Chapter 8: Cultural and Social Transformations, 1870-1915

Cultural and Social Transformations, 1870-1915

            Along with the growth of industry and urban areas in the late 1800’s came a host of other changes. More children began attending schools, and college later, which became an attainable goal for a growing number of students. A recreation industry, which borrowed heavily from African American culture, emerged to meet the needs of the new urban workers. Yet some segments of society remained mired in the mud of old discriminatory attitudes, refusing to grant suck group as women and African American an equal chance at success. Education was a lofty goal that was out of reach for most nineteenth century Americans. As the century came to a close, more and more Americans, including women and minorities, gained the opportunity to learn and grow academically. The growing urban working class took its recreation seriously in the late 1800’s. Entertainment and sports became new industries that careened onto the American scene and collided with more restrained values. White society proved a quiet resourceful at finding ways to repress African Americans in the years after Reconstruction. Although many African Americans demonstrated an even great will to rise above the discrimination and hate. Although there were great advances and developments in society, women for example did not have a change on economic and political inequalities they face. This contradiction fueled great debate at the turn of the century.

            Americans adopted democracy as their new way of government. However, without having all of their citizens educated, the idea of democracy was not that effective. In order to have a more democratic state, the American society started supporting education by the late 1800s. Education offered job opportunities, economic and social success which favored not only the individual but the nation as well. Besides an educated society, other aspects of society highlighted in the 1800, entertainment and sports became popular forms of recreation. Among the ramifications of entertainment the saloons, trolley parks, dance halls and cabarets were the ones enjoyed the most by the people.

            African Americans had a rough time fitting into society since there have always been suppressing them into such institution. However, they have been able to stand up and rise throughout history proving they are equal or even better than many. The Ku-Klux-Klan began terrorizing the African American community in the late 1800's. It is an organization that still exists in the modern day and an example of groups of people rejecting the African Americans.

            In the 1800's, there was said to be “equality” for women. However, this was a faux statement since it was not happening in its totality. Economic and political inequalities were influential factors for the mistreating of women. The female gender has had a bumpy road throughout history as well as the African Americans in order to reach their rights.

Booker T. Washington 

            At the turn of the century, a balance emerged between the desires of the masses to amuse themselves and more elite groups to preserve old codes of behavior. Public amusements, however, would remain a prime area of contention between diverse ethnic, racial, class and generational groups in the decades ahead. Also the African American community started to raise and become a voice in society, not waiting for things to happen, but now making things happen instead. Another aspect which made the United States become a country that would distinguish from the rest would be the expansion of opportunities; this made the difference in the United States compared to other countries which were also developed. Once again we see how the US starts to become a true world leader and power due to the opportunities and advances in technology and society.

Chapter 10: The Era of Progressive Reform, 1890-1920

The Era of Progressive Reform

            The era of progressive reforms was characterized by the new reforms made towards the help and support for employees and their rights. Progressivism targets the massive problems of an urban, industrialized nation. In spite of opposition, progressives were able to redefine government roles in American life, make and have serious campaigns for the presidency. Another important event during this time period was the right for woman’s suffrage. During the late 1800’s there was a mistreatment from industry against their employees. Much of the progressive’s reforms began in the cities as opposed to the state or federal levels. The progressive movement had always been little more than a series of informal alliances, nevertheless in 1912 a number of interests and groups associated with this movement came together into a formal political party.

            In the twilight of the 1800’s, many citizens could see that existing efforts to solve the massive problems of industrialization were failing. Citizens could see that there were problems with unemployment, and a corrupt system, privet efforts to address these issues, such as charity or settlement-house work, were inadequate. During the 1880-1890 were filled with lively debates about how to reform society. The idea of journalist Henry George and Edward Bellamy were among the most popular. Socialists, unionists and city government reformed also had many followers. In 1879 Henry George wrote a book to explain why an advanced civilization seemed to increase rather than eliminate poverty. Several writers during this time period wrote how the future would be for America with the harsh working conditions. Progressive worked for reforms I a systematic manner, relying heavily on scientific data and expert testimony, they investigated issues of concern, such as slum or sweatshop conditions, also making public their reports and investigations. During this time period there were also social welfare programs, which would help ensure a basic standard of living for all Americans. Also within the social reforms there was the home rule, under which cities exercise a limited degree of self-rule.

