US History timeline & concept chart: 1860s-1900

US History timeline & concept chart: 1860-1900

Objectives:

• to help students to
  • associate timelines with events, persons, themes & concepts
  • associate presidents with timelines, themes & concepts
  • identify timelines with BIG IDEAS across periods of US history
  • find connections and common themes across US history
  • easily find relevant details for larger comprehension
• to help teachers to
  • quickly review US History content for lesson planning
  • provide students with easy and complete reference source for US history

Click EXPAND for a note for mobile phone users (already shows on mobile)

• these timeline & concept charts use tables in order to connect ideas, timelines, and major concepts
• tables are not mobile-friendly (they do not wrap to a single column)
• when these charts are complete, we will in the future convert the charts to mobile-friendly format as an alternative file
• we encourage you to use a tablet or larger monitor in order to see the charts here

Index

• Major concepts & themes across US History
• Category:US History timelines & concept charts pages list

Page structure & format guide

• US History timeline & concept chart page structure format guide

U.S. History course pages:

• US History
• AP US History

1860s: Lincoln * Johnson administrations

PERIOD / TIMELINE	Major Events, Concepts & Themes	Notes & connections: details of issues, concepts, themes & events
timeline here 18xx xxxx >> >> note spacing between lines using <br><br> code	BIG IDEAS subsection Election of 1860 Lincoln Republican Party Southern secession Civil War Lincoln war measures (shutting down press, draft, keeping the border states) Border states = key to Lincoln strategy Gettysburg Address: giving the War meaning: - self-government - freedom Civil War economic impact North wins in war and economics Southern economy in ruins Republican policies enacted CIVIL WAR ERA CONSTITUTIONAL AMMENDENTS subsection >> subsection >> subsection >>	=== subheading >>details Election of 1860 Lincoln position on slavery: no expansion but left where it was >> but argued against slavery as unethical = argues against slavery but not its abolition >> Southerners and northern abolitions don’t like Lincoln >> southerners assume he is against slavery >> abolitionists assume he is no strong on the issue - 4-way split election: > Democratic party split between north (Douglas) Southern candidates (Breckenridge) > the 4th candidate was a border-state, pro-Union, pro-slavery but anti-spread of slavery former Democrat, John Bell, who carried border states and Virginia > Lincoln won w/ mostly northern votes which gave him Electoral College majority = clear winner > South Carolina secedes, followed by others up to March 1861 when Lincoln took office Civil War: Lincoln's policies >>details === subheading >>details Lincoln position on slavery: no expansion but left where it was >> but argued against slavery as unethical = argues against slavery but not its abolition >> Southerners and northern abolitions don’t like Lincoln >> southerners assume he is against slavery >> abolitionists assume he is no strong on the issue - 4-way split election: > Democratic party split between north (Douglas) Southern candidates (Breckenridge) > the 4th candidate was a border-state, pro-Union, pro-slavery but anti-spread of slavery former Democrat, John Bell, who carried border states and Virginia > Lincoln won w/ mostly northern votes which gave him Electoral College majority = clear winner > South Carolina secedes, followed by others up to March 1861 when Lincoln took office Lincoln positions during war - does not recognize secession - U.S. Gov will defend its properties > Ft. Sumter = 1st battle of the war, off coast of Charleston, SC - War is about UNION Meaning of the War - to Southerners: > felt they were defending Constitutional rights > considered the North the aggressors - to Northerners > many but not all were anti-slavery > to save the Union >> the question for Union: can a people rule themselves? (self-government) >> Europeans looked upon Civil War as demonstration that democracy can’t work Both sides started with enthusiasm for war and expectation that it would be short Slavery - Lincoln’s position was originally that slavery should not be expanded > but during the war, he used the issue as a wartime measure > he did not ban slavery in loyal border states >> to keep them loyal to the Union > Emancipation Proclamation was huge diplomatic victory, as it made the conflict about slavery, so Europeans could not support the South = Lincoln ended up using slavery as an issue to give purpose to the war Important Battles: - Antietam, 1862 = Union victory, gave Lincoln excuse to launch the Emancipation Proclamation (1862) > freed slaves in states under rebellion >> he previously abolished slavery in federal territories, including DC - Gettysburg, 1863 > along with losing control of the Mississippi River, Gettysburg ended the southern chances to win the war > Lincoln used battlefield for Gettysburg Address, needed a big victory for impact - Lincoln moves the meaning of the war from just preserving the union and self-government to equality and ending slavery (liberty) in Gettysburg Address Why north wins? - bigger population, bigger army - industrial base - strategies >> Annaconda strategy << to isolate the south by controlling the coasts and Mississippi River (accomplished by Jul 1863) Partisans: - many Democrats in north are anti-war (Esp. immigrant areas, NYC riots) >>critical of Lincoln’s wartime measures to block bad press Radical Republicans – block of senators who are strongly anti-slavery > criticize Lincoln for not doing enough - south destroyed - industrialization in north < ex,. Andrew Carnegie steel industry titan, gained fortune in Civil War - railroads expand: > transcontinental railroad > the country is more connected (markets, politics, economics) - urbanization - presidential powers enhanced > esp via enforcement of Constitutional Amendments and Civil Rights Laws - with the South in rebellion, the Northern states could enact legislation they had been unable to pass otherwise, including: - Transcontinental Railroad via the northern route (Pacific Railroad Act, 1862) - Homestead Act (1862) that gave 160 acres to “homesteaders” who agreed to stay on the land for 5 years (ie, not sell it) >> Morrill Land-Grant Act was part of this legislation: gave proceeds of federal land sales to states for building of state colleges - Confiscation Acts, which allowed for taking property of anyone in rebellion and freeing their slaves - Freedman’s bureau: to lease lands to freed slaves 13. Outlawed slavery 14. a. Citizenship for former slaves b. Protect “privileges & immunities” and “due process” c. Equal Protection for all citizens 15. Voting rights for black men

