The Transformation of the Entire American Nation - Essay Example

Modern America Introduction The late 19th century and the start of the 20th century marked a very important event in the American history. These years became a beginning of another chapter in history and saw the transformation of the entire nation. These facilitated the emergence of a Modern America as we know now. The evolution of the Modern America commenced with the progressive era during the 1890s, followed by the World War II, and the Modern Temper. This essay will give discuss the aforementioned stages of Modern American History. This report will also highlight the important events, personalities, and ideologies. The Progressive Era The Progressive Era is a period of reform which transpired from 1890s through 1920s. The rise of Progressive Era is attributed to four significant factors in the society: industrialization, which increased productivity and number of available consumer goods yet also created problems such as unemployment and labor unrest, wasteful use of natural resources, and abuses of corporate power; growing cities which magnified poverty, disease, crime, and corruption; influx of immigrants and rise of new managerial class which upset traditional class alignments; and the massive depression from 1893-1897 which convinced many that equal opportunity was out of reach for Americans (The Progressive Era 1). Progressives strongly advocated the Efficiency Movement which argues that all sectors of the economy, society, and government were contributors to waste and efficiency. Thus, progressives assumed that "anything old was encrusted with inefficient and useless practices" and advocated the eradication of the eradication of the problems mentioned above. They implemented changes in all policies at every level of society, economy, and government. Their effort brought fruits as the movement reaped success at the local, stated and national levels (The Progressive Era 3). The Progressives are predominantly members of the new middle class which are composed of young professionals. Their thrust is the application of principles of professions to problems plaguing the society, having a strong faith in progress and the ability of educated people to overcome problems, and establishment of volunteer organizations to address issues. Journalists also joined the movement by attacking and exposing corruption. Political reformers showed their opposition to traditional party politics while socialists composed mostly of frustrated workers vowed to totally eradicate capitalism. Women also showed their contribution to the Progressive Era by proving their values as social workers. Together with the other progressives, they pushed for justice, general equality, and public safety (Feldmeth 3). In terms of politics, the most famous national figures were Republicans Theodore Roosevelt and Rober LaFollette and Democrats William Jennings Bryan and Woodrow Wilson. Theodore Roosevelt was as a president which used his position to lead and fight against those he felt were not acting in America's best interest. Among the most important reforms in the Progressive Era were Prohibition with the 18th Amendment and woman's suffrage through to the Nineteenth Amendment (The Progressive Era 5). The establishment of the Initiative, Referendum, Recall was created by some states led by California, Wisconsin, and Oregon to "enable the citizenry to rule more directly and circumvent political bosses (The Progressive Era 5)." Huge developments notably the usage of Primary elections and establishments of municipal reference bureaus to study budget and administrative structures of local government. America and the Great War America formally entered the Great War on April 6, 1917 when it joined its Allies-Britain, France, and Russia. The US was previously unconvinced to engaged in the World War I. However, Americans were enraged when a German submarine sunk the Lusitania, a British luxury ship killing 128 aboard. Thus, many Americans urged then President Wilson to join the war (Dowling 1-4). The Allies expected that the United States will save it from the war by the provision of supply war material which can aid it to victory. However, these expectations did not materialize even if the country has been looked up for industrial strength. By spring in 1918, the Congress promised to send 420, 000 men to war. American troops saw their first action when they fought alone in Marne River in May 1918. The war had thrown 1.2 million men into battle leaving 117, 000 casualties. The war ended in November 18, 1918 with German's signing of a peace agreement. From then, Americans choose to forget Europe's troubles and return to the "good old days (America in the Great War 1-7)." The Modern Temper After the World War I, the United States really made a huge effort in bringing back the "good old days." The Modern Temper is applied to period during 1920s, immediately after the war. The rapid formation of new beliefs, ideologies, and culture is apparent and became the focus of this period. It is also notable that "an artistic explosion occurred within the African American community that produced a wealth of music, literature poetry, dance, social discourse and visual art." Jazz is the essential products of these developments. The 1920s, which is often regarded as the Roaring Twenties came to be known as the "Jazz Age." The decade witnessed the collapse of the America's traditional set -up. Its old perceived social conventions had ruined by the Great War but new principles developed. Jazz became the popular music embodying the "let-loose" social attitude during the period. It is during these times that people seem to get tired of the previous war and were expressing their relief through the use of mediums like music. Women, in particular, felt triumphant in their newfound freedom (that is, being granted the right to vote in 1920). They began to stick to a more liberated culture by bobbing their hair and wearing short flapper dresses. After the war, it became apparent that the public desired entertainment which led to the opening of public dance halls, clubs, and tearooms in cities. New dances like the Charleston are widely popular in dance floors and clubs. Black dances like the shimmy, turkey trot, buzzard lope, chicken scratch, monkey glide, and bunny hug were eventually adopted by the white public which implies the growing in the Arican-American culture. The new music, new dances and new fashions which dominated the new era outraged many as the Catholic Telegraph quoted:"The music is sensuous, the female is only half dressed and the motions may not be described in a family newspaper. Suffice it to say that there are certain houses appropriate for such dances but these houses have been closed by law (The Jazz Age 2006)." Conclusion The emergence of the Modern America is due to the successive happening in the late 19th century to the mid-1920s. The new reforms led by the progressives, America's entry to the World War I, and rapid recovery and change in the Modern Temper period all contributed in shaping the rapidly developing nation. Works Cited "America in the Great War." EyeWitness to History. 2000. Dowling, Mike. "America Enters the Great War." 22 January 2005. 07 June 2006 Feldmeth, Greg D. "U.S. History Resources." 31 March 1998. 07 June 2006. "The Jazz Age." Geocities.com. 07 June 206 < http://www.geocities.com/flapper_culture/> "The Progressive Era." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 29 May 2006. 07 June 2006 Read More