United States Modern history

1 united states

1.1 antebellum expansion
1.2 civil war , reconstruction
1.3 gilded age , legacy

united states




see also: 19th-century north american natives

antebellum expansion

american westward expansion idealized in emanuel leutze s famous painting westward course of empire takes way (1861).

the antebellum age period of increasing division in country based on growth of slavery in american south , in western territories of kansas , nebraska lead civil war in 1861. antebellum period considered have begun kansas–nebraska act of 1854, although may have begun 1812. period significant because marked transition of american manufacturing industrial revolution.

manifest destiny belief united states destined expand across north american continent, atlantic seaboard pacific ocean. during time, united states expanded pacific ocean— sea shining sea —largely defining borders of contiguous united states today.

civil war , reconstruction

the american civil war came when 7 (later eleven) southern slave states declared secession u.s. , formed confederate states of america (the confederacy). led jefferson davis, fought against u.s. federal government (the union) under president abraham lincoln, supported free states , 5 border slave states in north.

northern leaders agreed victory require more end of fighting. secession , confederate nationalism had totally repudiated , forms of slavery or quasi-slavery had eliminated. lincoln proved effective in mobilizing support war goals, raising large armies , supplying them, avoiding foreign interference, , making end of slavery war goal. confederacy had larger area defend, , failed keep ports open , rivers clear. north kept pressure south barely feed , clothe soldiers. soldiers, in east under command of general robert e. lee proved highly resourceful until overwhelmed generals ulysses s. grant , william t. sherman in 1864–65, reconstruction era (1863–77) began emancipation proclamation in 1863, , included freedom, full citizenship , vote southern blacks. followed reaction left blacks in second class status legally, politically, socially , economically until 1960s.

the gilded age , legacy

during gilded age, there substantial growth in population in united states , extravagant displays of wealth , excess of america s upper-class during post-civil war , post-reconstruction era, in late 19th century. wealth polarization derived industrial , population expansion. businessmen of second industrial revolution created industrial towns , cities in northeast new factories, , contributed creation of ethnically diverse industrial working class produced wealth owned rising super-rich industrialists , financiers called robber barons . example company of john d. rockefeller, important figure in shaping new oil industry. using highly effective tactics , aggressive practices, later criticized, standard oil absorbed or destroyed of competition.

the creation of modern industrial economy took place. creation of transportation , communication infrastructure, corporation became dominant form of business organization , managerial revolution transformed business operations. in 1890, congress passed sherman antitrust act—the source of american anti-monopoly laws. law forbade every contract, scheme, deal, or conspiracy restrain trade, though phrase restraint of trade remained subjective. beginning of 20th century, per capita income , industrial production in united states exceeded of other country except britain. long hours , hazardous working conditions led many workers attempt form labor unions despite strong opposition industrialists , courts. courts did protect marketplace, declaring standard oil group unreasonable monopoly under sherman antitrust act in 1911. ordered standard break 34 independent companies different boards of directors.