The turn of the century in the United States in 1900 had a
profound effect on society. Introducing mass production of the automobile,
Wright Brothers first flight, and the very first drive across the country took
place (Whitley, P. 2008). We seldom realize how far we have grown as a society,
with only 8000 cars in public in the 1900’s, and only 10 miles of paved roads,
to 2013 now having 243 million vehicles (usa.org/cars), and 3.9 million miles
of paved roadways (asphaltpavement.org). The first radio signal was transmitted
across the Atlantic Ocean in 1901, which eventually lead to the popular culture
of cell/smart phones in the 21st century.
The time
period 1900-1920, has been described as the, “glory days” in American history
(Whitley, 2011). People were living the “American Dream”, with the end of alcohol
prohibition, and women gaining the right to vote, both became historical events
in society, and popular culture today. Soon
after President McKinley was assassinated in 1901, America was introduced to a
new president Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, still today in popular culture the
stuffed bear named after President Roosevelt remains in every household, best
known as the “Teddy Bear”. In the 1904 President Roosevelt became the first
American to win the Nobel Peace prize, for his efforts in helping end the
Russo-Japanese war, and was viewed as a stereotype for white male in the United
States, viewed as being a rugged hard working man.
Looking
back on society, we can only wonder what the myth would have been for what the
year 2013 would be like to a person in the 1900’s. Did they think technology
would be as advanced today? Would they believe that America would be dependent
on other countries in order to survive? I’m guessing that these thoughts never
ran through their mind. As I sit here and write this blog, I wonder what the
future holds for the United States, and how someone in the future will comment
on our generation.
References
Whitley, P. (2008). 1900-1909.
American Cultural History. Lone Star College-
Kingwood Library, Kingwood, TX. Retrieved from
http://wwwappskc.lonestar.edu/
popculture/decade00.html
you have created so many new questions and ideas in my head! Very intrigued
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