Turning Points in US HistoryWhat is a “turning

point”?A turning point is a moment when a society’s historical trajectory is sent in a significantly new direction. In other words, a turning point marks the beginning of a new historical reality.

Turning Points in US History

Sometimes it is a social movementWomen’s suffrage took 72 years from Seneca Falls in 1848 to the 19th amendment in 1920

Turning Points in US History

Sometimes it is a decisive battleBattle of Saratoga during American Revolution or the Battle of Antietam during Civil War

Turning Points in US History

Sometimes it is a new technologyInvention of the telegraph in the 1840sThe personal computer in the 1970s

Turning Points in US History History is the study of

conflict.Not just violence, riots, and war but conflict of ideas.For example, was slavery compatible with Republican values in 18th and 19th centuries? Would giving women the right to vote destroy the American family?

Turning Points in US History History is the study of

agency which means that people take matters into their own hands to achieve historical change For example, the civil rights movement.

Turning Points in US HistoryAnother historical theme:

crisis-which leads to opportunityFor example, the Great Depression lead to the New Deal program.Civil War lead to the unthinkable: the Emancipation Proclamation

Turning Points in US History And finally: history is the

study of choices. Nothing is inevitable.Change is driven by choices made by people.For example, the decision of the Continental Congress to declare American independence or Truman to drop the atomic bomb in 1945

Turning Points In History Objective: To review American history

through critical events

Identify the implied eventComment on its significanceList pieces of outside information

1763The Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian War. The British won control all land west to the Mississippi river, including Florida. This British victory left the colonists with no foreign enemies on their immediate borders. It was at this moment that the British, in need of money to pay for past wars and the costs of administering new lands, chose to impose new taxes on the colonies. The colonists saw no reason to pay taxes for protection they felt they did not need. Thus began the clash that ended in the American Revolution.

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1763Outside info: a) Pontiac’s RebellionChief Pontiac’s alliance of Native Americans destroyed forts and settlements from NY to Virginia. Rather than relying on colonial forces to retaliate, the British sent regular troopsb) Proclamation of 1763Prohibited colonists from settling west of Appalachian Mountainsc) Sugar Act of 1764, Quartering Act of 1765, and the Stamp Act of 1765

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1776The Declaration of Independence marked the first time in history that a colony had boldly asserted independence from a mother country. Winning the war was necessary, however, to make independence a reality. The DOI, as a document, justified the separation on the grounds of violations of the colonists’ natural rights and asserted that “all men are created equal.” This statement, also not reality at the time, has served as a standard by which we judge how far we have come and how far we have to go to achieve real equality in America.

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American Revolution-Britain being thrown off the horse (America)-1776

This cartoon, by an unknown artist, demonstrates how Colonial Americans viewed their mother country. They wanted Britain "off their back" and out of the colonies completely.The print - "The Horse America, Throwing His Master" - depicts a horse (named "America") throwing his rider (King George III).

1776Outside info: a) Intolerable Acts of 1774Acts resulted from the Boston Tea Party. These were punitive acts also called Coercive Actsb) Battle of Saratoga 1777Persuaded France to join the colonists in fight for independencec) Enlightenment (John Locke)-natural laws

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1789Ratification of the Constitution gave the United States a “more perfect union” than had been possible under the state dominated Articles of Confederation. The document, based on the principles of federalism, separation of powers, representation, and flexibility, created a firm foundation for the growth and development of the United States.

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1788-Federalist push for all 13 colonies to adopt the new Constitution

1789Outside info: a) Representation (Great Compromise) 2 house CongressIn Senate, states would have equal representation and in House of Representatives each state would be represented based on populationb) Slavery-Three fifths CompromisePurpose for determining each state’s level of taxation and representationc) Federalists PapersEssays were key element in Federalist campaign for Constitution (Jay, Hamilton, and Madison)

1800In the “Revolution of 1800,” the Democratic-Republicans, after a heated struggle, won the presidency and control of Congress. The new nation survived this critical change of power from the business-oriented, aristocratic Federalists to the more agrarian and democratic party of Jefferson without violence.

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1800Outside info: a) Alien and Sedition Acts Federalists attempt to restrict Democratic-Republicans (5 to 14 years to become citizen, deport aliens, make it illegal for newspapers to criticize president)b) Kentucky (Jefferson) and Virginia (Madison) ResolvesViolated rights of 1st amendment, could a state void and nullify federal lawc) Close race between Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson

1803Both the Louisiana Purchase and the Supreme Court decision in Marbury v Madison had major importance for the future. Acquisition of Louisiana gave the US control of the Mississippi River, which it needed for commercial reasons. More importantly, it doubled the size of the country, assured the downfall of the Federalists, strongly suggested that the country would one day extend from sea to sea and require Jefferson, who had previously opposed use of the elastic clause,

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1803To take a step toward a loose interpretation. The Marbury case set a precedent for judicial review and the raised the Supreme Court to a position of equality with the president and Congress

