This chronological website will take you through American history. The focus is on the politics of America, which includes the Presidents, Congress, and the Supreme Court. If you're looking for a quick summary of the political parties, the presidential elections, or the presidents, click on the links directly below
The Colonies
Early America
Election of 1789 Candidates
George Washington is unanimously elected as the first president of the United States in the first election using the Constitution. An extremely popular president, Washington creates the first cabinet, with Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State, Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury, and Henry Knox as Secretary of War. Fulfilling its promise to the former colonies, Congress passes the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the constitution. Financial genius Alexander Hamilton proposes that the United States government "fund at par" and assume the debt of the states. This plan, despite strong opposition from Thomas Jefferson, is passed by Congress. In return, the nation's capitol was placed in Virginia, which had little debt. Hamilton also fought to establish a national bank against Thomas Jefferson. Arguing a "loose" interpretation of the Constitution, Hamilton convinces Washington to establish the National Bank. Through the Judiciary Act of 1789, the federal court system is created.
Election of 1792
George Washington runs virtually unopposed for the second straight time. Washington leads federal troops against the Whiskey Rebellion in Pennsylvania, a strong display of federal power. Jay's Treaty, which was an failed attempt to gain concessions from Britain, lost Washington some popular support. Through the Neutrality Proclamation and his Farewell Address, Washington advocates that the newly created republic stay out of international affairs, specifically in France and generally in Europe. This would be Washington's last term, which sets the two term precedent which will eventually become law in the 22nd Amendment.
Election of 1796
John Adams serves his only term as president after the first competitive presidential election as one of two Federalist candidates. Jefferson and Burr form the Democratic-Republicans to compete against John Adams and Alexander Hamilton. This was the introduction of two parties competing against each other for the White House. The XYZ affair, in which America was insulted by France, leads to unofficial fighting between France and America for years. The Alien and Sedition laws, passed by the Federalist party, aimed to curb the Democratic-Republican Party, but also infringed on freedom of speech. Jefferson and Madison struck back with the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, which argued for nullification. John Adams lost popularity by making a peace treaty with France.
Election ("Revolution") of 1800
In the Revolution of 1800, Thomas Jefferson drew huge support from the agricultural parts of America, to defeat Adams. This power shift from one ideology to another confirmed that America's republican ideals could be applied to practical use in a peaceful power shift. Jefferson tied in the Electoral College with Burr, which led to the Twelfth Amendment's passage. In the Judiciary Act of 1801, Adams attempted to pack the court system with Federalist judges by adding more seats; however, the Jeffersonian run Congress quickly reversed the law. After one justice sued for his seat, Chief Justice John Marshall created the policy of judicial review through the Supreme Court Case Marbury V. Madison. Jefferson, contrary to his strict interpretation of the Constitution, successfully destroyed the pirates of Libya in the Tripoli War and confirmed the Louisiana Purchase from France.
Election of 1804
Thomas Jefferson was easily reelected to his second term. After the Chesapeake incident, tensions were strained with Britain. Jefferson passed the Embargo Act, ending trade with all nations, in order to convince European nations to respect America. The Embargo Act failed miserably, with the American economy hurting the most. Public support turned against Jefferson, and he bowed out after two terms.
Election of 1808
After winning the election of 1808, Madison attempted to resolve the issue created by the Embargo Act, by offering to embargo either Britain or France if the other began to trade with America again in Macon's Bill No. 2. Madison asked Congress to declare war on Great Britain, and the first American declaration of war was issued.
Election of 1812
In the War of 1812, Britain burned Washington D. C. and the White House. Despite this, America succeeded in fighting Britain to a draw. The Battle of New Orleans, fought after the Treaty of Ghent that ended the war, was a huge popular boost to American confidence and the popularity of Andrew Jackson. As the War of 1812 was winding down, New England expressed grievances against the Federal government at the Hartford Convention. New England wanted compensation for trade lost, and demanded concessions that would give them influence in government. Nothing came of the Convention after the War of 1812 ended.
