Turning points in American history that historians have emphasized or should emphasize

Full Answer Section

     

• World War II: World War II was a turning point in American history because it led to the rise of the United States as a global superpower. The war also had a profound impact on American society and culture.
• The Cold War: The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union that lasted from the mid-1940s to the early 1990s. The Cold War had a significant impact on American foreign policy and domestic life.
• The Civil Rights Movement: The Civil Rights Movement was a period of social and political activism that aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. The Civil Rights Movement had a profound impact on American society and culture.
• The Vietnam War: The Vietnam War was a long and costly conflict that had a significant impact on American society and culture. The war also led to a number of important reforms, including the War Powers Act and the creation of the Veterans Administration.
• The Watergate scandal: The Watergate scandal was a political scandal that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. The scandal had a profound impact on American politics and public trust in the government.
• The collapse of the Soviet Union: The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was a major turning point in world history. It also had a significant impact on the United States, which was no longer facing a global superpower rival.
• The September 11th attacks: The September 11th attacks were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. The attacks had a profound impact on the United States and led to a number of important changes in American foreign policy and domestic life.

These are just a few examples of other turning points in American history that historians have emphasized or should emphasize. It is important to note that there is no single definitive list of turning points in American history. Different historians may have different perspectives on which events and developments were the most important. How these other turning points might influence where new American history surveys begin and end is a complex question. There is no easy answer. However, it is possible that some new American history surveys may choose to begin earlier or end later in order to include more of these other turning points. For example, a new American history survey might choose to begin with the American Revolution or the Civil War, rather than with the European colonization of North America. Alternatively, a new American history survey might choose to end with the collapse of the Soviet Union or the September 11th attacks, rather than with the end of World War II. Ultimately, the decision of where to begin and end a new American history survey is up to the individual authors or editors of that survey. However, it is important to consider the inclusion of other turning points in American history when making this decision. By doing so, historians can help to create a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the American past.  

Sample Answer

   

There are many other turning points in American history that historians have emphasized or should emphasize. Here are a few examples:

• The American Revolution: The American Revolution was a turning point in American history because it led to the creation of the United States of America. The Revolution also had a profound impact on the development of democracy and human rights around the world.
• The Civil War: The Civil War was another turning point in American history because it led to the end of slavery and the strengthening of the federal government. The Civil War also had a significant impact on American culture and society.
• The Great Depression: The Great Depression was the worst economic downturn in American history. It had a devastating impact on millions of Americans and led to a number of important reforms, including the creation of the Social Security Administration.