Recent Event Highlights: Post War America, World War II, World War I, The Civil War, Pre-Civil War, and 10 more...
Created by agoldberg on Sep 1, 2010
Last updated: 09/28/10 at 01:10 AM
Unit 2 Timeline-Democracy has no followers yet. Be the first one to follow.
-Pentagon Papers (1971) -26th Amendment (1971) -Watergate (72-74) -End of direct intervention in Vietnam (1973) -Three mile island nuclear accident (1979) -Iranian hostage crisis (79-81) -star wars missile defense system (1983) -Iran contra affair (1985) -Berlin wall torn down (1989) By the 1980's, the United Stated needed to return to the state of being the world's supreme power. Now that most of the fighting had ceased in Vietnam, the country could focus on stabilizing its economy. With Carter, Regan, and Bush in power, the country could regain its authority. In 1989, the Berlin Wall was taken down and democracy flooded East Europe. There was no more Communism present in the area, which relieved much anxiety after all the incidents in previous years. Another democratic milestone in the 70's was the addition of the 26th Amendment to the Constitution. This changed the voting age to 18, in response to the Vietnam War. More people could not cast their opinion and be involved in the government. As much good as this did for democracy in the 80's, the Iranian hostage crisis was a time where none of these ideals were portrayed. Americans were captured when the Iranians took over the Embassy and held for 444 days. Just like in the Korean war, this was seen as much more than Iran capturing Americans; it was seen as an attack on democracy. This event weakened tied between Iran and the US. Economic sanctions were formed and legal action was taken against the country. Democracy in the 70's-80's was about America finding its way on top again. All of these recent events effect today's world. The US still does not have good relations with Iran and problems occur to this day. "Iranian protestors burn U.S. flag during hostage crisis." Image. AP/Wide World Photos. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. "Berlin Wall." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. "Iran hostage crisis." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
-Civil Rights Act of 1964 -Little Rock Nine -Kent State Shooting -Vietnam Protests -First Presidential debate on TV -"I have a Dream" speech -Feminists movement -Kennedy elected president -Vietnam War -Kennedy's assassination The 1960's was a time in the United States full of different opinions and protests. After the final shots had been fired during World War II the country's main focus was on equality. Women, African Americans, and other minorities were speaking out for their change at receiving equal rights. Cultural revolutions like the "hippy" era and the new revolution of politics due to the first TV broadcasted debate. This was significant because it was the first time that the people could judge the candidates for not only what they say, but their appearance. Kennedy won by a landslide because of his young, put together appearance. When Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, Johnson took over and there was a urge to keep all of Kennedy's ideas in the forefront of the government's priorities. The 60's was the time of all the diner sit in a school protests around the country demanding equal rights for people of all colors. Finally in 1964 the Civil Rights Act was passed that outlawed discrimination and racial segregation. Women and African Americans were now granted the same rights and causation men. Another issue that divided the country was the United States involvement in Vietnam. This was another cause for massive protests. The Kent State shooting is one that does not exemplify the democratic ideals of America. Students were protesting the Vietnam War at Kent University. The National Guard was brought in to break up the protest, but they end up causing more chaos by shooting into the crowd and killing 4. This does not demonstrate democracy because at a time of war, citizens of the same country should not be shooting at each other, but at the enemy. Democracy during the 60's meant participating in the government and voicing opinions to reach the final state of equality. The granting of equal rights to minorities exemplifies republicanism and democracy because the minority receives protection while people gain individual rights and freedoms. Now, everyone is equal in the US. This makes us stand out from other countries in the world where women or homosexuals are oppressed for who they are. "civil rights." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. "Kennedy-Nixon: Presidential Campaign Debates (1960)." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. "Rally poster commemorating Kent State." Image. Library of Congress. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
