Signature Assignment: Changes and Evolutions in the American
civilization from 1600 to Present
There were many changes and evolutions in the American Civilization from
1600 to present. The American civilization, or in a more general sense, civilization,
is defined by dictionary.reference.com as “an advanced society, in which a high level
of culture, science, industry and government has been reached” (“Civilization”).
While there are far too many changes and evolutions that occurred from 1600 to the
present to address in a single essay, I will address those that I feel were most
impactful on American civilization. First, I will discuss the changes and evolutions in
the culture of the American civilization. Second, I will address the changes and
evolutions in industry and the economy. Next, I will address the changes and
evolutions in science (tools and technology). Finally, I will discuss some of the main
changes and evolutions in government from 1600 to present.
American civilization has gone through many cultural changes and
evolutions over the years between 1600 to the present day. When the colonies were
first established, many represented the culture seen in England and European
countries that the immigrants came from. For example, “English culture and
traditions were dominant in England’s North American colonies due to the numbers
of English settlers, and the role the Crown and English proprietors played in
establishing these colonies” (“Contributions to American Culture”). This only lasted
for so long, and with the “arrival of other ethnic groups and the emergence of
political democracy during the era of the American Revolution, this traditional
culture faded [but] what endured were American versions of English language, law
and government, morality and an ideal of individual liberty” (“Contributions to
American Culutre”). This turn away from the traditional culture seen in English
society would be shown by specific time periods in American history, which would
increasingly make the American civilization more distinct in its characteristics.
As time went on, the American civilization evolved and changed to meet the
needs of its inhabitants. Perhaps the most significant time period that affected the
American culture would be that of the 1920s. A time when popular culture emerged
as the defining part of American life and the morals and values of the civilians
became much more "loose" and even "risqué". For example, “For many Americans
the growth of cities, the rise of a consumer culture, the upsurge of mass
entertainment, and the so-called ‘revolution in morals and manners’ represented
liberation from the restrictions of the country's Victorian past." (“Overview of the
1920s”). With this being said, the American civilization progressed over time to
become a mass consumerism society with its own distinct culture, far from its
humble beginnings in colonial times. Many of the cultural changes in the 1920s
would put American civilization on its way to the modern culture we see today
which is always changing and evolving. In addition to culture, the economy in
American civilization also changed and evolved significantly from the 1600s to the
present day.
In the 1600s the economy in American civilization was dependent on
England and triangular trade to meet the needs of the inhabitants. Farms that
produced the majority of the worlds’ cotton and tobacco, sadly at the expense of
slave labor, also supported the economy. In addition, “During the 17th and 18th
centuries, land was a principle means of production in America. Instead of acquiring
wealth by retail means…European Americans stole other people’s wealth wholesale”
(Weinberg). Land and farming were the principle ways to wealth and freedom,
especially at the expense of slaves and the Native Americans. It wasn't until the
Industrial Revolution that the economy changed and evolved into one that had
factories scattering the landscape rather than the majority of farms, and paid
workers rather than slaves (this was seen more so in the Northern States at first).
"In colonial America, the business corporation was almost unknown. During all the
years before 1789, only thirty such firms were formed and virtually all of them
failed. With the opening of the nineteenth century, however, the real history of the
modern business corporation began" (Weinberg). With this being said, once the
Industrial Revolution began, America evolved and changed dramatically. Many
people moved into cities to find work in factories and even women and children
were seen working in places such as textile mills. This change and evolution
propelled the American civilization into what it would become today.
With production of goods and necessities in factories, American life began to
evolve into a more modern economy. New industry shaped the landscape and
created a new working class. According to one site, “By the end of the 19th century,
land had receded as the central means of production. Manufacturing and railroads
took the forefront, along with new financial industries” (Weinberg). As American
civilization became more business and industrial based, new technologies and
production methods only advanced the new capitalist economy of America.
The dramatic changes and evolutions in the industry and economy of American
civilization have allowed it to become a significant influence in world affairs. While
the American economy has experienced several depressions and recessions over
recent years, it is still the “world’s largest national economy, representing 22% of
nominal global GDP and 17% of global GDP” (“Economy of the United States”). In
addition to the economy and industry, new technology and science also brought
about many changes and evolutions in the American civilization from the 1600s to
present.
