Business Transformation in the 20th Century

Write 1000 to 1,200-word essay in response to the following prompt: In the second half of the twentieth century, the US underwent some profound transformations.  After growing steadily and robustly for two or more decades, the economy entered a sustained period of stagnation, instability, deindustrialization, and financialization beginning in the early 1970s.  Major social movements swept across the nation – the Civil Rights Movement for African Americans, the Feminist Movement for women, among others. How did these economic and social transformations shape how members of these four major segments participated in business:  workers (both in factories and offices), corporate managers, women, and African Americans?  On balance, for each group, did these changes represent progress? Your essay should begin with an introduction that clearly states your positions on the question, followed by a body that develops a logical argument supported by historical evidence. Both questions allow for a great deal of discretion in how you approach them – in which topics or themes you choose to address or not address – so think carefully about coverage. Use quotations sparingly.  Do not use them to convey basic information, but rather when the original speaker/writer uses a language in a special way (e.g. “As Frederick Taylor remarked, ‘In the past the man has been first; in the future the system must be first.’”). Your essay should be double-spaced, with your name and “HIST136 final essay” at the top; no title is necessary.  Submit the assignment as a Word document (no pdf files please) through Canvas as a file attachment.  If you do not have access to Word software, it is available through the University’s software site license with Microsoft; contact the campus IT HELP desk. Source citation:  You do not need to provide a bibliography.  However, provide short citations following all original material, including ideas – not just quotations – following the style described from the midterm paper.  You should cite not only course readings but also, where necessary, class lectures and discussions, again following the examples below.  Widely-know information does not need to be cited.  Do not use readings, websites, or other information sources not assigned in the course. Format: Double spaced, size 12 Times New Roman font.