Outline of American History
Colonial Experience (1600s-1700s)
Town meetings were steps in the growth of representative democracy.
Colonies provided Great Britain with raw materials and markets for British goods.
In the 18th century, both America and Britain had a common law legal system.
Declaration of Independence (1776)
The Declaration of Independence presented a clear statement of the social contract theory of government.
The primary function of government is to protect the natural rights of citizens.
Articles of Confederation (1781)
Initial plan that created a weak federal government to maintain states' rights.
A criticism of the Articles of Confederation is that too much power was given to individual states as opposed to the Federal Government.
The Articles implied that a strong central government threatens the rights of people.
The Articles established a government with a unicameral legislature but no Executive or Judicial branches.
The Constitution (1787)
New contract replacing the Articles that strengthened the federal government.
Governments get their authority from the people.
Ideas of life, liberty, and happiness came from John Locke.
The writers wanted to balance individual liberties with the needs of the nation.
The Constitution solved a problem that existed under the Articles of Confederation by providing for Federal control of interstate commerce.
The 14th Amendment allowed the National Government to place restrictions on state governments.
Influenced by Locke and Montesquieu's desire for limits on power of government.
The Preamble explains that people are the true source of political power.
The Articles and Constitution both provide for a legislature to make laws.
"Consent of the Governed" concept is from the European Enlightenment.
The Great Compromise settled the debate over representation in Congress.
Branches of Government
The Constitution created a national government with three branches.
The Constitution provided for checks and balances because its writers feared a concentration of political power.
Separation of Powers was needed to prevent the same man or group from having executive, legislative, and judicial control.
Checks and balances prevented one branch from becoming too powerful.
The Federal form of government divided power between levels of government.
Democratic commitment shown by election of the House of Representatives.
The Supreme Court's judgements may determine the effect of the law.
Judicial Review allows the Court to determine the constitutionality of laws.
Supreme Court Justice John Marshall strengthened the Federal Government.
Supreme Court interpretation of the Constitution is judicial review.
Flexibility of Constitution
The Bill of Rights was to prevent government abuse of power.
The Bill of Rights protect individuals' civil liberties.
The Bill of Rights provided reserved powers to the states in order to limit the powers of the Federal Government.
Amendments allow government to meet the changing needs of society.
Few amendments are added because the Constitution is broadly interpreted.
A system of political parties is an example of the flexibility of the Constitution.
Political parties nominate candidates for office and conduct campaigns.
A criticism of the electoral college system is that the person who wins the popular vote is not always elected president.
Lobbyists for special interest groups influence public officials to support or oppose specific programs.
Only the ratification of an amendment to the Constitution can overturn a Supreme Court ruling.
Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or people.
Louisiana Purchase (Jefferson) was an example of the elastic clause.
Ratification of Constitution
Federalists (Hamilton) wanted a strong national government; Anti-Feds (Jefferson) did not.
The Federalist papers encouraged ratification of the US Constitution.
Federalist and anti-Federalists disagreed over the division of power between national and state governments.
Federalists wanted the Constitution ratified (approved).
A Bill of Rights was added to persuade anti-Feds to ratify the Constitution.
The Three-Fifths Compromise and Great Compromise dealt with the issue of representation in Congress.
Early American Policy (late 1700s- early 1800s)
G. Washington adopted a position of neutrality for the US in foreign affairs.
US remained neutral from political connections in foreign policy for 100 years.
G. Washington put down the Whiskey Rebellion showing the new National Government intended to enforce Federal laws.
In Marbury v. Madison the Supreme Court established the power to determine the constitutionality of laws.
In the Monroe Doctrine (1823), the US expanded influence in W. Hemisphere.
The Monroe Doctrine declared that the US would view European interference in the Americas as a threat to the national interests of the US.
Hamilton and the Federalists wanted a strong central government.
Hamilton encouraged a protective tariff to encourage growth of manufacturing.
When purchasing the Louisiana Territory, Jefferson contradicted his belief in a strict interpretation of the Constitution.
Age of Jackson (1830s)
Andrew Jackson was criticized for ignoring the Supreme Court and abusing authority.
Jackson was accused of exceeding the constitutional limits of his authority.
Native Americans were affected by expansion of the US and forced westward.
Desire to assimilate Native Americans led to Dawes Act (Americanization).
Manifest Destiny
The Louisiana Purchase focused the US on westward expansion.
The Louisiana Purchase accounted for the largest increase in US growth.
An industrialized Northeast, plantation South, and small farms in the West all peacefully shared the same nation from 1820-1860 (sectionalism).
