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Age of Reason
New ideas were appreciated and people were encouraged to explore ideas without much inhibition. It was a time where people looked back at the Old World's views, which were based on theology, and looked toward physical and mechanical laws that governed the universe. Many figures were part of interdisciplinary fields, which allowed scientists to be economists, politicians, and artists. -
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Community History
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Zimmerman Telegram
This intercepted note from Germany was the last straw that motivated America to go from a neutral country in the wake of World War I to siding with the Allies. Without America's involvement in the war and especially the Allies' win, the US would not be as successful and strong as it would become in the next five decades. The war gave America opportunities to test its foreign relations and strengthen its military, which also led to advances in areas of science and technology. -
Great Depression
America was recovering from World War I and conflicts led the country toward isolationism. America preferred to avoid military conflicts by keeping to themselves and building up their economy instead. -
World War II
Military and political reasons pushed the US to organize alliances and collaborate with foreign nations. The war brought countries together with the atomic age and it was one of the most important eras of US diplomatic history. With the Great Depression preceding the war, it was a defining moment for America since the country was coming out of its shell. -
IBM
IBM began working for the US government during the 1940s and the Cold War, the two events mutually beneficial. The Cold War provided public funding for research in new technology and new technology was able to help end conflict and mediate tensions. Because of the Cold War and how it pushed for advanced technology, IBM was able to be one of the founding fathers of a new mass information age. -
Manhattan Project
This research program brought together top international scientists to work on a common goal. The program's impact was highly controversial and its influence lasts until today. When Rowland entered University of Chicago, the campus was filled with the excitement of the Manhattan Project aftermath; this era was an important and exciting time to be studying chemistry and science. -
Cold War
The Cold War cast a tense mood for many countries, which encouraged them to work together more fervently than before. With countries competing with each other, diplomatic relations were prominent and widespread. It was a norm for scientists to collaborate on an international level and countries began to realize restraining intellect domestically would restrain growth. Rowland grew up during the beginning of the Cold War, a time when media and culture were deeply influenced. It was also a large m -
Marshall Plan
America, after enough time recovering from the Depression, was in the best shape after the war. They implemented a program to repair European countries after the war forced countries for the first time in many decades to cooperate for the sake of their well-being. The plan also helped the American economy immensely; European countries bought American goods, helping the US rise to a leading nation. -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
The treaty was one of many alliances that were the result of America's realization for strong diplomatic ties after installing the Marshall Plan. The plan became a basis for creating the European Union and cultivating a society of international collaborators, which grew incredibly with the coming technology and mass information age that made it possible for Rowland to communicate his theories to the public. -
First Man to Land on the Moon
With the Space Race going on, it was a large achievement for America when Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon. This was a prominent accomplishment that encouraged and cultivated a period of space exploration and moved the "hard sciences" from an esoteric subject to a topic that can be shared by the masses.
