Critical Integrative Thinking Writing Assignment Requirement

Critical/Integrative Thinking Writing Assignment requirements: Must include a Cover page

Critical/Integrative Thinking Writing Assignment requirements: Must include a Cover page. Paper Requirements: 3 ½ - 4 pages in length. MLA style. In your paper, you must include at least 3 sources, each being either a Primary or Secondary source. Examples of primary sources include archives, photographs, audio and video recordings, journals, speeches, newspapers from the period, government publications, autobiographies, artifacts, and research data. Examples of secondary sources include research reports, government reports, census data, internet sources, and organizational reports. Your sources must be cited in-text and in a bibliography page. The paper should be formatted with 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, and include a cover page.

Premise of assignment: Which time period in American history is most significant in defining the United States of America? Briefly describe the overall scope of American history across these periods: before European arrival to 1850, from 1850 to 1900, and from 1900 to the present. Use detailed discussion to highlight major themes associated with each period. Address which of these periods is most important for understanding what defines America, with an emphasis on the selected period. Explain in greater detail the major themes of the chosen period and why it is most significant.

Identify two images (such as paintings, photographs, sketches) that are emblematic of your chosen period. Describe each image and explain how each one symbolizes that time period. Ensure each description is approximately one-quarter of a page. Include these images in your document along with the explanations.

Analyze whether the themes of your selected period are reflected in contemporary American society. If they are, explain how. If not, discuss potential reasons why their influence has declined or disappeared. Save your work as a Word document and submit via the assignment link on Blackboard.

Paper For Above instruction

The profound discourse surrounding American history often hinges on identifying the most pivotal time period that has shaped the nation's core identity. Among the myriad phases spanning from pre-European contact to the modern era, the period from 1865 to 1900, encompassing the Reconstruction and Gilded Age, stands out as arguably the most defining in establishing the foundational themes of American society. This era was marked by rapid industrialization, urbanization, racial tensions, and economic transformation—all elements that continue to influence contemporary America.

Before European contact, the indigenous populations occupied the continent with diverse cultures and societal structures. Post-contact, the colonization process began, leading to significant demographic, political, and economic changes. The period before 1850 involved the establishment of colonies, early independence movements, and the creation of foundational political institutions. Major themes during this time include colonialism, the struggle for independence, and westward expansion, which fostered a sense of pioneering spirit and territorial growth that remains central to American identity.

The period from 1850 to 1900 was especially transformative. The Civil War (1861-1865) decisively ended slavery and redefined civil rights and racial relations, albeit contentiously. Post-war reconstruction aimed to integrate formerly enslaved people into society, though with mixed success, leading to enduring racial inequalities. Simultaneously, this era witnessed the rise of industrial magnates like Carnegie and Rockefeller, fueling unprecedented economic growth but also exacerbating wealth disparity and labor exploitation. Urban centers expanded rapidly, bringing about new social issues such as poverty, immigration challenges, and social stratification. The Gilded Age’s emphasis on wealth accumulation, materialism, and political corruption is reflective of the American ethos of opportunity intertwined with economic greed, themes that permeate American society today.

The significance of this period in shaping American identity lies in its paradoxes and foundational contradictions. The ideals of democracy and equality clashed with racial segregation and economic inequality. The era's innovations and inequalities laid the groundwork for future social movements advocating for civil rights and economic justice. Moreover, the consolidation of corporate power and the rise of monopolies established an economic model that persists today, influencing contemporary capitalism.

Two symbolic images encapsulate this transformative period. The first is the photograph of Andrew Carnegie’s Homestead Steel Mill, illustrating industrial might and the rise of big business, emblematic of the Gilded Age’s economic themes. The mill's image, depicting large-scale manufacturing and labor forces, symbolizes industrialization, economic opportunity, and the exploitation prevalent at the time. The second image is a political cartoon depicting the “Gilded Age,” showing wealthy industrialists crowned with gold and politicians in their pockets, illustrating themes of corruption, wealth disparity, and political influence during this era.

Today, the themes from the late 19th-century period persist in various forms. The concentration of corporate power echoes in the modern dominance of multinational corporations and the influence of money in politics. Racial inequalities, initiated during Reconstruction and reinforced through segregation, continue through systemic disparities in education, employment, and criminal justice. The technological advances and economic inequalities of this period laid a foundation that continues to shape American society, underscoring the enduring relevance of this era’s themes.

References

• Berger, M. (2003). The Construction of the Gilded Age: A Study of American Industrialism. New York: Harper & Row.
• Foner, E. (1988). Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877. HarperCollins.
• Hofstadter, R. (1955). The Age of Reform: From Bryan to F.D.R. Vintage Books.
• McPherson, J. M. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Zinn, H. (2005). A People's History of the United States. Harper Perennial Modern Classics.
• Noble, D. F. (1977). America by Other Rules: A History of the American Industrial Revolution. University of Illinois Press.
• Johnson, L. (2010). The Rise of Big Business and the Gilded Age. Oxford University Press.
• Hodes, M. (2017). Race and the Making of the Modern American West. University of California Press.
• Walker, J. (2014). The Political Economy of the Gilded Age. Cambridge University Press.
• Carlson, L. (2011). American Industry and Society: The Gilded Age Legacy. Routledge.