How much change could one war possibly bring? Could it be enough to shape the future of a nation forever? This question defined the culture and societal values of the era. The war affected countless lives through numerous ways. From young to old, man to woman, one race to another, this war would prove to change people’s perspectives forever. Among others in the nation, the war affected the lives of women, German-American immigrants, and African Americans.
Women were affected through the changing times of the war. As their husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons left to fight for their country, the women decided to help in the factories to aid their loved ones as best as possible. The number of women working increased as the war went on. They helped make supplies for their loved ones through every opportunity presented to them. As their influence in the workplace increased, many women seeked an influence in politics and choosing their country’s leaders. Women like Carrie Catt started organizations to rally support for women’s suffrage. Later, the new generation of women, including Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, would push the limits of determination and achieve suffrage for the future daughters of the United States.
Along with women, German-American immigrants were affected as an outcome of the war. Nationalism surged in the veins of the people and soon took a much darker turn. What started as a love for one’s nation, soon turned into a hatred for anything foreign to it. Xenophobia was presented in every aspect of the German-Americans’ lives. They were tarred and feathered simply due to the name of their heritage. Musicians refused to perform with German composers, such as Beethoven and Bach. Even the names of German foods were changed simply due to the hatred of everything related to the “enemy”. This hatred overtook the nation and forced unforgivable treatment towards some very innocent people.
Another group that was deeply affected by the war were the African Americans. Living in an era of unfair racial discrimination, the war pushed African American rights even further from the minds of the people. With everyone so focused on the war, African Americans had to make their own path to respect during the war. Many of them signed up to serve their country in the war in hopes of only respect and fair treatment in return. This raised their status quite a bit during the era; however, it would take well into the century for them to get the fair treatment they rightfully deserved. It wouldn’t be until the Jazz Age that their values and culture would influence society.
Through every struggle they faced, these three groups aimed for change in the nation. Whether it be allowing their daughters to vote or having everyone’s children study in the same school regardless of race or ethnicity. Women, German-American immigrants, and African American influenced the nation for the better and this is evident in the culture of the country. From food to women voting, these groups changed the values placed upon certain things. So yes; one war can define the future of an entire nation, and these changes proved to be long-term impacts in the lives of those around them.
No comments:
Post a Comment