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Settlement established at Jamestown
The first permanent settlement founded by a British company to generate profits from the new land. Settled only by men they struggled a lot in the beginning and 75% of the population died. After getting help from native groups they begin to grow tobacco generating large profits and bringing more people to the settlement. -
Headright System
Created by the Virginia Company to bring in new settlers to Jamestown. Gave 100 acres of land to people already living in Virginia. New settlers got 50 acres plus 50 acres for every person they paid to bring over. Wealthier British could pay for others to come and get lots of land and money. -
Arrival of Pilgrims in Plymouth
The pilgrims were separatists from the Anglican church. They thought that the church was too far gone and a new one needed to be started. They were persecuted in England so they first moved to the Netherlands. Later they came to North America on the Mayflower, writing the first constitution on the continent with the mayflower compact. -
European Enlightenment
A cultural and intellectual movement that believed in science and reason starting in Europe. Thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Montesquieu, and Voltaire brought new ideas and ways of thinking about the world rationally to Europe. The Enlightenment ideas inspired the American revolution. In the colonies people like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson expanded on this movement. -
First Great Awakening
Religious revival in the New England colonies led by George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards. Greater spirituality and religious devotion where it had previously grown weak. Emotional preaching, personal relationship with God and reading the Bible independent of the church created conflict with the old light preachers. -
French and Indian war
A conflict in North America between France and Great Britain over territory. France started it and allied with local native american groups. Winning in the beginning but was eventually defeated by Britain. Ended French control in North America up to Canada and undermined colonial support to Britain. George Washington started as a general in the war. -
Albany Congress
Benjamin Franklin gathers together a meeting to discuss how the French have teamed up with the Native Americans but it's actually a meeting about how the colonies need to work together. He creates the Albany plan of the Union where the colonies join together to defend off French attacks. It doesn't pass but the people in favor of it form a network to work towards unity and later become the colony leaders. -
End of Benign Neglect
After the end of the French and Indian war Great Britain stopped letting the colonies be very independent and retakes control. The British had high debts from the war and wanted to increase taxes on the colonies they fought to protect. British troops stay in the colonies after the war for more control. The Proclamation of 1763 also established British control by telling the colonists that they couldn't live past the Appalachian mountains like they had hoped. -
Stamp Act Congress
A meeting to discuss the Stamp act in New York with delegates from the Colonies. They disagreed with the act, taxation without representation and other controlling things the British were doing. They resolved to ask the King to repeal the acts and that they were equal British citizens. -
Boston Massacre
British Soldiers were stationed in Boston to control the resistance beginning to form. A large protest of colonists forms in front of them throwing snowballs, some with rocks in them. The soldiers fire into the crowd, killing 5, adding to anti-British feeling. -
Boston Tea Party
In protest of the Tea act a group of men led by the Sons of Liberty threw 342 chests of tea into the harbor causing $1,000,000 dollars today in damages. In response the British created the Coercive acts that closed the port of Boston, established higher taxes to pay back the damages and otherwise weakened colonial power and control. -
Second Continental Congress
After the battle of Lexington and Concord delegates from all 13 colonies meet in Philadelphia to discuss the next move. Split between liberals and conservatives, in a compromise creates the Olive Branch Petition, which is rejected by the King. It is now time for war and they establish the Continental army led by George Washington. -
Signing of the Declaration of Independence
At the second continental congress they write the Declaration of independence. This declares the colonies independent from Great Britain in a very monarchical world. Founding document of the United States. -
Battle of Saratoga
British general John Burgoyne tried to coordinate with two other british armies but one of them gets stuck in the swamp that the continentals knew to go around. This allowed them to defeat Burgoyne's army, the first time anyone had defeated a whole british army. This was a turning point in the war as it showed the french that we were strong and capable, so they sent us troops and a navy. -
Battle of Yorktown
General Cornwallis retreats back to Yorktown and the coast to try and lure the continentals and have a good fort for the winter while they camp in the cold outside. He doesn't know however that Yorktown isn't backed up by the British navy anymore as they were defeated by the French navy. Cornwallis is trapped on all sides and forced to surrender, ending major fighting in the war. -
