How The United States Became A Civic Nation Essay

In Diminished Democracy: From Membership to Management in America Civic Life by Theda Skocpol the role of civic associations in previous decades is discussed. In the second Chapter, How The UInited States Became A civic Nation, notes that the American Civic creativity traces its roots to the voluntary organization of the American people. This was enhanced by the dispersed authority in the American governance and “from dependence on private religious associations to guide the American moral philosophy.” The civic life was encouraged by the social life that was characterized by strong families, tightly knit neighborhoods. These small-scale associations created a sense of belonging that enabled the masses tackle human and social problems that have currently transformed to national problems.
The American voluntarism was a key foundation in the democratic building of America. The voluntary associations were core in the development of opinion for they formulated principles, generated attention, generated discussion that clearly went a long way in creating a conscious and sensitive people. Between 1870 and 1920, churches and chapters of very large federations were the most persistent of locally present voluntary membership groups. These groups formed the organized civic life in communities across America. The northeastern America communities were the first to have civic voluntarism that then spread across the emerging American nation and people of various backgrounds. The role of women in civic voluntarism was not very vibrant then. The most notable voluntary association with fair gender was The American Female Moral Reform Society founded in New York that eventually brought forth more chapters.
The civic movements grew further, with more minorities establishing their own movements in America. The African Americans, Germans, and the Irish formed the large U.S minority. Many voluntary associations across America shunned the Blacks as members. Movements such as The Grand United Order of Odd Fellows was created to accommodate the Black Americans. Civic voluntarism flourished due to the religious wave that swept America after the Second Great Awakening. Many men and women were active in the reform crusades that were based on religious ideals and networks. Another factor behind the growth of civic voluntarism was the movements of people across America. This made the ideals of the voluntarism to spread everywhere in America. The postal system was also another factor that led to the spread of the civic voluntarism. This helped in the spread of information across America.
The modernizing of the civic movement was brought about by shifts in the economy, industrialization, civil war, minority demands and the world war. The economy shifts saw the distribution of resources across America bringing about conflict and conflict of opinions. The emergence of industrialization led to the establishment of labor unions that were part of the vibrant American civic movement. The tussles between industrialists and the masses brought forth much civic space across America. The minorities such as the women and the African Americans were also a strong element in the modernizing of the American civic movement, as we know it today. The women fought for gender equality and recognition. The African Americans, on the other hand, agitated for abolition of slavery and equality. Their efforts saw them being absorbed in the Union troops and increased awareness of the Black people rights. The world war unified the American people in an organized civic organization. It reinforced voluntarism and mass-mobilization in rallying the American masses against external aggression.