Changes In American History
1865-1875
Political changes
The world has changed greatly since 1865. There are various changes that have happened in the world. For example, political structure and economic structures have changed since 1865. Also, the religions and cultures in the world have changed. Most countries have experienced political, social and economic changes. Also, the countries have experienced religious and literary changes and cultural changes. Political, cultural, economic and religious changes have occurred in America since 1865. This paper analyzes the changes that happened in American history since 1865 to present.
Changes in American history
The United States experienced political changes between 1865 and 1876. The reconstruction era happened after the civil war. The reconstruction era was important as it helped reconstruct the nations after the civil war. Several amendments were carried out during this period to reconstruct the country. The United States constitution affected the nation and the president had to amend them so as to encourage development in the country. The president established reconstruction policies that would guide the country. The reconstruction policies were implemented in various cities in the country. During this period, President Abraham Lincoln appointed new governors and declared an end to slavery to the country. This led to development of unity in the country. Slavery had caused massive destruction to the country. It caused loose of life and loose of property. This is because people had different views and this resulted to chaos (McClelland, 1996).
In 1867, the congress fought hard to remove civilian government in the south. The congress elected the confederacy under the rule of US army into power. The army helped free slaves in the south. The end of slavery in the country led to freedom for the blacks. Black people were able to live a normal life like the whites. Before, blacks were not allowed to interact with the whites. This resulted to conflicts between the whites and minority groups in the country (McClelland, 1996).
Economic changes
The country’s economic growth had been affected by civil war and slavery. Most farmers in the south relied on slave to work in the plantations. Also, the farmers misused the slaves as they were not provided with good living conditions. The economic growth in the south was slow because of lack of technology and industrialization. People in the north were able to live a better life than people in the south. Abolishment of slavery in the country led to economic growth.
The country experienced rapid economic growth after the civil war and this transformed the country into an industrial country. The country performed better than other countries like Britain. The Gilded age contributed a lot to economic growth in the American history. The economic recovered after the panic of 1973.The government established money policies ands industrialization. The US economy grew at a rate of 14 % (Levine, 2005).
Social changes
The amendment of United States constitution contributed a lot to social changes. The government carried out three amendments to the constitution. The amendments were called reconstruction amendments. The 13th amendment was aimed at abolishing slavery in the country. This led to low deaths in the society as the blacks and whites were treated equally. Also, it led to establishment of citizens rights. The blacks were required to respect white citizens in the country and vice versa. The government amendment the 14thamendment so as to ensure equality in the country. The amendment guaranteed citizenship to citizens in the country. Blacks and whites and other minority groups were allowed to live in United States. In addition, the amendment guaranteed the citizens civil rights. The 15thamendment eliminated discrimination during voting. Every citizen in the country was allowed to vote in spite of his color and race. The amendments brought a huge change to the countries social institutions. Before, minority groups were not allowed to vote and interact with the whites (Levine, 2005).
Religious changes
The country religion changed as many people continued streaming into the country. Also, the constitution allowed religious groups to worship freely (Levine, 2005).
1877-1920
Political changes
The United States government created laws to end racism in the country. Racism had become a major problem in the country. This is because whites mistreated minority groups in the country. For example, African Americans were forced to be work as slaves. The end of slavery in the country led to creation of laws to end racism. The government reviewed the 14th amendment to allow equality in the country. Minority groups in the country were not allowed to enjoy privileges listed in the constitution like other citizens. They were not allowed to vote. Also, the minority groups write not allowed living with the whites. The end of slavery led to freedom for blacks and end or racism in the country (Mauk &Oakland, 2005).
Economic changes
The country still experienced economic growth during this period. People invented various inventions that helped the country become industrialized. For example, the construction of the railroads led to improvement in transport services in the country. This made it easy to transport goods from one place to another. This increased productivity in the country. Also, telephone and type writers were invented in 1876. The telephones improved communication in the country and this led to economic growth. The industrial infrastructure in the country developed well. Coal mining and oil mining started in 1876 and they contributed a lot to the countries GDP. Also, steel mills were established near coal mining areas. The mills were used to produce steel. In 1910, Henry Ford invented mass production and introduced it into the American market. Most companies started using it to increase production. Moreover, Frederick W. Taylor established the scientific management. The scientific management helped workers carry out their jobs well. It also led to increase in productivity. Mass production became common in the country as factories started using electricity instead of water power (Goldstein, 2001).
Social changes
The society became diverse as the government fought hard to eliminate racism. The whites and blacks lived together and had equal rights. Industrialization led to changes in social institutions. The society changed as different people had different views about industrializations. Most people stated adopting new cultures. This led to change in societal norms, organizations and values. The increase in innovations led to change in the organization of the society (Goldstein, 2001).