-Establishment of Communist government in China -McCarthyism/Second Red Scare -the Cold War -Truman Doctrine -Containment Policy -Soviet Atomic Bomb -Korean War -Marshall Plan -Berlin Blockade -NATO -Death of Stalin -Interstate Highway System The time in America after World War II was a time full of anxiety and paranoia. The most prevalent issue after WWII was to contain Communism. The Cold War was one where no shots were fired, but instead a war of words. The Containment Policy was a diplomatic strategy to try to delay the spread of Communism around the world. President Harry Truman established this policy in 1947 and also created NATO. The Korean War was also in attempt to isolate Communism. Korea had been split into North and South, but when the Communist North invaded the Democratic South, it was seen as a communistic attack on democracy. Another interaction that the US had with the Soviets was the Berlin Blockade in 1948-1949. The Soviet Union blocked off entry into the city of Berlin so the allied powers had to use air transportation to get supplies into the city. In the end, it was just an embarrassment to the Soviets because their intention of taking over the city was not in the least bit successful. Truman and Eisenhower each did their part in introducing new policies to ensure the people of America they are protected. One event during this time that lack democratic principals was the second red scare and McCarthyism. The country became so paranoid about communism and treason that fellow Americans were accusing one another of being a communist. Aggressive investigations and intense questioning in front of government panels usually ending in loss of jobs, collapse of careers, or sometimes even incarceration. During a time of unknown and fear, a country should come together to defeat the common enemy not turn on each other. Democracy in the post war era was all about freedom and preserving it. Today, we have similar anxiety to problems such as terrorism and nuclear weapons. "The Cold War at Home (Overview)." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. "Joseph McCarthy." Image. Library of Congress. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
-Germany invades Poland -Germany invades Russia -Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor -Auschwitz liberated -Germany surrenders -President Roosevelt dies -Hitler commits suicide -US tests atomic bomb -Hiroshima and Nagasaki dropped -Japan surrenders -Baby boom -D-Day -Internment of Japanese Americans -Nuremburg Trials World War II pulled America out of what was left of the Great Depression. Because of the looming battles, the previously unemployed people took to factories to manufacture war time goods to support the Allies. Women got to enter the workforce because of the demand for soldiers. The conflict started in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. The domino effect caused the rest of the countries to get involved in this total war. In December of 1941, the Japanese bombed the Hawaii naval base. This attack led President Roosevelt to declare war on Japan and thus, enter World War II on the side of the Allies. The US came together during this time of war to support the efforts. Rosie the Riveter and Uncle Sam because popular symbols for this time. German surrenders to the Allies in 1945 and soon after Japan surrenders as well. Dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was the overwhelming cause of the Japanese surrender. With two cities in ruins, hundreds of thousands of people demanding attention, and trying to sustain a war would be all too much for any country. How Roosevelt and Truman defended their people asserting their power. America fighting in World War II was not just fighting Japan and Germany, but fighting against Communism and a Dictatorship, neither of which are democratic. In modern time, we are fighting a war similar to the goals behind World War II. In 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed; in 2001, the World Trade Center was bombed. In both instances, we took control of the situation and fought for the freedom of the people and against undemocratic governments. "World War II." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. "Attack on Pearl Harbor." Image. National Archives. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
-Election of 1932 -The New Deal -Black Tuesday -Social Security Act -Wagner Act -Depression of 1937/Roosevelt Recession -Revenue act of 1932 When black Tuesday hit the country in October of 1929, it was a symbol that the economic growth and prosperity of the 1920's had come to an end. Unemployment rates were at historic lows and the people were starting to look to the government for assistance. The Revenue Act of 1932 raised tax rates in attempt to balance out the federal government's budget. This act ended up only discouraging spending more and the country went farther down the downward spiral. The New Deal was a series of government programs signed by Franklin Roosevelt. The programs put into place focused on the three crucial aspects of getting out of the economic pit: relief (for the unemployed), recovery (of the economy), and reform (of the financial to prevent another depression). This new piece of legislation made the Democratic party the most popular in the country. Hoover, a republican, was defeated by Roosevelt, a democrat, in the election of 1932. Politics in the United States took a dramatic shift to the democratic side. The Wagner Act was introduced as part of the reform. This act allowed employees to join labor unions without interference with their employer. The Social Security Act, something we still have today, was outlined in Roosevelt's New Deal. Financial protection from old age, unemployment, poverty, and single parent homes was the reasoning behind creating the social insurance program. Democracy during the Great Depression was the image of the country coming together. The government was hearing the people's problems and implementing reforms and positive changes that the public approved of. We still have some parts of the New Deal in effect today. "Great Depression." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. "Migrant worker and her children during the Great Depression." Image. Library of Congress. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
