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1492
Discovery of America
While it was not exactly a discovery, Columbus's discovery of America set up the initial dynamic of the Americas. Spain to rule over central America, France to trade in fur, and England to colonize. It similarly perfectly illustrated the desire for gold and silver of many early colonizers as the Spanish rushed to kill and conquer natives for their wealth. -
Period: 1492 to
Early US History
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Jamestown
Jamestown was the first British settlement in mainland America. It established the tobacco trade which would be incredibly influential in the South for years to come. The planter class began to form around this early cash crop. -
The Headright system
This system gave out hundreds of acres of land based on how many people one paid to bring to America. This created an immediate wealth inequality. However, it also laid the way for Jeffersonian republicanism. Every free man to have land. -
Battle of Mount Hope
The battle of Mount Hope marks the end of effective Indian resistance in eastern America. King Phillip's war was waged by an alliance of Indians. This war is considered the last chance Indians had to kick out whites. It failed and as a result, American colonization sped up. On the other hand, the British began looking for ways to end this fighting which would eventually lead to the Proclamation of 1763. -
Sinners in the hands of an angry God
This sermon, given by Johnathan Edwards, was incredibly influential in the massive religious revival America underwent from the 1730s-1740s. George Whitefield was another famous pastor and the two made a tag team to play good cop bad cop. George argued a personal relationship with God and thus created a culture more religious than any other which was primed for the religious reforms of the 1800s. -
Battle of Fort Necessity
This both kicked off George Washington's military career and put America in the thick of the Seven Years' War. This war would cost Britain and America dearly in the pocketbook. As a result, Britain moving forward would begin levying taxes and generally regulating America with such things as the Proclamation of 1763. -
Treaty of Paris(I)
This treaty brought to an end the Seven Years' War and is often sighted as one of the primary reasons behind America's revolution. While it granted enormous territories to Britain and by extension America, it left Britain with an enormous debt. Further, the British refusal to allow Americans to use the newly gained land as part of the Proclamation of 1763 in the same year left many Americans feeling cheated. -
Stamp Act
This act was the first noticeable effort of the British to tax the American colonies. In this case, fair and balanced taxes were on all paper documents and, as a result, they did not like it. This created a backlash which eventually forced the act to be repealed. Both the sons and daughters in their ways resisted. Men were quite violent in their efforts to stifle Britain while women produced goods to replace British ones. -
Townshend Acts
A series of four acts that 'reasserted' British rule over the Americas. Instead, they infuriated Americans and caused a redoubling of the Sons of Liberty's efforts. Now including violence, tarring and feathering, and desperate pleas for the removal of these great injustices. All this revolting caused the British to back down on all the taxes except the tea tax. This would directly lead to the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Massacre
This 'massacre' in it of itself was a small thing. Five men dead because a mob was harassing and injuring British soldiers. However, the propaganda created following the massacre is what cemented its stardom. This massacre along with Thomas Paine's common Sense both made waves among Americans. -
Boston Tea
The Boston Tea party was a disregard for tea that Britain simply could not stand for. Americans had been fed taxes and were sick of all things England. So many sons of liberty dumped an entire shipment of tea into the sea. This contributed to British anger and led directly to the intolerable acts. -
First Continental Congress
The intolerable acts passage was simply too much for Americans. Especially the lack of home rule for Boston and the quartering of soldiers were not appreciated. As a result, they convened in Philadelphia and sent a 'friendly' letter to keep George asking him to bugger off. They also prepared an army and agreed to meet again. -
Lexington
Fighting began before any sort of war was declared. General Gage was made aware of the locations of rebel leaders and decided the best decision was to swiftly kill them and seize the rebels weapons at Concord. He beat the rebels at Lexington in what can best be described as a staring contest. However, after finding Concord empty due to a number of fast messangers, including Paul Revere, he turned to return to Boston. All along the way, he was ambushed and so the rebels took heart. -
Common Sense
This work was incredibly influential in motivating soldiers to enlist to the newly forming nation. Further in the depths of valley forge this in conjunction with American Crisis kept the soldiers alive in spirit. This book and the bible are the two best selling books in America for some time. -
Declaration of Independence.
