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Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is the act of taking risks economically and creating a new product or idea and making profit off of it. In this time, entrepreneurs helped revolutionize the way we do things. -
YMCA
YMCA stands for Young Men's Christian Association. It was apart of the social gospel movement. YMCA had libraries, kitchens, a place to exercise, and housing. Was founded to put Christian principles into practice-caring and concern for others. -
Cornelius Vanderbilt
Cornelius Vanderbilt is a businessman who built wealth in the railroad industry. He monopolized the railroad industry, which was one of the first industries to be monopolized. Cornelius Vanderbilt was a philanthropist and also founded Vanderbilt University. -
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a poor Scottish immigrant whose hard work, investments, and risks allowed him to push the production of steel to the lowest levels possible.Through the Bessemer Process, which Carnegie was the first to invest into, steel was able to be mass produced. Eventually Carnegie will control all phases of production making him a millionaire. Carnegie was a philanthropist who gave back through charities, donations, and learning (libraries). -
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Transforming the West
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Morril Land Grant College Act
The Morril Land Grant College Act founded new universities in thinly populated areas (usually the west). They were able to do this through taxes put on the sale of public land. They were usually colleges that benefited ag and the mechanical arts, A&M, LSU. -
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act was put into place to help populate the west. This act basically gave away free land - 160 for every settler. Settlers were able to keep the land after 5 years if the land was "improved". The type of settlers that took advantage of this act were landless farmers, former slaves, and single women. -
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Becoming an Industrial Power
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Promontory Point, Utah
Promontory Point, Utah was where the Transcontinental Railroad met at from the east and west. The Union pacific built west and the central pacific built east. The two met in the middle in May 1869. -
Black Lists
Black lists were created to let other employers know who the "trouble making" employees were. They basically told of all their bad characteristics and whether they would starts a union and riot. -
John Rockefeller
John Rockefeller, the "Carnegie of oil production" did the same as Carnegie business-wise. He controlled 90% of domestic oil. Went to vertical integration from horizontal - he had gained control of all phases of production, making him a millionaire. He is considered the wealthiest American of all time, and the richest person in modern history. He is said to be a robber baron and philanthropist, founding the University of Chicago. -
Telephone
Invented by Alexander Graham Bell, the telephone made communication easier and faster. With the invention of the telephone and its advancements, many more advancements were made. -
Battle of Little Big Horn
During the Battle of Little Big Horn, George Custer - who led the offense before reinforcements arrived, died. He wanted to be a hero, but had underestimated the force of the Native Americans, resulting in him being slaughtered. Although his mistake cost him his life, the media portrayed him as a hero, downplaying his error. This resulted in further settlements and reservations for Native Americans. -
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The Guided Age
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Silver Act
The Silver Act a compromise between the hard money and soft money dispute. It was in favor of the democrats. The Silver Act caused prices to skyrocket, and silver prices plunged. This is the main cause of the Panic of 1893. -
Light Bulb
The light Bulb was invented by Thomas Edison in 1879. He and his team tested more than 3,000 designs between 1878 and 1800. He finally created by filling a patent for an electric lamp with a carbon filament. With the creation of the light bulb, electricity spread and allowed for longer days working etc. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act was put into place in 1882. It banned further immigration of the Chinese into the United States. Chinese faced racism and violence, and were wanted out of the United States because they were "taking jobs". It was the first law meant to keep an entire ethnic group out of the United States. -
Pendleton Act
The Pendleton Act was put into place to stop the spoils system (which was created by Andrew Jackson). It was brought to the attention when President Garfield was assassinated by Charles Guiteau because he had not gotten a job. The act stated that all government positions must be based on merit and not relations. This established the civil service reform exam which everyone was required to take to test their qualifications. -
Time Zones
Time zones were created because of the operations of railroads. When railroads became more prominent a sudden need for a uniform time became necessary. With the creation of time zones, there became a set schedule for departure and arrival. -
Great Upheaval of 1886
The Great Upheaval of 1886 was a wave of labor protests and strikes nationwide. This work stoppage occurred on May 1, 1886. Several workers were killed at a reaper plant in Chicago by police while attempting to keep the strikeout out of Chicago. -
Haymarket Riot
The Haymarket Riot occurred on May 4. It was planned protests for killed striker at Haymarket square Chicago. 300 police officers came to breakup the protest. A bomb explodes and kills 7. The police get angry an attack the crowd and the press exaggerates calling it a "riot". This damages the labor movement in the 20th century. -
