This caused major pushback. Around this time, Americans also began to migrate using the Oregon Trail, which confined Indians further into reservations. -
Oberlin College was Founded
The Oberlin College, the first college founded to educate women specifically, was a step forward in the reform movement of Women’s Suffrage. Thanks to Oberlin College, co-educational facilities began to emerge and helped to further women’s suffrage. For example, when NAWSA was founded by Susan B. Anthony. -
Texas Declared Independence
Texas’s declaration of independence was likely sparked by Americans who came to live in Mexico (Texas), and they were forced to comply with their government and compromise their beliefs. Shortly afterward, Texans had a devastating complete loss in the Battle of Alamo, and their rallying cry became, “Remember the Alamo!” -
The Annexation of Texas
The United States Government gave Texas the choice to become annexed by the United States, and they would send their military help if Texas agreed. Texas agreed to be annexed, and the United States sent its military and won the Mexican-American War. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was created, which gave the United States Texas with the border of the Rio Grande, and the Mexican cession, more than one-third of Mexico. James K. Polk was able to become the president that fulfilled Manifest Destiny. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and Susan B. Anthony. They created the Declaration of Sentience, which was modeled after the Declaration of Independence. There were some notable differences, like the statement, “All men and women are created equal.” Most Americans dismissed the convention as nonsense, but it helped pave the pathway for women’s suffrage. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was created by Henry Clay when he proposed a solution to the tensions created by new territories and their free or slave status. It was a collection of separate bills that stated that California entered the Union as a free state, the slave trade was abolished in Washington D.C., the Fugitive Slave Act was enforced, and territories that applied for statehood were governed by popular sovereignty. -
Bleeding Kansas Began
Bleeding Kansas was caused because of the controversial Kansas-Nebraska Act that was passed that allowed the slavery status of a state to be decided by popular sovereignty. Kansas had to have a vote to decide if they would enter the Union as a free state or a slave state, and both the North and the South worked to convince citizens to move. Both sides turned to violence; many of these attacks were known as “border ruffian” violence, due to their use of the state’s borders to make their attacks. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
The 1857 Supreme Court Case, Dred Scott v. Sanford consisted of Dred Scott’s claim that since his master took him and his family into a free state, they should be made free. The Supreme Court overturned his argument and additionally, it declared that African Americans were not citizens and that the federal government did not have the right to exclude slavery from territories. This ruled the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional and was one of the worst court rulings in American history. -
The Election of 1860
The Democratic party nominated two candidates, which caused their split, and the Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln, which meant that they would win the election. Abraham Lincoln was an anti-slavery supporter, which caused the South a deep fear that he would abolish slavery. Almost immediately after Abraham Lincoln won the election, South Carolina succeeded the Union, and soon the other deep Southern states began to follow their example. -
Battle of Bull Run
The Battle of Bull Run, also referred to as the First Battle of Manassas was the first large battle of the Civil War. It was believed that the Union would easily defeat the Confederacy, so spectators sat on a nearby hillside, but a gruesome battle unfolded, and the Confederacy won the battle. This proved that the Confederacy was willing to fight for their independence and that the Civil War would be long and tiresome. -
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act was a way to “inhabit” the West and to help the economy. It created Homesteads, which were plots of 160 acres that were given to the head of any household, which also meant that it was a chance for women and freedpeople. The only requirements were that the owner of the plot had to live there for at least five years, use the land for agricultural purposes; improve the land. This act was greatly beneficial for the United States but created greater conflict with Native Americans. -
Pacific Railway Act
The Pacific Railway Act was an attempt at the impossible to connect the East and West Coast with what was to be called the Transcontinental Railroad. Two companies were hired to work simultaneously from opposite ends to expedite the process, which was completed three years ahead of schedule. They were joined at Promontory Point, Utah. The Transcontinental Railroad also quickened the settlement in the West but had even more negative effects on Native American tribes. -
Morrill Land Grant Act