This declaration was, for some time, taken as law due to the lack of a federal government to actually pass laws. It declared the enlightenment ideas of life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as the law of the land. In the writing of the constitution and articles of federation were deeply inspired by the document. -
Burgoyne surrenders
The British plan was simple, Cut New England off from the rest of the colonies by hitting through New York. Unfortunately, Burgoyne was unsupported by his fellow commanders. As a result, he was forced to surrender. This victory helped convince the French to join the war to aid America the following year, ultimately the deciding factor in the war. -
Valley Forge
Following, Sir William Howe's capture of Philadelphia, Washington was forced to retreat into Valley Forge. Due to America's inability to raise funds backed by commodity, nobody trusted America's money. Therefore, to stay alive Washington was forced to resort to 'Gentlemen's plundering'. This resulted in many people losing any faith in American money. -
ratification of the Articles of Confederation
This first government of the United States was frankly stupid. However, it got the job done for the Revolutionary War. This confederation importantly would come to include the Northwest Ordinance. This ordinance established the path to statehood for the Old Northwest. Importantly, it banned slavery in these new states which would play into Antebellum compromises. -
Cornwallis surrenders
Due to a lack of knowledge of France's activities in the war, Cornwallis moved to Yorktown to regroup. However, a combined French and American assault forced him to surrender. This led directly to Britain's surrender as they did not want to risk all-out defeat. -
Treaty of Paris(II)
This treaty officially gave America all of its colonial territory and the territory Americans were barred from colonizing in the Proclamation of 1763. This treaty reconciled approximately no one. Britain maintained several military bases within American borders until they got it together. Further, Americans were not yet willing to work together as Shays' rebellion would prove just a few years later. -
Shays' rebellion
Many Massachusetts citizens suffered greatly due to the economic fallout of the revolution. Debtor's prisons, forced labor, and high taxes led many to exercise their claimed right to rebel. The failure to quickly deal with this led Massachutes to beg the Fed for help which they could not give as they had no real power under the articles. Mercenaries eventually put the rebellion down but this led to proposals for a new constitution. -
Constitutional convention
This convention was called to deal with the issues of the Articles of Confederation. Namely, it did not function. The government had one house and required a supermajority to do anything. Two plans were proposed, the Virginia which favored a single legislature based on population, and the New Jersey plan which wanted the same government America already had but with revisions. -
Constitution ratified
following many compromises including the three-fifths clause counting each slave as just that amount of a person towards representation. During the convention to create this constitution the Northwest ordinance guaranteed that the balance of slave and free states would be made. The Connecticut plan was proposed and accepted with the stipulation of a bill of rights to accompany it. The Connecticut plan created a bicameral plan with each branch being the proposed government of each side. -
Washington elected
Washington's election was in many ways a joke. Nobody would vote against the hero of the revolution. Washington set many precedents in his tenure including the inaugural address, having a cabinent, putting your hand on the bible to swear the oath of office, a two term limit, and more. He leaned generally towards federalism, that is a bigger federal government. -
Washington DC
Seeing the value of a centralized capitol, Washington enabled the creation of Washington DC. This was not the only centralizing move he made, however. He further, approved Hamilton's plan of assumption, tariff bill, and national bank. These acts were disliked by many states but most of all Virginia for several reasons, however, due to Washington's popularity these were swept under the rug. -
Proclamation of Neutrality
Jefferson was a prominent Anti-Federalist who wanted smaller government and was a strong ally of France abroad. Therefore when France called for help during its revolution, Jefferson was a big supporter. Jefferson being the cabinet member in charge of foreign affairs expected Washington to agree. Instead, Washington once more sided with Hamilton. Jefferson resigned by the end of the year. -
Jay Treaty