Dawes Severalty Act
The Dawes Severalty Act called for the breakup of reservations and the assimilation of Natives into an American Christian society, into familiars and landowners. It did so by allotting them 160 acres (for families) to farm. Attempting to get them off of welfare, they installed a 25 year trust to maintain the land. -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was put into place to outlaw monopolies like Carnegie's steel, Vanderbilt railroads, and Rockefeller oil. It was the first interference of Congress to prohibit trusts. Monopolies eventually found a way around this act through the creation of holding companies. -
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Imperialism
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Wounded Knee
Wounded Knee was a massacre which ended the lives of 300 Sioux. The Sioux were a group of Native Americans. They were performing a Ghost Dance when a gun accidentally went off. The Ghost dance was a peaceful ritual in which the natives hoped would stop westward expansion of whites and the retrieval of their land back. Wounded Knee was a significant event in natives attempts to get their land back because it was a harsh defeat. -
Worlds Colombian Exposition 1893
The Worlds Colombian Exposition 1893 was a fair held in Chicago to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival to the New world in 1492. -
Depression of 1893
The Panic of 1893 was caused when the silver act was passed making silver the currency. It lasted 4 years and during the depression the currency is switched back to gold by President Cleveland - making the depression worse. -
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show was a fictitious show representation of the west. A former scout and buffalo hunter started the show in the east. he show dealt with Indian fights, cowboys and cattle drives, lassoing, and marksmanship. Many Americans today got their idea of the west from this show. -
Pulman Strike
Pullman strike This was a nonviolent strike which brought about a shut down of western railroads, which took place against the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago in 1894, because of the poor wages of the Pullman workers. It was ended by the president due to the interference with the mail system, and brought a bad image upon unions. -
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Progressive Era
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Temperance
Temperance was the restraint from alcohol. During the Gilded Age many women wanted to ban alcohol because they were being put in danger when their spouse drank. -
Election of 1896
The election of 1896 involved William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan. McKinley was a republican while Bryan was a democrat. McKinley believed in the gold standard while Bryan supported free silver. Basically the major debate was what the official coinage/currency should be. William McKinley will win the presidency but it is not the end for Bryan. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson challenged Jim Crow. It basically legalized segregation as long as all facilities were equal, "separate but legal". EX: buildings, restrooms, libraries. By equal meaning the same standards. -
Cross of Gold Speech
The Cross of Gold Speech given by William Jennings Bryan who was a democrat. Not only was he a democrat, he was also super religious (Christian). He believed in free silver as American coinage. He said in his speech "Americans are crucified big business". He thought that Silver will help the nation prosper. Although he did not win in the election fro president, his ideas remained into the Progressive Era. -
Klondike Gold Rush
The Klondike Gold Rush was the last great gold rush in the west.It took place in north western Canada. it happened between 1896-1899. Attracting about 100,000 people, the Klondike Gold Rush had 30-40,000 miners find gold. -
Yellow Journalism
Yellow journalism is a type of journalism is american media. It consisted of aramatic, sensationalist, highly exaggerated stories. During the progressive era, yellow journalism was used against the Spanish. They exaggerated the war, stating that the Spanish abused, raped and murdered women in Cuba. Yellow journalism definitely influenced the US part in joining the war. -
Treaty of Paris (1898)
The Treaty of Paris (1898) ended the Spanish-American War. It resulted in Spain giving up Cuba, and Cuba becoming a puppet state. Cuba agrees to make concessions so US forces leave. The treaty acquired Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the US. -
U.S.S. Maine Incident
The U.S.S. Maine Incident was meant to deter Spanish loyalist and defend American property. On February 15, 1898, the U.S.S. Maine Incident explodes in the Havana Harbor. The media (yellow journalism) blames the a;ready weak Spanish. In reality the explosion was due to faulty design, but that didn't stop the media from blaming the Spanish and push for US entry into the war. -
Open Door Policy
The Open Door Policy was strictly economic, no military interference. It was a US sponsored, non-bonding agreement (can leave the agreement whenever they wanted). It declared China open to everyone for trade and exports.There were no duties nor taxes. Chinese collected product fees. The main point was to stop Europe form colonizing China. Although they allowed china to collect fees, China was still upset with foreign domination. -
Henry Cabot Lodge
Henry Cabot Lodge was an advocate for updating the military. (Navy). The US navy was the 3rd most powerful navy. He fought against participation in the League of Nations. -
Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington was a prominent black intellectual and former slave. He taught at Tuskegee Institute which as at the time industrially based. He taught blacks to become vocational workers. He believed in Black improvement, not social justice.He believed that to achieve equal rights later on in life, you must be equal economically with whites. -
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion was a society of righteous and harmonious fists. Men of China went around and fought people to intimidate foreigners. They were terrorist campaigns aimed at Europeans and Americans. The attacked foreigners everywhere in China. The Chinese government secretly funded them. Th US ensured that China wouldn't be taken over, Europe and American armies rescued the foreigners and put down the rebellion. China was fined over $300 million for supporting the boxer rebels. -
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD
Many soliders returning home are diagnosed with PTSD. Before this war, PTSD was not a actual disease. They are traumatized from being in a war zone, seeing dead bodies, and being a target. They have a difficulty recovering after the war. -
Ku Klux Klan
The KKK was 6 million strong. They rode the wave of fear following the Red Scare, suffrage, prohibition, and immigration. They were initially suppressed by the government and eventually said to be supported by them. The KKK were against Catholics, Jews, Backs,and Immigrants. -
Platt Amendment
The Platt Amendment made Cuba a puppet state. Guantanamo Bay became an official base. Cuba also needed permission from the US to enter any international treaty.It was repealed in 1934. -
Meat Inspection Act (1906)
The Meat Inspection Act (1906) stated that the government can condemn meat. A book called "The Jungle" written by Upton Sinclair told the story of a struggling immigrant family. It told the story of rotten meat and severed fingers and rat feces in food. Thus making people call for change. -
Gentleman's Agreement
The Gentleman's Agreement was a President Teddy Roosevelt executive order. It limited Japanese immigration, with the exception of Hawaii (needed Japan laborers for sugar plantations).The Japanese issued passports for families not in America. Picture brides. -
Muller v. Oregon
During the Progressive Era, many women stood up to fight for equal rights. Muller v. Oregon was a case fought due to the fact that it was legal for states to regulate women's working hours. States cut women's hours only to cater their reproduction health needs according to state. -
Model T
The Model T was a car made by Henry Ford. The Model T was a huge success due to its affordability, sturdiness, and reliability. The Model T only came in black. Henry Ford was able to mass produce cars due to the assembly line process. -
Big Stick Policy
The Big Stick Policy showcased American power. It was a foreign policy by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt's that basically meant to declare Latin American countries off limits to other European nations. And that if necessary, they will show force. Europe reacted positively. -
Anti-Japanese laws in California
Japanese came to California looking for agricultural jobs. This worried Californians ab Japanese over running and taking all the jobs and money. Thus, making them want to halt immigration.A series of laws were passed that restricted Japanese immigratoin, living, and jobs in California. EX: California Alien Land Law -
Federal Reserve Act
The Federal Reserve was very powerful, they held funds in emergency times. They also set loan rates and currency. They consisted of private institutions of banks and public board of governors - which were appointed by the government. They are the central banking system of the United States. -
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World War I
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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary (which controlled Serbia) was visiting Sarajevo, Bosnia. Serbia already wanted to be independent of Austria-Hungary and join Bosnia (they had same language, culture etc.). A group called the Black Hand wanted to make a statement and kill Franz Ferdinand by throwing a bomb into his car. The thrower missed and Franz Ferdinand survived. Later, when visiting those who were hurt, Franz Ferdinand was seen by a Black Hand member and was killed. Causes ww2. -
National Park System
The National Park System was established in 1916 by President Theodore Roosevelt. In cooperation with his own beliefs, the public demanded for the creation of national parks. The NPS runs all historical sites. -
Pancho Villa
Pancho Villa raided Columbus, New Mexico. General John Pershing goes after Pancho Villa and 700 miles into Mexico. Pancho Villa was being chased by both the Mexican and American Army. Thinking smart, he leads the two armies into each other. War is averted. -
Zimmerman Telegram
The Zimmerman Telegram was a secret telegram between Germany and Mexico. The telegram proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico. Convinced Japan to attack German colonies in hopes to distract and defeat them. British intercept the telegram causing Americans to want war. -
Espionage Act
The Espionage Act declared it was a crime to obstruct military recruitment, encourage mutiny, and to spread lies.This law was used against socialist and communist during World War I. -
Sedition Act
The Sedition Act was a law against writing or speaking disloyal information about the government (your opinions). SCOTUS upholds this law. This law was used against socialist and communist during World War I. -
14 Points
President Wilson's 14 points stated democracy in the world. Free trade, disarmament resolution of territorial disputes. These points were later taken as the basis for peace negotiations at the end of the war. A major point was the League of Nations. -
Spanish Flu
The Spanish flu was a new strain that caused a worldwide pandemic. Millions will die. 25 Million Americans get sick while 675,000 die.Some even thought that the flu was the result of a German tactic meant to weaken them. But it was not, and where it originated us unknown. -
