New South Sociology

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The New South course covered shift the American South and what made this shift so significant. The New South economically and sociologically changed after the Civil War. The aftermath caused the South to be poor and rural; they were still dependent on the agricultural economy. It soon followed the North’s example of industrialization significantly changed the South’s economy. In turn, this brought more populations as well as diversity to the South. This reflects in what is seen as the New South today. The First Year Seminar: The New South was a great experience to analyze how unique the South is in the United States. I was able to view the South differently in actually experiencing in the South for myself and able to apply the content that …show more content…
It is unique as opposed to other areas of the United States in how it responded to industrialization and economic prosperity. The South’s economy was based on agriculture and textiles where northern states had already started their own industrialization with metal and oil. The Great Depression left the South very impoverished and undeveloped. When World War II came, the South’s economy was heavily boosted through military production in aircraft factories and ship yards. This provided many jobs, and thus, attracted many populations to larger cities. In turn, this urbanized these cities. The South became more appealing to businesses in other areas of the United States so many moved to the South. As described in Globalization of the American South, an example many automotive industries in the Midwestern cities moved to Southern cities because of economic decline and non-unionized employees willing to work for lower wages. This attracted many different populations from within the country and around the world to the …show more content…
I thought that the trips to the sites were extremely helpful in understanding the how certain populations affected the areas and how it is consider the New South. Specifically, the Sweet Auburn district is a historical site and many of the original structures are kept. It is evident that it has affected what population lives in the neighborhood and that many do not because of the housing that is offered. In Atlanta and many other major cities, different populations renovate the housing and buildings in a historic area to make it more appealing. This replaces the lower-income populations with higher-income populations. I also felt this concept is heavily conveyed through the documentaries, The Sunshine States and The Flag Wars, in which it shows gentrification in the same aspect. The readings prior to the visits to the sites helped accentuate the significance of the area whether it highlighted gentrification or cultural areas. The follow-up discussion also embedded the importance of these readings, trips, and films. It was useful hearing from my peers’ perspective on each of the concepts because it shed light on what I may have overlooked where I may have done the same for them. Discussions were helpful to me also in the fact that they gave me a full understanding of the reading, film, or trip’s

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