Introduction
The American Dream is an ideal that has been a part of the nation since its founding. It is the belief that anyone, regardless of their background in life, can succeed through hard work and determination. From the end of the Civil War to the present day, the nation has faced many challenges, but each time, we have become more robust and more united. These moments inspire visitors to reflect on what it means to be an American and how our history has shaped the country we are in today. Considering the rich history of the United States of America and the events that shaped the culture and people, there are five critical moments that are known both nationally and worldwide.
The End of the Civil War and the Reconstruction Era that Followed
The first moment is the Civil War’s end and Reconstruction’s beginning. The Civil War was a turning point in American history, and the end of the war marked the beginning of a new era. Reconstruction was a time of significant change when the country was rebuilding after the war (Foner 285). The African American perspective of the end of the Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction would be the first approach to highlight their struggles, challenges, and progress despite everything during this time. Emphasizing the African Americans’ role in Reconstruction regarding their political participation and efforts to develop their communities will also be considered.
Some historical moments that could be included in an exhibit on the Civil War are the following. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Lincoln in 1863 and declared that all enslaved people in the rebellious states were to be freed (National Archives para. 1). This was a significant turning point in the Civil War and helped to galvanize support for the Union cause. The Thirteenth Amendment was ratified in 1865 and abolished slavery throughout the United States, which was a crucial step in ensuring equality for all Americans, regardless of race.
In addition, the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1868 and granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. This amendment also guaranteed all citizens equal protection under the law (Foner 285). The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870, ensured that the right to vote could not be denied based on race, which was a key victory for African Americans, who had long been denied the right to vote.
Furthermore, a unifying theme about the Freedmen’s Bureau, established in 1865 to help newly freed slaves adjust to their new status, will be developed. The bureau provided formerly enslaved people with food, clothing, and medical assistance. The department also helped them find jobs and navigate the legal system. The agency moment in the exhibit is portrayed by newspaper articles, letters, and speeches from the period. In addition, artifacts from the era, such as weapons, clothing, and other personal items, will be included.
The Great Depression and the New Deal
The second moment is the Great Depression and the New Deal, two of the most important historical moments of the 20th century. The Great Depression was a time of great economic hardship for the United States (Brinkley 100). From the recollections of Maya Angelou, a woman who witnessed this period, the Great Depression can be characterized as the time when everybody “found himself in debt” (Washington University para.43). “Millions of Americans lost their jobs, their homes, and their savings. The New Deal was President Roosevelt’s response to the crisis, and it included several programs and policies designed to help the American people. The New Deal helped to create jobs, provide relief for the needy, and revive the American economy. It was a pivotal moment in American history and helped shape the country we know today. The Great Depression and the New Deal will be portrayed in an exhibit as a story of economic hardship and recovery. Focus on the human stories of the people who lived through the Great Depression and how the New Deal helped them get back on their feet will approach. The key policies and programs of the New Deal and how they helped to revive the American economy will be highlighted.
Some of the essential items in the exhibit would be a photograph of a soup kitchen during the Great Depression, which illustrates the hardships that many Americans faced. Another important item is a photograph of President Franklin D. Roosevelt signing the Social Security Act. It was one of the essential New Deal Programs of FDR’s “First Hundred Days” speech, in which he outlined his plans for the New Deal (Brinkley 100). A copy of the New Deal relief bill, which provided funding for many of the New Deal programs, and a photograph of workers building the Hoover Dam, one of the major public works projects of the New Deal, will be illustrated. These items would help to tell the story of the Great Depression and the New Deal and how they affected the lives of Americans.
The Civil Rights Movement
The third moment was the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, when African Americans and other marginalized groups began to fight for their rights in a more organized and visible way. The civil rights movement helped redefine the American Dream and make it possible for all Americans, not just for a privileged group (Alderman et al. 70). The Civil Rights Movement is commonly associated with the speech “I have a dream” delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963 (National Archives para.1). Additionally, artifacts from the era, such as protest signs, voter registration cards, and other items, will be illustrated. The Civil Rights Movement exhibit will be approached in a few different ways. One would focus on the key individuals involved in the movement, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X.
Another approach would be to focus on key events during the movement, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Freedom Rides, and the Selma to Montgomery marches. Both approaches in the exhibit will give a well-rounded view of the Civil Rights Movement (Alderman et al. 70). However, the focus on the key individuals involved will be ultimately discussed. Their stories are thought to be the most inspiring and provide the best insight into the movement. Some primary sources are Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech, Rosa Parks’ arrest record, and Malcolm X’s autobiography. These sources provide a great deal of information about the individuals and their role in the Civil Rights Movement.
