Analyze the challenges of partisan politics and sectionalism in the Early Republic and Civil War eras.

he adoption of the Constitution in 1787 established a strong federal government for the United States and codified the principles of a country that balanced the interests of divergent political, social, religious, and economic groups. The logistical necessities of organizing these interests on a federal level contributed to the establishment of national political parties during George Washington’s first term in office. Though President Washington warned of the dangers of factionalism in his farewell address, the advantages these organizations possessed for achieving their policy goals made parties an integral part of the political system. During the first half of the nineteenth century, the United States experienced a period of tremendous territorial expansion. The challenges resulting from the spread of political and social institutions—most notably, slavery—across the continent deepened sectional divisions into a national crisis by the 1850s. The Civil War was the bloodiest conflict in American history, and the war and its aftermath profoundly altered the political, social, and economic characteristics of the United States.

Examine the legal and social changes that took place during Reconstruction in the United States.

the United States matured into a country with interests and influences extending beyond North America. Following the upheaval of the Civil War, Americans tried to reassemble their country and bring the states of the former Confederacy back into the Union. The decade of Reconstruction was characterized by contentious legislation and attempts to integrate African Americans into the political, economic, and social frameworks of the United States. The Second Industrial Revolution reached its height during the second half of the century as well. New innovations in manufacturing, transportation, and communication accelerated the growth of consumer culture and changed the standard of living in the United States. As the nineteenth century drew to a close, the United States became an overseas empire, fighting wars with European powers over territorial influence and acquiring colonial possessions of its own.

examine the legal and social changes that took place during Reconstruction in the United States. You will also consider the ways that industrialization and imperialism contributed to the emergence of the United States as an international power during the late nineteenth century.A. Discuss three major changes in race relations (i.e., laws, amendments, labor arrangements, working conditions, migration patterns, socioeconomic changes) that resulted from Reconstruction (suggested length of 1–2 pages).

B. Describe two consequences of industrialization on American politics and/or society (suggested length of 1–2 pages).

C. Explain the rise of the Progressive movement (suggested length of 1–2 pages) by doing the following:

1. Describe the role of religion and social morality in promoting Progressive reforms.

2. Describe two reform movements that helped to define the Progressive Era.

3. Discuss one impact of the Progressive movement on American politics (i.e., amendments, legislation, diplomatic decisions).

D. Explain (suggested length of 1–2 pages) the role of American imperialism in leading the United States into two of the following conflicts:

• Hawaiian Annexation

• War in the Philippines

• Spanish-American War

• World War I

E. Provide acknowledgement of source information, using in-text citations and references, for quoted, paraphrased, or summarized content.