Sixteen Most Significant Events In Us History

Between 1789 To 1975 Essay, Research Paper

Sixteen Most Significant Events in US History between 1789 to 1975

After a reappraisal of United States ’ history from 1789 to 1975, I have

identified what I believe are the 16 most important events of that

clip period. The affiliated sheet identifies the events and topographic points them in

brackets by clip period. The undermentioned treatment provides my logical thinking

for choosing each of the events and my sentiment as to their comparative

importance in contrast to each other. Finally, I have concluded that of

the 16 events, the Civil War had the most important impact on the

history of the clip period in which it occurred and remains the most

important event in American history.

The treatment begins with bracket I covering the period from 1789-1850,

and partner off the figure one seed in the bracket “ Mexican-American War ” against

the 4th seed “ Louisiana Purchase ” . The 2nd seed in the bracket

“ Marbury v Madison ” is paired against the 3rd seed “ Monroe Doctrine ” .

The purchase of Louisiana from France in 1803 was the most popular and

momentous event of the Jefferson presidential term. It had several important

economic and political deductions on this period in history. From an

economic position it doubled the size of the United States at a monetary value of

merely 15 million dollars. It allowed colony beyond the Mississippi

River in a district that was rich in minerals and natural resources. It

eliminated the United States ’ long battle for control of the Mississippi

River and its mercantile establishment to the sea, and as Jefferson stated, it freed America

from European influence at its boundary lines. In add-on to these economic

deductions, the purchase besides had historic political deductions. The

acquisition took topographic point at a clip when the authorities was still researching

the powers that the Constitution had granted it. Jefferson, himself,

carefully deliberated whether the Constitution granted him the right to

get district for the intent of expandi the Union. He reflected on

the possible demand for an amendment to the Constitution to warrant the

action. Finally, under intense force per unit area, he allowed the purchase and put

an of import case in point. His action established the power of the president

to spread out the boundary lines of the United States under the bing powers of the

Fundamental law.

Despite the economic and political deductions of the Louisiana

Purchase, the Mexican-American War ( 1846-1848 ) had more important

historical deductions on this clip period. While dissensions between

the two states had been roll uping for two decennaries, the war was

chiefly the consequence of American feelings of “ manifest fate ” to spread out

their boundary lines. The pact of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war,

granted the United States the parts of California, Nevada and Utah, and

parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. However, the

important consequence of the war on United States ’ history would be the

contention over whether the districts acquired should be break one’s back or liberate.

The state, at this clip, was divided between proslave sentiment in the

South and antislave sentiment in the North. Assorted efforts at via media

to settle the contention, such as “ The Compromise of 1850 ″ and the “ Kansas

Nebraska Act ” failed. Finally, when the issue could non be resol

peacefully, the state was drawn into a civil war. It is apparent that the

result of the Mexican-American War became one of the most influential,

indirect causes of the Civil War.

Both the Louisiana Purchase and the Mexican-American War expanded

United States boundary lines and had good economic impacts. However, the

deductions of enlargement brought about by the Mexican-American War were

more important. While the Louisiana Purchase helped specify the

constitutional powers of the president, the Mexican-American War farther

exacerbated the slave issue which finally resulted in civil war.

The Monroe Doctrine was the most of import averment to day of the month of United

States ’ foreign policy in history. The philosophy was delivered by President

James Monroe as portion of his one-year message to Congress in 1823. This

statement of place would order the policy of the United States in

international personal businesss for old ages to come. The philosophy was in reaction to

continual intervention of European states in the personal businesss of Latin America.

It provided a model for how the United States would cover with foreign

intercession in the western hemisphere. It stated that Europe was to stay

out of the personal businesss of states in the western hemisphere and any effort

to step in would be viewed as a menace to the United States. In return,

the United States agreed to remain out of European personal businesss.

Marbury V Madison is arguably one of the most of import determinations by

the Supreme Court in United States ’ history. The instance, which was presided

over in 1803 by Chief Justice John Marshall, concerned President Adams ’ s

assignment of William Marbury as Justice of the Peace in the District of

Columbia. Adams ’ s term ended before Marbury took office, and James Madison,

the new Secretary of State, attempted to keep back the assignment. Marbury

petitioned the Supreme Court under Section 13 of the Judiciary Act of 1789

to coerce Madison to allow the assignment. The tribunal refused to govern on

the assignment since Section 13 gave the Supreme Court powers non provided

by the Constitution. As a consequence, the tribunal declared Section 13

unconstitutional. The determination defined the function of the Supreme Court in

the authorities and where the tribunal tantrum into the system of cheques and

balances. The instance established power of judicial reappraisal of Congressional

statute law and represented the first judicial sertion of its right to

declare an act of Congress unconstitutional. While the Constitution did

non talk straight to this degree of judicial authorization, the instance created a

case in point which is still followed today.

When comparing the immediate impact Marbury V Madison and the Monroe

Doctrine had on this period in history, Marbury v Madison is winning.

The Marbury v Madison determination had immediate deductions. It clearly

established the place and power of the tribunal in authorities. It required

Congress to see possible constitutional deductions of all hereafter

statute law. On the other manus, the Monroe Doctrine ’ s deductions would

non be realized until beyond the 1850 ’ s when policies such as Secretary of

State Seward ’ s denouncement of Gallic intercession in Mexico and the

Roosevelt Corollary would be based on the philosophy. At the clip the

philosophy was put away, the United States lacked the military strength to

implement the philosophy. Despite European acknowledgment of the purpose of the

philosophy, it is dubious they were intimidated by it until the United

States could asseverate itself as a military power.

