This collection of articles explores the multifaceted transformation of American society through various lenses, including political evolution, cultural shifts, and social change. From the formation of political parties in the early republic to the significant social movements of the 1920s and the evolving concept of the American Dream, these articles provide a comprehensive look at the dynamic forces that have shaped the United States. Each source offers a unique perspective on how economic, political, and cultural developments have influenced American life, illustrating the complexity and interconnectedness of these changes over time.
Social Change and National Development. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ushistory.org/us/22.asp.
This source discusses the dramatic transformations in the United States during its first half-century, focusing on geographic and political expansion. By 1821, the nation had grown from thirteen colonies to twenty-four states, partly due to the Louisiana Purchase and military actions in Spanish Florida. The text explains how Americans reconceptualized their national geography, leading to new regional identities. It also highlights the economic and religious changes, such as the rise of a capitalist economy and the Second Great Awakening, which contributed to the nation’s development. The source effectively illustrates how these changes shaped a new national identity by the 1820s.
This resource is useful for understanding the early development of the United States, providing insights into the geographic, economic, and religious transformations that occurred. Its detailed account of the expansion and regional distinctions helps contextualize the broader social and political changes of the period. The analysis of the Second Great Awakening and its impact on American Protestantism adds depth to the understanding of the era’s cultural shifts.
Benner, L. (2004, Spring). “Women in the 1920s in North Carolina.” Tar Heel Junior Historian Association. Retrieved February 09, 2018, from https://www.ncpedia.org/history/20th-Century/1920s-women
In this article, Louise Benner explores the dramatic changes in the lives of women during the 1920s in North Carolina. Reprinted from the Tar Heel Junior Historian, the article provides a detailed account of how women’s roles evolved in politics, the home, the workplace, and education. The passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote, marks a significant political shift. However, the article notes that some women were initially reluctant to exercise this right due to prevailing attitudes about gender roles. By the end of the decade, women had started to make their presence felt in local, state, and national politics, advocating for social improvements such as child labor laws and prison reform.
In education, North Carolina’s female high school students had limited expectations of attending college, often enrolling in private institutions or women’s colleges that prepared them for traditionally accepted professions like teaching and nursing. The article highlights the slow but steady progress of women in higher education, despite societal resistance.
Benner also describes the technological advancements that transformed domestic life, particularly for urban women who benefited from electricity and indoor plumbing. These changes made household chores easier and more efficient, allowing women more time for leisure and work outside the home. The acceptance of wage-earning jobs for young unmarried women grew, with many finding employment in clerical and retail positions.
Despite these advances, marriage remained the primary goal for most young women, influenced by societal expectations and media portrayals. The article concludes with a discussion of the flapper, a symbol of the 1920s woman who embraced new fashions and behaviors, challenging traditional norms.
This article is valuable for understanding the multifaceted nature of women’s social changes in the 1920s. It offers insights into the interplay between political rights, educational opportunities, technological advancements, and evolving social attitudes. The detailed historical context provided by Benner helps to illustrate the broader shifts in American society during this transformative decade.
Elliott, K. C. (2016). “American Culture in the 1920s.” Khan Academy. Retrieved February 11, 2018, from https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-us-history/period-7/apush-1920s-america/a/jazz-and-the-lost-generation
In this article, K.C. Elliott explores the cultural transformation of the United States during the 1920s, often referred to as the “Roaring Twenties.” This period was marked by significant economic growth, technological innovation, and a flourishing of the arts, particularly jazz music. The Lost Generation, a group of disillusioned artists, writers, and intellectuals who came of age during World War I, questioned the values of Western civilization and expressed their cynicism through works that highlighted moral degeneracy, corruption, and decadence. Notable figures from this generation included F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and T.S. Eliot, many of whom lived as expatriates in Paris.
The article highlights the unprecedented popularity of jazz music in the 1920s, driven by technological advancements such as the phonograph and radio. These innovations allowed for widespread dissemination of jazz, transforming it from a niche genre to a cultural phenomenon. The Volstead Act of 1919, which prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcohol, led to the rise of speakeasies where jazz thrived, further integrating the genre into mainstream culture. The “flapper girl” emerged as an icon of this era, embodying the new freedoms and rebellious spirit of women who defied traditional gender norms.
The Harlem Renaissance is another critical aspect covered in the article. This movement saw a significant outpouring of African American artistic expression, with figures like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Duke Ellington leading the way. Harlem became a cultural hub where African American art, music, literature, and poetry flourished, significantly influencing American culture as a whole.
The article provides a comprehensive overview of the 1920s, linking the disillusionment of the Lost Generation with the vibrant cultural and artistic developments of the decade. It effectively illustrates how World War I influenced popular culture and how technological innovations facilitated the spread of new cultural forms. Additionally, the article sheds light on the significant contributions of African Americans to the cultural landscape of the 1920s, highlighting the interconnectedness of mainstream and African American cultures during this period.
