Reconstruction Era: Goals and Amendments

Primary Goal of Reconstruction

• The primary goal of Reconstruction was to rebuild the South and integrate freed slaves into society.
• The process aimed to address economic, social, and political challenges in the South.
• Reconstruction also focused on bringing Southern states back into the Union after the Civil War with political and economic reforms.
• The era addressed issues from the abolition of slavery, including rights for freed slaves and societal integration.

Abolition of Slavery: 13th Amendment

• In 1865, the 13th Amendment officially ended slavery in the United States and marked a pivotal moment in American history.
• The amendment's passage led to significant social and economic changes across the nation, particularly in the South.
• Despite its ratification, enforcing the 13th Amendment faced numerous obstacles, like resistance from former slave owners.

14th Amendment: Citizenship and Equal Protection

• The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all individuals born or naturalized in the U.S., ensuring equal protection under the law.
• It established the concept of due process, protecting citizens from arbitrary denial of life, liberty, or property.
• The amendment required states to provide equal protection and due process to all persons within their jurisdictions.

15th Amendment: African American Voting Rights

• Ratified in 1870, The 15th Amendment prohibited voting restrictions based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
• The purpose was to establish political equality for all men, regardless of their racial background or former slave status.
• Despite its passage, many states circumvented the amendment through literacy tests and poll taxes.

Major Failure of Reconstruction

• A major failure of Reconstruction was the failure to integrate freed slaves economically and socially.
• Many freed slaves faced poverty and discrimination.
• African Americans struggled to maintain political power despite initial gains due to growing opposition.
• Reconstruction failed to address deeply rooted racial prejudices, leading to long-lasting social and economic disparities.

Impact of the Transcontinental Railroad

• In 1869, the transcontinental railroad was completed, connecting the East and West coasts of the United States.
• The railroad increased transportation and settlement in the West, accelerating the pace of westward expansion.
• It facilitated trade and commerce across the nation, contributing to rapid economic growth and industrialization.

Native Americans and Western Settlement

• Native American tribes were displaced, and their way of life was severely disrupted by settlers and government policies.
• The push for westward expansion resulted in the loss of ancestral lands for many Native American tribes.
• Western settlement led to the erosion of traditional Native American cultures and ways of life.

Second Industrial Revolution: Urban Growth

• The growth of cities and urbanization was a consequence of the Second Industrial Revolution.
• Rapid urbanization led to overcrowding and poor living conditions in many cities.
• Cities became centers of industry, attracting workers from rural areas and immigrants seeking employment.

Andrew Carnegie: Steel Industry Pioneer

• Andrew Carnegie revolutionized the steel industry through innovations in production and business practices and became one of the wealthiest individuals.
• Carnegie implemented vertical integration, controlling all aspects of steel production to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Later in life, Carnegie became a prominent philanthropist, donating much of his wealth to educational and cultural institutions.

Labor Unions in the Late 1800s

• Labor unions emerged to fight for better wages, reasonable working hours, and safer working conditions during the industrial era.
• Unions used collective bargaining to negotiate with employers, giving workers a stronger voice in labor disputes.
• Strikes became a powerful tool for workers to demand improvements, often leading to violent confrontations with management.

Theodore Roosevelt's Square Deal

• Roosevelt's Square Deal focused on conservation, control of corporations, and consumer protection, and he established national parks and forests.
• The policy aimed to regulate big businesses and break up monopolies to ensure fair competition.
• Roosevelt advocated for consumer protection laws, including food safety regulations and drug purity standards.

Women's Suffrage and Temperance Movement

• The temperance movement, which advocated for the prohibition of alcohol, was closely linked with the push for women's voting rights.
• Both movements aimed to address social issues and improve family life and were often led by prominent female activists.
• The temperance cause gave women a platform to engage in politics and advocate for broader rights.

