Key Dates In American History

?
Columbus "discovers" America
1492
1 of 52
Declaration of Independence
1776 --> declares that colonies have officially separated from Britain
2 of 52
The US Constitution/The Bill of Rights
1789 --> replaces Articles of Confederation and sets up US federal government
3 of 52
Why is this a key document?
Creates a government which has a strong federal backbone, whilst retaining rights for states
4 of 52
What does this document begin to institute?
Principles of "checks and balances"
5 of 52
What is the 3/5ths Comprimise?
The idea that every slave would be counted for demographic purposes as 3/5th of a person
6 of 52
What does the inclusion of this mean?
It solidifies the idea of an America based on racial inequality
7 of 52
The election of Abraham Lincoln
1860
8 of 52
Why does this set off the US Civil War?
Many Southern states concerned Lincoln would pass a federal law prohibiting slavery
9 of 52
What did the Emancipation Proclamation entail?
It freed all slaves in states who had seceded
10 of 52
The American Civil War
1861-65
11 of 52
What happened during this?
11 states attempted to secede (leave) the United States of "states' rights"
12 of 52
What was the real issue?
Whether a state had a right to continue slavery
13 of 52
What did the Civil War end with?
The abolition of slavery throughout the US
14 of 52
Reconstruction of the South
1865-77
15 of 52
What did the Civil Rights Act of 1866 do?
Gave full citizenship to African Americans
16 of 52
What happened in 1866?
This was considered too controversial and ended; many of the policies put in place were overturned
17 of 52
When did the Progressive Movement begin?
1890s
18 of 52
What happened to workers during this?
In general, they were given more rights; women and children had laws passed to protect them
19 of 52
When was the period of isolation?
1914-16
20 of 52
US join World War I
1917
21 of 52
What major changes were brought about by the end of the war?
Women gain right to vote; African Americans begin major cultural movements
22 of 52
Women gain the right to vote
1918
23 of 52
The Harlem Renaissance
1920s
24 of 52
Was the army still racially segregated at the end of the war?
Yes
25 of 52
What happened from 1920-29?
The Roaring 20s
26 of 52
What happens to America's economy?
Economic boom; people begin to buy things on credit
27 of 52
What happens to unemployment?
Unemployment decreases; workers can demand more rights
28 of 52
What happens to the Native Americans?
They begin to advocate more fully for their rights
29 of 52
The Wall Street Crash
1929
30 of 52
What does this contribute to?
The Great Depression
31 of 52
What happens in regards to civil rights?
Many turn away from them; more concerned with economy
32 of 52
What happens because of rising unemployment levels?
Labour groups find it harder to bargain with employers
33 of 52
The Depression and the New Deal
1930s
34 of 52
What is the New Deal?
Employers must pay overtime; prevents exploitation; minimum wages etc.
35 of 52
What happens to African and Native Americans?
Government realises they need help for housing and health care
36 of 52
World War II
1940-45
37 of 52
Is the army racially integrated?
Yes; some units are; racial integration in the army for the first time
38 of 52
What happened to workers' rights during the Great Depression?
Legislation passed that is meant to protect workers' rights
39 of 52
The Civil Rights Era
1950s and 1960s
40 of 52
What do African Americans do?
Push for voting and social rights?
41 of 52
What do women do?
Agitate for more equality; via feminist movement
42 of 52
What do Native Americans do?
Use protest techniques to bring attention to their problems
43 of 52
Why are Native Americans now able to work together?
They start to move into cities
44 of 52
What do SOME members of the labor rights movement do?
Agitate for greater racial and social equality
45 of 52
The Vietnam War
1960s and 1970s
46 of 52
Which people were drafted?
A disproportionate number of lower class and non-white people
47 of 52
Roe v. Wade case
1973
48 of 52
What does this case guarentee?
American women legal access to abortion
49 of 52
The LA race riots/The Rodney King riots
1992
50 of 52
What happened to LA?
It broke out in a firestorm of protest and race riots
51 of 52
What does it show?
Debates surrounding race and civil rights were still alive and well in the US
52 of 52

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

1776 --> declares that colonies have officially separated from Britain

Back

Declaration of Independence

Card 3

Front

1789 --> replaces Articles of Confederation and sets up US federal government

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Creates a government which has a strong federal backbone, whilst retaining rights for states

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Principles of "checks and balances"

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

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