Shay's Rebellion
Many farmers left to fight in the Revolution and incurred serious debts, causing them to lose their farms and even go to jail. They protested this with guns and attacked the courthouses. The federal government was powerless to stop them and a private army had to stop them from attacking Boston, showing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. -
Constitution Ratified
The Federalists wanted a strong federal government, but the anti-federalists wanted powerful states and weak federal government. The New Jersey plan had every state to get 1 vote in the legislature and the Virginia plan wanted it to be based on pop., the Connecticut compromise make every state get 2 votes in the senate and have the house of representatives based on pop. In order to get the anti federalists to ratify it they added the Bill of Rights ensuring the rights of citizens. -
Funding Act of 1790
Created by Alexander Hamilton to establish America financially and pay off the war debts to gain other nations trust. Assume state debt from the war and pay it off with high tariffs. Virginia didn't like this plan as they had already paid off their debts and didn't want to take on the other states debts, however President Washington sides with Hamilton. -
Whiskey Rebellion
Pennsylvania farmers were unhappy with the federal tax on whiskey and refused to pay it as it messed with their local economy. Washington leads the army to put a stop to the rebellion. It shows the power of the constitution to handle crises. -
Alien and Sedition acts
After the XYZ affair John Adams is unpopular and he dislikes the bad things being said about him. He passed the alien act to deport any alien considered dangerous. The naturalization act made it take longer to become a naturalized citizen. The sedition act made it illegal for newspapers and people to criticize the president or Congress. Very unconstitutional, states declare it null with the Kentucky and Virginia resolutions causing crisis. -
Revolution of 1800
The election of Thomas Jefferson made many afraid that Adams would not leave office peacefully. The first peaceful transfer of power in history. It proved democracy as possible with its success. -
Marbury v. Madison
As Adam's presidency ends he tries to get as many judges in as possible. Marbury sues James Madison for not delivering his appointment. The supreme court rules that what Adams did was unconstitutional, establishing judicial review. -
Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson wants to secure the Mississippi river, so he sends Madison to negotiate and buy New Orleans. Napoleon wants to sell him the whole territory, causing much deliberation for Jefferson. He buys it doubling the Country. -
Embargo of 1807
Great Britain and France are at war again, making trade complicated. Rather than compromise Jefferson stops all foreign trade. This hurts the economy at the time but makes America more industrial and strong in the long run. -
America declares war on Great Britain
The British had been impressing American soldiers and taking our goods. They were also arming Native American groups to attack us. These were seen as acts of war so we declare war, starting the war of 1812 -
The Battle of New Orleans
General Andrew Jackson gathered a ragtag group of fighters to defend New Orleans from the British. They defeated the British with very little American casualties. Although the war was technically already over, Jackson was hailed as a hero that won the war. -
Monroe Doctrine
Created by president James Monroe, it said that America would stay out of European affairs and Europe would stay out of America. Not really able to support it at the time. Very influential on American foreign policy. -
Election of 1824
Henry Clay, John Q. Adams, Andrew Jackson, W.H. Crawford for president. No candidate got a majority electoral vote, so it went to the house of representatives, Clay drops out of the race but meets secretly with Adams and later endorses him and gets secretary of state. Accused of a corrupt bargain by Jackson supporters. Adams wins but most don't like him. -
Election of 1828
With property requirements removed from voting Jackson had a better shot of winning. He created committees that supported him and advocated for his election. With his use of local politics he won the election. -
Nullification Crisis
In 1831 the South is still upset about the tariffs of 1828 and threatened to nullify it as they thought it was unconstitutional and unfair to them. Andrew Jackson halved the tariff but South Carolina still was unhappy and declared both tariffs null and void. They threaten to leave the union if forced to follow it but Jackson threatens them with the army and they accept a compromise that reduces the tariff over ten years. -
Battle of the Alamo
In 1835 the people of Texas declared independence from Mexico, starting fighting. At the battle of the Alamo a group of Texans fought the Mexican army to the death, killing them all. Polk used this to get Americans to support Texas especially with the death of American hero Davy Crockett. -
Economic panic of 1838
The panic of 1837 was a financial crisis caused by fiscal and monetary policies, currency movements, a land bubble, and a falling cotton economy. Many Americans blamed it on the policies of Andrew Jackson as he destroyed the National Bank and its power to regulate the economy. It left America in a multi year depression. -
The Schism
