Major Eras in U.S. History YEARS AS TURNING POINTS 12/1/15

U.S. History – Timeline of Years as Turning Points Remember this mnemonic: S-SOMESpanish American War – 1898 W-WEALTHYWorld War I – G-GENTLEMENGreat Depression – W-WASTEDWorld War II – S-SUGARSputnik Launched – 1957 A-ANDAssassination of MLK – 1958 M-MILKMan on the Moon C-CUZCold War Ends – 1991 T-TEASTerrorist Attacks – 9/11/2001 B-BETTERBarack Obama Elected – 2008

The Spanish American War – 1898 (some)

WWI – (wealthy)

The Great Depression – (gentlemen)

WWII – (wasted)

Sputnik Launched – 1957 (sugar)

ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR – 1968 (and)

First Man on the Moon – 1969 (milk)

Cold War Ends – 1991 (cuz)

Terrorist Attacks September 11, 2001 (tea’s)

Barack Obama Elected – 2008 (better)

Sample STAAR Question – World War II Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. This 1944 order was addressed to U.S. troops sent to — A. capture the Italian mainland B. transport weapons to Great Britain C. invade the beaches at Normandy D. repel an attack on Stalingrad

Sample STAAR Question – Terrorist Attacks 9/11/2001 We are on a mission to make sure that freedom is enduring. We’re on a mission to say to the rest of the world, come with us—come with us, stand by our side to defeat the evil-doers who would like to rid the world of freedom as we know it. —President George W. Bush, September 26, 2001 How did President Bush attempt to complete the mission described above? A. By overthrowing a dictator in North Korea B. By fighting a global war on terrorism C. By offering assistance to refugees escaping genocide D. By supporting the Arab Spring movement

Sample STAAR Question – Barack Obama Elected President of the U.S.A 2008 If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. —Barack Obama, November 4, 2008 Barack Obama described his 2008 election victory in this manner because the election was the first in which — A. a minority candidate was elected president B. naturalized immigrants had access to multilingual ballots C. federal courts ordered voter recounts to stop D. religious beliefs played a significant role in the presidential campaign