Redrawing international boundaries of the Middle East
AFter World War I, there was a need to redraw the world map. The Ottoman Empire had dissolved, British takes over that land. Germany lost all of its colonies and turns into the "modern middle east". -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed on the anniversary of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The treaty involved no input from Germany, and was directed mainly at Germany. Germany had to pay for everything. Paid $20,000 in reparations, couldn't rebuild their army, forced to give up colonies and take responsibility for the war. The Treaty of Versailles was the cause of WW2. -
Fundamentalism
Fundamentalism is the strict interpretation of the bible - literal, history, morality. Christian Fundamentalist did not like Darwinism and evolution, and didn't want it to be taught in school. It was very controversial. -
Marcus Garvey
Marcus Garvey believed in sending African Americans back to Africa. He was a Jamaican immigrant. He took the idea of economic betterment from Booker T. Washington. UNIA universal negro improvement association, counterpart to NAACP. Wanted to buy land in Africa where they can live free from racism. Liked separateness of Jim Crow. The government worried about him starting a violent movement, Garvey was convicted of mail fraud in 1923, was sent to prison, then deported. -
Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was an artistic movement in in the 1920s-1930s. They celebrated black culture. Culture consisted of photography, musicians and writers. About improving lives. Whites adopt the music part, try to claim jazz. It denounces blacks trying to be white, and discouraged skin lightening and hair straightening (natural looks). -
Jazz
Tan pan Alley, NYC music publishers and singers, Becomes world capitol of Jazz, dominates American music in late 19th early 20th century. Evolved form Harlem Renaissance. Jazz venues become popular. Many thought jazz enticed lewd behavior. -
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1920's
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19th Amendment
The 19th amendment gave women the right to vote. More specifically, it made it illegal for states to deny voting rights to any citizen based on sex. -
Explosion in car ownership
A new culture has come about, car ownership is spurring due to Ford's Model T and assembly line increase in cars called for more and cleaner roads. Cost 20-40% of take home income. Many bought on credit, and it sometimes cost 100% f their income. Cars caused pollution. -
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald was an American writer, whose works told of the Jazz Age. He achieved limited success in his lifetime, he is now widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. he is the author of The Great Gatsby. -
Margaret Sanger
Margaret Sanger was a nurse and birth control advocate. She believed having children made women impoverished. Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic. It educated women about the dangers of illegal abortion and taught of contraceptives. -
John Scopes
John Scopes was a 24 year old substitute teacher who taught evolution. He was arrested and gone to trial. Also known as the monkey trial the scopes trial took place in Dayton, Tennessee. This case was a money maker for Dayton, and although it caught the attention of a lot of media, Scopes was found guilty and fined $100. -
Mein Kampf
Mein Kampf translates to "My Struggle". It was written by Adolf Hitler while he was in jail for 9 months after being charged with treason. In Mein Kampf, he blames all of the problems on Jews, and explains how he wants territory in Eastern Europe. It was a hit. -
Spirit of St. Louis
Single engine plane in which Charles Lindberg made the first transatlantic flight. He flew solo nonstop from NYC to Paris in May 1927. He flew to win the $25,000 prize. His plane was called Spirit of St. Louis. -
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The Great Depression
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October 20, 1929
On October 20, 1929, the stock market crashed. It began 10 days of plummeting stock. Investors sold off their stocks, which thousands of ran off banks. Million lost their life savings. Banks lost money, prices were over inflated. As stock prices fell, there were no profits to pay off loans. -
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover was orphaned as a child.He grew up to be the president in 1928. He was a humanitarian. Despite becoming president,Hoover was a poor speaker, introverted. The beginning of his presidency was good, he believed in limited government intervention and business cooperation. He would be considered what today is a conservative. -
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt was the eyes and ear of FDR, she was his right hand. Eleanor Roosevelt was Franklin Roosevelt's 5th cousin and wife. She was extremely caring for people. She was the first first lady to have a clause-opens door for women in politics, role model for thousands of women. She was also the first outspoken 1st lady. She traveled lots and was never really in DC, she rarely went to the south because she couldn't stand racism. Even after FDR death she continued to be a leader for women. -
Huey Long “The Kingfish”
Huey Long “The Kingfish”, a former corrupt governor of Louisiana, became senator and also wanted to run for president. He was a socialist. He initially supported The New Deal, but said it wasn't working fast enough. He pushed FDR to go further left (towards socialism).He believed in old age pensions, veteran benefits, and the Share Our Wealth plan, a redistribution of wealth. He declared that no one would make over $1 million. H was a presidential threat to FDR but was assassinated in Sept 35'. -