The finalists in bracket I are the Mexican-American War and Marbury V

Madison. In a comparing of the two, the war emerges as the event that had

the most impact on this clip period in history. Despite the importance of

Marbury V Madison as a landmark determination set uping the function of the

Supreme Court to govern on constitutional issues, its impact on the state

during this clip period was less dramatic than that of the Mexican-American

War. Although it caused Congress to be cognizant that future statute law would

be reviewed by tribunal, it would be several old ages before the tribunal would be

required to govern once more on the constitutionality of a Congressional Act. Not

until the late 1800 ’ s, when the Supreme Court ruled on certain civil

rights ’ issues, would the full deductions of the Marbury determination become

evident. Conversely, the Mexican-American War had a direct impact on many

people. First, the acquisition of new district in the West allowed

colonists to spread out beyond the Mississip opening a huge frontier which was

rich with natural resources. Second, and most of import, the war brought

the lingering argument over bondage to the head. The slavery inquiry

would shortly go the issue of the decennary, straight impacting the full

state. The acquisition of new district stirred emancipationists in the

North who viewed it as an chance to weaken the stronghold bondage had

on the state. Southerners realized that the district must be admitted as

break one’s back if they were traveling to keep their “ peculiar establishment ” and a

balance of power. As a consequence, the war became a much more important

event to the huge bulk of Americans than the deductions of Marbury V

Madison. It would drive provincialism to the breakage point and bend

Americans against each other.

The treatment continues with bracket II which covers the clip period

from 1850-1900 and pairs the figure one seed in the bracket “ Civil War ”

against the 4th seed “ Sherman Antitrust Act. ” The 2nd seed in the

bracket “ Plessy v Furgeson ” is paired against the 3rd seed “ Passage of

the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments ” .

The Sherman Antitrust Act passed in 1890 outlawed any contract,

combination, or confederacy in restraint of trade. It besides forbid any

effort to make a monopoly. The jurisprudence was aimed at battling trusts which

were being formed in the late 1800 ’ s such as U.S. Steel and Standard Oil.

It was believed that the formation of these trusts was extinguishing

competition and go forthing the consumer at the clemency of the big corporations

which controlled the monetary values of their trade goods. While the act was the

foremost important piece of statute law aimed at modulating the economic system and

placing controls over large concern, its diction was obscure, enforcement was

non really vigorous, and attorneies for the corporations found loopholes in the

jurisprudence and assorted ways of avoiding its commissariats. However, by the terminal of

the century, the jurisprudence had been strengthened and it would go an effectual

tool in “ trust busting ” , returning competition to the market place and

deriving advantage for the worker and the consumer.

The Civil War fought between the Northern provinces of the Union and the

Southern provinces of the Confederacy from 1861-1865 turned out to be the most

acrimonious battle in the state ’ s history. The war divided Americans, took more

lives than any other war, and was the ugly event in American history.

Bondage was the critical issue behind the war, but the economic competition

between the industrial North and the agricultural South contributed

significantly to the struggle. The consequences of the war in which the North

prevailed were many. About one million work forces were killed or wounded,

destructing about an full coevals. The Union was saved and bondage

was eliminated. The South was practically destroyed by conflicts which

ravaged farming areas, places, and full metropoliss. The impact of the war was so

vast that an full Reconstruction period in American history was devoted

to the political and economic rebuilding of the South. Finally, the cicatrixs

of hatred between the North and South would hold a ting consequence. Southerners

grew bitter in licking, while Northerners continued their ill will toward

the South.

In a comparing of these two events, the Civil War clearly had a

greater influence on the clip period. This decision is based non merely on

the ruinous and long term deductions of the war, but on the failure

of the Sherman Antitrust Act to hold any important impact on the

formation of trusts during this period. The act brought no anti-monopoly

millenary. The statute law itself left excessively many unreciprocated inquiries,

including what in fact constituted a monopoly and how the authorities was to

proceed in interrupting up monopolies. In add-on, the Cleveland and McKinley

disposals in the 1890 ’ s showed small involvement in implementing the

statute law. The onslaught against large concern had failed and the oppositions

of monopolies would hold to wait until following century to regenerate the attempt.

Conversely, the war had the immediate impact of continuing the Union and

covering a decease blow to bondage. In add-on, the wake of the war

would go on to be felt throughout the balance the century. The

postwar period marked a alteration from a chiefly agricultural society to a

mechanized society with quickly spread outing engineering. The drift for the

alteration came chiefly from the necessity to run into wartime demand for weaponries

and supplies, which led to new engineering. This engineering in the postwar

period would alter society dramatically. In add-on, the postwar period

would usher in the Reconstruction Era, which became one of the most complex

and controversial periods in American history. During this period, the

state would hold to cover with issues which included whether penalty

should be imposed on Southern Whites who supported the Confederacy, how to

warrant the freedom of liberated slaves, and under what conditions

should Southern provinces be readmitted to the Union. These and other issues

led to alterations which were small short of radical.