Manifest Destiny was similar to imperialistic expansion.
Buffalo hunters ruined the economic base of Native Americans which helped drive Natives onto reservations.
Natives had some rights guaranteed by treaties with the Federal Government.
Natives Americans reluctantly accepted placement on reservations.
Homestead Act encouraged Westward expansion.
"The fittest survived and the weak died out"- was often referred to as Social Darwinism.
Women's Movement
The main goal of the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 was to obtain equal rights for women.
Western territories adopted laws granting political rights to women because the hardships of pioneer life encouraged shared responsibilities.
Political Issues with Slavery
Slavery disappeared because it did not fit the North's economic interests.
Importation of slaves was ended after 1807 because they were replaced by immigrant workers from Eastern Europe.
The Missouri Compromise and Kansas-Nebraska Act dealt with extending slavery into the territories.
The Constitution became an issue of national discord due to vast differences of opinion over the issues of states rights.
Responses to Slavery
Nat Turner's activities show slave revolts occurred in the South.
Abolitionist and Progressive Movements both sought to improve the conditions of poor or oppressed peoples.
Issue of slavery led to the growth of sectionalism.
Scott v. Sandford strengthened the determination of abolitionists to rid slavery.
Republican Party/Election of Lincoln (1860s)
Under Lincoln 's tenure, the South seceded from the US mainly over slavery issue.
Lincoln took strong action to maintain the Union.
Lincoln explained that the secession of the South was illegal because the government was a union of people and not of states.
Civil War (1861-1865)
The industrialized and populous North defeated the agricultural rural South.
The North had more human resources and war materials than the South.
The North had more advanced transportation systems than the South.
Politics of Reconstruction (1865-1877)
Fierce debate occurred as to the terms by which the South is admitted into the Union.
Lincoln wanted to treat the South as if they had never actually left the Union.
State Legislatures deprived freed men of their legal rights (Black Codes).
Radical Republicans wanted the South punished and rights for freedmen.
Radical Republicans wanted to use Reconstruction to force political and social reform in the South.
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were passed to help civil rights reform.
The Solid South was where the Democratic Party was dominant.
Ulysses S. Grant's administration is associated with corrupt public officials.
Impact of Reconstruction
The Federal Government's power was strengthened over the states post-Civil War.
After the Civil War, secession was no longer regarded as an option for states.
Continued Inequality
African Americans still found gaining equal rights was difficult.
Jim Crow Laws limited the impact of amendments passed to assist minorities.
Literacy tests and poll taxes prevented African —Americans from voting.
The Know-Nothings and the KKK fostered resentment against minorities.
Poll taxes and KKK were responses to the 14th and 15th Amendments.
Disregard for fugitive slave laws show strong values are difficult to regulate.
Age of Railroads (late 1800s)
The Federal Government provided free land for railroad construction.
Railroad business practices led to a demand for government regulation.
Railroads led to Westward expansion.
Land from Federal Government led to building of transcontinental railroad.
The Grange Movement forced railroads to lower freight rates.
Big Business
As industry developed, large companies formed that held monopolies and rid competition.
Industrialists contributed to the economy by establishing large corporations.
Industrialization resulted in the rising influence of the middle class.
A result of industrialization was the power of large corporations.
The Interstate Commerce Commission (1887) and the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) showed that the Federal Government could regulate business practices and eliminate monopolies.
The Clayton and Sherman Antitrust Acts promote fair competition in business.
The Clayton/Sherman Antitrust Acts combat businesses that limit competition.
A major goal of trusts was to eliminate competition.
Corporations formed due to the need for large amounts of investment capital.
President Teddy Roosevelt distinguished between "good" and "bad" trusts.
From 1865-1900 business practices were developed to eliminate competition.
Rise of big business was an issue that dominated national politics (1865-1900).
Business wanted to consolidate the manufacture and distribution of products.
As the US industrialized, mechanization and division of labor led smaller industries to have difficulty maintaining competitiveness.
Rockefeller Foundation, Carnegie Hall show how entrepreneurs support philanthropic activities to benefit society.
Industrialists used Social Darwinism (survival of fittest) to justify monopolies.
Imperialism (late 1800s)
During the Age of Imperialism, strong countries took colonies to gain raw materials.
The growth of capitalism encouraged imperialism because of the desire of business to obtain new markets for American products.
Colonial empire was desired because industries needed raw materials/ markets.
Desire for new markets and coaling stations led to imperialism.