Abolitionist leaders attended a conference to further the end of slavery. This congress elevated Frederick Douglas to national prominence with his moving speech. However women were allowed to attend but not to speak, angering many and causing them to leave the abolition movement for the women's suffrage movement. -
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
Ended the Mexican-American war and settled territorial disputes. America got Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, and California. Greatly expanded the US making us a bi-coastal nation like Polk wanted. -
Seneca Falls convention
A nation wide conference for women and their rights, attended by people like Susan B. Anthony. They wrote the Declaration of Sentiments, written in the style of the Declaration of Independence. A major event in the history of women's rights allowing them to meet for their goals. -
Compromise of 1850
California wanted to enter the Union as a free state. This would upset the balance of free and slave, so Henry Clay created a compromise. California would be a free state, slavery would be phased out of DC, but strict fugitive slave laws would be passed nation wide and new states would vote on slavery. -
Sack of Lawarence
Whether Kansas would be free or slave was put to a vote, causing many from across the country to move to Kansas to sway the vote. A pro-slavery mob came to Lawrence and attacked them and their buildings because they were anti-slavery. Part of Bleeding Kansas it shifted the vote for slavery, but in the end Kansas entered as a free state. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott was an enslaved man who with his wife tried to sue for their freedom. They did so on the grounds of being moved to the free state of illinois. Their case went to the supreme court where it was ruled that he had no right to sue as a citizen and would remain enslaved even in a free state, making there be no real free states. -
South Carolina succeeds from the Union
After the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 South Carolina became the first southern state to succeed from the union. After them all other southern states follow, forming the Confederacy. Lincoln wanted to avoid military conflict but after Confederate troops began to attack he knew it would have to be war. -
Homestead Act
Created in the middle of the civil war to encourage western settlement and "manifest destiny." Every person/family that wanted to try and farm and improve the land could get 160 acres of land that they had to stay on for 5 years to get it for free. Settlers were also helped by the new transcontinental railroad funded by the government. Increased white settlement created more tensions with plains Natives as they lost more land. -
General Lee surrenders at Appomattox
General Lee lost many battles and control of the confederate capital Richmond. He tried to resupply at Appomattox but the union army trapped him. Lee had to surrender to General Grant ending the war. -
13th Amendment
Amendment to the constitution to make slavery illegal except as punishment for crime. Created shortly before the end of the war. It was ratified by most states quickly, Georgia was the last to ratify it, making slavery illegal after a hard fought war. -
Reconstruction acts of 1867
Outlined the parameters for southern states to re-enter the union. It also divided the south into 5 military districts under the control of union generals. This was necessary as the south was refusing to ratify the 14th amendment. -
Election of 1868
After Andrew Johnson was impeached the republicans needed a new candidate. They picked Ulysses S. Grant to go against democrat Horatio Seymour. Grant won by a small margin, continuing reconstruction. -
Economic recession of 1873
The railroads were very important to the economy and employed many people. When the banking firm of Jay Cooke and Company who were very invested in railroad construction, closed on September 18, 1873, a major economic panic swept the nation. This is compiled with the economic policies of the republicans and the switch to the gold standard made many people stop supporting them, switching to the democrats. -
Civil Rights Act of 1875
As the south began to discriminate more against African Americans, Radical Republicans wanted to protect the civil rights of all. The act required full and equal access to jury service, transportation, and public accommodations regardless of race. If the act was properly enforced it would have greatly reduced racial discrimination. -
Political Crisis of 1877
All the southern states were readmitted into the Union for the 1876 election. Republican Rutherford B. Hayes vs. Democrat Samuel J. Tilden for president. Many of the southern states had Tilden winning almost 100% of the vote, which is highly suspect. On the recount however Hayes won which is also weird so Congress had to decide and comes to a compromise that Hayes would be president but military occupation would end in the south. Because of the contested election Hayes wasn't respected. -
the Dawes act
Allowed native americans to claim individual 160 acres of land to farm. Designed to help them by making them like whites, it destroyed their communal culture and way of life. The land was taken from native reservations and the land not claimed by natives was opened to white settlers, causing the native communities to lose even more land. -
Wounded Knee massacre
