Transformational Events since 18th Century to the Present
Transformational Events since 18th Century to the Present
Introduction
The late 18th century to the present has experienced dramatic and swift social, economical and political changes that have been propelled by advancements in technology as well as in societal set ups. Amongst the greatest of these achievements are the invention of the automobile and the internet as well as the legislation of the women’s right to vote in America.
The impact of the automobile’s invention on American society
Invention of the automobile occurred in the 1920’s, and with it came numerous changes that would later transform society on aspects of social, economic and political lives. The greatest value that automobiles enhanced in human lives is mobility. Mobility greatly changed social life by ending isolation and creating flexible movement that led to migrations into towns and cities. Mobility greatly enhanced the transformation of rural life to the growing urban life witnessed in the 19th Century. This invention also greatly changed how people work, travel and play. On its first rural appearance, rural dwellers referred to the automobile as the “Devils wagon” because to them it seemingly disrupted their lives rather than enhance them (Michael, 1979). However, later as they embraced it, their social lives greatly changed. Greater mobility enabled rural people to no longer spend the leisure times around their rural farms. A large number of rural folks started traveling to nearby and distant cities to seek for excitement and fun.
The urban dwellers also got chances to often visit their relatives in rural areas as well as other urban areas. This strengthened family bonds because people would often meet and socialize as well as seek friendship and partnerships in far distanced towns as people began traveling for leisure and business. The greater mobility established may have also broken rural social life and bonds as most people migrated to towns leaving behind families and friends-some of them never to come back (Goodwin, 2009). This resulted to irreparable damages to family farms denying them labor. Rural education was also enhanced because the introduced automobiles could allow rural children to travel to the cities and towns to access high schools that were not available in most rural areas. Other aspects of education such as library services and teacher education were enhanced by the introduction of the automobile. Religious practices were also greatly improved and the clergy was enabled to consolidate churches reducing the necessity of traveling to rural communities to deliver services.
The automobile also contributed to the growth of the economy and improvement of people’s lives. The automobile industry created new jobs for people mostly in urban areas. The economic advantages included creation of wealth and jobs in sectors such as automobile manufacture and maintenance, provision of transportation services and the construction of supportive infrastructure as well as tax revenue. There was also an increase in the speed of delivery of goods and communication messages, thus enhancing the efficiency of conducting business. The ability of flexible movement also led to better leisure experiences and travel opportunities that led to the development of leisure spots for travel on holidays-tourism (Goodwin, 2009). The fast movement of goods enhanced by the automobile led to development of faster and efficient trading both within and without countries. Prior to the invention of motor vehicles petroleum products had no greater value, but with the increase in automobile use countries such as those in the middle east experienced great economic gains from the sale of petroleum products used by automobiles.
Politically, the automobile enhanced the accessibility of government services and officials because they could travel easily and reach the electorate. This meant that political ideas could also be easily and quickly disseminated to the public in various widespread regions of the nations (Goodwin, 2009).
The impact of the introduction of the right to vote for women in the U.S.A
The women of America have played a big role in the history of America, and caused great impacts on the American culture and laws. However, women were not permitted to exercise one of the most important civic responsibilities for a greater part of American history-the right to vote. Fortunately, in 1920 the nineteenth constitutional amendment was ratified by both houses, and universal suffrage became the right of any adult American-including women. This was a seven decade sought achievement pioneered by Lucrettia Mott and Elizabeth Stanton through the Seneca Convention that was convened in 1848.
Socially, this right had profound impacts on eliminating discrimination against women, without the right to vote, women were unable to get fair representation in policy making especially, in matters that had significance to women. This enactment elevated the social status of the female gender, because women were granted a right that they did not posses before in the nation. Prior to the right to vote women also had no rights to own property and the custody of their children. This greatly lowered the social status of women in America. Fortunately, the attainment of the right to vote granted women more say in social matters, and later through their suffrage movement and the ability to vote women was able to turn the tables and acquire the rights to own property and the right to retain the custody of their children. The acquisition of this right has also enabled women to raise debate and demand reviews of social issues that pertain to women’s life (Deitz, 2009).Amongst the social issues that they have been able to fight for include freedom from harassment, better working conditions for women and accessibility of health care services for women. Under the social aspect the permission of this right also increased the freedom of women from mere existence in American society to active participation in all realms of life.
