Analysis of Coming of Age in Mississippi and Making America Books - Book Report/Review Example

Coming of Age in Mississippi Chapter 27 begins with Anne Moody is going back to her grandmother’s house because of a decision she had made to live in New Orleans with the grandmother than spending her life in Canton, Mississippi. She receives a cold reception from her grandmother when she knocks the door. Her grandmother’s home-Canton, Mississippi was not much welcoming to her (Moody, 247). However, she was comfortable spending her nights there as opposed to New Orleans where her parents lived. Anne take part in the famous demonstration and later works as an activist in rural Madison County, Mississippi. Threats from white American ensure and the find themselves targets of threats from the violence. Forasmuch as Anne accomplished the goals of demonstrating for blacks, she however concludes that the movement and demonstration had not brought any transformation to the lives of people in Mississippi. The movement had focused too much on how voters were going to register and some other political issues like, such as Freedom Vote, which is a vote intended to bring freedom to blacks (Moody, 253). Anne desired that the sole purpose of demonstration would be centered on economic empowerment for instance, demonstrating so that black farmers are given lands where they can either live of farm. Before the book ends, Anne meets with her allies, Bob, in a bus, going to Washington. The bus is occupied with volunteers who all seem far more enthusiastic and younger than she. All in one accord they sung a “We Shall Overcome,” chorus. The notion of whether blacks will ever conquer racism grips the mind of Anne all the way to Washington. The information provided in this chapter is very relevant to US history. The chapter majorly talks of how black American fight for their freedom and rights. This is clearly illustrated by their act of voting and activism (Moody, 255). Whites argued that black were genetically inferior. The chapter is a wakeup call to end racism and live in harmony as one nation one people. Making America The book Making America is enriched with a clear evolution of events pertaining to politics. The book also zoom into various experiences from different individuals and cultures that make up the society of America. Historical topics are clearly dealt with and analyzed. This makes it interesting and enticing for students to read the book. For teachers whose classrooms reflects the variety of college students of our current world and society, the book is arrange in a orderly sequence that make it easier for the teacher to teach. It is rich in illustrations and other referential tools hence simplifying teachers work. My topic of choice is chapter 20 which deals with second World at War that took place in United States, in 1913–1920. A summary of some of the memorable events that were taking place within this period are outlined as follows. In 1913, a Liverpool journalist, Arthur Wayne, published and invented the first crossword puzzle in the New York. Also, in the same year, a motor company that owns Ford introduced a nonstop moving assembly line that enabled manufacturing and assembling of cars within two-and-a-half minutes. As a result, production rate of cars with a given period increase massively. 1914 marked the beginning of the First World War. Major alliance, Germany, Italy and Austria Hungary teamed up against Russia. Cause of the great warfare was established to be territorial boundaries. The war was sparked off when Archduke Franz Ferdinands and his were murdered by a member of Young Bosnia. As a result, Hungary declared war against Serbian and eventually all allied forces joined and a world war broke out. Another, major event that took place during this period and specifically in 1924 was the opening of Panama canals which took over 34 years to be built. Reports indicate that approximately 27000 workers lost their lives. The canal was a shipping channel from The Atlantic to The Pacific (Berkin, 34). The year that followed, 1915, was dominated by warfare and nothing much was invented. However, the greatest Invention was the invention of the first Transcontinental Telephone Call that was facilitated by vacuum tube amplifier. With intensity in warfare, some countries like Germany invented use of Poisons gas, Chlorine gas. Finally, another outstanding event was the hitting of The British warship by German submarine. In 1916, General John Thompson invents a machine gun which was effectively used by the U.S military during the World War II. Nothing much happened during this period beside more warfare. In a nutshell, some of the events that took place within this period are attack of Columbus New Mexico by Panco Villa, Rasputin-a monk that powerfully influenced the German royal family murdered and finally The Somme’s World War 1 battle. The beginning of 1917 is marked by the Russian revolution against Czarist Rule. Another event of interest is that it is during this time that the America enters the World War 1 following interception of a note, from Germany, that urged Mexico to combine force against America for the benefit of Mexico incase America is defeated (Berkin, 40). Some of other events include, imposing of immigrant’s acts that required immigrants to be tested of their literacy level among other things and finally the occurrence of one of the deadliest earthquake in California. Record indicate that it had a magnitude of 6.3. In England, in 1918, Royal air force was found. Also, within this time. At Fort Riley, Kansas, an influenza epidemic rose killing more than 12 million Americans and 20 million people worldwide. This was also the year that the first air flight was used for combat by the U.S (Berkin, 54). 1919 marks the end of World War 1 with signing of treaties. From January 1919 to January 1920, treaties were signed to end the war and focus on economic development. However, some of the outstanding events of this period was the swearing of Lady Astor as the first female in the British parliament. Inventions like the automatic Pop Up Toaster that utilized the heating effect of electric current to toast bread. As to conclusion, many events took place during the world war period as outlined in the book Making America. The above are few mentioned according to priority and impact they had. Works Cited Berkin, Carol. Making America: a history of the United States. Instructors annotated ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1995. Print. Moody, Anne. Coming of age in Mississippi. New York: Dial Press, 1968. Print. Read More