-
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments abolished slavery, granted citizenship to formerly enslaved people, and protected Black voting rights. These amendments redefined the meaning of freedom and equality in the U.S. -
Rapid industrial expansion created monopolies, urbanization, and harsh working conditions. Labor unions formed to fight for better wages and protections. -
This compromise resolved the disputed 1876 election by withdrawing federal troops from the South. It effectively ended Reconstruction and opened the door to Jim Crow laws. -
Decades of conflict between the U.S. Army and Native nations culminated in the 1890 massacre at Wounded Knee. It marked the end of large-scale Indigenous armed resistance. -
The U.S. defeated Spain and gained control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. This marked America’s emergence as an imperial power.
-
Progressives pushed for reforms like food safety laws, women’s suffrage, labor protections, and business regulation. Their efforts reshaped the government’s role in society.
-
American involvement helped turn the tide of the war in favor of the Allies. It also expanded federal power and reshaped foreign policy. -
The stock market crash led to massive unemployment and widespread poverty. It became the most severe economic crisis in U.S. history. -
President Franklin D. Roosevelt launched programs to provide relief, recovery, and reform. These policies expanded the federal government’s role in the economy. -
Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor led the U.S. to declare war and enter WWII. The conflict mobilized the nation’s economy and workforce. -
The GI Bill provided veterans with college tuition, home loans, and job training. It helped build the modern American middle class. -
The Truman Doctrine committed the U.S. to containing communism worldwide. This marked the beginning of the Cold War and reshaped U.S. foreign policy. -
The Supreme Court struck down racial segregation in public schools. The case energized the Civil Rights Movement. -
This long and controversial war divided the nation and undermined trust in government. The antiwar movement reshaped political activism.
-
These landmark laws outlawed segregation and protected the right to vote. They completed the legal goals of the Civil Rights Movement. -
The Watergate break-in and cover-up led to President Nixon’s resignation. It marked a major turning point in public confidence in government.
-
President Reagan pursued tax cuts, deregulation, and increased defense spending. His policies and rhetoric reshaped American politics. -
The collapse of the Soviet Union ended the Cold War. The U.S. emerged as the world’s sole superpower. -
Terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., killed nearly 3,000 people. They led to the War on Terror and major changes in national security. -
A financial meltdown caused widespread foreclosures, unemployment, and economic turmoil. It reshaped government policies and regulatory debates.