Essay On What Has Shaped American Society

In the late 1700s, America went through major changes that greatly impacted the way people lived. This was a period of time where new businesses were emerging, technologies were advancing and the cities were becoming more prominent- this period of time from 1750 to 1914 was known as the Industrial Revolution. During this revolution, America went through major changes and the people had to learn to adapt to their new surroundings expeditiously. These advances include different working conditions, living conditions, the urbanization, public health and life expectancy, child labor, working class families and the role of women, the emerging middle class and wealth and income. Some of the mentioned developments were harsh and unacceptable at the time, but all led the way to the modern day America. Industrialization greatly impacted the way Americans lived in the eighteenth and nineteenth century and immensely changed the course of modern day history. Without the

World War II greatly stimulated America’s economy by creating millions of jobs and nearly wiping out unemployment. Due to high levels of industrial outs, wages were also increased. Since WWII caused the economy to grow rapidly, things started to change within American society. WWII had a major influence on changing American society because the growth it caused in the economy allowed African Americans and women to seek new opportunities.

Throughout the history of western civilization there have been a vast number of changes that have occurred and wars that have formed civilization today. There have been economic changes, relating to the development of the economy and the financial state of society. There have been political changes, dealing with shifts in government and power. There have been social changes, affecting the organization of society and the interpersonal and international relations. All of these events have influenced society and molded it into what it is today. By looking at three significant events, the Industrial Revolution, The French Revolution, and the Holocaust, the fact that they are the most important economic, political, and social changes in western civilization since 1689 until now will become evident.

By the early 1800’s America began transitioning from an agriculture based economy to industrial production. After Thomas Jefferson's’ Embargo Act of 1807 that cut off all exports from the United States, domestic production boomed. Americans were forced to depend solely on themselves, developing economic independence. Inventions such as Eli Whitney’s cotton gin and railroads lead to industrial production and textiles. By 1815 there were hundreds of textile mills, spurring the growth of the Lowell factory system. These mills placed close together, were designed to create model communities where workers, most commonly women, were housed. The founders promised a life where workers receive prepared meals and educational opportunities. But as the

Automobiles. Telephones. Lightbulbs. These were some of the major technological innovations created during 1865 to 1920. These creations impacted many Americans, even to this day. The groups of people that were most changed by these new innovations were factory workers, middle-class urban residents, and midwestern farmers. There were many effects that these creations had on these groups of people. These innovations allowed travelling and the transporting of goods to be easily accomplished, made communication between others simpler and more efficient, and allowed for better and safer ways of lighting to be established.

During the 1920s, advertisement started to increase and expand. Many ideas and tactics were used to lure the attention of the consumers. After World War I, America started to grow with a stable and growing economy. This flourishment made many American's live out the 1920s in prosperity. This caused America to flourish with new inventions, for example the automobile, household machinery, television, etc. Even old inventions and ideas were improving, like the radio, movies, and the use of advertising. The radio, movies, driving, and buying the various new products became a part of the daily lives. These inventions created a sense of ease for daily lives in America in the 1920s. It made life, jobs, and experiences easier.

The Roaring Twenties were full of dramatic, social, political, and economic changes ("The Roaring Twenties,1). Post World War I, the era marked the beginning of modern times with new and worthy developments. More and more people were abetted to live in the cities, most people had jobs, therefore money to spend, and they spend it by “having a good time” (McNeese,88). While the society got rid of their miseries; sciences, arts, and businesses renewed themselves by evolving. This research paper briefly gives examples from advances in technology, transportation, and entertainment while discussing their benefits to the United States.

The 1920s carried much change in society. Some of these changes were more rights for women, jazz music, and prohibition. The people of the 1920s were disillusioned by society lacking in idealism and vision, sense of personal alienation, and Americans were obsessed with materialism and outmoded moral values (The Roaring Twenties).Cultural changes were strongly influenced by the destruction of World War I ending 1918. America needed to recover and with it youth rebelled against the norms of the older generations.

In the late 19th century, railroads propelled America into an era of unprecedented growth, prosperity, and convenient transportation. Prior to the building of the railroads, America lacked the proper and rapid transportation to make traveling across the country economical or practical. Lengthy travel was often cumbersome, costly, and dangerous. With the advent of the railroad, many of these issues disappeared. Railroads had a major impact on advancing the American economy, transforming America into a modern society, and improving an antiquated transportation system.

Throughout American History, revolutions in transportation have affected the American society politically, socially and economically. Soon after the war of 1812, American nationalism increased which leads to a greater emphasis on national issues, the increase in power and prevalence of the national government and a growing sense of the American Identity. Railways, canals, and Turnpikes began to increase making many people employed. The era of 1830-1860 represents a shift from agrarianism to industrialism. Overall, during the transportation revolution, construction of turnpikes, roads, canals, and railroads led to the market economy expansion, an increased population in America and alternations of the physical landscape of America.

The period of time after the Civil War and before World War I was a period of tremendous change in America. Although immigration is a major tenet of the United States, due to the changing economy, improvements in transportation, a shifting of the American people to the city, and deepening class divisions, industrialization was the most powerful force shaping the country between 1865 and 1914, followed by urbanization, and finally immigration.

All nations at one point have experienced a few different types of challenges in their history. America suffered through plenty of challenges throughout its history that have been overcome. America has been through many obstacles, but they were only realized after the problem was solved or confronted. These challenges include slavery, women’s rights, tyrants, terrorists, and innumerable more. Though confronted with challenges throughout America’s history, the main three obstacles in America today is the divisions between the public, sensitivity of some individuals, and sense of entitlement among some of the youth.

The Industrial Revolution has changed America in many ways, some good and some bad. The

I believe social classes have defined our society in many ways. In America, they separate people into three different classes: the upper class, middle class, and the lower or working class. Based on wealth and various occupations, social classes determine the population’s status in society. Social classes today define individuals and influence their actions. Although people born in a certain class may choose to stay there, they also have the choice of leaving. I think heritage, circumstances, and choices all define a person’s social class.

America’s identity is defined differently by every individual. Ideally it was to be a place of freedom and acceptance, identified by its message of liberty and hard-work, however the question arises whether America is a melting pot in which only one culture dominates or it a mosaic of many peoples’ histories. America’s potential and true identity lies within its ability to assimilate and create a natural individualism despite race, class, and immigration standing.