-
Reconstruction was the period after the Civil War when the South tried to rebuild and reunite with the rest of the country. It gave formerly enslaved people opportunities for education, work, and some political rights. The period also showed how difficult it is to create lasting change after a major conflict. Federal policies and programs attempted to enforce equality, but many challenges remained. Reconstruction set the stage for future struggles over civil rights.
-
The 13th Amendment officially ended slavery in the United States. It marked a major step toward legal equality for all people. Even though slavery was abolished, society still had many ways to discriminate. The amendment showed that law and society don’t always match up right away. It was a key foundation for future civil rights efforts.
-
The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to anyone born in the U.S. and guaranteed equal protection under the law. It was designed to protect formerly enslaved people and their descendants. The amendment also highlighted the government’s role in defending citizens’ rights. It influenced many later civil rights laws and policies.
-
The 15th Amendment gave African American men the right to vote. Many states tried to block this right, showing how hard it was to enforce equality. The amendment laid the groundwork for future voting rights battles. It highlights the long struggle for political equality in America. Understanding this amendment helps explain later civil rights movements.
-
The Compromise of 1877 ended Reconstruction and removed federal troops from the South. This allowed segregation and Jim Crow laws to grow in the South. Political decisions at this time had long-lasting effects on society. The compromise showed how progress can be reversed. It helps explain why civil rights struggles continued for decades.
-
The Great Railroad Strike was the first major nationwide labor protest in the United States. Workers protested against unfair wages and working conditions. The strike spread across multiple states and sometimes became violent. It highlighted tensions caused by rapid industrialization. The event shows the beginnings of organized labor in the U.S.
-
The Homestead Steel Strike involved a violent clash between workers and the steel company. Workers demanded fair pay and safer working conditions. Armed guards were used against striking workers, showing how extreme conflicts could get. It highlighted the struggle between labor and big business during industrial growth. The strike reveals the human cost of industrial progress.
-
The Pullman Strike was a nationwide labor dispute involving both workers and the federal government. The government often sided with business over workers, showing inequality in industrial America. The strike caused disruptions across the country and involved federal troops. It highlighted the unrest of the Gilded Age. The event shows how labor conflicts shaped the development of the U.S. economy.
-
The Spanish-American War marked the United States’ emergence as a global power. Newspapers and early films influenced public opinion, stirring support for war. Battles in Cuba and the Philippines were important, but media also shaped how Americans saw the conflict. The war resulted in the U.S. gaining territories like Puerto Rico and the Philippines. It shows how public perception and media can influence major events. -
The Progressive Era was a time of reform aimed at fixing social and political problems. Reformers worked to reduce corruption, improve working conditions, and expand opportunities for women. It was also a time of social activism and advocacy for everyday people. Progress often came in small steps, but changes had lasting effects. The era shows how citizen efforts can influence government and society.
-
World War I was a major conflict that involved countries from around the world, and the U.S. joined in 1917. American soldiers fought mainly in Europe, and the war changed the role of the U.S. as a global power. On the home front, people supported the war through rationing, buying war bonds, and working in factories. The war also led to technological innovations like tanks, airplanes, and chemical weapons. -
The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote in the United States. This was the result of decades of organized efforts by suffragists and activists. It marked a major change in American politics and society by officially recognizing women as equal participants in democracy. Women across the country celebrated their new legal right to vote, and it inspired further social change. The amendment had lasting effects on elections and policies by including women’s voices in the political process. -
The Great Depression began with the stock market crash of 1929, leading to widespread economic collapse. Millions of Americans lost their jobs, homes, and savings. Families struggled to survive, with some relying on bread lines or moving in search of work. The crisis revealed deep economic inequalities and forced the government to take action. It stands out because it reshaped the role of the federal government in citizens’ lives. -
The New Deal was a series of programs and reforms introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to address the Great Depression. These programs created jobs, helped farmers, and reformed the banking system. The government became more involved in citizens’ daily lives than ever before. Public works projects, like building roads and schools, improved infrastructure while giving people work.
-
World War II began for the U.S. after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Millions of Americans served in the military while those at home supported the war through work and rationing. Women and minorities took on new roles in factories and other jobs, changing social norms. The war ended with the defeat of Germany and Japan but caused massive destruction worldwide. It stands out because it affected every part of American life and solidified the U.S. as a global superpower. -
The Civil Rights Movement began in earnest with the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. The ruling declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This sparked protests, legal battles, and grassroots organizing across the country. Ordinary people, often risking their safety, fought for equal rights.
-
The Civil Rights Act outlawed segregation and discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was the result of years of activism, protests, and political pressure. The law affected schools, workplaces, and public spaces, creating more equal opportunities. It marked a major legal victory for the Civil Rights Movement. -
The Vietnam War was a conflict in Southeast Asia where the U.S. became heavily involved to prevent the spread of communism. The war caused deep divisions in American society and led to widespread protests. Soldiers faced difficult conditions, and many Americans questioned the government’s decisions. Media coverage brought the realities of the war into homes across the nation.
-
The Voting Rights Act made it illegal to prevent people from voting based on race or color. It was passed after years of struggle by activists and highlighted problems like literacy tests and poll taxes. Millions of African Americans were able to vote freely for the first time. The law strengthened democracy and political participation across the country.
-
The September 11 attacks were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks on the United States. The Twin Towers in New York City were destroyed, and thousands of lives were lost. The attacks caused national grief and fear but also united many Americans. They led to changes in security policies, foreign policy, and daily life.