Era of Good Feelings-Slavery Debate
Election of 1816
At this point in American history, the Federalists had been defeated by the Democratic Republicans. James Monroe was easily elected, and the Democratic-Republicans became the sole political party. Henry Clay led the founding of the American System, which consisted of a system of roads connecting America, a strong banking system, and protecting industry. This led to the Tariff of 1816, the first protectionist tariff. The issue of slavery entered the political area as Missouri attempted to enter the Union. This was resolved for the time being with the Missouri Compromise, created by Henry Clay. In it, the number of slave and free states remained equal and slavery was outlawed in new states above Missouri's southern border. John Marshall continued to defend federal power with his decisions in MuCulloch v. Maryland and Dartmouth v. Woodward. Daniel Webster, an influential northern senator, argued for Dartmouth.
Election of 1820
After Monroe was elected nearly unanimously in 1820, he issued the Monroe Doctrine, based on the power of the British navy. The Monroe Doctrine stated that European nations could no longer colonize the Americas. John Marshall continued to expand federal power with his decisions in Cohens v. Virginia and Gibbons v. Ogden.
Election of 1824
This highly contested election pitted four "Republican" candidates against each other. This was the introduction of mass politicking by presidential candidates, and a huge turnout granted the popular vote to Andrew Jackson. However, Jackson didn't gain an electoral majority and the House of Representative was given the power to determine the winner. Clay was removed from contention since only the top three candidates were eligible to become president. As Speaker of the House, Clay could determine the next president. Since he hated Jackson and Crawford was too ill to remain in the running, Clay gave the presidency to Adams in the "Corrupt Bargain". After Clay was appointed Secretary of State, a very important position and precursor to the presidency at the time, Jackson's supporters raged against Adams. The puritanical and moral Adams didn't play politics in office and alienated many of his followers.
Election of 1828
Andrew Jackson clearly won the election of 1828, a election in which mud slinging was taken to a new level. Jackson, elected by mob rule, was the first Western President. Though an aristocrat, he represented the people of the west. The spoils system was greatly expanded under Jackson's term, as he greatly rewarded all of his supporters. Controversy erupted over the Tariff of Abominations, with South Carolina, and John Calhoun, claiming nullification and Jackson responding with a Force Bill. Jackson also issued the Indian Removal Act, sending the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears despite the Supreme Court's ruling against it.
Election of 1832
In Jackson's second term, Henry Clay attempted to recharter the Bank of America. Jackson opposed this completely, hating the Bank. He saw it as a symbol of the wealth of the Northeast and as too powerful. Eventually, Jackson vetoed the recharter of the Bank. He also issued the Specie Circular, removing all federal money from the Bank and putting it in "wildcat" banks. Through the Indian Removal Act and the Bank War, Jackson greatly expanded the power of the presidency.
Election of 1836
This Whig party formed in opposition of Andrew Jackson and took the place of Jackson's Democrats as the party of the people. They split their candidacy between four sectional candidates, hoping to split the vote and send the election to the House of Representatives. Despite this, Jackson managed to ram his successor Martin Van Buren into office. The Panic of 1837 led to Van Buren's unpopular divorce scheme, removing all federal money from banks.
Election of 1840
William Henry Harrison, carried by his popularity through his defeat of Tecumseh, won the election of 1840. The success of the Whig party was mainly due to the new power in the democracy of the common man. The success of the Whigs also indicated the creation of a permanent two party system based on Jefferson's democracy. William Henry Harrison died soon after he was elected. In the Supreme Court Case Commonwealth v. Hunt, the rights to form unions was created. John Tyler, the new president, soon disappointed Henry Clay and the Whig hopes by vetoing the charter for a new national bank. America was hesitant to annex the newly independent Texas because it would disrupt the perfect slave to free state ratio. Yet after the election of James K. Polk in 1844, Tyler would annex Texas citing popular mandate.