Tensions were high between the Lakota and US military. Col. James W. Forsyth took the 7th Cavalry to confiscate the weapons and arrest Big Foot. While surrendering many begin to Ghost dance, frightening the troops and when a gun misfires they open fire killing everyone they can. They killed 250-300 and showed the tension between the plains natives and the government. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Louisiana passed legislation requiring railroad companies to segregate cars by race. This was challenged by Homer Plessy who bought a first class seat which was in the white section, causing him to be arrested for breaking the state law. The case eventually made it to the supreme court, where in a 7 to 1 decision ruled for "separate but equal" and that the law wasn't unconstitutional, legally ingraining segregation. -
Sinking of the USS Maine
The USS Maine was an American navy battleship that mysteriously exploded in Havana Harbor, Cuba. This killed 266 sailors and sparked outrage in the US. America blames Spain for it becomes a railing cry for the Spanish-American war, with the US intervention in the Cuban revolution against Spain. -
Tenement Housing Act
The increase in awareness of the dangerous and unsafe conditions in tenement housing led to the Tenement housing act. Theodore Roosevelt was governor of New York at the time and created a committee to investigate and improve the tenements. The new law mandated that every room have at least one window and toilets for every family. The law improved sanitation and made the lots that they had to be built on bigger. -
Anthracite Coal Strike
Coal miners at Anthracite coal mine go on strike for better wages. The owners refuse to negotiate, but the coal mine stopping production would cause shortages. Theodore Roosevelt demands that the owners negotiate or he will send the military to work in the mine. The president siding with labor set a major president, but threatening to take over the mine was a violation of presidential power. -
The Jungle
Written by Upton Sinclair to show the labor abuses in the Chicago meat packing industry. He was a socialist trying to show the effects of wage slavery and government corruption. The book instead lead to sanitation reform acts like the meat inspection act and the establishment of the Food and Drug Administration. -
Creation of the NAACP
The NAACP was created by W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida Bell Wells-Barnett, Mary White Ovington, and was the first civil rights organization. They worked to end segregation and discrimination in public accomodations like schools and voting rights. They were active in the civil rights movement with cases like Brown v Board, their work helped to push forward the movement throughout the decades. -
Standard Oil Decision
In the court case Standard Oil v U.S. the supreme court ruled that the company was monopolizing to an unlawful level. Before this Standard Oil had almost completely taken over the oil industry. It was forced to break apart into smaller regional divisions. Many modern oil companies used to be part of Standard Oil and the decision showed that monopolies wouldn't be allowed. -
Espionage Act of 1917
After America entered world war 1, the espionage act prohibited obtaining information, recording pictures, or copying descriptions of any information relating to the national defense to hurt America or help a foreign nation. It prohibited speech against the government and the war. This reduced free speech rights and hurt freedom in the country. -
18th Amendment
The 18th amendment was the fulfilment of the temperance movement banning the sale, transportation and manufacturing of alcohol. It failed to reduce alcohol consumption and created illegal smuggling rings for alcohol. It was repealed with the 21st amendment in the 30's. -
Sacco and Vanzetti arrested
Sacco and Vanzetti were Italian men blamed for the murder of a shoe store employee. Their court case captivated the nation as it showed the tension about immigrants and communist belief, as they were anarchists. Socialists and other radicals protested for their innocence as the evidence against them was circumstantial, their efforts failed however and the two were later put to death. Post WW1 the first red scare started with the Palmer raids against suspected communists. -
19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment prohibits the United States and its states from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex, giving women the right to vote. The amendment was a major victory for the women's suffrage movement that had been working for decades. It was supported by women helping in the war effort in ww1. Many women were still unable to vote because of race based discrimination. -
Immigration act of 1924
The Act limited immigration by setting quotas based on the number of people of each nationality in the US as of the 1890 national census and giving immigration visas to 2% of the total giving more passes to people from W Europe because people of W European descent were counted in the population numbers. Using the 1890 census allowed them to admit less Irish, Italian and E European immigrants, known as "new immigrants". The act completely excluded immigrants from Asia except for Filipinos. -
Stock market crash of 1929
The stock market crash started in september with share prices collapsing. It was the biggest stock market crash in US history and was a large factor in the Great Depression. Buying stocks on margin left many out for money when they had to pay. Insider trading and speculation created an unstable stock market. Buying on margin gave more people the chance to buy stocks, but after the crash they lost lots of money. -