This source is valuable for understanding the complex cultural dynamics of the 1920s, offering insights into the interplay between economic prosperity, technological innovation, and artistic expression. It provides a well-rounded perspective on how the experiences of World War I and the subsequent economic boom shaped American culture, making it a useful resource for studying this transformative decade in U.S. history.
Gale. (2016, June 23). “How the American Dream Has Changed Over Time.” Gale Student Resources in Context. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ2181500191/SUIC?u=ndk12a_58504zbiz&xid=b55d2b9e
This article from Gale Student Resources in Context traces the evolution of the American Dream from its origins with the Founding Fathers to its modern-day interpretations. The concept of the American Dream began with the belief in unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, allowing individuals to break free from class restrictions and pursue their chosen paths despite their birth circumstances. The term itself is often attributed to historian James Truslow Adams, who in 1931 described America as a land where life should be better and richer for everyone, based on ability and achievement.
The article outlines the changing definitions of the American Dream through various historical periods. In Colonial America, the dream was about equality and improving one’s status through hard work. The westward expansion emphasized rugged individualism and competition for land. The early 20th century saw a shift toward a collective dream of societal improvement, exemplified by Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal, which promised a secure future for all Americans through government intervention.
Post-World War II, the American Dream became synonymous with homeownership, material wealth, and suburban living, fueled by the GI Bill and the rise of consumer culture. Television played a significant role in shaping this dream, portraying idealized lifestyles that many Americans aspired to achieve, often through the use of credit.
In contemporary times, the article highlights how the American Dream has become more challenging to attain due to economic factors such as the shrinking middle class and increasing wealth inequality. Surveys indicate that personal freedom remains a crucial aspect of the dream, but fewer people now see affluence as a primary goal. The Great Recession and the mortgage crisis of the early 21st century further complicated the pursuit of the American Dream, leading many to question its attainability.
The article concludes by noting that while the traditional concept of the American Dream—improving one’s life through hard work—is still possible, the modern interpretation often involves unrealistic expectations of wealth and success without effort. This shift has led to a perception that the American Dream is dead, even though Americans today possess more than ever before.
This source is valuable for understanding the historical and cultural shifts in the perception of the American Dream. It provides a comprehensive overview of how economic, political, and social changes have influenced what Americans consider to be the ideal life. The detailed analysis helps contextualize the current challenges faced by those striving to achieve the American Dream and offers insights into how these perceptions have evolved over time.
Milkis, S. M. (2012, June 11). “The Transformation of American Democracy: Teddy Roosevelt, the 1912 Election, and the Progressive Party.” The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved February 12, 2018, from https://www.heritage.org/political-process/report/the-transformation-american-democracy-teddy-roosevelt-the-1912-election
Sidney M. Milkis’s comprehensive report examines the transformative impact of the 1912 presidential election on American democracy. The election featured four significant candidates: Theodore Roosevelt of the Progressive Party, William Howard Taft of the Republican Party, Woodrow Wilson of the Democratic Party, and Eugene Debs of the Socialist Party. Milkis argues that the 1912 election marked a critical juncture in American political history, challenging voters to reconsider their rights and the Constitution.
Theodore Roosevelt’s campaign under the Progressive Party banner, also known as the “Bull Moose Party,” played a pivotal role in shaping modern American politics. Roosevelt’s campaign emphasized the need for a new form of democracy that could address the challenges posed by the Industrial Revolution. His support for direct primaries, regulation of big business, and social welfare programs laid the groundwork for future reforms. Despite losing the election, Roosevelt’s ideas significantly influenced subsequent political developments.
Milkis highlights the fundamental changes brought about by the 1912 election, including the shift towards a presidency-centered democracy and the diminishing role of traditional party structures. Roosevelt’s direct appeal to the electorate and his use of emerging mass media set new precedents for political campaigning. Additionally, the election underscored the growing influence of social movements and advocacy groups in shaping political agendas.
The report also explores the ideological divide within the Progressive movement, particularly between Roosevelt’s New Nationalism, which favored regulatory oversight of big business, and Woodrow Wilson’s New Freedom, which advocated for antitrust measures and state-level reforms. This ideological rift reflected broader debates about the role of the federal government in regulating the economy and protecting individual rights.
Milkis’s analysis provides a detailed account of how the 1912 election redefined the practice of self-government in the United States. It offers valuable insights into the evolution of American political thought and the enduring legacy of Progressive ideals. This source is essential for understanding the historical context of the Progressive Era and its lasting impact on American democracy.
Conclusion
The articles collectively highlight the profound impact of political ideologies, cultural movements, and social reforms on the development of American society. From the political transformations during the Progressive Era, as detailed in Sidney Milkis’s analysis of the 1912 election, to the cultural revolutions of the 1920s described by K.C. Elliott and Louise Benner, and the shifting perceptions of the American Dream discussed by Gale, it is evident that America’s journey is marked by continuous evolution. These changes underscore the ongoing dialogue between tradition and progress, individualism and collectivism, and stability and change. Together, they paint a picture of a nation constantly redefining itself in response to internal and external challenges, driven by the enduring quest for a more perfect union.