Advancements And Changes In American Life In The 1950's

Between 1865-2001, American life has evolved and undergone major changes. More specifically, as transportation, urbanization, and suburbanization progressed, Americans adjusted to the changing environment. Through historical evidence and expert testimonies, we explore the changes in American lifestyle throughout the centuries. Our exploration of when, how, and why Americans have undergone changes will help us understand the effects it had on the economy, society, and politics. Most striking, however, is our examination of the advancements and changes in transportation —during the 1870s and the 1950s— and their significant role in racial issues, suburbanization, and the economy. Being aware of the importance of breakthroughs in transportation
This railroad was the key principle agent of industrial development in the late nineteenth century. The railroad moved people closer and unified the nation. Since the railroad was able to transport products in a more efficient manner, people from opposite sides of the country were able to have similar products that were mostly ordered from a Sears catalog. This helped American culture become “homogenous.” More importantly, it helped strengthen connections between industry and government, and it created networks that helped spur industries. Railroads gave industrialists access to distant markets and remote sources of raw materials. This new transportation method helped with the movement of goods, people, and money. In fact, the Transcontinental Railroad brought growth and expansion in the industry. Many of “The achievements of Cornelius Vanderbilt, James J Hill, Collis R. Huntington, and others—became symbols of the nation of concentrated economic power. This all led to the modern corporation.” (Brinkley 401) Businessmen began to take advantage of the possibilities the new transcontinental railroad brought. For example, with the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, it became possible to transport cattle to the eastern market. The meat industry flourished in places such as Chicago thanks to the
Families were able to easily leave the city in their new affordable car. Suburbs provided families with larger homes that were much more affordable than in the city. Many families thought the city was dangerous and congested. Suburbs provided privacy, a sense of security, and an escape from the integration of urban neighborhoods and schools. Arguably, the 1954 Supreme Court decision of Brown v Board of Education, ruled that schools should integrate led to the regionalization of white middle class families. This caused segregation and a lack of diversity in schools. During this time, inner-city neighborhoods became repositories for the poor, which led to the development of “ghettos.” White middle class families fled to areas with better opportunities. It is almost as if they excluded the poor and minorities from employment, housing, and educational opportunities available in the suburbs. Dolores Hayden, author of Building Suburbia, states “racial segregation, always part of the suburban experience, usually managed through deed restrictions” (147). She also mentioned that the movement towards the suburbs caused gender discrimination as the men used cars to commute to their jobs in the city, but the wives had to stay back in the suburbs. Shockingly, some argue that the effects of moving to the suburbs caused marginalization and separation of classes and races that still exists today (The Atlantic). Decades later and people still feel affected