Changes

This period, 1877 to 1896, saw the greatest advances in technology in the history of world, mostly in New Jersey by Thomas Edison.  Our prosperity today is largely a result of the tremendous innovations of the second half of the 1800s.  Free enterprise was booming, and the biggest political issues were economic ones.  Many of the economics questions on the CLEP come from 1877-1896.

This period, 1877 to 1896, saw the greatest advances in technology in the history of world, mostly in New Jersey by Thomas Edison.  Our prosperity today is largely a result of the tremendous innovations of the second half of the 1800s.  Free enterprise was booming, and the biggest political issues were economic ones.  Many of the economics questions on the CLEP come from 1877-1896.

As to civil rights (post-slavery issues), the Supreme Court ruled in the ''Civil Rights Cases'' (1883), that the Fourteenth Amendment was limited to prohibiting racial discrimination ''by government''.  These decisions held that the Fourteenth Amendment does not apply to racism by private groups.  The Supreme Court thereby ended the civil rights movement until it reemerged in 1950s, to end racial segregation in the South.

As to civil rights (post-slavery issues), the Supreme Court ruled in the ''Civil Rights Cases'' (1883) that the Fourteenth Amendment was limited to prohibiting racial discrimination ''by government''.  These decisions held that the Fourteenth Amendment does not apply to racism by private groups.  The Supreme Court thereby ended the civil rights movement until it reemerged in 1950s to end racial segregation in the South.

Before we turn to the fabulous inventions and extraordinary prosperity of the late 1800s, let's review what preceded it.

Before we turn to the fabulous inventions and extraordinary prosperity of the late 1800s, let's review what preceded that period.

== Review ==

== Review ==

The United States also grew in size when the Secretary of State under Presidents Lincoln and Johnson, William Seward, agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia in 1867.  Critics ridiculed this purchase as "Seward's Folly," describing the land as a mere "icebox".  At the time, no one knew there was oil and gold there.

The United States also grew in size when the Secretary of State under Presidents Lincoln and Johnson, William Seward, agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia in 1867.  Critics ridiculed this purchase as "Seward's Folly," describing the land as a mere "icebox".  At the time, no one knew there was oil and gold there.

Russia needed money to pay for its defensive efforts at the time, as it felt threatened by the massive and growing British Empire.  The purchase price was $7,200,000, which was only about 1.9¢ per acre.  The Senate approved this deal nearly unanimously, but the House of Representatives delayed before eventually approving funds for the purchase.  The property became useful in World War II in fighting Japan, and during the Cold War in opposing the communist Soviet Union.  One can see Russia from parts of Alaska.

Russia needed money to pay for its defensive efforts at the time, as it felt threatened by the massive and growing British Empire.  The purchase price was $7,200,000, which was only about 1.9¢ per acre.  The Senate approved this deal nearly unanimously, but the House of Representatives delayed before eventually authorizing funds for the purchase.  The property became useful in World War II in fighting Japan, and during the Cold War in opposing the communist Soviet Union.  One can see Russia from parts of Alaska.

But while the Republicans controlled the presidency from 1868 to 1912 (with the exception of Grover Cleveland), the Democratic Party controlled much of local politics.  "Tammany Hall" was the name of the Democratic Party organization that controlled New York City.  It was a completely corrupt "machine" that elected people, gave out jobs, and even stole money from the City.  Eventually, it was the ''New York Times'' and America's most famous cartoonist, Thomas Nast, who harshly mocked its leader, "Boss" Tweed and drove him from power.  Thomas Nast's cartoons whipped the public into scorning Boss Tweed and demanding that he be brought to justice.  When Boss Tweed was eventually sent to jail, Nast cheered Tweed's humiliation.  This demonstrated the growing influence of political cartoons in changing the course of history.

But while the Republicans controlled the presidency from 1868 to 1912 (with the exception of Grover Cleveland), the Democratic Party controlled much of local politics.  "Tammany Hall" was the name of the Democratic Party organization that controlled New York City.  It was a completely corrupt "machine" that elected people, gave out jobs, and even stole money from the City.  Eventually, it was the ''New York Times'' and America's most famous cartoonist, Thomas Nast, who harshly mocked its leader, "Boss" Tweed and drove him from power.  Thomas Nast's cartoons whipped the public into scorning Boss Tweed and demanding that he be brought to justice.  When Boss Tweed was eventually sent to jail, Nast cheered Tweed's humiliation.  This demonstrated the growing influence of political cartoons in changing the course of history.