Election of 1844
A relatively unknown, James K. Polk, was elevated to the White House after a Manifest Destiny propelled Democratic campaign led him to victory. Polk quickly lowered the tariff, established an independent bank, acquired Oregon, and fought a war with Mexico to gain California. The Wilmont Provisio suggested that slavery be outlawed in the territory acquired from Mexico.
Election of 1848
Section struggle was a large theme of this election. Radical abolitionism, led by William Lloyd Garrison, led to the creation of a Free Soil party. Also, the Know-Nothing Party formed out of anti-Catholic sentiment. These Nativists complained that the Irish immigrants were taking over the country. Since all white males could vote, the large numbers of Irish were a huge influence on elections. In the Seneca Falls Convention, women like Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton pushed for the right to vote for women. Yet this debate would be put off. The Whig candidate Zachary Taylor won the election, another military leader thrust into the political arena. The hugely influential trio of John Calhoun, Henry Clay, and Daniel Webster worked their final compromise, the Compromise of 1850. Despite Calhoun's disapproval, the Compromise, which granted California statehood and created a new Fugitive Slave law, passed. Taylor would die in office and be replaced by Millard Fillmore.
Election of 1852
This was the last major election year for the Whigs, as the Democratic candidate Franklin Pierce easily defeated the Whig Winfield Scott. Pierce continued the expansionist policies of his predecessors, offering to buy Cuba in the Ostend Manifesto. The Gadsten Purchase from Mexico allowed for a possible southern transcontinental railroad. The Kansas-Nebraska Act, organized by Stephan Douglass, revolved around popular sovereignty, and allowed both territories to decide whether to be slave or free.
Election of 1856
A Republican bid for the presidency gained a large following but ultimately failed to win the presidency in 1856. Kansas began to bleed over slavery, and John Brown inflamed the nation by his raid on Harper's Ferry. Charles Sumner was even beaten by Preston Brooks on the floor of the Senate. Tensions were boiling over on the issue of slavery. The Dred Scott decision by Roger Taney's Supreme Court shocked the north by stating that the federal government had no right to regulate slavery, therefore the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional.
Civil War-Progressive Era
Election of 1860
In a very sectional election, Lincoln didn't win 50% of the popular vote, but got the electoral votes to win the election. Immediately, South Carolina seceded from the Union, and 10 other states would follow them to form the Confederate States of America. Lincoln successfully kept the border slave states of Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, and Delaware from seceding. Lincoln did what was necessary to win the war, taking almost unconstitutional power. He suspended the right of habeas corpus, which could be considered a violation of freedom of speech. The Battle of Antietam was a huge victory for the Union because it allowed Lincoln to outlaw slavery in the Confederacy and stopped the Confederacy from receiving foreign aid. The Homestead Act and the Morrill Land Grant gave land to settlers and public colleges respectively.
Election of 1864
The Northern Democrats, or Copperheads, fought against Lincoln in the election of 1864. McClellan, the former general, was their candidate, while the Republicans combined with the War Democrats to form the short lived, but effective Union party. Lincoln managed to win reelection, with Northern victories right before the vote. The war was soon won, but after Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth, Andrew Johnson became president. The issue of Reconstruction was a huge factor in his presidency. Johnson passed a forgiving Reconstruction bill, despite the complaints of the Republican Congress. The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments all passed, granting black men freedom, citizenship, and the vote. The Freedman's Bureau was established to assist former slaves, and succeeded greatly in education, but the Black Codes attempted to keep slaves in the exact same place in Southern society. The KKK was founded to serve the same purpose. Eventually, a Republican Congress passed the Reconstruction Act, setting up a military occupation of the south. Johnson was nearly removed from office by the Tenure of Office Act, but kept the presidency but one vote after he was impeached. Women rights activists bitterly complained about the lack of change in a women's right to vote, but nothing came of their plea.