In the late 1800s, US obtains markets for surplus goods.
Nationalism and industrialism led to imperialism.
Unionization
Unions were formed to protect worker's rights during this Age of Industry.
The Amer. Fed. of Labor focused on gains in wages and working conditions.
The railroad strikes (1887), Haymarket Affair (1886), and Pullman strike (1894) show unions were willing to use force to achieve their goals.
Collective bargaining is discussion between labor leaders and management.
The Wagner Act gave workers the right to organize and bargain collectively.
Unsafe working conditions in factories was common.
Many strikes were unsuccessful because of government support of business.
The National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) gave unions the right to bargain collectively.
Immigration
New immigrants lived in urban areas and held low paying jobs.
US placed few restrictions on immigration so there would be cheap labor.
Nativists supported quotas to limit immigration.
Nativists (US nationalists) feared immigrants would work for cheaper wages.
Chinese Exclusion Act; Gentlemen's Agreement were expressions of nativism.
Immigrant children are educated in public schools to assist with assimilation.
Local politicians assisted the social, economic, and political assimilation of immigrants into the community.
Urbanization
Many people moved to the cities to find jobs in factories.
Rise in domestic and foreign commerce create rapid economic growth in cities.
Industrialization led to urbanization and fewer farmers.
Growth of industry led to urbanization.
Problems in Society (late 1800s)
People wanted to reform society, as poverty grew during the period of rapid growth.
In the late 1800s, farmers believed their problems would be solved if the Federal Government put more money into circulation.
The work of Upton Sinclair, Frank Norris, and Lincoln Steffens show the problems in government and industry needed to be corrected.
Sinclair's The Jungle passed legislation requiring federal inspection of meat.
Jacob Riis's photographs and the settlement house movement led by Jane Addams drew attention to the needs of the urban poor in the late 19th century.
Jacob Riis and Sinclair exposed poverty and corruption stemming from industry and urbanization.
"Muckrakers" expose social conditions in need of reform.
The Dawes Act (1887) granted farmland to Native Americans to assimilate them into society.
Civil Service exams were enacted to eliminate corruption in government hiring.
Economics
Graduated (progressive) income tax rates rise as individual incomes rise.
The Federal Reserve lowers interest rates to avoid recessions.
The Federal Reserve regulates interest rates and money supply.
John Hay's Open Door Policy increased US access to trade in Asia.
Open Door Policy expanded US trade with China.
The mechanization of agriculture led to opposition because jobs were lost.
Progressivism (1890-1920)
Social and political movement to reform the ills of society.
A study of the Populist and Progressive movements prove that radical ideas become accepted in later times.
The Populist Party was a successful third party because laws were passed that attained some of their goals; proposed ideas became law.
Ideas of 3rd parties have been adopted by the two major parties.
3rd party platforms are often important in helping to bring about change.
Reform legislation provided for increased direct participation in government.
Referendums and recall elections were ideas to increase citizen participation.
Abolitionist and Progressive Movements both sought to improve the conditions of poor or oppressed peoples.
US Government increased role to reduce the abuses of big business.
T. Roosevelt's New Nationalism increased US power in foreign affairs.
T. Roosevelt is accused of ignoring democracy in his foreign policy.
Spanish-American War
The Mexican War, the War of 1812, and Spanish-American War were fought for the expansion of US self-interest.
US newspapers used "yellow journalism" to arouse public anger against Spain.
U.S. in Latin America (early 1900s)
The US wanted to be the main influence on events occurring in the Western Hemisphere.
T. Roosevelt supported a Panamanian rebellion against Colombia in 1903 to gain the right to complete a canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Roosevelt and Monroe felt US influence in L.A. must be accepted.
US intervened in Latin America to ensure safety of growing investments in the area.
Causes of WWI (1914)
WWI was caused by nationalism, competitive imperialism, militarism, and the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand.
US Entry in WWI (1917)
US public opinion favored neutrality initially.
German U-Boat attacks (on the Lusitania and American ships) and the Zimmerman Note caused US entry into WWI.
Dust Bowl (drought) in Ok shows the effect of geography on people's lives
Impact of WWI
The Treaty of Versailles was considered harsh on Germany and ultimately led to WWII; The US wanted a policy of isolationism to keep out of future foreign wars.
Wilson's 14 Points provided for a just and lasting peace.
After WWI, US wanted to avoid involvement in foreign conflicts.
Immigration laws were meant to restrict immigration through use of quotas.
Women's suffrage was strengthened by economic opportunities from WWI.