1870s Grant & Hayes administrations

PERIOD / TIMELINE	Major Events, Concepts & Themes	Notes & connections: details of issues, concepts, themes & events
timeline here 18xx xxxx >> >> note spacing between lines using <br><br> code	BIG IDEAS subsection >> subsection >> subsection >> subsection >>	=== subheading >>details === subheading >>details === subheading >>details === subheading >>details RECONSTRUCTION Northern occupation of South How to bring South back into union while protecting rights of freedmen? = northern army occupation of the South enforce Civil War outcomes = to enforce the amendments and civil right laws = to bring the south back into the union >> Lincoln’s 2nd inaugural address >>> goal is to end war and heal wounds Radical Republicans wanted to punish the South Compromise of 1877 - 1876 election disputed, sent to House for decision - deal cut to elect Hayes in exchange for removing federal troops from south, effectively ending Reconstruction End of Reconstruction - Segregation imposed by whites > “Jim Crow” laws restricted blacks’ rights - Klu Klux Klan gained power and intimidated blacks - sharecropping system grows: > poor farmers, black and white, had to pay rent to farm land and loaned money for seeds and tools at high rates >> indebted them to the landowners - Plessy v. Ferguson, 1883 > court case that created “separate but equal” rule that legalized segregation (until 1950s, when overturned by Brown v. Board of Education, 1954) > overturned Civil Rights Act of 1875 that prohibited discrimination in public businesses and facilities Western frontier Indian Wars Railroads connect to the West Immigration drives urban growth Political Machines in northern cities Growth of cites, especially New York - rail and trolly networks lead to and through cities = growth - immigration explodes: pay better in the U.S. than home countries > chain migration leads to ethnic neighborhoods > “tenements” = multi-family housing > immigrants compete with blacks for labor - “factory towns” > poor living conditions, reliance on the factories - Political bosses used immigrants for votes to control city governments > “political machines” > bosses provided services to residents in exchange for political support > “Boss Tweed” = corrupt NYC mayor, 1870s, finally jailed in 1878 >> Thomas Nast drew cartoons criticized Tweed & corruption