The Morrill Land Grant Act allocated federal land in states across the country to be used for colleges and universities. It allowed Americans to have access to a greater source of education across the country, and it established many of the colleges that are known today such as Purdue, Ohio State, Penn State, and Texas A&M. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam became known as the bloodiest day in United States history. Abraham Lincoln claimed the Battle of Antietam to be a Union “victory,” even though the battle was a draw. After the Battle of Antietam, Abraham Lincoln went to Antietam to dedicate a battlefield cemetery because more people had died during the Battle of Antietam than in any event in the United States history. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was created to help restore the Union. Abraham released it after the Union's “victory” at the Battle of Antietam, where he released the Preliminary Proclamation stating that the Emancipation Proclamation would go into effect January 1, 1863. It freed the slaves only in Confederate states as an incentive to return to the Union. The Emancipation Proclamation also showed how the war was about slavery, although preserving the Union was more important to Abraham Lincoln. -
The Battle of Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg was a tremendous Union Victory, as the Union seized control of the Mississippi River, which fulfilled the Anaconda Plan. General Ulysses S. Grant was promoted to United States General after this victory, and General Grant’s ability to lead the United States Army was a large factor in the Union victory. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was a long and bloody battle that lasted for three days and became the bloodiest battle in American history. The Battle of Gettysburg prevented the South from being able to make another offensive stance in the war. Abraham Lincoln dedicated a national cemetery at Gettysburg and he gave the Gettysburg Address, where he indirectly referenced slavery and the impact that it had on the battle. -
Sand Creek Massacre
The Sand Creek Massacre, also known as the Chivington Massacre, happened when most of the Cheyenne men were out hunting and more than 100 women and children were slaughtered, and afterward Chivington’s men celebrated the “victory.” The Cheyenne were infuriated by the Sand Creek Massacre, and they began fighting back against the whites, known as the Indian Wars. -
The 13th Amendment was Ratified
Johnson’s Reconstruction Plan included the Thirteenth Amendment, which was ratified by Congress and abolished slavery. It became a requirement for state readmittance. This was the official end of slavery throughout the United States, and although African Americans still faced many prejudices, it was a step in the right direction. -
Founding of the Ku Klux Klan
The Ku Klux Klan, also known as the KKK, was founded in Pulaski Tennessee, on December 24, 1865. Its motto is “Native, white, Protestant supremacy.” The KKK harassed African Americans, immigrants, Catholics, and Jews with many methods. They used arson, physical intimidation, burning a cross on the front lawns of those they targeted, and more. The KKK peaked in membership in the 1920s, when it had over three million members and had political power, but declined after 1925. -
The 14th Amendment was Ratified
Congress passed the Fourteenth Amendment which allowed all who were born in the United States or naturalized to be citizens, and prevented states from taking away the rights of these citizens, which gave the national government power over state governments. The Fourteenth Amendment also gave citizens equal protection under the law and allowed former slaves to be citizens. This allowed for a permanent way to protect former slaves in America from having their rights taken from them. -
The Knights of Labor was Founded
The Knights of Labor was originally founded as a secret society, but it became the most important workers’ movement of the late nineteenth century. Led by Terence Powderly, the Knights of Labor accepted all regardless of race, gender, and religion. They pushed for the 8-hour workday and the prohibition of child labor, both of which were achieved. The Knights of Labor rapidly grew, both in popularity and membership, but an incident in Haymarket Square with violence caused membership to falter. -
The 15th Amendment was Ratified
Congress passed the Fifteenth Amendment which protected and extended voting rights to all males regardless of race or color. This was a tremendous accomplishment, but women were infuriated because it still discriminated against sex. The Fifteenth Amendment was so unpopular that it cost the Republicans their power in Congress, but it ultimately made a positive impact on the nation. -
The Comstock Act
Parents began to have fewer children since parents could concentrate their resources and got married later As contraceptive methods were created, families used them to help limit their families, and they were successful. Although information about them was stigmatized and made Americans uncomfortable, this made any information about sex and birth control illegal, even in private letters. Many Americans supported this, fearful of the information their children could receive through mail. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1882 due to the large number of immigrants that the U.S. was absorbing, which created competition for jobs and lower wages. The Chinese Exclusion Act barred Chinese laborers from entering the United States. Congress renewed the law each decade until its repeal in 1943. This caused Chinese immigrants living in the United States to be unable to apply for citizenship and created the foundation for the exclusion of Chinese in the 1920s. -
The American Federation of Labor was Founded
