Struggle of belonging was experienced by minority groups; placing increased hardship during this period of swift change for minorities. Chapter 23 explores the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, showcasing the prejudice Japanese Amercians faced despite being American citizens. Feeling like a “foriegner” as Monica Sone detailed. This resonates with the already present and ongoing fight for racial equality faced by African Americans. Chapter 26 expands upon this as the 1960s were a prominent period of segregation and fighting progressive change for African Americans. The progressive fight for LGBTQ+ rights, in addition to Women’s right were furthered by this. The specific challenges minorities faced evolved. The struggled, as previously mentioned remained consistent, despite the abolishment of segregation taking America a step forwards toward unity and equality. Another American value that remained consistent was the fear and suspicion directed towards the unknown being hyper-alert upon threats in regard to nation security. Chapter 24 further showcases how the Cold War fueled fears about communism within the US and the irrational anxiety within Americans. The contradicting viewpoints on the Marshall Plan (Sources 24.2 & 24.3) display this underlying tension. The United States, however, saw this as a building block for economic recovery and combatting any Soviet influence. As mentioned in Chapter 25, the newfound economic prosperity capitalized on the fabled American Dream; the American dream being the prophesized fortune and success that is the deceitful ad to immigrants, and American citizens themselves. The quick industrialization and wealth swiftly changed American values, putting a newfound significance on capitalism. This economic boom, again was uneven, as all American’s did not reap its benefits. The growing middle class, and new increased federal government involvement furthered the idea of th American Dream.

In American history, 1900 and 1945 witnessed a significant development of the federal government's role, this expansion was driven by challenges globally and domestically. The United States began as a military power, while the government assumed new responsibilities to address economic depression and socio-cultural problems.

One major change originated from the nation's growing involvement in world affairs. The Spanish-American War (Chapter 19) marked a turning point. As Walter Rauschenbusch, a gospel minister, stated in 1907, "industrialism as a whole sends out deceptive prospectuses" (Chapter 19, Source 1.1). The United States capture of territories like the Philippines reflected this new and glorified imperialistic standard.

This expansion required a stronger military, a pattern further emphasized by World War I (Chapter 20). The war effort required unexpected federal intervention in the economy, as President Woodrow Wilson himself noted: "The whole industrial power of the country must be mobilized" (Chapter 20). This foreshadowed the even more productive federal control over industry during World War II (Chapter 21). The scale of these global disagreements, spanning over decades, forced the United State’s federal government to become a key player in obtaining these necessary resources. The Great Depression of the 1930s (Chapter 20) exposed the limitations of the previously admired laissez-faire capitalism. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs (Chapter 20) marked a significant change in the federal government's role. Social Security, a building block of the New Deal, aimed to provide a "safety net" for Americans in need. (Chapter 20). This program, along with unemployment insurance established a baseline level of economic security. The New Deal also addressed problems associated with urbanization. As Chapter 22 emphasizes, these problems were exhibited in concerns about public health and safety in densely populated areas like Chicago inspired federal funding for sanitation projects.

The expansion of the federal government's role wasn't strictly a product of the 1930s. The Progressive Era (Chapter 19), in the early 20th century, also witnessed growth in the power of the federal government. Progressives became increasingly concerned about the negative aspects of industrialization and urbanization, and advocated for more regulation within.. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) (Chapter 19) reflected this necessary push for federal overview. These agencies aimed to protect consumers from "unsafe products and unfair business practices" (Chapter 19), demonstrating a more prominent role for the government in regulating the economy.