The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the

Fundamental law were monumental stairss in deriving civil rights for all

Americans. The amendments, which were passed between 1865 and 1870, were

intended to vouch societal equality for all races. The Thirteenth

Amendment ended bondage in the United States. It prohibited any

jurisprudence which would strip any individual of life, autonomy, or belongings without

due procedure of jurisprudence. The Fifteenth Amendment forbade provinces to deny the

right to vote on history of race. Although these amendments were momentous

events in vouching civil rights, their consequence during this clip period

in history would be short lived. Blacks would merely bask equality for a

few old ages until a series of Supreme Court determinations construing the

amendments would weaken them to the point that the civil rights of bla were

once more denied. It would non be until the 1950 ’ s that inkinesss would accomplish

the rights and freedoms guaranteed by these amendments. Despite this, the

transition of these amendments was a major measure toward acknowledgment of racial

equality in America in this clip period and beyond.

Plessy V Furgeson was the most influential in a series of Supreme Court

determinations which led to the rapid spread of segregation Torahs in the South.

After the Civil War and the transition of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and

Fifteenth Amendments, inkinesss were granted equal rights. However, Supreme

Court determinations construing the amendments began to restrict the extension of

these rights to inkinesss. In Plessy, which was decided in 1896, the tribunal

supported the constitutionality of a Louisiana jurisprudence necessitating separate but

equal installations for inkinesss in railway autos. The determination helped

strengthen racial segregation in American until the following century. Many

provinces would trust on the “ separate but equal ” regulation to segregate public

schools, the usage of transit and diversion, and kiping and eating

installations.

The comparing of these two events is an interesting 1. The transition

of the three amendments guaranteed civil rights for inkinesss, while Plessy V

Furgeson was the most influential determination in all but invalidating the

impact of the amendments until the 1950 ’ s. As a consequence, it is apparent that

the Plessy V Furgeson determination had a greater impact on the civil rights of

Americans during this clip period that did transition of the amendments. While

the amendments guaranteed inkinesss their most basic civil rights, the tribunal

determinations on the heels of these amendments efficaciously retracted those

rights and resulted in much greater societal deductions for inkinesss at the

clip. While finally the warrants of the amendments to supply

equality and freedom to all Americans would come to fruition, in this clip

period, they continued to be denied to inkinesss.

The finalists in bracket II are the Civil War and Plessy v Furgeson.

Comparing the impact of the two events, the Civil War emerges winning.

While the Plessy determination adversely impacted the rights that inkinesss had

been guaranteed under the Constitution, its effects were restricted

chiefly to black Americans. The Constitutional rights of the white

bulk were non affected by the determination and their manner of life was non

impacted. On the other manus, the deductions of the Civil War and the

station war period effected all Americans. The consequences of the war were

ruinous to Northerners and Southerners, black or white, whether

measured in lives or loss of belongings. Slavery, which was critical to the

economic system of the South, was eliminated. The Confederate provinces were reunited

with the North and the Union preserved. The passage from an agricultural,

rural society to an urban, mechanised society began. Finally, the postwar

Reconstruction period dramatically changed the societal and nomic construction

of the state.

Traveling to bracket III, which covers the clip period from 1900-1940, the

figure one seed in the bracket “ World War I ” is paired against the 4th

seed “ The Progressive Movement ” . The 2nd seed in the bracket “ The Great

Depression ” is paired against the 3rd seed “ The New Deal ” .

World War I involved the major European states and the United States

from 1914-1918. The primary causes of the war were powerful feelings of

patriotism throughout Europe and the formation of protective confederations

that divided Europe into two chief power groups. The United States remained

wholly impersonal from 1914-1917. However, continued break of

trade and travel on the seas by both the Alliess and cardinal powers,

particularly onslaughts by German pigboats, caused the United States to come in

the war in 1917. The U.S. engagement in the war helped turn the tide and

played a major function in the eventual licking of Germany. Despite the fact

the war was fought in Europe and U.S. casualties and belongings loss were

far less than that of the Alliess, the war had a important impact

economically, politically, and socially on the United States. While the

mobilisation attempt brought great economic prosperity to the state from

the production of wartime goods, postwar demobilisation ought about

widespread unemployment, increased labour discord, racial hatred, and poorness.

Propaganda runs, designed to make support for the war attempt,

resulted in strong anti-foreign and anti-Communist feelings, which led to

force and the misdemeanor of civil rights for many Americans. Politically,

the postwar period saw a renunciation of Progressivism and a return to the

political doctrine of the late 19th century.

Progressivism was a political motion in the United States form 1900-

1917 which attempted to pull support from both political parties for

economic, political, and societal reform. The motion marked the initial

acknowledgment that alteration was necessary if all Americans were to bask the

national promise of equality and chance. The motion was aimed at

leting all people to bask the wagess of industrialism, bettering metropolis

life, stoping political corruptness, and beef uping labour Torahs. It was a

rejection of the individualistic policy of the authorities which seemed to

support large concern at the disbursal of the worker. Progressivism was one of

the most of import reform motions in America and had a enormous impact

on this period in history. Economically, the Progressives were successful

in deriving ordinance of monopolies through rigorous enforcement of the

Sherman Antitrust Act, while the infliction of an income revenue enhancement and an extra

net income ’ s revenue enhancement helped make a more equal vitamin D ribution of wealth. Politically,

Progressives aimed at reconstructing democracy through the constitution of

referendum and callback which gave the elector a more active function in the

personal businesss of authorities. The constitution of metropolis directors and metropolis

councils helped weaken the control of political foremans and kerb corruptness.

Socially, the Progressives were successful in bettering the life

conditions of the metropolis. They were responsible for statute law government

minimal rewards for workers, restricting the hours in the work twenty-four hours, and

commanding kid labour.

