EMERGING POWER/PROGRESSIVE ERA (1890-1920)
Theodore Roosevelt - Roosevelt had a huge impact on the progressive era. Big stick diplomacy was a major component of Theodore Roosevelt's international relations policy. The theory is that leaders strive for peace while also keeping other nations aware of its military power. A major example is during the Venezuela crisis when he amended the Monroe Doctrine to read that the U.S. would get involved with the affairs of its Latin American neighbors if they defaulted on its debt to Europe.
Robert La Follette -
Became governor of Wisconsin in 1900. Able to pass many reform laws, including forcing the railroads to charge lower fees and pay higher taxes, improving education, and making factories safer.
Became governor of Wisconsin in 1900. Able to pass many reform laws, including forcing the railroads to charge lower fees and pay higher taxes, improving education, and making factories safer.
World War 1 and Beyond (1914-1920)
General John J. Pershing - Commander of American forces in Europe. He was faced with the task of turning millions of untrained men into effective soldiers. His skill helped the Allies win WWI.
Woodrow Wilson -
President from 1913 to 1921, Wilson wanted to bring the war to an end in the idea of “peace without victory”. This was detailed in his Fourteen Points. He wanted self-determination for all nations and asked for a League of Nations.
President from 1913 to 1921, Wilson wanted to bring the war to an end in the idea of “peace without victory”. This was detailed in his Fourteen Points. He wanted self-determination for all nations and asked for a League of Nations.
The Twenties (1919-1929)
Charles Lindbergh -
First person to fly across the Atlantic on a solo and non-stop flight. He was considered one of the greatest heroes of the time and became an instant media celebrity because of this.
First person to fly across the Atlantic on a solo and non-stop flight. He was considered one of the greatest heroes of the time and became an instant media celebrity because of this.
Henry Ford -
Ford brought mass production to new heights. His method of hiring scientific management made it affordable to for the average American to afford. His innovation made him one of the shapers of the modern world.
Ford brought mass production to new heights. His method of hiring scientific management made it affordable to for the average American to afford. His innovation made him one of the shapers of the modern world.
The Great Depression (1928-1932)
Herbert Hoover -
Herbert Hoover was elected to the presidency in 1928. He took a step away from laissez-faire, but most of his attempts to stop the Depression failed. He had done too little too late. Many people agree had he acted differently, it would not have been so bad.
Herbert Hoover was elected to the presidency in 1928. He took a step away from laissez-faire, but most of his attempts to stop the Depression failed. He had done too little too late. Many people agree had he acted differently, it would not have been so bad.
John Maynard Keynes -
A British economist in the early twentieth century who believed that deficit spending during recessions and depressions could revive national economies. Keynes theory wasn't utilized until FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt) applied them in the New Deal to bring the United States out of the Great Depression.
A British economist in the early twentieth century who believed that deficit spending during recessions and depressions could revive national economies. Keynes theory wasn't utilized until FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt) applied them in the New Deal to bring the United States out of the Great Depression.
The New Deal/Coming of WWII (1932-1941)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt -
His New Deal programs and policies focused on immediate relief, long-term recovery, and reform in order to revive the economy. He also played a major part in WWII, and served four terms as President of the United States. His chats over the radio with the American public made him one of the more popular presidents.
His New Deal programs and policies focused on immediate relief, long-term recovery, and reform in order to revive the economy. He also played a major part in WWII, and served four terms as President of the United States. His chats over the radio with the American public made him one of the more popular presidents.
Eleanor Roosevelt -
Eleanor became deeply involved in public affairs. She is considered to be one of the most controversial First Lady's because of her activism. Throughout her husband's time in office, she a busy business and speaking agenda, of which her earnings went to charity.
Eleanor became deeply involved in public affairs. She is considered to be one of the most controversial First Lady's because of her activism. Throughout her husband's time in office, she a busy business and speaking agenda, of which her earnings went to charity.
World War 2 (1941-1945)
Adolf Hitler -
Hitler was the Nazi Party leader. Infamous for his anti-Semitism, Hitler was a blueprint of his hatreds and his plans for world domination. After taking power as chancellor, he took president and ruled unchecked by the Reichstag, remaining as the sole voice of Germany. Hitler broke the Treaty of Versailles, and is the reason for WWII.
Hitler was the Nazi Party leader. Infamous for his anti-Semitism, Hitler was a blueprint of his hatreds and his plans for world domination. After taking power as chancellor, he took president and ruled unchecked by the Reichstag, remaining as the sole voice of Germany. Hitler broke the Treaty of Versailles, and is the reason for WWII.
Hideki Tojo -
Became Japanese prime minister in 1941. Wanted to keep US neutral, but was unable to negotiate agreement with the US. Tojo gave up on peace, and attacked Pearl Harbor, bringing the US to the war. He had control over all of the Japanese military during the war.
Became Japanese prime minister in 1941. Wanted to keep US neutral, but was unable to negotiate agreement with the US. Tojo gave up on peace, and attacked Pearl Harbor, bringing the US to the war. He had control over all of the Japanese military during the war.
