The United States of America is a world power and has been one of the most influential nations in history. Its history is a complex one that has seen many ups and downs, but there are some key moments in American history that have made the country what it is today.
The Declaration of Independence, issued on July 4, 1776, announced that the thirteen American colonies had declared themselves independent from Great Britain and were now sovereign nations. It was a major turning point in the American Revolution and is credited with starting an international movement for freedom, democracy, and independence.
In 1787, a convention called the Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia and began the process of creating the United States Constitution. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention used their knowledge of history and political theory to design a new constitutional order that would help preserve a strong union.
Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, is responsible for passing laws and regulations that govern Americans. It is composed of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The judicial branch, or Supreme Court, is responsible for interpreting the Constitution and federal laws and regulations. It also resolves disputes between the other two branches of the government.
Politics in the USA, 1878-1912
The 1880-1892 “Gilded Age” period was a time of prosperity for the country. The US economy grew rapidly and the population increased, reaching 22 million people by the end of the century.
Immigration from Europe to the United States became an important part of American history in this era as immigrants from countries like Ireland and Sweden began to come to the US. By the early 1900s, this diversity in the United States was becoming a major force in its culture and helped to shape the way Americans thought about their country.
Economic prosperity was a hallmark of the era as it saw growth in industrial production and an increase in incomes, leading to many people leaving their homes to settle in the US. This led to a rise in the population, which in turn helped the economy and created the melting pot culture that is a symbol of America today.
Civil Rights, 1964-1965
In the 1960s, the American Civil Rights Movement was started in the South as a way of fighting racial discrimination in the United States. Its goals were to stop segregation and protect the right to vote. The movement had a major impact on the American society and led to the Civil Rights Act, which required that all states allow equal access to voting, schools, and other government facilities.
The Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act became a major influence on the American psyche and the southern states of the country soon broke away from the Democratic Party. This was due to the racial segregationists in the southern states who believed that whites were superior to blacks and that they had a right to be treated differently.