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Westward Expansion
The then new America started to expand. Until 1853 America kept expanding, it almost tripled in size. Americans created railroads and started mining for gold in California. In the process of this they killed or kicked out many native people during the expansion, messed with the animal populations, polluted and had more work to do so they upped slavery. -
Gilded Age
Wasn't named the Gilded Age until the 1920-30's when Mark Twain wrote a book making fun of the people of power during the late 19th century. This time was in between the Civil War and World War I. The Gilded Age was a time of greed, guile and corrupt politics led by really rich people. During this the population and the economy grew. Rising racial tensions, mass immigration and unemployed civilians were upset. This lasted until 1889 -
Imperialism
The US had a smaller army and navy during the late 1880's. This changed really fast during the next few decades. During the 80's they were seen as uninterested in foreign affairs then became so invested they helped liberate countries and even joined disputes. They also occupied countries, one of them being Nicaragua and Haiti. -
Progressive Era
Political, social, economic, and moral reforms were all part of the Progressive Era.A lot of change during this time especially because of rapid industrialization, Steel was the first billion dollar corporation. Women's voting rights, restricted immigration, prohibition, child labor restrictions, smart natural resource usage. The higher class started enlisting help of the college-educated middle class to get rid of corruption, working conditions and more. Until 1920-30's -
World War I
A lot happened during World War I. Not only did the war effect people during the war it also effected people for decades and even caused another world war. During the war four empires were brought down. It was the most expensive war in history(so far) costing $186 million in direct cost and killed 5 million civilians and 9 million soldiers. This all started with the assassination of the archduke Franz Ferdinand June 28 1914. It was followed by Germany invading France and Belgium. -
The Roaring Twenties!
Change is one word to describe the 20's. There were the moral changes, the growing cities, "mass-entertainment"(films, music, art.) Of course when things are changing fast there were some people who didn't want that. At some point one side was going to give. -
The Great Depression
During the Great Depression the unemployment rate was at its highest and stayed like that for a longer time than it did in any other western country. The Stock Market crash of October 1929 ended the Roaring Twenties. The unemployment rate went from 3.2% (1929) to 25% (1933.) Hoovervilles were made ('homes' made by homeless people who could no longer afford bills.When Hoover presidency was over and FDR moved in he made a New Deal that helped end the worse of the depression. -
World War II
70 nations working with and against each other, 70 million people served throughout the world,17 million soldiers died on land and sea, and a sum of 35 million civilians were killed. The Depression ended when women were sent to work after most men were drafted. All started when Germany invaded Poland in 1939; US didn't join until Japan bombed Pearl Harbor(1945). A lot of advances were made after that most notably the atomic bomb and the dropping of the first atomic bombs. All because of Hitler. -
Civil Rights Movement
During this time turning era a lot of people turned to MLK for advice, strategy and strength. He delivered speeches(his famous I Have A Dream speech) and visited many places to protest and rally people together. There were all types of protest and rallies some being the diner sit ins freedom riders and the bus boycott after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. -
The Vietnam War
Everyone hated the Vietnam War it was brutal and so many American died throughout it and suffered afterwards for years. 60,000 American troops died and 2 million Vietnamese people were killed. It's still wondered whether it was a failure, a win, and if it was even necessary, -
Cold War
The US was weary of the Soviets control over a few things, like the atomic bomb and their dominance over Eastern Europe. People in America were paranoid and would talk about spies in the government selling or giving away secrets to Soviets. During this mass but forced calm paranoia, the country was going through its 'American Dream' phase. In 1957 Soviet Union launched a satellite into space and began the Space Race. It came to and end in 1975 when the US and USSR did a joint mission. -
Late 20th Century
Roughly the last 3 decades of the century. People didn't trust the government and were very open about it. Inflation and oil prices got higher, the economy started to slow. Yet somehow we became the only 'superpower' in the world with a strong army on call, new technology, an okay economy and influential pop culture all around the world. -
21st Century US
The second(or first official) year of the new century the World Trade Center buildings were attacked and thus began the War on Terror and all of its ripple effects. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit and was one of the most deadly hurricanes of all time in the US. Also so far in this century we've had the first black president and so close to our first woman president.