Election of 1868
The Republican General Grant won this election by reminding people about the Civil War. The Gilded Age of American politics began. The Tweed Ring of corruption was formed, but Tweed was eventually sent behind bars. The Credit Mobilier and Whiskey Ring scandals tarnished the image of the government. In the Gilded Age, which lasted until 1891, little separated the Democratic and Republican parties, but there were huge voter turnouts and very close elections. Patronage was the main force behind both political parties, and corruption in government and business ran rampant. The union, the Knights of Labor, is founded, and begins to work for reform.
Election of 1872
Grant had lost much of his popularity, but managed to win reelection after the Democrats chose and even more unpopular Horace Greeley to run against him. The debate over the role of silver in the treasury begins. The Grange, fighting for the rights of farmers, reaches the height of its popularity.
Election of 1876
This election could not be decided by the electoral college after multiple states submitted two sets of returns. A deal was made in which the Republican, Rutherford B. Hayes, was given the presidency in return for the end of Reconstruction. In this Compromise of 1877, the attempt to give true political freedom to the African Americans was abandoned by the north. After it, the South created the Jim Crow laws, to segregate society and keep blacks from voting.
Election of 1880
After Garfield was shot and killed over the spoils system by Guiteau, Arthur passed the Pendleton Act, which ended the spoils system and greatly reformed the civil service. The Chinese Exclusion Act stopped any more immigration from China.
Election of 1884
Republican House leader James Blaine finally got his chance to run for the presidency, but lost in a mudslinging war to Grover Cleveland. The moral Cleveland took a look at the high tariff in place, and decided that it was unnecessary. America was using most the surplus earned from it for political purposes, which went against Cleveland's idea of government. The Republicans were thrilled when Cleveland proposed the lowering of the tariff because now the tariff became a political issue again. The ICC was founded from the Interstate Commerce Act, government's first attempt to regulate business. The ICC ended up only stabilizing the railroad system. The Haymarket Square riots are blamed on the Knights of Labor, who lose much of their influence. Samuel Gompers forms the American Federation of Labor. After signing and breaking many treaties with the Native Americans, the government passes the Dawes Severalty Act to Americanize the Natives. The Wabash v. Illinois decision of the Supreme Court led to the founding of the ICC by limiting state involvement in railroad affairs.
Election of 1888
The Democrats were forced to stick with Cleveland, but lost to the Republicans who had raised a huge amount of campaign money to elect Benjamin Harrison. Thomas Reed, the new Republican Speaker of the House, led the first Billion dollar Congress which was created using money from the McKinley Tariff of 1890. The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was government's attempt to regulate business, but ended up being used against unions.
Election of 1892
The Populist Party, coming from the Farmer's Alliance and advocating Free Silver, supported the farmers of the Midwest. They entered the political arena, gaining support from the south, but lost the election to Cleveland. To stop the depression enveloping America, Cleveland successfully repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 and received a loan from J. P. Morgan. This turned public opinion against him, but did help, if only a little. Coxey's Army marched on Washington to support help for the unemployed. The Pullman Strike was crushed by federal troops, but Eugene Debs continued to gain influence. On a lighter note, the Supreme Court declared in Nix v. Hedden that tomatoes were legally defined as a vegetable though they were indeed botanically defined as a fruit.
Election of 1896
This election, between the Populist William Jennings Bryan and the Republican William McKinley, was a huge fight. The rich Republican leader Marcus Hanna supported McKinley, while Bryan went across the country preaching Free Silver. In the end, the eastern bondholders defeated the farmers of the Midwest and McKinley was elected. In the Gold Standard Act of 1900, the Free Silver movement was finally crushed. In the Supreme Court case U.S. V. Wong Kim Ark, the citizenship of Chinese born in America was protected. The Supreme Court also ruled that "separate but equal" facilities were legal in Plessy V. Ferguson. Fueled by yellow journalism and the explosion of the Maine, America entered the Spanish-American and truly became a global power with the acquisition of Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Guam, and the annexation of Hawaii. The Platt and Teller Amendments gave Cuba independence, but still kept it under American control. Through the Foraker Act, Puerto Rico remained a territory, and its citizens were given limited citizenship. The Anti-Imperialist League gained many famous members and protested American expansionism.
