Important Change In American History example essay topic

Throughout American history there have been changes that have shaped the way we live today. Some of them are small things: for example the way we vote, the way requirements for a citizenship are obtain and other minor things that does not effect every person at any given time. There are also many consistent ways we have lived in America through our history such as: the two party systems and how we are represented have been constant for a long period of time in the United States. None of these things are as important as the end of segregation and our economic structure, capitalism.

These two effect the entire country continuously throughout history, no matter who you are our what your beliefs or your political views. Capitalism is one of the longest and most important constants in America today. It's emphasis around the " America Dream' defines America and appeals to many countries, that you can own your own land, business, house, car, or almost anything you could ever want. Thesis the very essence that has separated the United States for the rest of the world for a long time. The idea that the harder you work and the better of a job you do will bring you financial success in your life. What would happen to America if we no longer had capitalism as our economic structure?

There have been two times in American history when capitalism was almost taken away from us. If WWII had a different outcome, as it almost did, wouldn't the country be almost forced into Fascism? This may seem as a unlikely outcome but what would of happen to the 'American Dream. ' During the Cold War it was a stand- off between Capitalism and Communism. If was a very tense time, and some say it was just luck or a toss of the dice that we didn't convert and the Soviets did. Since these changes would of happen in the last half-century the effects would still be felt in America.

What would happen to the 'American Dream'? The way that every one lived in this country would be completely changed. The way we did business, the way we bought clothes, when we went out to eat, everything. The reason of is because the Communism and Fascism are very extreme when compared to Capitalism. Fa! schism is extremely right wing and a dictator controls the government and his power is enforced by his military. Communism is extremely left of center which has many more citizen help programs such as: health care, medicare, welfare, in this country has a hard enough time dealing with these problems without the economy forcing it upon us.

If Capitalism were to change to anything else in this country, it would be the hardest adaptation the country could ever face, or any other large economic country for example the current situation that the former Soviet Union is in. That kind of change is absolutely devastating to a country. An important change in American history has to be one that effects everyone at any given time. The period of segregation in this country effected everyone.

It effected how we rode the bus, where we went to school, where we lived, and it often effected peoples political views. When major things like these effect your daily life people become involved. Since the end of the Jim Crow era which began to end in the late 60's to the civil Rights Act of 1964 which made it a federal offense to discriminate against a customer, a patron, or in employment because of race, color, national origin, religion, or sex. Before that we had the 14th and 15th Amendments which gave blacks the right to vote and equal protection. Segregation took on the country discriminating against blacks and other minorities since the end of the Civil War when the Jim Crow era started. Blacks had to go to different stores, schools, restroom, neighborhoods, and even different water fountains.

Whatever ha! to the melting pot theory? How are people supposed to learn without understanding the other point of view? Segregation finally did come to an end and communities, schools, and other public places finally came into multiracial and multicultural places. What would have happened if such extreme segregation was still around today and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 didn't pass and the case of Brown vs. Board of Education had a different result? Brown vs. Board of Education was a court case, in which the court emphasized that the rights protected belong to each and every individual, not to the group to which her she may belong. If segregation were still around today, the country would be completely different.

Blacks would be more suppressed would which would lead to more inner city violence and more and more distinct ghettos in urban America. It could also be argued that all education could be lower cause there would half to be more schools to build and that cost would low! er the change of anyone getting a quality education, besides most public schools have a hard enough time dealing with there budget. These two items may be the most influential characteristics that this country has ever had. They both effect everyone at anytime at any given situation in present day America. To take either one of these things away in America or to go back on how we did things in the past would be not be ignorant but stupid. It would unnecessary and very damaging to the citizens of this country.

They both are responsible for the American Dream, which is the reason way so many people flew to our country. It puts us on a pedestal in front of the entire world and sets the standards for the rest of the countries. Without Capitalism and the changes that ended the Jim Crow era could we call ourselves the United States, should we call ourselves the United States.