Top 10 Most Divisive Periods in American History

#10: The Fifth Party System (1932-52)

When George Washington stepped down in 1796, he warned the country not to splinter into political parties. He had no idea how convoluted they would become. The two main parties ran on completely opposite platforms for decades. In 1932, a key shift happened when Franklin D. Roosevelt won the presidency, running as a Democrat. He implemented the New Deal through any means necessary, including expanding governmental powers. This sowed discord both within the political sphere and among citizens. It was also during this time that Republicans began to undergo several changes in their ideology, focusing on conservative economic and social policies. Democrats responded in turn, leading to a complete swap in voting demographics. This deepened the rift between the two parties—one that’s still noticeable today.

#9: 2000 Election Dispute & the Bush Era (2000-08)

Elections are a staple of American politics—but they aren’t always indisputable. Some have been incredibly close—and the subsequent results have only created more division. This was apparent during the 2000 race between Al Gore and George W. Bush. The results were too close to call, resulting in a series of recounts and legal battles. After a month-long dispute, the victory went to Bush, with him winning by less than 1% of the vote. While the results were accepted, there were still several questions called into play, including the accuracy of the ballots used. The dispute only served to further the already growing divide between urban centers and more rural areas across the country.

#8: Trump Era (2016-)

Donald Trump announcing his candidacy in 2015 led to a splintered reaction. Those who supported him saw him as a chance to shake things up, while his detractors saw him as destructive. It caused a rift within the Republican party, with traditionalists disavowing his more extreme policies. His eventual win in 2016 sparked significant division and fueled serious tensions between his base and the left—and even amongst relatives. The divisiveness among Americans was exacerbated following Trump's 2020 election loss and his re-election in 2024. This kind of political polarization isn’t entirely new. In the latter half of the 20th century, the realignment of conservative Southern Democrats caused increasing tensions between the two camps.

#7: Watergate Scandal & Nixon’s Resignation (1972-74)

Unseating a president is no small task—it’s a lengthy legal procedure that comes with its own set of political consequences. However, members of Nixon’s campaign were caught planting recording devices within the meeting place of the Democratic National Committee, which set off a domino effect he couldn’t escape. His attempts to distance himself from the controversy led to the discovery of his own devices, leading to calls for his removal. While he wasn’t officially impeached, Nixon resigned from the presidency—and was immediately pardoned by his successor, Gerald Ford. This proved to be divisive amongst the public, with many calling for Nixon to face the consequences of his actions.

#6: The Fourth Party System (1896-1932)

While it may have been a time of progress, it wasn’t without its own challenges. The Fourth Party System ushered in a nearly undisputed reign of Republican power, thanks to the realignment of both the Populist and Greenback parties. It was a time of social movements, such as women’s suffrage, eventually leading to the passing of the 19th Amendment. While this caused debate, the real issues lay in corporations becoming intertwined with politics. This was most apparent with the implementation of high tariffs, which many taxpayers argued would negatively affect those without wealth. It came to a head when Theodore Roosevelt split off from the GOP to form the short-lived Progressive Party—causing a permanent rupture within the Republican base.

#5: Post-revolution: Federalism vs Anti-federalism (1776-1832)

Discord has been present since the country’s infancy. When trying to decide how to govern following the Revolutionary War, the constituents found themselves in one of two positions. The first group, the Federalists, believed in strengthening the federal government, while the second group believed power should remain in the hands of the states. Several debates took place, and some Founding Fathers even wrote a series of essays arguing for the Federalist cause. It wasn’t until the violence of Shays’ Rebellion that Federalists gained more support. In 1789, a new government was established, which was further cemented by the ratification of the Bill of Rights. However, even with this development, the ongoing discourse was a sign of more division to come.

#4: Vietnam War (1964-75)

Times of war are often divisive, especially when one of the parties inserts themselves unnecessarily. The Vietnam War had been going on for a decade before the United States stepped in. They had been involved from afar, but worries that Communism would spread led to the Western country sending troops of its own. This move was highly controversial, especially with the randomized draft that led millions of men to do whatever they could to avoid it. Protests occurred across the country, with the National Guard turning on citizens, resulting in the deaths of four students at Kent State University. After the war ended, the country was left fractured, and many lost faith in the military.

#3: Jim Crow Era (1865-1965)

Even after the abolishment of slavery, cruelty continued. Though African-Americans had gained some rights following the Reconstruction Era, the passing of Jim Crow laws throughout the South imposed severe burdens. The very name ‘Jim Crow’ was derived from a racial taunt, adding insult to injury. The laws made segregation legal. Everything from schools to drinking fountains were made separate, deepening the racial divide. Protests and boycotts followed, with some becoming iconic in history. It took the federal government stepping in to make concrete changes, passing several acts to finally dismantle the laws in the 1960s. But by then, the damage had been done—and the schism they caused still hasn’t fully healed.

#2: Antebellum Period (1815-61)

Even when it was legal and popularized, slavery was a hot-button political issue. The North had deviated from the practice during the 19th Century, putting their focus onto other forms of commerce. The South relied on it to keep their economy afloat, leading to them feeling threatened when Abraham Lincoln won the presidency in 1860. While there had been threats of violence for decades, things remained at a simmer—although the pressure was steadily increasing. The government even passed a gag rule, effectively ceasing conversation around the topic. Through it all, the abolitionist movement continued to garner support. Things boiled over after Lincoln assumed office, resulting in a split within the Democratic Party and the first Southern state to secede from the Union.

#1: American Civil War (1861-65)

All of the tension built up throughout the Antebellum period led to this moment—an intense conflict that pitted citizen against citizen. The bloodshed started soon after secession began, with the Confederacy attacking Fort Sumter in 1861. Several battles and sieges commenced over a four-year period, each with its own share of death and continued hatred. Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House in 1865 signaled the end of the war. Though Lincoln wouldn’t live to see it, the South eventually rejoined the Union—now a fractured version of itself. Though the fighting was over, things didn’t go back to normal. The era of Reconstruction drove a wedge between the North and South—one whose effects are still felt to this day.


Which period do you think caused the biggest rift within the American populace? Let us know in the comments below!