Essay Example on People's History in the United States

Introduction

The American Civil War between 1861 and 1865 shaped the social, economic, and political prospects of the U.S (Woodworth & Higham, 1996). After the American Revolution, ideological differences emerged between the Northern and Southern states, with slavery being the most concerning issue (Woodworth & Higham, 1996). The United States aimed to unify separate sovereign states that would function under one national government; thus, declaring all men are born equal and abolishing slavery. However, the economic differences between the North and South regions made it difficult to implement the proposal. Notably, the Northern states invested in industrialization and experienced rapid infrastructural growth (Weber, 1999). In contrast, the South region, which was populated with small-scale farmers that heavily relied on cheap labor, invested in the slave trade (Weber, 1999). Consequently, the lack of balance between free states and slave states led to The American Civil War, thereby affecting the socio-economic development of people in the Northern and Southern regions.

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Key Facts and Events

In 1860, Abraham Lincoln, of the newly formed Republican Party that aimed to prohibit the slavery culture in slave states, won the presidential elections (Weber, 1999). President Lincoln's victory triggered The American Civil War as seven states in the Southern region immediately seceded from the Union. Consequently, four other states from the South joined them to form the new Confederate States of America (Woodworth & Higham, 1996). The Northern states, led by President Lincoln, refused to recognize the secession, which was against the Union's democratic objective.

The American Civil War lasted four years and led to the loss of 625,000 American soldiers, making it one of the most destructive wars in history (Woodworth & Higham, 1996). On the 10th of May 1865, the Union Army captured President Jefferson Davis of the Confederate States of America in Georgia; thus, winning The American Civil War (Woodworth & Higham, 1996). Notably, the adverse effects of the war had already taken a toll on the socio-economic development of the Northern and Southern states (Weber, 1999). Therefore, the concurrent changes in the Constitution and infrastructural investments shaped the lives of American citizens.

Role and Impact on People

Free states' representatives proposed three constitutional amendments to take care of the emancipated slaves; thus, creating profound and rapid social change (Weber, 1999). Firstly, the 13th Amendment enforced the eradication of slavery culture in the U.S, the 14th Amendment allowed them to acquire citizenship, and finally, the 15th Amendment ceased hostility aimed at freed slaves (Weber, 1999). Consequently, the national government's efforts freed 3.5 million slaves (Woodworth & Higham, 1996). Despite the constitutional changes, racial prejudice prevailed in the Southern region. Southerners attacked the liberated African Americans and Northerners that visited the South (Woodworth & Higham, 1996). Besides, slave states enforced new regulations through the Black Codes and the Jim Crow laws to limit African Americans' access to institutional services and opportunities (Woodworth & Higham, 1996). Notably, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) intentionally terrorized African Americans; thus, promoting violence towards the black communities (Weber, 1999). Therefore, the freedom of slaves came at a high cost, with many lives lost and consistent hostility directed towards black people, which is evident until today.

In the South, The American Civil War destroyed villages, towns, and cities. The financial system declined due to a decrease in the value of the Confederate currencies; thus, leading to an economic depression (Weber, 1999). Moreover, small scale farmer lost their most essential tool for their agricultural businesses as the 3.5 million freed slaves limited their access to cheap labor (Weber, 1999). Southerners had to change their labor system, which adversely affected their production of cash crops like tobacco and cotton; hence, increasing the poverty level in the South (Woodworth & Higham, 1996). Farmers also found it challenging to maintain the plantation system and had to switch to new farming techniques such as sharecropping (Weber, 1999). On the other hand, freed African American slaves could join the Union Army; hence, generating new responsibilities for women in black communities (Woodworth & Higham, 1996). Black women had to care for their families as their sons and husbands went to fight for the Union instead of serving their white masters.

In the Northern region, the industries remained intact as most of the war took place in the South. Consequently, during the Reconstruction era, the economic difference between North and South U.S deepened. The Northern region turned into an industrial giant and experienced rapid economic growth, unlike the South that languished in poverty. A change in the U.S labor system promoted the entrepreneurial capitalist society, which gave African Americans opportunities to make a living (Woodworth & Higham, 1996). The steel, iron, and mining industries in the North led to infrastructural growth that connected the North and the Western agricultural regions (Weber, 1999). Thus, rapid socio-economic developments occurred in the Northern and Midwestern states and attracted many immigrants looking for employment opportunities. Notably, European immigrants populated the North and West regions, and by the 19th century, America boosted the largest economy in the world based on free labor. People from different nations could live the American dream.

Contemporary Events

The American Civil War successfully unified the U.S despite the differences in cultural, economic, and political ideologies. Notably, state governments managed to conduct state issues within the national government's guidance and by considering all citizens' rights. Consequently, the U.S established a multicultural community that strives to achieve socio-economic development and improve the living standards of all Americans. However, cases of racial segregation are still rampant in some states. U.S citizens have stood together to champion the notion of equality among all races. Presently, people from all over the world have the freedom to express their cultures without fear of discrimination.

The U.S economy also provided many educational and employment opportunities to people of different nationalities. Therefore, immigrants from across the globe found a new home that supports their career development goals. Notably, international students and workers move to the U.S each year seeking learning and job opportunities to improve their socio-economic status. Moreover, the current state of infrastructure in the country has significantly improved the lives of people from all states. The Northern and Southern regions developed because of the Reconstruction era that followed The American Civil War.

Conclusion

The American Civil War played an integral role in the unification of the U.S, which impacted the socio-economic development of the Northern and Southern regions. Notably, the abolishing of slavery led to poverty in the South, while industrialization progressed in the North. Small scale farmers struggled to maintain their agricultural businesses due to a lack of cheap labor. In contrast, The American Civil War presented African Americans with new opportunities to improve their socio-economic status due to constitutional amendments that gave them equal rights and full citizenship.

References

Weber, T. (1999). The Northern Railroads in the Civil War, 1861-1865. Indiana University Press.

Woodworth, S. E., & Higham, R. (1996). The American Civil War: A handbook of literature and research. Greenwood Publishing Group.