Historical Eras in US History

  • Alexis de Tocqueville

    Alexis de Tocqueville
    IN 1835 he published Democracy in America that identified five values that he found critical to Americas success. They Were egalitarianism, individualism, laissez faire,liberty, populism
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    The Gilded Age – Post Reconstruction [1877] - 1900

    A period of expansion, industrialization, immigration and urbanization with significant effects on Native Americans, workers, immigrants, and the rise of big business in the late 19th century
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    Age of Imperialism and Reform – 1898 - 1919

    During the early 20th century the U.S. entered a new historical era: an Age of Expansionism beyond our natural borders as the country moved from isolationism. U.S. imperialism led to involvement in the Spanish-American War, changing policies in Latin America and Asia and eventually to World War I. At home, reformers made efforts to correct economic and social abuses of the Gilded Age.
  • 16th Amendment

    16th Amendment
    The Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution allows the Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states or basing it on the United States Census.
  • 17th Amendment

    17th Amendment
    established direct election of United States Senators by popular vote. It also alters the procedure for filling vacancies in the Senate, allowing for state legislatures to permit their governors to make temporary appointments until a special election can be held
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    World War I – 1914 – 1918

    This was an era in which the global conflict of World War I and its effects had an impact on all Americans.
  • George S. Patton

    George S. Patton
    He was commander of U.S forces in North Africa and Sicily. Led Third Army across Europe. He believed U.S should turn on & fight Russians after Germany's surrender .
  • Woodrow Wilson

    Woodrow Wilson
    He was president from 1913-1921. Also an advocate for women's suffrage. President during WWII. He supported U.S membership in League of Nations but the U.S failed to join. Proposed Fourteen points as the basis for post-war peace.
  • John J. Pershing

    John J. Pershing
    He was named commander of American Expeditionary Foce during WWI by Woodrow Wilson. Insisted that the U.S soldiers fight as a unit and not be spread throughout Frech forces. He led forces at the Battle of Argonne Forest.
  • 18th Amendment

    18th Amendment
    Efectively established the prohibition of alcoholic beverages in the United States by declaring the production, transport and sale of (though not the consumption or private possession of) alcohol illegal
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    The Roaring 20s

    This was also an era of significant prosperity and social change as Americans became more isolationist and responded to significant change in social norms, consumerism, technological advances and artistic achievement
  • 19th Amendment

    19th Amendment
    Prohibits any United States citizen from being denied the right to vote on the basis of sex.
  • Warren G. Harding

    Warren G. Harding
    He was president from 1921-1923. Appointed friends to positions; Teaapot Dome scandal tainted his reputation. Called for a "return to involvement; emphasis on prosperty at home.
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    Great Depression: 1930s

    Beginning with the Stock Market Crash in 1929, this era is marked by severe depression and the increasing role of the Federal government to improve the economy.
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    Rise of Dictators and World War II – 1930s and 1940s

    The rise of totalitarian governments in Europe and East Asia led to World War II and involvement of the United States in that conflict
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt

    Franklin D. Roosevelt
    He pulled out the country from the Great Depression with the New Deal. Declared war on Japan after bombing of Pearl Harbor. He worked closely with Winston Churchill during WWII
  • Douglas MacArthur

    Douglas MacArthur
    Commander of the U.S army in the Pacific during WWII. He was commander of U.S forces in Korean Conflict. He had a disagreement with Truman over use of nuclear weapons in North Korea and China. Public criticism of Truman led to his removal.
  • Chester W. Nitmitz

    Chester W. Nitmitz
    Was commander of the Pacific Fleet during WWII. Commander at the Battle of Midway victory. He successfully organized halt of Japanese advances.
  • Joseph McCarthy

    Joseph McCarthy
    He conducted hearings to identify the communists. He had no proof of his allegations ever provided. He led to a hunt for communists.
  • Harry S. Truman

    Harry S. Truman
    He was president from 1945-1953. Used atomic weapons against Japan to bring WWII to an end. Assisted in the founding of the United Nations. Executed policy to contain communism.
  • Hector P. Garcia