However, many of the reforms brought approximately by the Progressive motion

were reversed by the societal and economic attitudes that grew out of World

War I and the postwar old ages. Demobilization and the ensuing alteration in

the economic system led to a revival of individualistic policies. Government,

which had supported labour during the war, now began to side with large

concern, and labour discord was once more common. Additions attained by the

Progressives for workers were reversed by the Supreme Court. Child labour

was reinstituted and minimal rewards for adult females were declared unconstitutional.

In add-on, the decrease of the income revenue enhancement, riddance of the surplus

net incomes ’ revenue enhancement, and an addition in the protective duty one time once more created

an unequal distribution of wealth. As a consequence of the impact the war had on

the economic system, society, and the Progressive Movement, it was the more

influential event of the period.

The Great Depression was the American economic crisis of the 1930 ’ s. It

was the longest and most terrible period of unemployment, low concern

activity, and poorness in American history. It began in October 1929 when

stock values dropped quickly. This created a twine of bank, mill, and

shop shuttings go forthing 1000000s of Americans jobless. The depression shortly

spread to other states. It caused a big lessening in universe trade because

of additions in duty rates. The depression eventually ended after the

United States increased the production of war stuffs at the start of

World War II. The depression impacted political and societal doctrines in

the United States dramatically. Policies, such as the New Deal extended

the authorities ’ s authorization to supply for the needy. New American

attitudes toward concern and authorities took clasp. Before the depression,

many regarded concern executives and bankers as the state ’ s leaders.

However, when these leaders could non alleviate Thursday epression, Americans lost

religion in them. Many people changed their basic attitude toward life

because of the agony they experienced during the depression. They had

believed that if they worked difficult, they could supply for their households

and hold a good life. The depression, nevertheless, shattered that belief. The

state of affairs was particularly difficult to understand because at that place appeared to the

mean worker to be no ground for the things that happened.

The New Deal was the economic policy established by President Roosevelt

in response to the Great Depression. He believed that the federal

authorities had the primary duty to contend the depression by

exciting the economic system. The New Deal had three chief intents. First, it

provided alleviation for the needy. Second, it aided countrywide recovery by

set uping occupations and promoting concern, and 3rd, it tried to reform

concern and authorities so a terrible depression would ne’er go on in the

United States once more. Some New Deal policies, such as the Civilian

Conservation Corps ( CCC ) , the Works Progress Administration ( WPA ) , and the

Public Works Administration ( PWA ) provided occupations in the building of

Bridgess, dikes, and Parkss. To cover with agribusiness, Roosevelt set up the

Agricultural Adjustment Administration ( AAA ) , which helped modulate farm

production and thrust monetary values up. The National Recovery Administration ( NRA )

set up and enforced regulations of just pattern in concern an ndustry. The New

Deal relieved much economic hurt and brought about some recovery. In

making so, it increased the authorities ’ s debt dramatically. Some of the

consequences of the New Deal were of import and long lasting. Even after the

depression, reforms such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and

the Social Security Act continued to be. After the New Deal, the

authorities ’ s function in banking and public assistance would go on to turn steadily.

Both the Great Depression and plans of the New Deal were

unprecedented in United States ’ history. The state had ne’er experienced

a concern downswing that lasted every bit long as the Great Depression with as

many concern failures and every bit much widespread unemployment. Likewise, the

New Deal, which was established to alleviate the economic impact of the

depression was the first clip the authorities asserted itself to supply

public public assistance during an economic crisis. A comparing of these two events

must concentrate on which of these unprecedented happenings had a greater

impact on the American populace. Despite the efforts of the New Deal

plans to alleviate some of the economic force per unit areas, it was non a remedy for

the depression. The plans of the New Deal were successful in supplying

occupations for many Americans and supplying some economic alleviation. However,

1000000s remained unemployed and ne’er reaped the benefits of the New Deal

plans. In fact, it would non be until the get downing o orld War II that

the United States ’ economic system would wholly retrieve. On the other manus,

there was no section of the population that escaped the economic crisis

brought approximately by the depression. Lucks were lost, occupations were eliminated,

and endurance became an issue for most Americans. The Great Depression

clearly had more of an impact on this period than the New Deal.

Of the two finalists, World War I and the Great Depression, the war

stands out as the event that had the greatest impact on the state. The

depression had enormous economic, political, and societal deductions for

the period. Millions lost their occupations and were forced into poorness. The

attitudes of people towards political and concern leaders was everlastingly

changed. Those leaders, who the populace had admired were now viewed with

incredulity. Americans, who prior to the depression felt their economic system was

indestructible, became fearful of their hereafter in an economic system that could

fluctuate wildly without warning or evident cause. The depression besides

led to a dramatic alteration in authorities policy. The authorities became far

more involved in public public assistance than it had been in the yesteryear as

demonstrated by the New Deal. Policies, such as Welfare and Social

Security, which are still in pattern today, grew out of this new political

consciousness. However, the political, societal, and economic lications

World War I would hold on the state were even more far making.

Politically, the state turned inward, declining to take part in the

League of Nations. This left postwar personal businesss in Europe unsettled and would

finally lead the state into another World War. While the depression

had an tremendous consequence on the attitudes of Americans, World War I had an

even greater impact. The full American civilization would see a

revolution in the postwar jubilation. Americans were filled with optimism

during the postwar old ages. The growing of advertisement and amusement,

combined with technological progresss, such as the telecasting and wireless,

would convey about the outgrowth of a mercenary society. Economically,

the return to a peace clip economic system and the individualistic policies of the

late 1800 ’ s, se

t the phase for economic catastrophe. The reversal of many of

the additions achieved by workers combined with the decrease of revenue enhancements on the

rich, created a job in the economic system that would travel unnoticed. In

add-on, the handiness of recognition led to reckless disbursement which would

farther endanger the economic system. This unequal distribution of wealth combined

with a free disbursement attitude weakened the economic system and led to the Great

Depression.

