America - important dates and ppl Flashcards
seven years war
1756-1763
britain (in new world) against french, to get the land => led to stamp acts, asking america for money
war of independence
1775-1783
USA under Gerge washington wins against Britain and becomes independent
civil war (in america)
1861-1865
North vs. South
bcs of slavery and election of abraham lincoln
=> north wins
=> from slavery to segregation
WW1
- who
- when
- outcome
1914-1918
Allies:
Britain + Italy + France + Russia
(+ USA in 1917 as american civilan ship gets attacked by german submarines + british warn usa about transmission deal of germany + mexico)
vs
Central Powers:
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire
=> ALLIES VICTORIOUS
treaty of Versailles in 1919
WW2
- who
- when
- outcome
1939-1945
Allies:
Britain, France, Russia, China
(+ USA in 1941 bcs japanese attacked Pearl Harbour)
vs
Axis:
Germany, Italy and Japan
=> ALLIES VICTORIOUS
Germany signs a peace treaty
Japan, after refusing to cooperate, gets bombed at hiroshima and nagasaki which ends the war.
cold war
1947-1990’s
proxy wars between USA and Russia held at several places around the world - vietnam, korea…
The crash on the walstreet
1929
=> followed by the great depression (1929-1939)
Wall Street Crash (Great Depression):
Why it happened:
Stock Market Speculation: There was excessive speculation and overvaluing of stocks in the stock market.
Bank Failures: Numerous banks faced financial troubles and collapsed, leading to a loss of confidence in the financial system.
Economic Downturn: The crash was part of a broader economic downturn, which later became known as the Great Depression.
Effects on America and Britain:
Global Economic Impact: The Wall Street Crash triggered a global economic downturn, affecting economies worldwide, including Britain.
Unemployment and Hardship: Both America and Britain faced high unemployment rates, poverty, and economic hardship during the Great Depression.
Policy Changes: Governments implemented various policies, including the New Deal in the United States, to address the economic crisis.
The alcohol ban in USA
1920-1933
went into effect on January 17, 1920, and lasted until its repeal on December 5, 1933, with the ratification of the 21st Amendment. During this period, the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages were prohibited in the United States.
The intention behind Prohibition was to address various social issues, including crime, corruption, and public health concerns associated with excessive alcohol consumption. However, it led to the rise of illegal speakeasies, bootlegging, and organized crime. Ultimately, the negative consequences and challenges in enforcing Prohibition contributed to its eventual repeal.
The trail of tears
1830-1850
forced relocation of Native American nations, particularly the Cherokee, from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to designated territories in the West, primarily in present-day Oklahoma, during the 1830s. The removal was a result of the Indian Removal Act signed into law by President Andrew Jackson in 1830. The journey was arduous and marked by harsh conditions, leading to the deaths of thousands of Native Americans due to exposure, disease, and inadequate provisions. The Trail of Tears is a tragic episode in American history, symbolizing the unjust displacement and suffering endured by indigenous peoples during the period of westward expansion.
Jim Crow Laws
Jim Crow laws were a series of state and local statutes that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. These laws, named after a stereotypical minstrel character, aimed to institutionalize racial discrimination and segregation, primarily targeting African Americans. The Jim Crow era began in the late 19th century and persisted until the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
Civil Rights Movement
1954
The Civil Rights Movement in the United States was a social and political movement that aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans and promote their constitutional rights and equality under the law. The movement spanned roughly from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s, but its impact continued to shape the nation’s landscape for years to come.
Background and Segregation:
African Americans faced systemic racial segregation and discrimination, particularly in the Southern United States, where Jim Crow laws enforced racial separation in public facilities, education, and other aspects of life.
Brown vs. Board of Education (1954):
The landmark Supreme Court case declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional, overturning the “separate but equal” doctrine.
Rosa Parks
refused to move to the black section on the bus
Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956):
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
Her arrest led to the initiation of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a coordinated protest against racial segregation in the public transportation system.
The boycott was a key event in the early stages of the Civil Rights Movement and lasted for 381 days.
Martin Luther King
“I have a dream” speech
Background:
The March on Washington was a pivotal event in the American Civil Rights Movement, attracting around 250,000 demonstrators advocating for civil and economic rights for African Americans.
Setting and Occasion:
The speech was delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Dr. King addressed the crowd during the closing moments of the march.