US immigration policies limited southern and eastern European immigration.
Isolationist Senator Henry Cabot Lodge objected to ratification of the Treaty of Versailles to prevent the US from being drawn into conflicts by the League of Nations.
Senators opposed to Versailles opposed membership in the League of Nations.
Opposition to Versailles was based on the fear that it would violate the US policy of noninvolvement.
US contributed to world peace by supporting the disarmament movement.
US remained neutral in 1930s due to disillusionment resulting from WWI.
Normalcy (Coolidge & Harding) (1920s)
Harding's "return to normalcy" meant reduced international involvement and less government regulation of business.
Farmers overproduced basic staples as a result of WWI demands.
Disregard for Prohibition show strong values are difficult to regulate.
Racial segregation led blacks to move to the North for factory jobs.
Mass Culture (1920s)
The "Roaring 20s" was a period of increased consumerism.
American consumers increased the number of credit purchases (installment plan).
The 1920s and 1960s saw significant changes in manners and morals.
In the 1920s there was the widespread use of the automobile and an increase in buying.
During the Harlem Renaissance, blacks created works of art and literature.
The KKK and Red (Communist) Scare represented threats to civil liberties.
Causes of the Depression (1929)
The US had an uneven distribution of wealth.
Factories and farms produced more than consumers could purchase.
Impact of the Depression
Worldwide spread of the Depression shows global financial interdependence.
Farmers were provided low-cost loans to combat the Dust Bowl.
Hoover feared federal relief programs would destroy individual initiative.
Movies and novels during the Great Depression show that popular culture is shaped by economic and social conditions.
Literature often reflects the times in which it is created.
New Deal (1930s)
FDR's efforts to rehabilitate the country after the Great Depression.
FDR's programs show that a political program changes due to current needs.
New Deal supported government involvement in people's social/ economic life.
The SEC and FDIC restored the public's faith in financial institutions.
The TVA (Tenn. Valley Auth.) used federal intervention for regional needs.
FDR expanded the role of government and defended New Deal programs.
Government saved farms by giving farmers $ to take land out of production.
Conservatives opposed New Deal because it endangered to free enterprise.
Government regulation of business activities continued Progressive Era policies.
The Federal Reserve System regulates the money supply.
Deficit spending by the Federal Government to revive the economy presumed that purchasing power will be increased and economic growth stimulated.
The FDIC developed rules to safeguard savings.
FDR's proposed expansion of the Supreme Court was viewed as a threat to separation of powers.
Social Security was enacted to provide economic assistance to retired workers.
The impact of the New Deal in ending the Depression is difficult to measure because WWII accelerated economic growth.
The Federal Government assumed greater responsibility for the nation's well-being.
Causes of WWII (1930s)
The appeasement policy believed war could be avoided by satisfying Hitler's demand for territorial expansion.
The attack on Pearl Harbor led to US entry into WWII.
US Policy towards WWII
US public opinion favored neutrality.
Isolationism is difficult because technology made nations interdependent.
FDR's Good Neighbor Policy was to improve relations with Latin America.
Neutrality Laws made to avoid war restricted US trade with warring nations.
The US modified its neutrality policy by providing aid to the Allies.
A challenge was fighting the war on several fronts.
US Homefront (1941-1945)
The GI bill provided educational and financial assistance to veterans.
Internment of Japanese Americans (WWII) was based on racial prejudice.
Korematsu/Schenck v. US show civil liberties are limited in certain situations.
The Supreme Court sometimes failed to protect the rights of minorities.
FDR's third term election challenged long-term political tradition.
Effects of WWII (1945)
The need for international peacekeeping post-WW II resulted in the creation of the United Nations.
The UN resembles the US under the Articles of Confederation.
The US had a strong commitment to collective security and world leadership.
US adjusted its' economy easily because it suffered no wartime destruction.
Women and minorities had new opportunities in the workplace.
Truman and Eisenhower Doctrines concerned the containment of communism.
The US and European nations engaged in international cooperation through political and economic agreements after 1945.
Origins of Cold War (1945-1989)
The Cold war developed as a result of tension between the superpowers.
US and USSR supported opposing sides but had no direct confrontation.
The US and Soviet Union believed each was a threat to national security.
American economic aid (Marshall Plan) assisted European recovery.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was formed by democratic nations to provide collective security against Communist aggression.
NATO and Truman Doctrine carried out policy of containment.
Impact of Cold War at Home
US politicians were concerned about the containment of communism.
Truman ordered "loyalty investigations" for fear of Communist Party influence in government.