            The unleashing of the progressive impulse led to a tremendous amount of legislation in the early 1900’s. Reform took place at all levels of government, city, state, and federals. Part of the opposition that began because the less extensive the government, the easier it is to change that government. During this time period people took lots of sides, so TR said that sides of reformers should have arbitration, a process in which an impartial third part decides on a legally blind solution. During this time period also, the direct primary was develop, in which voters cast ballots to select nominees for upcoming elections. Another problem that government faced were the holding companies, which were companies that hold the stocks and bonds of other companies, becomes a monopoly.

            In 1912 several of the loosely allied interests that made up progressivism joined forces in new political parties. Hitching their campaign wagon to a bull moose named TR; they set a course for the White House. After the elections of 1904 TR announced he would not seek another presidential term. During a trip to Africa when TR came back and found the country upside down by Taft, TR came up with the New Nationalism, in which stronger workplace protections for women and children, income and inheritance taxes, direct primaries, and the initiative, referendum, and recall. The progressive party became known as the Bull Moose Party. Roosevelt also trounced Taft by using the New Freedom, he promised to enforce antitrust laws without threatening free economic competition.

            With a long, bitter campaign, women finally won the right to biter and at the same time they demonstrated their skills as organizers and activities. By the time of NAWSA’s founding, women had won many rights. Suffragist followed two paths towards their goals. One path was to press for constitutional amendment. The other path pursued by suffragists was to get individual states to permit women to vote. During the 1910’s Carrie Chapman Catt, a former high school principal, systematized NAWSA techniques, insisting on close, precinct-by-precinct political work. Another woman who impacted the NAWSA and made an organized pared of over 5000 women in Washington D.C, one day before Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration, this courageous woman was Alice Paul. With suffrage finally won, women activist looked forward to a host of new battles in the long and difficult struggle to achieve true equality for women.

Women on strike for the right to vote

       

              The era of progressivism was a time when America became more democratic. The time when new leaders arose from the communities of the oppressed, like the great women leaders, that helped give equality not only to women, but made a better society in America. Teddy Roosevelt also was a man who believed in progress for his country, and did everything he could do to help his country. Then the suffragist movements caused by women which shaped society to become more democratized. Furthermore help African Americans have the right to vote. Another positivist aspects of progressivism was the rights fought for the employees under harsh working conditions in which it help gain rights that would develop the middle class, making America into an economic world power.

Chapter 9: Becoming a World Power, 1890-1913

Reflection

Becoming a World Power 1890-1913

            During the 1890’s the United States began to produce more products and goods than what they could consume. Sooner or later, many business and political leaders began to pursue new markets outside the United States. Inspired by grand dreams of empire, some Americans pushed for new territory as well. As the nation grew into a world power, however, a troubling question arose in some citizen’s mind. The Unites States had in mind the following: a country born in a war for independence from colonial rule become a colonial power itself-without betraying the principles of liberty and equality on which it was founded by the father of independence? The United States became also the police man of Latin America trying to spread democracy with somewhat level of Protestantism.

            In the late 1800’s, the United States began bursting at the seams with more goods than the nation could consume. If there was not consumption of the products being made the United States would have entered on a depression.  Soon other governments of the world summoned government and business leaders eager to sell those extra goods. As the US sought to increase its influences abroad, it frequently found itself feuding with other nations. After the Spanish-American War confirmed the nation’s status as a world power, but it made people argue on how to rule over new territories.

            Theodore Roosevelt, some thought he was a hero or a wild man; he conducted vigorous foreign policy that suited the new status of the US as world power. Although President William Howard Taft continued Roosevelt’s policies, he preferred a quieter, more subtle approach to influencing other nations. After the Spanish-American War, the debates and eagerness arose as if it was appropriate for the United States to continue to throw its net around other nations and drag them under American influence and control. Anti-Imperialists used a variety of arguments against the acquisition of territories.