Britain had begun impressing US citizens into its navy to assist in the Napoleonic wars and paying terrorists to attack the US in the form of Indians. Washington seeing the foolishness in fighting Britain sent John Jay to negotiate a settlement. The settlement did very little to actually protect Americans but it did ease tensions and avoid war. -
John Adams Inauguration
John Adams was endorsed by Washington and naturally won the election as his successor. Adams was even more into Federalism than Washington and since he was not nearly as popular this caused problems. His presidency has been considered a bit of a disaster as the two main events, the XYZ affair where France flipped the American country off, and the Alien and Sedition Acts where the Fed created laws specifically empowering the Federalists' supporters and marginalizing everyone else. -
Revolution of 1800
This historically peaceful change in power, set it straight that America could change politics without violence. Of course, the transition was not without incident. At the last minute, Adams made several midnight Judicial appointments. This created a bit of political turmoil and left Federalists in power long after their time but regardless it was a historic occasion. -
Louisiana Purchase
Following all of the turmoil with France such as the XYZ affair, many Americans were not too fond of France. However, due to government changes in France and the Napoleonic wars, Napoleon was not interested in North American territory but instead in cash. America looking to settle yet further west was willing to buy. This was a bit of a crisis of conscious for Jefferson, however, as he did not believe he had the right to make the purchase but purchase he did. -
Lewis and Clark
Lewis and Clark were commissioned to explore the new Louisiana territory the same year as Marbury V Madison. This landmark court case gave the court enormous powers, which they admittedly needed to do their job. Specifically, they could now declare laws unconstitutional unlike the states because that was no longer allowed. Lewis and Clark mapped the west setting the way for later homesteading. -
Embargo Act
This act was meant to dissuade Britain from dissing America and allow America to become a Jeffersonian republic, that is one of free farmers. However, as it turns out Britain was not dependent on American goods. Further, the best way to encourage the manufacturing of a good is to ban all foreign access to it. Therefore this act to encourage agriculture actually created the first American industrial boon. -
James Madison inaugurated
James Madison's presidency started with the end of the Embargo Act. The Embargo was quite disastrous to the US economy. Fletcher V Peck, an important court case shortly after the inauguration, declared that contracts were legally binding despite their legality. -
The War of 1812 begins
The declaration of war came as a result of continued violation of the Jay treaty. Fighting was rather scarce. The white house burned down but the British failed and America attacked Canada but failed. In the end, the Treaty of Ghent ended the war due to both sides feeling stalemate. However, due to many Americans hearing about the victory at New Orleans before the treaty, many believed that the British were surrendering, therefore this made opponents of the war(Democratic-Republicans) look bad. -
Madison recharters the federal bank
Madison rechartered the second bank for twenty years and this timing would later be disastrous in the form of Andrew Jackson's bank war. However, more relevant to people of the time, America had suffered both an economic boom and destruction. The previous embargos had encouraged industry but an all-out war with Britain made even smuggling an impossibility creating further industrial growth in America. However, many homes were destroyed so this bank seemed like a good idea. -
Rush-Bagot treaty
In an effort to relieve tensions, James Monroe signed this treaty with Britain limiting military vessels in the Great Lakes. This would mark an uptick in Anglo relations which would not reverse course despite some hiccups. This along with the end of the War of 1812 put Americans in a mindset of internal affairs. This would lead to the Missouri compromise as Americans now had time to hash out old disputes. -
Missouri Compromise
Following the panic of 1819, in which the economy tanked, all states suffered. However, the further McCulloch V Maryland court case banned state taxation of the Fed. This created great tensions on seemingly unrelated matters. Namely slavery, this compromise maintained the balance of slave and free states by admitting Maine into the Union with Missouri. Further, it banned slavery north and west of Missouri's southern boundary. -
Tariff of 1824
Alternatively, the 1828 expansion of this: the tariff of abominations. This tariff was meant to protect fledgling American industry. However, the South saw it as a bill to increase the price of all the goods they needed to import. Monroe meanwhile is also busy creating a doctrine, the Monroe Doctrine. The principle thereof is that it is America's duty to protect the Americas. -
