While people of the fifties “believed in the permanence of American textbooks” (FitzGerald, paragraph 1), those years have transformed into pages in modern history books. However, the textbooks have seen more altering than topics alone. In “Rewriting American History”, Frances FitzGerald made an insightful observation. He states in paragraph eight that “the word ‘progress’ has been replaced with ‘change’.” While subtle, there is a difference between the two word choices, and the use of one over another alters the impact on students. When discussing the difference between progress and change, it can be found in the connotation of the two words. Progress hints at a gradual movement towards an altered world or culture. Change appears much more dramatic instead of …show more content…
In the original textbooks, with the author’s idea of a smooth government, progress suited history. Progress’s smooth transition from a frontier life to the Industrial Revolution took time. It did not occur instantly, and people had the opportunity to adjust their life to the country’s progress. Multiple steps and efforts were required to shape the lives of Americans; our country was a work in progress – hence history textbooks use of the word ‘progress’. In modern times, people don’t want to wait; they want instant results. New models of phones and cellular devices are constantly created. Technological advances are assimilated into American culture quickly and often. There is less work to show for, thus eliminating the process. Textbooks use of the word ‘change’ accurately describes the modern world, but it does not suit the actual history. America had built itself up from scratch when it declared independence from Great Britain. By replacing progress with change, students may not accurately understand how the modern world came to
Paul Goldberger explores this theme in his essay, “Disconnected Urbanism,” where he explains how cell phones have rendered public spaces, such as urban streets, less public. Likewise, because of cell phones and other electronic devices, humans have grown lazy and impatient. Nonetheless, Goldberger explains, “Remember when people communicated with Europe by letter and it took a couple of weeks to get a reply? Now we’re upset if we have to send a fax because it takes so much longer than e-mail” (558). This demonstrates how Americans have grown accustomed to swift communication, thus leading them to become lazy or comatose; if an individual is attempting to create plans they may prefer to send out a text message rather than a phone call since it is a rapid communication method. However, when conversing with another individual via text message and that individual does not reply immediately, the person may become agitated or anxious. This is a negative result of progress which could affect humans, especially when considering a job; a grand array of individuals may apply for a job and several may be seeking a reply immediately, however, that is highly unlikely. It is with this growing anxiety that countless individuals have become inattentive. Even so, the younger generations of Americans are also dealing with a
America’s pavement of growth throughout history to today’s present day has changed immensely, and we the people are responsible for its shape and development. We all are America’s history; we are the endless cycle of the ruins and rebirths, and the sum of the good and the bad that have occurred. We are the narrators of the vast and small achievements that have molded our civilization. Our sums or products help guide our actions for the present. History simply repeats itself; if we do not learn from our mistakes, then we are bound to create them again. Throughout America’s growth, there were two different men almost two hundred years apart in which history had obeyed, and they still serve as an inspiration for today’s nation, Thomas Paine and Martin Luther King Jr. They both were an important voice for America during their time periods, and helped guide everyone to achieve their own version of America’s dream. Despite the time periods and slight differences about their goals and dreams,
America grew into an independent government, discarding many ideals present in that of England. But was the Doctrine of Discovery ...
The term Progressivism implies a philosophy that promotes change/reform in the current political, economic, and social aspects of society while conservatism stresses gradual change in society but promotes tradition rather than change. The Progressive movement from 1901 to 1917 worked to improve aspects of society that grew out of problems which occurred during the Industrial Age. The goals of the "Progressives" were to stop monopolies, corruption, inefficiency and social injustices. Both progressive acts and amendments were being passed to deal with social ills, corruption in politics and corporate America. The period from 1901-1917 was more a victory for liberalism, mainly "modern liberalism", than a triumph of conservatism due to the fact that multiple reform movements were occurring in this era changing political, economic, and social aspects in society to protect the rights of the common man.
How do you see progress, as a process that is beneficial or in contrast, that it´s a hurtful process that everyone at one point of their lives has to pass through it? At the time, progress was beneficial for the United States, but those benefits came with a cost, such cost that instead of advancements and developments being advantageous factors for humanity, it also became a harmful process in which numerous people were affected in many facets of life. This all means that progress is awsome to achieve, but when achieved, people have to realize the process they had to do to achieve it, which was stepping on other people to get there.
