Survey of United States History
Changes from the Reconstruction era
Numerous changes, especially with relation to race, took place during the Reconstruction era in the form of new laws as well as amendment of existing laws to accommodate people of color. However, even with new laws and amendments, the freedmen were still subjected to discrimination especially from civilian paramilitary groups such as the “Red Shirts” who often used violence against the freedmen (Holloway, 2018). A notable law amendment was the 14th Amendment that defined citizenship as well as the rights of citizens. Subsequently, freedmen were largely recognized as citizens with equal rights as others.
New laws such as the “Louisiana black code” were drafted noting that the growing population of freedmen was proving uncontrollable (Holloway, 2018). The law concerned slaves and legislators put in place “freedmen” instead of “slaves”. However, even though the laws were edited, the spirit of racial segregation was still profound.
A notable social economic change was the "sharecropping system" where landowners and former slaves made arrangements for farming. This was also considered as a form of slavery since the freedmen would get into so much debt.
Consequences of Industrialization
Two notable consequences of industrialization were urbanization and social stratification. Towns developed around industries due to a population influx (Mahoney, 2017). Furthermore, social stratification grew from the differences in incomes where political and social classes grew. Additionally, the growth of urbanizations and social stratification yielded a bigger problem of ethnic and social tensions.
The Rise of the Progressive Movement
The progressive movement was a school of thought that believed the government’s actions changes as the society evolved (History, 2018).Religion and social morality played a significant role in the progressive movement shaping the thoughts of reproductive rights, the role of women in the society, the death penalty, and homosexuality.
Reform Movements Defining the Progressive Era
Many reforms movements defined the progressive era. Labor reforms played a notable role during the era helping advocate for issues such as working conditions, working hours, and fair pay (Greenberg, 2017).Additionally, according to History (2018), the Social Gospel can be viewed as a critical attribute of the Progressive era helping to incorporate Christian values in finding solutions to social problems such as alcoholism, drugs use, poverty, and crime.
Impact of the Progressive Movement in American Politics
One of the major impacts that the progressive movement had on the nature of American politics is the 19th amendment that allowed women to vote. The amendment prohibited the federal as well as state governments from barring citizens the right to vote on the basis of gender. The amendment worked to overrule “Minor v. Happersett” making women more active in politics not only in voting but also later vying for elective posts.
Role of American Imperialism
Hawaiian Annexation
Imperialism can be viewed as the use of power to increase a nation’s control over other territories. America used imperialism largely, especially during the Hawaiian annexation. With Reconstruction, America sought to expand most notably to the islands in the Pacific. President McKinley signed a treaty to annex Hawaii Island but failed in the Senate (Hitt, 2018). However, by imposing trade tariffs on the products the island exported to the mainland, the United States made strides towards annexation which finally materialized with the arrest and trial of the Hawaiian Queen who would later lobby against the annexation. However, annexation was finally achieved with the Newlands Resolution.
The Spanish-American War
Cuba and many of the Pacific territories were Spanish colonies. However, Cuba wanted independence and the US government under President McKinley sought to help out Cuba (Coston, 2018). With approval from the Congress, the president engaged Spain in war after a US ship exploded with the McKinley administration blaming Spain. The war that took place in 1898 would be ended by the Paris Treaty where Spain would surrender all her Pacific colonies to the United States.
References
Coston, W. H. (2018). The Spanish-American War Volunteer: Ninth United States Volunteer Infantry Roster and Muster; Biographies; Cuban Sketches.
Greenberg, B. (2017). The Dawning of American Labor: The New Republic to the Industrial Age. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
History, H. (2018). The Progressive Era: A History from Beginning to End. Independently Published.
Hitt, R. R. (2018). Hawaiian Annexation: Speech of Hon. Robert R. Hitt, of Illinois, in the House of Representatives, Saturday, June 11, 1898 (Classic Reprint). Forgotten Books.
Holloway, V. (2018). Black Rights in the Reconstruction Era. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Mahoney, E. (2017). The Industrial Revolution: The Birth of Modern America. New York, NY: Greenhaven Publishing LLC.
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