1. How did the Reconstruction era (1865-1877) affect the political, social and economic development of the United States? Provide specific examples of the achievements and challenges of Reconstruction. Answer: The Reconstruction era was a period of radical change in the United States after the Civil War, when the federal government attempted to protect the rights of the freed slaves and reunite the nation. Some of the achievements of Reconstruction were the passage of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments, which abolished slavery, granted citizenship and voting rights to African Americans, the establishment of public schools and universities for both races, and the creation of the Freedmen's Bureau, which provided relief and assistance to former slaves. Some of the challenges of Reconstruction were the resistance and violence from white supremacists, such as the Ku Klux Klan, who terrorized and lynched black people and their allies, the emergence of Jim Crow laws and segregation, which enforced racial discrimination and inequality in the South, and the corruption and inefficiency of some Republican governments, which alienated many white voters. 2. How did the Cold War (1947-1991) shape the foreign policy and domestic politics of the United States? Discuss the main events, strategies and consequences of the Cold War. Answer: The Cold War was a state of geopolitical tension between the United States and its allies, known as the Western bloc, and the Soviet Union and its allies, known as the Eastern bloc, after World War II. The main events of the Cold War included the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan, which aimed to contain communism and support democracy in Europe, the Berlin Blockade and Airlift, which demonstrated the resolve and cooperation of the Western allies, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, which involved direct military intervention in Asia, the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war, the Space Race and the Arms Race, which showcased technological and scientific competition between the superpowers, and the Détente and Glasnost policies, which eased tensions and promoted dialogue and reforms. The main strategies of the Cold War were containment, deterrence, brinkmanship, proxy wars, espionage and propaganda. The main consequences of the Cold War were the emergence of a bipolar world order, divided by ideological and economic differences, the rise of nationalism and decolonization movements in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the spread of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, the creation of international organizations such as NATO, UN, EU and SEATO, and the development of social movements such as civil rights, feminism and environmentalism in both blocs.