In 1955, Richard Hofstadter wrote his Pulitzer Prize winning book The Age of Reform, about the Gilded Age. Hofstadter’s arguments about the Populist and Progressive movements and their origins started debate and renewed scholarship on the Populist and Progressive movements. Many historians did not agree with Hofstadter’s arguments and published their own papers stating their conclusions based on their own research. This scenario occurs all the time in the history field. One historian writes a book or paper and other historians accept or reject his arguments by doing their own research and making their own conclusions. Many historians wrote about the Progressive era after Hofstadter did. Many historians did not accept his argument of a class revolution as the driving force behind the Populist and Progressive movements. Peter Filene in 1970, Richard L. McCormick in 1981, and Paula Baker in 1984 all wrote papers about the Progressive Movement. To understand the how each author has shaped the historical view of Progressivism, one must analyze the main points of each author, scrutinize their use of evidence and then decide if their argument is persuasive.
The word progress has several different meanings. These definitions played a vital role in American thought. From the initial immigrants to the first government, progress was always on the American mind. Wars were fought on the grounds on progress. The first United States president represented progress. Everything America stands for is based on the progression of its people.
The Progressive Era was a time period between the years 1900-1920 and it marked a time in American history in which society was bursting with enthusiasm to improve life in the industrial age by making political and social changes through government action that ultimately led to a higher quality of life for American citizens. Progressives were known for their beliefs in limiting the power of big business, strengthening the power of the states, and were advocators against corruption and social injustice. These progressive reformers as well as the Federal Government successfully managed to improve the quality of life and establish a precedent for a move active government, although neither was completely successful in solving significant issues the nation faced.
Beginning with the birth of the twentieth century, the United States was in a dilemma. America needed amelioration; the country had a tremendous amount of potential but was unable to put forth the necessary actions without the correct guidance. It was vital that the United States was pointed in the right direction or more problems would occur. America required political reform and the elimination of corruption caused by the government, thus, the time prevailed for the Progressive Presidents.
After looking closely at all four documents, the Progressive Era ended child labor, improved working conditions, and brought victory to women suffrage. Goals of the movement and people who took part in it have also been highlighted. It is concluded that Progressivism movement was effective and changing American values and lifestyles.
Rather than walking, we have cars to help us get to places quicker. Rather than talking with people face-to-face, we call on the telephone. New technology places value on doing things quicker and easier. McLuhan also believes that what changes people is the technology itself, not the content.
As the world revolves, there are a lot of changes that happens in the world. For example, in terms of technology, there are a lot of improvements already. Back then, for example, features of mobile phones were only call and text. But more ideas have been developed and people have started to think about how to improve some things so that they can attract more consumers. The result is there are now more, in this case, high-tech phones with carious incredible features such as access to social media, hi-quality camera’s ability to upload to and download from the Internet, e-readers, and video calls for quicker and easier communication.
“A Tale Intended to be After the Fact…” is how Stephan Crane introduced his harrowing story, “The Open Boat,” but this statement also shows that history influences American Literature. Throughout history, there has been a connection among literary works from different periods. The connection is that History, current events, and social events have influenced American Literature. Authors, their literary works, and the specific writing styles; are affected and influenced by the world around them. Authors have long used experiences they have lived through and/or taken out of history to help shape and express in their works. Writing styles are also affected by the current trends and opinions of the period they represent. By reading American Literature, we have seen the inhumane treatment of slaves, we have seen the destruction caused by wars, and we have seen the devastation of eras such as The Great Depression.
Today, Americans are faced with the increasing change of technology in our everyday life. Sometimes the change happens and we do not realize how it affects our lives. I think it is always a good idea to talk to someone that is older than yourself, like your grandparents to remind you of the times in their younger years. Hopefully, that will open your eyes to the changes we face in this generation and the generation to come. In this chapter, the author explores the relationship of changing technology to changes in both the environment and social institutions.
...r phones update our minds suffer another loss. People are slowly losing their independence to think for themselves and the ability to rely on their own intelligence instead of a computer`s. When this happens, it can endanger the proper development of the personality and hamper the social relationships needed for life together in society. The more we succumb towards technology, the less personality we are capable of retaining. It`s come to the point that the smaller our devices get, the smaller our brains get as well. Technology has vastly improved over just a short amount of time, and societies` dependence on it is strengthened more and more with every day that passes. Yes, it makes life "easier", but the easy way out isn`t always the best way. People don`t just depend on their technology for help anymore. It has come to the point where they depend on it to survive.