The Cold War/Post WWII (1945-1960)
Joseph McCarthy -
Republican senator from Wisconsin who capitalized on Cold War fears of Communism in the early 1950s by accusing hundreds of government employees of being Communists and Soviet agents. Although McCarthy failed to offer any concrete evidence to prove these claims, many Americans fully supported him.
Republican senator from Wisconsin who capitalized on Cold War fears of Communism in the early 1950s by accusing hundreds of government employees of being Communists and Soviet agents. Although McCarthy failed to offer any concrete evidence to prove these claims, many Americans fully supported him.
Nikita Khrushchev -
The head of the Soviet Communist Party and leader of the USSR from 1958 until the early 1960s. Initially, many Americans hoped Khrushchev’s rise to power would lead to a reduction in Cold War tensions. He was a major player during the Cuban Missile Crisis. However, his backing down led to his removal from power.
The head of the Soviet Communist Party and leader of the USSR from 1958 until the early 1960s. Initially, many Americans hoped Khrushchev’s rise to power would lead to a reduction in Cold War tensions. He was a major player during the Cuban Missile Crisis. However, his backing down led to his removal from power.
Civil Rights Movement/Vietnam Era (1945-1975)
Ho Chi Minh -
The nationalist, Communist leader of the Viet Minh movement, which sought to liberate Vietnam from French colonial rule throughout the 1950s. After being rebuffed by the United States, Ho received aid from the USSR and won a major victory over French forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. This led to the split between the North and South. He was heavily favored on both sides of the line.
The nationalist, Communist leader of the Viet Minh movement, which sought to liberate Vietnam from French colonial rule throughout the 1950s. After being rebuffed by the United States, Ho received aid from the USSR and won a major victory over French forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. This led to the split between the North and South. He was heavily favored on both sides of the line.
Martin Luther King Jr. -
An amazing speaker and leader of the civil rights movement. He hoped to desegregate the South and protect blacks’ political rights through “love and nonviolence” and peaceful protest. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, which boosted global awareness of the civil rights movement and put pressure on the federal government to address racial inequality in the United States.
An amazing speaker and leader of the civil rights movement. He hoped to desegregate the South and protect blacks’ political rights through “love and nonviolence” and peaceful protest. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, which boosted global awareness of the civil rights movement and put pressure on the federal government to address racial inequality in the United States.
A Crisis in Confidence (1968-1980)
Richard M. Nixon -
US President from 1968 to 1974. He resigned because of the Watergate scandal, where a failed burglary of the Democratic party at the Watergate hotel. He is the only US president to ever resign from office. This scandal had led to the modern distrust of politicians, especially the president.
US President from 1968 to 1974. He resigned because of the Watergate scandal, where a failed burglary of the Democratic party at the Watergate hotel. He is the only US president to ever resign from office. This scandal had led to the modern distrust of politicians, especially the president.
Mark Felt -
Federal Bureau of Investigation at the time of the Watergate scandal. Codenamed “Deep Throat”, he was the informant to the two Washington Post reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. The information he brought forward led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
Federal Bureau of Investigation at the time of the Watergate scandal. Codenamed “Deep Throat”, he was the informant to the two Washington Post reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. The information he brought forward led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
The Conservative Resurgence (1980-1993)
Ronald Reagan -
President from 1980 - 1988, he was a very strong conservative. He was in office at the end of the Berlin Wall, as some of his famous words are “ Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Reagan helped culture the supply side economics theory.
President from 1980 - 1988, he was a very strong conservative. He was in office at the end of the Berlin Wall, as some of his famous words are “ Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Reagan helped culture the supply side economics theory.
Nelson Mandela -
Anti-apartheid movement leader in South Africa. He was imprisoned for over twenty years. After being released, he was elected as the leader of South Africa in 1994 in the first free elections South Africa had ever had.
Anti-apartheid movement leader in South Africa. He was imprisoned for over twenty years. After being released, he was elected as the leader of South Africa in 1994 in the first free elections South Africa had ever had.
Into a New Century (1992-2005ish)
Osama Bin Laden -
Founder of the terrorist group al-Qaeda. al-Qaeda claims it was the acting force in the September 11 terror attack. This caused a War on Terror, declared by George Bush, and led to US troops deployed into the Middle East
Founder of the terrorist group al-Qaeda. al-Qaeda claims it was the acting force in the September 11 terror attack. This caused a War on Terror, declared by George Bush, and led to US troops deployed into the Middle East
George W. Bush -
Elected President of the United States from 2000 - 2008. He was the driving force behind troop movements in the Middle East. His War on Terror led to the deployment of US troops in Afghanistan in 2001, and Iraq in 2003.
Elected President of the United States from 2000 - 2008. He was the driving force behind troop movements in the Middle East. His War on Terror led to the deployment of US troops in Afghanistan in 2001, and Iraq in 2003.