US History Overview 2 - Reconstruction to the Great Depression

Chapter 1: Introduction

The Civil War concluded with the North's victory, two months after Lincoln's assassination.
The focus shifts to the Reconstruction era, addressing the aftereffects of the war and the rebuilding of the South.
Key aspects:
Northern occupation of the South suspended democracy and installed Northern politicians.
The passage of the Reconstruction Amendments: 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.

13th Amendment (1865): Abolished slavery in the United States, formalizing the Emancipation Proclamation.
14th Amendment (1868): Granted citizenship to everyone born in the U.S., including freed slaves. Introduced due process, ensuring the government must follow laws before infringing on individual rights.
15th Amendment (1870): Granted all free men the right to vote, although this did not extend to women at this time.
In practice, despite legal frameworks, full equality for former slaves was not realized.

By 1877, the official Reconstruction period ended, and Northern occupation of the South ceased.
The Republican Party, which was dominant during the Reconstruction, lost influence as Southern Democrats regained power.
The introduction of Jim Crow Laws that institutionalized racial segregation in the South. These laws originated from the character "Jim Crow" in early 1800s parodies.
Segregation practices included:
Separate drinking fountains, bathrooms, and transportation areas for blacks and whites.

Post-Civil War economic boom due to railroad expansion and industrialization.
The Coinage Act of 1873 coincided with a shift to a strict gold standard, leading to economic disruption:
Panic of 1873: Economic depression caused by the restriction of the money supply that led to increased interest rates and burst economic bubbles.
Lasted from 1873 to 1879 but followed by rapid recovery fueled by a significant influx of immigrants.

By 1890, the U.S. emerged as the richest country per capita:
Transformation from a British colony to a leading economic power within a century.
Spanish-American War (1898) led to significant territorial acquisitions, marking the U.S.'s rise as an imperial power.
Acquired Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

World War I sparked in Europe in 1914 with tensions between the British Empire and Germany.
The U.S. attempted neutrality despite sympathy for Britain due to cultural ties.
The British blockade of Germany provoked German U-boats to attack merchant and civilian ships, including those carrying Americans.

After escalating attacks on civilian ships, the U.S. declared war on Germany in 1917.
The involvement of U.S. troops significantly changed the dynamics of the war, contributing to the Allied victory in 1918.
Consequences of the war included the dissolution of empires such as Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman, and reparations that would later contribute to World War II tensions.

The 18th Amendment enacted prohibition, making alcohol illegal, alongside the emergent crime associated with bootlegging.
The 19th Amendment in 1920 granted women the right to vote, influenced by their substantial roles in the wartime economy due to shortages of men in the workforce.
Women's contributions during the war shifted perceptions leading to expanded rights.

Post-World War I saw another economic boom leading to an economic bubble, culminating with the Stock Market Crash of 1929.
This marked the onset of the Great Depression, a significant global economic downturn that lasted until the U.S. entered World War II.

Note

0.0(0)

Chat with Kai