The main theme of 1866-1890 was all about reconstruction after the Civil War. Close to the beginning of 1866, March 13, The Civil Rights Act is passed by Congress. It was the first ever federal law to protect the rights of African Americans in the United States. It was tossed around as it was vetoed by President Johnson, who was impeached in 1868, but later overridden by Congress. More towards the end of the year, in December of 1866, the Klu Klux Klan (KKK) was formed secretly with the intention to discourage blacks from voting. Later on in 1873, Britain and America were faced with their first global depression brought about by Industrial Capitalism (Teaching History 1). Another theme of 1866-1890 was inventions. So many new things were being
After the Civil War, it became evident that changes in the South had to be made. The old way had certainly not worked, and it was time for variation. Therefore, there was much political, economic, and social reforms introduced in the South between 1864 and 1877. After 1877, many of the changes stayed with the exception of Civil Rights.
During the time period of 1860 and 1877 many major changes occurred. From the beginning of the civil war to the fall of the reconstruction, the United States changed dramatically. Nearly one hundred years after the Declaration of Independence which declared all men equal, many social and constitutional alterations were necessary to protect the rights of all people, no matter their race. These social and constitutional developments that were made during 1860 to 1877 were so drastic it could be called a revolution.
All in all, between 1860 and 1877, the constitutional and social developments have amount to a revolution. A revolution encompasses improvements and downfalls, and without a doubt, the times between 1860 and 1877 covered all of this. The revolution solidified the power of the federal government and gave new suffrage and civil opportunities for black freedmen with the reconstruction amendments. Also, at the same time, the revolution contained resentment from white men, through terrorist activities, the Ku Klux Klan, and black codes. As a result, the new constitutional and social developments changed the American nation with a revolution of good and bad.
The period from 1877 to 1901 in American history was known as the Gilded Age, it was titled so because during this time things on the surface seemed peaceful and good but underneath lay corruption in the society. This era was marked by the end of Reconstruction of the South, as well as the presidencies of Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland, Harrison, and McKinley. Significant events of this time were the 1878 Bland Allison Act in which the federal government bought silver and turned it into cheap money. The 1881 Chinese Exclusion Act which banned all Chinese immigrants coming into America because they were hurting employment opportunities for American laborers. The 1883 Pendleton Act that ended Jackson’s spoils system in the government and made the Merit System based on intelligence and ability. The 1887 Interstate Commerce Act which regulated the railroads. The Sherman Antitrust Act which outlawed any combination in restraint of trade. And last, the Gold Standard Act of 1900 that made the American monetary unit based on gold.
America has gone through many hardships and struggles since coming together as a nation involving war and changes in the political system. Many highly regarded leaders in America have come bestowing their own ideas and foundation to provide a better life for “Americans”, but no other war or political change is more infamous than the civil war and reconstruction. Reconstruction started in 1865 and ended in 1877 and still to date one of the most debated issues in American history on whether reconstruction was a failure or success as well as a contest over the memory, meaning, and ending of the war. According to, “Major Problems in American History” David W. Blight of Yale University and Steven Hahn of the University of Pennsylvania take different stances on the meaning of reconstruction, and what caused its demise. David W. Blight argues that reconstruction was a conflict between two solely significant, but incompatible objectives that “vied” for attention both reconciliation and emancipation. On the other hand Steven Hahn argues that former slaves and confederates were willing and prepared to fight for what they believed in “reflecting a long tradition of southern violence that had previously undergirded slavery” Hahn also believes that reconstruction ended when the North grew tired of the 16 year freedom conflict. Although many people are unsure, Hahn’s arguments presents a more favorable appeal from support from his argument oppose to Blight. The inevitable end of reconstruction was the North pulling federal troops from the south allowing white rule to reign again and proving time travel exist as freed Africans in the south again had their civil, political, and economical position oppressed.
The years after the civil war left one half of America, the north, satisfied and the other half, the south, mostly dissatisfied. Therefore the last third of the nineteenth century, 1865-1900, was a time period in which America was mending, repairing, improving, reshaping, and reconstructing its society, economy, culture, and policies. Basically it was changing everything it stood for. This continual change can be seen in the following events that took place during this time. These events are both causes and effects of why America is what it is today. These are some examples: the reconstruction of the south, the great movement towards the west, the agricultural revolution, the rise of industrialism, the completion of the transcontinental railroad, and America's growth to gaining world power. All of these are reasons and events that characterize America as being an ever-changing nation.
