The very first connection between today and the years after the Civil War that stands out to me in the reading is the power of popular culture. The book states that right after the civil war Elizabeth Stuart Phelps wrote a novel to console the grieving country. At that time novels were arguably the most prevalent form of popular culture so Phelps’s novel really united the entire nation. Currently, music is one of the most prevalent forms of popular culture and it has united the country in times of grieving. A strong example of when music united the nation is after 9-11 when Toby Keith released his song, “Courtesy Of the Red, White and Blue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruNrdmjcNTc&feature=artistob&playnext=1&list=TLm2WKw4kaq3Q). After 9-11, America was in a state of grieving and Keith’s song helped Americans release some of the built up anger. Politically, I also see some connections. Controversies with counting Presidential votes arose after the Civil War and they also arose in 2000 between Bush and Gore. The next connection I see in the reading is how innovation and technology change the way Americans live. The lightbulb, automobile, telephone, radio and airplane dramatically changed the American way of life back then. All those innovations promoted population growth and a rising living standard. Now, technology and innovations are changing the American way of life again. Take the iPhone for example, six or seven years ago I would have never thought about checking my email right from cell phone, let alone streaming television on it! There are so many ways that we are connected to the years 1865-1914, you just have to have an open mind to see the parallels.
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