The treatment continues with bracket IV, which covers the clip period

1940-1975 and pairs the figure one seed in the bracket “ The Vietnam War ”

against 4th seed “ World War II ” . The 2nd seed in the bracket “ The

Cuban Missile Crisis ” is paired against the 3rd seed “ The Civil Rights

Act of 1964 ″ .

The Vietnam War, which began in 1957 and lasted until 1975, was the

longest war in which the United States took portion. Vietnam was divided into

Communist ruled North Vietnam and non-Communist South Vietnam. North

Vietnam and Communist trained South Vietnamese Rebels attempted to take

over South Vietnam. The United States and the South Vietnamese ground forces tried

to halt the coup d’etat but failed. U.S. assistance to Vietnam was based on the

policy of President Truman that the United States must assist any state

threatened by Communists. Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy adopted the

policy fearing a “ Domino consequence ” if even one sou’-east Asiatic state fell

to the Communists. After Kennedy ’ s decease, Johnson came to office in 1963

with a long standing, house committedness to containment and increased

America ’ s engagement into a major war. The Vietnam War had several

periods. From 1857- 1965, it was chiefly a battle between the South

Vietnamese ground forces and the Communist trained South Vietnamese Rebels. read-only memory

1965-1969, North Vietnam and the United States did most of the combat. By

1969, the United States had 540,000 military personnels in Vietnam. The United States ’

program, as outlined by President Johnson, was to increase the penalty

until the monetary value of go oning the war became excessively high and the enemy would

quit. The Vietnamese did non react harmonizing to program. The war appeared

endless, and eventually a defeated Johnson announced an terminal to escalation of

the war and a willingness to negociate. In January of 1973, a cease fire

was arranged and American land military personnels left Vietnam two months subsequently. The

war shortly started once more without the United States ’ engagement and on April

30,1975 South Vietnam surrendered.

The war had far-reaching effects on the United States. About 58,000

Americans died in the war and 365,000 were wounded. The United States

spent over $ 150 billion on the war. Of the 2,700,000 work forces and adult females who

fought in the war, many returned with deep psychological jobs and

suffered signifier a high rate of divorce, drug maltreatment, self-destruction, and joblessness.

Many Americans opposed the U.S. function in Vietnam and criticized returning

veterans, go forthing them with a feeling that the state did non appreciate

their forfeits. Besides as a consequence of the war, Congress and the pubic

became more willing to dispute the president on subsequent U.S. military

and foreign policy issues. The war besides became a criterion for comparing

in future state of affairss that might affect U.S. military personnels abroad. On the place

forepart, the war began a societal revolution. New vesture, music, and gender

functions cast off the societal construction of the 1950 ’ s.

World War II resulted in more deceases, cost more money, damaged more

belongings, effected more people, and globally had the most far-reaching

effects of any war in history. The three chief causes of the war were the

jobs left unsolved by World War I, the rise of dictators in Europe, and

the desire of Italy, Germany, and Japan for district. The policy of

isolationism was broken in the United States when the Nipponese bombed Pearl

Harbor, dragging America into the war. The war was fought on two foreparts,

Europe and the Pacific. The Alliess, which included the United States,

England, France, and Russia were successful in get the better ofing the axis powers

which included Italy, Germany, and Japan. World War II played a major function

in United States ’ history. From an economic position, it brought the

United States out of the depression of the 1930 ’ s. The authorities

converted industries from civilian to war production to bring forth strategic

war stuffs and instituted rationing and monetary value cont s to back up the war

attempt. Socially, the war played a major portion in altering the function of

adult females in America. As work forces went off to contend, the adult females assumed many of the

functions antecedently filled by work forces in the war workss. Politically, the war led

to the United States ’ engagement in the freshly formed United Nations,

organized to supervise international personal businesss. The major impact of the war,

nevertheless, resulted from the United States ’ determination to use the atomic

bomb. The two atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945 were the major factors

lending to Japan ’ s resignation. The bomb represented a immense scientific

progress in modern warfare. It opened up the possibility for huge

devastation of human life. The United States ’ determination to utilize the bomb

precipitated a postwar race to bring forth atomic arms in many states,

particularly the Soviet Union and eliminated the chance of making an

international understanding to command production and proving of such arms

for many old ages.

The significance of World War II in United States ’ history can non be

overstated. World War II had a greater economic impact on the United

States than any other war of the 20th century. Despite Roosevelt ’ s

attempts to stop the depression with the New Deal policies, it was non until

World War II and transition to a wartime economic system that the United States

emerged signifier its long economic downswing. World War II was besides responsible

for the outgrowth of atomic arms which everlastingly changed the construct of

conventional warfare, led to an weaponries race, and indirectly contributed to

the Cold War. It was the first presentation of the capableness for

devastation that atomic arms possessed. Internationally, the Soviet

Union emerged with one of the mightiest ground forcess in the universe, replacing the

axis forces as the hereafter menace to universe peace. Tensions between the

United States and Russia, sparked by Russia ’ s try to command eastern

European states after the war, led to the Cold War. postwar period besides

saw the formation of the United Nations. Contrary to the place taken

after World War I, the United States joined with the Alliess to make the

United Nations, an international organisation created to keep peace and

trade with agricultural, pecuniary, wellness, and other affairs. However, in

many respects World War II was non a alone war from the United States ’

position. In fact, the causes of the war were to a big extent a

consequence of the unfinished concern of World War I. Further, as was the instance

with World War I, the United States was winning in a comparatively short

war and the postwar temper of Americans was cheerful and optimistic.

