-
As Americans emigrated into the West, they would usually settle down, build a home, and become a farmer. This was until James Marshall discovered gold in Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. Once gold was discovered, news spread quickly, and there was a boom in emigration from the east and immigration from around the world. These people were known as the "forty-niners." And they drastically changed California's population/way of life. -
The American Civil War was fought between the Northern Union and the Confederate States. The Northern Union fought to abolish slavery and give African Americans equal rights
-
The Homestead Act encouraged western migration. The act promised a land grant of 120 acres to any adult citizen or intended citizen, including women, immigrants, and formerly enslaved people, who had not fought against the Union was eligible.
All they had to do was live on the land consecutively for 5 years to obtain a free deed. -
After the Civil War, the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were created. These amendments granted African Americans the same freedom that white Americans had.
The 13th Amendment(1865)- Abolished slavery.
The 14th Amendment(1868)- granted birthright citizenship and equal protection under the law.
The 15th Amendment (1870)- Granted African American men the right to vote. -
Following the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, Confederate states made it very difficult for African Americans to exercise their new freedoms. The Confederate States created white supremacist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), Knights of the white Camellia (KWC), White League, and Red Shirts.
-Most of these Hate groups were founded between the 1860s-1870s. These hate groups would create radical submission by lynching/murdering, terror/violence, and institutionalized racism. (etc) -
With the boom of population in California/the West, there was also a boom in employment.
Many big businesses were established, as well as unions. The new technology and rapid industrialization led to the creation of massive businesses and monopolies, which only kept the industrialists rich.
Since it was the early years of big business, workers and unions were taken advantage of.
Many workers faced:
-low pay for strenuous work
-long hours
-hazardous working conditions -
The Industrial Revolution changed America's way of living. With the inventions of new technology like electricity, the telephone, the light bulb, and transportation (the railroad). -
The mistreatment by Big businesses and monopolies made workers retaliate against their employers.
Many workers would protest, go on strike, and some went as far as using violence and destruction.
examples:
Great Railroad Strike of 1877
Haymarket Affair (1886)
Homestead Strike (1892)
Eventually, after all the strikes, protests, and conflict, the Fair Labor Act was established in 1938. -
The progressive movement fought for political/democratic reforms, economic/business reforms, and social and environmental reforms.
Their accomplishments consist of:
Labor Rights: Fought for safer workplaces, child labor laws, and normalized the eight-hour workday.
Women's Suffrage: Secured the right to vote for women with the 19th Amendment, bringing new voices and perspectives into politics.
Education Welfare: Expanded educational opportunities and social services for the poor. -
During the Spanish-American War, many journalists would hide their identities and report on the conflict and mistreatment of the Cuban people under Spain's rule.
What really pushed the United States to join the war was the explosion and sinking of the USS Maine. Since the boat sank in Havana Harbor, the blame was automatically put on Spain. (Americans were outraged) -
During WWI, chemical warfare was introduced. The chemicals used most were mustard gas, tear gas, arsenic compounds, phosgene, and chlorine. This type of warfare was extremely inhumane and would later be banned. -
The 1929 stock market crash occurred due to a combination of reckless speculation (buying stocks with borrowed money), inflated stock prices that were detached from their real value, and economic weaknesses, including low wages, agricultural struggles, and excessive bank loans. -
The GI Act provided servicemen and veterans with education, home/business loans, unemployment, and job assistance. to ease the transition from wartime back into civilian life. -
The United Nations was founded after WWII to promote peace, prevent global conflict, and have international countries come and work together.