Turning Points in American History

Historians have traditionally emphasized the following turning points in American history:

• The American Revolution (1775-1783)
• The Constitutional Convention (1787)
• The Louisiana Purchase (1803)
• The War of 1812 (1812-1815)
• The Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
• The Civil War (1861-1865)
• Reconstruction (1865-1877)
• The Industrial Revolution (late 19th century)
• The New Deal (1933-1939)
• World War II (1941-1945)
• The Cold War (1947-1991)
• The Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968)
• The Vietnam War (1955-1975)
• The Watergate scandal (1972-1974)
• The collapse of the Soviet Union (1991)
• The September 11 attacks (2001)

These events are all important because they had a profound impact on the course of American history. They shaped the country’s political, economic, social, and cultural development.

However, in recent years, some historians have argued that there are other turning points in American history that deserve more emphasis. For example, some historians have argued that the American Revolution should not be seen as the beginning of American history, but rather as a continuation of the colonial era. Others have argued that the Civil War was not the only major turning point in American history, but that other events, such as the westward expansion of the United States and the rise of industrialization, were also equally important.

Some of the other turning points in American history that historians have emphasized or should emphasize include:

• The arrival of the first European settlers in North America (17th century)
• The signing of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
• The ratification of the Constitution (1788)
• The westward expansion of the United States (18th-19th centuries)
• The rise of the abolitionist movement (early 19th century)
• The women’s suffrage movement (19th-20th centuries)
• The Great Depression (1929-1939)
• The civil rights movement (1954-1968)
• The Vietnam War (1955-1975)
• The Watergate scandal (1972-1974)
• The collapse of the Soviet Union (1991)
• The September 11 attacks (2001)
• The election of Barack Obama as president (2008)
• The rise of the Black Lives Matter movement (2013)

These events are all important because they had a significant impact on the course of American history. They shaped the country’s political, economic, social, and cultural development.

How Might These Other Turning Points Influence Where New American History Surveys Begin and End?

The inclusion of other turning points in American history surveys could lead to a more comprehensive and inclusive understanding of the country’s past. For example, if the arrival of the first European settlers in North America were included as a turning point, it would force students to consider the experiences of Native Americans, who were living on the continent for centuries before the arrival of Europeans.

The inclusion of other turning points could also lead to a more nuanced understanding of American history. For example, if the westward expansion of the United States were included as a turning point, it would allow students to examine the complex relationship between the United States and its Native American citizens.

However, the inclusion of other turning points could also lead to a longer and more complex American history survey. It is important to find a balance between including all of the most important turning points and keeping the survey manageable for students.

One way to address this challenge would be to focus on a specific theme or set of themes when teaching American history. For example, a survey course could focus on the themes of race, class, and gender in American history. This would allow the instructor to include a variety of turning points, while still keeping the course manageable for students.

Another way to address this challenge would be to offer a more advanced American history survey course that covers a longer period of time and includes more turning points. This course would be appropriate for students who are interested in a deeper understanding of American history.

Ultimately, the decision of where to begin and end an American history survey is up to the individual instructor