The New Deal
Created by FDR to help stop the depression, created relief, recovery and reform programs. The FDIC closed the banks for checks and reforms, insuring bank stability. The SEC reformed the stock market regulating trading practices. The NIRA set work codes to create fair work as approved by the president, guaranteed workers right to organize and set price controls. Other programs provided employment temporarily. Many of the acts were unconstitutional, it greatly expanded the role of the government. -
Social security Created
The social security act was signed by FDR as a part of his New Deal program during the Great Depression. It provided financial assistance to retirees, the unemployed, and the disabled. The act was created to encourage retirement and open up more entry level jobs for young people, lowering unemployment. -
Pearl Harbor
Early in the morning the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii. They wanted to take out the pacific fleet and make war against the US easier. We lost 2,335 service men, 188 planes and 18 ships, really hurting our pacific fleet. After this the US declared war on Japan and a few days later Germany and Italy also declared war on the US, marking our entrance to ww2. -
Japanese Internment
In executive order 9066 FDR gave the secretary of war and his commanders the power to create military areas that groups of people could be excluded from. The Japanese weren't named in the order, but it was quickly applied to move them out of the west coast. The Japanese that had been born in Japan had their assets frozen and all of Japanese descent were forced to move into holding camps and sell everything that they couldn't take. This set back the Japanese as they lost homes and businesses. -
D-Day
The largest seaborne invasion in history, with over 15,600 troops and 5,400 ships. After 18 months of planning and faking an attack from Dover, the soldiers stormed the beaches in the morning, with various levels of casualties. It succeeded and the Allies were able to break through Normandy, free France and defeat Germany. D-Day was a major turning point in the war for the allies. -
GI Bill of Rights
The GI bill of rights, also known as the Serviceman's Readjustment Act showed the Government's appreciation for the men that fought in ww2. The bill allowed servicemen to attend college or trade school for free, get low interest home loans, get free healthcare with VA hospitals, and get low interest business loans. The benefits helped ex soldiers coming back home and also boosted the economy with more small businesses, home ownership, and college educated people. -
Executive order 8802
Enacted by FDR, the order helped to end racial discrimination in the government. It prohibited using race to discriminate in hiring. The order also applied to the defence contractors working for the government and allowed many black people to get better jobs in defence contracting. -
The Hollywood 10
The "Hollywood Ten" were a group of filmmakers and screenwriters that were cited for contempt of Congress after refusing to testify about their alleged involvement with the Communist party. It marked the height of the Red Scare in Hollywood, as studios used blacklist policies, resulting in the ostracization and career ends for many suspected of communist activity. The Hollywood 10's defiance became a symbol of resistance against McCarthyism and censorship. -
The Marshall Plan
Created by George Marshall to support the economic recovery of Europe. America would give money to the countries so they could grow their industry, modernize, grow trade and increase agriculture and energy systems. Fighting communism indirectly by fighting poverty, hunger and chaos. The money was given to most western European countries, including West Germany. This improved relations with capitalist Europe. -
Berlin Airlift
Soviet forces blocked rail, road, and water access to Allied-controlled areas of Berlin. They wanted to regain west Berlin under Soviet control. In response the USA and other western countries sent planes filled with food and other supplies to drop over West Berlin. This lasted from June 1948 to May 1949, as the Soviets saw that West Berlin couldn't be crushed so easily. -
Founding of NATO
NATO was created to work against communism and its spread. An alliance between western Europe, America and Canada, it worked for economic and political cooperation. Article 5 in the treaty started that an attack against 1 member would be treated like an attack on all of them. The communist countries also created the Warsaw Pact inspired by NATO. -
Amphibious Landing at Inchon
Appointed by Truman, General Douglas Macarthur led the Korean War. Marine forces landed in Inchon in a surprise attack behind enemy lines. The battle was successful and by late the next day, American forces had overwhelmed the North Koreans and secured the city, allowing MacArthur to land the balance of the invasion force and to move on to retake Seoul. The invasion was a turning point for UN forces in pushing back the North. -
Chinese Second Offensive
The UN forces had pushed the North Korean forces to the Chinese Korean border. After support requests from the North, China sent large numbers of forces to push them back. UN forces were pushed out of North Korea to the 38th parallel. This would lead to the armistice that stopped the fighting, dividing Korea into 2 separate countries, the Communist North and the Capitalist South. -