1921-1945
Political changes
There were numerous changes that happened in America between 1920s and 1940s.The blacks were allowed to participate in elections. In 1930s the blacks changed there voting patterns and became potential swing voters. The blacks played an important role in Roosevelt’s New deal coalitions. They helped Roosevelt form a string political party in the country. In 1940, the blacks called for an end to racial discrimination in the industries. The group was led by Randolph (Wiarda & Mott, 2003).
The Second World War happened in 1942.The war had adverse effects on the countries political systems, economy and social structures. America was involved in the Second World War. People in America had different views on whether the country should participate in the Second World War. Most people argued that other countries would win the Second World War and that the country should not take place in the war. They wanted the country to stay out of the war as it would affect economic growth and stability in the country. Others wanted the country to help its allies fight the enemies. This forced United States to participate in the Second World War. The country provided military assistance (Wiarda & Mott, 2003).
Economic changes
The Second World War led to changes in American economies. The economic growth was affected as many factories were turned to war zones.The factories were required to produce war materials, but not consumer goods. The demand for war equipment led to decline in productivity in the country. This in turn led to slow economic growth in the country. The blacks had to fight to protect the factories from being used to produce war materials (Wiarda & Mott, 2003).
Social changes
The Second World War led to destruction of social institutions in the country. It led to disorganization in the society as women worked in the factories. They helped manufacture war materials. This interfered with societal norms (Davidson & DeLay, 2008).
Religious changes
The war also affected religion in the country. Most people were not free to worship. It made religions split into various religious groups (Wiarda & Mott, 2003).
1946-1976
Political changes
The country started recovering from Second World War in 1946.The Second World War caused destruction to political institutions in the country. It also affected economic growth and social institutions. The government established communism and anti communism policies to protect the country from enemies (Davidson & DeLay, 2008).
Economic changes
The government established the council of economic advisers after world war two. The council was required to carry out economic analysis and provide advice on establishment and implementation of domestic and international economic policies. The organization replaced the cynical model with the growth model. This helped enhance economic growth in the country. The economic growth in the country started slowing down in 1970s.The rate of unemployment in the country increased (American bibliographical center, 2004).
Social changes
The social institutions in the country improved greatly after the Second World War. The government established policies to solve social issues in the country. Unemployment became a major issue in the country due to recession (American bibliographical center, 2004).
Religious changes
The religious institutions in the country started recovering after the Second World War (American bibliographical center, 2004).
1976-Present
Political changes
The country achieved political stability from 1976.The country embraced multiparty systems so as to transform the political systems in the country (American bibliographical center, 2004).
Economic changes
The country experienced recession in 1990s as a result of economic crisis. This affected the living standards in the country as many people were not able to afford. The country started experiencing economic growth in late 1990s and this made the country become the largest economy in the world. Technology has also led to increased in productivity. Most industries have adopted the current technology and improved their production (American political science association, 1991).
Social changes
The composition of the society has changed greatly. This is because of diversity. The country has embraced diversity and many people have moved to United States. The United States constitution guarantees the citizens equal treatment. The social organization has changed as a result of urbanization and globalization (American political science association, 1991).
Religion changes
There are various religions in the country. This is because the constitution guarantees citizens freedom of worship. This has led to creation of many churches in the country (Usselman, 2002).
Reference
American political science association.(1991).United States political science documents, Volume 16, Part2.UniversityCenter for International Studies, University of Pittsburgh.,
American bibliographical center.(2004).America, history and life, Volume 41, Issue 2.ABC-CLIO
Davidson, J.W., DeLay, B., et al. (2008). Nations of nations: a narrative history of the AmericanRepublic (6th ed., Vol. 2). Boston: McGraw-Hill
Goldstein, R.J. (2001).Political repression in modern America from 1870 to 1976.University of Illinois Press
Levine, B.C. (2005).Half slave and half free: the roots of civil war. Hill and Wang
McClelland, J.S. (1996).A history of Western political thought. Routledge
Mauk, D., &Oakland, J. (2005).American civilization: an introduction. Routledge
Roberts, A., &Ash, G.T. (2009).Civil resistance and power politics: the experience of non-violent action from Gandhi to the present. OxfordUniversity Press
Usselman, S.W. (2002).Regulating railroad innovation: business, technology, and politics in America, 1840-1920. CambridgeUniversity Press
Wiarda, H.J., &Mott, M.M. (2003).Politics and social change in Latin America: still a distinct tradition?.Greenwood Publishing Group
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