Essay On American Culture

Submitted By wadoodamin
Words: 2974
Pages: 12
Open Document
3 December 2012
Las Vegas and American Culture Nevada, just one of the many states that uphold the union of the United States, is very significant indeed. This is because in 2008 Nevada was acknowledged to be the nation’s fastest growing state economy over the previous twenty-five years (Sylvester). Having said this, one can imagine that the state also led the U.S. in population growth and job creation (Sylvester). But the question to be asked is why did these surpluses occur in Nevada? The answer to this question is quite simple: Las Vegas. Las Vegas a city innovated in the middle of the Mojave Desert, which initially was a barren land, has become one of the most popular and prosperous American cities known among the world. In fact, according to the 2010 census, Las Vegas has become the thirty-first most populous city in the United States (Las Vegas: Quick Facts). With these types of surpluses, in both the economy and the population of the city; one can imagine how it effects the population and prosperity of the entire state of Nevada. Being built and centered in a desert, one might ask his or her self why is it that Las Vegas was founded at all? The reason that the city was able to flourish, even in a hostile environment such as the desert, was that there were springs that were discovered in the region (History: City of Las Vegas). Having discovered these springs, people started moving there and based around them. After just a population of a couple of thousand, the great city of Las Vegas was formed (History: City of Las Vegas). Soon after this the city took off in the thirties, this was the time in which the hoover dam was being built, the project brought an influx of construction workers; which started a population boom and enforced the city’s economy to become prosperous (History: City of Las Vegas). Not only the dam made the city boom but the legalization of gambling did as well (History: City of Las Vegas). Although at this time gambling was just at a minor level, it still helped to stimulate the economy. While these two things were major factors in making the city flourish, they were not the only ones. Perhaps the biggest factor that led to the success of Las Vegas was World War II. “The isolated location, along with plentiful water and inexpensive energy, made Las Vegas an ideal site for military and defense related industries” (History: City of Las Vegas). With all of these new industries the economy and population flourished greatly. But soon enough the war ended. One would think following the war that the economy and population of the city would decrease but in Las Vegas’s case this didn’t happen. Actually following World War II, “lavishly decorated resort hotels and gambling casinos offering top-name entertainment came into existence”; and tourism and entertainment took over as the largest employer in the valley (History: City of Las Vegas). Soon after these businesses opened up the adult industry became to move in; by 1960 the industry was also well established in the city of Las Vegas (History: City of Las Vegas). Yet the gambling industry had just started. At the same time as the adult industry was introduced and established the gambling industry went a step further. “During the 1960s, a phenomenon led by Howard Hughes, occurs in Las Vegas. Corporations are building and/or buying hotel/casino properties. They have the capital necessary and the profitability makes entrance into the casino industry extremely attractive. Gambling becomes "gaming" and starts the transition into legitimate business.” (History: City of Las Vegas). This is the true start of the gambling industry, at a more intensive level in Las Vegas. This is also the time in which gambling really went viral in the United States. Not only were the gambling and adult industries established in Las Vegas, as stated before the entertainment industry was also established here. Around the same time in the sixties, entertainment in Las Vegas
Show More

Related Documents: Essay On American Culture

A Cultural Analysis Paper

Tajikistan: A Cultural Analysis Tajikistan, a former member of the Union of Soviet Socialists Republics (USSR), is a small landlocked country, roughly the size of Wisconsin (55,212 mi2) located in Central Asia. Interior, and with no access to large bodies of water, as either a means of transportation or the economic resources it could provide, Tajikistan maintains a weak economy and poor infrastructure dependent mostly on the exports of its unrefined aluminum industry and agricultural production…

Words 1073 - Pages 5

Cultural Competence Analysis

My understanding of cultural competence is first and foremost having a clear sense of my own ethnic, cultural and racial identity. Having a clear understanding of how my upbringing, family/social life, cultural and ethnic background and life experiences have shaped the person I am now will assist me in identifying and understanding my own beliefs and values and how these influence my attitudes and ways of communicating. Being aware of my cultural influences will enable me to identify and find ways…

Words 221 - Pages 1

Cultural Analysis Essay

Two issues that I have chosen to compare from the 1950’s, 1970’s and today are trends in changing technology and the impact of media. In the 1950’s technology as we know of it today was still in its primitive stages. New gadgets were begging to become available to the public. For example the very first transistor radio that was portable came out in 1954. It was the first device of its kind that offered ear buds for personal listening as well. Toys were also beginning to take a step forward as well…

Words 815 - Pages 4

Cultural Norm Analysis

acceptable, we are afraid of being ridiculed and punished. That is why we follow along with what they view as normal. But when we listen to these norms it is almost as if you break a law and what you did is illegal, while in our minds breaking a cultural norm is just as wrong as killing…

Words 1006 - Pages 5

Cultural Relativism Analysis

Rachels proposes the theory of cultural relativism. He says that there is no objective truth in ethics. His idea is that moral judgments are relative to a particular culture. There are different societies in the world who have different cultures. These different cultures have different moral codes. Something moral in one culture would be immoral in another culture. Therefore there is no objective truth in morality. The moral code of our very own society has no unique status, it just like the…

Words 539 - Pages 3

Frankenstein Cultural Analysis

Writers often highlight the values of a culture or society by using a character who is alienated from that culture or society because of their gender, race, class, or creed. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, manages to find the secret to life and bring an 8 foot tall hideous monster to life which is socially an outcast, despite its efforts to “fit in” and prove to people it does contain humanity. The novel begins with the sailor, Robert Walton, looking for a new passage…

Words 798 - Pages 4

Immigrant: A Cultural Analysis

I arrived in the US when I was five years old and that impacted me more than anything else in my life. It was difficult to adjust to the new language, the school, the people, and the loss of everything that felt like home. I felt forced into a place that made me feel lost and frustrated because I was different, and soon I felt that my culture was something to be ashamed of. It took a toll on the way I behaved around people and it shaped my personality. I live in a family of four, my mom, dad, my…

Words 276 - Pages 2

Cultural Ethos Analysis

In India, cultural ethos and norms play an important role in socialisation of men and women. Gender identities and gender relations are critical aspects of culture because they not only shape the way daily life is lived in the family, but also in the wider community and the workplace. Many of the barriers to women’s empowerment and equity lie ingrained in cultural norms. Many women feel these pressures, while others become accustomed to them and start taking it as a way of life. Even if some of the…

Words 121 - Pages 1

Cultural Competency Analysis

strengthen cultural competency in its organizational structure and operations would be to ensure that there is diversity within the staff. By doing so it will allow a diverse perspective on a multitude of issues and situations that may arise within the agency and among the clients served. With policies and practices in place, that will foster support, openness, and inclusion of diverse populations it will advance the knowledge and advocacy of minority populations. To increase cultural competence…

Words 320 - Pages 2

Cultural Analysis Of Soccer

million referees and officials make a grand total of 270 million people – or 4% of the world’s population – who are actively involved in the game of [soccer] ”(Kunz, 2007). Due to this popularity, soccer players also became a unique cultural group. However, the cultural aspects of these players are rarely revealed. Thus, this essay is to observe the soccer team of Dragon F.C, a team joined by mainly Chinese international students who enjoyed soccer, and reveal how these members view themselves and…

Words 1492 - Pages 6