Important eras (dates) to remember

Name

Dates

Description

Critical Period

1781–1789

Time under the Articles of Confederation after the Revolution. Weak federal government.

Colonial Era

~1607–1776

Time of British colonies in America before independence.

Revolutionary Era

~1763–1789

From the end of the French & Indian War to the Constitution.

Antebellum Period

~1820–1860

Pre–Civil War U.S., marked by slavery debates, reform movements, and industrial growth.

Civil War Era

1861–1865

Conflict between the North and South over slavery and secession.

Reconstruction Era

1865–1877

Post–Civil War effort to rebuild and integrate the South.

Gilded Age

~1877–1900

Rapid industrialization, wealth inequality, political corruption.

Progressive Era

~1890–1920

Reform movements aimed at fixing problems caused by industrialization.

Roaring Twenties

1920–1929

Economic boom, cultural change, consumerism.

Great Depression

1929–1941

Economic collapse and New Deal reform.

World War II

1939–1945

U.S. involvement from 1941–1945.

Cold War Era

1945–1991

U.S.–Soviet rivalry, nuclear arms race, containment.

Civil Rights Movement

1950s–1970s

Fight for racial equality and justice.

Vietnam Era

~1964–1975

Controversial U.S. involvement in Vietnam War.

Reagan Era / Conservative Resurgence

1980s

Rise of conservative politics and economic policy.