cloudstrider, posts by tag: link - LiveJournal

Perhaps if we did this in poll form, it would be more provocative:
I am borrowing the eight categories from Siena College's Trying Times--in American history--Survey and I have added the New Industrial Order era from the latter 1800s--the rise of monopolies, strikes, reform movements, American imperialism, etc. I also apologize to our Canadian and Australian members; yes, this survey is U.S.-American-centric, but I welcome your thoughts on this, as well.

For each of the nine eras, select where you rank each one as far as it being a "trying" era in American history(and yes, that is defined loosely). '1' would be what you consider the most trying of the group and '9' the least. Try to avoid ties and be careful that you fill this out correctly; use every number, 1 through 9. I'll be curious to see how this turns out.

( Take the poll/See the on-going resultsCollapse )

I definitely think that although we certainly live in somewhat dramatic times, we all could use a dose of what this survey of historians suggests: That this current era in American history isn't "so bad compared to other tough times in America's past." Every generation thinks they live in a special time, and, of course, they are all correct, but they must remember their generation's respective era is the only one that seems "real" to them--because they have a direct emotional connection to that particular era. (And eras before one's life are more so associated with boring textbooks!) Every generation should feel the drama of their times, as that feeling leads people to press for change/action of some sort. But, nevertheless, things should be kept in historical perspective. We certainly have our problems nowadays (and we should work on those!), but they're nothing compared to past crises.

Your thoughts on this survey and on our 'era'?