Progressive Era Achievement: Antitrust Laws

• The Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890 was the first federal action to limit monopolies and promote competition in business.
• A major achievement of the Progressive Era was the regulation of business through antitrust laws like the Clayton Act in 1914.
• These laws led to the breakup of major monopolies and fostered a more competitive economic environment.

Spanish-American War: USS Maine Incident

• The sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898 led to the U.S. declaring war on Spain.
• Sensationalist newspaper coverage of the incident inflamed public opinion and pushed for war.
• The incident, combined with other factors, led to the U.S. declaring war on Spain in April 1898.

U.S. Involvement in World War I

• The sinking of the Lusitania and the Zimmermann Telegram were key reasons for U.S. involvement in World War I.
• The intercepted German message proposing an alliance with Mexico against the U.S. further pushed America towards war.
• Germany's policy of attacking all ships in British waters threatened U.S. neutrality and commerce.

Harlem Renaissance: Cultural Movement

• The Harlem Renaissance was a flourishing of African American culture, particularly in the arts and literature, during the 1920s.
• Writers like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston produced influential works exploring African American experiences.
• Artists such as Aaron Douglas created distinctive visual styles that celebrated African American heritage and identity.

The Red Scare: Fear of Communism

• The Red Scare refers to the widespread fear of communist influence in the U.S. after World War I and during the Cold War.
• Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer conducted raids to arrest and deport suspected radicals and anarchists during the Palmer Raids.
• The fear led to restrictions on civil liberties and increased suspicion of immigrants and labor activists.

1920s Economic Boom: Consumer Goods and Mass Production

• The 1920s saw rapid economic expansion driven by mass production of goods such as automobiles and household appliances.
• Radios became widespread, bringing entertainment and news directly into American homes.
• Assembly line techniques revolutionized manufacturing, increasing productivity and lowering costs for consumers.

Great Depression Trigger: Wall Street Crash

• On October 24, 1929, the stock market began its dramatic decline, marking the start of the crash, known as Black Thursday.
• The Wall Street Crash of 1929, known as Black Tuesday, triggered the Great Depression, causing widespread economic hardship.
• The crash led to bank failures, business closures, and massive unemployment across the nation.

Urbanization in the Second Industrial Revolution

• Job opportunities in factories were one reason for urbanization during the Second Industrial Revolution.
• Cities expanded rapidly, developing new transportation systems and utilities to accommodate the growing population.
• Urban areas became hubs of cultural and social activity, attracting diverse populations from rural areas and abroad.

New Deal Programs: Economic Stabilization

• The purpose of the New Deal programs was to create jobs and stabilize the economy during the Great Depression.
• Programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration employed millions in infrastructure projects.
• The New Deal introduced banking reforms and established the Securities and Exchange Commission to regulate financial markets.

Franklin D. Roosevelt: New Deal Architect

• Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the New Deal to address the economic crisis of the Great Depression.
• FDR implemented immediate relief measures to help the unemployed and impoverished Americans.
• The New Deal included long-term reforms in banking, labor, and social welfare systems.

Pearl Harbor: U.S. Entry into World War II

• On December 7, 1941, the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan led the U.S. to enter World War II.
• President Roosevelt delivered his "Day of Infamy" speech, and Congress declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941.
• Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. on December 11, 1941, bringing America fully into the global conflict.

D-Day: Allied Invasion of Nazi-Occupied France

• D-Day, on June 6, 1944, marked the largest amphibious military assault in history and was a turning point in World War II, codenamed Operation Overlord.
• Allied forces landed on five beaches along the coast of Normandy, facing heavy German defenses.
• The invasion established a foothold in Nazi-occupied Western Europe, crucial for the Allied push towards Germany.

Potsdam Conference: Post-WWII Reorganization

• The Potsdam Conference took place from July 17 to August 2, 1945.
• The leaders included Truman, Stalin, and Churchill (later Attlee).
• Key decisions made at the conference included German occupation, Polish borders, and war reparations.
• The Potsdam Conference in 1945 involved discussions among the Allies about the reorganization of Europe and the handling of Germany after WWII.

