History of the United States (Essay Sample)

Writing
U.S. History
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6th May, 2010

Outline
Great social, political, economic and technological changes, as well as two world wars marked the twentieth century. This is thus an essay paper which identifies four major events and also explaining the events in a very concise manner. There has been an analysis on how each and every event had been significant for the country, why the event occurred, and the major long lasting impacts or effects the event had on American society and history in general. In that connection, the major events which shall be discussed in the paper include the world wars one and two, the civil rights movement, the economic depression, and the industrial progress in the later years of the twentieth century.

Introduction
The United States is one of the major countries in the world which has been able to record an outstanding history, and especially within the years of the twentieth century. Most of these historical developments were able to greatly impact on the country and also having lasting impacts or effects on the country’s history and the society. Some of the major observations seen in the country during these historical periods include a number of greater social, economic, political and technological changes, and the two world wars. All these great historical happenings were able have a number of impacts on the country in general (Polette 25). Whether social, technological, political, or economic, all these events had great scars on the country’s society and as well being able to impact on the nature and historical background of the nation. This paper shall thus outline four major events which came into place in the country and how such developments were able to impact on the country. This shall be done by effectively explaining the event and critically identifying the major happenings in a detailed manner.
African-American Civil Rights Movement
The progression of the African-Americans during the mid years of the twentieth century marks a very important historical development in the country. This was brought about in the civil rights movement as the African-Americans in the country were in the search for freedom and equality as with their White-American counterparts. This movement of the 1955 to 1965 is one of the major historical developments in the country as the blacks were angry and needed to be free and bring an end to racial discrimination which had become a favorite of the country for the past years since the time of slavery. This had been started from the southern parts which had a greater population of the African-Americans (Davis 65). The main aims of the movement was in addressing the issue of racial discrimination and oppressed dignity, economic insufficiency for these minority groups, and political sidelining. This movement is hence one of the major historical developments in the country which have a genuine economic, social and political attribute within itself.
The civil rights movement has gone into the books of global history as one of the major efforts due to continued oppression which had been faced in the country. The major historical achievements which have were recorded include the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act which gave much freedom and power to the African-Americans (Polette 34). There was also the banning of any forms of discrimination which had been based on race, human color, or even on religious affairs. The following year of 1965 saw the African Americans given rights to vote and thus restoring democracy in the country. After the movement and progression, the other states in the middle and northern parts of the nation were opened for the African Americans. Issues of employment were addressed and more and more integration between the minority races and the whites were encouraged. Equality started to find its way slowly by slowly into this nation. The African Americans got a chance of engaging in political activities and so on (Davis 71). The Civil Rights Movement is one of the major outstanding events of the country’s twentieth century, and hence the impacts was that the country became united, the African Americans became freer people, thus becoming a culminating point for the nation for the days ahead.
The Economic Depression of United States
Following the end of the First World War, and then the entrance of Hoover as the president of the United States, the time period was very hard and hence would have adverse effects on the country and its economic structure thus affecting the development. The economic depression is known to have affected many countries but the United States is one of the countries that were greatly affected by this great depression. The results of the war and deprived resources have been known to have greatly caused this depression. The depression in the country lasted from 1929 to the 1940s. This great depression led to a collapse of all the financial markets in the country. Basically, history of the twentieth century proves that the depression began in United States and was then able to spread to other parts of the world (Davis 83). The effects if this great depression in the history of the country is more pronounced than the depression itself. For instance, this depression led to decreased personal incomes, reduced taxes, and lack of profits from all government operations. The rates of unemployment in the country rose to over 24 percent. Having been dependent on very heavy industrial performances, the country lost its function as an industrial power house (Polette 47).
Agricultural operations were also affected and a lot of poverty incidences were recorded hence calling for the government of come up with measures to address the depression. This attracted number socio-political and economic aspects which have been quite outstanding as an important historical development for the country. Having spent a lot of resources in the war period, the depression caused very many problems in the country which needed to be critically analyzed by coming up with economic policies which would help in addressing the problem (Nichols 54). In that case, it was necessary to have better incentives in order to help in economic recovery. The current economic depression in the country has been seen to be less bad as compared to its predecessor.
World Wars One and Two
Though not interested in the wars, the sorts of happenings which took place during the time saw the country entering into these wars. The First World War which had been started due to the notoriety of the Germans saw the United States forced to enter into the war. For instance, the sinking of the Lusitania ship by the Germans with over a thousand Americans on board saw the country declaring interest in the war (Nichols 54). The involvement in the war marked a major historical event in the country’s history since it was able to take center stage during the period. The war saw the country being able to save very many soldiers following the American Relief Administration which was able to supply food to soldiers and players in the war. Later after the war, the country fed many people who had been starving in the country and even beyond like in Russia and in the whole of the European Continent.
Later years saw the country involved in the Second World War after the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. This saw the country having a very great role during the two important and big wars of the world history. In that case, the country was able to attain global supremacy and a super power status which has been maintained till this day. The two wars, though, had some negative impacts on the country. F...