In his book “The Making of America,” Johnson focuses on the economic growth in America in the periods leading to the 20th Century. According to Johnson, this period represented the defining moments of American history. Significant economic expansion took place, and this period had benefits and liabilities.
The most outstanding benefit of this period was the growth of industrial capitalism in the American economy. Industrial growth, for example, in the steel industry, where America became the world’s most significant supplier of the product, eventually accorded them superpower status. Other notable industries which became dominant during this period were the oil and the railroads. There was also significant advancement in communication with the discovery of the cell phone. The growth, however, brought with itself environmental degradation and as well led to forced labor. It also ended up making a few individuals in the country wealthy providing them with absolute power which could be used to abuse human rights.
According to Johnston (2002), the American population widely welcomed the period of economic growth, and even the government Okayed it. The acceptance was because the growth represented significant prosperity and development in the country. It also helped streamline the unemployment gap, which was already getting out of hand. The industrial growth also meant the education system had to produce skilled labor to assist in developing the nation.
The government played a huge role in ensuring that this growth was gradual and that not even economic challenges tampered with it. This explains the reason why the government provided subsidies as well as tax breaks to these particular industries. The citizens welcomed the new telecommunication devices, which led to increased production by the industry. Only some people, however, accepted this significant step in the country’s primary economic development phase. The traditional industries, including those textiles, were worried about the development of new technology overtaking them. The labor unions also witnessed how this new technology exploited workers and decided against it. Workers themselves also felt that the development of the new technology would render them jobless and therefore criticized this new development.
Several social and political movements emerged to oppose the status quo. The most significant group from this new development was the labor movement which aimed at protecting the rights of the employees, such as ensuring their pay is released on time and the new developments do not violate their rights. The labor movements were also concerned about the working conditions of the employees. During this period, the civil rights movement also became a potent force advocating for human rights. There was also the emergence of organizations that protected women against violations of their rights by males and mostly at their workplaces.
During the mechanization period, several youth groups emerged to advocate for their employment. Some groups claimed that the companies were racial in awarding job opportunities to young men. There was a claim that a man of color applying for jobs in these new systems was the most unlikely to get a job, even with skills. The white was employed even though, at some points, they were less qualified than their black counterparts. These activists wanted to ensure that job opportunities were awarded based on merit and not the origin or color of their skin.
In conclusion, the explosive economic growth in America during the early 20th Century led to benefits and liabilities for the people of America. The benefits were great, but those who had dissenting opinions also had a point. The technological advancement couldn’t be stopped, so people had to adapt and hence the formation of the unions.
References
Johnston, R. D. (2002). Making of America: The History of the United States from 1492 to the Present. National Geographic Kids.
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