Key events, movements, or figures in American history between the years 1865 and 1974.

Sample Solution

The period of American history between 1865 and 1974 was a tumultuous and transformative era, characterized by profound shifts in the nation's social, economic, and political landscape. From the ashes of the Civil War and the unfulfilled promises of Reconstruction to the social upheavals of the Civil Rights era and the disillusionment of Vietnam, the United States grappled with the complex realities of industrialization, urbanization, global power, and persistent inequalities. Thesis Statement: While the period from 1865 to 1974 witnessed remarkable economic growth, technological advancement, and a burgeoning global influence, these achievements were consistently challenged and shaped by profound internal conflicts over social justice, economic equality, and the very definition of American citizenship, ultimately laying the groundwork for ongoing struggles in the nation's pursuit of a more perfect union. This thesis argues that despite outward signs of progress, internal tensions and movements for reform were central to the American experience during this period. We will explore key events, movements, and figures that exemplify this dynamic.  

I. Reconstruction and the Gilded Age (1865-1900): Unfulfilled Promises and Industrial Transformation

  The end of the Civil War in 1865 ushered in the Reconstruction Era (1865-1877), a period intended to rebuild the South and integrate formerly enslaved African Americans into American society. Key legislative actions included the 13th Amendment (1865) abolishing slavery, the 14th Amendment (1868) granting citizenship and equal protection, and the 15th Amendment (1870) ensuring voting rights for Black men. Figures like Frederick Douglass tirelessly advocated for full civil rights for Black people and women (Britannica, "26 Decade-Defining Events in U.S. History"). For a brief period, African Americans voted in large numbers and held public office. However, this progress faced violent backlash from white supremacists, culminating in the Compromise of 1877, which effectively ended Reconstruction and led to the re-establishment of white supremacy through Jim Crow laws and voter suppression (Britannica, "26 Decade-Defining Events in U.S. History"). Concurrently, the nation entered the Gilded Age (roughly 1870s-1900s), a period characterized by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and immense wealth inequality. This era saw the rise of powerful industrialists like Andrew Carnegie (steel) and John D. Rockefeller (oil), often dubbed "Robber Barons" for their aggressive business practices. New technologies like the phonograph, telephone, and mass-circulation newspapers transformed communication, while industries expanded dramatically (Digital History, "Overview of the Gilded Age"). However, this economic boom came at a cost: exploitative labor practices, rampant political corruption (e.g., the spoils system), and intense social stratification. Workers responded with movements like the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor (AFL), staging strikes such as the Haymarket Affair (1886), highlighting the deep class divides (Britannica, "26 Decade-Defining Events in U.S. History"). The Supreme Court's ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) legally upheld racial