Energy in American History - Essay Example

Coal was seen to be economical in the production of steel and iron. The first half of the 19th century energy consumption in America grew significantly in major sectors (Altomonte and Coviello 37). However, after the Second World War, coal began being replaced by petroleum. The coal used in the locomotives was replaced by diesel and gasoline. Coal was increasingly viewed as unsafe and expensive with regard to labor. However, the use of coal in the production of electricity caused coal to remain relevant (Williams 412).

At the same time, natural gas and petroleum became the predominant sources of energy in the energy consuming American society (Altomonte and Coviello 37). During the depression, the consumption of petroleum began to rise. This was accelerated by the oil embargoes in 1973. The Europeans played a crucial role in transforming the American natural resources into commodities. According to research, early America was considered to be in a misconception for extremely depending on farming. However, the industrial revolution brought a new approach into the American households.

This marked the rise of free market and challenged the ancient sources on energy. In the nineteenth century, steam power was introduced. The new concept interlinked technological risks, factory development and energy consumption to ethnicity. . This marked the beginning of high energy consumption levels in America (Smith 59). According to Nye, the discovery of electricity energized the popular culture. The energy needs of the society rose significantly and the culture of consumption gained momentum.

The American society had an assumption that energy supply was surplus (Williams 412). This explains the majority in the American society failed to understand the energy crises in 1970. Research shows that Americans did not associate the energy shortage with the levels of energy consumption and throwaway attitude. However, production and consumption was reconfigured when the computer was embraced (Smith 59). Most of the Americans thought a computer was an energy controlling tool. The quest to explore new sources of energy became a strong social construction.

The electricity and automobile had a transformative impact on the society (Altomonte and Coviello 37). The high energy use in America was associated to Americans’ hopes for unlimited energy in a liberal and consumer economy (Altomonte and Coviello 37). Americans believed in self-reliant individualism. The effects of pollution on human health in America have caused the American government to rethink the energy sources. The impacts of greenhouse gases on global warming have caused America to reduce the traditional sources of energy.

This is happening through the energy regulation controls and improved technology (Williams 412). There has been a push for America to reduce its dependence on petroleum and natural gas (Smith 59). Moreover, there have been proposals on carbon taxes which might have an impact on the American economy. However, the levels of energy consumption in America have