-Archduke Francis Ferdinand assassinated -Austria-Hungary invades Serbia -Germany Declares war on Russia -Sinking of Lusitania -US declares war on Germany -Sedation Act of 1918 -The first Red Scare -Espionage Act World War I was a world wide conflict that was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. Soon after, Germany invaded Belgium and France. The United Stated got involved when the Germans refused to stop their unrestricted submarine warfare and sunk the Lusitania, killing many American and British citizens. As democratic as standing up for your country against unfair play, the time of World War I was filled with undemocratic legislature. One example was the Espionage Act. This act, passed in 1917, made it against US law to support the enemies of the US, interfere with military operations, or interfere with the draft. All of these limits put on the people restricts free speech which is what the colonists fought so hard to gain during the Revolutionary War. The Sedition Act of 1918 also contradicts American democracy. Signed by President Woodrow Wilson, this law states that any profane, abusive, or negative language used against the US government is illegal. This also didactically reduces the democratic ideas of individual rights like free speech and free press. Many people did not agree with the government because they enacted these pieces of legislature. They limit personal freedoms which are the foundation for this country. We still have this debate today about how much criticism the government should allow during a time of war. "World War I." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. "World War I." Image. National Archives. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
-prohibition -women's suffrage -restriction on immigrants -Jim Crow laws -16th, 17th, 18th, 19th Amendments -regulation of labor Progressivism in America was in response to the expansion and modernization of the Gilded Age. This era set the political and social tone up until today. The social reforms brought attention to the issues of child labor, wages, and working conditions. The 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th Amendments were ratified during this era. The four amendments that were added to the Constitution during this time were the establishment of income tax, make direct elections for positions like senators, letting women join the voting body, and ban the consumption and production of alcohol. Other moral reforms during this era were the efforts to reduce red light districts, expand high schools, regulation of big business, build play grounds, and create a more efficient system for the municipal government. With all of the compassion coming out of the late 19th to early 20th century, there was some negativity. Jim Crow laws were becoming more prevalent in the South and immigration was being limited. The American public wanted jobs to go to citizens, not to foreigners. Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson held the presidency position during this era and did what they could to balance out the extreme changes that came along with the Gilded Age. The government becoming more direct, the minority receiving more protection, an increase in voting, and the popular belief among the people that they can control their lives and also participate in the government are all ways the progressivism era was democratic. Jim Crow laws restricting African Americans was not democratic, however. The South being relentless in giving up its supremacy at the cost of others does not demonstrate democracy. The moral reforms created during this time are still in effect and important to today's society. "Jim Crow laws." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. "Political cartoon satirizing Southern Jim Crow laws." Image. Library of Congress. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
-Compstock Act (1872) -Reduction of foreign immigrants (Chinese-1882) -Pendleton Act (1883) -Congress became the most powerful branch of government (1870) -Civil Service Act The Gilded Age, which means glittering on the surface but corrupt underneath, was a time of rapid economic development and the birth of the modern industrial economy. Capital formation, wages, GDP, and wealth all increased during this era. Along with this increase, the Gilded Age was a time of economical, government, and moral reform. The Pendleton Act of 1883 put government employees on the merit system. Some government jobs were now filled by potential employees taking a competitive exam. This act in comparable to the Civil Service Act, which required people interested in the job to also take a competitive exam, in an effort to curb government corruption. The Pendleton Act was in direct response to the assassination of president Garfield, as said by the Arthur administration. The economic growth and reform came from the many new advances like rail roads and coal mining during this time. Corporations became the main type of businesses because of the creation of national communication and transportation. All of the increases in capitalism made the era seem like a time of greed and when shady businesses would flourish, but this time created the modern economy we have today filled with industrial corporations. The Gilded Age has traces of democracy because of the steps taken to heal the corruption of the Reconstruction era. The presidents that served, Johnson, Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland, and Harrison, all implemented their own forms of new policies that they thought would prevent the unfairness that was present just years before. Democracy meant moving into a new and industrialized way of life making the United States become a stronger power. The Gilded Age molded the economic atmosphere for the 20th and even 21st century. "Abraham Lincoln." Image. Library of Congress. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. "Gilded Age." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
