The Great War And The Making Of A Modern Western Culture - Research Paper Example

The Great War And The Making Of A Modern Western Culture Introduction When World War 1 came to an end, Wilson Woodrow set a plan for a just peace. Moreover, he believed that important flaws in relations internationally created bad climate that creates world war. Furthermore, he envisioned end of secret diplomacy, reduced armament and sea freedom. Consequently, he proposed an organization of international representation known as the league of Nations, to ensure that there was no conflict escalation. However, Wilson’s views failed since other European leaders had different ideas. The decisions made at the peace conference in Paris were made by the big four that is Britain, France, Italy and America. Moreover, the European leaders had no interest in a just peace and preferred a retribution. Consequently, there was no no clear agreement between the four. The period after the Great War most European countries were experiencing a big depression. Moreover, some empires were weakened and some destroyed while on the other hand, America was undergoing great changes of industrialization. After world war 1 which is known to as the great war, there was rapid growth of industrialization. Moreover, new products were made to revolutionize the American lifestyle. Furthermore, the living standard of most Americans were upgraded therefore the new America after the war was more developed compared to the one before. Henry Ford came up with affordable horseless carriages. Moreover, widespread of these carriages brought in changes in patterns of work and plans for leisure time. Furthermore, there were more launching of industries which resulted to change in the education sector. The radio usage contributed to rise in national popular culture across the region and enable people to share the same sense of humor. Moreover, people took interest in the same fads and worshipped same heroes. Furthermore, leisure time was increased since the house workload had been reduced with the use of home devices. The great sacrifices of the war became a past as young people were more into cutting loose and having a fun. Moreover, the speak easy culture kept on flowing as well as the increasing use of alcohol (Beunker & Ratner, 2005). Consequently, gang violence associated with bootleg liquor became rampant in the cities. In addition, young women started engaging in male activities like smoking and drinking as well as indulging into sexual activities. The Harlem renaissance came with new entertainment form that is the jazz music which attracted several African American audiences as well as the white audiences. Furthermore, escapism made several Americans to cope with the changes and enjoy the then present life Automobile Age. The automobile technology existed in the 19th century however in the 20th century Henry Ford made it easier for the purchase of the automobile. Moreover, he introduced the idea of assembly line to enable a cheaper way to purchase the automobile. Furthermore, the automobile made it easy to move since most people owned them and this contributed to a culture of family vacations (Cappozzola, 2004). In addition, those in the rural were able to make shopping trips in the urban areas while those in the urban would rediscover the rural areas. Consequently, the rise of automobiles created traffic jams and road accidents which resulted to the introduction of driving licenses and traffic rules. The automobile enabled transport of learners to study far away from home. Moreover, this contributed to number of teenagers in a common place in the name of learning, thus the formation of high schools. Formation of the term teenager The western world initially consisted of adults and children whereby the adults paired their children at a young age of sixteen for marriage. However, the rise of the term “teenager” was developed when these teenagers exuded a culture and experiences that were not known to both the adults and children (Kennedy, 2004). Moreover, parents allowed these teenagers to enjoy their youth before marriage. Furthermore, this resulted into the dating culture before marriage as opposed to the previous practice whereby people went straight to marriage. Rise of equality for Women Flappers were single, young, urban women from the middle-class who occupied lucrative jobs in the western world. Moreover, they were mostly busy with work during the day and engaged themselves with night life of the city. Furthermore, they frequently visited jazz clubs and shows of vaudeville as well as speakeasies joints. Consequently, they adopted the carefree attitude. These women engaged in activities that used to be associated with men like smoking and drinking alcohol. Moreover, the flappers were not shy when it came to experimenting sex and they chose activities that pleased them other than getting married (Kennedy 2004). In addition, the flappers celebrated life. During this period women started demanding for equal rights as