Turning points in American history

What are some other turning points in American history that historians have emphasized or should emphasize? How might these other turning points influence where new American history surveys begin and end?

find the cost of your paper

Sample Answer

There are many other turning points in American history that historians have emphasized or should emphasize. Here are a few examples:

  • The American Revolution: The American Revolution was a major turning point in American history. It led to the establishment of the United States of America as an independent nation.
  • The Civil War: The Civil War was another major turning point in American history. It was a four-year war between the northern and southern states over the issue of slavery. The war ended with the defeat of the South and the abolition of slavery.

Full Answer Section

  • The Reconstruction Era: The Reconstruction Era was a period of time after the Civil War when the United States tried to rebuild the South and bring the former Confederate states back into the Union. This was a difficult and tumultuous time in American history.
  • The Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution was a period of rapid technological and economic change in the United States. It led to the rise of factories and mass production.
  • The Great Depression: The Great Depression was a period of severe economic hardship in the United States. It began in 1929 and lasted for over a decade.
  • World War II: World War II was a major conflict that involved most of the world’s countries. The United States entered the war in 1941 after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. The war ended in 1945 with the defeat of Nazi Germany and Japan.
  • The Civil Rights Movement: The Civil Rights Movement was a period of social and political activism that sought to end racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. The movement led to the passage of important laws, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
  • The Vietnam War: The Vietnam War was a long and costly war that the United States fought in Vietnam. The war began in the early 1960s and ended in 1975 with the defeat of the United States.
  • The Watergate scandal: The Watergate scandal was a political scandal that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974. The scandal involved the Nixon administration’s involvement in a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and the subsequent cover-up.
  • The fall of the Berlin Wall: The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was a major turning point in world history. It marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War, a period of tension and rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.
  • The September 11 attacks: The September 11 attacks were a series of terrorist attacks that took place on the United States in 2001. The attacks led to the War on Terror, a long-running military campaign against terrorism.

These are just a few examples of turning points in American history that historians have emphasized or should emphasize. These turning points have had a major impact on the development of the United States.

How these other turning points might influence where new American history surveys begin and end is a matter of debate among historians. Some historians believe that American history surveys should begin with the European colonization of the Americas, while others believe that they should begin with the American Revolution. Still others believe that they should begin with a more recent event, such as the Civil Rights Movement or the September 11 attacks.

Ultimately, the decision of where to begin and end an American history survey is up to the individual historian or textbook author. However, it is important to consider the significance of all turning points in American history when making this decision.

This question has been answered.

Get Answer