Introduction
Important chapters of American history that define the country and its socio-political and economic aspects involve the Industrial Revolution, racism, world wars, the great depression, the Cold War, and America’s role in the Middle East. American history represents the transformation from an agrarian to an industrialist society during the nineteenth century. The transformation to industrial society resulted in significant changes in the lives of Americans. Racism is the result of social Darwinism that America used to justify inequalities and injustices. The world wars changed the picture of the country, while the Cold War played a prominent role in changing cultural values.
Conversion from agrarian to industrialist society
American economy evolved from a rural agrarian society to an urban industrial society. Several factors contributed to the transformation, causing economic, social, and political changes. American history relates the period with the Industrial Revolution due to drastic changes such as the larger production of goods and population diversity. Major shifts in technology and settlements impacted the workforce and economic power, which also influenced the economic sectors. Larger production of goods and increased consumption were the outcomes of the evolution. The agrarian evolution occurred between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries due to improvements in agricultural production and farm technology. Technological interventions such as the invention of systems, wheels, and plows allowed humans to perform tasks more efficiently, resulting in time-saving and massive productivity. The era involved negative consequences such as the division of labor and class divide as the wealthy gained excessive power, permitting them to exploit the labor. The classification was prominent as the powerful had access to surplus resources[1].
History associates the Industrial Revolution with more drastic economic and social changes during the nineteenth century. Energy sources and incorporation of power-driven machinery enhance the productivity of the laborer. Stream engines, textiles, and other equipment contribute to the massive growth of businesses, allowing owners to generate huge revenues. The period constituted too many adverse implications, such as over-crowdedness in cities resulting from the movement of people from rural to urban areas. Low-skilled workers lost jobs due to their replacement with skilled labor. Unpaid workers and loss of jobs contributed to unemployment. The gap between the rich and poor widened, resulting in inequality and discrimination. The Industrial Revolution resulted in massive profits for the rich, which deteriorated the lives of the poor as they were unable to earn meager wages.
Racism and social Darwinism
The history of America portrays the themes of racism and social Darwinism reflected through the analysis of African Americans’ lives. The theory of Darwinism promoted the belief that some humans are superior to others due to their biological makeup. American society treated whites as superior and blacks as inferior; that was the misapplication of the real philosophy. The society represented a perfect picture of the divided human race between the blacks and whites. White Americans’ access to more resources, education, and economic and political power made them dominant and stronger. Black Americans, on the other hand, suffered the consequences of social Darwinism and racism due to their low access to resources, low education, and no economic or political power. African Americans struggled for the basic necessities while the social system confined the masses to poverty. To justify the gap, white Americans relied on social Darwinism, which conferred the belief that the fittest survives. The philosophy reflects that the weaker are unfit to fight in society and are allowed to die[2].
Throughout history, Africans encountered racism reflected in the injustices and unequal survival opportunities. Fannie Lou Hamer, a black woman and civil rights activist, captures the realities of discrimination, “you never taught us, white America, that it was a black doctor that learned to save blood plasma to give a blood transfusion”. Issues of race and class discrimination remained prominent chapters in American history, causing misery and pain to the Africans. The inequalities had a long-lasting impact on the lives of the black people, who lived in deprivation and suffered adversities in the form of poverty, poor quality of living, and no opportunities for growth. Philosophers and historical analysts associate the theory of social Darwinism with racism because whites used the ideology to maintain supremacy in the country[3].
America’s participation in wars
America’s participation in two historical wars caused significant changes across social, economic, and political aspects. World War I (1914) drafted thousands of men into the military, provoking women to work outside houses when their men while their men were at war. The war changed the picture of the country, resulting in massive killings. The war played a positive role in enhancing economic growth by removing trade barriers and allowing freedom. The adverse impacts involve emotional and psychological issues as the people become less tolerant. World War II also resulted in similar consequences, changing the dynamics of society. The wars promoted fear, hopelessness, and restlessness among people due to the traumatic experiences. People who witnessed the wars or participated in them suffered trauma, depression, and anxiety. The transformation of society to an immoral and unequal place also resulted from the war[4].