Core Message - Equality and Unity:
Dr. King expressed his dream of a future where individuals would be judged by their character rather than the color of their skin.
He called for an end to racial injustice and discrimination and advocated for equality and unity among all Americans.
MalcolmX
a prominent African American Muslim minister and civil rights activist. He played a significant role in the Nation of Islam, advocating for black empowerment, self-defense, and the rejection of nonviolent resistance. Later in his life, he underwent a transformative journey, breaking away from the Nation of Islam and embracing mainstream Islam. Malcolm X’s impact on the Civil Rights Movement and his influence on black empowerment continues to resonate. He was assassinated in 1965, leaving a complex legacy that encompasses his advocacy for racial pride, self-determination, and social justice.
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman is perhaps the most well-known of all the Underground Railroad’s “conductors.” During a ten-year span she made 19 trips into the South and escorted over 300 slaves to freedom.
Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and dedicated her life to helping others achieve freedom. She made numerous dangerous trips to the South, guiding enslaved individuals to freedom.
Du bois
a prominent African American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist. He advocated for civil rights, higher education for African Americans, and the “Talented Tenth” concept, emphasizing the importance of education and leadership among the black elite.
Thomas Jefferson
was an American Founding Father, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, and the third President of the United States (1801–1809).
George Washington
an American military leader, statesman, and the first President of the United States (1789–1797). He played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War, leading the Continental Army to victory against the British. Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention and is often referred to as the “Father of His Country” for his leadership during the nation’s formative years. His decision to voluntarily step down from the presidency after two terms set a precedent for the peaceful transition of power.
Abraham Lincoln
President of the United States, serving from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He led the country through the Civil War and played a pivotal role in the abolition of slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln is renowned for his eloquent speeches, including the Gettysburg Address, and is often remembered as one of America’s greatest presidents.
Emancipation Proclamation
an executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, during the American Civil War. It declared all enslaved individuals in Confederate-held territory to be “forever free.” While it didn’t immediately free all slaves, it marked a significant step toward the abolition of slavery and shifted the focus of the Civil War to include the fight against slavery as a central goal of the Union.
The Indian Removal Act
signed into law by President Andrew Jackson in 1830. It authorized the forced removal of Native American tribes, primarily the Cherokee, from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to designated territories west of the Mississippi River. The act resulted in the tragic and arduous journey known as the Trail of Tears, causing immense suffering and loss of life among Native American communities.
The Jazz Age in America
The Jazz Age in America, also known as the Roaring Twenties, was a cultural and social period during the 1920s characterized by a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. It saw significant changes in music, fashion, dance, and social norms. Jazz music became a prominent cultural force, symbolizing the spirit of rebellion and innovation. The era also witnessed the rise of the flapper culture, increased urbanization, and economic prosperity. However, the decade came to an abrupt end with the onset of the Great Depression in 1929.
The Red Scare
The Red Scare in America refers to two distinct periods of anti-communist hysteria and political repression. The first Red Scare occurred immediately after World War I, in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, and the second Red Scare took place in the late 1940s and early 1950s during the early years of the Cold War.
First Red Scare (1919-1920):
Fear of Bolshevik influence and communism spreading led to widespread suspicion and government crackdowns.
Second Red Scare (Late 1940s-1950s):
Fueled by Cold War tensions with the Soviet Union, fear of communist infiltration into American institutions intensified.
Senator Joseph McCarthy led a campaign against alleged communists.
Brown vs. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education (1954) was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. The unanimous decision, led by Chief Justice Earl Warren, overturned the “separate but equal” doctrine and played a pivotal role in the desegregation of public schools in the United States.
Stamp Act of 1765
Enacted by the British Parliament, the Stamp Act imposed taxes on a wide range of paper goods, including legal documents, newspapers, and playing cards.
Colonists were required to purchase special stamps to affix to the taxed items, and failure to comply could result in legal consequences.
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest that took place on December 16, 1773, in Boston, Massachusetts, during the American colonial period. It was a response to the British government’s imposition of the Tea Act, which granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies and led to lower tea prices but maintained the tea tax.
Context:
The Tea Act was seen by American colonists as a violation of their rights and a continuation of taxation without representation.