1880s .> administrations

PERIOD / TIMELINE	Major Events, Concepts & Themes	Notes & connections: details of issues, concepts, themes & events
timeline here 18xx xxxx >> >> note spacing between lines using <br><br> code	BIG IDEAS subsection >> subsection >> subsection >> subsection >>	=== subheading >>details === subheading >>details === subheading >>details === subheading >>details

1870s-1890s concepts, themes & trends

PERIOD / TIMELINE	Major Events, Concepts & Themes	Notes & connections: details of issues, concepts, themes & events
timeline here 18xx xxxx >> >> note spacing between lines using <br><br> code	BIG IDEAS subsection >> subsection >> subsection >> subsection >>	close of the western frontier railroads connected East to West coasts railroads, trolleys, electricity, telegraphs, etc. spread across country “standardized time” adopted to manage rail schedules "time zones" created by 1890, ND, SK, WA, MT were states Turner "Frontier Thesis:" Turner, a 20th century historian, claimed that the “closing” of the frontier, i.e. filling up the country had changed America because the frontier had allowed the country to grow, promoted democracy and gave opportunity to people moving west and “closing” of the frontier reduced those aspects Indian wars Little Bighorn Sioux tribes opposed western settlements US Army sent to oppose them, leading to battle of Little Bighorn US Army famously defeated marked the end of Indian resistance to U.S. western expansion Ghost Dance movement 1890 Indian revivalist movement preached liberation of Indians from US occupation Wounded Knee battle between Federal troops and Indians many from the Ghost Dance movement massacre of the Indians who resisted Urbanization urban industrialization attracted immigrants and domestic migrants Industrialism rapid economic growth leads to creation of big companies industrialist personalities Andrew Carnegie, steel John Rockefeller, oil JP Morgan, banking holding companies” buy multiple companies to control an industry mass production and assembly line production = mechanized, automated factories with thousands of workers Monopolies & Sherman Anti-Trust law, 1890 monopolies = “horizontal integration” = controlling an industry versus “vertical integration = controlling all aspects of a business (raw materials, supply chains, manufacture, sale railroads are “natural monopolies” because railroads require government support to take land to build they control the tracks they built resentment over rail construction resentment over rail prices along routes, especially to move farm products Sherman Anti-Trust Law of 1890 passed to outlaw monopolies made illegal actions “in restraint of trade” targeted “combinations” (holding companies, conglomerates) Gilded Age Gilded Age” = named by Mark Twain as time of huge wealth and ridiculous displays of the wealth (“gilded”) - “Gospel of wealth” = Andrew Carnegie theory that in exchange for wealth created by markets, the rich should give back to society via philanthropy charity and charitable donations Carnegie built libraries across the country Conspicuous Consumption << to do Social Darwinism = Charles Darwin's "theory of evolution" applied to social and economic outcomes the term "social Darwinism" was first used by Joseph Fisher in 1877 in reference to the development of land use and ownership in Ireland Fisher used the term to dispute that cattle use and ownership in Ireland was related to land ownership (tenure" but the term caught on with the larger meaning that "natural selection" in plants and animals also occurs in human societies Herbert Spencer promoted the idea of "survival of the fittest" = that: social & economic outcomes are related to race races have inherent abilities that define social outcomes science can predict social outcomes based on race = related to the earlier theories of "phrenology" that claimed that the size of the skull marked intelligence (early 