Unprecedented changes mark the American experience in the twentieth century—global and contained wars, great technological innovations, and enormous social changes. To help students better understand the major developments in this tumultuous century and our future direction as a nation, it is imperative to reflect on the century's seminal events and their lasting impact. Designed for students, this unique resource offers detailed description and expert analysis of the most important twentieth century events in America: Progressivism, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the development of atomic energy, the Cold War, the Civil Rights and women's rights movements, the rise of television, the Vietnam War, and the Reagan revolution.

Each of the ten events is dealt with in a separate chapter. A unique format features an introductory essay that presents the facts, followed by an interpretive essay that places the event in a broader context and promotes student analysis. The introductory essay provides factual material about the event in a clear, concise, chronological manner that makes complex history understandable. The interpretive essay, written by a recognized authority in the field in a style designed to appeal to a general readership, assesses the event in terms of its political, economic, sociocultural, and international/diplomatic significance. Some essays validate the norm, while others challenge conventional wisdom; all reflect the most recent scholarship concerning the event. Each interpretive essay is followed by an annotated bibliography that identifies the most important and most recent scholarship about the event. A photo of each event offers a visual component to the narrative. A timeline of important events in twentieth-century American history, glossary of names, events, and terms, and list of twentieth-century Presidents, Vice-Presidents, and Secretaries of State complete the work. This work is perfect for the high school, community college, and undergraduate library reference shelf and as supplementary reading in social studies and world history courses.