- The Great Depression (1929-1939): This was a severe worldwide economic depression that began in the United States. It was the longest, deepest, and most widespread depression of the 20th century. The Great Depression began with the stock market crash on October 29, 1929 (known as Black Tuesday). The global gross domestic product (GDP) decreased by an estimated 15% from 1929 and 1932. During the Great Recession, global GDP decreased by less than 1% from 2008 to 2009.
- New Deal (1933-1939): This was a series of programs, public work projects, and financial reforms enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression. The New Deal aimed to provide relief to the unemployed, stimulate the economy, and reform the financial system. Some of the most well-known New Deal programs include the Social Security Act, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the Works Progress Administration.
- World War II (1941-1945): This was a global conflict that involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. It was the most widespread war in history, with more than 100 million people mobilized in more than 30 countries. The major participants were the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and the United Kingdom. These four powers are collectively referred to as the Big Four or Grand Alliance. The war had a profound impact on the United States, both economically and socially. It stimulated the economy, but it also led to the deaths of millions of Americans.
Social Changes
- Prohibition (1920-1933): This was a period when the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcoholic beverages were illegal in the United States. Prohibition was enacted in response to concerns about the social and economic problems caused by alcohol abuse. However, it proved to be difficult to enforce, and it led to the rise of organized crime.
- Women's Suffrage (1920): This was the year that the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified, which granted women the right to vote. This was a major victory for the women's suffrage movement, which had been campaigning for decades for women's right to vote.
- Great Migration (1910-1970): This was a period of large-scale migration of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North, Midwest, and West. The Great Migration was primarily motivated by economic opportunity, as well as the desire to escape racial discrimination and violence in the South.
- World War II and the Baby Boom (1946-1964): This was a period of rapid population growth in the United States following World War II. The Baby Boom was fueled by several factors, including the return of soldiers from war, the expansion of the middle class, and the increased availability of birth control.
Political Changes
- Republican Dominance (1920-1928): During the 1920s, the Republican Party controlled the White House and both houses of Congress. The Republicans were in favor of low taxes, reduced government spending, and limited regulation of the economy.
- New Deal Coalition (1932-1968): This was a political coalition that supported the Democratic Party and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies. The New Deal Coalition included a diverse group of voters, including urban workers, farmers, and African Americans.
- Cold War (1947-1991): This was a global conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Cold War was fought primarily through political and economic means, although there were also occasional military conflicts. The Cold War had a profound impact on US foreign policy.
- Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968): This was a social and political movement in the United States that fought for the equal rights of African Americans. The Civil Rights Movement was inspired by the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.