    Hector P. Garcia
    Mexican American physican and surgean during WWII. Human rights advocate and founder of American G.I Forum. He was the first Mexican American to serve on the U.S Commision on CIvil Rights. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984
  • Omar Bradley

    Omar Bradley
    General during WWII. Was selcted by Eisenhower to lead U.S forces into France after Normandy Invation. Commander during the Battle of the Bulge. He pushed his troops for the final offensive into Germany.
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    Civil Rights – 1950s, 1960s and beyond

    This era highlights the issues of emerging rights for minorities and the leaders and critical events of the modern 20th century civil rights movement.
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower

    Dwight D. Eisenhower
    Was a suprerme court commander of D-day and allied invation of Europe in WWII. President from 1953-1961. he created the Interstate Highway System in 1956 and he also extended U.S containment of communism policy to the Middle East.
  • George Marshall

    George Marshall
    Army CHief Of Staff and advisor to Roosevelt during WWII. Created the Marshall Plan designed to rebuilt Europe. Served as Truman's Secretary
  • Rosa Parks

    Rosa Parks
    Arrested for refusing to give up her sear on a bus to a white person. Her actions later led to Montgomery Bus Boycott
  • Cesar Chavez

    Cesar Chavez
    He was leader of The Chicano Movement to eliminate racism against Mexican Americans. He demande increased wages and better working conditions. He emphasized non-violent methods.
  • John F. Kennedy

    John F. Kennedy
    Supported Space Race. Failed to overthrow Castro. He created Alliance for Progress and Peace Corp. He avoided the nuclear war.
  • Martin Luther King Jr.

    Martin Luther King Jr.
    Leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He advanced Civil Rights using non-violent civil disobedience. Leader on the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
  • Betty Friedan

    Betty Friedan
    She was leader in the Womens Liberation Movement. She contributed to the creation of N.O.W and became the central voice of Women's Movement. She wrote The Feminine Mystique
  • Phyllis Schlafly

    Phyllis Schlafly
    conservative activist. Founder of the Eagle Forum that opposed moder feminism. She campaigned against Equal Rights Amendment.
  • Richard Nixon

    Richard Nixon
    President from 1969- 1974. Normalized relations with the Red China. He introduced detente with Soviet Union. He resigned office to avoid impeachment after Watergate scandal.
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    Late 20th Contemporary Issues 1980s – 2000

    An era of change as the U.S. experienced the end of the Cold War, new conflicts in the Middle East, the impeachment of a President and a controversial election to begin a new century
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    Cold War – Post WWII through the 1980s

    This post-war era is marked by issues of communism vs. democracy in Europe and America after World War II. It includes the United States and the Soviet Union as competing superpowers in the balance of power. The escalation of the Cold War from containment to the outbreak of the Korean War and foreign policies of the Kennedy / Johnson years including the growing conflict in Vietnam as well as the ending of the Cold War in the 1980s.
  • Ronald Reagan

    Ronald Reagan
    Reduced taxes &regulations to encourage business activity -Reaganomics. Belived you achieve peace by being prepared for war. His presidency saw the beginnings of the end of the cold war. He was president from 1981-1989
  • Sandra Day O'Conner

    Sandra Day O'Conner
    She was appointed to Supreme Court in 1981. First female Justice. Established her voice as a swing vote between conservatives and liberals
  • Bill Clinton

    Bill Clinton
    President from 1993-2001. He balance federal budget-cut spending, raised taxes on rich and closed military bases. Supported NAFTA. He stood against human rights abuse Kosovo and China. Avoided impeachment.
  • Barack Obama

    Barack Obama
    1st African American to be elected President. He appointed Sonia Sotomayor to Supreme Court. He supported different health care reforms and banking reforms
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    21st Century

    Early in this century America dealt with a new threat of terrorism at home with the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11 and a decade of the “War Against Terror”. This era also marked the election of the first African-American President of the United States in 2008