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
A landmark case, Brown v Board overturned the doctrine of "separate but equal" and declared racial segregation of public schools unconstitutional. This decision was a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, challenging the legal basis of segregation and laying the foundation of desegregation. The decision was unanimous under the Warren court and showed a significant step towards racial equality and integration in the US. -
Emmett Till murder
The brutal murder of Emmett Till, a 14 year old African American boy, shocked the nation and galvanized the civil rights movement. Till's lynching in Mississippi after allegedly whistling at a white woman, sparks outrage, with his mother holding an open casket funeral to expose the brutality of racism with the shocking photographs. The acquittal of Till's murderers by an all-white jury showed the racial discrimination faced by black people in the south, fueling the fight for equality. -
The Eisenhower Interstate Highway Act
Eisenhower created the largest public works project ever at the time. The act updated and modernized the roadways, connecting the car dependent country. To help grow support he used cold war fears as the highways would make evacuation easier and parts of the road could be used as emergency runways. The highway system helped towns connected to it grow, while towns bypassed by it began to shrink. -
Greensboro Sit-Ins
The lunch counter sit-ins began in Greensboro, NC, when four African American college students staged a non-violent protest against segregation by sitting at the whites-only Woolworth's lunch counter and refusing to leave until they were served. This act of civil disobedience sparked similar protests across the south as students joined to fight segregation. The sit-ins drew national attention to the struggle for civil rights and led to the desegregation of many public spaces. -
U-2 Incident
During a covert reconnaissance mission, an American U-2 spy plane piloted by Gary Powers is shot down over Soviet airspace. This sparks a major international crisis as the US initially denies involvement but is forced to admit to the espionage mission after the Soviets present evidence, including the captured pilot. This severely damages US Soviet relations and increases cold war tensions. Gary Powers is widely blamed by the public as he failed to self-destruct the plane and take his life. -
Election of 1960
John F. Kennedy narrowly defeated Richard Nixon in the election, becoming the youngest president ever and the first Catholic president. The election was marked by intense campaigning and the first televised Presidential debate. Kennedy's victory began a new era of politics and foreign policy, with his administration's emphasis on civil rights, space exploration and the cold war. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
In a covert operation authorized by the CIA, a group of Cuban exiles, armed and trained by the US, land at the bay of Pigs in an attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist government. However the invasion fails very badly as Cuban forces quickly repel the attackers left without the support of the US military. The invasion embarrassed the Kennedy administration, damaged US credibility, and strengthens Castro's grip on Cuba, while also escalating tensions between the US and USSR. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The crisis started when the US found Soviet missile sites in Cuba. Tensions escalate rapidly, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war. After diplomatic negotiations between Kennedy and Khrushchev, a compromise is reached with the soviets removing missiles in Cuba and the US pledging to not invade Cuba. The crisis ends, preventing a nuclear catastrophe and leading to more communication between the superpowers to prevent future conflicts. -
Warren Court
The Warren Court lead by chief justice Earl Warren, was part of judicial activism in the 60's. Known for its liberal rulings, the Warren Court issued decisions like Brown v Board and Miranda v Arizona. The court expanded individual rights, civil liberties, and the power of the federal government, leaving a legacy on the era and the supreme court. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation as it prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin or sex. It was signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson after a long legislative battle. The act outlawed segregation in public spaces and banned employment discrimination, laying the groundwork for greater equality and civil rights in America. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was a joint resolution passed by Congress in response to alleged attacks on US naval fleets by north Vietnamese in the Gulf of Tonkin. It granted President Johnson broad authority to conduct military operations in south east Asia without a declaration of war. This marked the escalation of the US involvement in the Vietnam war, with more troops and military action against North Vietnam. -
Creation of Medicare
