Geography and Migration During Reconstruction Essay

Introduction

Since reconstruction, the importance of geography and migration in the US has been a vital element of the country’s history, dramatically impacting the country’s politics, economy, and society. Geography has formed the country’s political borders and divisions. In contrast, migration has played an important part in the growth and fall of various sectors and the formation of new economic systems¹. Additionally, immigration has had a long-term influence on the country’s social structure, defining american society’s cultural variety and racial dynamics during the twentieth century. An investigation of the political, economic, and social consequences of geography and migration during this period reveals that these events were critical to the creation of modern America.

Investigation of Geography and Migration during the End of Reconstruction

Geography has had a fundamental role in American politics from the end of Reconstruction through the years, defining borders and divisions between states and regions. It has been especially apparent in the South, which maintained a racial segregation system long after the rest of the country had abolished its own². This system was based on geography, enforcing different laws and policies within states and regions to keep African-Americans from exercising their political rights. This impacted the economy, as certain areas were blocked off for certain types of development, such as the integration of new businesses, which often left certain communities needing more resources to thrive.

Migrations have had a significant impact on the economy of the United States since the end of the era known as Reconstruction. This was especially true throughout the twentieth century when many people relocated from rural to urban regions in quest of economic possibilities. This influx of people greatly influenced the economy, causing certain industries to grow, while others, such as agriculture, struggled to keep up³. Manufacturing was one of the industries that prospered. The economy’s tidal effect caused this. This transformation in the economy’s functioning has significant consequences, affecting not just the socioeconomic make-up of the country as a whole but also the political influences exercised in certain regions.

Finally, migration has made a considerable contribution to the social structure of the United States. Because of the vast number of people from other areas of the world who have been permitted to establish new lives in the United States, the country today has a more diverse and cosmopolitan population⁴. This has had a tremendous influence on the nation’s culture, with the numerous cultures, faiths, and languages influencing how individuals interact with one another and how they engage with the nation.⁵ This cultural diversity can have both beneficial and negative consequences, such as cultural misunderstandings and conflicts, but it can also contribute to cultural richness and diversity. It is not necessary for these outcomes to be exclusive of one another.

Conclusion

Geography and population migrations have been key elements in the political, economic, and social life of the United States from the end of the Reconstruction period and lasting into the 1980s. The establishment of political borders and divisions has been mostly due to geography, while migration has played an important role in expanding and contracting many different businesses. Moreover, immigration has impacted the country’s social structure, resulting in a culturally varied population and racial dynamics that continue to impact today. The political, economic, and social impacts of geography and migration during this period are being felt today and attest to the importance of geography and migration in the establishment of modern America.

Bibliography

“Presidential Campaign Commercial 1952-2020.” The Living Room Candidate – Commercials – 1952 – Ike for President. Limelight networks, 2020. Web.

Anderson, R. and Schultz, W. (2013) The Triumph of the Right, the American yawp. Stanford University Press. Web.

Editors, History.com. “The Watergate Scandal – Timeline, Summary & Deep Throat – History.” Web.

Eidenmuller, Michael E. “American Rhetoric Top 100 Speeches.” Jimmy Carter – a Crisis of Confidence Speech – American Rhetoric. Web.

Naltchayan, Joyce. “Bill Clinton – Impeachment, Presidency & Monica Lewinsky – History.” Bill Clinton HISTORY. A & E Television Networks, 2009. Web.

Footnotes

1. Vault, Nuclear. “Duck and Cover (1951) Bert the Turtle.” YouTube. YouTube, July 11, 2009. Last modified July 11, 2009.
2. Eidenmuller, Michael E. “American Rhetoric Top 100 Speeches.” Jimmy Carter – a Crisis of Confidence Speech – American Rhetoric.
3. 3 Naltchayan, Joyce. “Bill Clinton – Impeachment, Presidency & Monica Lewinsky – History.” Bill Clinton HISTORY. A & E Television Networks, 2009. Web.
4. “Presidential Campaign Commercial 1952-2020.” The Living Room Candidate – Commercials – 1952 – Ike for President. Limelight networks, 2020. Web.
5. Editors, History.com. “The Watergate Scandal – Timeline, Summary & Deep Throat – History.” Shows This Day in History. Web.