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Lousiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal where the U.S. bought 828,000 square miles from France for $15 million. It doubled the size of the country, giving the U.S. control over much of the central North American continent. This expansion set the stage for westward growth and exploration. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was a pivotal Civil War battle fought in Pennsylvania between the Union and Confederate armies. The Union, led by General George Meade, defeated General Robert E. Lee’s forces, marking a turning point in the war. It resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. -
American West
The American West Era, during the 1800s, was marked by westward expansion, settlement, and conflict. People moved west for land, gold, and new opportunities. This led to battles with Native Americans, the growth of railroads, and the rise of cowboys. It greatly changed the land and American culture. -
Reconstruction Era
The Reconstruction Era was the time after the Civil War when the United States worked to bring the Southern states back into the country and help formerly enslaved people become free citizens. The government passed important laws like the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which ended slavery and gave African Americans citizenship and voting rights. -
The Gilded Age
The Gilded Age, from the 1870s to about 1900, was a time of rapid economic growth in the U.S., especially in industry and railroads. Wealth increased for some, but many workers lived in poverty. Corruption in politics was common, and big businesses had a lot of power over the government. -
Great Railroad Strike
The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was the first major nationwide labor strike in the U.S. It began when railroad workers protested wage cuts and poor working conditions. The strike spread quickly, turning violent in some cities. Federal troops were called in, and the strike ended, but worker unrest continued. -
Haymarket Riot
The Haymarket Riot happened in Chicago in 1886 during a labor protest for an eight-hour workday. A bomb was thrown at police, killing several people. Violence followed, and police fired into the crowd. The event led to fear of labor unions and immigrants, and several activists were arrested or executed. -
Gospel of Wealth
The Gospel of Wealth was an essay by Andrew Carnegie in 1889. He believed rich people had a duty to use their money to help others. Instead of leaving wealth to family, he thought it should support education, libraries, and public good. Carnegie practiced this by giving away much of his fortune. -
Progressive Era
The Progressive Era (1890s–1920s) was a time when people worked to fix problems caused by rapid industrial growth. Reformers fought for better working conditions, the end of child labor, and government changes. They also pushed for women's voting rights and laws to control big businesses and help society become fairer. -
Homestead Strike
The Homestead Strike of 1892 was a violent labor dispute at Andrew Carnegie’s steel plant in Pennsylvania. Workers protested wage cuts, leading to a battle between striking workers and private security guards. The strike failed, weakening the steelworkers' union and showing the growing power of big business over organized labor. -
Pullman Strike
The Pullman Strike of 1894 happened when workers at the Pullman train car company went on strike after their wages were cut, but their rent stayed high. The strike spread across the country and stopped trains. The government sent troops to end it, showing they supported businesses over workers. -
Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War was a conflict between the U.S. and Spain. It started after the U.S. intervened in Cuba’s fight for independence. The U.S. won quickly, gaining territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The war marked the U.S. as a world power. -
World War I
World War I (1914–1918) was a global conflict involving many countries, including the U.S., Germany, and France. It started after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. Trench warfare and new weapons caused huge losses. The war ended with the Treaty of Versailles, reshaping Europe and leading to future tensions. -
Roaring Twenties
The Roaring Twenties (1920s) was a lively period in the U.S. with new music, fashion, and freedoms. People enjoyed jazz, flappers, and a booming economy. However, there was also inequality, and the decade ended with the stock market crash, which led to the Great Depression. -
The Great Depression
The Great Depression (1929–1939) was a time when the U.S. economy collapsed. The stock market crash caused millions to lose jobs, homes, and savings. Many businesses shut down, and banks failed. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs helped people, but the recovery took a long time. -
World War II
World War II (1939–1945) was a global conflict between the Allies, including the U.S., Britain, and the Soviet Union, and the Axis powers, led by Germany, Italy, and Japan. The war caused massive destruction and loss of life. -
Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7, 1941, when Japan launched a surprise military strike on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii. The attack destroyed much of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, killing over 2,400 people. It led to the U.S. entering World War II. -
Hiroshima Bomb
The Hiroshima bomb was dropped by the U.S. on August 6, 1945, during World War II. The atomic bomb destroyed the city and killed tens of thousands instantly, with many more dying later from radiation. It played a key role in Japan's surrender, ending the war in the Pacific. -
Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement was a fight for racial equality in the U.S. African Americans protested against segregation and unfair treatment. Major events included the March on Washington in 1963 and the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Martin Luther King Jr. was a key leader. -
9/11
On September 11, 2001, terrorists from the group al-Qaeda hijacked four planes. They crashed two into the World Trade Center in New York City, one into the Pentagon, and the fourth in Pennsylvania. The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people, leading to major U.S. security changes and the War on Terror.