women and committees were formed to fight for women’s rights. Moreover, maternity infancy act was introduced. Furthermore, women began taking jobs that were initially reserved for men and the number of women working increased. Harlem renaissance This was a celebration of culture after the African American had suffered a long period of slavery. Moreover, a majority of them occupied the southern rural area until they were forced to relocate by the white people. Furthermore, white supremacy was rapidly growing as well as legal violence against the black people’ families. Consequently, the African American moved to the urban places and through this movement their culture was reborn. The relocation was due to the hate crimes against the African American by the white people. Moreover, their hope for owning land did not materialize and majority of them lived with debts. Furthermore, weevil blight attacked and destroyed cotton in the whole region forcing the African American to migrate in search of better life. In addition there was growth of industrial jobs in the urban area which need labor thus attracting the African American to the urban area The white people in the urban did not welcome the African American since they felt that they were lowering market and wages (Berlin, 2002). Furthermore, the black people found themselves isolated in a place known as Harlem where most of them settled. Consequently, African American artists began to rise up with creative arts that praised their traditions and created new traditions. During the Harlem renaissance, the most prominent feature was the jazz music which was a creation of African American which attracted people of all races. Moreover, the hardships of African American continued but the city brought together great minds and talent. Furthermore, the artists of that period changed the culture of people in the whole region. Reduction of household chores Work week for housewives used to be hectic and involved several cleaning processes. Moreover, carpets were beat out to remove dust, icebox replaced and cloths hand washed then smoothed with iron heated on the stove. Furthermore, women spent their summer canning food for winter periods (Berlin, 20020. In addition, they made clothes for their families and baked bread. However, all these changed with the introduction of household devices. Moreover, the vacuum cleaner replaced carpet beater, electric refrigerator, iron and washing machines reduced house chores. Consequently, the hours spent doing house chores was reduced and women concentrated on pampering themselves and spending time with their children. Fads and Heroes The twenties was a time of change and exciting dynamics which was uncertain and people seek ways to escape. Moreover, they engaged in fads which were at times entertaining and also senseless. Furthermore, people found role models who had values that everyone wanted to emulate and this led to the rise of heroes and celebrities nationally. In addition, the popular trends during that period were the dance marathon, beauty pageant and puzzle books. Books and movies This era marked need for theater to cater for people’s free time. Moreover, every town had a theatre that showed action films and comedies later on, the talking picture appeared leading to millions of viewers flocking the theater house. Consequently, films blossomed during that period expanding from foundation of earlier movies. Furthermore, films became bigger and more polished with organized components. Thus the western became the leading film producer in the world. The Radio Commercial The commercial radio started with a humble beginning in America whereby an engineer by the name Frank Conrad put up an amateur station for his radio on top of a garage. Moreover, he started broadcasting a variety of music as well as baseball scores. Furthermore, Conrad slowly managed to develop the transmitter to reach people around his area. Consequently, Conrad turned his hobby of broadcasting into a profitable commercial which later became a new industry with some people trying to open their own stations. People were attracted to the radio equipment and stations began making money through advertisements ( Capozzola, 2004). Furthermore, the transmitter reached people in almost all places in America. Consequently, the regional barriers disappeared as the broadcasting network expanded. Moreover, people began listening to the same sports and took an interest in the same fads. In addition, the sports activities that took place in the stadium could reach those at home. Thus, a national culture of entertainment was born. The trend of buying on credit card was invented since families that earned low income could not afford some of the things at once yet retailers wanted the customers to have everything. Moreover, department stores were opened for people to buy and pay in future. Consequently, advertisement techniques were developed to fuel consumer demands and advertisers continued to look for aggressive ways to manipulate