            Although the United States became the world Police, it was not impressive that it would demand serious foreign reforms due to its expansion.  Theodore Roosevelt became a great public and influential figure during the 1890-1908 with all his expansions and acquiring of new territories. The new nation which arose from colonial domination now became in a way a freedom fighter for the European colonies. Spreading democracy and a somewhat level Christianization in Latin America became also their expansion. Without the expansion that occurred, the United States would have gotten stuck in a depression due to its massive production of goods. Furthermore the United States helped democracy expand around the world.

Chapter 6:The Civil War and Reconstruction, 1848-1877

The Civil War

            The Civil war had several battles and two main characters involved. The South and the North, the South was known as the confederate and were positive with having slavery, their general was Lee, one of history’s most famous generals. The North was the Union Force. They believed in abolition, their general was Ulysses S. Grant. There were several battles; some were the Battle of Manassas, Gettysburg, and War of the Waterways. Yet at the beginning the North started to loses until there flipped the war to start winning with the battle of Gettysburg. After the war came the era of reconstruction were in the United States history in which the nation tried to adjust to the new conditions created by the Civil War.

Union Army (right) Vs. Confederate Army(left) 

            The Civil War had several reasons to go on for 5 years. The Battle of Manassas it made people go for a pick-nick around the battle field, and made the Northerners lose, thus thinking that the South has a bigger army. Another symbolic battle during the Civil War was the Waterways in which the North won over the Mississippi River which extended from the North until the South. This helped the North to control the Mississippi River which was part of the Underground Railroad. Then when the Civil war had its great turning point was in the Battle of Gettysburg, in which Lincoln gave a speech to commemorate the soldiers who fought. The Civil Wars culminate on April 1865 at the Appomattox Courthouse, where General Lee (South) surrenders to General Grant (North).

Gettysburg Battle

            The period known as reconstruction begins to try to adjust to the new conditions created by the Civil War. This time period is one of the United States more important times. The 13^th Amendment to the Constitution was created, thereby abolishing slavery, which promoted the African Americans that were enslaved in the South to stop obeying their owners when they heard that the Union troops were reported to be nearby. The “freed people” took their freedom as something important in which they were free to go wherever they wanted, almost always living around their cotton plantations. During the reconstruction time there was the Freedmen’s Bureau, in March 1865 Congress gave clothing, medical supplies, and millions of meals to refuges of war, both African Americans and white. President Lincoln dies and vice president Andrew Johnson becomes the new president. At the end the reconstruction did not really help, since it was not so equal and it had squandered the opportunity to achieve true equality and social justice, the reconstruction ended in 1877.

Appomattox Court House

             The Civil War ends in 1865 when the Southerner general surrenders to Northern general. Slavery was abolished, yet groups such as the KKK kept racism and not every state in the South gave the African Americans the same rights as the white people, yet most let the African Americans move freely, although most ended living near their old plantations. The Civil War made the Confederate & Union army fight brother vs. brother. The remarkable ending of the war at the Appomattox Court shows that General Lee admits his defeat against the North. Then the years of reconstruction, and reconciliation of the Southern states to unite again to the Union starts, also most of the Confederate Army is pardoned for people to unite again to Union, and be a nation again, the United States. This has a similarity to the United Nations, when they intervene in conflicts around the world to achieve world peace and the solidarity of humanity for the sake of all. 

Chapters 3-5, causes that lead to the Civil War

The Civil War

            When the discoveries of America there were no slaves, but rather people looking for a better future, and future built on dreams. The English came to America by the hundreds, this was back in 1619. The development was just to settle, and it was until the late 1600’s that indenture servants were switched to slaves. Then this would start the expansion of the United States in the East Coast, all the way from the North to the South. Creating problems against the movement to have slavery abolished and make suck act illegal. To think of such matters was an outrage since slavery helped move the economy of the North with its cotton production in the South. Such disputes would cause what was known as the Civil War. A war that lasted 4 years, yet there were reasons for such event to occur.

