Handbook to Life in America
7 total works
Flamboyant, excessive, and full of changes, the 1920s fell between the two great wars of the 20th century. Characterized in America by the trends of Prohibition, bootleggers, the Harlem Renaissance, Art Deco design, and the Jazz Age, this period witnessed a shift in gender relations and moral values as well as the first generation gap. While rural life became marked by religious fundamentalism, urban life tended to an eager acceptance of modernity, a difference highlighted by the 1925 Scopes Trial in Dayton, Tennessee. The 1920s were a time of great transition that is often regarded as a period of carefree indulgence by the post - World War II generation.
Often referred to as the 'Gilded Age', the period spanning from 1870 to 1900 encompassed both extravagant wealth and dire poverty in America. Due to this disparity, political agitators and reformists armed with socialist and anarchist manifestos flourished and the distinction between urban life and rural life grew increasingly sharper, creating an entirely new set of living conditions and social customs. Technological advancements such as the automobile, camera, and factory-made furniture facilitated the rise of a new middle class. The Panic of 1893 caused an economic downturn and a major shift in electoral politics in the 1896 presidential race, leading to the nomination and victory of Republican William McKinley, whose policies would usher in a new century.
The first decades of the 20th century were characterized by technological advancements. Chief among these was the replacement of horse-drawn vehicles by the gasoline-powered car, which necessitated the development of a nationwide infrastructure of paved highways and filling stations. The racial landscape of America was altered as well by the exodus of large numbers of African Americans from the rural south to such cities as Chicago, St. Louis, and New York. While America's participation in World War I was limited due to a lengthy neutrality policy, the conflict produced a shift in the country's morals that shaped both popular and political culture throughout the rest of the century, exemplified by the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 which granted women the right to vote.
This title offers a comprehensive look at the people, customs, and trends of the colonial and revolutionary era. Life in colonial America was often a struggle for survival and a constant lesson in adaptation. The early years of colonization - fraught with disease, starvation, and conflict with Native Americans - progressed to the development of regional communities in the form of agricultural plantations in the South and industrial port cities in the Northeast. The legalization of slavery and the signing of the Declaration of Independence were among many of the significant events of this period. Characterized by religious and political fervor, this tumultuous time in American history established many of the standards by which we live and govern today. ""The Colonial and Revolutionary Era"" delves into the way ordinary Americans lived, covering everything from the foods people ate to how they dressed and popular pastimes. Black-and-white photographs and boxed features throughout complete this user-friendly new book. Coverage of this title includes: crime and violence; entertainment and sports; labor and employment; military and wars; religion; science and technology; and, more.
This title takes a thorough look at the Civil War and Reconstruction - from the family life ate to favorite pastimes. Characterized by the tragedy of the Civil War and its aftermath, the period of 1860 to 1876 presented the greatest challenge to a still young national government. The battle to abolish slavery and reform the country after the secession of 11 Southern states was led by Abraham Lincoln. Throughout this turmoil, a burgeoning industrial economy - made possible largely by the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 - began to transform the American economy and society just as profoundly as the effects of the war. Offering readers a fascinating glimpse into this period in history, ""The Civil War and Reconstruction"" is written in an easy-to-read narrative format enhanced by helpful further reading lists and black-and-white illustrations. Coverage of this title includes: cities and urban life; education; family and daily life; material culture; population trends and migration; rural life; social attitudes; and, more.
Encompassing the period leading up to the Civil War, the interval from 1783 to 1859 witnessed the newly implemented concept of a democratically organized state. The fast growth of the national economy gave rise to a new middle class not founded on pedigree while the acquisition of new territories provided many opportunities for immigrants to seek their fortunes. As the colonies expanded into a country, writers and artists began to describe a national character in their works. Above all, the institution of slavery overshadowed the country's daily and political life and the battle for its abolition began to divide communities. Characterized by social upheaval and moral reform, this period in modern American history preceded one of the most significant battles fought on American soil: the Civil War.
Changing International affairs and the forces of technological innovation shaped the lives of Americans in the last decades of the 20th century. While the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union gave rise to hopes of peaceful international relations, the Gulf War and the attacks of September 11, 2001 on the World Trade Center in New York shattered these aspirations. In the social sphere, cell phones, CDs, and the Internet completely transformed the ways by which people communicated and conveyed information. The election of an African-American man to the presidency marked the successful continuation of the struggle for equal civil rights, bolstering America's reputation as a radically changing place in this contemporary period.