History of the United States

Before 1775

North America was originally inhabited by numerous Native American nations. From the 16th century onward, European powers—Spain, France, and especially England—colonized the continent. Thirteen British colonies developed along the East Coast. Their economy relied on agriculture and trade, with slavery dominating the Southern colonies.

1775–1789

Growing tensions with Great Britain led the colonies to revolt. Independence was declared on July 4, 1776. After victory in the Revolutionary War, the Constitution of 1787 established a federal system based on the separation of powers. George Washington became the first president.

19th Century

The United States expanded westward under the idea of Manifest Destiny, often at the expense of Native Americans. Deep divisions emerged over slavery. The Civil War (1861–1865) between the North and the South ended with Northern victory and the abolition of slavery.

1865–1918

The country experienced rapid industrialization, massive European immigration, and racial segregation. The United States entered World War I in 1917, marking its rise as a global power.

1918–1945

The 1920s brought economic growth, followed by the Great Depression after the 1929 stock market crash. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal expanded the role of the federal government. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the U.S. played a decisive role in World War II.

Since 1945

The United States emerged as a superpower during the Cold War against the Soviet Union. The 1960s were marked by the Civil Rights Movement. Since the end of the Cold War in 1991, the U.S. has remained a leading global power while facing new challenges such as terrorism, inequality, and climate change.