Corrupt Bargain
The election of 1824 was highly contested due to the aforementioned tariff. Jackson got the plurality of the vote, however, after a private meeting between Speaker of the House John Clay and John Q. Adams, the House decided John won. This would lead to Adams's presidency being a nothing burger as he could not get anything done. -
Jackson Inaugurated
Following the corrupt bargain, Jackson easily won the election. He then proceeded to trash the White House in a massive party. Modern democrats' most hated act of his was the Indian Removal Act which led to the trail of tears. Or the brutal and forced movement west. -
Jackson declares Bank War
Jackson vetoed the renewal of the second bank of the US. Using strong and patriotic language, Jackson convinced many that the bank was unconstitutional so his opponents had no feet to stand on in opposing him. Following this he won reelection and continued to clamp down on federal banks much to the expense of the economy. -
force bill
Jackson believed the Southern states' nullification of a recent tariff. Jackson saw this as an irreconcilable event. So he passed the force bill, giving him the right to force states to comply. Fortunately, this did not lead to war due to Henry Clay's negotiated compromise. -
Jackson recognizes Texan independence
Mexico, for years, had wished to develop its frontier territories and the best method they saw was attracting American settlers. One problem said settlers wished to be American. This led to the Texan Revolution which eventually defeated Mexico but importantly applied for statehood. This would lead to another compromise on slavery. -
William Henry Harrison Inaugurated
William gave a long speech and then died. Tyler his replacement, caused a bit of a constitutional crisis by claiming that the Vice President becomes the president when the president dies. Nonetheless, his term mainly revolved around the annexation of Texas. This would directly lead to Polk's later invasion of Texas. -
first telegraph
This first American telegraph was small potatoes but it paved the road for transnational lines, transcontinental lines, and Lincoln to give direct orders during the Civil War. On the subject, things were heating up as bleeding Kansas or settlers rushing into Kansas to swing the state toward slavery or freedom was at its height. Further John Brown violently attacked many Southerners. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The annexation of Texas sparked an inevitable war with Mexico over the boundaries of the new state. James K. Polk further provoked the Mexicans by putting troops in the disputed territory. This treaty was all things considered, somewhat lenient. Mexico lost only the claimed lands of Texas and a somewhat arbitrarily designated path to the Pacific coast. It did create even more problems as to the admittance of Texas however which would be attempted to be resolved in the compromise of 1850. -
Compromise of 1850
Growing regional tensions and the admittance of California needed to be addressed. This bill both banned the trade of slaves in DC and required northern states to return escaped slaves to the South. Further, it defined the boundaries of Texas and left the future of more western territories up in the air. Importantly, it left no one happy, as any good compromise does. This would lead directly to the violence on the senate floor six years later. -
Sumner Brooks affair
In the creation of the state of Kansas, many underhanded methods were used to ensure the state was pro or anti slavery. In the senate, Charles Sumner made arguments to revoke the recent illegitamate Kansan government. However, in the process, he insulted a relative of Preston Brooks. Brooks preoceded to cane Sumner near to death. The southern praise of this action and similar northern praise of John Brown created irreparable divisions. -
South Carolina secedes
Lincoln had a long political career before his election and much of what he said ran directly contrary to Southern beliefs. So the second the winner of the 1860 election was announced, South Carolina seceded. SC being the mouthpiece of the South many more Confederate states seceded before Lincoln was inaugurated. Lincoln therefore said in his inaugural address, 'In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war.' So a war it would be. -
Emancipation proclamation
In an intelligent play by Lincoln, He offered a reward to states who rejoined the Union: they could keep their slaves. However, for all those who continued to resist, slavery was to end. This was not really an offer as the states were in the middle of fighting. However, more important was the international message. European states would not side with the side of slavery in a war, as such Britain pulled support for the Confederates. -
