United States History

This essay discusses the ways of being called a true American and the changed perceptions from the year 1865. The rights of American people have gone through a change in last 100 or more years. The socio-economic conditions of the country have gone through a wide change as well. These issues will be highlighted in the discussion.

Running head: UNITED STATES HISTORY
United States History
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1UNITED STATES HISTORY
In this essay the purpose is to find out the ways of being called a true American and the
changed perceptions from the year 1865. The rights of American people have gone through a
change in last 100 or more years. The changes in the American society 1865 onwards are very
fascinating and rights of Americans had changed during the years. The socio-economic
conditions of the country have gone through a wide change as well. These issues will be
highlighted in the discussion.1
From the year 1865, the Progressive Era began for United States. The reconstruction of
the country could only be designed when bondage from Europeans and slavery. Then on the
rights of common Americans have changed. United States have become the most powerful
global force in the world and shape of the country has gone through many major and minor
changes. United States became a powerful and united nation when Southern states got defeated
in Civil War. Thus the means of slavery came to be abolished from the country forever. The
rights of African American people were set up that was not admitted previously. Thus people
coming from the African contingents were also considered as Americans. This surely is a big
victory for the progressive power that wanted to bring the positive change within the country.
The former slaves were also granted freedom and they got the citizenship of USA. These people
became second class citizens of the country. It has to be mentioned that a flood of people came
in from Europe with a desire to settle in USA. Thus this change has been welcomed by almost
everyone. This Gilded Age or Reconstruction Era was the beginning of the progressive era.
The immigration factor has been quite interesting in this scenario as the question
remains about the identity of slaves who came from African nations. The political and economic
1 Americanyawp.com. "Frederick Douglass On Remembering The Civil War, 1877 | The American Yawp Reader".
Americanyawp.Com, Last modified 2019. https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/reconstruction/frederick-
douglass-on-remembering-the-civil-war-1877/

2UNITED STATES HISTORY
unrest was going on in the Eastern and Western Europe. These people decided to shift to United
States for a better and secured future. In this scenario, socio-economic conditions of USA had to
deteriorate. However, immigrants from different countries gave their identity as Americans as
well. In the 20th century, very strong anti-immigrant settlements had been made into use.
However, immigrant quota was not anymore in use. It was told that people would gain the rights
of being called an American based on their job skills and relationship with family.2 Thus entire
process became more problematic for immigrant people. The changes became much apparent
because the social structure was harmed because of this. The immigration policies of United
States are in question in present day. This is why a proper evaluation is very much needed on the
changing process of these policies. Many problems have been posed in front of people who want
to reside in USA in recent times. The assimilation of people from different parts of the world has
provided a mixed impact on the economy.3
The Civil War of 1865 has affected United States in the present times in a number of
ways. Cultural impacts have been much inspirational on the background of immigrant
settlements into America since 1865. After defeating Southern states in the Civil War, the slaves
had assimilated into the society.4 These slaves mainly belonged to the African American origin.
2 Masur, Kate. An Example For All The Land. The University of North Carolina Press, 2010.
3 Americanyawp.co. "Jourdon Anderson Writes His Former Master, 1865 | The American Yawp Reader".
Americanyawp.Com, Last modified 2019. https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/reconstruction/jourdon-anderson-
writes-his-former-master-1865/.
4 Edwards, Laura F. A Legal History Of The Civil War And Reconstruction. New York, NY: Cambridge University
Press, 2015.

3UNITED STATES HISTORY
They had their own culture.5 The Natives of America came in close contact with these people. As
a result of this Civil War, the experts said that many hospitals had been set up die this war.
Previously people received medical treatment in their homes only. America has always been
regarded as a ‘Land of Opportunities’. This is why United States saw a huge prospect of
economic growth before them. Thus Native Americans were much benefitted as well as
immigrants.6 The Pacific Railroad had been set up between 1863 and 1869. The developments
came in the agricultural fields as well. In the present times, improvement of communication
technology has shaped United Nations in new ways. The warfare technology was also improved
and rights of Americans were granted in Constitution of America. The Freedom, of Speech had
been granted in the country as well.7
On a concluding note, it can be commented that America had progressed a lot after Civil
War of 1865. The changes came in the country regarding rights of common people and their
rights of Americans. The immigration policies have played a big role in this issue and ending of
slavery system also played a big part in this.
5 Web.mit.edu. "Mississippi Black Codes (1865)". Web.Mit.Edu, Last modified 2019.
http://web.mit.edu/course/21/21h.102/www/Primary%20source%20collections/Reconstruction/Black%20codes.htm.
6 Web.mit.edu. "Mississippi Black Codes (1865)". Web.Mit.Edu, Last modified 2019.
http://web.mit.edu/course/21/21h.102/www/Primary%20source%20collections/Reconstruction/Black%20codes.htm.
7 Sizer, Lyde Cullen, and Edward J. Blum. "Reforging The White Republic: Race, Religion, And American
Nationalism, 1865-1898". The Journal Of Southern History 73, no. 3 (2007): 715. doi:10.2307/27649521.

4UNITED STATES HISTORY
Reference List
Americanyawp.co. "Jourdon Anderson Writes His Former Master, 1865 | The American Yawp
Reader". Americanyawp.Com, Last modified 2019.
https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/reconstruction/jourdon-anderson-writes-his-former-
master-1865/.
Americanyawp.com. "Frederick Douglass On Remembering The Civil War, 1877 | The
American Yawp Reader". Americanyawp.Com, Last modified 2019.
https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/reconstruction/frederick-douglass-on-remembering-the-
civil-war-1877/.
Edwards, Laura F. A Legal History Of The Civil War And Reconstruction. New York, NY:
Cambridge University Press, 2015.
Masur, Kate. An Example For All The Land. The University of North Carolina Press, 2010.
Sizer, Lyde Cullen, and Edward J. Blum. "Reforging The White Republic: Race, Religion, And
American Nationalism, 1865-1898". The Journal Of Southern History 73, no. 3 (2007): 715.
doi:10.2307/27649521.
Web.mit.edu. "Mississippi Black Codes (1865)". Web.Mit.Edu, Last modified 2019.
http://web.mit.edu/course/21/21h.102/www/Primary%20source%20collections/Reconstruction/
Black%20codes.htm.