Election of 1900
In a virtual repeat of the 1896 election, McKinley was elected again. The Philippine Rebellion left America fighting a bloody war for years to keep their newly acquired territory. Theodore Roosevelt rose to prominence after McKinley was killed, and with his big stick imperialism gained control of the territory needed to build the Panama Canal. Roosevelt added the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. It stated that America would intervene in the financial affairs of Latin American nations to keep them stable. Muckrakers attacked the evils of American industry. Progressives from the middle class reaped rewards in reform. Theodore Roosevelt began to bust trusts. His destruction of the Northern Securities Company was held up by the Supreme Court.
Election of 1904
After Theodore Roosevelt was elected, he continued his big stick imperialism. The Gentleman's Agreement led to the end of Japanese immigration to America. The Supreme Court case Lochner v. New York was a setback for the Progressive movement. Roosevelt's Square Deal was a progressive commitment to labor. Theodore Roosevelt continued to bust "bad" trusts. In response to The Jungle, by the muckraker Upton Sinclair, the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed. Roosevelt established a reputation as a defender of the environment.
Election of 1908
The protege of Roosevelt, Taft began the policy of dollar diplomacy. He invested American money in foreign governments. Taft also busted a huge amount of trusts, but lost the support of Roosevelt during his time as president.
Election of 1912
The split between the Progressive candidate Theodore Roosevelt and Republican William Taft split votes, leading to Woodrow Wilson becoming another minority president. By appealing to the people, Wilson passed the Underwood Tariff, lowering the Tariff, the Federal Reserve Act, created our current financial system, and the Clayton Anti-Trust Act, the "Magna Carta" of Labor. Wilson continued Progressive policies throughout his presidency. America remained neutral in World War I, continuing isolationist policy, as long as they could.
World War I - The Cold War
Election of 1916
After Wilson was reelected after promising that America would remain neutral, he had to convince America to enter the war. Pitching "the war to make the world safe for democracy", Wilson convinced Congress to declare war on Germany and Austria-Hungary and enter World War I following the Zimmerman Note and the resuming of German attacks on American shipping. George Creel led the American propaganda effort. Through the Espionage Act, Sedition Act, and the Supreme Court decision Schneck v. U. S., America attacked the personal liberties of its citizens. The IWW fought against the war by striking, but the American Federation of Labor supported it. Wilson attempted to use his Fourteen Points to establish the Treaty of Versailles, but sacrificed much for the League of Nations. Because of continued isolationist Republican thought led by Henry Cabot Lodge, America did not ratify the Treaty of Versailles or join the League of Nations. Women gained the vote in Western states, and finally received the vote in 1920 through the 20th amendment. The Palmer raids were conducted against communists in America, in the "Red Scare of 1919".
Election of 1920
America wanted a "return to normalcy", and expressed this by electing the conservative Warren Harding. The United States shut the door on immigration through the Immigration Act of 1924. The Eighteenth Amendment began the experiment of Prohibition, but was a complete failure, resulting in wide spread crime. It was repealed with the Twenty First Amendment in the 1930s. America developed a consumerist culture, and a loosening of morality occurred. Margret Sanger worked for women's rights, especially in birth control. Taxes were reduced by Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon. Harding allowed business to run free, and the Supreme Court's decisions in Adkins v. Children's Hospital. The tariff was hiked up, and the Teapot Dome scandal rocked the White House. After Harding died in office, Calvin Coolidge became the next president of the United States.
Election of 1924
Coolidge won this three man race against the Democrat John Davis and the Progressive Robert LaFollette. As America now was a creditor nation it was owed money from Western Europe, but it quickly antagonized its allies by demanding the money back. Government continued to support big business.
