Richard Barry's 'Private Yachts Which Cost Rich Men Heavily'

      English colonizers brought old world traditions into the new world and strengthened their respective communities in order to protect their cultural identity in the colonies. For the English, immigration into the colonies meant facing one’s inessentiality; the colonies had high rates of mortality and weakly structured economies.11  Faced with their dispensability, settlers discovered new means to retain their cultural identities. For example, Quakers “rejected institutions of high culture and made virtues of simplicity and hard work in a hostile environment.” 12 They transplanted their theological cultural inheritances into colonial society and were able to perpetuate that facet of their identity in the colonies. The solidification of their communities was vital to the survival of their identities. For Scots, maintaining close relationships with prominent Scots in other colonies emphasized a Scottish identity, even across colonial borders.13 Maintaining relationships equated sustenance of old world culture through social interactions. Additionally, English colonizers solidified their community by placing a strong importance on trust. “Among persons for whom doubt replaced basic trust in the way of one’s social group, such doubt may undermine the

social history with economic tendencies, The Shoemaker and the Tea Party incorporates many subfields of history; such as social, economic, and cultural histories successfully. The aspect of social history and the explanation of the lower classes propelling events of the American Revolution was particularly effective and fresh. Young uses members of lower classes to uncover various risings and rebellions. Members of the elite believed that the lower class were ramblers and were uncivilized. The radicalism of the common man was swept under the rug. Young mirrors the writing of E.P. Thompson’s, The Making of the English Working Class. Both writers are meticulous in their interpretation of the common man. Furthermore, Thompson and Young examine just how much class conflict effects the constructs of history.

Economic factors, however, were not the only discrepancy between the colonies and England. As time passed, cultural differences became increasingly evident. Pragmatism and diversity were the overlying themes of colonial culture. Indians already lived in America and immigrants from England, France, Spain, Germany, Africa, and Holland soon arrived (Text, 41). These people were all from vastly different cultures, but mutual survival forced them to coexist peacefully. Living side by side created a mix of customs, traditions, and ideas that had never been seen in England. Over time, the different cultures merged and created a uniquely American culture with a modified language and artistic style. English settlers began using words from other countries, creating regional dialects and accents (Text, 41). “Life in colonial America was as coarse as the physical environment in which it flourished, so much so that English visitors expressed shock at the extent to which immigrants had been transformed in the new world” (Text, 41). The

In his essay to the 1782 society, J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur portrays colonial America. While using a confident tone, Crevecoeur discusses in great splendor the uniqueness of the American society and the opportunities the country holds. He writes to purposefully draw individuals, particularly those within European countries, to the American society through his optimism. He does this effectively by using strong metaphors, selective word choice, and adjusting the syntax of the writing.

The Gilded age was the period in U.S. history where politics had caused a halt in social advancement. The Robber Barons had become so rich and powerful that the country had plunged into an era of corruption. As illustrated in Joseph Keppler’s , “The Bosses of the Senate,” the monopolies of the rich had garnered immense influence in the government, effectively removing the people

The Gilded Age was a time in American history, from the 1870s to the 1890s, which ostensibly characterized the country based on its economic and technological advancements. However this era’s development served as a mere facade for the corruption and classism which occurred during the time. From economic manipulation to immorality in politics, the Gilded Age is best characterized by the unscrupulous nature of individuals who sought to attain superficial success.

In the late 1800's, American society began to burst with cultural activity. After the Civil War and the Reconstruction, Americans were eager to return to their normal lifestyles. The period that followed, however, was quite different from what the country was used to. During the war, many pushed hard for a rise in industry, leading to an explosive industrial revolution far beyond what people had expected. America's business and economy had boomed, and, as the new century approached, many had a new outlook on life. They were eager to escape the dull regiments of both the past Victorian era and the new urban lifestyle. This was easy for the upper and middle classes, both of which were growing due to the rapid increase in industry. It

“Anglo-Saxons and Mexicans” observes that the 19th century was a time where Anglo-Saxons considered themselves to be the dominant race. Thus, they had the privilege to go to other lands and claim them. Intelligent, fit, and fair were some adjectives used to classify the Anglo-Saxon race. This ideology spread throughout the early United States

were looked at as savages to the Anglo- Americans because opportunity and fortune were at

Furthermore, Wealth can make someone feel determined. Gatsby was determined to get Daisy, and the only way to get Daisy was to become wealthy. To represent Gatsby’s interception of becoming wealthy, this quote symbolizes his determination and beginning to a happier life; “To Young Gatz, resting on his oars and looking up at the railed deck, that yacht represented all the beauty and glamour in the world” (100). This quote accurately describes Gatsby’s desires for wealth and his material items. The yacht, which belonged to Dan Cody, was the embodiment of wealth and fortune Gatsby was not familiar with. He lived a low life of poverty, and this was his goal that he wanted to reach. Dan took Gatsby with him and adopted him in a way, which gave Gatsby his start to fortune. Once Gatsby gained all of his fortune, he practically had all of the beauty and glamour in the world. Nevertheless, it always comes back to his lack of true beauty and love. He could never regain Daisy, his true love, and the beauty that he could never purchase.

history are very important to the nation today. The Gilded Age is important because it allowed America to dream again due to financial opportunities previously not available to the middle- and lower-class citizens. However, the greed and selfishness of that time led to corruption in both business and politics denying that very dream to many. Unfortunately it took the assassination of President William McKinley to force the change into the Progressive Era, and to clean up the mess the Gilded Age created. While there are more interesting and more important times in American history, one only needs to look at Roosevelt’s carved-face on Mount Rushmore to see just how important the Progressive Era was to the U.S. and why it stands where it does in the world

Despite Thomas Jefferson's remarks proclaiming that the Constitutional Convention delegates were “an assembly of demigods,” most men began as simply farmers, lawyers, and authors. It wasn’t until later in life did they come politicians, presidents, and “men of power” who are now remembered and revered. The fathers themselves were also slave owners, like many affluent men during this time. This is another example of how they were much like everyday citizens, and it is only part of their lives we wish to keep in memory. Wood writes from a different angle, forcing the reader to view these men in an uncommon light.

Over the past century, people living in the United States have experienced many changes. As the times change, so do the people. In the 1920's, people acted differently then compared to the people in the 1960's. Yet, they both have one thing in common; they shaped our history.

American parties had many negative effects on society with criminal problems and prohibition law, nevertheless it introduced a new style of music, new food, and new clothing that people still wear and are proud of these

The importance of climbing the social ladder during the 19th century was perhaps the single most important accomplishment one could make. There were such great amounts of focus on material possessions and titles that many became desensitized to the core values of humanity. The social class a person belonged to during the 19th century quite literally define their importance and the role they played in society. Also because a family name was such a highly valued thing during this time, if one’s name were associated with the highest possible social class they would automatically be highly respectable and very eligible for marriage. The Social Ranking of a person was so highly valued that happiness or self-respect was almost