Economically, women were empowered to own property as well as retain custody of their own children. This ensured that women could also participate in any business and development activities. Initially, women were unable to engage in any kind of trading or business because they were not allowed to own any property under their names. The achievement of these rights not only granted women economic independence, but also enhanced their economic equality to men (Deitz, 2009).
Politically, the right to vote for women elevated America’s status of democracy. Denying women the right to vote greatly limited their rightful democratic participation in the nation’s policy making on issues that concerned their lives. The provision of this right gave women political say as well as active participation in politics (Deitz, 2009). This initiation also allowed women to vie for political positions within the government structure.
The impact of invention of the Internet
The Internet is a network of computers with a world wide interlinking that allows exchange of information via networks. The Internet is a voluntary, public effort of cooperation amongst institutions and as such it is not owned by any individual or organizations. It was developed in 1973 by American scientist Vinton Cerf under the sponsorship of the American Military. The Internet has found greater use in communication (through e-mail, voice over Internet protocol {voip} and transmission of documents and pictures), learning and education (through access of online libraries and materials) as well as research. The use of the Internet has had caused great changes within the present day society (Rice & Katz, 2002).
Socially, the Internet has caused social alienation from families, institutions and places off work. It is now possible for people to easily communicate, buy and sell, work online as well as study online. This causes social interaction breakdown, and as a result; the resultant alienation causes great frailty in the social fabric in society. Similarly, long hours spent on the Internet make people less sociable, despite the fact that social online sites and chat rooms provide social interaction, there a clear deficit of person to person interaction and socialization. The long hours spent online and less social life has been implicated as a contributor to health problems such as depression, stress and obesity. Lack of development of person to person social skills exhibited by internet addicted teenagers greatly affect the way they relate to their family members, friends and administrators (Rice & Katz, 2002). The culturally diverse material on the internet introduces both young and old people to foreign cultures and in some places concerns have been raised about cultural erosion that may result from exposure to foreign cultures.
Additionally, the lack of regulation on the internet content creates a loop hole for existence of material that may expose the youth to dangerous behaviors and habits such as pornography, drug abuse and violence because virtually anything is accessible online. On the other hand, the internet can be said to have also contributed to enhancing socialization through the provision of cheaper and faster means of communication between family and friends as well as business partners and associates.
The use of the Internet has also furthered and accelerated the growth of the economy through creation of jobs in various sectors related to computers and information technology. These sectors include computer and computer accessory manufacturers as well as internet service providers. The fast and enhanced speed of communication and data transfer has enabled most business activities to be carried online in a prompt manner. These business activities may include placement and processing of orders, remitting payments, transfer of funds within financial institutions as well as exchange of services such as education, research and consultancy outsourcing. Business supportive services such as communication have also been enhanced and thus facilitating efficient trading and economic growth.
In the political arena, the Internet has played a great role as a platform upon which politicians and their parties pass their ideas to the public via online campaigns. The recent elections in the U.S saw the Internet used in the sourcing of political funds through online remittances. Therefore, the internet forms an efficient platform on which political ideas are launched for people’s access (Rice & Katz, 2002). However, in some regions especially, beyond the U.S some political governments and systems have expressed insecurity over the liberal use of the internet by their citizens due to fear that it may be used as a platform to launch foreign political ideas that do not favor the existent regimes of leadership. In such instances the use of the internet has been greatly limited.
Conclusion
The three historical transformational events have propelled the greatest developments and efficiency that we experience in today’s American society. A part from development equality and efficiency of delivery of materials, people and information has greatly been enhanced through these transformational historical events. Today’s further advancement is still pegged on the development and advancement of these discoveries and similar political steps.
References
Deitz, L. (2009). Women’s Suffrage: An introduction .Retrieved from http://womens-history.suite101.com/article.cfm/womens_suffrage#ixzz0x8eJK9Sh, on 20th August, 2010.
Goodwin, R. (2009). The Automobile and the Transformation of Rural America. Retrieved from http://www.suite101.com/content/the-devils-wagon-a132715, on 20th August, 2010.
Michael, B. (1979). The Devil Wagon in God’s Country: The automobile and social change in rural America, 1893-1929. Hamden: Archon Books.
Nosotro, R. (2009). Impact of the Automobile. Retrieved from http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/cot/t4w32automobile.htm, on 20thAugust, 2010.
Rice, E. R. And Katz, E. J. (2002).Social consequences of Internet use: access, involvement, and interaction. MIT Press Publishers.
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