The Vietnam War
The fourth moment is the Vietnam War which was a conflict that lasted for over two decades, from 1955 to 1975. It was a conflict that led to the rise of the communist North Vietnamese regime and the fall of the American-backed South Vietnamese government (Churchill et al. 510). The war was fought primarily in Vietnam and Laos, and Cambodia. Such brutal conflict resulted in millions of military and civilian casualties. However, president Richard Nixon refused to cease the conflict since he was “not going to be the first American President to lose a war” (National Archive para. 1). Several key moments in the Vietnam War could be featured in an exhibit. One such moment is the Battle of Hue in 1968.
The Vietnam War was a pivotal battle in the war, in which North Vietnamese forces captured the city of Hue from the South Vietnamese. The battle was brutal and a significant turning point in the war (Churchill et al. 510). Another critical moment in the Vietnam War was the Fall of Saigon in 1975, the final battle of the war, in which North Vietnamese forces captured the city of Saigon from the South Vietnamese, which was the end of the war. It marked the victory of the communist North Vietnamese regime. These are just two of the many critical moments in the Vietnam War. Several other moments could be featured in an exhibit, such as the Tet Offensive, the My Lai Massacre, and the Battle of Hamburger Hill.
The Election of Ronald Reagan in 1980
Ronald Reagan is known as the 40th president of the United States of America. According to Ronald Reagan’s Presidential Library and Museum (para. 1), he was born in Tampico in 1911. Reagan ran on a platform of smaller government, lower taxes, and less regulation. Reagan’s election represented American politics shifted to the right (Smith 283). Ronald Reagan’s exhibit will explore some key moments from Reagan’s election campaign. One pivotal moment was Reagan’s debate with Jimmy Carter in 1980 (Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, para. 35). In this debate, Reagan famously asked the American people, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” (Smith 286). This question helped to frame the election as a referendum on Carter’s Presidency. Another critical moment was Reagan’s selection of George H. W. Bush as his running mate, which was seen as a move to appeal to more moderate voters (Smith). It also showed that Reagan was willing to work with people from the political spectrum. Finally, Reagan’s election marked the end of the Watergate scandal.
Nixon’s resignation had left the country deeply divided. Reagan’s election signaled a move towards healing those divisions. These moments from Reagan’s election campaign show his commitment to smaller government, appeal to a broad range of voters, and desire to heal the country (Smith 289). They offer a glimpse into the kind of President Reagan would become. Some vital components of the event include campaign materials from the Reagan-Carter race and Reagan’s inaugural address. These moments and references would help to paint a picture of Reagan as a transformative figure in American politics.
Conclusion
Hence, the history of the United States can be viewed from the perspective of several pivotal moments. The end of the Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction was a time of significant change when the country was rebuilding after the war. Furthermore, the Great Depression and the New Deal were a time of economic hardship and recovery. The following crucial period, the civil rights movement, was the fight for equal rights. Moreover, the Vietnam War was a conflict that lasted for over two decades and drastically changed American society. Yet the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980 signaled a shift to the right in American politics. These moments represent significant turning points in American history and offer a glimpse into the country’s past. Each of these moments contributed to the development of different parts of the country, both society and government.
Works Cited
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Brinkley, Alan. “4 The New Deal and the Idea of the State.” The Rise and Fall of the New Deal Order, 1930-1980. Princeton University Press, 2020, pp. 85-121.
Churchill, Sefa Awaworyi, et al. “Early life shocks and entrepreneurship: Evidence from the Vietnam War.” Journal of Business Research, vol. 124, 2021, pp. 506-518.
Foner, Eric. “The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution.” Law Library Journal, vol. 112, no. 2, 2020, pp. 285-286.
National Archives. “Episodes 9–12.” National Archives, 2019.
National Archives. “Martin Luther King, Jr.” National Archives, 2022.
National Archives. “The Emancipation Proclamation.” National Archives, 2022.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. “Reagan’s Pre-Presidential Biographical Sketch and Timeline.” Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.
Smith, Robert C. “Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump, and the Future of the Republican Party and Conservatism in America.” American Political Thought, vol. 10, no. 2, 2021, pp. 283-289.
Washington University. “Interview with Maya Angelou.” The Great Depression Interviews.