The early 1900s were filled with many new social ideas and changes. New faces arose during this time, and many new ideas changed the shape of society. Among these were race relations, the role of women in society, and the ever-heated modernism versus fundamentalism debate.
Although there are various time periods in American history that have implemented a change in the nation, there are three significant periods that ultimately changed social, political, and economic aspects of America. These three periods are the era of World War II, the Roaring 20s, and the Civil Rights Era. Multiple events occurring in each of those time periods greatly influenced specific individuals, reciprocating society into what it is today. Thus, improving characteristics that America fundamentally represents.
Throughout all recorded history, humans have consistently sought power because only the strongest can survive and prosper; the weak are left to struggle with little to nothing. Neither side wishes to back down, as forfeiting such a battle will cause suffering and the loss of privilege for them and their allies. As such, no matter when and where, there is always a never-ending conflict over power and wealth. Focusing on the late 19th century United States, one can observe that this pattern of struggle persists between many parties. For example, during the periods of Reconstruction, Westward Expansion, and Industrialization, there was always an intense conflict between the powerful and the weak or the rich and the poor. Drawing
The 1890s were a important time in American History not only from many changes but also because of the closing with the West. The closing of the west frontier had many political, social, and economic effects. There was many problems that outbreak between people because the Native Americans on the West wanted to keep a hold on their tribal ways, while the East wanted to advance and move on with new professions. The West knew nothing about cities while that was what the East was becoming. There was a lot of conflict between the Whites and Native Americans, one of the big ones being the transcendental railroad. Before people traveled by horse and wagon, but now it would be faster and easier and a lot of whites traveled to the West and tried to
The Civil War and Reconstruction represent the revolution of American society and its democracy. The Civil War occurred due to conflicts between the North and South having different beliefs on subjects pertaining to the institution of slavery. Additionally, the Reconstruction era, focused on rebuilding the South and it was indeed challenging to many southerners who were slave owners and found it difficult to readjust to a society where blacks were now free, when they relied so heavily on slavery. Some people may argue that the Civil War and Reconstruction can be seen more as an evolution of American society and democracy instead of a revolution, but historical events prove otherwise. The Civil War and Reconstruction did not change American
In the 1920s the jazz music rose in popularity. America saw the Golden Age of Sports, but under all of the racism ran rampant through the country. In the 1920s the jazz music and the golden sports were real popular, but the racism going on in the rampant was crazy, the ku kulx klan was just awful.
Between 1920 and 1929 the national wealth of the country doubled, This was new to people they now found themselves with new lines of credit. People finally had money to buy things, Things like Chain Stores were popping up from coast to coast. New inventions like Vacuum cleaners, Stop lights (We still use them EVERYday), Kool Aid. We still use many of these products to this day. New inventions weren't the only thing that was new. The 18th amendment passed in 1919-1918 depending on the state made it illegal to manufacture, sale, transportation of alcoholic beverages. This would create a business worth millions and millions of dollars and an era of prohibition.
The theme of growth is in this time period. As the United States began to grow in land, it also began to grow both philosophically and physically. First stage of growth for America was Nationalism. U.S. Nationalism displayed itself through the development of the idea of Manifest Destiny after winning the War of 1812. The second key theme is developing an American Identity Or considered as the Age of Reform. Many aspects of American society contributed to developing its identity. It showed that the fabric of the new nation was continually changing as it grew into the first forty years of the 19th Century. Major movements just as the Second Great Awakening, Abolitionist movement, and the Temperance Movement showed a division in the American people
...rian society of the mid-1800s changed with the rise of a modern city culture. Simple life styles became more complicated and cultured as the economy focused on a continual increase in production and an ever-widening distribution of manufactured goods. Family life, social and political culture, agriculture and industry were dramatically transformed, guiding in a new era of change. This relates to chapter 17 in the textbook, “Reconstruction.” During reconstruction, the South was brought back into the union but Republican hopes of having the South follow northern lines of development were never realized. Race relations and the comeback of conservative Democrats extremely limited African-American opportunities. The northern industrial continued by economic advances were less by corruption and the depression of 1873. The Compromise of 1877 ended the Reconstruction era.