The twentieth century was a century of rapid change and growth. The United States is historically based on the flux of change since it was founded on basic concepts that were fairly new to the governmental scene. Democracy was a radical idea based on the concept of the individual being in charge of his or her own destiny; the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. By the advent of the 20th century, however, the United States was perched on edge of a century that would bring the height of the Industrial Revolution, two world wars, changes in speed of travel and communication, technological advances only conceived of in science fiction stories, as well as changes in societal relationships and stratification. Women would gain the right to vote. African-Americans would gain the right to attend the same schools as white students. The make up of the family would go from extended, to nuclear, and back to extended. Gays and lesbians would speak out on their right to be treated equally and to be able form family groups and partnerships (Henslin, 1999). In all of these changes, it is difficult to choose which ones have had the most impact on the 20th century, but the Industrial Revolution and the relationships of family were two of the most important social changes of the 20th century.
By the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century (before World War I), the United States was one of the nations at the forefront of change and innovation. It had to be, because by 1914 there were over one million immigrants a year entering the United States. ôCollectively these men, women, and children contributed to the largest influx ever to reach United States shores in a twenty-two year periodö (Dinnerstein, 1983, p. 12). These immigrants needed housing, jobs, police protection, social services, and schooling, among other things, which caused a constant move toward innovation and adaptation. ôTheir presence propel...