The American Federation of Labor was led by Samuel Gompers and was made up of skilled and well-paid workers who excluded African Americans and women. They believed that employees had to be union members to have bargaining power with their employers and discourage low-wage competition. The AFL was largely popular among skilled workers and reached over one million members by 1900. However, their exclusion and narrowness of inclusion later caused problems for the AFL. -
Pullman Strike
One of the most notable strikes, the Pullman Strike, occurred due to the lowered wages and workers George Pullman laid off in 1894, and his refusal to lower rent on the homes in his company town. Under Eugene v. Deb’s organization, workers went on strike, and Debs called for a nationwide railroad strike. Thousands of railroad workers walked off the job, which halted railroad travel and commerce. As a result of the incident, the government created the National Guard to enforce order at home. -
The De Lome Letter
As the tensions between the United States and Spain neared war, a letter was intercepted by government officials sent by the Spanish minister in Washington. The letter insulted the President of the United States and admitted that Spain would not follow through with their deal. William Randalph Hearst, a yellow journalist, also got a copy of the letter and published it. He was determined to fuel Patrioticism and instigate anger towards Spain to get publicity. -
Explosion of the USS Maine
Shortly after the United States intercepted the De Lome Letter, the USS Maine, anchored peacefully to protect Cubans in Havana Harbor exploded. The incident killed 260 American sailors and horrified Americans when it reached the headlines. Although there was no solid proof, it was believed that Spain had caused the explosion. This led President McKinley to ask for a fifty million dollar appropriation to prepare for war with Spain. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
Labor conditions for workers and the products they were producing were in poor condition. Muckraker and journalist Upton Sinclair wrote The Jungle, in which he described disgusting working conditions in Chicago meatpacking plants. The description of the spoiled meat and filthy conditions worried Americans. This led Congress to pass the Pure Food and Drug Act, which created the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce the new law. -
The Triangle Fire
On March 25, 1911, in the Triangle Shirtwaist Company, just before closing time, a fire broke out. This quickly spread and led to many women unable to escape because the emergency doors were locked to prevent theft, even with fire safety laws. Many were trapped in the flames, and the others jumped to their deaths. New Yorkers were horrified and called for reform, and New York State created fifty-six laws to address fire hazards and other issues. -
Panama Canal
Roosevelt believed that the United States should “speak softly and carry a big stick” meaning that the United States needed to have a powerful navy. In order to have naval power, a canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans across the Isthmus and Panama needed to be built. The canal was a large project that took eight years to build. The Panama Canal opened in 1914, allowing the United States to dominate the Western Hemisphere. -
Red Scare Began
As Americans participated in helping in the war effort, the Soviet Union began to make international connections. This scared the United States alongside the bombs that were found in an attempt to assassinate public officials. These along with other events helped fuel the Red Scare, which was an extreme fear of Communism, which caused Americans to take drastic anti-communist measures. The Red Scare caused deportations, a loss of rights, and discrimination throughout America. -
Zimmerman Telegram
The United States intercepted the Zimmerman telegram, in which the German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmerman encouraged Mexico to join the Central Powers. He stated that if the United States were to enter the war, Germany would return Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona to Mexico. This was then published in American newspapers and enraged the public. Although the United States did not want to enter the war, the telegram only encouraged American interest in war. -
Sedition Act of 1918
Wilson became focused on stopping war dissent. He formed the Committee on Public Information (CPI), which was a government propaganda agency headed by journalist George Creel. They encouraged Americans towards the idea of war and patriotism. Congress also passed the Sedition Act of 1918, which prohibited speech or action that could promote resistance of the United States or support its enemies. This caused Americans to question if Congress was violating their freedom of speech. -
Harlem Renaissance Began
The Harlem Renaissance began in 1918, as African Americans began to claim pride in their identity. They began to question beliefs like “white supremacy.” The Harlem Renaissance began in New York City, where those who migrated from the Great Migration settled. Talented African Americans began to express themselves through poetry, literature, and jazz. Jazz was one of the most famous symbols of the Renaissance and became widely popular. -
Palmer Raids Began
As Red Scare fears spread, an antiradicalism unit was created in the Justice Department and J. Edgar Hoover was appointed as its head. A. Mitchell Palmer ordered the roundups which became known as the Palmer Raids, but were planned and executed by Hoover. The raids targeted radical organizations and arrested thousands, most often immigrants, who were deported without reason. These raids spread fear throughout the United States of deportation and of the loss of rights. -
Prohibition Began
