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The California Gold Rush brought hundreds of thousands of people to the West, in hopes to find the very thing that would make them rich. It helped California become a state quickly and boosted the U.S. economy. It also sped up westward expansion and brought new industries and infrastructure which is a huge plus. I included this event because it shows how important each opportunity is and just how much migration and expansion helped shape modern America. -
In my eyes, the Civil War was one of the most important and deadly conflicts in American history. It was fought over two things: slavery and states' rights. It decided whether the United States would stay united or if it would remain divided. In the end, the war ended slavery and set the stage for Reconstruction, as well as the civil rights act that followed. -
Reconstruction was the time right after the Civil War. When the country tried to rebuild itself anew, especially in the South. It was about helping the formerly enslaved gain their human rights, in addition to rebuilding the economy. While it made some progress, it didn’t last very long, and many rights were taken away shortly after that. I picked this event because although things did not move smoothly, and turned to be very painful, it ended working out in the end...with time. -
The 13th Amendment officially ended slavery in the U.S. This was a huge step for freedom and changed the lives of millions of people who were affected by it. It’s important because it finally made slavery illegal, which was a major leading cause of the Civil War. -
The compromise of 1877 ended the federal government’s effort to rebuild the South and protect African Americans rights. After it, white leaders took control, which the led to segregation and unfair laws once again. I included it because it shows how quickly things to can go from good to bad all in the span of a few years. -
A decision was made by the Supreme Court, issuing that racial segregation was okay as long as facilities were “equal,” which wasn’t really true. It basically allowed segregation to continue for decades. I picked this because it shows how the law was used to keep people apart and unequal. Less unified and more divided. -
Roosevelt made a lot of changes to control big businesses and protect nature in the United States. It was Roosevelt that helped start modern government regulations to keep things fair. This era is important because it showed that the government could help fix social problems if put in the position to do so. -
The U.S. joined World War I late but as result of this they helped change the course of the war. It also started America’s role as a major world power figure. I picked this event because it marked a shift from staying isolated to becoming more involved globally. -
This amendment gave women the right to vote, which was no easy fight to begin with. It was a big step for equality and democracy in America's book. I included it because it expanded who could participate in American politics and proved great opportunity for citizens. -
The stock market crash caused the Great Depression, a time when many people lost their jobs and homes. It went to show just how fragile the economy could be and how easily a countries citizens can lose trust in their own banking system. This event is important because it led to big changes in how the government handled the economy. -
President Roosevelt’s New Deal created programs to help people during the Great Depression, almost like Social Security. It changed how Americans saw the government’s role in helping citizens. I picked this because it helped the country not only recover but set the foundation for future social programs. -
It was the United States that helped win World War II, which stopped potential fascism and made America almost the bigger sibling. The war also changed lots of lives back at home, with women working more and new technologies developing. I included this because it had a huge impact on the world and the U.S. -
The Cold War was a long period in which there was tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. It influenced military and political decisions for decades to come. This event is key because it shaped much of the 20th century and America’s role in the world today. -
This was the case that ended racial segregation in public schools and was a big win in the books for civil rights movements. It showed that division was not unity. I picked this because it helped change laws and attitudes about race. -
The Civil Rights Act banned any form of discrimination but mainly discrimination based on race and gender. This became a major step toward equality. This law helped break open many doors for those all over the country in search of something greater. -
When the U.S. put a man on the moon, it was a huge achievement in both the science field and technology field. It showed everybody that America could do anything and that the space race with the Soviet Union was just the beginning. I included it because it inspired many hearts and marked a historic moment for the United States. -
The Watergate scandal started with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and ended with President Nixon resigning. What I love about this even is how it exposed corruption at the highest levels of government and showed how important investigative journalism on power truly are. This event changed how Americans viewed their leaders and led to reforms meant to make politics more transparent. -
This Supreme Court case gave women the right to have an abortion, which sparks ongoing debates till this day. But the main argument was that, is it important for women’s rights and privacy to be able to have an abortion? I picked it because it shows how easily court decisions can affect social issues. -
The 1976 election came right after the Watergate scandal, and it was at this point that many Americans had lost trust in their own government. Jimmy Carter, won by promising honesty and transparency to the American citizens. His victory showed how badly the country wanted change and leaders who were trustworthy. I picked this event because it reflects how big scandals like Watergate can shift public opinion just like that and shape who gets elected. -
It was President Reagan’s policies that aimed to grow the economy by lowering taxes and spending less. Not only that, it was his leadership that also helped bring the Cold War to an end. I included this because it was a major shift in politics and the economy.