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In his book, Rockdale, Anthony F.C. Wallace explores the relationship between the products of technology and social organization. Wallace focuses his study on the fairly small village of Rockdale, an environment that is intended to reflect a significant part of the American industrial experience of the nineteenth century.
Many parallels are drawn between the various members of the community, relating not only to their time and place, but the religious, intellectual, and organizational aspects of life in Pennsylvania during the early- to mid-1800's. The role of work and industry in the social life is emphasized, detailing the advance of science and technology during the period and the manner in which the advance shaped the labor experience and, hence, the constitution on the community. The "indomitable perseverance" (21) of the community and leaders such as John Crozer and John Phillips in the world of industry led to a rapid assimilation of technology which both reflected and reaffirmed a relationship between economic and intellectual progress in the minds of the people of Rockdale.
Wallace studies this trend temporally, describing first the apex of Rockdale's economic success, then detailing its evolution from a growing village, through great industrial success, to the impact of the Civil War. In detailing the history of industrial technology, he clearly illustrates the importance of economic factors in creating the intellectual climate of the era, first with the emergence of an Owen/Fourier-influenced communal industrialism and later with the development of an evangelical response which better suited the needs and desires of a smaller, more conservative community. The people of Rockdale eventually tended to "a belief in America as a Christian capitalist nation,...(viewing) the social classes as complementary rather than antagonistic," engaging in anti-masonic politics, supporting the existing, traditional communal bonds of religion and work relations (342).
Rockdale is largely a ethnographic, socio-anthropological, qualitative study of a small community that is fairly difficult to access historically. As a result, the body of information provided by Wallace is more interpretive than a typical socio-historical study. While Wallace makes a compelling case for the importance of technology in the construction of community, the ramifications of technological change on the emergence of ideological conflict is less clear. The shape of intellectual debate between enlightenment ideas and the evangelical tradition does not seem to be a necessary result of the technology of the time, as broader historical studies suggest, suggesting the possibility of an a priori organization of the argument.
In today’s society, American citizens tend to believe that America has been, “American” since the day that Christopher Columbus set foot in the Bahamas. This is a myth that has been in our society for a multitude of years now. In A New England Town by Kenneth A. Lockridge, he proves that America was not always democratic. Additionally, he proves that America has not always been “American”, by presenting the town of Dedham in 1635. Lockridge presents this town through the course of over one hundred years, in that time many changes happened as it made its way to a type of democracy.
I am from a small town called Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania. It is along the Delaware River, about 25 miles northeast of Philadelphia. Bristol Borough was founded in 1681. This is the states third oldest borough, that was once a busy river port with important shipbuilding activities (Cohen 438). It is predominately residential, with the exception of Mill Street, the community's traditional commercial street. It includes fine examples of many major styles and idioms, reflecting the community's long history and its importance as a transportation and commercial center (Owen 133). The 28-acre Bristol Industrial Historic District includes the original town of Bristol and the residential area that extends northeast along the bank of the Delaware River (Owen 132). The Bristol Industrial Historic District is a significant collection of the factory and mill complexes containing elements dating from 1875-1937 (Owen 133). Among the mills is the Grundy Mill Complex. It is a visual representation of industrial growth of Bristol Borough. This mill was run by Joseph R. Grundy. The dramatic scale of later buildings stand as the source and monument to the wealth and power of Joseph Grundy (Owen 145). Joseph Grundy was the proprietor of the Bristol Worsted Mills, and one of the most prominent manufacturers and businessmen of Bucks County (Green 252). The Bristol Worsted Mills no longer run but the building is still standing. Bristol owes a lot to Joseph R. Grundy for his contributions to the people and the town itself.
Arkansas agreed and adopted many of the nation’s progressive reform elements, but they did so still holding on to the racism that existed in the state. There was a great need for change in the state due to the frontier ways of life fading away. People began moving into the cities in large volumes. During this time, Arkansas began to see its first major industries, being that of timber and mining. There were many inventions during the Progressive Era that made the way people lived different. Automobiles, airplanes, electricity, and movies were all inventions created during this time period. There were also major advances in science and medicine. There was a huge urge to adjust institutions to match the modern way of life. The urban middle-class demanded changes. More people had the time and money to devote to civil reforms. The results of the Progressive Reform Movement in Arkansas were very impressive.
George J. Barnsby, Socialism in Birmingham and the Black Country: 1850-1939 (Wolverhampton: Integrated Publishing Services, 1977). David Englander, ‘The National Union of Ex-Servicemen and the Labour Movement, 1918-1920’, History, February 1991, Volume 76, Issue 246, pp. 24-42. Hansard, Parliamentary Debates, 30 November 1954, col 54 and 18 March 1930 col 2050 – 2052. David Howell, ‘Simmons, Charles James ‘Jim’ (1893-1973), Dictionary of Labour Biography, Vol XIII (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010), pp. 339-352. Michael Hughes, ‘The Development of Methodist Pacifism’, Proceedings of the Wesley Historical Society, Volume 53, October 2002, pp. 203 - 215. Jim Simmons, Soapbox Evangelist (Chichester: Janay Publishing Company, 1972). The Times (London, England), 20 Mar 1930, 8 Feb 1949, 19 Aug 1975.