-black codes -Civil Rights Act (1866) -14th/15th Amendment -confiscation of plantations and redistribution -sharecropping -Impeachment of Andrew Jackson Even after the Civil War was won and slavery was abolished, African Americans were still feeling oppressed in the South by black codes put into place. These codes were implemented to prevent African Americans from buying or renting land. This attempt to keep white supremacy in the South led to Congress taking over the reconstruction project, denying representatives of Confederate states their congressional seats, and pass the Civil Rights Act and along with the 14th and 15th Amendments. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 states that everyone born in the United States, without subject to foreign power, is a citizen no matter what race, ethnicity, or previous condition of slavery or involuntary servitude. In 1868, the United Stated adopted the 14th Amendment that makes it illegal to deny African Americans citizenship. The other clauses of the Amendment state that it is also illegal to take a persons individual and cooperate freedoms away without probable reason. The 15th Amendment, added 1870, makes it against the law for a government to deny a person the right to vote based on their race. Both of these additions to the Constitution are democratic because they get more people involved in the government and expanded privileges to minorities. All of the presidents who served during this time, Johnson, Grant, and Hayes, all contributed to the efforts of restoring the country. The reconstruction era was democratic because of the advancement of minorities and the government protecting the people. Because of all the reconstruction amendments, we live in a democratic and fair country for all. "Reconstruction Plans (Overview)." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. "Reconstruction political leaders." Image. Library of Congress. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
-The South Secedes (1861) -Lincoln is inaugurated (1861) -Emancipation Proclamation (1863) -Lincoln reelected (1864) -Assassination of Lincoln (1865) -Final Surrenders of Confederate Army (1856) -13th Amendment The time of the Civil War was not a democratic time in America. The four year long war was centered around the people of the same country and under the same government fighting against each other. The issue of slavery was at the core of the Civil War. Buchanan and Lincoln, who served in office during the war, did everything they could to avoid letting the country slip into war. In 1861, South Carolina seceded from the country when Abraham Lincoln was elected president. He was opposed to slavery so the state felt threatened. The government seceded from the country along with six more states. They created their own government and soon war was waged on the North; the first shorts were fired on Fort Sumter in 1861. In 1864, the Senate passed the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery in the United States as an effect of the Civil War. Democracy meant fighting for your beliefs during the Civil War, and in the South's case, staying superior. Instead of voice opinions through voting and elections, the south decided to use confrontation and drastic measures. We still have people who believe in taking the radical route to achieve wide spread democracy. "Abraham Lincoln." Image. Library of Congress. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. "Abraham Lincoln." Image. Library of Congress. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
In the 1820's and the 1830's states eliminated many voting restrictions which caused there to be a over whelming presence of democracy. Property qualifications, reduced residency requirements, opened more public polls, and eliminating voting by voice were some modifications made to the system during the time when democracy inundated the country. Because of these alterations, voting participating increased significantly. Even though the voting body was increased, women and African Americans were not given the right to cast a vote. Another democratic step taken during this time was the appearance of two new national political parties. The Jacksonian Democrats and the Whigs took the place of the first parties, Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. Out of all the presidents that served during this time (Monroe, Adams, Jackson, Van Buren in respective order), Andrew Jackson made the largest impact. Contrasting to the Jeffersonian era, Andrew Jackson stressed the importance of a strong president and executive branch. When he was elected into office, he promised a democratic political system with the people's needs at the center. Jackson's faith in the "common man" was something that made him unique. His belief that the common man had uncommon capabilities made a tie between him and the "plain folk" that put him into power. Jacksonian Democracy was full of potential for the middle class. Because of his faith in the working class, power was taken from the large business monopolies and given to the middle class. All of this liberal capitalism was put into place to ensure that farmers, factory workers, and small shop keepers from obtaining some of the nation's wealth. Democracy meant having a leader that represents the whole county and not just fragments. Andrew Jackson was one of these figures because of his poor background and rise to fortune. The class struggle is still something that is prevalent in today's society. Worries are still great that there will soon be too large of a gap between upper and lower classes to close it. "Andrew Jackson." Image. Library of Congress. