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Period: Jan 1, 1492 to
1492-Present Day
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Virginia House of Burgesses
This is the first governmental institution set up independantly by the colonies. -
Mayflower Compact
This was the first governing document of the Plymoth colony, in which the people agreed to abide by the will of the majority. -
Second Treatise of Government
John Locke redefines the nature of government, his second treatise of government greatly affects the American Constitution. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies (all but Georgia) met in Philadephia to discuss common greviances against Great Britain. -
Virtual Representation
This was the concept that the American colonists were represented in Parliament because every member of Parliament represented every British subject. Colonists did not like this idea and fought for real representation, and they believed that Parliament did not have the right to tax them as they were not truly represented. -
Declaration of Independence
The colonies declared themselves independent from British rule and declared that they would no longer abide by the laws of the crown. They explained that independence was the only way that they could preserve their rights. -
Articles of Confederation Ratified
The first written governmental plan after independence was gained by the colonies is the Articles of Confederation. This can be seen as the first time a solely American Government exists. -
The Constitution Goes Into Effect
The constitution is the basis for all government in the United States today, it was written after Shay's Rebellion shocked the nation into realizing the flaws of the Articles of Confederations and a need for a more permanent constitution of laws. The constitution outlined a more powerful federal government, as opposed to the weak federal governement and stronger state governments under the articles. -
The "Elastic" Clause Goes Into Effect with the Ratification of the Constitution
The necessary and proper clause, or "elastic clause" tilts the balance in favor of federal rather than state government. -
The First Bank of the United States is Created
The bank is chartered largely due to Alexander Hamilton's loose interpretation of the constitution. -
Marbury v. Madison
This is the first time an act of Congress is declared unconsitutional, and it establishes the principle of judicial review. -
Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson purchases the Louisiana territory from France and expands the power of the federal government in doing so. -
Monroe Doctrine
The U.S. declared that any further European efforts to colonize or interfere with the Western Hemisphere would be seen as acts of agression and that the U.S. would intervene. -
Spoils System
During Jackson's presidency, he gave federal jobs to his political supporters as a reward for supporting him and an incentive to keep supporting him. -
First Congressional Override of a Presidential Veto
Congress overrules John Tyler's veto of an appropriation bill. -
Homestead Act
The Homestead act is passed granting 160 acres of western land to anyone who desires it. -
Congress Passes the Conscription Act
Required able bodied men of a certain age to enter the draft. -
Political machines dominate politics in cities
Political machines, such as Tammany Hall in New York City, controlled politics by using the spoils system and promising supporters civil service jobs. Led by Boss Tweed, Tammany Hall promised jobs to immigrants who would vote for democrats in elections. Although this was an example of corrupt politics, it was helpful for some immigrants and did lead to some improvements in cities. -
The government practices (almost) laissez-faire capitalism
During the Gilded Age the government is not very involved in the country's economy. There are very little regulatory programs in place at this time and the economic system is very close to laissez-faire "hands-off" capitalism. -
Period: to
Gilded Age
The goverment is not very involved in the economy and little legislation is passed during ths time. -
The first government regulatory agency is established
The Interstate Commerce Commision (ICC) is established by the federal government in an attempt to regulate railroads, ensure fair rates, and stop fraud. Although created with good intentions, it has little effect. -
Government Begins to Look Towards Imperialism as the Fronteir Closes
The Census determines that a fronteir with an inhabitance of less that 2 people per square mile no longer exists. -
Period: to
Progressive Era
During this time period, people looked to the federal government to fix problems caused by industrialization. -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
The government passed the Sherman Anti-Trust Act in an attempt to regulate monopolies and corporations. This act forbid anything that resulted in a "restraint of trade", but because it failed to clearly define a restraint of trade it was often used to break up labor unions instead of monopolies. -
McKinley Tariff is passed
The government passes the highest tariff to date in the Tariff Act of 1890 (called the McKinley Tariff after Congressman William McKinley). This tariff was supported by Republicans and raised the duties on imported goods. This hurt farmers who were already in debt because it caused other countries to raise their tariffs on American goods as well. -
Pullman Strike
President Cleveland sends in the Army to break up the strike at the Pullman Company, his reason being that mail delivery was being disrupted. -
Wilson-Gormon Tariff is passed
This tariff was supported by Democrats and slightly lowered the rates of the McKinley Tariff. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Segregation is upheld in this Supreme Court case and the idea of "seperate but equal" facilities is introduced. Unfortunately for African Americans, the seperate facilities for them were almost never equal to the ones for whites. The government did not do much for civil rights for blacks at this time. -
Spanis-American War Begins
U.S. Declares war on Spain -
Theodore Roosevelt Takes Office
