Issues of Freedom and Power - Essay Example

Issues of freedom and power The United s has emerged as a nation freedom, and a place where people are more enlightened about their rights. Indeed, this has made the United States a center of issues revolving around freedom and power. In recent decades, many issues have shaped the United States history with respect to freedom and power. These issues have worked to reinforce, the United States, standing as a nation that has given more room for the expression of freedom and power in all levels of society. Nonetheless, many of these issues have had many implications for United States. This paper will address the social, economic, and political implication of various events related to economic, national, political, social, and civic freedom. Economic freedom- Knights of labor Knights of labor, a major labor union during the 1860 hold a significant role in the evolution of economic rights in the United States.i The formation of Knights of labor was the first efforts in the national labor organization because it was among the first labor unions to rally its members behind a goal. Nonetheless, the Knights of labor were a secret union characterized with less political pressure on its members. Uriah Stevens was the founder of the Knights of Labor, with many of his followers being Irish immigrant who were mainly Catholics. As a labor union, the Knights of labors enrolled members in various states to champion for improved rights of workers. Formed at a time when the United States repressed freedom of expression, the Knights of Labor worked in secrecy often recruiting its members using oaths and rituals. The main thrust of Knights of labor was to advocate for better economic reforms in their industries. At a time, when most of the immigrant received little pay and poor working conditions, the Knight of Labor became the ultimate vehicle to push for meaningful economic reforms. While the Knights of Labor avoided using industrial action, some of its members in states like Chicago were ready to strike. In 1886, about 80,000 people marched through Chicago supporting an eight-hour work shift. The long working hours were one of the main reasons that prompted the demonstration by members of Knight of Labor. This ignited confrontations between the Knights of Labor and the police who wanted to maintain law and order. In a social perspective, the Knight of Labor represented a growing awareness of rights among the workers. For instance, the call for an eight-hour work shift displayed a growing interest in social welfare among the workers.ii Most important, the meeting and demonstration among the workers guild indicated that rising level of social empowerment among the workers. Largely, the Knight of Labor has achieved many social gains because of its transformation from a secret labor to expressing its interest in various cities. Knight of Labor also championed for an end to child labor, a phenomenon that had characterized the American Labor environment. The political manifestation of 1960 would be incomplete without mention Knight of labor. Within the Knight Labor, there were some groups with interest to take control of the union. After leading a series of strikes, the government sentenced Albert Parson to death. This event made Lucy Parson seek ways of saving men that the government had convicted for deaths during strike. After visiting Europe in 1888, Lucy returned back American expressing new optimism in labor movements as she addressed workers and pressurized the state to create more projects in order to employ people. Political freedom (Progressivism- muckrakers and reform) The political freedom in the United States is a product of struggles that defined and helped create meaningful political reforms. With growing interest for political reforms, a group of Journalist joined hands to highlight on the wrongs of government through the literary works, which they published in magazines such as The Saturday Evening post McClure’s and the Ladies Home Journal.iii These are the popular magazines, the Muckrakers used to expose some of government failures. With the name Muckrakers, a name that Roosevelt coined, this group of journalist struggled for the achievement of political transparency and accountability within the government ranks. At a time when the government failed to be accountable to its actions, many scandals took place. For instance, the government was involved in series of corruption; the American people were in need of change, one that could rid such social ills. Because of such problems, the muckrakers found a way of investigating and reporting on these ills as a way of pushing for reforms. One of the prominent writers Lincoln Steffens exposed a series of corruption in city councils in a series of writings titled Shame of the Cities.iv Written in 1902, this writing helped the government to realize the need of change. Notably, the Muckrakers receive a significant boost when other political figures joined their fight for political change. As a result, the group sough new ways of championing reforms such as referendums, direct elections and the initiative. The role of Muckrakers in creating political reforms was notable after their publication had impact. The most significant result was the reformation of the city government. This reform came after advocates reinforced the need for reforms within the municipal council. Elsewhere, the sanitary condition of the meat packing district also improved with the government setting up laws the necessitated the need of inspection in such facilities. Largely, these reforms have improved the social well-being of the American people. Even when President Roosevelt compared the Muckrakers with one of John Bunyan’s character, this group had accomplished significant political reforms in the United States. National freedom- The Vietnam War During the 1950, the United States was more committed to helping the Southern Vietnamese attain their independence. Prior to 1950, the Southern Vietnamese had just received liberation from France, but the Communist North was likely to bring South Vietnam under their control. With American interest in curtailing the spread of communism, President Johnson was agitated to provide South Vietnam with massive monetary and military support.v Because of these, the Congress agreed to send troops, as well as aid to South Vietnam to help them fight Northern Vietnam. For a significant number of years, the United States were held in a conflict that led to growing anxiety at home concerning several issues that the war caused. Concerns over communist leadership approaches fueled a growing distrust and anxiety among the American people concerning the probable impact of communism takeover. In a way, the role of national freedom was of immense importance when it came to government control. As a sovereign state, the United States was not ready to bow to communist tendencies, and Vietnam was an opportunity for her to face communism. This is the reason that prompted Congress’s approval for monetary allocation and military deployment to Vietnam. The Vietnam War had taken a long time before the United States withdrew from the war. The War last for about a decade with money soldier losing the lives. The Southern Vietnamese did suffer heavy casualties with approximately 2 million soldiers perishing.vi With a growing anger at home, President Nixon had no reason to continue the war, but to call the soldiers home. The Vietnam War had brought significant political acrimony among Americans, as well as an economic burden. The death of some soldiers and the return of war veterans to the United States added to the social challenges facing her. Social and Civil freedoms Some decades ago, white and black children went to different schools because of a widespread believe that separating schools were “equal, but separate.” This segregation was, however, detrimental to the civic freedoms of the Americans. Because of this, black children had to walk for long distance to school.vii There was crowding in the few black schools for instance, in Kansas, where four schools out of 18 were for black children. The ruling of Brown v. Board of Education was a significant impact that would help reduce segregation. In 1954, Justice Earl Warren passed a ruling against segregation in the American school. Warren reiterated that segregation was against then fourteenth amendment and was not in line with equality. In his ruling Warren, underscored the need of government to provide equal opportunities to Negroes and whites, alike. The impact of Brown v. Board of Education saw the end to segregation within education opening more opportunities for social and economic empowerment of the Negroes. The changes in the United States education system led to social reforms where Negroes and white could work and receive education in same institutions of learning. Without doubt, the United States had achieved significant freedoms in various aspects. In 1860, the Knight of Labor pushed for reforms in industrial sector with working hours and remuneration being an issue. Other groups like Muckrakers used journalism to fight for political reforms, which led to reforms in city government. The Vietnam struggle against communism created more awareness on danger of communism. Most important, the struggle against segregation in schools led to reformation of equality in schools during Brown v. Board of Education ruling that called for inclusion of black and white children. Works Cited Read More