Important Laws and shit

13th Amendment

Abolishes slavery.

Civil Rights Act of 1866

Anyone born in the US is a citizen; vetoed by Andrew Jackson, overridden by Congress.

14th Amendment (CED)

Grants citizenship to anyone born or naturalized in the US, equal protection to all citizens by law, and due process.

Reconstruction Act of 1867

Separated the South into 5 military districts; states required to create a new constitution approved by majority male citizens.

Army Appropriations Act

Stripped away President Johnson's control of the Army post-Civil War.

Tenure of Office Act

Prohibited President Johnson from removing cabinet members without Senate consent.

15th Amendment

No one can be kept from voting due to race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Amnesty Act

Returned the voting and office-holding rights to former Confederates.

The Panic of 1873

Bank failures triggered a depression, leading to high unemployment and negative economic growth.

Crédit Mobilier Scandal

An illegal business practice where Union Pacific overcharged to build railroad tracks.

Interstate Commerce Act (1887)

Created the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to regulate railroad rates.

Sherman Antitrust Act (1890)

Illegalized trusts and monopolies that hinder free trade but was vague.

Labor Unions

Advocated for higher wages, shorter workdays, and better safety conditions.

Progressive States

Disallowed child labor and implemented workers' compensation.

Chinese Exclusion Act

Banned Chinese immigration except for specific groups like merchants and government officials.

17th Amendment

Allowed voters to directly elect senators, and introduced initiatives, referendums, and recalls.

18th Amendment

Disallowed alcohol (Prohibition).

19th Amendment

Guaranteed women's right to vote; significant figures include Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Supreme Court ruling that upheld segregation based on the 'Separate Car Act'.

Monroe Doctrine

Message to Europe to stay out of the Americas, with a focus on trade in South America.

Theodore Roosevelt’s Square Deal

Reforms aimed at protecting common people against big business; focused on consumer protection, corporate regulation, and conservation.

Roosevelt corollary

Roosevelt’s extension of the Monroe Doctrine advocating for U.S. economic and military influence in the Caribbean and Central America.

Meat Inspection Act of 1906

Created a federal program for meat inspection for cleanliness.

Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906

Required truthful labeling of products and prohibited contaminated food and medication.

National Reclamation/Newlands Act of 1902

Funded large irrigation projects and established wildlife sanctuaries.

Panama Canal

A major construction project funded by J.P. Morgan that involved U.S. support for Panama's independence from Colombia.

16th Amendment

Congress can levy and collect income taxes.

Clayton AntiTrust Act

Prevented unfair competition methods.

Department of Labor

Improves working conditions and develops worker welfare.

Department of Commerce

Helps workers understand their rights and resources.

Mann-Elkins Act (1910)

Gave the ICC control over telephones, telegraphs, and radio.

Federal Reserve Act

Established regional reserve banks and allowed government control over money flow and interest rates.

Federal Trade Act

Investigated unfair/unethical business practices.

Platt Amendment

Set terms for ending military occupation of Cuba.

Foraker Act

Allowed the President to appoint members of the Cuban high legislature.

Causes of WW1

Key events include the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the sinking of the Lusitania.

League of Nations

International organization proposed by Wilson; not ratified by the U.S. Senate.