American History – The 1860s
The 1860s saw the beginning of the Civil War. This war, fought with ferocity and friend against foe, destroyed much of the South and caused terrible losses for both sides. As the Civil War came to a close with Lee’s surrender to General Grant at Appomattox, the survivors looked to new challenges as America entered the modern world. There were many important events during the 1860s. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most important events in the history of the United States.
The Second Continental Congress declares the independence of the colonies. General George Washington leads the Continental Army to battle against British rule. The Declaration of Independence is endorsed by Congress on 4 July 1776. This formally declares the United States independence from Great Britain. After the battle of Yorktown, the rebel states form a loose confederation. In 1787, the United States Constitution is passed and the Bill of Rights is added. In 1803 the US purchases the territories of Louisiana from France.
After Columbus’ discovery of the New World, a number of European colonial expeditions followed. These expeditions transformed the cultural landscape of the Americas by settling the newly discovered lands. Portugal and Spain colonized most of the Americas, while England and France carved out colonies on the Eastern coast of the United States and the North Pacific. By 1867, Canada became a federal dominion, which included Quebec, New Brunswick, and the United States.
The emergence of modern industries forced craftsmen and artisans into clerical and repetitive work. They also displaced many American craftsmen from the drudgery of farming, stevedoring, and other types of employment. Because of this, the American history is shaped by strong currents in the country. In the long run, these forces will shape the American future. So, let us explore the roots of America’s development.
In the course of our lives, we weave stories about the past. For instance, in romantic stories about pre-colonial New England, a primeval forest lies in the forested region, a period that had been heavily cultivated by native people. The construction of collective memory is an ongoing process, involving statues, holidays, and even television docudramas. Often, intense conflicts break out over how these memories should be remembered. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. was recently remembered as a national holiday. This debate was resolved with the institution of a national holiday in his honor.
The United States is very closely linked to the rest of the world. However, there are significant periods of American history that were uninfluenced by events outside the country. During the 17th century, colonists in North America were largely untouched by the events taking place in Europe. However, in the 18th century, the continent was engulfed by dynastic wars between European powers. The French and American revolutions influenced both sides of the Atlantic.