The Vietnam War, on the other manus, was the most alone war in American

history and had more of an impact on U.S. history of the period than did

World War II. Vietnam was the lone unsuccessful war in United States ’

history. The geographics and the manner of war put the United States at a

disadvantage and made it an impossible war to win. As a consequence, unlike

old wars, it seemed to drag on with no evident advancement. The deficiency of

success, combined with a general feeling that the U.S. security was non at

hazard, divided the state into those who supported the battle against

Communism and those who opposed the war. This was contrary to the attitude

toward old wars, which were strongly supported by Americans. The

division over the war initiated a political and societal revolution.

Americans became willing to openly knock the authorities and elected

functionaries. Public protests were staged, naming for an terminal to U. S.

engagement. This public call against the authorities ’ s po ion finally

led to President Johnson ’ s determination non to seek reelection. The cultural

alterations which took topographic point as a consequence of the Vietnam War were unprecedented.

The pride of many Americans who supported the war was hurt by the licking,

and they were left acrimonious and with painful memories. Other Americans would

follow new manners of frock and music as a presentation of their resistance

to the war and the authorities. The alterations in the United States brought

approximately by the war ended the societal and cultural traditions of the pre-

Vietnam epoch and set the phase for the current societal and political

environment.

The Cuban Missile Crisis ranks as one of the most important events of

the Cold War period. For several yearss, the United States appeared to be

on the brink of a atomic war with the Soviet Union. In 1962, Cuba was

convinced that the United States was be aftering an onslaught and asked the

Soviets for extra military assistance. The Soviet Union responded with

missiles and stuffs for building of launch sites. The United States

Intelligence Agency advised President Kennedy of this atomic missile

build-up in Cuba. The president demanded that Khrushchev take the

missiles instantly, which Kennedy viewed as a misdemeanor of the American

sphere of influence. On October 22nd, Kennedy announced his class of

action which included set uping a naval encirclement to forestall farther

cargo of supplies, a demand that the bases be dismantled, and a warning

that any onslaught from Cuba would be regarded as an onslaught by the Soviet

Union, necessitating revenge from the United States. The con Nutmeg State rose in

suspense until eventually the Soviet ships were directed non to dispute the

encirclement and turn back. In a missive to Kennedy, Khrushchev expressed his

concern over the horrors of atomic war and agreed to take the missiles

if the United States would stop the naval encirclement and agree non to occupy

Cuba. The United States accepted these footings and the crisis, which had the

universe on the threshold of atomic war, was over. The Cold War would non hold

another event in which tensenesss on both sides were so high.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was one of the strongest and most

of import pieces of statute law in support of civil rights in the United

States. The jurisprudence banned favoritism because of a individual ’ s colour, race,

national beginning, faith, or sex. The rights protected by the act are

freedom to seek employment, ballot and usage Parkss, eating houses, and other

topographic points. The act besides forbid favoritism by any plan that received

financess from the authorities. In add-on, the act authorized the Office of

Education to direct school integration in countries specified by the

authorities. The act was proposed in 1963 by President Kennedy. After his

decease, it was supported by President Johnson and passed after a drawn-out

argument in the Senate. The act reinforced the rights guaranteed by the

Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments and reversed the Supreme

Court determinations of the late 1800 ’ s which limited these rights and plagued

minorities for a century.

In a comparing of these two events, the Cuban Missile Crisis emerges

as the event which had the most impact on the period. In making this

decision, nevertheless, the importance of the Civil Rights Act can non be

ignored. In many ways the act concluded unfinished concern of the Civil

War and Reconstruction Period in specifying civil rights for all Americans.

Previous Supreme Court determinations, such as Plessy v Furgeson, had attempted

to deny many Americans the full step of rights that had been guaranteed

by the Constitution. The act was the defining statement on civil rights in

the United States, change by reversaling old Supreme Court instances and supplying

equal rights for all Americans. Despite its significance in supplying

equal chance to all Americans, its impact chiefly effected black

Americans, who had been the topic of continued favoritism. As a

consequence, it can non be considered to hold had as cosmopolitan an impact on the

American populace as the Missile Crisis. The Cuban ssile Crisis brought

tensenesss in the Cold War to the breakage point. The concern of all

Americans about the menace of atomic war seemed to be happening with

this crisis. The state was frozen in expectancy of the result.

Finally, the via media reached between Russia and the United States to stop

the crisis non merely relieved the immediate concern of a atomic war, but

marked a turning point in the Cold War. Both sides, faced with the world

of atomic devastation, realized the demand to avoid a struggle. Although

tensenesss would stay high on both sides for old ages to come, understandings were

reached to restrict the production and testing of atomic arms, and the

menace of a atomic war began to worsen.

The finalists in Bracket IV are the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile

Crisis. They represent two of the most controversial events of the clip

period. In sing the lasting effects the Vietnam War would hold on

the United States, it emerges as the major event of the clip period.