the invention of dynamite
This invention would allow for the construction of Mount Rushmore. Further, it changed the mining industry into a much more efficient industry. Mount Rushmore helped the US establish dominance over the Red Skins. -
the great Chicago fire
The great fire which left a hundred thousand homeless would send shockwaves through cities not ready for the modern world. Hence building codes requiring fire safety would be brought about in many cities. Many political machines, however, would come about in the following decade to slow this fixture down. -
Colorado gets statehood
Starting a push towards women's right to vote, Colorado and other western states gave women the vote as part of their constitutions. Further, this marked the civilization of Western states as they finally gained the population necessary to become fully-fledged states. Ever westward, for the future. Notably, Custard took his last stand around this time. -
invention of the incandescent light bulb
This is a much cheaper and importantly safer(although still flammable) method for lighting up the dark. This would move in the direction of nighttime culture. Cities would eventually install street lamps with this which would allow safe nighttime travel. -
James A Garfield dies
James A Garfield was shot 79 days before but his fat kept him alive. This would lead to Chester A Arthur replacing him. His presidency would mark the first growth of an American debt problem that would never go away. -
the international Meridian conference
Marking a big step forward for international cartography it created a standardized center to the world. This would also come just a couple of years after the Chinese Exclusion Act. This created one of the first major barring of foreigners from entering the US. It was much stricter than many later laws limiting European entry. -
The last Greenback Candidate
Dedicated to workers' rights and the continuation of Greenback money these advocates of producerism would only run in three elections and were, of course, defeated. Producerism is the doctrine that those who make things are the most important to society. For example, a farmer who grows food is better than a captain of industry who manages production. -
Interstate commerce act
This bill would be the first direct oversight of private commerce. It created the ICC which would ensure that railroad companies did not practice discrimination. This would also serve as a model for many future regulations. -
battle of wounded knee
The battle of the wounded knee and a few other one-sided battles like it cemented the end of the Indians. With this Manifest Destiny could finally be achieved in full. On top of this, it led America to look elsewhere for conflict, namely Spain. -
Panic of 1893
Due to several factors including international speculation collapse and lack of specie due to bank runs by foreigners. This was one of many economic collapses which Americans weathered with grit. Instead of like the great depression where they surrendered their rights and abdicated responsibility. -
San Juan Hill
Teddy Roosevelt Charges uphill and wins the war. The Spanish-American war was fought, for all intents and purposes to kick Spain outta the continent. Yellow journalism and general sensationalism lead many to despise the Spanish for quite some time. -
acquisition of the Philippines
After the Spanish-American war, the United States fought insurgent local Philippines to restore order to the island. After defeating said forces, America established a local autonomous government that was friendly to the USA. This state was allowed complete autonomy in 1946 and was a good example of an early mandate. -
San Francisco Earthquake
Leaving hundreds dead, this event would quickly be forgotten as San Francisco rebuilt bigger and better. The gold rush was now officially in the past. Now hardly a footnote in San Francisco's path to having the first roller coaster. -
End of Roosevelt's 2nd Term
Theodore Roosevelt was, of course, widely renowned for his trust-busting. However, he also established numerous national parks and enriched America's foreign policy. He oversaw the construction of the Panama Canal by fomenting a revolution in Columbia and then subordinating the new nation that came out of it. -
End of William Howard Taft's Presidency
Acting as a continuation of Roosevelt's anti-trust bills, he levied eighty suits against large companies. Unlike Roosevelt, however, he stepped back from direct presidential action. This was probably morally correct but cost him reelection. -
America enters WW I
America's entry into WW I was done primarily to avenge the unrestricted submarine warfare. However, it also led to a pair of unconstitutional laws abridging the First Amendment.(sedition and espionage) Further, those who broke them were jailed for upwards of fifteen years. -