Medicare, the federal health insurance for people 65 and older was created as an amendment to the Social Security Act. Signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson to provide affordable healthcare to the old regardless of income and health record. The program was a part of his "Great Society" a program to improve America with the moral not just the political. Medicare has had a crucial role in improving the health and financial security of millions of older Americans. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was an important act aimed at combating racial discrimination in voting practices. Signed by Lyndon B. Johnson, it worked to address barriers preventing African Americans from voting, like literacy tests and poll taxes. The act prohibited racial discrimination in voting, empowered the federal government to oversee and enforce fair voting practices, and increased voter registration from black people. It was a crucial victory of the civil rights movement for voting. -
Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive was a series of coordinated surprise attacks against the North Vietnamese. It was very large with over 100 cities and towns. The offence successfully pushed back the communist forces, it had a deep psychological impact, shaking public confidence in government war progress claims, fueling anti-war sentiment. It was a turning point in the war, increasing opposition to the conflict and quickening the removal of troops. -
Election of 1968
The election of 1968 was a pivotal moment in politics with a deeply divided nation and social upheaval. Richard Nixon won as the Republican candidate. Lyndon B. Johnson didn't run for re-election as he wanted to give the democrats a better chance without him. Nixon's law and order platform made him popular in the midst of the Vietnam war and social unrest. Nixon promised to end the war gracefully and not let the communists take over. -
Kent State Shootings
The Kent State shootings happened at a protest against the Vietnam war and the bombing in Cambodia at Kent State University in Ohio. The Ohio national guard fired on unarmed student protestors, killing 4 and injuring 9. The shootings shocked the nation and sparked outrage and protests, fueling anti-war sentiments. -
Signing of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
The signing of this treaty between the US and the USSR marked a pivotal moment in Detente, Nixon's cold war de-escalation policy. The treaty limited both nations to 2 ABM launch areas, reducing the threat of nuclear war by containing the development of defence systems. The agreement reflects a mutual understanding to slow down the arms race. -
Title IX
Title IX of the education amendments is enacted, prohibiting sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities receiving government spending. This landmark legislation gave women and girls new opportunities in education and sports. Title IX increase the number of women in higher education and jobs, an important milestone for gender equality. -
Watergate Scandal
The scandal started when 5 men were arrested for breaking into the democrat headquarters in the Watergate complex. This triggered more investigations and the resignation of several top White House officials in the Saturday Night Massacre. The scandal shakes America as the President is shown to have lied under oath to cover up the power abuses in his administration. This caused Nixon to be impeached and resign as president. -
Oil Embargo
OPEC imposes an oil embargo on the US after we supported Israel during the Yom Kippur War. The embargo causes very high oil prices and an energy crisis, hurting the economy and causing shortages. This event underscores the rising influence of oil-producing nations and renewed focus on energy security and conservation. -
The Equal Rights Amendment
The ERA was designed to guarantee equal rights for all citizens regardless of gender. It was passed in the House and Congress but failed to ratify on the state level. The amendment sparked debates about gender equality and a woman's role with conservatives like Phyllis Schlafly working to stop the amendment. -
War Powers Act
The War Powers Act was passed by Congress overriding President Nixon's veto. The act limited the president's ability to commit US armed forces without approval. It required the president to consult with Congress before starting hostilities or when involvement is imminent. The president must also report to Congress 48 hours after military action and no state of conflict for more than 60 days without approval. It was created to fix the power imbalances caused by the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. -
Iran Hostage Crisis
After the Iranian Revolution by Islamic fundamentalists, militants seized the US embassy in Tehran. This lasts for 444 days and strained diplomatic relations with Iran and was part of the downfall of the Jimmy Carter administration. The hostages were released in 1981 when President Ronald Reagan was inaugurated, ending one of the longest Hostage situations in modern history. -
Election of 1980
Ronald Reagan the Republican defeated Jimmy Carter in the presidential election. Reagan's victory marked a significant change in American politics, with more conservative ideology and Reaganomics. Reagan won by a landslide with his promises of small government, lower taxes, and a stronger military, resonating with voters. His presidency starts the conservative dominance of the 1980s. -
Boland Amendment
The Boland Amendment was passed by Congress to prohibit the use of funds for the CIA to be used to overthrow the government in Nicaragua and starting war in central America. It was a response to the concerns over US involvement in the Nicaraguan civil war. The amendment showed congress working to limit executive power.