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Homestead Act
http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar260740 The Homestead Act was passed so as to be able to provide land to settlers in the West. Under the act, any adult who lived on and improved land for 5 years was eligible for ownership of that land, up to 160 acres. Because of the act, somewhere between 400,000 and 600,000 American families recieved land in the West. The act was not entirely a success as much of the most valuable land had already been given away to railroad builders. -
Coast-to-Coast Railroad Line completed
http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar749678&st=golden+spike Following the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 the Union Pacific Company and the Central Pacific Company set out from the Eastern and Western coasts of the United States, meeting in Promontory, Utah. At this historic spot, Thomas Durant and Leland Stanford, presidents of each of the companies, hammered in the final spike. This spike was made of gold and is currently owned by Stanford University. -
Period: to
Modern U.S. History
From the end of Reconstruction to the dawn of the digital age, U.S. history is wrought with changes and revolutions in technology and thought. In modern times, conflicts are made complicated by the rapid globalization of the world and the fast progression of weapon technology. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar405760&st=chinese+exclusion+act Chinese immigration first began following the Californian gold rush of 1848 and the need for laborers to build the Central Pacific railroad. When the economic depression began in the 1870's, many American blamed the Chinese laborers, causing widespread resentment and hatred. Although earlier acts had protected Chinese immigration, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 prohibiting Chinese immigration -
"American Imperialism"
Imperialism is a policy implemented by powerful empires that includes controlling, either directly or indirectly, surrounding territories. During the 1890s, American imperialism rose as the United States took control of and intervened in Latin America and Central America. More about imperialism in U.S. history:http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/prelude/md_expansionism.html -
Lusitania Sinks
http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar610440 Following the British blockade of German ports, Germany began to use submarines to attack Brtish ships, even neutral ones. This included the Lusitania in 1915. The sinking of the Lusitania marked a turning point in many Americans opinion of the war. Only 2 years later, the US would begin sending troops into Europe to fight for the allies. -
Zimmermann Telegram
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/zimmermann/ The Zimmermann telegram was a very important message because it almost directly caused the United States to enter into WWI. The telegram was sent by German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to Mexcio offering territory in the United States in exchange for military and financial support. British intelligence was able to decipher the telegram and reported the information to the United States. -
"New Negro"
The "new negro" is a term that orginated during the Harlem renaissance to refer to an African-American movement. Originally popularized by Alain Locke in his book The New Negro,the purpose was to move away from the "old negro", otherwise known as slavery. "New negro" suggests education and refined consciousness. Read more about the "new negro" http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/freedom/1917beyond/essays/newnegro.html -
Works Progress Administration
http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar610140 The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was created in 1935 in response to the economic downturn that occured during the Great Depression. As part of the New Deal, the Works Progress Administration aimed to create jobs for unemployed workers following the crash of the stock market. It did this by creating WPA projects, mainly construction work, in order to employ people. -
Kristallnacht
http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar305180 Kristallnacht means Crystal Night in German, but is often translated into english as the Night of the Broken Glass. Kristallnacht was a night that occured from November 9th to 10th during which Nazis broke into and looted thousands of Jewish businesses and synagogues across Germany and Austria. Occuring just a few years before the Holocaust would begin, Kristallnacht marked a build up of anti-semitic feelings propelled by the Nazis. -
Nuremberg War Trials
http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar397060 The Nuremberg trials occured between 1945 and 1949. They put on trial over 180 Nazis. 12 military tribunals were held, each focusing on a different group of Nazi war criminals. Through these trials, a definition of genocide was formed. The trials were lead by the International Military Tribunal which was made up of people from the United States, France, Britain, and the U.S.S.R.. 24 people recieved death sentences during the trials. -
"Iron Curtain"
http://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/42799 The "Iron Curtain" was a term used throughout the Cold War to refer to the barrier between the United States and the U.S.S.R., each with its respective alliances and satellites. The term was first used by Winston Churchill in Fulton, Missouri on March 5th, 1946. The Iron Curtain sealed the U.S.S.R. off from interaction with the democratic western world through a combination of political and ideological policies. -
NATO Alliance Formed
http://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/56176 The NATO Alliance was formed in response to Soviet occupation of parts of Europe following World War II. Established with the Washington Treaty, the original members consisted of Canada, Denmark, Belgium, France, Italy, Iceland, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and the United States. This alliance was a military one, with its main agreement being that if any were attacked, the other would assist. -
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
http://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/16710 In the Supreme Court ruling of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, a uninanimous vote declared that the racial segregation of schools was unconstitutional. Such segregation violated the 14th amendment, which declares that all people deserve equal rights. This ruling also repealed a previous Superme Court ruling that allowed seperate but equal segregated public education. -
Civil Rights Act
http://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/82762 The Civil Rights Act, passed in 1964, aimed to end racial discrimination in the United States. This included, but was not limited to, discrimination in voting, trade and commerce, education, and federal assitance programs. Additionally, the act established a commission to ensure that the act is enforced. -
"Baby Boomer"
http://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/471821 "Baby Boomer" is a term that refers to anyone born between 1946 and 1964 that became popular during the 1970s. During this time, there was an increase in the number of babies born as many couples waited to have children until after the end of wartime uncertainty. The "baby boomers" pose a problem in the near future as the government must support them in their retirement years. -
Roe v. Wade
http://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/125053 In 1973, the Roe v. Wade court case made an important decision about abortion rights for women in America. Since then, two distinct movements were formed. The two sides, pro-life and pro-choice, offer two different points of view on abortion. Pro-life refers to the opinion that abortion is murder and should be banned. Pro-choice refers to the opinion that women have the right to chose to have an abortion, and banning it limits their liberty. -
Iran hostage Crisis
http://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/403631#248558.toc On November 4th, 1979, the United States embassy in Iran was overrun and 63 American citizens were taken hostage. 3 additional Americans were taken at the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The majority of these hostages were held for more then a year and the United States government failed to quickly and effectively secure their freedom. The Iran hostage crisis would late effect US-Iran relations. -
Don't Ask Don't Tell policy
http://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/475965 Introduced by the Clinton administration, the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy allows homosexuals in the military as long as they do not publicize their sexual orientation. While the policy was popular among many Americans, many gay activists disliked it. Homosexual soldiers continued to be dismissed, just for different specific reasons. -
G20 is founded
http://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/474668 Often targeted by antiglobalization protestors, G20 or Group of 20 summits are gatherings of an international body of foreign ministers dedicated towards allowing dialogue on the worldwide economy. The body consists of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States and the European Union. -
Seattle WTO Antiglobalization Protests
http://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/605847 The Seattle World Trade Organization antiglobalization protests lasted from November 28th to December 3rd and are often considered the real beginning of the antiglobalization movement. Seattle lost millions of dollars in property damages and the Seattle police were criticized by many for their harsh tactics. The protestors were made up of people from a number of labor unions, NGOs and other organizations.
