-The 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, which abolished slavery, was ratified in 1865 -The 14th Amendment, which granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to former slaves, was ratified in 1868 -The 15th Amendment, which granted voting rights to African American men, was ratified in 1870 -The Ku Klux Klan Act, also known as the Enforcement Act of 1871, was passed by Congress to combat the resurgence of white supremacist groups in the South -The Compromise of 1877, which effectively ended Reconstruction by withdrawing federal troops from the South and allowing Southern states to implement discriminatory voting laws, was reached.
-Rapid industrialization and urbanization led to the growth of large cities and the expansion of the middle class -Immigration to the United States increased significantly, with many immigrants coming from Eastern and Southern Europe -The rise of the factory system and the growth of the railroad industry led to the growth of the labor movement and the rise of organized labor unions -The Populist movement, which sought to address the economic grievances of farmers and workers, emerged in the 1890s -The women's suffrage movement gained momentum, leading to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote -The development of new technologies, such as the telephone and the automobile, led to significant changes in transportation and communication -The Progressive Era, marked by political and social reform, began around 1890s -The United States began to assert itself as a world power, with the Spanish-American War in 1898 and the acquisition of territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam.
- The Spanish-American War in 1898 marked the United States' emergence as a world power, as it defeated Spain and gained control of territories such as Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
- The Open Door Policy, which was established in 1899, sought to ensure that all nations would have equal trading rights in China.
- The Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900, in which an anti-foreign, anti-Christian movement sought to expel foreigners from China, was put down with the help of an international force, including U.S. troops.
- The U.S. became increasingly involved in Latin America, with the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine in 1904 asserting the U.S.'s right to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries to maintain stability and protect U.S. interests.
- World War I broke out in 1914, and the U.S. initially remained neutral, but eventually entered the war in 1917 on the side of the Allies.
- The U.S. played a significant role in the outcome of the war, and its participation helped to solidify its status as a world power.
- The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, officially ending World War I and establishing the League of Nations, in which the U.S. participated.
- The United States also took a leading role in the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, shaping the post-war settlement and the future international order.
- The Great Depression, which began in 1929, had a profound impact on American society, leading to widespread poverty and unemployment.
- The New Deal, a series of economic and social programs implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, sought to address the economic crisis and alleviate suffering.
- The role of government in American society expanded significantly during this period, as the New Deal established new government agencies and programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, and the Social Security Administration.
- The labor movement gained strength during this period, as workers organized and went on strike to demand better wages and working conditions.
- The United States entered World War II in 1941, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
- The war led to significant changes in American society, as millions of men and women joined the armed forces and many more entered the workforce to support the war effort.
- The war also led to significant changes in the roles and status of women and minorities, as they entered the workforce in large numbers to replace the men who were away fighting.
- The war also led to significant economic growth, as the country shifted to a wartime economy, and the end of the war brought prosperity and economic growth.
- The Cold War and the rise of the Soviet Union led to a shift in American foreign policy, with a focus on containing the spread of communism and on building a strong military and national defense.
- The stock market crash of 1929, also known as Black Tuesday, was a major cause of the Great Depression. It led to a sharp decline in stock prices and a loss of confidence in the economy.
- The uneven distribution of wealth in the 1920s, with a small number of individuals controlling a large proportion of the wealth, contributed to the economic downturn.
- The failure of banks and the resulting loss of savings for many Americans, as well as the decrease in credit availability.
- The international trade policies such as the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which raised tariffs on imported goods, led to a decrease in international trade and further economic contraction.
- The decrease in agricultural prices in the 1920s, which led to financial difficulties for farmers and rural communities.
- The decrease in consumer spending, as people became more cautious with their money and less likely to make big purchases.
- The decrease in business investment, as companies became more cautious and less likely to invest in new projects or expand their operations.
- The lack of a social safety net for those who were struggling financially, which meant that many people were unable to cope with the economic downturn.
It's worth noting that the Great Depression was a complex event with multiple causes and it was a combination of all these factors that ultimately led to the Great Depression.
First New Deal (1933-1935):
- The National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) established codes of fair competition for different industries and sought to stimulate economic recovery through increased spending and production.
- The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) sought to raise crop prices by paying farmers to reduce production.
- The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) provided direct relief to the unemployed and those in need.
- The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) employed young men for projects such as planting trees, building trails, and conserving natural resources.
- The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was created to improve the economy and living conditions in the Tennessee River Valley through the development of hydroelectric power and other projects.
- The National Recovery Administration (NRA) was established to encourage fair competition and improve working conditions.
Second New Deal (1935-1938):
- The Works Progress Administration (WPA) employed millions of unemployed workers on public works projects such as building bridges, roads, and public buildings.
- The Social Security Act provided retirement benefits for the elderly and financial assistance for widows and orphans.
- The Fair Labor Standards Act established a minimum wage and maximum workweek for many workers.
- The National Youth Administration (NYA) provided education and job training for young people.
- The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) helped to make home ownership more affordable by insuring mortgages.
- The Rural Electrification Administration (REA) brought electricity to rural areas, improving living conditions and stimulating economic development.
It's worth noting that some of these policies were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, and some were later modified or repealed.
- Andrew Johnson (1865-1869): Johnson became president after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. He vetoed the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which protected the rights of African Americans, and his impeachment by the House of Representatives was narrowly avoided.
- Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877): Grant oversaw the initial stages of Reconstruction and the withdrawal of federal troops from the South. He also signed the Civil Rights Act of 1875, which protected the rights of African Americans.
- Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881): Hayes was known for his commitment to civil service reform and his efforts to reduce political corruption. He also oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the withdrawal of federal troops from the South.
- James A. Garfield (1881): Garfield was president for only 200 days before he was assassinated. He was a strong advocate for civil service reform and had plans to reduce political corruption.
- Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885): Arthur continued the civil service reform policies of his predecessor and signed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which suspended Chinese immigration for ten years.
- Grover Cleveland (1885-1889, 1893-1897): Cleveland was the only president to serve non-consecutive terms. He vetoed many bills passed by Congress, including those that would have provided aid to farmers and veterans.
- Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893): Harrison oversaw the passage of the Sherman Antitrust Act, which sought to limit the power of monopolies, and the McKinley Tariff Act, which raised tariffs on imported goods.
- William McKinley (1897-1901): McKinley oversaw the Spanish-American War and the acquisition of territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam. He was assassinated early in his second term.
- Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909): Roosevelt was known for his "Square Deal" domestic policies, which sought to promote fairness for all Americans. He also oversaw the construction of the Panama Canal and established several national parks and monuments.
- William Howard Taft (1909-1913): Taft was known for his efforts to promote conservation and his support for the establishment of a federal income tax.
- Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921): Wilson oversaw the passage of several progressive reforms, including the Federal Reserve Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act. He also led the United States during World War I and helped to shape the post-war settlement at the Treaty of Versailles.
- Warren G. Harding (1921-1923): Harding's presidency was marked by a return to "normalcy" after the war, and he promoted policies of economic growth and limited government intervention.
- Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929): Coolidge continued many of Harding's policies and is best remembered for his laissez-faire approach to government and his belief in the power of the free market.
- Herbert Hoover (1929-1933): Hoover's presidency was marked by the onset of the Great Depression, and his efforts to address the economic crisis were largely seen as ineffective.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945): Roosevelt's "New Deal" policies sought to address the economic crisis and alleviate suffering during the Great Depression. He also led the United States during World War II, and his leadership played a significant role in the outcome of the war.