Election of 1928
The Roman Catholic Al(cohol) Smith was too urban, too pro-liquor, and too Catholic to defeat Hoover for the presidency. Hoover supported the Midwestern farmers with the Agricultural Marketing Act. The Hawley-Smoot tariff raised the tariff even more. The stock market crashed, banks failed, and the Great Depression began, ending Hoover's chances at reelection. Hoover was conflicted by his desire to help Americans and his commitment to laissez faire politics. He did begin to build large public works, like Hoover Dam. The Bonus Army marched on Washington D. C., only to be disbanded by Hoover.
Election of 1932
Franklin Delano Roosevelt easily defeated Herbert Hoover in the Election of 1932. After promising the American public a vague "new deal", Roosevelt pioneered the "100 days", in which he passed many New Deal programs to relieve, reform, and recover the American economy. Some, like the AAA and NRA, were deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court or failed, but the majority of Roosevelt's programs were successful. Senator Huey Long campaigned for the rich to give to the poor, but was soon assassinated. The CIO championed the cause of unskilled labor using techniques like the sit-down strike. The "Indian New Deal" was an attempt to put the Native Americans back into tribal units that met with large resistance from the now mostly integrated Native Americans.
Election of 1936
FDR had no trouble defeating Alf Landon in 1936. The conservative Supreme Court had ruled some of the New Deal unconstitutional. When Roosevelt attempted to pack the Supreme Court with 9 new judges if the old Republican ones didn't resign, a huge backlash hit his popularity and Roosevelt's scheme failed. However, his goal was accomplished as the Supreme Court dealt more kindly with other parts of Roosevelt's New Deal programs. Deficit spending, a Keynesian form of economics, was begun by Roosevelt after the Depression of 1937. The Neutrality Acts kept America from providing arms to any country in a foreign war continuing isolationist policy.
Election of 1940
Dealing with tough opposition for breaking the two-term precedent, Roosevelt still managed to defeat Wendell Wilkie to maintain his position as president. The Lend-Lease Bill, after its passage, was a landmark decision. In it, America would send "guns not sons" to Europe to fight the Axis. It was a deviation from the isolationist spirit America had long held. In the Atlantic Charter, created by Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, a new version of the Fourteen Points was created. The Japanese were relocated to internment camps following Pearl Harbor, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in Korematsu v. U.S. A virtual command economy was set up, as the Office of Price Administration and the War Labor Board controlled prices and wages. The bracero program brought Mexican workers to America to work on farms in the southwest and women began to work in the factory. The FEPC ended discrimination in the workforce. Rationing was another government control on American lives imposed during the war.
Election of 1944
Once again, Roosevelt managed to defeat the Republican candidate; however, he died soon after he began his term, leaving harry Truman the new president. Truman soon dropped the two atomic bombs on Japan, ending World War II. The GI Bill sent former soldiers to school following the war. The World Bank and IMF were founded at the Bretton Woods Conference, and America joined the United Nations. After Yalta, which was one of the conferences which made up the post-WWII "treaty", Germany and Berlin were split into two parts. America would protect Berlin from a Soviet blockade. They would also help Western Europe recover from the second straight world war with the Marshall Plan. Truman also supported the creation of Israel, a fateful decision for the middle east and American interests there. America signed the NATO pact, ending isolationist policy permanently. America occupied Japan following the war, with MacArthur at the head, and created a new constitution for the country. The Committee on Un-American Activities ferreted out communists in America, like Alger Hiss and the Rosenbergs.
Cold War-Today
Election of 1948
In a very competitive election which Dewey seemed destined to win, Truman pulled out the victory. As the Korean war erupted, America fought to protect the independence of South Korean, but the war ended in a draw. This led to an increase in American defense spending and a continually growing debt. Truman desegregated the military following World War II.
