-
After the Civil War, the U.S. worked to rebuild the South and help freed slaves adjust to freedom. Congress took control from President Johnson to make sure new laws protected African Americans’ rights and to rebuild Southern governments based on equality. -
President Andrew Johnson disagreed with Congress about how to handle Reconstruction. He kept blocking their laws to protect freed slaves, so the House impeached him. He stayed in office by one vote but lost most of his political power. -
This amendment made everyone born in the U.S. a citizen and promised “equal protection under the law.” It was meant to protect former slaves from discrimination and unfair treatment. -
This Amendment gave African American men the right to vote. It was an important step toward political equality, though states later found ways to get around it with things like poll taxes and literacy tests. -
Federal troops left the South, ending Reconstruction. White Southerners regained control of state governments, often using violence and voter suppression. This led to the rise of Jim Crow laws and the loss of rights for Black citizens. -
A time of social and political reform when Americans tried to fix problems caused by industrialization, like poor working conditions, corruption, and poverty. Reformers also pushed for women’s suffrage and new labor laws.
-
The Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation was legal as long as facilities were “separate but equal.” This decision made segregation and discrimination legal for decades. -
The U.S. went to war with Spain after the explosion of the USS Maine. The U.S. won easily and gained new territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, making America a global power. -
The U.S. joined the Allies in WWI after German submarine attacks on American ships. American troops helped end the war, and the U.S. emerged as a major world power. -
A period of booming business, jazz music, new technologies like cars and radios, and greater social freedom. But not everyone shared the wealth, and inequality and racism remained widespread. -
Women won the right to vote after decades of activism. The amendment marked a major victory for equality and expanded democracy in the U.S. -
Stock prices fell dramatically, wiping out savings and starting the Great Depression. Many banks failed, businesses closed, and millions lost their jobs. -
The economy collapsed even more. President Herbert Hoover believed the government shouldn’t directly help people, so his limited response made things worse and led to growing public anger. -
President Franklin D. Roosevelt launched programs to create jobs, help farmers and workers, and stabilize the economy. The New Deal expanded the federal government’s role in everyday life. -
Part of the New Deal, it created pensions for retired workers, unemployment benefits, and aid for the disabled and poor families, laying the foundation for the modern welfare system. -
After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the U.S. joined WWII against the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan). The Allies won, ending the war, and the U.S. became a global superpower. -
After WWII, tension grew between the U.S. (democracy and capitalism) and the Soviet Union (communism). They competed for global influence through arms races, alliances, and proxy wars, but didn’t fight directly. -
The Supreme Court overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, ruling that segregated schools were unconstitutional. This decision helped start the modern Civil Rights Movement. -
President Lyndon B. Johnson’s set of programs to fight poverty and racial injustice. It created Medicare, Medicaid, and expanded education funding. -
Banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in jobs, schools, and public places. It was one of the biggest victories of the Civil Rights Movement. -
Banned unfair voting laws like literacy tests and poll taxes that kept Black Americans from voting, greatly increasing voter participation in the South. -
Oil shortages caused prices to rise, inflation increased, and unemployment stayed high at the same time. The economy struggled, and people lost confidence in government leadership. -
President Richard Nixon’s team was caught spying on political opponents. The cover-up was exposed, and Nixon resigned before he could be impeached.