1865 marked the end of the Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction. During this time, Americans began to expand westward at increasingly high rates. The federal government provided incentives to railroad companies to build transcontinental railroads which was completed in 1869 when the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads met at Promontory Summit, Utah. Settlement of the last frontier led to conflict with Native Americans. In the west were dozens of different cultural and tribal groups and they fought to preserve and defend their way of life. Reconstruction ended in 1877 and the New South emerged. African Americans gained citizenship after the 14th Amendment passed and African American men gained the right to vote after the 15th Amendment was passed, but they still fought to have these rights protected. Segregation, disenfranchisement, and violence left many have left them oppressed but they continued to fight and call attention to these injustices. Industry changed America. Oil and steel became two of the biggest industries in America and with them, came powerful people. Industrialization brought urbanization as cities grew from people migrating looking for work and immigrants coming from Europe and Asia. Political corruption and new political parties emerged. By the end of the 19th century, America set its sight on foreign countries and territories as much of the world competed for resources. Imperialism was the new “Manifest Destiny” and 1898 marked the beginning of the Spanish-American War.
Below are the assignments for this unit.
AMSCO Readings (please note, we are going out of order).
Additional Readings
Janus Project
Period 6 homework and review by Adam Norris
Review for Period 6
Below are links to videos that align with this unit.