Election of 1952
Following the outbreak of the Korean War, Dwight D. Eisenhower would use his immense popularity to become the final general to become president to date. Joseph McCarthy went after supposed communists in Congress. He became immensely powerful, but was dethroned following an attack on the American military. In 1956 the Supreme Court ruled in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education that segregation was unconstitutional. This led to the crisis at Little Rock, where Eisenhower was forced to send federal troops to desegregate the school. The Civil Rights movement continued, with SNCC, the NAACP, and Martin Luther King, Jr. at the head. Eisenhower sent about 1 million illegal Mexican immigrants back to Mexico. Eisenhower also created the Interstate Highway Act, which connected America.
Election of 1956
The Landrum-Griffin Act helped to control labor corruption, the necessity of which was emphasized by Jimmy Hoffa and the Teamsters. After Sputnik was launched by the Soviet Union, Eisenhower established NASA and an emphasis was placed on STEM education. The Eisenhower Doctrine was established to support Middle Eastern countries fighting communism. The peaceful "spirit of Camp David" was ended at the Paris Summit, leading to reignited tensions between Khrushchev and the United States.
Election of 1960
In a competitive election, Kennedy broke ground by being Catholic and "winning" the television debates with Nixon. The youthful Kennedy established the Camelot White House, and filled his cabinet with a young and bright assortment of great minds. The Berlin Wall was built by the Soviets to stop the population drain. The Trade Expansion Act cut tariffs to Common Market countries in Western Europe. To stop the spread of communism, the flexible response policy was created by McNamara, which led to the beginning of involvement in Vietnam. After the Bay of Pigs blunder, the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred due to brinkmanship. It was the closest to nuclear war the United States came. Kennedy expressed strong support for the continued Civil Rights Movement, but was killed soon after by Lee Harvey Oswald (that's what they want us to think...).
Election of 1964
Using commercial like "Daisy Girl", Lyndon B. Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater in a landslide victory. Johnson was a master politician, using the Johnson treatment effectively. Johnson fought the War on Poverty effectively using his Great Society, but his escalation of the War in Vietnam led to the decrease of his popularity and his decision not to run for reelection in 1968. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 finally gave African Americans the political voice they had long called for. The Earl Warren led Supreme Court defended the rights of criminals in Gideon v. Wainwright, Escobedo, and Miranda cases. They also created a "right of privacy" in the Griswold v. Connecticut case and gave liberal decisions in many other court cases they received. Thurgood Marshall became the first black Supreme Court justice.
Election of 1968
In a heated campaign for the democratic nomination, Senators Eugene McCarthy and Robert Kennedy battled, until Kennedy was killed. Eventually, Vice President Hubert Humphrey would gain nomination, only to lose to Richard Nixon. Nixon proposed the "Vietnamization" of the Vietnam War, which basically meant that American troops would leave the country and cited the "silent majority" as the reason for his continued effort in the war. Nixon also escalated a war in Cambodia, leading to protests such as the one at Kent State. Based on the ideas of Henry Kissinger, Nixon visited China and the Soviet Union in a politically savvy move that created a detente and the SALT talks. In America, Nixon would continue to make America a welfare state, begin the debate over affirmative action, and protect the environment with the EPA.
Election of 1972
With his "southern strategy" Nixon clearly won the election of 1972. Nixon bombed North Vietnam to the peace table, where an armistice was signed. The War Powers Act, passed over Nixon's veto, limited the power of the commander in chief after Nixon's secret bombing of Cambodia was leaked. Nixon would lose the confidence of the people in government morals through the Watergate scandal, which led to Nixon's resignation. Gerald Ford became president following the resignation of Spiro Agnew due to tax fraud. Ford was the first and only person never to be elected, yet become president. The Arab Oil Embargo following the Yom Kippur War proved that America had become dependent on Arab oil. The war in Vietnam finally ended in defeat for America. Title IX was passed, but the Equal Rights Amendment failed to become law.
Election of 1976
The Democrat outsider Jimmy Carter won the presidency in 1976. The humanitarian Carter helped create a sort of peace in the Middle East between Egypt and Israel at the Camp David Accords, but the Iranian hostage crisis crippled the end of his presidency. The economy caused Carter major popularity problems. Carter did pass the SALT II Agreement with Brezhnev. In Wheeler v. U. S., the Supreme Court declared that Native Americans had a unique sovereignty, the result of activism throughout the 1970s.
