Reconstruction (1865–1877)Goals of Reconstruction — Restore the Union, transform the South from slave to free society, and protect rights of freed slaves.
Outcomes of the Civil War — ~620,000 deaths (~2% of population); war became more personal through photography; rise of modern political identity (Democrats vs. Republicans).
Lincoln's Plan vs. Johnson — Lincoln wanted quick reunion and reconciliation, but after his death Andrew Johnson took over with a softer approach.
Freedmen & Family Reunification — Former slaves prioritized finding family; shows how central family was after slavery.
Land Ownership (40 Acres and a Mule) — Freed slaves wanted land, but Johnson returned land to former owners, blocking true independence.
Failure of Land Reform — Without land, freedmen had to work for former owners again.
Sharecropping — System where families farmed land and split crops with owners; became increasingly exploitative and kept Blacks in poverty.
White Southern Reaction — Anger over destruction, loss of power, and forced submission to Northern policies.
Presidential Reconstruction — Johnson pardoned most Southerners, restored property, and allowed Southern states to self-govern (very lenient).
Black Codes — Southern laws that restricted African American rights and kept them in near-slavery conditions.
14th Amendment — Granted citizenship to all born in the U.S. and allowed federal protection of rights.
Johnson's Impeachment — Impeached but not removed (missed by one vote); seen as a failure by Republicans.
15th Amendment — Gave Black men the right to vote, though later restricted by literacy tests and poll taxes.
13th, 14th, 15th Amendments — Ended slavery (13th), granted citizenship (14th), and voting rights (15th).
African American Political Power — ~2,000 Black officials elected; major shift in Southern politics.
Gilded Age (1870–1900)Gilded Age Overview — Era of rapid industrial growth and extreme wealth inequality.
Key Factors ("-izations") — Industrialization, railroads, immigration, urbanization, unionization, capitalism, corruption, innovation, agricultural change.
Industrial Leaders — Rockefeller, Carnegie, Vanderbilt dominated industries.
Second Industrial Revolution — Major technological and industrial expansion changed labor and economy.
Karl Marx & Criticism of Capitalism — Argued capitalism exploits workers, creates inequality, and is unstable.
Capitalism Debate — Supporters argued business owners take risks; critics saw profit as exploitation.
Crisis of Abundance — Overproduction and instability showed weaknesses in capitalism.
Immigration & Tenements — Poor living conditions in crowded cities.
Labor Movement — Workers organized for better conditions and rights.
Imperialism & Spanish-American WarImperialism Defined — Expanding a nation's power through military or economic control.
Causes of Imperialism — End of frontier, need for resources, new markets.
Supporters vs. Anti-Imperialists — Some wanted expansion; others said it betrayed American ideals.
Yellow Journalism — Sensationalized "fake news" that influenced public opinion.
De Lôme Letter & USS Maine — Events that increased tensions with Spain.
Progressive Era (1890s–1920s)Progressive Goals — Improve working conditions, reduce corruption, and fix urban problems.
Triangle Shirtwaist Fire (1911) — 146 deaths led to workplace safety reforms.
Labor Movement — Pushed for 40-hour workweek and safer conditions.
Urban Reform — Focus on better housing and city planning.
Muckrakers — Journalists exposing corruption and social issues.
World War ICauses of WWI ("Isms") — Militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism, revolution, colonialism.
Road to War — Austria-Hungary vs. Serbia → alliances pull in Europe → global war.
Allies vs. Central Powers — Two opposing sides of the war.
Schlieffen Plan — Germany's plan to quickly defeat France before Russia.
First Battle of the Marne (1914) — Stopped German advance → led to trench warfare.
Trench Warfare — Stalemate fighting with brutal conditions.
New Technology — Machine guns, gas, submarines, planes increased destruction.
Casualties — Millions killed/wounded; industrialized warfare shock.
Shell Shock — Early term for PTSD from constant combat stress.
U.S. Enters WWIEconomic Ties to Allies — U.S. traded heavily with Allies → supported them financially.
German U-Boats — Submarine attacks on ships increased tensions.
Lusitania (1915) — German sinking killed Americans → public outrage.
Zimmermann Note — Germany asked Mexico to attack U.S. → pushed U.S. toward war.
Propaganda (Creel Commission) — Government campaign to build support for war.
End of WWIGermany Surrenders (1918) — War ends on 11/11 at 11am.
Treaty of Versailles — Blamed Germany and imposed harsh penalties → led to future conflict.
Postwar ChangesGreat Migration — African Americans moved North for jobs and better opportunities.
Women's Suffrage (19th Amendment) — Women gained right to vote.
Roaring 1920sEconomic Boom — U.S. became global creditor; focus on pleasure and consumerism.
Mass Culture — Movies, sports, radio, and music grew rapidly.
Consumer Goods & Credit — People bought products on installment plans.
Harlem Renaissance — African American cultural and artistic explosion.
Flappers & Social Change — Women challenged traditional roles.
Urbanization — Majority of Americans lived in cities.
Prohibition (18th Amendment)Prohibition Law — Banned alcohol production and sale.
Volstead Act — Enforced prohibition.
Rise of Organized Crime — Gangs controlled illegal alcohol trade.
Violence & Mob Activity — Increased crime and gang conflicts.
Cultural ConflictFundamentalism — Religious pushback against modern culture.
Second KKK — Expanded hatred beyond African Americans to immigrants, Catholics, Jews.
Great Depression (1930s)Crash of 1929 — Stock market collapse wiped out billions.
Causes of Depression — Overproduction, underconsumption, speculation, weak banks, unequal wealth.
Tariffs (Hawley-Smoot) — Hurt global trade and worsened depression.
Unemployment — Reached ~25%.
Human Impact — Poverty, homelessness (Hoovervilles), family breakdown.
Hoover's ResponseLimited Government Approach — Relied on businesses and local solutions; seen as too slow.
FDR & New DealFDR Leadership — Promised relief and reform; strong communicator.
3 R's — Relief (help people), Recovery (restart economy), Reform (prevent future crises).
New Deal Programs — CCC, WPA, TVA, FDIC, Social Security, AAA.
Glass-Steagall Act — Regulated banks and created FDIC insurance.
Wagner Act — Protected workers' rights to unionize.
Social Security Act — Provided pensions and unemployment insurance.
Effects of the New DealEconomic Impact — Reduced unemployment but didn't fully end Depression.
Government Role Expanded — Federal government became responsible for economic stability.
Legacy — Set foundation for modern welfare and economic policy.