McCarthyism was based on public fear concerning the spread of communism.
McCarthyism encouraged nativist ideas and exposed suspected communists.
Fear of Communism led to the restriction of civil liberties.
Sputnik (USSR satellite) signals US fears of Soviet technological superiority (October 1957).
Presidential actions during times of crisis have increased executive power.
Great Society (1964)
Pres. Johnson's Great Society program fought poverty and urban deterioration.
Johnson's Great Society was an attempt to solve the problems of poverty.
FDR and LBJ were similar in that they expanded the role of the federal government in citizens' lives.
Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s)
Efforts to improve the conditions for minority groups within American society.
Brown v. Board of Education shows some Supreme Court decisions are ineffective unless the President enforces them.
The use of Federal marshals to protect African American students in Little Rock showed the Fed Government would enforce court integration decisions.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 removed the literacy test because different standards of literacy had been applied to different groups of voters.
ML King's protests within the framework of the law is civil disobedience.
A criticism of affirmative action (favor minorities) programs is that they lead to discrimination against more qualified people.
W.E.B. Du Bois insisted on African-American equality.
Eisenhower sent troops to Little Rock, Arkansas during the 1957 school integration crisis to exercise his power as commander in chief.
Little Rock shows the Federal Government enforces court decisions on integration.
The Supreme Court under Chief Justice Warren followed a policy of judicial activism, leading to broad social changes.
Segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional because it was "inherently unequal".
Martin Luther King Jr. advocates civil disobedience as a form of dealing with unjust laws
Social Change in the 1950s and 60s
The 1920s and 1960s saw significant changes in manners and morals.
Interstate highways contributed to the expansion of suburbs.
Post-WWII baby boom increased the need for educational resources.
US and Vietnam War (1962-1971)
US sends troops to Vietnam to contain the spread of communism from N to S Vietnam.
Conflicting opinion existed regarding US involvement in the Vietnam War.
Extremist attitudes impeded solving the difficult foreign policy problem.
Protests (1960s-70s) began because many Americans felt the war was unjust.
During the Vietnam War, questions were raised in the US concerning the extent of the President's powers as commander in chief.
A major long-term effect of the Vietnam War has been a reluctance to commit US troops for extended military action abroad.
The US experience in Vietnam shows that the outcome of a war can be strongly affected by public opinion.
Nixon/ Watergate (1972-1973)
Nixon became the only President ever to resign from office as a result of political scandal.
The Watergate scandal reinforced that the law applies equally to all citizens.
Watergate resulted in a loss of faith in elected government leaders.
The Presidential action that best represents the policy of Detente (relaxation of tensions) is Nixon's Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) with the USSR.
Ford & Carter (1974-1980)
The Camp David accords promoted by Carter represented the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab nation.
Reagan & Bush (1980s)
A return to conservatism during the 1980s.
Reagan reduced government regulation of business.
"Supply Side" economics makes economic growth dependent on increased amount of capital ($) available to business.
US troops entered the Persian Gulf area because US interests in the Middle East were threatened.
During the Persian Gulf War, the US was interested in protecting oil supplies.
The breakup of the Soviet Union led to the end of the Cold War.
Increase of debt is caused by high levels of government spending.
Bush was criticized for involving the US in foreign wars
Clinton Administration (1990s)
Presidents can benefit from a strong national economy.
Clinton is characterized as the "Teflon" President because character issues could not damage his presidency.
Positive economic conditions helped maintain Clinton's high approval rating.
NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) between the US, Canada, and Mexico is meant to increase commerce and eliminate tariffs.
NATO troops in Bosnia help bring political stability to the area.
The Medicare Act and Disabilities Act show that New Deal principles continue to have a significant influence on later legislation.
Bush (George W.) Administration (2001-2009)
September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on World Trade Center and the Pentagon
War in Afghanistan against Taliban and Al Qaeda
War in Iraq
Reappearance of massive budget deficits; large tax cuts and spending on expanded Medicare benefits
No Child Left Behind Act; rise in mandated standardized testing in schools
Real estate market collapse; leading to worst recession since the Great Depression
Obama Administration (2009- )
First African-American elected to the Presidency
Passed huge economic stimulus package to prop up the economy
Passed major health insurance reform package that will bring insurance to millions of Americans
Began withdrawal of American troops from Iraq and Afghanistan
Ordered mission that found and killed Al Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden
Rise of the “Tea Party”- extreme right wing conservatives opposed to pretty much all government spending except for defense.