After the push for Prohibition by many throughout America, Congress passed the Eighteenth Amendment, which was enforced by the Volstead Act. These banned the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcohol. Since bars were closed, Americans began to break the law by going to speakeasies, which were illegal drinking places, and bootleggers began to smuggle alcohol. Eventually, Prohibition was repealed due to the harm it did to the American economy and the retaliation against the law. -
National Origins Act
As immigration amounts rose, Americans began to have resentment. They believed that immigration was the cause of a moral decline and that it caused competition for jobs and lower wages. The National Origins Act was passed, which used backdated census data to extremely cut down immigration levels. It did not restrict immigration from the Western Hemisphere, which resulted in a rise of Latin American immigrants, which allowed them to fill jobs that other immigrants would’ve had. -
Scopes Trial “The Monkey Trial”
As Protestants fought to keep the biblical account of creation in schools, Tennessee’s legislature outlawed the teaching of any other teaching than the account of the Bible, such as the theory of evolution. The American Civil Liberties Union challenged the law, when John T. Scopes, a biology teacher who admitted to teaching evolution was trialed and was declared guilty. The trial showed how beliefs could be challenged, and now under the law, they could be made illegal. -
Black Tuesday
As the economy in America slowed to a grinding halt, the stock market crashed to rock bottom, known as Black Tuesday. When Americans believed that it couldn’t get any worse the market crashed the second time, even worse. The stock market crash combined with banks closing and stopped production were all contributing factors in what led to the Great Depression. America faced the highest unemployment rate in its lowest economic period. -
The Dust Bowl Began
Plain farmers in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Arkansas, and Kansas had stripped the native vegetation. They had in order to grow wheat and other crops. This led to wind erosion when a severe drought occurred, and a thick cloud of dust would blow over the land. Many migrated away, as they could no longer grow their crops and their houses were buried. They became known as “Okies.” This led to associations founded to protect the environment such as the Tenessee Valley Authority. -
The Bonus Army
As the Great Depression worsened, many Americans became homeless or unable to afford everyday commodities. Veterans formed a protest known as the Bonus Army, where over fifteen thousand unemployed veterans settled in front of the Capitol to demand their pensions due in 1945 immediately. Hoover eventually deployed army troops to evict the Veterans by force, which plunged Hoover’s popularity when shown in theaters across the nation. -
Townsend Plan
Some Americans believed that the New Deal did not extend far enough. They believed that the government should be aligned with the ordinary against corporations and the wealthy. Francis Townsend advocated for the nation’s elderly, many of whom did not have a pension or retirement savings. He proposed the Old Age Resolving Pension Plan to give $200 a month payments to citizens over the age of 60, and clubs all over the nation were created in support. The Townsend Plan eventually led to Medicare. -
The Glass-Steagall Act
Franklin D. Roosevelt, adamant about taking action in the New Deal, focused on reform in the banking industry. Determined to fix the American banking industry, he signed the Glass-Steagall Act into law. The Glass-Steagall Act also created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The FDIC insured deposits up to $2,500 and helped restore the public’s confidence. They also prohibited banks from making risky deposits with citizens’ money, which protected them. -
Indian Reorganization Act
The government finally began to help Native Americans, as their unemployment rate was three times the national average and their average income was $48 per year. John Collier was appointed to lead the Bureau of Indian Affairs and he helped to pass the Indian Reorganization Act. It reversed the Dawes Act. The Indian New Deal was not complete, as some tribes rejected the deal, wary of the American government. Ultimately, many tribes benefitted. -
1935 Social Security Act
During the Second New Deal, the government focused on creating economic security for the American people to help soften the blow of an economic decline. This led to the Social Security Act being created in 1935. created a pension system for the elderly, widowed mothers, unemployed workers, and the disabled, and was widely popular. However, the question of how much government should be allowed to interfere with the everyday lives of citizens emerged. -
Executive Order 8802
After Roosevelt had become president and no action was being taken for black rights, A. Philip Randalph decided to organize a march on Washington. Although Roosevelt wasn’t a civil rights activist, he wanted to avoid conflict in the midst of war preparations. Roosevelt made a deal with Randalph that if he called off the march he would issue Executive Order 8802. The order prohibited discrimination in defense industries or government for race or national origin. -
Pearl Harbor
As Japan began using force on other countries, Roosevelt stopped trade with Japan and froze Japanese assets in the United States. General Tojo then wanted to declare war on the U.S., but the U.S. was unsure where an attack would be. The attack on Pearl Harbor caused significant damage and cost American lives. President Roosevelt famously said, “a date which will live in infamy,” in a speech that helped unite the American people. The next day, the U.S. declared war on Japan. -