            One of the central issues of the Civil War was, slavery. Such delicate things influenced power in the Senate and the House of Representatives, so in 1787, all the slaves would be counted in each state and multiplied by three fifths. Power was starting to be fought in the government over which states had more power in congress. During this time the industrial revolution was starting to arise. Giving the North years after earing of $1.5 billion, and $155 million to the South, already there were great economic divisions with development. Then in 1820 there was the Missouri Compromise, which made Missouri a slave sate, and Maine became a state with no slavery to balance the outcomes in the congress. Few years later there were about 50 anti-slavery movements formed in the United States fighting for the right of African Americans to be free. Also another event that started to trigger tension between the North and the South was the African American revolt in 1831 by Nat Turner.

            Congress continued to create rules and laws, one of them was the gag rule in 1836 which for eight years automatic tabled all antislavery petitions and thus prevented them from being read in the House. This type of laws inspired women to reach out for freedom also. Then in 1846, Henry David Thoreau demonstrated the importance of individuals reforming their own lives. This was also part of the newspaper by Frederick Douglas who created an anti-slavery newspaper. It was contradictory during this time period for some of the people who were fighting against slavery to try and act against it when they owned several slaves, this was building tension between the North and the South once again because of the economic impacts and social hypocrisy from the North since it depended on the South to boost its economy with their cotton. During this time also out of 3.2 million African Americans, on the 12% were free men and women.

            After several disagreements, the union could not agree if the South would remain part of the Union. In 1854 Stephen Douglas runs for president and has creates the Kansas Nebraska Act, in which people from that territory would decide whether or not that state would be a slave sate of a free state. Yet people from his own political party did not agree on such acts and decided that he was selling himself to the South by doing this acts. By the year 1860 9 of the 10 largest cities were in the North, and only one in the South. This would mean that the North was having a higher development with its trade and immigration coming from England for example was that people saw slavery as something wrong to do. Also when Texas became part of the US, all people who would go there would be free men. Also people in California and Utah were to decide for themselves if slavery was legal. At the end several of this actions build up to Civil War.

            When it comes to economic matters, and social control it tends to be hard to obtain equality for two sides fighting over who is right, or who is wrong. The steps towards the Civil War were many political and economical actions that people did not cope with produced discomfort among the population of the 19^th century. The North depended on the South, as the South depended on the North. The North needed the cotton from the South to export to the world, becoming a leading country during the 19^th century in cotton, and the South the North with their exportation. There was a supply and demand of slaves that made the revolts for the freedom of slavery. Yet all of this was some of the acts that gave birth to one of the biggest wars in the US, The Civil War, from 1861-1865.

Stephen Douglas

Chapter 4 Section 4: Sectional Division Arise

Sectional Division Arise

            In the early 1800’s the American people became very conscious that their nation was divided into sections, regions distinguished form one another by economic and cultural differences. The north of the country was composed of two sections the Northeast, and the Old Northwest. The Old Northwest had their own market in which they sold all the need people had, thus creating a new way in which people would live. People started working in the factories and mils, and after the 1812 war, businessman started to finance these type of industry. The Northeast was characterised by lots of young people who were willing to work. Many people went west, yet it was insignificant to all the people that were going into the cities. In 1790 33,000 was the population of New York, in 1820, 124,000was the population of New York, the in 1850 516,000 was the population of New York.

            Owners of factories and businessmen in general began to see the relationship between themselves and their employees in strictly economic terms. As capitalist, they supplied the capital that built the factory or started the business. The market was redefining northern society. Like the North, the South remained overwhelmingly agricultural. The area considered the South has primary products that were staple crops such as cotton, tabaco, sugar, and rice. The Southern economy was based on the staple crops and raw materials that were processes and sold elsewhere. Also the south had cities like New Orleans, Charleston, and Richmond for example. During the 1820’s there was a resistance from the African Americas lead by Denmark Vesey, he promoted a resistance against the white. During this time the Americans were having a variety of changes that were influential to the future development. The time for new change and development was at is finest and it was a great awakening for the economy to flourish.