the end of WW1
Woodrow Wilson took a vested interest in getting his ideas across to the Europeans and Asian present at the conference. Firstly, most nations would receive self-determination(as long as they had not opposed the allies). Futher, a powerless international organization would be created to mange international affairs: the league of nations. -
the 19th amendment
Women's contribution to the nation did not go unnoticed in wartime and as a result suffrage. While blacks would need to get their right to vote a second time before it became the law of the land, this was nonetheless the last major grantage of voting rights for a unique group. At about this time a number of pensions and free colleges were also given out to soldiers. -
Ascension of Calvin Coolidge
A prominent Republican and former vice president, Calvin was a laissez-faire kind of guy. He was laconic, spoke softly, and avoided government intervention. Overall, many today call him a do-nothing, but some now and most then appreciate his low taxes and his willingness to let things run their course. -
Le Grand Gatsby
The Roaring 20s was an era where crime became the normal and expected outcome. People drank in excess and enjoyed every whim and fancy they could. Further, speakeasies helped to mix races and spurred popular Jazz music. -
The sacking of Sacco and Vanzetti
Two anarchists said to have murdered two local New Yorkers were sentenced two death. Just one problem, they seem to have had nothing to do with the murder. Further, their Italian heritage and anarchist beliefs were played up in court. Still not the worst piece of oppression in our history. -
Smoot-Haweley Tariff Act
Herbert Hoover was generally considered a do-nothing president due to his lack of communication with the public. However, he actually took what he and many others considered to be extraordinary measures to preserve the economy. Unfortunately, this tariff was not what the country wanted to hear and its consequence of collapsing international trade made no one happy. -
Bonus Army troubles
Herbert Hoover's decision to refuse payments to veterans due to the lack of money to pay them led to problems. Congress, of course, was in charge of money, however, the president had vetoed a bill promising money to veterans on the basis that the government did not have the money. So the white house was hounded. -
The 20th Amendment
This amendment was more of a practical one, it allowed newly elected congresses to get right into action after being elected. (pretty immediately anyway). This also would be just one in a myriad of actions taken by FDR to increase federal action. His depression response was inordinate and stupid but it won support. -
Works Progress Administration
The WPA was provided to create a more long-term solution to the economic depression. In actuality, it just created a government dependency which disallowed the growth of businesses. However, it must be admitted that it did lots of good for developing underdeveloped regions of America. -
Court packing scandal
Roosevelt mounts pressure on the court by attempting to add more justices to the court. He eventually backs off but the threat alone was enough to get him what he wanted. This sets a dangerous precedent for future presidents' power. -
Beginning of WW II
Hitler kicks off the Second World War with a bang by blitzing Poland into the dirt. This part of the war, of course, is known as the phony war. Hitler crushed Poland and allies pulled out their lawn chairs and watched. This would soon change as Hitler also takes out the Benelux and then France. -
The Day of Infamy
The Japanese were angry we cut off their oil. They wished to seize as much oil as they could to ensure they could maintain a war against us and their other enemies. What they did not expect was the swift and powerful response of the United States. -
Battle of Midway
The United States delivers a turnaround punch. Japan recognizing they would lose a protracted war, attempted to surge forward and capture as many islands as possible. Unfortunately for them, America won the battle and sank multiple aircraft carriers leaving them on the back foot. -
D-Day
The first step in the downfall of Germany, this invasion was very deadly. America and Britain led the charge and would soon press into the heart of darkness. There they proved why the world ought to be free. -
GI Bill
This bill would officially make America one of the more educated countries in the world. American soldiers would get free access to college, trade school, cheap home and business loans, and more. This bill was immensely helpful in setting up the baby boom to follow. -
Iwo Jima
