Turning Points in American History

Historians have settled upon the American Civil War as a major turning point in American history for a number of reasons. First, the war was the bloodiest conflict in American history, with over 600,000 soldiers killed. Second, the war resulted in the end of slavery and the transformation of the United States into a more unified nation. Third, the war led to the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which guaranteed African Americans citizenship and equal rights.

The Civil War also had a profound impact on American culture and society. It led to the rise of new social movements, such as the women’s suffrage movement and the labor movement. It also led to a renewed interest in American history and identity.

The demarcation between the first half of American history (up to 1865) and the second half (after 1865) persists to this day because the Civil War was such a transformative event. It marked the end of an era of slavery and the beginning of an era of greater equality. It also led to the emergence of the United States as a major world power.

In addition to the Civil War, historians have emphasized a number of other turning points in American history, including:

• The American Revolution (1775-1783)
• The Louisiana Purchase (1803)
• The War of 1812 (1812-1815)
• The Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
• The Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)
• The Gilded Age (1877-1900)
• The Progressive Era (1900-1920)
• World War I (1914-1918)
• The Great Depression (1929-1939)
• World War II (1939-1945)
• The Cold War (1947-1991)
• The Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968)
• The Vietnam War (1955-1975)
• The Watergate Scandal (1972-1974)
• The 9/11 Attacks (2001)

These turning points have been emphasized by historians because they represent significant changes in American history. They have shaped the country’s political, economic, social, and cultural development.

Other turning points in American history that historians have emphasized include:

• The westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century
• The rise of industrialization and urbanization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• The passage of the New Deal in the 1930s
• The women’s movement and the gay rights movement in the 20th century
• The rise of the internet and the digital revolution in the late 20th and early 21st centuries

These turning points have also had a significant impact on American history. They have led to new social movements, new economic opportunities, and new challenges for the country.

How might these other turning points influence where new American history surveys begin and end?

The emphasis on the Civil War as a major turning point in American history has influenced the way that American history surveys are structured. Many surveys begin with the American Revolution and end with the Reconstruction Era. This allows for a focus on the development of the United States from a colony to a nation, and on the impact of the Civil War on American society.

However, there is a growing movement among historians to place other turning points in American history at the center of their surveys. For example, some historians are beginning to survey American history from the perspective of the American Revolution and the Mexican-American War. This allows for a focus on the expansion of the United States and the role of slavery in American society.

Other historians are beginning to survey American history from the perspective of the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. This allows for a focus on the challenges of racial and social justice in the United States.

The way that American history surveys are structured is likely to continue to evolve as historians place greater emphasis on different turning points in the country’s past. This is a positive development, as it will allow students to learn more about the diverse experiences of Americans and the complex forces that have shaped the country’s history.