The document discusses how the 20th century, known as the "American Century", shaped the United States into the country it is today. It became a materialistic and consumer-driven society through industrialization and economic growth. Major events like the World Wars, Great Depression, and Civil Rights Movement transformed America. While technology and culture advanced in this century, it was also the deadliest due to wars. The impacts of the 20th century are still seen today as America remains heavily consumer-focused.

1. Darcie-Lynne Chidester
Professor Cantera
HIST 1700
3 May 2012
Essay Question Number 3
The “American Century” is the name of the Twentieth Century (1900-1999). It is called
the “American Century” because it is the century that made America the way it is today. This
Century shaped the U.S. into a materialistic and consumerism society and is marked as an era of
beginnings and endings. From Industrialism to Culture and everything in between this Century
changed the whole way the U.S. works and is.
When Industrialism advanced and more inventions were being made, the U.S. became
powered by the Economy and we became known as the “Economy of the World”. Also, our
culture was really created during this century. Music and Movies and Entertainment was created
and discovered, as well as sports.
Because of the advance technology, this century became known as the bloodiest century,
especially during WWII and the Cold War. When WWII started tanks and planes and guns had
really improved allowing the U.S. to have a better advantage than others. We saw many deadly
wars take place in this century; Vietnam War, WWI, WWII. Many major events took place in
this century that changed so much of America; the Great Depression, the Baby Boom, the
Progressive Movement, and the Civil Rights Movement. After the Baby Boom the U.S. truly did
become “Affluenza”.
Without the “American Century” today would be a completely different world. The way
we function and live would not be anything like it is. I guess you could say that changes and

2. events that took place during the Twentieth Century were a blessing and a curse. We are an even
more consumer driven economy and we still very much so are “Affluenza”. You would think
that we would change certain things and not make the same choices that were made in the
Twentieth Century but the past decade has shown that we haven’t. We have almost fallen into a
“Great Depression” ourself.