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. O'Brien, Steven G. "Andrew Jackson." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
-Texas admitted to the Union (slave state) 1845 -Mexican American war -Seneca falls convention 1848 -Compromise of 1850 -Uncle Tom's cabin -Kansa Nebraska Act -Bleeding Kansas -Dred Scott -Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 -John Brown's raid on harpers fairy The war of 1812 made nationalism and pride abundant in the United States. Even with this new revival, the issue of slavery was still dividing the country. The public was no longer voting along party lines, but now according to the region in which they lived. This chasm created between the North and South almost led to succession by the Southern states because they were not willing to give up their supremacy over slaves. In the Kansas Nebraska Act of 1854, allowed the people to use the democratic process of popular sovereignty to determine if slavery should be allowed in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. This was one of the few times that the people would get to exercise the democratic process and choose the policies that should be implemented in the state. All of the tension and difference of opinions caused the riots of bleeding Kansas in between 1854-1858 to occur. What should have been seen as a democratic time for the people to get to voice their opinion on a heated issue, turned into a violent undemocratic instance. All of the presidents during this era, Madison, Monroe, Adams, Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison, and Tyler, all tried to conquer the issue of enslavement in the South and the constant threat of a civil war. Today, we still have instances of extreme protests and tragedy like Bleeding Kansas. "Kansas settlers fight over popular sovereignty in 1854." Image. North Wind Picture Archives. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. Goodrich, Thomas, War to the Knife: Bleeding Kansas, 1854-1861, 1998; Rawley, James A., Race & Politics; "Bleeding Kansas" and the Coming of the Civil War, 1969.
When Jefferson came into power, his main goal for his time in office was to try and restore the principals of the revolution. He wanted to return to basic republican ideals. Since the Constitution had been put in place, Federalists had put oppressive taxes into place and stretched the limits of the Constitution. The central government was expanding rapidly because of the large differences between the upper and lower classes and also civil liberties were being suppressed . All of these changes were at the state's expense and Thomas Jefferson believed a reform was necessary. The reform that he put into action repealed taxes, cut back on government expenses, and helped pay off public debt. Jackson's radical republican changes countered the imperialism of the British Empire because of the limited role the government would play in the public's life. Just as economic reform was a crucial part of the Jeffersonian era, the idea of west ward expansion was also prevalent. In 1803, Thomas Jefferson bought 828,800 square miles of French territory located in the western portion of the US. The Louisiana Purchase was a vital part of Jefferson's time in office because of the opposition surrounding the purchase. There were groups who believed that the plan to buy the property was unconstitutional. None the less, Jefferson went through with his plan mostly because he was unsure about having Spanish and French presences to the point were they could block access to trade in New Orleans. The territory formed 14 states and moved people from dense cities into a more western style of living. In international affairs, France declared war on Britain. As a result of these battles that started in 1803 and lasted 12 years, American vessels were captured and the British forced Americans to join their marines. The population did not agree with these actions and saw them as very undemocratic. The Jeffersonian Era was democratic because of the assistance from the government when the citizens needed it. Despite his radical republican changes, Thomas Jefferson demonstrated democratic ideals by taking notice of the problems the people were having and then making the necessary changes to accommodate these problems. This is what democracy meant to the people at the time. Today, critics of the government are under the impression that the government doesn't do enough help resolve the problems of the people. "Louisiana Purchase." American Government. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 17 Sept. 2010. "Thomas Jefferson." American Government. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 17 Sept. 2010. "Thomas Jefferson." Image. Library of Congress. American Government. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 17 Sept. 2010.