Election of 1932
The election of 1932 occurred during the stock market crash of 1929. Running was republican Herbert Hoover and democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt. Herbert Hoovers fate had been sealed since the Bonus March incident. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 5th cousin of Teddy Roosevelt, and a conservative. He wins overwhelmingly due to his charismatic and likable character. -
Glass-Stegall Act
The Glass-Stegall Act put regulations on Wall St. It was apart of FDR's plan to pull America out of the depression. It was passed to counter the failure of banks. It stopped commercial banks from participating in the investment banking business. It stated that there would be no speculative loans and created the FDIC. -
The New Deal
The New Deal was a series of reforms to fight the depression. It ran from 1933-1937. President Franklin D.Roosevelt got together what was known as The Brain Trust, a group of extremely smart people with PhD's to form the new deal and bring America out of the depression. The New Deal reignited the Progressive Era, creating dozens of new government agencies. -
The Dust Bowl
The Dust bowl was a series of storms. Top soil from drought and poor farming was blown away by wind from the mountains resulting in dust storms that were so severe when encircled by the storm everything was completely dark. The southern plains were hit the worst and blanketed major cities. People barricaded themselves in their homes and many cattle will die from suffocation. There was hardly any agriculture which made the depression worse. The government paid people to plant and replenish soil. -
Invasion of Poland
In September of 939, Hitler and his army invaded Poland. They used the tactic called, Blitzkrieg, which meant a lightning war. It was called that because it was fast, with tanks, planes, and infantry. It was meant to penetrate and surround. This will make Britain and France declare war on Germany. -
Cash and Carry
Cash and carry was a policy adopted by the United States in 1939 to preserve neutrality while aiding the Allies. Britain and France could buy goods from the United States if they paid in full and transported the goods themselves. -
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World War 2
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German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
The German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact was an agreement between Hitler of Germany and Stalin of the Soviet Union. The agreement stated that neither will declare war on each other nor attack one another. The agreement was mainly meany to buy time so that Hitler can fight on one from (West) and Stalin can prepare his army for when Hitler does attack. -
Dunkirk
Dunkirk occurred in June of 1940. It was a military evacuation of 300k+ soldiers to Great Britain. They were evacuated on military and private ships so that the soldiers may live to fight another day. If they didn't escape the West front would have been lost. -
The Great Migration
The Great Migration is the moving of African Americans from the south to the North in search for jobs and to better their lives. Approximately 6 million people migrated. -
Navajo Code Talkers
Bilingual Navajo speakers were specially recruited during World War II by the Marines to serve in their standard communications units in the Pacific Theater.They communicated over telegrams in their language so they could not be easily translated.It was a difficult language to learn. The Navajo Code Talkers were able to make significant advances. -
Lend Lease
The Lend Lease was an agreement between the US, Great Britain, and Russia.The US agreed to aid them by lending them used ships, guns, and machinery. They were to negotiate the price later. -
Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941)
Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack that occurred on December 7, 1941. The US froze Japan assets and stopped oil shipping due to Japan invading other Asian areas and killing millions. Japan was angered by this and surprise attacked them because they were unable to declare war on the strong US. 8 battleships were permanently damaged, planes and ships were destroyed, and many died. They failed to cripple the Americans, but did make Americans want to fight. -
Bataan Death March
April 1942, American soldiers were forced to march 60 miles to prison camps by their Japanese captors. It is called the Death March because so may of the prisoners died en route. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major battle in the European theater of WWII fought in the winter of 1944-1945 in which the Nazi armies launched an offensive against the Allies in Belgium but lost.The Nazi loss in the Battle of the Bulge sealed the Third Reich's fate-- the Allies were free to invade Germany, causing its downfall. -
18th Amendment
The 18th Amendment made the sale and consumption of alcohol illegal. By 1917 it was illegal in most states. There were wet states and dry states in which you could consume alcohol. It was a direct result of suffrage. Although it was law, it was hardly taken seriously. Even members of the government possessed alcohol. -
17th Amendment
The 17th amendment allowed voters, not state legislatures, to appoint senators to congress. This came about when Muckrakers (overzealous journalist) investigated government scandals pushing for Americans to support this new amendment. 2 senators per state. -
20th Amendment
The 20th amendment changed the term dates for presidency and congress. It stated that the presidential inauguration would occur in January instead of in March. It was in March due to the amount of time it took boats to travel and spread communication etc way back when. -
21st Amendment
The 21st Amendment repeals the 18th amendment which banned alcohol. The 21st made alcohol legal again.