Marshall Plan: Rebuilding Europe

• The primary purpose of the Marshall Plan was to rebuild war-torn Europe, and it provided financial aid to European countries.
• The plan aimed to prevent the spread of communism by stabilizing democratic governments in Western Europe.
• It strengthened political and economic ties between the U.S. and Western European nations.

Cold War Ideology: Opposition to Communism

• During the Cold War, the US opposed Communism, viewing it as a threat to democracy and capitalism.
• The U.S. adopted a policy of containment to prevent the spread of communism to other countries.
• The ideological divide led to a nuclear arms race between the U.S. and Soviet Union.

Early Cold War Period (1946-1959): US-Soviet Tensions

• The Truman Doctrine in 1947 was to support countries threatened by Soviet expansionism.
• Tension between the US and the Soviet Union over the spread of communism led to the Berlin Blockade and Airlift from 1948-1949.
• The conflict in Korea from 1950-1953 exemplified the proxy wars fought between communist and capitalist powers.

NATO: Collective Security Against Soviet Threat

• In 1949, The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed to provide collective security against the Soviet Union.
• NATO brought together North American and European nations in a military and political alliance.
• NATO aimed to deter Soviet aggression through the principle of collective defense.

Korean War: Communism and US Intervention

• In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea with Soviet and Chinese support.
• The US and UN intervened to defend South Korea from communist takeover.
• Fighting ended with Korea still divided at the 38th parallel with the 1953 Armistice.
• The primary cause of the Korean War was the spread of communism into North Korea and US intervention to protect South Korea.

McCarthyism: The Red Scare

• Senator Joseph McCarthy accused many of being communists.
• Government officials and entertainment industry figures were primary targets.
• Many careers and lives were ruined by false accusations.
• McCarthyism involved accusations of communist infiltration in the US government and entertainment industry.

Vietnam War: Containing Communism

• The US started supporting South Vietnam against communist North Vietnam in 1955.
• President Johnson significantly increased US troop presence in 1965.
• The US withdrew troops, ending direct military involvement in 1973.
• North Vietnam captured Saigon, reunifying Vietnam under communist rule in 1975.
• The US's goal in the Vietnam War was to prevent the spread of communism in Vietnam.

Civil Rights Movement: Equality for African Americans

• In 1954, the Supreme Court outlawed racial segregation in public schools with Brown v. Board of Education.
• African Americans boycotted segregated buses, led by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1955 during the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
• During the 1963 March on Washington, over 200,000 gathered for civil rights, and King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech.
• The Civil Rights Act in 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
• The primary goal of the civil rights movement was to gain equal rights for African Americans.

Women's Liberation Movement: Equality for Women

• The movement advocated for legal and social equality between men and women.
• There were fights for equal wages for equal work, regardless of gender.
• The movement pushed for equal opportunities in hiring, promotion, and career advancement.
• The Women's Liberation movement advocated for women's control over their own bodies and reproductive choices.
• The Women's Liberation movement of the 1960s and 1970s aimed for equal pay and rights for women.

The Great Society: Johnson's War on Poverty

• Programs were implemented to help low-income Americans, such as food stamps and Head Start.
• Federal funding for education was increased and student loan programs were established. Landmark civil rights legislation was passed to combat racial discrimination.
• The core mission was aimed to reduce poverty and racial injustice in America.

Watergate Scandal: Nixon's Downfall

• Burglars connected to Nixon's re-election campaign broke into Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972.
• Televised hearings revealed the extent of White House involvement in the cover-up during the Senate Hearings in 1973.
• Facing certain impeachment, Nixon resigned in 1974, becoming the first US president to resign.
• The outcome of the Watergate scandal was Nixon's resignation from the presidency.

Roe v. Wade: Legalizing Abortion

• The Supreme Court ruled abortion was protected under the right to privacy.
• A trimester framework was established with different levels of state interest based on pregnancy stage.
• As a result abortion was legalized nationwide, overriding state bans.
• This sparked decades of political and social controversy over abortion rights.
• The significance of the Roe v. Wade decision was legalizing abortion in the US.