1800s) economic application: = competition will lead to the survival of the fittest === Labor movements Unionization rights of workers strikes (and legality of them) Knights of Labor, started 1869, to organized urban factory workers and demand better working conditions, pay, and prohibition on child labor (under age 14) - Haymarket Square Riot, 1886: labor activists set off bomb that killed police, turned popular support against labor - Homestead Strike, 1892, steel factory strike put down by private army that killed several strikers Pinkerton Detectives: hired by factory owners to put down strikes, protect strike-breakers (“scabs”) - Pullman Palace Car Factory strike, 1894: first national strike, when one strike was joined by others and rail travel was shut down - Labor movements split between: socialism * led by Eugene Debs, who wanted to overthrow capitalism > trade unions, especially American Federation of Labor (AFL), led by Samuel Gompers, who denounced revolution and sought to negotiate with industry to raise wages and better work conditions >> AFL restricted union membership to white men, mostly, excluding blacks and many immigrants Populist movements: Grange & People's Party hard v. soft money = gold v. silver Small famers want to pay debts in silver Wm J. Bryan: “Cross of Gold Speech” as the national economy become more interconnected, railroads, markets, grain prices, etc. become local issues dependent upon national systems as result, local interests organized into movements to defend the interests of farmers, especially, versus the railroads and industrial companies key was debt: farmers wanted “soft money” (silver) debt instead of “hard money” debt (gold) silver arose as an issue because of huge mines discovered that led to flood of silver into the markets, inflating the price of silver (thus soft money) versus gold, which was more scarce and kept its value Grange Movement, starting 1867 grew as “cooperatives” and political candidates to represent the interest of farmers Farmer’s Alliances: grew out of Grange and extended more into politics People’s Party: grew out of the Farmer’s alliances into a full political party > movement made up of small farmers mostly from the Midwest > 1892 election: Omaha platform called for silver money, government takeover of railroads and telegraphs, income tax, labor reform - Socialists party arose I n1894, but was less influential > leader was Eugene Debs - William Jennings Bryan became Democratic party candidate in 1896, 1900 and 1908, largely by adopting the platform of the Grange/People’s party >> Bryan: “Cross of gold” speech became famous argument for “soft money, ie silver >> 1890s: silver mines in CO & NV Reform movements Women’s rights Urban reform Anti-corruption Workplace reform Child Labor reform - urban reformers, including: > Jane Addams and “Hull House” to help working mothers newspapers & “yellow journalism” highlighted social problems exaggerated or created scandals to sell more papers Women’s Suffrage movement movement advances into 1890s Susan B. Anthony promoted women’s suffrage amendment American Suffrage Association won victories in various states for participation of women in state elections beginnings of the Progressive movement radical movements Socialism, anarchism, radicalism anarchy, socialism, political agitation campaigns were common during this time as some segments of society were not able to process changes in the economy and social structure (from farm to industry, from artisan to factory worker) industrial strikes were sources of agitation and infiltration by radical groups into labor movements President McKinley was assassinated in 1901 by an anarchist most Americans were against violence but many Americans did worry about the meaning and impact of social and economic changes going on around them many Americans blame immigrants for the agitation === Populism === movement >>details === subheading >>details