Executive Order 9066
As Americans began to fear spies and sabotage during WWII, hysteria spread of Japanese Americans. President Roosevelt responded to this by signing Executive Order 9066. This allowed the War Department to hold Japanese Americans in relocation camps, which had poor living conditions and little commodities. Japanese Americans were shocked, and given little time to prepare. Japanese Americans rarely showed retaliation, as they wanted to prove themselves loyal to the United States. -
Servicemen’s Bill of Rights
The American economy boomed, in part because of the Servicemen’s Bill of Rights, also known as the G.I. Bill of Rights. The G.I. Bill sent veterans to college and trade school and provided veterans with health care and housing loans. In return, the workforce became well-educated throughout the 1950s and 1960s and helped the Baby Boomer generation too. The G.I. Bill also increased home ownership and helped America attain more financial assets that lifted up the American economy. -
D Day
After spending 18 months training in the hope to cripple German forces, D-Day arrived. When it was finally the day, Dwight D. Eisenhower made his D-Day speech. D-Day became the largest seaborne invasion in history and was the turning point in the war. There were large casualties and horrifying psychological effects that ensued. The allied powers pushed Germany until less than a year later, Hitler committed suicide, and German forces were stopped. -
Yalta Conference
At the Yalta Conference, where President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill, and Joseph Stalin, also known as the Big Three, met to discuss international affairs during WWII. There they organized the replacement of the League of Nations with the United Nations. They also discussed methods to end the war since they were approaching a victory, although Democratic ideals had to be sacrificed to make a compromise. The meeting divided Germany into four zones to be controlled by the Allied powers. -
Truman Doctrine
After London informed the United States that it could no longer afford to support the anticommunists in the Greek Civil War, the United States realized that it was the only power that could contain and stop communism. This led to Harry S. Truman’s creation of the Truman Doctrine, which allowed the United States to support any free people who wanted to keep their freedom. This led to the United States getting involved in many unnecessary and costly wars, like Vietnam. -
Berlin Airlift Began
After the USSR imposed a complete blockade on ally-supplied West Berlin in order to starve the city into submission, the United States needed to get creative. Since they weren’t allowed to step foot in West Berlin, they began airdropping the goods over West Berlin. The airlift lasted almost a year, as the United States was determined to not give up. The USSR, realizing this, ended the blockade. This was an amazing benefit for the United State’s reputation. -
Kinsey Report
After the Supreme Court ruled contraception was a privacy right in Griswold v. Connecticut, the American people were confused with their rights and freedoms. During this time, Dr. Alfred Kinsey released the Kinsey Reports. In 1948 he released Sexual Behavior in the Human Male and 1953 he released Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. The American people were upset by the information found. The Kinsey reports helped start the American conversation about sex and helped to change American beliefs. -
Brown v. Topeka Board of Education
The NAACP’s legal strategy concluded in a final case that involved Linda Brown, a young African American girl who lived in Topeka, Alabama, and she had to walk past several white schools before arriving at her segregated school. Thurgood Marshall represented Linda in the Supreme Court case, and he won the case, overturning Plessy. He then went on to become the first African American Supreme Court justice, nominated by President Johnson. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and was arrested on December 1, 1955, which was an intentional action. After, the Black community of Montgomery Alabama turned to Martin Luther King Jr. who was inspired by Gandhi’s ways. King planned a peaceful protest known as the Montgomery Bus Boycott that lasted 381 days and got his start as a civil rights leader. The city refused to give in until the Supreme Court ruled that segregation on public transportation was unconstitutional in November 1956. -
The National Interstate and Defense Highways Act
As more Americans began to drive, the current roadways were not large enough. Eisenhower then passed the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act which allowed $26 billion to be used over the next decade to expand the highway network. This was pitched to the American people as a Cold War necessity because larger roadways allowed for an evacuation in case of a nuclear attack. However, the effect of the intestate system led traffic away from the towns that the highway once led traffic to. -
Eisenhower Doctrine
As the Soviet Union began to take over land in the Middle East, President Eisenhower became worried about their presence. The Eisenhower Doctrine was then created, which states that the United States would assist any country that requires assistance in defending themselves from Communism. This helped Eisenhower protect Lebanon from Communism and the containment cause. It also allowed the United States to make allies but caused them to get involved in many long-lasting foreign affairs. -
