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{{USHBS}}
The '''history of the United States (1865–1918)''' covers [[Reconstruction era of the United States|Reconstruction]], the [[Gilded Age]] and the rise of [[industrialization]] in the [[United States]]. This period of rapid economic growth and soaring prosperity in North and West (but not the South) saw the U.S. become the world's dominant economic, industrial and agricultural power, although it exercised less international influence than Britain. The average annual income (after inflation) of nonfarm workers grew by 75% from 1865 to 1900, then grew another 33% by 1918.<ref> U.S. Bureau of the Cernsus, ''Historical Statistics of the United States'' (1976) series D726 and D736 pp 164-5</ref>
With a decisive victory in 1865 over Southern secessionists in the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], the United States became a united and powerful nation, with a more powerful national government. Reconstruction brought the end of slavery and citizenship for the ex-slaves, but their political power was later rolled back and they became second class citizens under a "Jim Crow" system of [[Jim Crow|segregation]]. Politically the nation in the [[Third Party System]] and [[Fourth Party System]] was mostly dominated by Republicans (expect for two Democratic presidents). After 1900 the [[Progressive Era]] brought political and social reforms and modernational of many areas of government and society, such as new roles for education and a higher status for women.
In an unprecedented wave of European [[Immigration to the United States|immigration]], 37 million newe arrivals between 1840 and 1920 provided the labor base for the expansion of industry and agriculture and provided the population base for most of fast-growing urban America.
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[[Image:John D. Rockefeller 1917 painting.jpg|left|250px|thumb|1917 painting of [[John D. Rockefeller]] by [[John Singer Sargent]].]]
From 1865 to about 1913, the U.S. grew to become the world's leading [[Industrialization|industrial]] nation. The availability of land and labor, the diversity of climate, the ample presence of navigable [[canal]]s, [[river]]s, and coastal waterways filling the [[transportation]] needs of the emerging industrial economy, and the abundance of [[natural resources]] all fostered the cheap extraction of energy, fast transport, and the availability of capital that powered this [[Second Industrial Revolution]]<ref> Edward C. Kirkland, ''Industry Comes of Age, Business, Labor, and Public Policy 1860-1897'' (1961)</ref>. The average annual income (after inflation) of nonfarm workers grew by 75% from 1865 to 1900, then grew another 33% by 1918.<ref> U.S. Bureau of the Cernsus, ''Historical Statistics of the United States'' (1976) series D726 and D736 pp 164-5. The data is in constant 1914 dollars, taking out the effects of deflation and inflation, and takes unemployment into account.</ref>
Where the [[Industrial Revolution|First Industrial Revolution]] shifted production from artisans to factories, the Second Industrial Revolution pioneered an expansion in organization, coordination, and the scale of [[United States technological and industrial history|industry]], spurred on by [[technology]] and transportation advancements. [[Rail transport|Railroads]] opened up the West, creating farms, towns and markets where none had existed. The [[First Transcontinental Railroad]], built by nationally oriented entrepreneurs with British money and [[Irish American|Irish]] and [[Chinese immigration to the United States|Chinese]] labor, provided access to previously remote expanses of land. Railway construction boosted opportunities for capital, credit, and would-be farmers<ref>Albro Martin, ''Railroads Triumphant: The Growth, Rejection, and Rebirth of a Vital American Force'' (1992)</ref>.
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