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Wilson's Presidency Term Begins
President Wilson was a supporter of many causes during his terms, most famously, his involvement in WWI negotiations. He proposed the Treaty of Versailles and the Leauge of Nations in order to calm down the tension of the war. He was focused on creating peace based on justice rather than bitterness towards other countries. He also was a supporter of immigration rights and vetoed the Immigration Act which was passed later. -
WWI Starts
Britain, France, Italy, Russia and United States enter into war against Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria, which starts World War I. -
Lusitania Sinking
German torpedo hits British Lusitania ship, sinking it. American public outcry began as tensions rose for the war. -
First Woman Elected to Congress
Rankin not only was the first women in congress, but was against participation in the war, and continued supporting women's sufferage. -
Great Migration Begins
African-American civilians moved from the south to north and west to find better jobs and better oppurtunities for themselves and their families. -
Lenin Leads Russian Revolution
The creation of the Soviet Union formed after the Russian Revolution. Russians began to see more political and social changes in their country after this time. -
Selective Service Act
Passed by Congress, the Selective Service Act created a draft to increase military size and power for the US. -
Espionage Act
Fines of up to $10,000 and 20 years of imprisonment were punishment for interfering with the military. Mail containing critisism of the government and war was able to be detained from being sent. -
Influenza Epidemic Begins
The first cases of the 1918 Pandemic were found in Boston, Massaschusetts. It quickly spread to surrounding states until it reached the opposite side of the country. Almost 675,000 people died from this pandemic in America. Many people were left orphaned or widowed after and struggled to get back to a normal way of life. More preventative medications and hygienic procautions were stressed after this event as America became more aware of the power of unseen forces, germs. -
Wilson's 14 Points
Wilson creates a blueprint of how to form peace negotiations. Though tossed around to different countries, only one idea was included in the Treaty of Versailles - the formation of a world group (known as League of Nations). -
Sedition Act
This act made profane or destructive acts/words against the Constitution, government, or flag illegal. -
WWI Ends
Germany formally surrenders, and other countires eventually began the effort to stop the war officially. -
End of Shenck vs. US
This supreme court case questioned what level "Freedom of Speech" goes to. Shenck gave posters to those drafted into war, suggesting that soldiers go against the government. -
Influenza Epidemic Ends
The deaths of so many Americans created a higher need for precautions of spreading diseases. -
19th Amendment Passed
After the long fight for women to be able to cast their ballot to vote, their voices were heard and congress passed the 19th amendment. This amendment made it possible for both genders to participate and be a part of the government election process. This was a monumental moment in the movement to gain equality for women. -
US Rejects League of Nations Membership
The US believed they would lose too much power if they joined the League of Nations. They feared the inability to have full control of what they did with foreign affairs and military. -
US Rejects Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles proposed to the US involved the formation of an organization to bring all world powers together. Although it was intended to create peace surrounding WWI, the US rejected it. -
Wilson's Presidency Ends
Wilson pressed for a peace treaty to end WWI and was a founder of the rejected League of Nations. -
Immigration Restrictions
Restrictions were put into place to limit the amount of people immigrating to America. These restrictions were mainly places on Southern and Eastern Europeans as Americans believed they were not able to adapt well to the country. -
First Macy's Day Parade
The owners of Macy's department opened their one million square foot shopping center to the public a few years prior to the first Macy's Day Parade. Although titled the Thanksgiving parade, it was originally meant to be for Chistmas. The owners hoped that the parade would bring more shoppers to their store during the holiday season. As years have passed, the popularity has increased to become a nationwide event, gathering crowds from everywhere to enjoy the balloons and entertainment. -
The Great Gatsby Published
F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, captured the jazz age of America. The novel focused on more of the material world associated with this time, with luxury and grandeur that comes with the upper class. Now recognized as one of the top classic books in America, The Great Gatsby teaches both a history of the early 1900's but also about the ideal American Dream of the time. -
Route 66 Opens
The invention of automobiles brought a boom in drivers moving onto the roads. From 1910-1920, the amount of automobile drivers went from 500,000 to 10 million. Now that people could travel farther, larger roads needed to be created to accommodate to all of these new cars. Connecting Chicago all the way to Los Angeles, Route 66 allowed easier travel between the two sides of the country. Route 66 is 2,451 miles. -
Stock Market Collapse
The crash of 1929 was the longest lasting market crash in American history. Stocks became worth only 20% of their value and unemployment reached a high of 15 million (30% of the workforce).
