Full Answer Section

• The Progressive Era (1890s-1920s): A period of social and political reform in the United States. The Progressive Era led to the passage of important laws and regulations that reformed business practices, protected workers, and expanded access to education and other social services.
• The Great Depression (1929-1939): The worst economic downturn in American history. The Great Depression had a devastating impact on the American economy and society, but it also led to the creation of important social safety net programs, such as Social Security and unemployment insurance.
• World War II (1939-1945): A global conflict that pitted the Allied Powers (including the United States) against the Axis Powers (including Germany and Japan). World War II had a profound impact on the United States and led to the emergence of the United States as a global superpower.
• The Cold War (1945-1991): A period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Cold War shaped American foreign policy and had a significant impact on American society and culture.
• The Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s): A movement to end racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. The Civil Rights Movement led to the passage of important laws and regulations that expanded the rights of African Americans and other minority groups.
• The Vietnam War (1954-1975): A long and costly war between the United States and North Vietnam. The Vietnam War had a significant impact on the American public and led to a period of social and political unrest.

These are just a few examples of turning points in American history that historians have emphasized or should emphasize. Other important turning points include the development of new technologies, such as the railroad, the automobile, and the computer; the emergence of new social movements, such as the women’s suffrage movement and the environmental movement; and the globalization of the American economy.

The choice of where to begin and end an American history survey is often influenced by the historian’s perspective on the most important turning points in American history. For example, a survey that emphasizes the importance of the American Revolution might begin with the British colonization of North America and end with the ratification of the Constitution. A survey that emphasizes the importance of the Civil Rights Movement might begin with the end of World War II and end with the election of Barack Obama as the first African American president of the United States.

Ultimately, the decision of where to begin and end an American history survey is up to the historian. However, it is important for historians to consider the different turning points in American history and to choose a starting and ending point that makes sense for the particular survey they are writing.