This battle marked the last non-Japanese island the Japs had captured in the Pacific. It was all their homeland to be fought over now. This would not, however, mark the end of Japanese resistance. America would not be dissuaded. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan was developed by Marshall to prevent another war in Europe. The idea was that a prospering nation could not possibly desire war. So we give billions of dollars to European countries to help them rebuild and heck it turned out great. -
Brown V Board
Brown V Board overturned Plessy v Furguson and would in theory allow blacks and whites into the same school. However, in reality, black students would need armed escorts to make it through the front door. This would provide potentially a worse education than even the underfunded black schools. -
National interstate and Defense Act
The biggest public works project to date which would connect America as it had never been before. It would connect the country and allow for expanded commerce. This would forever reshape the country and allow for connections far beyond what was expected before. -
National Defense Education Act
This bill was perhaps an overstep by the government but it was good. This provided cheap loans for would-be college students. This allowed not just soldiers but everybody with a ten-gallon hat to become educated and receive a higher-paying job. -
Freedom Rides
In order to test out new laws forcing Southern integration of the races. The laws were not quite enforced. As a result, many of the riders were injured and thus very able to give sob stories. These stories encouraged an even further push towards equality. -
Voting Rights Act
This landmark legislation once again forced the South to abide by northern principles. Of course, the principles were of course good ones. However, this would cause some backlash into the 70s until in the 80s it became cooler to be black than white. -
My Lai Massacre
This massacre ultimately doomed LBJ. The republicans did not like his domestic policy and the democrats did not like his foreign policy. However, it did do wonders for the Vietnamese death toll counter. -
Watergate Scandal
Nixon had very little faith in his reelection despite his extreme popularity. To combat this, he indirectly ordered the placement of a listening device in the democrat's Watergate complex. This would cause his resignation sometime later. -
Nixon Resigns
Nixon fears he will be the first president to be impeached. He therefore resigns instead to maintain the integrity of the office. Ford, his VP, pardoned him two months later. In the meantime, many people developed intense personal hatreds for Nixon. -
Camp David Accords
These secret negotiations between America, Israel, and Egypt would pave the way for peace. For a weak president like Jimmy Carter, this allowed him to prop himself up. Ultimately, the treaty was a bad deal but did end the war. -
Election of Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan was renowned for his people skills and his ability to pass legislation won by a landslide. He survived an assassination attempt with seeming ease. He then started many good policies but ramped up federal debt. -
Iran-Contra Affair
Despite Reagan's initial anti-Iran stance, it was discovered in 1985 that for the length of Reagan's first term, he had dealt arms to the Iranians. While this was a major blow to his trustworthiness, it was far too little to stop his storm. Reagan's immensely strong economy and combativeness towards the Soviets won many back to his side. -
Reagan Signs INF
After the ascension of Mikhail Gorbachev, Reagan, and many others considered it a good time to back off aggression. The INF treaty limited and banned many types of intermediate-range missiles. This brought the last major threat of cold war violence to an end. -
Rodney King Riots
Many people talk about police brutality and this is what many point to when they speak of historic examples. The riots were sparked by perceived police brutality a year earlier. -
START II Treaty
Although due to numerous factors this treaty never actually went into effect, it did mark the potential for good relations between Russia and the United States. It would later be replaced by SORT. START would be one of the few things Yeltsin signed before 'retiring'. -
Oklahoma City Bombing
Following mounting unrest about what a post-Soviet world looked like, ex-soldier Tim Mcveigh took it into his own hands. Making a homemade bomb of do-it-yourself materials he destroyed an entire federal building. The FBI claims they did everything perfectly with regard to it. -
NASA Pathfinder Lands on Mars
Launched two decades earlier, the sojourner collected atmospheric data on Mars. This was considered huge as man had finally left the Earth-Moon system. This was all in all a pretty nice event. -
9/11
America was attacked by terrorists and for the next decade would dedicate itself to the killing of said terrorists. However, America would also wrap itself up in numerous conflicts in the Middle East, some of which unnecessary. Regardless, the world still watches the aftereffects of this attack.