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In the 1920s and 1980s civil society was more influential than individuals. Civil Society is more influential because it has a longer lasting legacy as well as a greater impact on the daily lives of citizens. For example in the 1920s Broadway, CBS, and the PGA all have more influence than the people who created them. The same goes for associations in the 80s like Cult of Celebrity, Brat Pack films, and the Olympics. These associations fall under social determinism on the great man continuum. They show that the environmental conditions have greater influence than the actions of the individual.

Broadway, CBS, and the PGA are three associations that were created in the 1920s that we still see around today. Broadway became significant in the 1920s for becoming a source of entertainment that cheered people up and helped ease the pain of the war. Michael M’s Wiki stated,"Many people went to see the Broadway productions because during the time of war they wanted to feel “as though the war [wasn’t] happening” (Batchelor Broadway in the 1940’s). CBS is another association that made a great accomplishment. CBS was considered the pioneers of national broadcasting; they revealed news faster and easier to all of their viewers. The Professional Golf Association, or the PGA, was created in the 1920s. It started as a club for professionals and is credited for bringing popularity and money to the sport.

All three of these 1920s associations created a long lasting legacy. Broadway created a legacy of stage entertainment and according to Michael M, "Broadway pushed along the invention of TV shows, radio and Hollywood. Columbia Broadcasting System made its legacy off of their ability to inform viewers of the latest news much faster than how news was spread by newspaper". “CBS was the pioneers of national broadcasting and their legacy still lives on to this day” (Becca J). The PGA made its legacy by bringing popularity to golf. The PGA has shaped an industry that has grown to $62 billion in sales on an annual basis" (PGA of America 90th anniversary). The PGA has grown tremendously and is one association that is still popular to this day.

One reason that Broadway, CBS, and the PGA are still around today is because of the influence they had on citizens’ lives. Broadway influenced people through its shows, “Broadway attracted rich and poor alike with its wide variety of themes, including ethnic issues and race relations” (Michael M). CBS, being a new way to learn information, created its own influence on people. “The way reporters were able to spread the news changed how politics were distributed and viewed…With an easier way to get information, more people got involved with issues, such as voting and what they voted for” (Becca J). The PGA was an association that attracted and influenced people to play or become a fan of golf.

These associations created legacies and influenced many, but they also impacted the lives of those then and today. Broadway impacted the lives of those living in the 20s because it offered jobs for many and created an escape for those trying to forget about the issues that were going on during this time. “Because of the size and scope of its offerings, theater had become a major tourist attraction in New York City” (Blood). Like in the 20s Broadway continues to be a popular form of entertainment that attracts people from all over. CBS impacted those living in the 1920s because it allowed people to learn about what was going on quickly. This was especially crucial during this time because of the war. CBS still has the same impact today as it did then. People want to know what is going on in the world and in their own country, and CBS provides that for its viewers. The PGA impacted mainly the rich during the 1920s. “It really became a way for the richer side of America to pass time. Golf was a leisurely sport, but people also enjoyed watching it” (Michael W). Today the PGA has grown and become popular among people of any class, and because of this it still continues to impact peoples lives.

Cult of Celebrity, Brat Pack Films, and the Olympics are three associations that were popular in the 1980s that continue to be well known today. The Cult of Celebrity is known as the widespread interest of famous individuals. “Whether it be someone who is famous for their talents or just famous for being famous, people adore people that are famous” (Michael W). The Brat Pack films are movies that came out in the 80s that redefined the teen-film genre. They defined the youth of the 80s through plot, style, and music. The 1988 Olympics became a key factor in bringing the world together. This event was significant because "unlike the 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympics, there was no widespread boycott in 1988. Athletes from both sides of the Cold War competed in both the winter and summer games" (Moretti).

These three associations have gone on to create a legacy still known today. Cult of Celebrity has made a legacy for itself as being America’s dream. Being famous is something that has become a dream for almost all people. “Today most of our society wants to achieve that social status, they want to be famous. The only people to look up to and idle in that situation are those who have accomplished that goal…” (Michael W). The Brat Pack films have become a legacy for their unique portrayal of the everyday lives of teens living in the 80s. “John Hughes’ Brat Pack films revolutionized the youth film genre” (Shea S). The 1988 Olympics made a legacy by being the games with no widespread boycott. “The legacy of the 1988 Olympic Games was one of a successful, peaceful Games that brought the world a little closer together before the start of a new decade” (Max R).