Freedom Rides
Organized by CORE, college students participated in the Freedom Rides throughout the South, hoping to desegregate interstate commerce, which had recently been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Buses were attacked and riders beaten, one was firebombed and the riders were brutally beaten. When the violence aired on television across the nation, it became apparent that action had to be taken. Kennedy dispatched federal marshals to protect the riders while they finished the Freedom Rides. -
Bay of Pigs
When Communist Fidel Castro overthrew Cuba’s dictator, Fulgencio Batista, the United States became anxious due to a Communist nation possibly being within 90 miles of them. Kennedy followed through with Eisenhower’s plan of sending a raid to the Bay of Pigs in Cuba but retracted any air support. This caused a crushing defeat that Kennedy took full responsibility for. This led to even more tensions in the U.S.-Soviet relationship and was an embarrassment to the United States. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
After the Bay of Pigs incident, U.S.-Soviet relations were tense. The United States then discovered Soviet bases for IBMs in Cuba, with plans to import more. Kennedy planned a blockade on Cuba. When the ships finally came, they eventually relented and turned back. After a week of negotiations, an agreement was reached, but Cuba was lost to Communism in order to protect the safety of American citizens. This was the closest that the Cold War came to assured mutual destruction. -
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
Originally proposed by A. Philip Randolph in 1941, the SCLC revived the march in 1963 with the support of the NAACP, SNCC, and CORE. The March on Washington marked the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation. Over 250,000 people came from across the country. Martin Luther King Jr. was the face of the event, giving his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. This event helped to alter the public’s opinion but did little to alter congressional votes. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
After Kennedy’s assassination, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson assumed the role of President. He prioritized passing a civil rights bill to finish Kennedy’s previous plans. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed in response to the civil rights movement which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. It made discrimination illegal in employment, education, and public accommodations. This gave African Americans support from the government. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
When the North Vietnamese supposedly fired on a U.S. battleship, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. The resolution gave the President almost unlimited power in the Vietnam war. This allowed the United States to enter an unofficial war against North Vietnam, which ultimately cost many American soldier’s lives and was a costly war. The Senate then terminated the resolution in 1970 after the bombings on Cambodia. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
After the attempted march from Selma to Montgomery Alabama when marchers were attacked by state troopers on television, it became clear that action needed to be taken. The day became known as “Bloody Sunday.” In response, President Johnson signed The Voting Rights Act of 1965 which outlawed methods like literacy tests and other devices designed to keep people of color from voting. As a result, the percentage of African Americans registered to vote rose from 20% to 62% by 1971. -
My Lai Massacre
During the Vietnam War, U.S. Army troops killed almost five hundred South Vietnamese villagers in My Lai, a large number of women and children. The United States government kept the massacre a secret for a large part of the year but Seymour Hersh released the story in November 1969. It horrified Americans and discredited the United States from the world. Only one soldier was convicted for the massacre. The massacre showed how the government was using disillusionment on the American population. -
Moon Landing
President Kennedy was determined to put a man on the moon before the end of the decade. NASA’s Apollo 11 mission with astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins and America became the first country to land a man on the moon. By America’s terms, they won the Space Race since they landed a man on the moon, and by the Soviet Union’s terms, they won the space race because they put the first man in space. The moon landing represented a monumental event in science. -
Watergate Affair
The Watergate Affair was when there was an illegal break-in and wiretapping of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Although Nixon was originally unaware of the event, he participated in the cover-up of the scandal. When word got out, Nixon became the first United States President to resign his office. As a result, Congress took action to limit the executive branch's power to limit the President’s powers. -
Roe v Wade
Abortion was illegal in almost every state in the early 1960s, but as the women’s rights movement continued to push for reproduction rights, they began to win court cases. Then, in Roe v. Wade, the Tennessee law was overturned that prohibited abortions even if the woman’s health was in danger. This became a huge success for the women’s rights movement, but a large downfall for Christians who believed that abortion was the taking of a life, equivalent to murder.