Urbanization's Social Impact by the Late 1950s
TITLE
‘Urbanisation was the most significant factor in bringing about social change by the end of the 1950s.
ESSAY
The period between the later 1940s and 1950s in America witnessed significant social change. This essay will argue that while urbanisation played a crucial role in driving these changes, it was not the sole factor, as other elements such as the impact of the war, education, civil rights movements, and cultural developments also contributed to transforming society.
Urban growth and migration from rural areas fueled by industrialization played a considerable role in bringing about social change. The expansion of suburbs provided new housing opportunities and attracted families seeking a better standard of living. This resulted in increased contact and mixing of different racial and ethnic groups outside the racially segregated South. Consequently, greater interaction between different communities led to social integration on a wider scale.
The rise of consumerism, closely associated with urbanisation, also transformed American society. Urban areas served as centers for commercial activities and cultural developments that began seeping into the rest of the country. This created new material aspirations and a shift in values and attitudes towards a more consumer-oriented lifestyle. Moreover, urbanization brought about job opportunities and higher wages, providing individuals with a more extended outlook than was possible in rural or small-town America.
However, it is important to acknowledge that social changes during this period were not solely driven by urbanization. The social impact of World War II, which had just concluded, cannot be underestimated. The war brought women into the workforce in large numbers, challenging traditional gender roles and paving the way for future feminist movements. Additionally, the war generated a demand for better education and increased access to education which subsequently brought about improvements in social mobility.
Furthermore, the growing demands for civil rights and greater equality were significant drivers of social change. African Americans, who had mostly been confined to the discriminatory Southern states, began to challenge racial segregation and demand equal rights. The Civil Rights Movement gained momentum during this era and played a pivotal role in shaking the foundations of racial discrimination in America.
Cultural developments, such as the rise of a youth culture, also played a prominent role in shaping society during this time. The emergence of rock and roll music, along with the rebellious attitude of teenagers, challenged traditional values and norms. Mass communication, through the advent of television, brought these cultural developments to a wider audience, allowing for the spread of new ideas and changing perspectives.
While urbanisation contributed significantly to social change, there were also challenges that arose as a byproduct of this process. Housing problems, decaying inner cities, crime rates, racial tensions, pollution, and the undermining of existing social attitudes all created instability in society.
In conclusion, while urbanisation was a significant factor in bringing about social change by the end of the 1950s in America, it was not the sole force responsible. Other elements such as the social impact of the war, education, civil rights movements, and cultural developments also played crucial roles in transforming society. It is essential to acknowledge the complex interplay of these various factors to fully understand the dynamics of social change during this period.
SUBJECT
HISTORY
PAPER
A Level
NOTES
‘Urbanisation was the most significant factor in bringing about social change by the end of the 1950s.’ Discuss. Indicative content The later 1940s and 1950s saw considerable social change. American society in 1945 had been rooted deeply in the past. A third of Americans lived in poverty; in rural areas half of the farms had no electricity. Road communications were often limited and many communities were cut off. A third of American homes had no running water. Though there had been some movement north in the war, most black Americans lived in the South under legal discrimination. There was limited indication of modern consumerism in many areas and urban centres and urban culture were separated from the bulk of the country. Urban growth played an important role in social change, expanding suburbs, encouraging migration from the countryside, leading to a greater racial mix outside the South, promoting consumerism. However, many of the social changes were linked to other factors – the social impact of the war; the changes in education; the growing demands for civil rights and greater equality; the development of a youth culture. Some resulted from urban growth but not all. Urbanisation and social change must be the focus of the question and answers could consider the greater social opportunities offered by urban growth, cultural developments, job opportunities, greater contact with different people, often higher wages and a more extended outlook than was possible in small town or rural USA. As well as that, there were housing problems, the retreat to the suburbs, decaying inner city areas, crime, racial tensions, pollution and challenges to existing attitudes which could be seen as undermining stability. Alternative elements which some might see as more significant might include greater awareness among ethnic minorities of social rights and inequalities; the changes in the role of women; the development of youth culture; changes in mass communication – but alternatives should be compared with the key element in the question to assess significance.