Summarized Period-by-Period Review of U.S. History
Native societies were complex and adapted to their environments. European exploration initiated widespread contact and exchange (Columbian Exchange), which had significant social, cultural, and biological effects on both sides of the Atlantic.
Colonial societies developed based on regional economies, labor systems, and European influence. Conflict grew between native populations and settlers, and early political/government structures began to form.
American independence was shaped by Enlightenment ideals and British imperial tensions. The Revolution led to the formation of the U.S. Constitution and debates over the role of government and political parties.
Expansion of suffrage, the rise of the market economy, and reform movements defined this period. The U.S. also expanded westward, intensifying conflicts with indigenous peoples and debates over slavery.
Debates over slavery and states’ rights led to the Civil War. Reconstruction efforts aimed to rebuild the South and integrate freed African Americans into society, with mixed success.
The U.S. experienced rapid industrialization, immigration, urbanization, and the rise of big business. Labor movements and government corruption were major themes.
Progressive reform, WWI, the Great Depression, and WWII shaped this era. The federal government grew stronger, and U.S. foreign policy shifted significantly.
The Cold War, Civil Rights Movement, and postwar prosperity transformed American life. U.S. faced domestic social upheavals and global diplomatic challenges.
Reagan-era conservatism, globalization, and debates over the role of government define modern political and social developments. The U.S. remains influential globally amidst cultural and technological shifts.