Sofia Carlin

1.1.24

HIST 17B Paper 2

Going from an America with practically two separate societies - one with a growing

urban economy and the other completely dependent on the system of slavery - to a unified

country of freedom in under a century is undoubtedly a drastic transformation. The aftermath of

the Civil War left Americans in a moment of questioning and reorganization. The South had

completely crumbled while the North was left with the aftermath of millions of freed refugees.

Change was necessary to move forward, and a new, modern America had to begin the process of

rebuilding. Defining modernity is necessary to understand the extent of these transformations.

Modernity: An era defined by significant social and political transformations, technological

advancements, and globalization. By this definition, post-war reform policies, industrialization,

and westward expansion forged a modern America. Despite continuing systems of corruption,

racism, and colonialism, Americans from 1830 to 1920 saw themselves as a part of a thriving,

progressive, and modern American society.

On January 1st, 1863, President Lincoln stated in the Emancipation Proclamation: “I do

order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States… are, and

henceforward shall be free,”.1 His proclamation freed millions of enslaved people,

simultaneously ending the treacherous war between the North and South. After the Union’s

victory, political leaders had their work cut out for them to completely reconstruct a broken

America. The first major political reform enacted out of reconstruction was the ratification of the

13th Amendment on January 31, 1865. By solidifying Lincoln’s proclamation into the American

1
"Lincoln, Abraham. Emancipation Proclamation
constitution, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, making it illegal for any human to own

another. Soon followed by the 14th and 15th amendments - guaranteeing birthright citizenship

and suffrage for all men - these constitutional reforms undoubtedly modernized America into a

country based upon freedom.

However, despite abolishing slavery, the 13th Amendment mentions nothing about civil

rights or what Black Americans were meant to do after over 200 years of enslavement.

Reconstruction began enacting other reform policies in an attempt to combat this issue and

rebuild American society. One of these reforms was in response to the sheer crisis of formerly

enslaved refugees. 4 million people had been set free yet had no place to live, no jobs, and were

often separated from their families. The Freedmen’s Bureau was a reform policy that intended to

help in the transition from enslaved person to freed person. The Bureau worked to reunite family

members, offer legal services, and provide food, shelter, and medical services.2 The Freedmen's

Bureau was one of the first reform attempts to adjust Black Americans to a free America. Freed

people were not the only ones in need of adjustments, however; white Americans as well. White

Southerners especially made it clear that they were not going to accept black freedom,

continuing extreme racial violence. 3 Radical Reconstruction countered this with reforms such as

the Civil Rights Act. This Act protected freed people from violence as well as granted citizenship

for all freed enslaved people.4 The United States government was serious about enforcing

abolition even when the South continued to deny it, even willing to send in troops and dictate all

Southern governments. Political Reform acts created during reconstruction rebuilt post-war

American society. While these reforms modernized American society, reconstruction was a rocky

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Lecture 15: Reconstruction
3
Lecture 15: Reconstruction
4
Lecture 15: Reconstruction
process, and Americans, especially in the south, were slow to modernize their beliefs. Social

systems such as sharecropping and racial violence kept the sentiment of slavery alive, making us

question whether these reforms actually modernized American thinking.

Arguably, one of the most obvious pillars of a modern society is rapid technological

advancement. From 1830 to 1920, America underwent rapid industrialization because of the

Transcontinental railroad and American Steel, paving the way for further expansion as well as a

booming economy. Starting construction in 1862, the Transcontinental is arguably one of the

most significant players in the modernization of America. Railroad expansion opened up a world

of opportunities by creating jobs, enabling travel, and facilitating the transport of goods.5 The

Transcontinental Railroad was vital to modernization as Americans saw it as an investment for

the betterment of all Americans. From 1860 to 1890, a railroad boom began with massive

expansion all over the country. This was made possible by the innovation of the standard

track-gauge, making it possible for anyone to build upon the tracks.

There is one more component necessary to railroad construction that catapulted a new

commercial market as well; this being American Steel. Steel was created through a process

called the Bessemer converter, which heats iron in a furnace to remove the impurities. Andrew

Carnegie adopted this method and took over the entire process of steel production.6 Steel became

the literal building block of America and replaced iron in railroad tracks. Carnegie's Steel

production as well as the Transcontinental Railroad, created the perfect atmosphere for a new

commercial market.

Goods began becoming standardized and mass produced, accumulating business owners'

immense wealth. Written by Andrew Carnegie himself, The Gospel of Wealth recounts
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Lecture 16: Empire and Conquest in “The West”
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Lecture 18: The Gilded Age
Carnegie's vision of a modern American society. “Not evil, but good, has come to the race from

the accumulation of wealth by those who have had the ability and energy to produce it.”7

Carnegie reflects on how technological advancements are beneficial to society by drastically

increasing wealth and production. However, Carnegie acknowledges the massive wealth

disparity and believes the uber wealthy should use their money for the greater good of society,

such as investing in public institutions. The gospel of wealth paved the way for a modern

American society by outlining a new worldview fit for a new America. The Transcontinental

Railroad, American Steel, and a new commercial market were essential to industrialization and

in creating a modern American society. Despite preaching philanthropy and morality, the

uber-rich robber barons of the time did the complete opposite. They kept the majority of their

money to themselves and continued similar systems of corruption seen in the past.

Westward expansion is a major aspect of modern America by promoting industrial and

economic growth and expanding the frontier. As mentioned before, the transcontinental railroad

was essential for westward expansion. The Pacific Railway Act of 1869 incentivized private

companies to expand the railroad by subsidizing indigenous land for private companies to build

upon.8 Railroad construction was designed specifically to spur migration to the region. The

Pacific Railway Act exemplifies modernization by encouraging expansion and commercial, and

economic growth. The Homestead Act of 1862 also encouraged American migration by offering

80 acres of free land to every person who had not fought for the confederacy to 80 as long as

they settled and improved the land.9 270 million acres of land were given to 1.6 million people in

Western areas. This act modernized America by vastly expanding its borders. For this to be

possible, however, Indian removal was necessary.

1868 is an example of westward expansion and demonstrates the American government

compromising with the indigenous people after years of forced removal. As the treaty states,

“The Government of the United States desires peace, and its honor is hereby pledged to keep

it.”10 The treaty reflected the broader pattern of displacement and westward expansion. Westward

expansion literally reshaped modern American society by expanding territorially and driving

technological advancements. By encouraging expansion, innovation and progress were

encouraged as well. However, this would not be possible without the destruction and genocide of

the indigenous people. As America claims to be transforming into a free and civilized nation, it

continues to uphold injustice and racism, making us question how modern it truly is.

In conclusion, modernity is defined by significant advancements in technology,

sociopolitical change, and globalization. From 1830 to 1920, post-war reforms, industrialization,

and westward expansion played a crucial role in shaping America into a modern society.

However, despite following this definition of modern, the United States continues to practice

harmful tactics of racism, colonialism, and corruption.

10
Navajo Treaty: 1868