From 1789 to 1800, the newly formed country was still trying to figure out the small dynamics of the government. Issues such as domestic and foreign policy and interference by other nations in American commerce and shipping caused controversy. The public had different views on how to handle these issues while also trying to please the people. Because the nation was still so young, no one knew if the nation would be successful at gaining allies, how much power the central government should have, or if the economy would ever stabilize. As many unknowns as there were, the first decade of existence brought achievements too. Washington D.C. was built and made the nation's capital. The Bill of Rights was adopted, making a balance between the central government and individual rights. The first 10 amendments of the Constitution were added December 15, 1791. The ten amendments indicate the individual rights that are protected under the Constitution. These freedoms include freedom of speech, free press, freedom to assemble, and most importantly prohibits Congress from making laws that would establish any kind religion. All of these rights stem from the treatment the colonists received during the time they were ruled by Britain. The economy was jump started by financial programs put in place by the government which, in turn, secured the nation's credit. Another achievement from this era was the development of the first political parties which involved a fraction of the population in the national government. Both of the presidents, Washington and Adams, prevented the country from getting into another war that it would not be able to handle at the time. Democracy meant a lot to the people that were framing the Constitution because they had the opportunity of forming a government around their moral beliefs. Although they were never totally sure of the outcome, all of the creators stood by their core values pertaining to individual rights. The Bill of Rights is an example of democratic thinking because even though all people must abide by the government, individuals still have personal freedoms. All of these rights still govern our society and are something that makes this county different from others. Vile, John R. "Bill of Rights." American Government. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 16 Sept. 2010. "Bill of Rights (1791)." Image. National Archives. American Government. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 16 Sept. 2010.
After independence was declared, the new country needed a way to put a functional government in place. The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, was a way of outlining how to distribute power. The problems with the Articles quickly became apparent. George Washington was appointed as the countries first president, but all of the states were worried about giving the central government too much power because they didn’t want the country to resemble the British monarchy. Another pending problem with the Articles was the states wanting to be independent from each other. Because there was no power vested in the central government, each state could make its own laws and print its own money. This made the name "United States of America" deceiving. After the failure of the Articles to govern the country, the Constitution became the supreme law on June 21, 1788. The Constitution outlined 3 branches of government compared to the 1 outlined by the Articles. The Constitution also made more unification between the states. Some of the rights the states had before, like the ability to keep ships of war or tax the people, were changed so that only the federal government has these abilities. Adopting the Constitution into power made the country more democratic because of the liberties given to the people, like more opportunities to vote, and also to the federal government, like the right to establish a federal court. All of the laws stated in the Constitution are still in effect and prevalent today. "Ratifying the Constitution (Overview)." American Government. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 15 Sept. 2010. "First page of the Articles of Confederation." Image. National Archives. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 4 Sept. 2010.
From 1775 to 1783 the American Colonies were fighting for their independence from Britain. Even though there was no standing president during this time, leaders emerged and helped the colonies become their own country. On December 16, 1773 the colonists organized the largest revolt against British rule. The colonists, disguised as American Indians, went to fight the high tax on tea that was implemented. The conflict soon escalated until it turned into the Revolutionary War. The struggle for independence in the colonies shows democracy because they decided to fight for their own rule. Democracy meant that they could make their own rules and be their own country. Democracy also meant more freedoms. After being oppressed by a higher power, it was easy for the writers of the Constitution to decide to make their new country one where everything is centered around the right to personal freedoms. Today, we still revolve around these individual rights and exercise them everyday. The Boston Tea Party was an instance of direct revolt against an unfair power. The colonies wanted to be given more freedom, but instead Britain created more rules and restrictions. Citation: "Organizing Colonial Resistance (Overview)." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 4 Sept. 2010. ""Unite or Die"." Image. North Wind Picture Archives. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 4 Sept. 2010.
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