Summary of Key Themes and Context: 1865-1898 (College Board AP® US History): Study Guide

Context for Period 6 1865-1898

Industrialization

After the Civil War, the United States became a leading industrial nation. New inventions, factories, and railroads changed how people worked and lived. As big businesses and cities grew quickly, immigrants from many countries arrived.

​Industrialization made some people wealthy, but it also caused problems. Many workers earned low pay and worked in unsafe places, which led them to form unions and go on strike. Farmers struggled with debt and low crop prices, so they called for political change. Immigration helped cities grow and led to debates about what it meant to be American.

Expansion and impact on Indigenous Peoples

​The government usually sided with businesses. Meanwhile, new segregation laws were passed in the South, and Indigenous (Native) American tribes were forced onto reservations. This time was full of both progress and unfairness. The problems people faced then led to later efforts to improve society.

Themes in Period 6

The themes in Period 6 include:

• America and National Identity (NAT)

• Work, Exchange and Technology (WXT)

• Migration and Settlement (MIG)

• Politics and Power (PCE)

• Social Structures (SOC)

Connections from Period 5 and to Period 7

Connection from Period 5: Federal expansion and wartime industry fueled industrial capitalism.

Connection to Period 7: Economic inequality and unrest generated calls for reform and global engagement.