1890s Harrison, Cleveland & McKinley administrations

PERIOD / TIMELINE	Major Events, Concepts & Themes	Notes & connections: details of issues, concepts, themes & events
Benjamin Harrison presidency Grover Cleveland presidency, US overseas expansion & imperialism 1894 Wilson-Gorman Tariff >> >> note spacing between lines using <br><br> code	BIG IDEAS US imperialism economic: US investments in Latin America US takeover of Hawaii military: Alfred T. Mahan's "Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783" Spanish-American War Yellow journalism USS Maine subsection >> subsection >>	Panic of 1893 background causes US silver mines flooded markets with silver, which led to price inflation, especially for commodities (prices up), which encouraged additional land speculation the 1890 Sherman Silver Purchase Act required that the US Government purchase silver, thus driving up the price of silver farmers and miners had promoted the idea farmers want inflation to reduce cost of debts, miners wanted higher silver prices speculative (risky investment) bubbles in Argentina, South Africa and Australia 1890 crisis in Argentina, which had received much US and European investment wheat crop failure & attempted coup d'etat Europeans & domestic investors turned to US gold over "paper money" US railroad over-expansion direct causes in 1893, just before President Cleveland took office , the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad (yes, the "Reading" on the Monopoly board!) failed, causing bank runs and "credit crunch" (banks call loans for immediate repayment and don't offer new loans) Tariffs Democrats were traditionally low-tariff advocates and Republicans, from the Whig tradition, advocated "protective tariffs" to "protect" domestic products against foreign competition low tariffs = pro-consumer, pro-importers (especially agriculture-based economies, exported crops and imported goods) high tariffs = pro-industry, pro-local production; also called protective tariffs most Federal revenue was from tariffs Europeans used colonial possessions for home markets and protect themselves against competition via protective tariffs US industrialization amplified the debates McKinley Tariff of 1890 Wilson-Gorman Tariff, 1894 US overseas trade led to more competition with Europeans across the world Democrats reduced rates imposed a 2% income tax to make up for lost revenue from lower tariffs the Supreme Court ruled the income tax unconstitutional not a "direct tax" since the income tax varied by income (the Constitution required that a "direct tax" be equally applied to all citizens) in the landmark case Pollock v. Farmers' Loan & Trust Co. the Supreme Court ruled that the income tax was an "unapportioned direct tax" >>details American imperialism background industrialization empowered American foreign trade and investments Alaska territory was the final "American frontier" decline of Spanish colonial empire, only Cuba and Puerto Rico remained colonies after Latin America independence movements in the 1820s Cuban independence movements sought & received much support in US Alfred Mahan “Influence of Sea Power” (1890) Mahan argued for need for navy to enforce access to foreign ports for trade his circular logic: strong navy allows for imperialism which creates need for strong navy coaling stations in Hawaii allowed for more transit across the Pacific annexation of Hawaii, 1898 1891 Queen Liliuokalani crowned ruler of Hawaii Hawaii was an important supply source for ships crossing the Pacific with growth in steam power, Hawaii became even more important to American shippers for trade with east Asia starting in 1819 and growing into 1870s, US missionaries and settlers established sugar plantations in Hawaii US tariffs exempted Hawaiian sugar (which led to growth in production), but in 1890, the '''MicKinley Tariff''' subsidized American sugar producers (gave them money to lower their prices), which made Hawaiian sugar more expensive, and created an economic crisis in Hawaii in 1891, American planters forced abdication of newly-crowned Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani Cleveland refused to recognize American annexation of Hawaii in 1898, the US officially annexed Hawaii as part of the settlement of the Spanish-American War (1898) Spanish-American war, 1898 Cuban revolutionaries appealed to Americans for help for independence from Spain "Remember the Maine!” USS Maine blew up at Havana harbor Yellow journalism promoted the war, blaming Spanish for blowing up the Maine US attacked Spanish holdings in Cuba, Puerto Rico & Philippines turning each into US possessions "Treaty of Paris” 1898, US agreed to independence for Cuba and possession of Puerto Rico, Philippines and Guam (Pacific islands) "Platt Amendment" an amendment to an Army appropriations (funding) bill named for Senator Platt required that Cuba: not make any treaties that would weaken its independence or cede territory to another country allow the US to purchase or lease land for naval stations (Guantanamo Bay) not become indebted to other nations so as to give them an excuse to extract payments by military force (a common policy that in the US was later called "gunboat diplomacy" agree that the US has the right to intervene in Cuba to maintain its independence and domestic peace (prevent a civil war) "Open Door" policy, 1899 McKinley's Secretary of State John Hay's memo declaring that all countries should be allowed to trade with Chiina written in response to 1894 war between China and Japan over control of Korea China lost and was forced to allow Korean independence and cede control of Manchuria (northeast region), which included Port Arthur, an important naval base European powers demanded that Japan return Manchuria to China & in 1898 Russia forced China to "lease" (loan) Port Arthur to it other European nations then demanded a leasehold from China allowing them to each maintain a sphere of influence in China (mostly for economic development) in 1899 Hay sent letter (memo) to each European nation asserting that every country had the right to trade with China, even via the European "leaseholds" thus "Open Door policy" Chinese groups organized against the European interventions and in 1900 rebelled by attacking embassies and killing or imprisoning foreigners the uprising was named for one of the groups, "the Boxers", thus the Boxer Rebellion US participated with European powers in sending vessels and troops to put down the rebellion Hay negotiated compensation from China instead of full military retaliation, which Europeans accepted, thus ensuring continued US access to trade with China === subheading >>details === subheading >>details

Progressive Era

• go to next timeline: US History timeline & concept chart: 1900-1940