The Cold War with the Soviet Union was the ascendant international

issue during the first 25 old ages of this clip period. The Cuban

Missile Crisis was the closest the United States came to come ining a atomic

war with the Soviet Union during the Cold War period. It represented the

specifying minute of the Cold War when anti-Communist tenseness would about

make the breakage point. The universe stood on border during the crisis. The

destructive capableness of atomic arms could hold resulted in one of the

most black events in history. However, as a consequence of the acknowledgment

by both major powers of the potency for catastrophe, the crisis was defused

through dialogues instead than confrontation. The crisis represented the

beginning of the terminal of the Cold War. The major universe powers would get down

dialogues, restricting the development, production, and proving of atomic

arms.

While the Cuban Missile Crisis had important international

deductions, the Vietnam War had a greater impact on America society and

civilization. It was the first foreign war in which U.S. forces would neglect to

achieve triumph, go forthing Americans angry and disillusioned. It appeared to

be a war without a defined cause, other than the vague premiss of

incorporating Communism in an undistinguished portion of the universe. The attitudes

in America, which resulted from the war, led to dramatic alterations in

American society and political relations, doing it the most important event of the

period. Besides the decease, hurt, and psychological jobs of those who

fought the war, many other Americans were deeply effected by the war.

They became progressively critical of the authorities ’ s motive for

affecting the state in the war and began to take a more active function in

knocking foreign policy. This rebellion would widen itself into

American civilization. Those who opposed the war and American invol ent besides

rejected much of America ’ s civilization and tradition for undisputed support

of the authorities. As a consequence, much of the American tradition for

undisputed nationalism and trueness that existed before the war would be

drastically changed, go forthing a permanent consequence on American history.

The competition has been reduced to the finalist from each of the four

brackets. In the semifinals, stand foring bracket I is the “ Mexican-

American War ” , which is paired against the finalist from bracket II the

“ Civil War ” . The other semifinal coupling matches the victor of bracket III

“ World War I ” against the victor of bracket IV the “ Vietnam War ” .

In the first semifinal matchup, the Civil War emerges as the event

that non merely had the most important impact on the clip period in which

it occurred, but besides on the hereafter of the United States. Both the Civil

War and the Mexican-American War had important economic, political, and

societal deductions. However, an scrutiny of the impact each had in

these countries clearly establishes the Civil War as the landmark event of the

clip period that brought closing to many of the issues precipitated by the

Mexican-American War. Politically, the Mexican-American War widened the

division between Democrats and Republicans over the slavery issue. Although

several efforts at via media were made, none were successful. This

political division left the state on the threshold of disintegration with no

evident solution to the issue. The Civil War, on the other manus,

preserved the Union by settling the bondage issue one time and for all and

readmitting the provinces that had succeeded from the Uni The war besides

established the Republican Party as the dominant political power in the

United States for the following several decennaries. The influence of the Democrats

instantly after the war was weakened to the point that politically the

state appeared to hold a one party system. Economically, the Mexican-

American War extended the boundaries of the United States to the Pacific,

deriving districts which were rich in natural resources. This extension

of the boundaries would let colony beyond the Mississippi, addition

agricultural production, and play a major function in American economic growing.

The impact of the Civil War on the U.S. economic system was even more dramatic.

The war devastated the economic system of the South. Not merely were agricultural

resources of the part destroyed, but slave labour, on which the economic system

was based, was eliminated. The Civil War besides marked the transmutation of

the U.S. from what had been chiefly an agricultural society into an industrial

society. This displacement in the economic system resulted from quickly altering

engineering which came as a direct response to wartime demands. The outgrowth

of the U.S. as an industrial society besides resulted in the North replacement

the South as the economic centre of the state. Socially, the Mexican-

American War heightened the argument over the issue of bondage. on which the

societal construction of the South was based. Northern Abolitionists seized the

chance to dispute admittance of the new districts as slave provinces

and interrupt the balance of free and break one’s back provinces in Congress. Southerners

realized that as bondage grew more unpopular in the North, its endurance

depended on its enlargement into new districts. None of the via medias

offered after the Mexican-American War would take to declaration of the

issue. The Civil War, nevertheless, provided a lasting solution to the issue.

As a consequence of the Emancipation Proclamation and transition of the Thirteenth,

Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments, bondage was eliminated and t he

United States began the procedure of guaranting civil rights for all Americans

and coercing a complete reordering of the South ’ s societal construction.

In the 2nd semifinal coupling, World War I emerges as the event that

had the most important impact on the United States. Both World War I and

the Vietnam War ended without deciding many issues that precipitated the

struggles. In the instance of World War I, although the Alliess were winning,

the United States ’ refusal to take part in the Treaty of Versailles and

the League of Nations left unsettled many issues that would finally take

to another World War. These events signaled the terminal of Wilsonian idealism

and began a reactionist period in the U.S. that would trip important

economic, political, and societal alteration. With regard to the Vietnam War,

the inability of the U.S. forces to weaken the North Vietnamese resistance,

combined with the authorities ’ s inability to keep popular support for

the war, led to the eventual backdown of American military personnels without triumph.

The popular call against this war, combined with the failure of the

attempt to achieve any touchable R lts, brought about another ultraconservative

period. In my sentiment, nevertheless, the impact of events of the station Vietnam

War period were less important and far making than those that followed

World War I.

