Impact on culture and society in the United States:
The events of the Great War left a lasting impression on the entire world, as well as ushered in a new age of progression all over the world. Granted, the long-term effects of the war were easily seen through the war-ravaged landscapes all over Western and Eastern Fronts of Europe, and even more so through the hearts and minds of those whom returned home. Across the Atlantic Ocean, the last participant to enter the Great War, the United States would see many long-term effects as the treaties were signed and the war would end. The effects would be reflected in everyday life in a political, social, industrial, economic, and cultural sense, essentially changing the pre-war landscape of things completely. |
Political:
Some of the most drastic long-term effects come in the form of the politics, as the nation would be entering The Roaring 20’s, see to new amendments added to the US Constitution being the 18th Amendment, in which began Prohibition, and the 19th Amendment giving Women the right to vote, also making the United States the first Great Power to grant full women’s suffrage until the end of the war to come. Aside, from women’s suffrage, Prohibition would leave a lasting effect on the Nation, as it would bring on rise of organized crime and the love affair with the Mafia. Additionally, from the horrors of Great War and the tumultuous reports out of the dissolution of the Russian government, America would fall into a period of Isolationism as the nation would start to develop anti-immigration laws, as well as developed fear of Communism with The Red Scare of the mid-1920’s. Overall, a lot of these effects would shape the future of our great nation, as this period of progressive reform would shape many of the political arguments we still see today.
Some of the most drastic long-term effects come in the form of the politics, as the nation would be entering The Roaring 20’s, see to new amendments added to the US Constitution being the 18th Amendment, in which began Prohibition, and the 19th Amendment giving Women the right to vote, also making the United States the first Great Power to grant full women’s suffrage until the end of the war to come. Aside, from women’s suffrage, Prohibition would leave a lasting effect on the Nation, as it would bring on rise of organized crime and the love affair with the Mafia. Additionally, from the horrors of Great War and the tumultuous reports out of the dissolution of the Russian government, America would fall into a period of Isolationism as the nation would start to develop anti-immigration laws, as well as developed fear of Communism with The Red Scare of the mid-1920’s. Overall, a lot of these effects would shape the future of our great nation, as this period of progressive reform would shape many of the political arguments we still see today.
Social and Cultural:
The social and cultural effects were tremendous as the war came to close, Prohibition would bring many of these effects in terms of speakeasies, the rise of organized crime, and America’s love of the Mafia which still exists today. The term speakeasy, meant an off the books location to purchase and consume alcohol, in which was no banned by the 18th Amendment, and the center of these establishments was the Mafia, or the mob. Their members were considered gangsters and the mainstream media loved them as they were featured across the papers with infamous articles on people like Al Capone, John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, and several others. Additionally, the nation would slip into deep corruption as these gangsters would also poison the political scene with massive corruption, and at is pinnacle 1919 World Series, featuring the Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago White Sox, which was reported to be fixed, and led to banning of famous outfielder “Shoeless,” Joe Jackson from Professional Baseball forever. Furthermore, the time would also see the rise of Unionization of workers, leading to higher wages and a better quality of life. Aside, from the dark side of prohibition, it illuminated another very dark side of the social world in the United States, as Darwinism would be misinterpreted for something more sinister as it was in the European nations before the Great War. This would lead to anti-miscegenation laws and a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan, which would balloon to over 5 million members nationwide, and have a lasting influence on the era with Anti-German, Anti-Semitism, and Anti-African American beliefs. Additionally, this era would see the Great Migration within the US as many of the African American Population would move into the northern cities for work and escape from racial issues of the south. Although, with many race riots blooming in the early 20’s, and the lack of decent accommodations to meet this high demand, their migration would seem disingenuous. Furthermore, the social and cultural effects would reshape the American landscape for the coming decades, and usher the start of the world today. |
Economic and Industrial Effects
The Economic and Industrial Effects in America, were as tremendous if bigger than all the rest, as the technology and results of the war would reshape the not only the United States but, the world. With the breakthrough of the combustion engine a few years before the war, as well as its extensive use throughout the war, the American world forever be changed. Henry Ford’s Model T, would be produced more 15 million times between 1913 and 1927, and fill the streets of major cities ushering in the era of the automobile. This of course would result in high revenues across businesses, as people could now get to and from with more ease than before. Additionally, with much of Europe still in a rebuilding process, the United States was dominating the markets and becoming the world’s foremost industrial leader, which also would lead it to be the world’s leading creditor allowing it to be nurtured in the superpower we know today. |
Overall, the effects of the Great War, are endless it single handedly changed an entire world’s way of life, and looking back at the years before the Great World War II, it is hard to say that the influence and effects of this time are still not prevalent in everyday life; honestly people do not have to look further than their watch.
References: PBS Education. (2017). What is the Lasting Impact of World War I?. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/education/blog/what-is-the-lasting-impact-of-world-war-1 SiteSteen. (2017). Effects of WW1 on America. Retrieved from http://www.american-historama.org/1913-1928-ww1-prohibition-era/impact-ww1-on-america.htm Mitchell, F. (2015, July 5). Flashback: Story of 1919 Black Sox scandal still resonates. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved from http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/ct-flashback-buck-weaver-black-sox-spt-0705-20150703-story.html History Channel. (2017). MODEL T. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/model-t Vintage Dancer . (2017). 1920s Accessories: Gloves, Watches, Glasses, Canes, Cigarette Holders. Retrieved from https://vintagedancer.com/1920s/1920s-accessories-history/ Khan Academy. (2017). The reemergence of the KKK. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-us-history/period-7/apush-1920s-america/a/the-reemergence-of-the-kkk History Channel. (2017). 19TH AMENDMENT. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/19th-amendment |