Election of 1980
The former actor Ronald Reagan was elected through the surging new conservatism. Reagan pitched small government, slashing taxes and welfare programs, and created supply-side economics. By creating the Strategic Defense Initiative, "Star Wars", Reagan challenged the Soviet Union to renew an arms race and ended the detente. Reagan continued containment, in Nicaragua, Grenada, and El Salvador, and support of Israel, in Lebanon, and his reputation remained intact despite failures. Sandra Day O'Connor became the first woman Supreme Court Justice.
Election of 1884
The Iran-Contra affair forced the resignation of Ollie North, but Reagan's reputation remained intact. The religious right's movement continued under Reagan, attempting to push back Supreme Court rulings like Roe v. Wade, which had legalized abortion in 1973. Reagan's economics left the legacy of a greater separation of the upper crust and poverty stricken, but did achieve Reagan's goal of less government involvement. Nancy Reagan fought against drugs in her Just Say No Campaign.
Election of 1988
Despite stiff opposition, Reagan's successor, George H. W. Bush inherited the White House. With the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union due to Gorbachev's glasnost and perestroika, the Cold War ended. The US intervened in Panama to out Noriega, and the UN sent mainly American troops to defeat Saddam Hussein in the Persian Gulf War. Bush passed the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Senate confirmed the conservative Clarence Thomas as the second black Supreme Court Justice. Bush broke his promise not to create any new taxes, leading to huge loss in popularity.
Election of 1992
Ross Perot's campaign and Bush's economic woes led to Bill Clinton's victory in 1992. Clinton soon was hit by a failure in reforming the military's stance on gay entrance, which led to DADT, and the health care system. Oklahoma City was bombed in retaliation for the killing of Branch Davidians at Waco. A huge Republican Congressional victory in 1994 led to Newt Gingrich's Contract with America and the reduction of welfare, but public response to this led to Clinton's reelection in 1996. Clinton created NAFTA and strongly supported the WTO and GATT, but stepped back after the WTO meeting was protested in Seattle in 1999.
Election of 1996
In Clinton's second term, the economy continued to rise. Clinton focused on gun control and limitations on the tobacco industry, with limited results. Clinton alternated between intervening in Somalia, standing aside in Rwanda, and intervening in Yugoslavia and Lebanon. The Monica Lewinsky scandal hit Clinton hard, and he was impeached for lying to Congress, not for the affair itself. Clinton was not forced to leave office following impeachment.
Election of 2000
In an extremely contentious election, the electoral votes from Florida were contested hotly. After many recounts, Bush was declared the winner, and the Supreme Court upheld the ruling in Bush v. Gore. After the Taliban attack on America on 9/11, America renewed fighting in the Middle East in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Patriot Act, which would be highly contested later, limited American freedoms in order to contain terrorism. Laura Bush helped pass the No Child Left Behind Act to reform education.
Election of 2004
Bush successfully helped Louisiana recover from one of the worst hurricanes in American history, Hurricane Katrina. A leak from the CIA created another scandal. The wars in the Middle East ruined Bush's reputation, and the housing bust in 2008 led to the collapse of the economy. Debate on the increase in Latino immigration continued as well.
Election of 2008
Obama, the first black president, quickly passed the Affordable Care Act to reform health care. This would continue to be hotly contested through 2013, when it official began. The man behind the 9/11 attack, Osama bin Ladin, was finally killed in 2011. The 98% movement protest occurred on Wall Street. The Tea Party movement signed a resurgence of conservatism.
Election of 2012
After reelection, Obama's popularity continued to decrease following the attack on Benghazi and expansion of executive privilege. After Edward Snowden leaked information about the NSA, public opinion turned against its "spying" on America. The IRS also was maligned for targeting Tea Party groups.