Historical Observations: A Time Traveler's Perspective of U.S. History

This report presents a series of observations made through the use of a time machine, exploring significant periods in U.S. history. The journey begins in a Massachusetts textile factory during the Gilded Age, highlighting the industrial advancements and labor conditions of the time. Subsequent stops include the U.S. military during World War I, offering a glimpse into the war's realities and the soldiers' sentiments. The report then moves to 1920s Chicago, depicting the city's crime-ridden underbelly and burgeoning skyline. A visit to 1930s New York City showcases the architectural marvels and societal trends of the era. The report also examines the home fronts during World War II and the Vietnam War, observing the impact of these conflicts on American society, including rationing, protests, and the rise of counterculture movements. The report draws upon various historical sources to provide a comprehensive overview of these pivotal moments in American history.

Running head: U.S. HISTORY
U.S. HISTORY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note:

1U.S. HISTORY
Massachusetts Textile factory – Gilded Age
The Time Machine landed just in the compound of a Textile manufacturing unit at
Massachusetts. This was an advanced manufacturing unit in comparison to the other factories
that existed at that time. There was a water-driven power loom which was unique and not
found anywhere else in the city (Fink, 2014). In the Textile factory mostly adult women were
appointed in the place of children. The women were working hard we could see, and
everyone was busy. The factory was a long brick structure which was four storeyed high.
Some Irish immigrants could also be seen in the compound. The factory had a reddish brick
structure, and a tall wall around the compound.
World War I U.S. - 1918
The area around the zone were the U.S Military was posted was mostly barren and it
was the several number of US military bunkers that dotted the region. USA had been very
proactive in the side of the allies and one of the important members (Zinn, 2015). Some of
the military personnel were speaking among themselves about how being neutral in this war
could have helped the USA citizens. The military was equipped with contemporary weapons
and ammunitions. The guns and artillery were making a lot of noise and it was difficult to
stand in that place. The military dress was designed as per the contemporary trend. The
personnel in general were mostly unhappy about the decision of the government about
joining the war.
Chicago 1920’s
When the time machine landed in the 1923 in the city of Chicago it was late at night
and we were afraid as we knew how much crime rate was there in this city at this particular
timespan. We could see the place was growing slowly and the skyline was increasing with
time. The region looked beautiful from outside however there were various areas and zones

2U.S. HISTORY
within the city which remained dark and crime prone. From the back of a wall we could see
gags of several people grouping in dark alleys wearing long coats and hats whose faces were
not visible. We saw several gambling centres with illegal slot machines. These were very
popular and famous during this era (Thrasher, 2013).
New York City 1930’s
The most beautiful place we visited in the time machine was the New York of the
1930’s. The city was bustling with big buildings and skyscrapers. The beautiful tall buildings
had glass windows and many of the buildings had gothic structures. We saw iron clad bridges
and contemporary models of cars going around the roads. The footpaths were stone made and
there were high decorated lamp posts around the city. There were tramlines and we saw trams
plying around the city. People were mostly wearing contemporary clothes like polo neck tee
shirts, jeans, and trousers. There were graffiti around the city which were political satire or
cartoons. People were busy going around doing their daily business.
World War II Home front – 1943
The home front during the World War II according to History.com (2018) is as
follows “Food, gas and clothing were rationed. Communities conducted scrap metal drives.
To help build the armaments necessary to win the war, women found employment as
electricians, welders and riveters in defence plants. Japanese Americans had their rights as
citizens stripped from them. People in the U.S. grew increasingly dependent on radio reports
for news of the fighting overseas.” We saw exactly the same situation in the home front.
People were going on with their usual activities and the most important part was it was
clearly visible that the economic condition of the people in general was not really good.
Vietnam War Home front – 1970

3U.S. HISTORY
We saw plenty of people around the city of New York where we landed protesting
against the Vietnam War. There were rally of people and there were graffiti against the war.
We saw young people who were part of the counter culture who were also known as the
hippies. They were having long unkempt beard and hair and wearing dirty clothes. We also
saw members of Hare Krishna Movement chanting and singing loudly in groups on the
streets, this movement was also another outcome of the counter culture (Goswami, 2016).
They were wearing saffron robes, with shaved hairs and playing drums and cymbals. The city
had a cross cultural crowd and everyone was accommodated. The people of the United States
was mostly against the decision of the government to take part in the war (Hall, 2018).

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Reference:
Fink, L. (2014). The long Gilded Age: American capitalism and the lessons of a new world
order. University of Pennsylvania Press.
Goswami, M. (2016). MIRACLE ON SECOND AVENUE: Hare Krishna Arrives in New
York, San Francisco, and London 1966-1969. Atlasbooks Dist Serv.
Hall, M. (2018). The Vietnam War. Routledge.
History.com (2018). The U.S. Home Front During World War II - World War II -
HISTORY.com. [online] HISTORY.com. Available at:
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/us-home-front-during-world-war-ii [Accessed
28 Jul. 2018].
Thrasher, F. M. (2013). The gang: A study of 1,313 gangs in Chicago. University of Chicago
Press.
Zinn, H. (2015). A people's history of the United States: 1492-present. Routledge.