What were ordinary Americans?

What time period are you asking about? Ordinary Americans have differed depending on the era.

the 1800's

What do you mean by "ordinary?"

We tend to see people like ourselves as ordinary.

For my ancestors, white Midwestern farmers of northern European ancestry were ordinary.

For others, black slaves were ordinary people.

For the Irish, living in Eastern cities was ordinary.

For the Chinese-Americans, working in menial jobs such as building the railroad or working in laundries in the West was ordinary.

For native Americans, being uprooted and forced on to reservations or fighting for their lives was ordinary.

To understand who ordinary Americans were, we need to consider the broader historical and sociocultural context.

During different periods of American history, the definition and perception of "ordinary Americans" have varied. In general, ordinary Americans refer to the majority of people living in the United States who were not part of the elite or privileged classes. They typically included the working class, middle class, and those who did not hold positions of power or influence.

To gain insight into who ordinary Americans were, one can explore various sources such as historical texts, statistical data, and personal accounts. Some steps to consider are:

1. Consult historical texts: Read books, articles, or research papers focused on specific time periods or movements in American history. Look for sources that discuss the socioeconomic backgrounds and experiences of everyday individuals.

2. Analyze census data: The U.S. Census Bureau provides a wealth of demographic information ranging from income levels to occupation distribution. Analyzing census data can help understand the characteristics of ordinary Americans across different time periods.

3. Study primary sources: Letters, diaries, memoirs, and other personal accounts can provide valuable insights into the lives of ordinary Americans. These sources offer firsthand perspectives and experiences that shed light on the thoughts, challenges, and aspirations of individuals from different periods.

4. Explore cultural artifacts: Investigate literature, music, visual arts, advertisements, and mass media to understand how ordinary Americans were portrayed and represented in popular culture.

By combining information from various sources and considering multiple perspectives, one can gain a well-rounded understanding of who ordinary Americans were at different points in history.