There have been many changes and evolutions in technology from 1600 to
the present. Perhaps those in communication have had one of the most significant
impacts on American civilization. "The comparison between today's cell phones,
which offer instantaneous and untethered communication, to the old-fashioned
paper-and-pen process is nothing short of incredible" (Gould). With inventions such
as the radio, television, telephone and eventually the computer and Internet,
American civilization has evolved and grown into a modern superpower. Culture,
ideas and information, which were once spread through magazines and books are
now spread throughout the American civilization by these technological advances
and have transformed not just American life but other countries as well. Another
example of technology that has had a large influence on American civilization, are
those that involve transportation.
In the 1600s, transportation relied heavily on horseback and foot. The
invention and mass production of the automobile would impact society in so many
ways and transform American civilization into what is today. The automobile gave
Americans more freedom. "Freedom of choice encouraged many family vacations to
places previously impossible" and "Teenagers gained more and more independence
with driving freedom" away from their parents supervision (“The Age of the
Automobile”). New industries evolved and were supported by the automobile such
as the oil and rubber industries, which created new jobs and changed the economy.
Without the automobile and Henry Ford who made it accessible to the majority,
American civilization would not have evolved or changed into what it is today. Last
but not least, the political aspect of American civilization also changed and evolved
dramatically from 1600s to present.
In the 1600s the colonies existed to support the mother country Of England.
"Each of the thirteen colonies had a charter, or written agreement between the
colony and the king of England or Parliament. Charters of royal colonies provided
for direct rule by the king. A colonial legislature was elected by property holding
males” (“The Colonial Experience”). As time went on, the colonies revolted against
England in order to create a system of democracy and freedom and eventually wrote
the Declaration of Independence and then the Constitution, which laid the
foundation for politics and government in the United States. "The document [the
founders] created has survived for more than 200 years. The risks that they took
resulted in the longest lasting written constitution in world history” (“Creating the
Constitution”). The Constitution would lay the groundwork for an independent
civilization and would help America grow and change into the republic it is today.
To this present day, the constitution is still apparent in our every day lives.
As the times change and the meaning of freedom changes and evolves as well, new
amendments have been added or taken out. For example, Prohibition was one such
Amendment that was unsuccessful and eventually repealed. Others, such as freedom
for blacks and the ability for women to vote have been great milestones and changes
in the nation's history. As the American government and politics evolves over time
to the present day, current events and challenges will help to continue to shape the
meaning of freedom, equality and justice in American civilization. In addition, it has
come a long way from the thirteen colonies and their charters in the 1600s.
The American civilization is always growing and changing. As shown above,
there are many aspects and factors that must come into play to make up a successful
civilization. The American one has evolved over the years with changes in culture,
economics, technology and politics and government. These aspects go to show that
the American civilization is continually evolving and changing. It also shows that it
has come a long way from its humble beginnings as colonies in the 1600s, to the
present country we see today. And while this essay only touches on a small portion
of the changes and evolutions from the 1600s to present, it is interesting to see how
it has affected not just American people but those all over the world. In addition, it is
exciting to think about what other changes might occur over the next few years in
this civilization and how advanced it may become.
Works Cited
“Civilization”. dictionary.reference.com. Web. 8 May 2015.
“Contributions to American Culture”. Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia. Web. 7
May 2015.
“Creating the Constitution”. ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, 20082014. Web. 10 May 2015.
“Economy of the United States”. Wikipedia. Web. 8 May 2015.
Gould, Wendy Rose. Demand “10 Greatest Technological Inventions”. Demand
Media. smallbusiness.chron.com. Web. 7 May 2015.
“Overview of the 1920s”. Digital History. Web. 4 May 2015.
“The Age of the Automobile”. ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, 20082014. Web. 10 May 2015.
“The Colonial Experience”. ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, 2008-2014.
Web. 10 May 2015.
Weinberg, Meyer. “A Short History of American Capitalism”. Allshookdown.com.
Web. 5 May 2015.