Ashley Lurie
December 12, 2014
During
this semester, I learned a wide variety of information about the history of the
United States, beginning with Reconstruction in Chapter 15, and ending with
Emerging Industrial Supremacy & Industrial Workers in the New Economy, in
Chapter 17. Everything in between, such as Native Americans, and the Age of the
City were most pleasing to me.
I was pleasantly
surprised to learn how to write a film review. Being a visual learner, watching
a film is more satisfying than reading from the text, and comprehending it. I
enjoyed watching 12 Years a Slave produced by Steve McQueen, and Glory produced
by Edward Zwick. The most interesting part of this process was researching the
movies, and hearing what the filmmaker’s intentions really were. I also enjoyed
learning about the Age of the City. In 1872, Montgomery Ward contributed a
catalog of consumer goods in association with the farmers’ organization. By the
1880s, he was offering thousands of items at low prices to farmers throughout
the Middle West. Facing competition with Sears Roebuck, established by Richard
Sears. These catalogs changed lives of many isolated people, introducing them
to new trends. I love shopping, so Marshall Field in Chicago, and Macys in New
York caught my attention. I think it is interesting how they brought together
the idea of a big Department store.
I was
unpleasantly surprised to learn about the aggressive abuse to slaves. I never
realized how badly slaves were treated until we watched 12 Years A Slave. Racial
issues last to this day, buy they do not even compare to what they were.
I will
be able to remember the cruel behavior white people gave to black people, and
all of the racial issues 10 years from now. I will also be able to remember to
use empathy over sympathy in the future. If I go into nursing, I will be able
to use empathy everyday and put myself into my patient’s shoes, without feeling
pity for them.
America
has always struggled with racism. I believe racism is still an issue today. For
example the recent Ferguson shooting that has lead to riots and racial tension
all throughout the United States.
Historians
tend to name various eras in history. From what I have learned in United States
history this semester, I think “The Transportation Age” is the most suitable
name for the period 1865-1920. By 1910, the industry had become a major force
in the economy. The automobile was beginning to reshape American Social and
Cultural life, and the nations landscape. Innovations and rapid developments
were occurring at this time.
