American Culture in the 19th Century
American Culture in the 19th Century "Culture" means the ways in which people understand themselves and interact with each other and their environment. This essay will look at how immigration, poverty, labor disputes, and women struggling for a place in this time period shaped the 19th century. The 19th century was a time of rapid growth and change in America. It was a century of Westward expansion, and the building up of muscular new cities like Chicago. Immigrants brought their cultural traditions to their adopted land. The last three decades of the 19th century were marked by relentless capitalism, corruption, vulgar tastes and ostentatious displays of wealth. While the rich wore diamonds, many other Americans wore rags. In 1890, 11 million of the nation's 12 million families earned less than $1200 per year; the average annual income for most families was $380.00, well below the poverty line. In 1871 Mark Twain was quoted as saying "What is the chef end of man?-to get rich. In what way? - dishonestly if we can; honestly if we must." There were three new social classes in America during the 19th century the first two were the industrial capitalists, it included men like Andrew Carnegie. The second social class was the
Immigrant women and poor American-born women had no choice but to work. Women and men of the 19th century saw changes even in fashions, by 1910 Americans were thinking about comfort. The Southerners began to be known for their emphasis on frying and simmering and high seasonings. The Irish, Italian, German, Polish and Jewish were just a few of the different cultures that dominated the United States in the 19th century. In 1886, a national strike called for changing the standard workday from 12-hours to eight. Three areas of social change, in particular alarmed Victorian-era American society. Ocean liners which were more like floating hotels were the rage. Even private colleges and universities opened their doors more widely by offering scholarships to talented youth. They cut their hair shorter into bobs which were very similar to the style of men. Once America put the war behind them, they were able to focus on the county, their towns, and themselves. Fabric became lighter, colors are brighter, and styles were looser. Both the Titanic and the Lusitanian sunk during this decade. They worked in factories in that were crowded and poorly ventilated. Lacking education or special training, they had to work with their hands and at low wages.
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women *,
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