All three of these groups had a great influence on the lives of citizens in the 80s. “Celebrities were big influences in the 1980s” (Michael W). Celebrities became role models to the everyday citizens, they were glamorous and exciting, and no matter what they did people still looked up to them. The Brat Pack films influenced many teens around this time period. According to the article John Hughes Still Matters by Susannah Gora, “ Hughes was smart enough to treat teen problems seriously, whether they be heavy or more everyday (concerns about popularity and the prom). Teens responded to this theme well and were influenced by how the characters responded to everyday issues. The Olympics influenced the lives of citizens because it brought the world closer together. According to Max R’s Wiki page, The Seoul Olympics also witnessed East Germany and USSR participating in the games for the last time as both countries ceased to exist before the beginning of the next Olympic Games", and that the Olympics in Seoul "witnessed the largest participation in any Olympics as of that date", which goes to show the monumental influence it had on the world at that time.

These three groups have greatly impacted the lives of everyday people. Cult of Celebrity impacted those who looked up to certain celebrities, they would try to be more like them or follow in their footsteps in hopes of fame. This obsession with celebrities is still seen in today’s culture. People have this curiosity about celebrities’ lives and they wish to be just like them. This is not always a healthy obsession, but according to Michael W, The cult of celebrity is something that will be around for a long time and we can only hope that the good aspects of it will hold up. The Brat Pack films had a strong impact on those in the 80s, the focus on teen lives and struggles made it relatable to most viewers. “These films were different than any other movies at the time and they turned the teen genre into something new and appealing” (Shea S). The Brat pack films have become classics in today’s film industry and still impact people in the same way they impacted those in the 80s. The 1988 Olympic games impacted people all over the world who were watching. Even today people remember the 1988 Olympics as something special and for being one of the greatest Olympic games.

Broadway is more influential than CBS because it is an association that was extremely popular in the 1920s and continues to be enjoyed by people from all over in today’s culture. CBS is less influential than Broadway because even though in the 20s it was new and original, today there are other channels like it so it hasn’t created as much as a title for itself like Broadway did. CBS is more influential than the PGA because the PGA only attracted golf fans while CBS attracted a much broader audience. The Cult of Celebrity in the 1980s is more influential than Brat Pack Films because the image of Hollywood and celebrities is a trend that seems to continue on, especially as the media grows in this day and age. The Brat pack films may be less influential than the Cult of Celebrity, but it is more influential than the 1988 Olympics because it has endured a longer legacy. The Olympics impacted those during the time of the games, but it hasn’t impacted many people today like the Brat Pack films have. Civil Society in the 1920s and 1980s is more influential than individuals, because of its ability to continue on and influence people as times goes on unlike an individual.

Works Cited Becca J. “Columbia Broadcasting System, William S. Paley 1920” //Buchholtz Sidor American Studies.// Web. 15 Feb. 2012.

Max R. “1988 Olympics, Carl Lewis” //Buchholtz Sidor American Studies.// Web. 12 Mar. 2012.

Michael M. “Broadway, George Gershwin, Eugene O’Neil 19” //Buchholtz Sidor American Studies.// Web. 6 Feb. 2012.

Michael W. “Cult of Celebrity, Princess Diana, John Lennon” //Buchholtz Sidor American Studies.// Web. 12 Mar 2012.

Michael W. “PGA, Bobby Jones” //Buchholtz Sidor American Studies.// Web. 10 Feb 2012.

Shea S. “John Hughes and Brat Pack Films” //Buchholtz Sidor American Studies.// Web. 11 Mar. 2012.

RUBRIC

A quality comparison essay will

•Use the __four__ criteria of Great Man Continuum to analyze the significance of three 1920’s topics and three 1980s topics. general analysis of individual criteria

•Analyze of each of the 6 topics with evidence taken from the 1920s and 1980s wikis, supporting evidence for each topic--topics' importance described

•Develop thoughtful and thorough conclusions on all 6 topics, claims are not aways supported

•Rank the three topics for each decade and explain why one topic is more influential than the other two, yes,

•Answer the essay question with a clear, well reasoned argument, clear reasoning is not always supported with evidence

•Explain why the __second__ choice fell short compared to the __first__ choice but is more just than the __third__ choice, generally attempted

•Organize ideas in extended power paragraphs, with a few exceptions, consistently done

•Identify the source and establish its credibility with an appositive phrase, not always done

•Cite evidence with internal citations and in a Works Cited. Click links for exemplars.  Correct WC, IC entries