American History since 1865 - Essay Example

? American History since 1865(Oppression)        American History since 1865 Oppression) Introduction America is a nation that has undergone many transformations like the industrial revolution and the Europeans colonization. In the process of these transformations, many people have suffered while other have benefitted from the changing economic and political environments of America. In fact, since 1865, there has been lack of equitable distribution of national wealth culminating in criminal activities aimed at obtaining the wealth preserved for the few powerful elite in the American society. This led to social gaps, which have been the root cause of upheaval for a long time. The rich have thrived for long while the poor have remained in abject poverty. For instance, during the gilded age, the large corporations, which were owned by the elite, influenced the market. Moreover, the industries manufacturing various commodities were regulated by influential politicians and rich businessmen and women (Unger and Debi 41).1 This led to great disparities in the social realm. In this regard, the poor were exploited because of lack of financial power. Democracy was not practice because the majority were poor hence they could not manage to marshal required numbers to oppose the rich. Even the labor unions could not protect the rights of the vulnerable workforce because the industrial leaders were corrupt. However, the oppression of the wealthy became unbearable culminating in reprisals from the workforce, women and the Black people. They capitalized on politics in their advances. For instance, they used the People’s party in order to present their grievances to the Authorities. These groups faced oppression of different forms like prejudice and social segregation and racial discrimination. The emphasis of a class society was also a means of oppression and exploitation especially at their workplaces ( Burnley 29). 2 The unskilled and the skilled black people were discriminated, and their work was not recognized. On the other hand, women were required to take up only housework and other related domestic chores. Moreover, there arose the aspect of social Darwinism which was also a tool of oppression for the poor. This meant that survival was guaranteed only for the elite. The understanding of the oppressors was that competition was warranted in order for the social and financially fit people to survive while the poor forever remained in anguish and agony. In this regard, any support for the poor from the government side was highly criticized by the high social class people. This implied that it was the wish of the poor to remain in their low social status. However, the farmers who were also oppressed were supported by some white in their fight for their rights (Burnley 34). This group of the white people had formed their own group called the populist movement, which advocated for the rights of all farmers regardless of color or race. Since many blacks never owned parcels of land, it became difficulty for them to engage their oppressors in a formidable battle. The black farmers formed their own movement called the colored farmers Alliance. This alliance was used by the black to specifically orchestrate strikes for the workforce who picked cotton. This contributed in the fight for the freedom of Blacks in America. This did not succeed because the politicians warned of the resurfacing of Negro supremacy. There discrimination against the black workforce continued. This resulted in high levels of unemployment for the black American community .Moreover, the blacks were excluded from voting. This was conducted through deliberate subjection of the blacks into literacy tests and understanding of the US constitution. ( Finkelman 23).34 This was intended to eliminate the black people from taking part in the voting process and deny them citizenship of the US, which was manifest of a high level of oppression. The worst case of oppression was the loss of Plessey’s case whereby he complained against being compelled to give way for a white man, in a train seat. The Supreme Court gave a ruling in favor of the white in full knowledge of the partiality in the ruling. This showed that the discrimination in America was wide spread. Punishment for the blacks was amended by the Supreme Court to include lynching. There was exploitation in various industries leading to strikes by the workers (Gates 45). The domination of the management in decision making and exclusion of the workforce from contributing in the running of the organizations, led to widespread workforce opposition to these moves. Moreover, there were many complaints against pay cuts. For instance, the Bullman and Great Railroad employee strike was spectacular because it brought traffic to a halt prompting the government to swiftly responses to their grievances. Haymarket Affair strike was also caused by the workers who clamored for high wages and liberty to access luxury stuff. The series of strikes shook the corporate control greatly. This compelled the high ranking managers and directors strategized and reviewed their leadership styles in order to ease the rising tension in the corporate sector (Unger and Debi 81).56 Conclusion It is factual that the American people have experienced various forms of oppression in their own country. The racial discrimination, social injustice and low wages, have been as a result of disparities in the per capita income of the American people. This has given the affluent an upper hand in running the economy and exploiting the poor in the American society. However, civilization in America has eliminated this oppression by enactment of the fugitive slave law which legally guarantees the despised equal rights with the white people.           Bibliography  Burnley, Lawrence A. Q. 2008. The cost of unity: African-American agency and education in the Christian Church, 1865-1914. Macon, Ga: Mercer University Press. Finkelman, Paul. 2009. Encyclopedia of African American history, 1896 to the present : from the age of segregation to the twenty-first century Vol. 1 A - C. Oxford : Oxford Univ. Press. Gates, Henry Louis. 2012. The Oxford handbook of African American citizenship, 1865-present. New York: Oxford University Press. Unger, Irwin, and Debi Unger. 2009. These United States: the questions of our past. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall. Read More