During the 1800’s, America was going through a time of invention and discovery known as the Industrial Revolution. America was in its first century of being an independent nation and was beginning to make the transition from a “home producing” nation to a technological one. The biggest contribution to this major technological advancement was the establishment of the Transcontinental Railroad because it provided a faster way to transport goods, which ultimately boosted the economy and catapulted America to the Super Power it is today.
“Appalachia is the land of sky.”(Williams 19) Appalachia considered one of the top ravishing regions in the whole world. Once you visit this rich land, you will always want to retrieve those memories and visit it over and over. Its charming mountains will reflect its beauty and restore a feel of relaxation and purity in your soul. Appalachian is in the southeastern of United States and located in North America (The Appalachian Region paragraph 3). In this paper, we will dig more deeply in the rich Appalachian culture that existed in the late nineteenth to early twentieth century. We will focus on variety of interesting Appalachian cultural aspects such as music, dance and food.
The late 19th century was a time where cities in the United States experienced dramatic growth. The increase in population during this time was a result of the expanding commercial aspects. Migrant immigrants from various parts of the world accounted for an additional 15 million civilians among townships, cities and bureaus in the United States. Industrial America, as this time period is often referred to, was owed the radical change of the nation. The mass influx of people had their demands, which helped the boom of music, technology, and motor vehicles. With all the advancements occurring so rapidly in The States, important issues still lingered and were addressed throughout the lifetime of a woman named Jane Addams. Throughout this paper
The period in American history between 1875 and 1910 was one of incredible upward mobility in terms of industrialization, urbanization, and immigration. This increased rate of agricultural production due to the growing momentum of technological innovation, an outdated rural labor workforce battled against the up and coming nature of industrial and diverse cities.New inventions paved the way for better sanitary standards and overall public health, new lifestyles in emerging cities, and a faster-paced way of life for all. These innovative timed marked a profound shift in American identity, how individuals associated with the idea of property, and an overall class system that developed to stratify new immigrants among the old workforce. There
Throughout the first half of the 19th century, and especially after the War of 1812, America has taken on yet another revolution. In this time period, the country saw a rapid expansion in territory and economics, as well as the extension of democratic politics; the spread of evangelical revivalism; the rise of the nation’s first labor and reform movements; the growth of cities and industrial ways of life; a rise in abolitionism and reduction in the power of slavery; and radical shifts in the roles and status of women.
In 1785, Thomas Jefferson said "Those who labor in the earth are the chosen people of God" (Jefferson 1). These words helped shape America for the next hundred years. American families worked hard on their agricultural properties reaping the rewards of the American dream. Then, in the late nineteenth century, the United States of America was hit by the worldwide phenomenon known as the Industrial Revolution, and the U.S. was transformed into an industrial colossus. The vast lands of America made abundant resources available to those who wished to utilize them. This opened up new jobs, and the once agricultural families were, for the first time, split up; mothers, fathers, and children left their homes to work in factories and railroads. While it is undeniable the Industrial Revolution and all of its technological advances helped the Republic and its citizens flourish economically, the role it played in the breakdown of the traditional American family cannot be ignored.
As the industrialization brought new technology and ideas, the ways of American life changed almost instantly. Many inventions were being tested to see how well they would do throughout Coney Island. Many people started to take notice of these change and started talking more and more about it. Traditional concepts were now being challenged and overshadowed as to what was to be created in Coney Island. “Now machines of industry are becoming instruments of play”, recalled Fred Thompson, crea...
The mid 19th century was an age of growth like no other. The term “Industrial Revolution” refers to the time period where production changed from homemade goods, to those produced by machines and factories. As industrial growth developed and cities grew, the work done by men and women diverged from the old agricultural life. People tended to leave home to work in the new factories being built. They worked in dangerous conditions, were paid low wages, and lacked job security (Kellogg). It is difficult to argue, however, that the economic development of the United States was not greatly dependent on the industrial revolution.
Everyday life in the United States is very different today than it was in the 1700's. Life was harder and the settlers did not have nearly as many luxuries as society has today. Some aspects of the colonial times that were different then are today include family, employment, and social activities. Life in the United States in the 1700's was filled with hard work, cooperation, and dedication to one’s land and family.
...ural industry (Marks, 2002). It must be noted that this part of American heritage had a great deal to do with secularism. This is because of the fact that it represented equal opportunity for all to participate. This is in spite of the fact that marginalization of different kinds did develop in American society (Kagan et al, 2000). One particular one that did arise was through the economic inequalities. This was a serious one, as many individuals suffered tremendously during the rise of the industrialized America. In addition to this, there was the gender inequality that was also a significant depravity, especially because of the rise of industrial America, as women were treated as a secondary/reserve source of labor. Having understood that industrialism had such an immense impact on America, it may rightfully be asserted that it is the most relevant historical force.
Encyclopedia of American Social History Vol. 1 Ed. By : Mary Kupiec Cayton, Elliot J. Gorn, and Peter W. Williams. Published by Charles Scribner's Sons - 1993