Reaganomics: Supply-Side Economics

• Reaganomics emphasized tax cuts and reduced government spending to spur economic growth.
• Individual and corporate tax rates were reduced to stimulate economic growth.
• Government spending on social programs and services was reduced as well as government regulations on businesses and industries.
• The money supply was tightened to control inflation.

1980s Conservatism: Limiting Government

• A primary goal of political conservatism in the 1970s and 1980s was to reduce the size of the federal government and limit its role in economic affairs.
• Conservatives pushed for reducing the size and scope of federal agencies.
• Less government intervention in economic affairs was advocated.
• Socially conservative policies on issues like abortion and school prayer were promoted.
• Increased military spending and a tough stance against the Soviet Union were supported.

Bill Clinton's Presidency: The New Democrats

• Bill Clinton was elected president in 1992, defeating incumbent George H.W. Bush.
• There was a period of economic prosperity and budget surpluses, leading to a strong economy.
• Legislation was signed adding work requirements to welfare benefits, aiming to promote self-sufficiency.
• Clinton was impeached over the Lewinsky scandal but was acquitted, highlighting the challenges of his presidency.

No Child Left Behind: Education Reform

• No Child Left Behind was a key domestic policy of George W. Bush's presidency, aiming to improve student performance.
• Annual testing was required to measure student progress.
• Performance targets were set for schools with consequences for failing to meet them.
• "Highly qualified" teachers in core subjects were mandated.
• Students were allowed to transfer from underperforming schools.

9/11 and the War on Terror

• On September 11, 2001, Al-Qaeda terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
• The US invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 to remove the Taliban and hunt Al-Qaeda.
• In 2003, the US invaded Iraq, citing WMDs and links to terrorism.
• US forces killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011.
• The 9/11 terrorist attacks led to the US's War on Terror, including invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

2008 Financial Crisis: Housing Market Collapse

• The primary cause of the 2008 financial crisis was the collapse of the housing market.
• Housing prices were bubbled because of easy money and credits
• Many high-risk mortgages default when housing prices fall.
• Then, major financial institutions collapsed or required bailouts
• A resulting global recession occured.

Barack Obama: First African American President

• Barack Obama became the first African American president of the United States in 2008 by winning the election.
• Obama was sworn in as first African American president in 2009.
• An Affordable Care Act was passed, expanding health insurance coverage.
• Obama oversaw the operation that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.

Affordable Care Act: Expanding Healthcare Coverage

• The primary goal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was to provide affordable health insurance for more Americans.
• The ACA required most Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty.
• Financial assistance was provided to help people buy insurance.
• Insurers were prohibited from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• Medicaid eligibility was expanded to cover more low-income adults.

2016 Election: Trump's Unexpected Victory

• The election of Donald Trump as president in 2016 significantly impacted the political landscape of the United States.
• Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan resonated with many voters.
• Trump won key swing states despite losing the popular vote by winning the electoral college.
• The election marked a significant change in the US political landscape.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Global Crisis

• In March 2020 US cities and states implemented stay-at-home orders to slow the spread of the virus.
• Millions lost jobs as businesses closed and the stock market plunged.
• An unprecedented global effort resulted in rapid vaccine creation and distribution.
• The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 resulted in widespread lockdowns and significantly impacted the US economy and daily life.

USMCA: Updating North American Trade

• With NAFTA in 1994, most tariffs between US, Canada, Mexico was eliminated.
• In 2020, labor, environmental, and digital trade provisions were updated with USMCA.
• The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020.

2020 Presidential Election: Biden's Victory

• The election saw an unprecedented use of mail-in ballots due to COVID-19 concerns.
• Kamala Harris became the first woman and person of color elected vice president.
• Joe Biden won the US Presidential Election of 2020, defeating incumbent President Donald Trump.