Introduction
Throughout the entire hour period covered by the module, Americans have identified the concept of “American” differently. At the same time, there was a similar common category of freedom and democratic values each time. The Progressive Era was marked by significant social and economic changes in the country, as society demanded them at every moment. Examining how Americans responded to the research question between 1870 and 1920 can provide a deeper understanding of the American nation.
Meaning Behing “Being American”
The concept of “American” during the period under review was closely tied to themes of assimilation and the melting pot. This was because the United States had a rapid growth rate and could offer many opportunities for work and development to visiting people. This is confirmed by the phrase, “Industrialization, both in manufacturing and agriculture, meant that there were jobs in America.” Thus, immigrants made up a large proportion of those who later claimed American citizenship.
The period under review was also a time of struggle for many Americans’ rights. Women’s suffragette movements gained strength to get the same opportunities in society as men. In this regard, many Americans might say that being an American means having equal rights and responsibilities. This is confirmed by the fact that women achieved the right to vote, which marked a significant step towards equality in the choice of the country’s president. Thus, being an American means, for many, establishing democratic values for all.
The two most important aspects, such as immigration and democratic values, are the concepts most closely related to what it means to be an American. People who came to the United States and those who fought for equality often overlapped, as many in the country sought to attain what the American government had promised in its proclaimed values. Given all this, we can say that people definitely knew the answer to the question, “What does it mean to be an American?”
Conclusion
In conclusion, many different factors contributed to establishing how people responded to the question, “What does it mean to be an American?” The Progressive Era witnessed numerous societal changes that significantly impacted immigration and the struggle for rights. Throughout this period, from 1870 to 1920, Americans could claim that they were the people who created America themselves and obtained what they needed.
Works Cited
CrashCourse. “Growth, Cities, and Immigration: Crash Course US History #25.” YouTube Video, 9:44-9:48. 2013.
John Newman and John Schmalbach. “An Explosion of New Thought,” in The U.S. History. Perfection Learning.
Hannah-Jones, Nikole. “Our democracy’s founding ideals were false when they were written. Black Americans have fought to make them true.” New York Times Magazine 14 (2019).