Historical Overview of the USA

A British colony in America founded by Puritans, aiming to be a model Christian society.

Puritan leader of the Massachusetts Bay Colony; preached "city upon a hill" sermon.

Belief that America is unique and superior due to its values and history.

First permanent English settlement in North America, founded in 1607.

Leader of the Jamestown Colony and explorer, who explored the Chesapeake Bay.

Daughter of Chief Powhatan, known for saving John Smith's life and later marrying John Rolfe.

First successful tobacco farmer in the Jamestown Colony; married Pocahontas.

A British colony in America, founded by the Pilgrims (a group of Puritans) in 1620.

Leader of the Plymouth Colony and a key figure in early American history.

Celebration held in 1621 by the Plymouth colonists to thank the Native Americans for helping them survive the first winter.

Grant (Union) and Lee (Confederacy) were key commanders during the American Civil War.

The Civil War caused approximately 750,000 deaths, significantly impacting the Southern population.

The North and West experienced economic growth due to industrialization and the production of war materials, while the South suffered economic ruin.

Lincoln's declaration freeing slaves in Confederate states, encouraging them to join the Union army.

Officially abolished slavery in the United States, marking a turning point in the nation's history.

The period (1865-1877) after the Civil War focused on rebuilding the South and integrating formerly enslaved people into society.

Lincoln's speech defining democracy and national unity, remembered as a foundational American document.

Defined citizenship of formerly enslaved people and guaranteed their rights in the U.S.

Granted voting rights to African American men.

Supreme Court case that ruled people of African descent were not citizens and Congress could not stop slavery in territories. It was a pro-slavery decision.

The period in the American South before the Civil War. Characterized by an aristocratic society, wealthy plantation owners, and the reliance on enslaved labor to grow "slave crops" (cotton especially).

Agricultural products grown using enslaved labor in the Antebellum South, including cotton, tobacco, indigo, rice, and sugar cane.

A movement dedicated to ending slavery in the United States through various methods like gradualism, immediatism, and colonization.

A philosophy of abolition arguing for gradual, phased elimination of slavery with compensation for slaveowners.

A philosophy of abolition arguing for the immediate and unconditional end of slavery without compensation to slaveholders.

A strategy to end slavery by returning formerly enslaved people to Africa or other locations.

An 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, by abolitionist John Brown to arm enslaved people for a rebellion. It failed, but fueled tensions.

The act of withdrawing formally from a political union or organization, such as the Southern states leaving the USA.

The government formed by the Southern states that seceded from the United States, located in Richmond, Virginia

A federal fort where the first major battle of the Civil War took place, starting the conflict.

A war fought between the Union (Northern) and Confederate (Southern) states of the U.S. over issues including slavery and states' rights.

Southern states after the Civil War, seeking to regain autonomy and control over their own affairs, encountering new economic and social challenges like disenfranchisement.

A romanticized and inaccurate interpretation of the Confederacy's defeat in the Civil War, emphasizing states' rights and rejecting the cause of slavery. Often viewed as a euphemism for slavery.

A deal brokered to settle the disputed 1876 Presidential election. It involved withdrawal of federal troops from the South in exchange for the election of a Republican president (Hayes) and support for Southern economic development.

The act of taking away voting rights from a group of people, particularly African Americans after the Civil War

A payment required for the right to vote, often used to exclude poor African Americans from voting in the Southern United States.

A series of laws and practices in Mississippi designed to disenfranchise African Americans. These combined multiple methods to exclude and limit voting rights.

State and local laws in the Southern United States that enforced racial segregation and discrimination, creating a system of racial inequality.

A Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of racial segregation under the doctrine of "separate but equal".

An African-American abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. He was a prominent figure in the anti-slavery movement, and wrote 3 autobiographies.

An African-American educator, author, and advisor. He urged African Americans to focus on economic self-improvement and education (technical skills) rather than immediately pursuing political rights.

A major downturn in the US economy, especially significant in the North, influencing political priorities and lessening Northern interest in enforcing Southern Reconstruction policies.

The period in US history from 1877 to 1900, characterized by rapid economic growth and significant inequality.

1883 law that reformed the civil service by implementing merit-based hiring for government jobs.

1887 law regulating railroads to prevent monopolies and protect consumers.

1900 law fixing the value of the US dollar to a specific amount of gold.

Series of waves of immigrants to the US, including "Old" (NW Europe) and "New" (Eastern Europe and elsewhere) immigration.

Favoring native-born people over immigrants.

1882 law that banned immigration from China.

Conflicts between the US government and Native Americans in the late 1800s.

1890 event where US soldiers killed hundreds of Lakota, marking the end of the Indian Wars.

Annual holiday celebrating American workers, started in 1886.

1886 bombing during a labor protest in Chicago.

Important US labor union, founded in 1886 and still active today

Period of US history from 1900 to 1920 focusing on social reforms.

Reform enabling citizens to vote directly on laws (more power to the people).

Sensationalized journalism emphasizing shocking stories over factual accuracy.

Investigative journalists who exposed social problems

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) involvement in the assassination of Salvador Allende, the President of Chile, to install a dictator (Pinochet).

President Nixon's visit to China, marking a significant step in the initiation of a new diplomatic relationship with the communist country.

President Carter's foreign policy aimed to address the Cold War issues and avoid being fearful of Communism with an idealistic point of view, but faced unforeseen problems and criticism.

The revolution in Iran, resulting in the overthrow of the existing government supported by the CIA, and its replacement by an Islamic republic.

A war in Afghanistan during the late 1970s, between the communist government and the mujahideen. The USSR invasion prompted a US response.

President Carter's response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan by boycotting the Moscow Summer Olympics.

President Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a plan to create a missile defense shield in space, nicknamed "Star Wars".

President Reagan's speech labeling the Soviet Union as the "Evil Empire", reflecting his hardline stance against the USSR.

Reagan administration scandal involving the secret sale of arms to Iran in exchange for the release of American hostages and the use of the money to fund anti-communist contras in Nicaragua.

The destruction of the Berlin Wall in 1989, a symbolic event marking the fall of communism in Europe.

The reuniting of East and West Germany in 1990.

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, effectively ending the Cold War.

Moderate Democrats who supported Reagan's policies.

The rise of religious television programming in the US, especially during the Reagan era.

President Reagan's economic policies that involved tax cuts for the wealthy, anticipating economic growth through trickle-down effects.

The war between Iraq and Iran that the US supported Iraq against Iran, resulting in a stalemate.

The US-led military operation to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi invasion, initiated by President Bush.

Political movement that emerged in the 1990s; embraced some conservative ideas along with traditional democratic ideals.

Clinton administration shifting its focus from foreign policy to domestic issues.

A political proposal that brought the Republicans together during Clinton's administration.

US policy allowing gays in military but prohibiting them from discussing it publicly, putting them at risk if doing so.

Terrorist organization founded by Osama Bin Laden.

White house intern involved in an affair with President Clinton, resulting in a major scandal.

Impeachment proceedings against President Clinton due to controversy and perjury.

Highly contested US presidential election in 2000 involving Gore and Bush.