Rebecca Edwards New Spirits, and William Leuchtenburg the Perils of Prosperity - Essay Example

Introduction These essay looks at two arguments presented by two on the most influential era’s to modern American society. The essay will look at Rebecca Edwards, New Spirits and William E. Leuchtenburg’s The Perils of Prosperity. Through inerpretations of these books, the essay will support each of the view points presented by the authors and then choose the most convincing of the two arguments. Rebecca Edwards point of View This book traces the defining themes of the transformative 1865-1905 period of American history. In this book, Edwards traces cultural, political, economic and social themes of this Era. The book splits into three segments. The first compacts political and economic upheavals, with a logical stress on the Civil War. The second part recounts developments in social and academic life, extending from science and religion to sexual conduct and youth values. The final segment centers on the conflicts, both nationwide and global, that troubled and occasionally endangered to devour America throughout the period. Edwards’ emphasizes the growing racial pressures within society, repeatedly citing the varied and often terrible experiences of European, Chinese and Mexican settlers as well as African Americans and Native Americans. After the post civil war age, America enticed more migrants from the Europe, Latin America, China and even Africa. The genesis of animosity against immigrants can be traced back to this period basing on Edwards Arguments. The reasons these individuals came to America was to get a better life. Peace and better life is what America promised these immigrants. However, the American did not like the immigrants from the other countries and it was hard for them to settle in the country. The atmosphere for the immigrants to do business was poor and these eventually led to a culture of animosity between non-americans and Americans. This has been passed down generations and the animosity of those early years still exists (Edwards 98-107). One of the most informative aspects of the period that Edwards brings to her readers attention is the Issue of gender. Edwards narrates comprehensively about the participation of women in party politics, national leadership issues and other society level organizations. She illustrates the participation of women in the Democratic Party, the Republican Party and other smaller parties in the 1880’s. During this period, women were not allowed to vote but still their influence in the politics of the time was huge. In campaigning and also other activism platforms, women were on the forefront of this transformation. It is the work of the women of this Era that led to the more liberated woman that Americans know today (Edwards 140-156). When it comes to the evolution of the American society from an agrarian culture to an industrial society, Edwards goes into to detail to pinpoint the major changes that laid down these trends. The invention of railway transport is one of the major changes of the 1865-1905 era. She also looks at other inventions of the Era such as the Invention of the telephone and electricity which occurred at that time. Looking at the modern American society, industrial inventions geared towards improving the life of the common populace are still going on. It is the Era in which Edwards discusses that ushered in the great invention mind of the American. Since that period, Americans have never stopped inventing. Hence, it is correct to argue that Americans are heirs of the late nineteenth century period. Edwards’s argument is more convincing as it is more illustrative and can easily be applied to the modern American society (Edwards 76). Leuchtenburg’s View The Perils of Prosperity: 1914-1932" recollects the progress of the United States through ninenteen twenties or the period after world war 1 into the early years of the 1930’s period. The author points out the economic, political, social and cultural fundamentals that produced one of the greatest "liberal" eras in American history. One of the major issues that Leuchtenburg discusses is the economic revolution of the post World War 1 economy. Citing the various examples and incidences after the war, he states how reform became the main tool in revitalizing the economy while at the same making the government more accountable. It is during this period that more emphasis was put on social justice with reforms in the justice system (Leuchtenburg 34). Another defining transformation that made America a more vibrant society that it is currently are the transformation in the agricultural sector that enabled gave the federal government more powers to regulate and increase more food production. The target of the law was to be able to raise more food for troops in Europe but it also set the pace for major agricultural reforms. The agricultural system in the US is still vibrant owing to the reforms that were implemented during this period (Leuchtenburg 79). In 1917, major reforms in the industry and manufacture sector, established a more industrialized approach of American society. The transformation from early industries to massive manufacturing industries enabled the US to supply war equipment’s. However, these were to set precedence for many manufacturers were encouraged to operate large industries. There were improved labor laws while at the same time less oppression hence boosting the country’s manufacturing platform. This is perhaps one of the most transformational periods when it came to mass production of products by industries. Conclusion Edwards’s fundamental argument is that the latter portion of the nineteenth century steered in a modern era in the USA. She argues that it is this era that initiated the social and cultural resentments that would come to dictate the volatile twentieth century. She approaches her arguments in a light-footed and subjective narration to maintain the atmosphere of the time. At the same time, she ensures that her work is not trivialized by stating facts and statistics. Edwards’s arguments sounds more convincing although, the views held by Leuchtenburg cannot be dismissed. Whatever Leuchtenburg writes about, can still be traced back to the post civil war period or the age of Edward’s theme in her book. Leuchtenburg’s Era is just a radicalization of the post civil war period which can be argued to be the era of great inventions and foundation of the modern American society. Works Cited Edwards, Rebecca. New Spirits: Americans in the Gilded Age, 1865-1905. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006 Leuchtenburg, William. The Perils of Prosperity, 1914–1932, 2nd edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1993. Read More