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1803Outside info: a) Lewis and ClarkBenefits: great geography knowledge, better claim to Oregon Territory, and better relations with Indiansb) Duel with Hamilton and Burr 1806c) Embargo Act of 1807Due to England’s impressment of US sailors and Chesapeake-Leopard Affair

1814The Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812, resulted in a return to the status quo ante bellum. While it did not represent a victory for the US, as many later assumed, it have important consequences, among them an increase in nationalism, a chance to pursue westward expansion relatively unhampered by Native American resistance, encouragement of American manufacturing, disappearance of the Federalist party, and a strengthening of isolation that kept the country out of foreign wars for a century

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1814Outside info: a) Hartford ConventionNE states threatened to secede. Killed off Federalist partyb) Battle of New OrleansOne of the few US victories, Jackson becomes national hero. Also, gives Americans strong feeling of nationalismc) War HawksYoung DR congressmen, Henry Clay and John C Calhoun-wanted to gain Canada, destroy Indian resistance in west, and beat Great Britain

1848The Treaty of Guadelupe-Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican War, gave the United States control of the vast Mexican Cession. Acquisition of this territory revived the slavery issue that shortly played an important role in the Civil War. The Treaty also created lasting resentment of the powerful United States among Latin American countries.

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1848Outside info: a) Wilmot ProvisoSlavery is intensified. House bill was proposed that would forbid slavery in the new territories acquired from Mexicob) Ostend ManifestoPolk and Pierce both tried to buy Cuba from Spain. South wanted to expand slavery therec) Gadsden Purchase 1853Strip of land in Southwest for southern railroad

1861The outbreak of the Civil War ended any chance to settle the slavery issue peacefully. In dividing the Union, it also threatened to destroy credibility of government under the Constitution. What other country would model a government that could not survive its first major crisis?

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1861Outside info: a) Lincoln elected 1860Stephen Douglas (Northern Democrats) John Breckinridge (Southern Democrats) John Bell (Constitutional Union Party) first Republican presidentb) Bull Run (Stonewall Jackson)Ended illusion of short war and showed that Union wasn’t that strong and that South was stronger than originally thoughtc) Antietam (Emancipation Proclamation)Britain and France don’t come to South aid

1865The end of the Civil War and the death of Lincoln had major consequences. Lincoln, in his second inaugural address, had pledged a lenient peace when the war ended. President Andrew Johnson and Radical Republicans in Congress had other ideas. Republicans in Congress knew that their own majority would be threatened when southern states returned. They hoped to secure their own programs and African American political support before agreeing to southern readmission.

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1865Outside info: a)Sherman’s MarchHelped get Lincoln reelected in 1864, broke spirit of the Confederacy and destroyed its will to fight onb) Civil War Amendments13th-abolished slavery 14th-citizenship 15th-right to votec) Lincoln’s 10 percent plan and Wade Davis Bill (50%)Full pardon to most Confederates if they took an oath to Union and accepted emancipation of slaves

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A Man Knows a Man-Veterans recognizing

service-1865

Military service, especially in battle, was often seen as a rite of passage that turned boys into men. Physical scarring or maiming served as the visible symbol of manhood tested and earned through combat. The message of this cartoon, appearing at the end of the Civil War, is that white and black Union soldiers have made the same sacrifice and are equal in their manhood. It can be inferred that, for the artist, the equality of manhood would encompass the economic right to work as free men and to provide for their families. The artist’s intent on the more difficult questions of political and social equality is uncertain.

1877After Hayes won the disputed election of 1876, he agreed to withdrawal of the last remaining Union troops from the former Confederacy. This official end of Reconstruction and of northern supervision of the South (1877) left the new freedmen at the mercy of vengeful southerners.

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1877Outside info: a)Freedmen BureauUnder direction of General Oliver Howard, it provided food, shelter, and medical aid to African Americansa)Black CodesSevere restrictions and rights of former slaves, work contracts, can’t own guns, serve on juries, sharecroppersc) Samuel Tilden

1914The outbreak of World War I in Europe brought to an end almost a century of peace on the Continent. Promising steps toward Progressive reform in the United states came to a halt as President Wilson focused his attention on foreign affairs and how best to influence the course of the war and eventual peace.

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1914Outside info: a) Lusitania sinking 1915German sub (u boat) sank British passenger ship. 128 Americans diedb) Zimmermann Telegram 1917If Mexico would ally itself with Germany, then Germany would help recover lost territories in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizonac) Russian Revolution 1917Communist takeover

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"I Want You" Recruiting Poster-1917

1919The Treaty of Versailles, based in part on Wilson’s Fourteen Points, included plans for a League of Nations. This controversial organization proved to be the sticking point that prevented the Senate from ratifying the treaty. The United States never joined the League, thus reducing its potential impact, and instead returned to relative isolation.