Chapter 4 Section 5: The Age of Jackson

The Age of Jackson

           

In 1824 there were four outstanding candidates: John Quincy Adams, John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, and Andrew Jackson. They all ran for the presidency in 1824, although only two of them achieved the presidency and pass to the history of the US. In 1826 July the 4^th Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died, this was the day in which the declaration of independence had its fiftieth anniversary. Great mystery was brought since both ex presidents had died.  John Quincy Adams had at astonishing accomplishment in 1819 when he had negotiations in the Adams-Onís Treaty in which he acquired Florida form the Spanish. Also the Adam’s diplomatic career was the Monroe Doctrine of 1823. In my opinion the other two candidates Clay, and Calhoun were not so important as Adams. Andrew Jackson served in congress in the 1790’s, he also battled in New Orleans in 1815, he had a bad temperate and that was one of the mainly known things about him. At the beginning of the political pursuit for Jackson he had obtain a lot of popularity with people. Yet there was flaw in the Electoral College since Adams had obtained more votes from a corrupt act, which was that Clay gave him votes from Kentucky. Many people believed such accusation even though Clay and Adams denied such things. Then in 1828 the elections were held again, Jackson at this time was fighting against the government being involved in the economy.

            When the elections of 1828 were held two new political parties arose, the National Republican and the Jacksonian Democrats. At the end Jackson won this elections and even more people voted on them then in the 1824 elections. Jackson was in favor to have the states work separately from the central government. Jackson also defended the spoil system, which was to bring his friends and friends to the central government. One of the most crucial points for Jackson was in 1832 when he had to oppose to the Bank of the United States for a second time, since in the 1790’s he lost some of his money. This is kind of logical for a person to due; I find it strong that he stepped up. Also in 1828 there was high tariff in tax for imports so people would by more things from made in the US. In my opinion President Jackson was a good president, he oppose against many things that would harm the people who supported him. Jackson was a president who supported his people and tried to help the others as much as he could.

                                          

Chapter 4 Section 2: Life in the New Nation

Life in the New Nation

             
                   As the new nation was developing the Jeffersonian and the Federalist where figuring out how to run the new nation. Never the less the Americans were developing by themselves.  Tens of thousands of Americans went into the Appalachian Mountains to obtain a better life. There was development in the transportation like the steam power machines, in the industry there was and advancement in the development of new productions of commodities. Also the population of the US grew explosively during the period before the 1830. There were about 2.7 million people lived in the original thirteen states. Also the government in the 1700’s promoted the expansion to the west. This brought the Northwest Territory, which was a process by which territories could become, states.

Never the less, there was something negative during this time period. The war on 1812 in which there as a fight for conquering Canada and once again by the British conquer the US. Another event was the battle of Horseshoes Bend won by Andrew Jackson who would become president of the United States latter. Another negative thing from this time period of the early 1800’s was the Missouri Compromise, which said the in Missouri slavery was permitted. There was also the Second Great Awakening that was an evangelical movement. I believe that this was a time of hope for change and a new path for development in the United States of America.

Chapter 4 Section 1: Elections of 1800: A Turning Point in History

Elections of 1800: A Turning Point in History

            During the 1800’s there was another revolution that was not like the previous ones.  This revolution was bloodless, the revolution had to do with elections. This was the election revolution. This created the 12^th amendment so that if a President had a tie one would become the vice president of the other chosen by congress. The 12^th amendment was created in the elections between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. During this time the French Revolution had just happened and Napoleon was in power, thus making the old French allied change sides and have a treaty with England. Besides having a treaty between their old enemies, Hamilton in my opinion made the US become a powerful and responsible country. Taking the depth of all the states and giving it to the central government so Henry Hamilton would pay to those all countries that borrowed money to the US for the war of independence. Hamilton’s plan was to make the central government be recognised by the international community and all the states would fell a connection between them and the state, this was an ingenious idea, creating solidarity between the people of America. The electoral revolution was also a very important step in the democratic process that the US would then lead in the future. As a conclusion the process and the electoral revolution that congress took to create the 12^th amendment was a very diplomatic act, also the treaty with England was another step that the US took to reactivate their relationships with England making the US become a recognised country in the 1800’s.