Protest and Action:
A group of colonists, disguised as Mohawk Indians to conceal their identities, boarded three British ships – the Dartmouth, Eleanor, and Beaver – in Boston Harbor.
They proceeded to throw 342 chests of tea overboard, symbolizing their opposition to British taxation and control.
Impact:
The Boston Tea Party became a significant catalyst for the American Revolutionary War, which would break out in 1775.
It symbolized the colonists’ resistance to British taxation and their determination to assert their rights.
The California gold rush
(1848–1855)
The Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase encompassed 530,000,000 acres of territory in North America that the United States purchased from France in 1803 for $15 million.
Why did France allow the Louisiana Purchase?
But France’s ruler at the time, Napoleon Bonaparte, was losing interest in establishing a North American empire and needed funds to fight the British, so he directed his emissaries to offer not just New Orleans but all of the Louisiana Territory to the Americans.
The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance 1920s and 1930s.
= was a cultural, social, and artistic movement that emerged in the early 20th century. It is often considered one of the most significant periods of African American cultural and intellectual achievements in the United States.
Key Features of the Harlem Renaissance:
Artistic and Literary Flourishing:
creativity in literature, music, visual arts, and performing arts. African American artists, writers, musicians, and intellectuals contributed to a vibrant cultural scene.
Music and Jazz:
Jazz became a central element of the Harlem Renaissance, with musicians like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong gaining prominence. Jazz clubs and music venues in Harlem were key hubs for artistic expression.
Visual Arts:
The period saw the rise of African American visual artists like Aaron Douglas, who incorporated African themes and symbols into their work, contributing to the development of a unique African American artistic aesthetic.
Intellectual and Political Impact:
The Harlem Renaissance played a crucial role in challenging racial stereotypes and fostering a sense of pride in African American identity. It contributed to the emergence of a new black consciousness and influenced the broader Civil Rights Movement.
The Great Migration:
The movement was closely connected to the Great Migration, a large-scale migration of African Americans from the Southern United States to Northern cities.
Impact on Popular Culture:
The Harlem Renaissance had a lasting impact on American popular culture, influencing literature, music, and art. It challenged prevailing racial norms and paved the way for greater recognition of African American contributions to American society.
The new deal
The New Deal was a series of programs and policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the United States during the 1930s in response to the Great Depression.
The Great Depression, which began in 1929, was a severe economic downturn marked by widespread unemployment, poverty, and economic hardship. The New Deal aimed to address the economic challenges and provide relief, recovery, and reform to the American people.
Relief Programs:
The New Deal included immediate relief measures to provide assistance to those suffering the most from the economic downturn. Programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) were established to create jobs and offer financial relief.
Banking and Financial Reforms:
The New Deal introduced banking reforms to stabilize the financial system. The Emergency Banking Act of 1933 was implemented to restore confidence in the banking sector.
Social Security Act:
Enacted in 1935, the Social Security Act established a system of old-age pensions, unemployment insurance, and aid to dependent children, providing a safety net for vulnerable individuals.
The beat generation
- beat as rhythm (jazz, beat, swing…)
- beat as beaten = defeated, but beating their way up
The Beat Generation was a literary and cultural movement that emerged in the 1950s in the United States. It was characterized by a group of writers who rebelled against the conformity and materialism of mainstream society.
The term “Beat” was used to convey a sense of being beaten down, exhausted, or beaten out of mainstream social norms. The movement had a profound impact on literature, music, and cultural attitudes, paving the way for the countercultural movements of the 1960s.
Bracero Program
20th-Century Labor Migration:
In the early to mid-20th century, economic opportunities and labor demands in the U.S. attracted migrants from various Latin American countries. For example, Mexican laborers were recruited for agricultural work through programs like the Bracero Program during World War II.
= The Bracero Program was a bilateral agreement between the United States and Mexico that allowed Mexican laborers (braceros) to work temporarily in the U.S. agricultural sector. The program, initiated during World War II and officially in place from 1942 to 1964, addressed a labor shortage in the U.S. caused by the war and sought to provide a legal framework for Mexican migrant workers.
Internment camps
Internment camps in America were facilities where individuals, primarily of Japanese descent, were forcibly relocated and detained during World War II. The internment was a result of Executive Order by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The order authorized the forced relocation and internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans, including both citizens and non-citizens, living on the West Coast of the United States.
