Introduction
American history is rich in pivotal events that have shaped its growth and development. Being a colonial country and becoming an independent state were catalysts for changes in subsequent generations, laying the foundation for the nation’s values and principles. For example, in the 20th century, the United States experienced a variety of changes, ranging from socio-political to economic ones. Although the changes were viewed as either radical or devastating, the suffrage movement, the Harlem Renaissance, the Great Depression, and the Bonus Army contributed to changes in the Constitution, society’s perceptions, and values.
Political Change: Suffrage Movement
The first change in the United States in the 20th century was the suffrage movement. Many generations of women’s suffrage proponents have taught, written, protested, lobbied, and engaged in acts of rebellion since the 19th century (DuBois, 2020). This was done to provide women with the opportunity to vote, which many Americans viewed as a significant and unprecedented change in the Constitution (DuBois, 2020).
The Equal Rights Amendment and the wave of feminism of the 1960s and 1970s were both made possible by women’s right to vote (DuBois, 2020). This not only boosted women’s political participation but also paved the way for subsequent women’s rights groups. As a result, the effects of the suffrage movement cannot be overstated for modern America, given the deeply ingrained values of equality.
Social Change: Harlem Renaissance
The second change that must be mentioned when discussing 20th-century American history is the Harlem Renaissance. It can be defined as a cultural movement that spanned the 1920s to the 1980s (Lacey, 2021). Although the movement reached its pinnacle between 1924 and 1929, its core values have persisted for much longer (Lacey, 2021). Books, performances, paintings, poetry, and other works of art that showcased the emergence of a unique African-American voice were produced during this period of cultural and political renaissance (Lacey, 2021). Its significance in modern America is evident in its role in paving the way for minority expression and in the broader civil rights movement.
Economic Change: Great Depression
The third change that affected the United States’ economy was the Great Depression. The Great Depression, which lasted from 1929 to 1939, is widely regarded as the “worst economic downturn in history” (Dandapat & Tamang, 2022, p. 148). Slowing consumer demand, rising debt, declining manufacturing output, and the uncontrolled, rapid growth of the American stock market were among the factors that contributed to the onset of the Great Depression (Dandapat & Tamang, 2022). The results were growing unemployment, poverty, and hardship for millions of Americans (Dandapat & Tamang, 2022). Consequently, this predicament laid the groundwork for the modern management of the American economy and crises.
Military Change: Bonus Army
The final, fourth change connected to the Great Depression was the Bonus Army, when unemployed and impoverished World War I veterans formed a protest group. The primary objective of this campaign was to pressure the Hoover administration to expedite the early reimbursement promised to veterans (Sebree & Ruggiero, 2019). The Bonus Army entered Washington in June 1932 to demand that they receive their bonuses promptly (Sebree & Ruggiero, 2019). The movement is crucial for modern America as it emphasizes the importance of providing equal opportunities for economic and educational prospects.
Conclusion
Hence, the suffrage movement, the Great Depression, the Harlem Renaissance, and the Bonus Army led to changes in the Constitution, shifts in societal perspectives, and changes in values, even if they were seen as radical or disastrous. The suffrage movement in the United States was the catalyst for the first change of the 20th century. The Harlem Renaissance is the second development that paved the way for the civil rights movement in American history. The Great Depression was a subsequent development that affected the American economy. When unemployed and underprivileged World War I soldiers founded the protest group, the Bonus Army, the change was directly related to the Great Depression.
References
Dandapat, A., & Tamang, S. (2022). Assessing microfinance potentiality in India with special reference to Odisha: Combating global recession through local intervention. In R. C. Das (Ed.), Microfinance to combat global recession and social exclusion (pp. 147-161). Springer Nature Singapore.
DuBois, E. C. (2020). Suffrage: Women’s long battle for the vote. Simon & Schuster.
Lacey, J. (2021). History of art and architecture (2nd ed.). Sugar Creek.
Sebree, C., & Ruggiero, A. (2019). Historical sources on the Great Depression. Cavendish Square.