The story can be said to be one of growing national unity in terms of geography, but toward a bipolar USA reshaped by Ideological differences but united with an american Identity of Liberty and capitalism.
The year 1877 marking the end of reconstruction following the compromise after a bitterly contested elections is the genesis of an end to powerfully divisive regional differences, to a shift into an ideologically defined form of politics in terms of liberalism and conservativism that is witnessed today.