Political Events that Shaped the organization known as the United States from 1941-1980
By kylemcknight
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Period: to
Time Frame
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Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, commences when Japanese fighter planes launch a surprise attack on United States soil, destroying the U.S. Pacific Fleet docked at the base as well as taking as many as 2,000 American Sailor's lives. One day later, the United States of America declares war on Japan. This revealed a massive break in communications within the organization known as the US Navy. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Manhattan Project Agreement
The Manhattan Project, also know for forming the Atomic Bomb, was a major agreement between Great Britain and the United States. This project resulted in collaboration between two different nations which fostered advancements in organizations between nations. http://history1900s.about.com/od/1940s/a/Manhattan-Project.htm -
First Atomic Bombs Dropped on Japan
President Truman gives the order to utilize the atomic bombs that were completed due to the Manhattan Project. The first atomic bomb lands in Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later the second bomb is then dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. On August 15, Emperor Hirohito of Japan surrenders. This is the a time the United States backed up their demands to Japan, and ended up being one the most debated actions by the US http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
NATO Formed
The North American Treaty Organization, is formed by the United States, Canada, and ten Western European nations (Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, United Kingdom). The treaty stated that any attack against one nation would be considered an attack against them all. Unified independant countries, and consolidated the vision of multiple countries into one organization. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/nato -
Korean War Armistice
Fighting ceases in the Korean War. North Korea, South Korea, the United States, and the Republic of China sign an armistice agreement. Getting all of these countries together and come to the negotiating table brought some serious advancements in communication. The events surrounding the Korean War and all the different players involved brought about the need to level communication between radically different organizations. http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/todays-doc/?dod-date=727 -
Brown vs. Board of Education Decided
The ruling of the court stated that racial segregation violated the 14th Amendment's clause that guaranteed equal protection. This was the beginning of radical change throughout the United States, mandating that seperate is not equal. This is where some of the first steps of accepting and treating everyone fairly. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/brown-v-board-of-ed-is-decided -
Interstate Highways Approved by Congress
Interstate highway system begins with the signing of the Federal-Aid Highway Act. This was the largest public works act that organized the construction of highways to link military organizations in case of an attack. http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=88 -
50 Star Flag Unveiled
After Alaska and Hawaii were added to the US, it was important as the organization known as the US to show the symbolic addition by adding two new stars to the American Flag. http://www.usflag.org/history/the50starflag.html -
Cuban Missle Crisis
In response to the Soviet Union building offensive missiles in Cuba, President Kennedy ordered a naval and air blockade of military equipment to the island. An agreement was eventually reached ending the potential conflict after thirty-eight days. This was the closest "almost war" the US has seen. Kennedy stood up and protected our nation just as the former president did with Pearl Harbor. http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/Cuban-Missile-Crisis.aspx -
Thurgood Marshall sworn in as Surpreme Court Justice
Thurgood Marshall is sworn in as the first African American Supreme Court Justice. This marks as a checkpoint to the previous event of Brown vs. Board of Education. Slowly but surely the US is completing the transition as a whole. http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/thurgood-marshall-sworn-supreme-court -
Martin Luther King assassinated
African American Civil Rights leader MLK is assassinated by James Earl Ray in Tennessee while standing on a balcony at his hotel. All the previous and current progress that was being made came to a standstill. Both sides of this racial incident left scars and affected the organization of the US. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/martin-luther-king-jr-assassination -
US wins "Space Race"
Apollo 11 program completes its mission. Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to set foot on the moon four days after launch from Cape Canaveral. The US was in a race to reach the moon first, and the organized efforts of multiple organizations led to the successful mission to step foot on the moon. https://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/topics/apollo/apollo-program/landing-missions/apollo11.cfm -
Watergate
On June 17, 1972, several burglars were arrested inside the office of the Democratic National Committee, located in the Watergate building in Washington, D.C. Although it is not known if then President Richard Nixon knew of the attempt to bug and collect information from the event, it was later proven that he took steps to cover it up. This led Americans to have doubt in the communication and truthfulness of the political leadership of the US. http://www.history.com/topics/watergate -
Philadelphia Legionnaires' disease outbreak
Twenty-nine people attending an American Legion convention in Philadelphia are killed by a mysterious ailment. The Center of Disease Control found out one year later after tests that it was bacterium. This was the first unprecedented wide investigation effort by government and eventually turned out that there was no foul play. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_Philadelphia_Legionnaires'_disease_outbreak -
The Iran Hostage Crisis (Story behind the movie ARGO)
Sixty-three Americans are among ninety hostages taken at the American embassy in Tehran. Just like Zachary Taylor also included in his timeline, this can be illustrated as important to the US based on the following quote by historian Gaddis Smith, "the crisis absorbed more concentrated effort by American officials and had more extensive coverage on television and in the press than any other event since. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/carter-hostage-crisis/
