Americaniization Essay

CHAPTER II

SPREADING OF AMERICAN IDEAS & CUSTOMS According to Dr. Isaac Berkson, the definition of Americanization is "adaptation and adjustment". He further explained his statement by saying that the concept of Americanization happens "When an immigrant has adapted and adjusted himself to the American conditions and surroundings" (Berkson, 1891). There is a gap of the understanding of Americanization between Berkson back then and the concept of Americanization now. Berkson statement somewhat implied that Americanization could only happen in the land of America, or to individuals that come and stay in a sufficient period of time to be able to get accustomed to the culture. However, nowadays, the meaning indeed has changed into something more

The phenomenon of Americanization or Immigration mostly occur after the post colonisation. "In the early 1900's Americanization meant taking new immigrants and turning them into Americans...whether they wanted to give up their traditional ways or not" (Ssenyonga, 2006). Back then, the term Americanization was also called Immigration and would only occur when someone share the same value as Americans or get accustomed to the American culture or society. However, it did not necessarily mean only the ones living in American can be Americanized, instead, Americanization was being practiced in different cultures from different places. Activities such as "learning English and adjusting to American culture, customs, and dress" (Steinberg, 2013) were practiced. Figure 3 displays a group of kids which probably classmates giving respect by doing salute to the American flag while the teachers supervise them. It also displays how there is a separation between where the boys and the girls are standing. The picture shows that back then, they taught students about patriotism the American way by giving salutes to the American flag. After world war II, Italy was helped to gain back their social and economic life by the USA, however the intervention "was not merely a matter of injecting badly-needed financial resources: it was also an attempt to influence Italian society and

Quite a huge number of American pop singers has already visited Singapore to have multiple concerts held here. Different people who enjoy American pop music or particular artist, came together as one to again experience and consume the Americanization through music. However, even though these concert activities contribute to the spread of American popular culture through music, technology plays even a bigger part as people grow attention and interest for the artists through listening to their music or watching their music videos through internet or television which will be discussed further towards the end of this