The Origin of Modern American Capitalism and Society - Assignment Example

Short Answers Although moderate Republicans did not champion black equality, southern obstinacy and President Johnsons leniency toward the South forged unity among Republican factions. Rather than accept Johnsons claim that the “work of restoration” was done, Congress challenged his executive power. Discuss Congresss passage of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments. What were the basic tenets of these amendments and what were the reactions to them? The fourteenth amendment talked aboutcitizenship rights and even protection of laws and was put forward in reaction to issues associated to former slaves preceding the war. The first section of this amendment stated that all people born or resident in United States are the citizens of United States and of the state wherein they reside. There shouldn’t be discrimination among the people because of any law. The state is neither allowed to restrict people to have autonomy, liberty or property nor are they to be denied the protection of law. The fifteenth amendment main emphasize was on human rights. It claimed that any citizen will not be denied to vote because of their race, color or religion. It also claimed that congress have the authority to subject this article by adequate legislation. Furthermore, the right to abolish slavery and give the citizens equal right of protection was put forward and passed in later years. Moreover, after oppose from people, this amendment banned franchise restriction or race color and religion too. Reaction to these amendments was not very pleasing. The fourteenth amendment was bitterly rejected by Southern states, which were required to sign it in order to return their delegation to congress. The fifteenth amendments also faced strong rebuff initially. However, Republican, under influence of Ulysses S. Grant was convinced that involvement of blacks is good for the party’s future. 2. Frederick Jackson Turners “frontier thesis” posited that the availability of plentiful land in the West provided a safety net that released social tensions and provided opportunities for social mobility that Americanized Americans. To what extent do you think the experiences of the individuals and families who migrated to the trans-Mississippi West between 1870 and 1900 actually bear out Turners conclusions? Frederick’s ‘frontier thesis’ proved eligible between 1870 and 1900 when families and individual moved to trans-Mississippi because they got the way to increase the family farming procedure as they got more place. This was because the trans-Mississippi was the largest industrial region at that time. Furthermore, as time proceeds, family farming gave way to commercial farming, which was a beneficial conversion. Since, ‘frontier theses projected that expanse of land is beneficial for mobility, relief social tension and a safety measure, it can be easily seen in the above case. As the immigrants got more place they had a chance to expand their farming. They got more opportunity because of being in an industrial dominating territory, which in turn helped them to release social stress. 3. Discuss the concept of laissez-faire as it was used in the late nineteenth century to describe the ideal relationship between the U.S. government and the American economy. How was the relationship between the two truly “laissez faire” during the Gilded Age and how, on the other hand, did government actually work to build and strengthen corporate capitalism? The word ‘laissez-faire’ means leave it alone. This concept was used to describe US government and American Economy relation. In the early years the government was not allowed to intervene in the economy, except to maintain law and order. However, this changed when farmer, labor movement and small business started seeking government help to speak on their behalf. It seems that the concept of ‘Laissez-faire’ wan not applicable in the late nineteenth century or gilded age. US government intervened to ensure the growth of the economy. Railroad business bloomed at that period. Us economy grew impressively that is more than60%. Real wages also increased by 60%. However, many immigrant European were extremely poor and this brough poverty in the last three decades 1870 – 1900. 4. Compare and contrast the goals, strategies, and achievements of the Womans Christian Temperance Union and the National American Woman Suffrage movement in the 1890s. Which group was a more effective champion for womens issues and why? Women’s Christian Temperance Union aimed to receive higher votes, as they thought that without political power they cannot achieve their goals. This party aims to protect families from any kind of negativity. Create awareness among young people about harmful effects of alcohol, drugs and tobacco. They use scriptures as its foundation. They have accomplished to diminish the crimes related to alcohol and drugs in the entire region they are operating in. National American Woman Suffrage aimed for the women’s enfranchisement with the help of federal constitutional amendment. Their objective was to make women gain their voting rights. This in result will ensure their freedom. Their strategies to obtain the goal had them winning the ratification of Nineteenth Amendments of United States in 1920. If compared, then the former party that is ‘Women’s Christian Temperance Union’ is more effective champion for women’s issue. The reason being, they are still successfully operating in many regions such as US, Canada and Australia. They have actually attained their goal and help reduced alcohol related crimes. They have been successful in prohibiting the import of drugs to minimize its usage. Furthermore, they are also educating people on the utilization of right path, which has positive affect on the society. 5. Compare Theodore Roosevelts big-stick foreign policy to William Howard Tafts dollar diplomacy. The dollar diplomacy and big stick was proposal of the first two U.S presidents. Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft incorporate their persons and their laws the meaning that US was facing a problem of how the state would exercise its power in the world.Roosevelt ‘big stick’ meant to protect American interest in foreign relation. Whereas, Taft’s policy meant to secure America’s invest in Latin America and Far East. The difference between the two policies is that Dollar diplomacy was made to enhance US commercial investment in foreign regions. While, Big stick policy targeted to inrush American interest abroad and also improve the US economic interest. The former policy was also used to inspire and limit foreign nations through practicing economic power. While, latter was used probable warning of military force to negotiate with diplomatic grace. Both the policies offered diplomatic negotiation with the support of military. Both had interest of American economy. The policies aimed to secure US business interest in foreign nations. These polices also aimed to advance American economic interest. 6. During and immediately after World War I, both the woman suffrage movement and the temperance movement finally achieved the goals they had sought for decades. How did the war contribute to these movements victories? As the World War 1 started, what was initially taken for granted, had found a way to be a necessity.This included the involvement of women in wars.Women supported the war effort in numerousways, this included some movements too.Along with the pre-war reform work, female members of these movements helped in selling war bonds and conserved food. They also strived to provide relief supplies to American Soldiers. World War 1 contributed in achieving the suffragist’s goal as they were allowed to work as nurses. They were permitted to work in factories and government. They even served in Navy and Marines. This resulted insupport for woman suffrage and establishment of the 19th amendment in 1920. Women also were granted the right to vote, after reviewing the input in the duration of war. As Temperance movement was mainly related to reduction in utilization of alcohol, they succeeded during World War 1. Alcohol sale was strictly restricted. Government passed Defense of the Realm Act 1914, where pub duration was licensed and beer was watered down. Immediately after WW1, several states established early closing times for bar. 7. By 1932, Americas economic problems had become a dangerous social crisis. Explain why this statement is true by describing the economic conditions of the time and their effects on society. America was in depth of major economic depression by 1932. The conditions were worse at that time. Many people lived in worsen conditions, close to famine. Unemployment was very high.Agricultural industries were almost uprooted. There was no opportunity for personal or economic growth The effects on Society of this depression were even worse. 13 million people became unemployed. Industrial production fell by 45%. Income of average American family was reduced by 40% and 273,000 people were evicted from there account. 8. The Warren Court interpreted the U.S. Constitution in ways that required the government to actually prevent injustice and discrimination. Explain this statement by citing specific Supreme Court decisions made between 1953 and 1969. The specific court decisions were “segregation policies in public schools (Brown v. Board of Education) and anti-miscegenation laws unconstitutional (Loving v. Virginia)” This meant that there should be no discrimination in public schools between children. It also emphasize that people can have interracial marriage and relationships. “Public schools cannot have official prayer or mandatory Bible readings”. This showed thatreligion was not to be forced upon children. Children from different faith cannot be forced to read bible or make official prayers. “Reading an equal protection clause in fifth amendment”, this again explains that everybody was eligible to have the protection of law. There were to be treated equally. Race, color and religion should not matter when it comes to the protection of citizens. 9. The year 1968 has been called the year of upheaval. Describe the domestic and foreign disturbances that made that label particularly apt.  The disturbance and unsettlement in the year 1968 was not only confined to Europe. The variants that best describe the cause of this tragic year were domestic and foreign disturbances. Domestically there was an upheaval in the regime as everybody was turned against each other. They were pursued by a sense of alienation to confirm to these ventures. The rebel was not on a single issue, butvarious ones as they rejected political parties, political figures and institutions. The height of conflict was that communist were fighting against communist and so were the capitalist. This year brought up changes in foreign countries too. For instance, anti-Vietnam war started and civil right movements also took roots in United States.Furthermore, initial detailed coverage of Africa famine was observed and witnesses the revolution and protests in Europe and the war that took place. Not only this, but Baltimore riot also erupted, which was led by blacks. In this year Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King was assassinated. In Paris a wave of student unrest erupted and in general youthful revolution and rebellion was observed in this time. All in all, the upheaval in the year 1968 was not seen before. It opened new scenarios in the world and changed its structure. 10. With his pledges to pursue reforms in health care, education, and environmental and immigration policy, Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election with 53 percent of the popular vote and a two-to-one victory in the electoral college, while Democrats also increased their majorities in both the U.S. House and Senate. What factors explain the Obama administrations failure to realize its agenda during its first two years? What reforms did Obama manage to carry out, despite the challenges he faced? The factors that lead to administration’s failure were economic downturn resulted in financial crises differ primarily from ordinary cyclical recession. Recovery was gradual and rook long time period. This produced high unemployment. These crises lead to a huge distortion of wealth that needed to be rectified. Obama’s reform comprises of tax expenditure to ensure that the policy of wealthy becoming wealthier and poor becoming poorer is not being executed. He shaped taxation in such a form that rising inequality can be controlled. Moreover, he implemented reforms to improve higher education by increasing student loans, so that more pupils can attain at least bachelor’s degree. Furthermore, health care reform included health insurance, reduction in cost of medical and subsidized employer-provided health care. Read More