The shift in expansion, technology, and economy affecting the American culture from 1865 to 1929 (AS)
By alaas
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Westward Expansion
As O’Sullivan noted in his Manifest Destiny remarks: It was America's divine fate and responsibility to spread American culture and religion from coast to coast.1 Here, the Battle of Little Big Horn is shown that involved a clash between settlers and Native Americans. 1 O'Sullivan, "Manifest Destiny." -
Technology Advances
After the geographical expansion that started in 1865, the new stretched communities communicated using telephones, were connected by railways, and utilized electric power to light and drive factories and homes. -
Working-Class Unrest
The industrial growth that resulted from cities being able to use electric power and hence be situated away from rivers gave rise to the emergence of 3 distinctive social classes: The urban working- class, the upper-class, and the middle-class. The working-class worked under unsafe conditions, for long hours, and earned law wages. This led to some union movements in the cities to protest.1 1 image is a cartoon named "The Pullman Strike," 1893 -
A New American Consumer Culture
By 1900, big business were engaging in substantial advertisement to draw the wage-earners who wanted items that were once considered a luxury but were now accessible by the transportation developments connecting rural wage-earners to city department stores, ordering by mail, and buying on credit. -
World War I
The departure of a large portion of the male population to serve in the military during world war I left vacant a large number of jobs at the home front. Women and African-Americans took advantage of these new vacancies and worked in factories and defense facilities. The well-developped army, especially the Navy, proved decisive in the war. By the end of the war, it was apparent that the U.S. was the dominant superpower in the world. -
Fight For Women's Rights
Progressivism provided a base for civil rights activists and feminists to try to convince policy makers that their cause is worth looking into. The efforts of Susan B. Anthony were important, but the Silent Sentinels led by Alice Paul (pictured here)3 were the groundbreaking people who went on a hunger strike and embarrassed president Wilson who passed the 19th amendment. 3 Alice Paul celebrating in 1920 the adoption of the 19th amendment -
3 Historic National Woman's party ,Sewall-Belmont House and Museum, Washington, D.C.