The station World War I period in the U.S. resulted in a rejection of the

idealistic doctrine of President Wilson. The resistance to Wilson ’ s

policies and the political relations of the period prevented the United States from

take parting in the pact to settle the war. They besides prevented U.S.

engagement in the League of Nations, an organisation whose intent was

to forestall farther struggles. As a consequence, many issues of import to a

enduring peace were left unaddressed and this would finally take to World

War II. The period besides marked the terminal of the Progressive doctrine of

the prewar period. America ’ s postwar optimism led to a revival of

individualistic economic policies and a return to the political doctrine of

the 19th century. This alteration in economic policy and political

doctrine began to put the phase for the Great Depression. American

society became really mercenary. The handiness of recognition led to liberate

disbursement. Many of the advantages gained by workers 500 ng the Progressive

epoch were reversed, while revenue enhancements on the rich were reduced. This combination

of events would ensue in the unequal distribution of wealth which would

trip the depression. Socially, the postwar period witnessed wide-scale

favoritism. The propaganda runs of the war had resulted in strong

anti-foreign, anti-Communist feelings. Immigrants were frequently falsely

accused of being Communists, Socialists, or groups, cabaling against

the United States. Members of labour brotherhoods were frequently targeted as being

anti-American. This clime often led to force and the misdemeanor

of the civil rights of many Americans.

The Vietnam War and postwar period besides resulted in a period of

important societal and political alteration. The division in the state

between those who supported the war and those who opposed it led to a

political and societal revolution. Americans began, as ne’er in the yesteryear, to

inquiry and publically protest determinations made by the authorities and elected

functionaries. Congress and the populace challenged the president on U.S.

military and foreign policy issues. The war became a criterion for

comparing in future state of affairss that might affect U.S. military personnels abroad. The

American civilization and tradition for unquestioning support of the authorities

ended and the perceptual experience of what constituted nationalism and trueness changed

dramatically. However, none of these alterations led to a major economic

downswing, precipitated a war, or denied the civil rights of Americans as

did the events following World War I.

The two finalists in the competition are from bracket II, the “ Civil

War ” , and from bracket III, “ World War I ” . Despite the important

deductions of World War I and the fact that the Civil War occurred over

one hundred old ages ago, the Civil War remains as the most of import event in

American history. Unlike the Civil War, World War I was non fought on U.S.

dirt, the destiny of the Union was non in hazard, and the political,

economic, and societal deductions were non about every bit important or long

lasting as those of the Civil War.

From a political position, an scrutiny of World War I reveals two

major consequences. First, after the failure to negociate a station war pact

acceptable to the U. S. Congress followed by the United States ’ refusal to

participate in the League of Nations, the U.S. entered a period of

isolationism. Affairs in Europe remained unsettled. The deficiency of

engagement by the United States in the colony of the postwar issues

contributed to the causes of World War II. Besides, the failure of Wilson ’ s

political theory of idealism would ensue in a return to the laissez-faire

political doctrine of the late 1800 ’ s and the reversal of many of the

positive accomplishments of the Progressive Era. The political consequences of the

Civil War, nevertheless, were more important. The saving of the Union,

the most important political consequence of the Civil War, was besides one of

the most important events in the history of the United States. Had the

Southern provinces been allowed to win from the Un, the history of the

United States, as we know it today, would non be. In add-on, the

outgrowth of the Republicans as the dominant party for about the following 1

hundred old ages had a major influence on the economic and societal doctrine

of the state. It was non until Roosevelt and the New Deal that the

individualistic policies of the Republicans would be repudiated.

World War I had a important impact on the economic system. During the

mobilisation period, the transition to a wartime economic system resulted in

increased employment. However, at the terminal of the war, the failure of the

authorities to modulate the demobilisation period resulted in high

unemployment and rising prices. This combined with the fact that labour lost

many grants won during the Progressive Era, such as the rights of

labour brotherhoods to strike, resulted in worse conditions for workers than in

the prewar epoch. At the same clip, recognition became readily available and

economic guess was rampant. The cumulative consequence of these

conditions would take to an unequal distribution of wealth and set the

phase for the Great Depression. The economic deductions of the Civil War

and postwar period, nevertheless, contributed to a extremist alteration in the overall

economic construction of the United States. The Southern economic system, based on

bondage and agribusiness, was destroyed by the Civil War. The eliminatio degree Fahrenheit

bondage, combined with betterments in engineering to run into wartime demands,

changed the United States ’ economic system from what had antecedently been agricultural

based to an industrial, mercantile economic system. Coinciding with this economic

displacement, the North would derive laterality over the South as the economic centre

of the state. For old ages after the Civil War, the South would fight to

reconstruct its economic system and get down the slow procedure of industrialisation.

Finally, from a societal position, the consequence of World War I was

marked by favoritism towards inkinesss and immigrants. Americans became

distrustful of aliens as a consequence of propaganda runs designed to

addition support for the war. Blacks, who relocated to the North to make full occupations

of enlisted work forces, were blamed for the jobs of unemployment during the

demobilisation period. Many Americans who were guiltless of any incorrect making

were accused of being anti-American or Communist sympathisers. The civil

rights of many of these people were frequently violated. The societal

deductions of the Civil War, nevertheless, are the most of import in the

history of the United States. The war provided the foundation for the

Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments, which guaranteed civil

rights to all Americans. While inkinesss would go on to be discriminated

against, the terminal of bondage and transition of the amendments was the first

acknowledgment of equality for all Americans.

In decision, each of the 16 events discussed has had a

important impact on American history. Each event has played a function in

determining the political, economic, and societal construction of the United States.

Not merely were these events important to the clip period in which they

occured, but they besides had a permanent consequence on the hereafter of the state.