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Social Values & Norms

Overview: Social change and urban growth in the United States

Since the United States was founded it has been a mecca for those leaving everything behind in order to start over. People would leave their countries in search of something new, something better, something more sustainable, without all the evils of their previous country. These people would come from a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures, and would speak a wide array of languages. This is what the United States was originally founded on. Without this incredible influx of immigrants, the United States would have been unable to grow the way it has.

Fueled by the waves of cheap labor, especially by indentured servants and slaves, the United States was able to establish itself early and develop industry. Without this low cost labor, the United States would not be the country that it is today, because it would have never had the assets available to develop massive industry. By taking advantage of less fortunate cultures, many made massive fortunes, created new industries, and over time the quality of employment, employee rights, and eventually pay went along with it. However slaves made another huge impact on the United States as it created an incredible country wide interest in the rights of others. If it wasn't for slavery, the country never would have been forced to face up to our own evils and we would have never had to realize just how bad our past was. Now that we have seen this, we have been steadily focusing on trying to make a better country for everyone, regardless of their background. And this applies to more than just blacks that were enslaved, this applies to the poor Irish who were forced into horrible conditions to pay off debts from indentured servitude. This includes the asians that came over seeking a new life and worked hard labor with little pay in order to get ahead, and it includes numerous other groups that had to suffer along the way in order to advance themselves within the country.

Now the United States is seen as a place of freedom. Any culture can come here without worry of harassment. Even those of middle eastern decent are now accepted again. While we may have fear for short periods of time, we are also quick to forgive our brothers and sisters just because of how they look. In the end we are all in the United States for the same reasons, freedom and prosperity.

With this huge influx of people throughout the early years of the country, it brought a lot of people towards the industrial capitals of the


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Overview: Social change and urban growth in the United States

  • 1 of 4

    by Alex Li

    The United States was struck with a wave of sudden urbanization and migration. The urban population increased sevenfo... read more

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    by Clacky McSnackins

    Since the United States was founded it has been a mecca for those leaving everything behind in order to start over. ... read more

  • 3 of 4

    by Kim Barker

    Urban growth in the United States has tended to parallel growth and changes in economic, social, and technological tr... read more

  • 4 of 4

    by Kelly Taras

    Thre has been change in how the disabled are treated in the United States.People are willing to ask questions ab... read more

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