consumers into buying things they did not need. In addition, psychological means were used to convince consumers that they needed a product. Thus, the culture of advertisements and credit card was born. Traditions and Modernism Americans embraced the changes that took places even though some rejected them. Moreover, those who rejected the new ways of life saw it as civilization in decline. Furthermore, the Victorian morals age was increasingly abandoned as people adopted new values which were fueled by Freud theories, flappers, immigration, religion and new languages. In addition, the Bolshevik revolution introduced unions of labor and socialists. However, there were Americans who held on to the traditional values. There was a struggle between churches and the new scientific theories and the modernists tried to relate with both the theories and bible version. Moreover, there was a rise of philosophers who influenced people into believing modernity (Dawes, 2005). Furthermore, modernism was the act of accepting new ideas and technologies that were not attainable before. In addition, people discovered new literary methods like free verses and consciousness to help express the modern reality. Moreover, modernists ideas were greatly received by the young generation even though there was a group of traditionalists that opposed ideas. Conclusion To this end, it is evident that after the great war a lot of changes took place in America. Moreover, these changes helped in contributing to the modern western culture.The country went through several behavioral changes in terms of the way people thought and perceived life as a whole. Moreover, the Harlem renaissance of the African American movement introduced new diverse cultural practices in several parts of the country. Furthermore, those who were involved in the movement introduced new arts, philosophies, and literature. Moreover, they were seeking job opportunity and better education. Consequently, the African American presented new form of art in the country like the jazz music that was listened to throughout the whole region. Thus the Harlem renaissance left a mark in the American culture (Dawes, 2005). Behavior during that period changed from the ways of dressing to irresponsible sexual activities. Moreover, women began engaging in activities that used to be associated with men like smoking and drinking. Furthermore, people introduced a culture of worshipping heroes and coping their ways of dressing. The rise in automobile ownership introduced a culture of travelling and taking vacations. Moreover people began owning driving license as well as personal cars. Consequently, this is culture that is still evident today where most Americans like to travel and taking vacations. The 1920’s was an era that was characterized with change that occurred in several ways and has permanently changed the western culture. Moreover, all those changes are still practiced and have contributed to the modern western culture. References Berlin, E. (2002, December 1). Ragtime: A Musical and Cultural History - Edward A. Berlin - Google Books. Google Books. Retrieved December 8, 2012, from http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=Cxv61Emh6l8C&printsec=frontcover&dq=effects+of+wolrd+war+1+on++america+culture&hl=sw&sa=X&ei=KdzDUL3qCMTDhAea-YDgCA&ved=0CEMQ6AEwCDgK#v=onepage&q&f=false Buenker, J., & Ratner, L. (2005, January 1). Multiculturalism In The United States: A Comparative Guide To Acculturation ... - Google Books. Google Books. Retrieved December 8, 2012, from http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=J5o3fYIOkg4C&pg=PA168&dq=effects+of+wolrd+war+1+on++america+culture&hl=sw&sa=X&ei=NdbDUKmDFYKyhAe2s4CoBw&ved=0CEMQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=effects%20of%20wolrd%20war%201%20on%20%20america%20culture&f=false Capozzola, C. (2004, July 16). Uncle Sam Wants You:World War I and the Making of the Modern American ... - Christopher Capozzola - Google Books. Google Books. Retrieved December 8, 2012, from http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=Wc-DRZJ8OwIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=effects+of+wolrd+war+1+on++america+culture&hl=sw&sa=X&ei=NdbDUKmDFYKyhAe2s4CoBw&ved=0CDcQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=effects%20of%20wolrd%20war%201%20on%20%20america%20culture&f=false Dawes, J. (2005, January 1). The Language of War: Literature and Culture in the U.S. from the Civil War ... - James Dawes - Google Books. Google Books. Retrieved December 8, 2012, from http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=OFnkob72DEoC&printsec=frontcover&dq=effects+of+wolrd+war+1+on++america+culture&hl=sw&sa=X&ei=KdzDUL3qCMTDhAea-YDgCA&ved=0CC4Q6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=effects%20of%20wolrd%20war%201%20on%20%20america%20culture&f=false Kennedy, D. (2004, September 16). Over Here: The First World War and American Society - David M. Kennedy - Google Books. Google Books. 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