The Modern Era Of American History

Arthur M. Schlesinger once stated,“Science and technology revolutionize our lives, but memory, tradition and myth frame our response.”As seen through Schlesinger's book The Cycles of American History really defining throughout the book how America has changed throughout each chapter answering a question or managing to go in depth throughout the chapter. As seen in Chapter 1, the title being “The Theory of America: Experiment or Destiny?” Throughout that chapter as seen on page 10 where Schlesinger states, “The Founding Fathers saw the American republic not as a divine consecration but as the test against history of a hypothesis. Yet the very faith in experiment implied the rejection of the classical republican dogma that time guaranteed decay.” (10) The Founding Fathers imposing a government that would last centuries: as seen through the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. However, as see on page 11 Schlesinger states, “Washington, said Andrew Jackson in his own Farewell

Over the past few weeks of class, we have covered the first five chapters of our textbook, written by George Brown Tindell and David Emory Shi called, “America, A Narrative History.” Each chapter told the reader a narration of the history of America, as opposed to an expository version of America’s history. Each chapter had its own main idea over a portion of history, along with many details that cover the importance of the main idea. As a reader, one may obtain a deeper appreciation for the country 's history, prior to entering the class on the first day. The most important aspect of history, besides the battles that are fought, is the different cultures that make up today’s modern America.

As a nation coming out of a devastating war, America faced many changes in the 1920s. It was a decade of growth and improvements. As immigrants fled from Europe, the economy improved, and new machines offered convenience and luxury from the kitchen to the streets. However, with all change comes opposition. The 1920s revealed a conflict between traditional America and the new attitude and lifestyle through the changing role of women, continued dominance of Christian values, and racism.

The 1920s, often referred to as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of great change and a time of powerful enthusiasm in many areas of society. The world had just finished the biggest war in history, the First World War, and the United States was left almost unharmed by the war. The United States was able to experience a decade of peace and success following the war. During this decade, America became the wealthiest country in the world (Trueman, 2000). The people in the United States went through a colorful period during the twenties. However, at the same time the 1920s was also a very rebellious and difficult time for many. The culture of the 1920s has influenced the culture of America’s society today.

In the years following World War I, the United States was comfortable with returning to its prior state of traditional values. In the government, this was reflected as the 1920 election was won by Republican candidate Harding, who ran with the slogan “A Return to Normalcy.” Americans simply wanted to recuperate after the intense global conflict that had just ended; however, changing and new attitudes were at battle with their desire of normalcy. It was movements like “New Morality” that contested traditional stances of those who sought security in their lives. As a result of the constant battle between old and new values, tensions were mounting between citizens. The Roaring Twenties was a time of innovation in American life; however, tensions surfaced between traditional and new values, shown through court rooms, national politics, grass roots campaigns, and media revolutions, due to a rise in differing theological views, women’s fight for independence, racial conflict, technology, and advertising.

The 1920s was a major turning point in American history. Known as “the roaring twenties”, the citizens of the United States enjoyed the new found wealth from the economic turnaround. The United States’ wealth more than doubled as the nation turned into a consumer society. Not all Americans were fond of the changes in society, and not all of the changes were good.

In the end, no one can dispute that the 1920’s presented seemingly insurmountable tension between, “Old America,” and, “New America,” in terms of religion, social conflicts, and cultural values. This tension was masked in some places by the prosperity, brought on by the roaring twenties, but still remained at large. One good side effect of these tensions was brought about though, in the sense that many precedents, which are still followed

After the war, the American people made the change from "old" ways to "new" ways. Many factors, such as new technology, fundamentalism, new looks and church led to tension between the old and the new. The 1920s were a time of conflicting viewpoints between traditional behaviors and new and changing attitudes.

The urban-rural culture wars of the 1920’s was due to myriad changes occurring in society, and partly in cause of a new generation, angered by the events of World War I, wanting to take a stand. Exposure to different types of culture in the 1920s varied on where one lived. In urban places, like bustling cities, one could find modernists. Modernists were more open-minded and liberal in their thoughts. In other words, they obtained a “new-school” way of thinking. Those in rural places who were not exposed to the always-changing city life, were more likely to be traditionalists and focused on practices, values and views from the past. Furthermore, modernists, from the city, and traditionalists, from the countryside, did not see eye to eye. This issue resurfaced several times in major events of the 1920s.

Although the 1920’s is often categorized by widespread prosperity and pleasure, there was no lack of tension. Struggles revealed themselves between those who were beginning to form a new approach to the world, and those who wished to stick to traditional ideals. The rise of consumerism, technological advancements, and conditions in a post-war society all caused America to change in different ways; leading to either support of this change or a desire to preserve the past. As both sides fought to have their way, this strain regarding the role of women, rights of minorities, religious teachings, and the growth of industry manifested itself in a variety of ways, including physical violence and government legislation.

After the war, the American people made the change from "old" ways to "new" ways. Many factors, such as new technology, fundamentalism, new looks and church led to tension between the old and the new. The 1920s were a time of conflicting viewpoints between traditional behaviors and new and changing attitudes.

The 1920s was an era of rapid change and major success for the American people. Many factors such as women’s rights contributed to the advancement of America. The 1920s was a age of social and political change that embodied the beginning of modern America by presenting “Lost Generation” literature and innovative technologies such as the Model T Ford.

The 1920’s was a great and important decade for the United States. After World War I, the United States went through events and changes that, overall, made the United States a much better place to live. New advances in technology and industry improved American life in more ways than just one. Americans had better wages during this time, more leisure time, and overall, had a better life than ever before. In addition, the 1920’s advocated social and cultural change as well. During this time period, the United States did not return to Normalcy, and instead developed attitudes that changed the life of the people of the United States forever thanks to social changes, cultural changes and changes in technology.

This essay will examine the rise of “modern America”, there were economic, religious, and aspect of life changes took place and it was greatly changed the Americans society’s perceptions, specifically, the north and the south. The rise of “modern America” was greatly motivated immigrants to come to the United States for economic opportunity, industrialization in the North after the civil war created new businesses and job regulations, and the demand for social changes; all of these factors shaped America socially, politically, and economically.

American society is known for having the highest standard of living across the globe; this is solely due to the consumerist culture that is brought forth by capitalism. Americans in the U.S. take pride in these standards and in the freedoms that this democratic nation has established. The 20th century will always be remembered in American history as a century of radical changes on the social and political fronts of the nation. Literature, too, evolved quickly from specific, compartmentalized fields which fit into categories, to works which had no set definition—nobody knew what to do with them. These changes also took place in poetry; artistic expression began to change across the arts and so did the mediums. Poets across the nation