Impacts of the great depression and New Deal
The great depression and the New Deal are prominent events in American history that influenced the socio-political and economic aspects. The Great Depression (1929) resulted in financial turmoil due to the excessive and uncontrolled lending of the banks. The common impacts include an increase in the unemployment rate by 25 percent and increased homelessness. The plummeting of housing prices to 30 percent influenced the lower and middle classes as people were unable to afford houses and deprived of their living standards. The stock markets recovered after 25 years, indicating a prominent gap in economic stability. The economy transformed from free markets to a mixed economy while many banks closed due to bankruptcy. New Deal programs emerged to provide relief to the citizens who suffered the adversities of the incident. The program focused on eliminating the adversities of the great depression by creating a balance of power between the president and Congress. The Social Security Act remains one of the most visible benefits that emphasizes providing social and economic security to the citizens. [5]
Impacts of the Cold War
The stress of the Cold War was to establish an association between political events and cultural beliefs. The war played a significant role in enhancing economic power as it allowed America to acquire the status of the sole superpower. The event influenced the way Americans perceived things and culture. The Cold War worked to change the mindsets of the citizens by introducing the concepts of capitalism and communism. The event influenced the domestic and the foreign policy. Economic expansion and cultural change are the visible outcomes of the Cold War. Changes in communications, computer revolution, and medical advances are the positive outcomes of the event. The enhancement of agricultural technology and the promotion of free trade directly influenced the economy. Cultural changes involve geographical diffusions, such as the emergence of the Jazz Age and different forms of music, including pop, and changes in artistic styles.
Political liberalism, socialism, and conservatism
The three ideologies of liberalism, socialism, and conservatism present different views on the nature and fundamentals of judging politics. The theory of liberalism that emerged in the 1820s suggests that individuals desire to construct a society that provides satisfaction to the people and helps them achieve fulfillment. Liberal societies focus on protecting the citizens and their interests. The ideology of socialism emerged in the 1840s, promoting cooperation and competition. The purpose of the theory was to promote competition and provide equal living opportunities to the people. The theory emphasizes social equality and the elimination of inequality between classes. The idea is against capitalism, which leads to a class divide by categorizing humans as rich and poor. The abolition of capitalism leads to social stability. The ideology of conservatism emerged in 1835 and focused on developing institutions that safeguarded fragile fragments of society. The theory supports an authoritarian regime that declines freedom.
America’s role in the Middle East
America, being a superpower, managed to use its military forces to maintain control over some territories in the Middle East, including Afghanistan and Iraq. Economic and counter-terrorism interests motivated Americans to address political instability in the Middle East. The superpower created a civil war-like situation in the undeveloped countries of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. The civil war changed the economic, political, and social aspects of the victim countries while America spent millions of dollars on the mission that also affected its economy. The war resulted in massive casualties, while the American state failed to attain its goal of starting a war. The presence of American forces in the Middle East contributed to restlessness, economic turmoil, and devastation. The long-term consequences involve longer instability, political restlessness, and massive personal and public damage. The military personnel taking part in the civil war suffered emotional issues such as depression, anxiety, and trauma[6].
Conclusion
The analysis of the important phases of American history reveals the events that contributed to shaping the dynamics of the country. Massive technological inventions transformed society from agrarian to industrial. Increased efficiency and productivity were positive outcomes. Africans throughout history suffered inequality and discrimination under the influence of racism and social Darwinism. The world wars resulted in increased economic instability, depression, and anxiety among citizens. The Great Depression caused the financial crisis that caused unemployment and anxiety.
References
Brooks, Maegan Parker, and Davis W. Houck. The Speeches of Fannie Lou Hamer: To Tell It Like It Is. University Press of Mississippi, 2011.
Crafts, N. F. R., and Peter. Fearon. The Great Depression of the 1930s: lessons for today. UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS, 2013.
Henretta, James A. America’s History. Vol. 1. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2014.
Sledge, E B. With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa. Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 1981.
Henretta, James A. America’s History. Vol. 1. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2014. ↑
Brooks, Maegan Parker, and Davis W. Houck. The Speeches of Fannie Lou Hamer: To Tell It Like It Is. University Press of Mississippi, 2011. ↑
Sledge, E B. With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa. Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 1981. ↑
Sledge, E B. With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa. Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 1981. ↑
Crafts, N. F. R., and Peter. Fearon. The Great Depression of the 1930s: lessons for today. UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS, 2013. ↑
Brooks, Maegan Parker, and Davis W. Houck. The Speeches of Fannie Lou Hamer: To Tell It Like It Is. University Press of Mississippi, 2011. ↑