During his term from 1901-1909, Theodore Roosevelt enlarged the powers of the presidency through trust-busting (specifically Northern Securities and Standard Oil). He also created the Square Deal, which focused on consumer protection, conservation of natural resources, and controlling corporations. -
The Pure Food and Drug Act/Meat Inspection Act are passed
These acts are passed during Roosevelt's presidency in response to recent exposes of the food industry (specifically The Jungle by Upton Sinclair) for the purpose of consumer protection. These acts required companies to label their products accurately and set standards for cleanliness in the meatpacking industry. -
16th Amendment
This amendment allows Congress to levy an income tax. -
Woodrow Wilson Elected President
Woodrow Wilson Is elected to the office of the President after working as the governor of New Jersey and the President of Princeton University. -
17th Amendment
This amendment allowed for the direct election of senators. -
The Federal Trade Commision is established
The FTC is established during Wilson's presidency and can regulate businesses and investigate violations of antitrust laws. -
Clayton Anti-Trust Act
Passed during President Wilson's presidency, this act allowed the government to break up trusts and corporations in restraint of trade. It could not be used to be used against labor unions, making it more effective than the pervious Sherman Anti-Trust Act. -
Keating-Owen Act Signed
Attempts to combat child labor by banning interstate trade of products produced in factories employing child workers. -
18th Amendment
This amendment prohibited the sale and transport of alcohol in the United States. -
19th Amendment
This amendment gave women the right to vote. -
Period: to
Great Depression
The government offered aid to the people and became much more involved in people's lives and began to control more of the economy in FDR's New Deal. -
Reconstruction Finance Corporation
Also known as the RFC, this agency was established to provide financial aid to banks, companies, and states for public works programs. This was one of the only actions taken by Hoover to help end the deopression, as he believed that the depression would get better on its own and the government should not get too involved in the economy. -
Tennessee Valley Authority
The TVA was a program in which the government funded the building of dams in Tennessee to provide cheap power and create jobs in the impoverished Tennessee area. This marks one of the first significant events in which the government went into direct competition with private businesses. -
Agricultural Adjustment Act
The Agricultural Adjustment act payed farmers not to farm in an attempt to increase the demand and therefore price of farm goods. -
Federal Emergency Relief Act
Federal Government distributes hundrends of millions of dollars in aid. -
Banking Act
The banking act was responsible for creating the FDIC, a function of the government that insures money deposited in banks. This was put in place to prevent future bank runs. -
21st Amendment
The 21st Amendment ends prohibition. -
National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act)
This guaranteed collective bargaining for unions and outlawed blacklisting. -
Social Security Act
The government institutes a social securirty tax to fund a hand out system for the elderly and those unable to work. -
Fair Labor Standards Act
This act established a minimum wage, baned child labor, and created a maximum work week. -
Period: to
World War II
The government focuses its efforts on victory over facism in Europe and Japan. -
GI Bill of Rights
The GI Bill of Rights (also known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act) provided college or vocational education to returning WWII veterans. It also provided 52 weeks of unemployment compensation and loans to buy houses or start businesses. -
Truman is Sworn Into office
Harry S. Truman the vice president is sworn into office as a result of FDR's death. -
Period: to
Early Cold War
The government focuses on containing communism in any way possible without engaging in actual military conflict with the Soviet Union. -
Containment
George Kennan proposes "containment" a method of preventing the spread of communism across Europe. -
Truman Doctrine
President Truman declared that the United States would aid countries fighting communism and support freedom around the world. $400 million was given to Greece and Turkey to help them resist communist rebels. -
NSC/CIA established
The National Security Council (NSC) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) were created by Truman to counter espionage and gather intelligence about the Soviet Union in relation to the safety of the United States. -
HUAC investigates communists
Originally created in 1938, the The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) investigates "Un-American" propoganda and activities during the Cold War. HUAC accused many people of being communists or communist sympathizers, including the Hollywood 10, and tried to influence people to expose other people as communists. -
Marshall Plan
The US governemtn lends money to European countries to help rebuild them from damages caused by the war. The idea behind this was to deter these countries from becoming communist and strengthen their ties with the United States as opposed to the Soviet Union. -
US joins NATO
The United States joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance against the spread of communism. Other countries in NATO included Great Britian, France, and Italy. -
Hidden Hand Presidency
Eisenhower practices what is known as a hidden hand presidency, appearing to the public as if he is above politics. -
Eisenhower is Sworn Into Office
President Eisenhower, Republican and former 5 star general is sworn into office of the president on this day. -
NASA is Created
The National Aeronotics and Space Administration is created by the US government in response to the launch of Sputnik by the Soviets. -
Nixon Resigns
Nixon is the first president to resign from office after the watergate scandal destroyed his image and forced him to vacate. -
Reagan Cuts Welfare Programs
Reagan cuts welfare programs in contrast to the Great Society and liberal ideas that had dominated the time since FDR's presidency.