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1919Outside info: a) Henry Cabot LodgeRepublican senator who would only accept the League if certain reservations were added (called reservationists)b) Suffers a stroke during western tourNever recovered and League did not passc) Red ScareFrom 1919 to 1920 Attorney General Mitchell Palmer went after anarchists, socialists, and labor agitators

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“Come Unto Me, Ye Opprest!” [European Anarchist in background], 1919

"Close the Gate"-Chicago Tribune-July 1919

1929The Stock Market Crash (1929) brought to an end a long period of prosperity for American business and started the worst depression in American history. In the course of dealing with the Depression, the United States, under Franklin Roosevelt, introduced a welfare state with government taking increasing responsibility for the interests of a variety of less fortunate groups in American society

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1929Outside info: a)Hawley Smoot tariff 1930In June 1930, Hoover signed the highest ever tariff. It ranged from 31 to 49% on foreign importsb) Bonus March 1932Thousands of unemployed WWI vets marched to Washington DC to demand payment of bonuses that were promised to them at later date 1945c) 3 r’sRelief for people out of work, recovery for business and the economy, and reform of American economic institutions

Migrant Mother

1941The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into active participation in the worst war in the history of the world.

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1941Outside info: a)Lend lease actEnded cash and carry/permitted Britain to obtain US arms on credit/like lending your neighbor a garden hose to put out a fireb) Internment100,000 Japanese Americans interned. Upheld in Korematsu vs US (1944)c) Propaganda

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Rosie the Riveter

1945The end of World War II ushered in the Atomic Age, the creation of the United Nations, the Cold War, and the beginning of the end of colonialism.

1945Outside info: a)FDR diesApril 1945/Germany surrenders May, 1945/Japan surrenders August, 1945b) Island hopping, Battle of Midway, D Day (Normandy), atomic bombsCampaign to get within striking distance of Japan/turning point in Pacific theater/Allied drive to liberate France June 6, 1944/Manhattan Project/Hiroshima/Nagasakic) United Nations

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1954The year was significant both for this country’s first involvement in the war in Vietnam and for the historic Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, which overturned the 1896 “separate but equal” decision and began the change in American treatment of African Americans

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1954Outside info: a)Highway Act 195642K miles of highways linking all major US cities/purpose was to improve national defenseb) Eisenhower Doctrine1957, the US pledged economic and military support to any Middle Eastern country threatened by communismc) CIA overthrow of Iran and Guatemala Covert or undercover intervention was less objectionable than employing US troops

1960The first sit-ins in Greensboro, North Carolina, marked the beginning of a new activism of African Americans in protest against segregation. The election of JFK later that year, in a close election in which African Americans made a difference, led to a “revolution of rising expectations” among African Americans and a new support for civil rights legislation within the federal executive branch.

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1960Outside info: a)New Frontier“torch being passed to a younger generation” JFK chose his younger brother Bobby as Attorney General, his wife, Jacqueline brought style, glamourb) Bay of Pigs 1961CIA failed scheme to use Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castroc) Cuban Missile Crisis 1962Russians were building nuclear missiles in Cuba/ JFK set up naval bloc

Kennedy/Khrushchev Cold War Arms Race-1961

1964Passage of the historic Civil Rights Act outlawed segregation in public accommodations and public facilities and banned discriminatory practices in hiring, voting, and education.

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1964Outside info: a)Voting Rights Act 1965Ended literacy tests/impact was dramatic in deep South where African Americans could vote for the first time since Reconstructionb) Immigration Act 1965Does away with 1920s Immigration restriction actsc) Great Society/Vietnam WarExpanded social programs from New Deal/Medicaid/Medicare/War on Poverty/Head Start

1968The assassination of both MLK and RFK effectively brought the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s to an end.

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1968Outside info: a)Tet OffensiveJanuary 1968, the Vietcong launched a surprise attack on every major city and base in South Vietnam/major setback for Americab) MyLai Massacrec) Nixon winsVietnamization-gradually withdrawal troops and give South Vietnamese the money, the weapons and the training. Tied into Nixon doctrine where future Asian allies would receive US support but without military aid

1973The Paris Peace Agreement marking the end of the longest war in American history forced Americans to realize that they were not invincible and could not solve all the problems of the world. Congress took steps to limit presidential options in the War Powers Resolution in an effort not to be drawn into another undeclared war.

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1973Outside info: a)Fall of SaigonApril 1975, the US supported government in Saigon fell to the enemy and Vietnam became 1 country under the rule of Communist governmentb) WatergateBreak in of Democratic Party headquarters c) Nixon resignsAbout to be impeached

1989The dismantling of the Berlin Wall, the election of Solidarity in Poland, and the fall of the Easter European economies in Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania signaled the impending collapse of the former Soviet Union and ushered in a new era in US diplomatic relations.

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1989Outside info: a)"perestroika" and "glasnost“perestroika=restricting of the Soviet economy by introducing free market practices/glasnost=openness to end political repression and move toward greater political freedom b) Mikhail Gorbachev c) Beijing's Tiananmen Square In 1989, prodemocracy students demonstrated for freedom, Chinese Communist government crushed the protest with tanks

1994The Republican landslide in the November elections gave the party its first control of both houses of Congress in many years. The election brought into question the public’s satisfaction with long standing welfare legislation and suggested a return of significant authority to state governments.

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1994Outside info: a) NAFTAb) Brady Bill (5 days for a handgun)c) Family Medical Leave Act (12 weeks)