Swings

Booking under: Keith

As we read before, President Lyndon B. Johnson oversaw an avalanche of change in America during the 60s. He signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and his “Great Society” to improve the standard of living in a country that had long been divided by inequality and prejudice.

And yet, while he brought on and went through waves of change, President Johnson himself was not immune to them. A skirmish involving an Eastern nation saw to the end of his presidency in 1968. What followed was over two decades of political change and a swinging of power from the Democrats to the Republicans and back again.

The Swinging Sixties

Booking under: Keith

If 1950s America was defined by the Civil Rights Movement, the 1960s would be defined as an avalanche of social change. As debates and protests for the rights of African Americans continued, so did a range of other cultural movements begin.

Let’s take a look at some of the changes that swept through the nation during the 60s:

The Cold War

Booking under: Keith

The Second World War ended with the defeat of the Axis powers at the ends of the Allies. Although the world has not seen an armed conflict as devastating as WW2 since 1945, the reshaped status quo of the world led to a new form of international hostility.

Today, we look at the post-WW2 world where America became an undisputed super power and the country that threatened its standing as the world’s most powerful nation. Today, we’ll look at the Cold War.

An even greater war

Booking under: Keith

From 1914 to 1918, the world endured a war to end all wars. After the First World War, the world seemed to have learnt its lesson and the nations banded together for peace. The League of Nations was established, and there was hope that the world would exist in harmony.

All of that came to an end on Sep 1st, 1939, when the Germany launched an invasion of Poland. Today, we look at another war the United States found itself involved in – The Second World War.

Progressing into The Great War

Booking under: Keith

As the 1800s drew to a close and America entered into the era of the Progressives, it seemed things were only going to get better. As big corporations were reigned in and as people fought for a better standard of living, it seemed that America was progressing into the 20th century with peace and optimism.

But for all the advancements the U.S. made, war would soon reel its ugly head and drag America (and its peers) into years of conflict.

The Progressive Order

Booking under: Keith

Last week, we looked at the concept of Laissez-faire and how it applied to the economy of the United States in the late 1800s. A Laissez-faire economic environment led to the rise of many great business people, but also created large masses of people whose fate was controlled by the great captains of industry. As some rose to the top of the pile, many others found themselves on the wrong side of the rich-poor divide.

Should the government intervene and help those who did not make it as big as others? Let’s take a look today at the Progressives.

A story of a city

Booking under: Keith

Previously, we looked at everyday workers and the captains of industry they served. While their lives and fortunes may have been very different, their lives intertwined in cities as America became urbanized. The 1790 census showed that 95% of the population lived in rural areas. After 40 years, the urban areas of the country grew much quicker than its rural counterparts. By 1860, half of the American population lived in cities.

Today, we look at the history of the third-most populous city in America, Chicago.

Collar Colours

Booking under: Keith

Previously, we talked about some of the great capitalists that changed American and world history with their businesses. But behind every genius entrepreneur and businessperson, there is a host of men and women who “make the dream come true”, who operate the business so that it delivers value to society.

Today, we look at the countless workers that made the American business revolution possible.

Minding others’ businesses

Booking under: Keith

As President Calvin Coolidge once remarked: “the chief business of the American people is business.” While America battled with slavery and other nations throughout its history, the development of business is equally important to shaping the nation as it is today.

Here, then, are some examples of famed business magnates and their contributions to American history.

Reconstruction

Booking under: Keith

The years prior to the Reconstruction era (1865–77) were of tumult and upheaval. Wars on slavery and with Mexico led to bloodshed and the secession of states.

Following the American Civil War, efforts were made to redress the effects of slavery, from it’s political and social effects to more economic matters.

Was Reconstruction a successful project? Let’s take a look: