Themes of US history since the end of the civil war

Themes of US history since the end of the civil war

            The American civil war was as a result of many reasons, amongst them slavery, cultural and political differences between the North and the South, industrialization, and farming among others. Mainly, the three themes since the end of the civil war rotate around economic, political or diplomatic history. Its end marked a period of tensions between the Northerners and the Southerners over issues such as slavery, westward expansion, and the state’s rights. Civil war themes included structural reforms, presidential campaigns and also Harlem renaissance. The idea of intellectual and cultural history, the theme of political and diplomatic history and the social and economic history have been central themes (Rosemary, 322).

The intellectual and cultural reforms included the aesthetic changes to protestant religion, the changes in the African-American society, changes in literature and arts, social value developments and the introduction of different intellectual groups to diverse ethnic and social groups.it also encompasses changes in the attitude towards a specific religion or culture.

The political and diplomatic aspect encompasses matters such as the rise of new ideologies and political parties, liberalization, nationalism, colonialism, political revolution, and any political reforms.

The social and economic history entail urbanization, social classes, commercial practices, industrialization, competition and interdependence and of world markets. Also, the contribution of the private sector and the state to economic growth is an important aspect (Robert .N, 2-4).

First, industrialization and farming was an important theme. By the mid of 1800s, many of the Northerners had moved out from farming into manufacturing since many of the people living here were of the elite class, living in the larger cities amongst them Boston, Philadelphia and New York. However, the southerner’s economy had been built around farming due to the availability of cheap labor that was being provided by the slaves. Due to the industrialization in the north and some parts of the west, it helped in raising the economic growth and prosperity of the United States, making the nation dominate the global commercial, agricultural and industrial sector. After inflation, the annual income of the non-farm workers on average was estimated to have grown by 75% (Michael, 104-106).

Immigration led to the expansion of the industry and agriculture sector due to the availability of the labor base provided by them. Up to now, the United States has become a global powerhouse in the industrial sector, leading to building and innovation of new technologies, expansion of infrastructure and the extraction of its natural resources such as coal and oil. Improvement of the infrastructural facilities such as led to access to remote areas, making it possible for the extraction of resources hence boosting capitals (Conrade, et al, 95-97).

Further, new technologies in the steel and iron industry combined with other innovations in chemistry and other sciences led to an improvement in productivity. There was also innovation in communication tools which helped foster coordination which helped enhance economic growth. Further, the industrial revolution brought up scientific means hence helping improve the way through which work was performed. Further, the field of medicine was improvised, with new experimental techniques being invented to cure different forms of infectious diseases (Robert.J, 68-70).

Another theme was the states’ rights. The argument was based on the number of powers that the states should have and also the federal government. To the southerners, they felt that too many rights and control was being taken from them by the federal government. Since the end of the civil war in which victory was gained over the southern secessionists, the United States since then became a nation that was united, having a stable national government. Due to reconstruction, slavery, which was a leading cause of the civil war, was abolished and citizenship granted to the slaves. The progressive era led to reforms in the political, economic and social changes. The changes included higher status for women, new roles for the government, expansion of the education sector, modernization of industries in the government and also the society and lastly the curtailment of any corporate excesses. Through middle-class organizations, the progressives fought corruption. Further, the reconstruction gave rights to businesspeople, soldiers, and black farmers to vote (Robert.N, 6).

Monopoly was abolished through the merging of corporations and the creation of single firms from trusts. Despite the many economic depressions that occurred during the civil war, there was a rise again after it ended. The economic recession led to a high rate of unemployment in factories, mines, and farms while also reducing the prices of farm produce. Industrialization further enhanced urbanization due to the large population of immigrants. The high tariffs devised ensured that manufactured goods were protected from imported goods hence helping in boosting the revenue of the private companies. The government income was further increased due to the taxes charged on products produced by the companies and also the imports. The mass production of the products was useful in lowering the prices of commodities (Rosemary, 325-327).

Democracy was devised in the United States after the civil war. Before it, the parliamentary groups used to intimidate and attack opponents, especially the black people, who have also prevented from exercise their voting rights. However, with the reconstruction, they were able to vote. Due to their earlier denial of exercising their voting rights, they could not be able to serve or run for local offices, making them not influence the state legislatures, a situation which made their interests overlooked. Since then, democracy has been practiced in America; hence anyone can lead irrespective of the skin color or ethnic group (Conrade, et al, 99-101).

The federal government, through the bill passed by Congress further provided federal aid in the form of arable land to the black slaves. It further helped in providing help through medical assistance, food, employment, education and housing to the refugees while also reuniting the slaves with their families (Michael, 108).

Galvanization of the women rights ensured that they worked in factories, offices, as spies and also as nurses. Women had a more significant role to play in the economic growth of the nation after the civil war (Michael, 110).

The constitution amendment after the civil war was essential inequality of rights and protection.it has been helpful until now since different ethnic groups can lobby for their equal treatment by the United States government. There was the anticipation for social changes, which has been useful in ensuring there is the protection of one’s rights and freedom. The southerners benefited through the confederacy which was able to win without losing and its leadership was effective. The south further provided raw materials to factories; an example is the textile industry and the tobacco manufacturing industries. The amendment also ensured that there was federal legal protection to all the American citizens regardless of their creed, color or race (Robert.J, 72-74).

American diversity was an important theme of the post-civil war which helped to spearhead America to its current state. It focuses on the different classes, ethnic groups, gender and race in the history of the United States. The groups interacted in political, economic and social aspects hence helping in the economic growth of the country. In politics, any citizen irrespective of the statues can contest for seats in the nation therefore making sure that every citizen can influence the state legislatures.it thus helps to ensure that interests of different citizens can be taken into concern. The various ideas or interests further help in decision making where the most important ideas are implemented (Rosemary, 330-332).

Demographic changes had an impact on the economic and political aspects. Birth, marriage, and death rates were affected positively. Death rates reduced due to the improved technology in healthcare provision which was made possible by the new scientific innovations in the healthcare field. Birth rates were also manageable due to the changes, reducing the death cases which could result due to inadequate facilities. Further, marriages were allowed between the blacks and the whites, and this helped in increasing the population, essential in enhancing the economic growth of the country. The average living age was improved due to the reconstruction which brought numerous positive changes in the sector. Immigration also led to the enrichment of America’s culture (Conrade, et.al, 105-107)

Globalization was also an important theme. The United States relating to the rest of the world was enhanced. The nation acquired high global dominance and leadership. Further, there was a development of international markets which helped in fostering the export produce of the land. Cultural exchange among different nations, imperialism and also colonialism resulted from the globalization. The country’s growth in the empire was enhanced by the economic and political expansion that was evident after the civil war had ended in the United States (Robert, N, 8-10).

The civil rights were a principle of national citizenship which originated from the civil war and was meant for the equal protection of the laws. The federal government defined and protected the civil rights of the citizens. America’s exceptionalism has been visible from its improvement in infrastructure, modernization of production, the innovation of new technologies, improved education systems and also exceptional leadership. Expansion of the cities has led to the decentralization of production activities, which has been vital in the improvement of the rural and remote areas. The reconstruction era was also crucial in shaping the religion of the country, which is essential in the social aspect (Robert, N, 13-15).

As a theme, economic transformations were evident as a result of changes in commerce, trading activities and also technological advancements with time. Consumerism, labor unions and also capitalist transformations improved the economic sector of the United States. The environment was also enhanced in aspects such as pollution, the extraction, and consumption of natural resources and the development of suburban areas (Michael, 114-116)

Generally, reconstruction addressed inequities in matters of slavery, political, social and economic aspects.it led to every confederacy being destroyed; hence the admission of every succession state into the union. Due to the independence from the control of the whites, the blacks were able to solidify their family ties, while also being able to create independent religious institutions which helped move them out of racial segregation (Rosemary, 337).

In conclusion, the post-civil war themes have been able to shape the United States into the current state it is in. democracy, liberation, infrastructural development, diversification in politics and equality in rights have been a result. Further, globalization, demographic changes, galvanization of women rights, and the enjoyment of the rights provided by the federal government have been achieved. New technologies and innovation, industrialization, and the abolishment of slavery and monopoly have also been evident. Overall, the post-war themes have been helpful in the overall image of the United States.

Works cited

Cherry, Conrad, ed. God’s new Israel: Religious interpretations of American destiny. UNC Press   Books, 1998.

Wakeman, Rosemary. Themes in modern European history since 1945. Routledge, 2003.

Gordon, Robert J. The rise and fall of American growth: The US standard of living since the civil war. Vol. 70. Princeton University Press, 2017.

Bellah, Robert N. “Civil religion in America.” Daedalus (1967): 1-21.

Sorkin, Michael. Variations on a theme park: The new American city and the end of public             space. Macmillan, 1992.