History
Discussion #9: How has the automobile impacted American society?
In the 1950s the United States enjoyed a broad-based, unprecedented level of prosperity. Rising purchasing power, expanding credit, and a rapidly growing advertising industry stimulated consumerism. One industry that rapidly developed and expanded was the automobile industry. During the 1950s, Americans purchased 58 million cars. By 1960, 75 percent of American families owned one. The automobile created mobility on a scale not known before, and the automobile industry became a vital element in the economy. It became one of the world’s major manufacturing industries. The automobile dramatically impacted American society, whether you owned one or not.
In order to prepare for this discussion forum:
Review and identify relevant sections of Chapters 19, 20, and 28 that address support for your discussion.
Identify and use at least one outside source for your discussion. Sources must be cited in your discussion. If a link is available, please provide it.
After you have completed your readings post your response to only ONE of the following questions.
Discuss how the automobile positively or negatively impacted American society.
Do you agree or disagree with the the assessment that has been made on the importance of the automobile?
In order to earn the full 100 points (100%) for this assignment, you must:
Directly and completely answer at least ONE question. Please make sure that you clearly indicate which question you have chosen to discuss. Clearly and accurately explain your answer based on factual information contained in the assigned readings. (80 points)
Students must respond to at least one fellow student’s posting explaining the reason(s) for their agreement or disagreement, with the arguments that have been presented, in order to get full credit for the discussion. (20 points)
When posting your response to a fellow student’s comment, please try whenever possible, to select the question that you did not address for your discussion.
Make sure that all statements are supported with facts from the reading selections.
Reminder: Please make sure to comply with all Netiquette Guidelines listed in the Getting Started module.
ANSWER
Impact of Automobile on the American Society
Even though the idea of automobiles was already being constructed in the late 1800s, it was only in the early 20th century, with the creation of the Ford Model-T, that cars had a positive effect on the transportation market. People were able to move around and go wherever they wanted—no more horses, trains, or walking, thus changing Americans’ lives. Ford Company created affordable cars, which modified the company’s face forever by forming a continuously moving assembly line. With the latest right of movement, people did not need to stay close to their workplace. They could live distance away and have more liberty; the suburb, an essential symbol of the North American way of living, emerged. Today, it takes a person a few hours to drive from New York to Boston. Trips can be organized within a few minutes before actually embarking on them, making it plain easy.
Another positive effect of the automobile is that it changed the rural and urban landscape in the United States. In many conditions, the car made its influence felt first in the rural environment where vehicles were used for recreation and touring, on the weekends, instead of restoring the already available transit that brought individuals to and from work in the town areas. Cars could help tackle rural issues such as isolation and transportation of farm products to other parts of the country. Therefore, the introduction of automobiles improved Americans’ general lifestyle by boosting the economy and agricultural production. Those who lived in the urban areas had the chance to rediscover pristine landscape, just as rural people could also shop in towns and cities.
