The period from the end of the American Civil War in 1865 to the turn of the 20

th

century

began with high hopes for the creation of a more free and equal nation. The defeat of the

rebellion and final destruction of slavery opened the door to this possibility. Looking at the

historical events of Reconstruction (1865-1877), the Gilded Age (1870-1890), and the Populist

Era (1890-1900), and citing specific examples from the in-class lectures, write a brief

(2 pages,

typed, double-spaced, preferably 12-pt font, roughly 500 words)

essay explaining the extent

to which the United States did, or did not live up to the ideal of creating a more free and equal

society between 1865 and 1900.