Radicalism in America - Essay Example

Module: Radicalism in America Many countries across the world have a rich history regarding radicalism that has shaped their political, economic and social landscapes for decades. United States is not an exception to this as its sole existence as a nation has hugely been shaped by many radical waves. Radicalism is brought about by having a discontented population in regards to the livings standards or other socio-economic and political imbalances. Most radical movements engage in their activities by acting on the streets or invoking mass boycott and strikes. These revolts are at many times unorganized and unformulated but at the end most have come to achieve their intended purpose. This paper will look into radicalism in America, radical movements and their influence in the society and their achievements and failures. In trying to expound on these issues the paper will lay considerable emphasis on various movements one of them being the civil rights movement. In conducting these movements’ analysis, understanding of their fundamental objectives is paramount. The current American political and social landscape has borrowed a great deal from these movements. The Communist or Labor Movement. This is one that had numerous organizations functioning under it. All these organizations had their list of key objectives and notable failures. Some of these organizations were the Chopin Cultural Center and Yugoslav Seamans Club (Zinn 432). This movement and its ideologies were well represented by the Socialist Party of America. This party was started by reformers and immigrants in the turn of the 20th century. This party was quite strict and straight forward about its socialism ideals and as a result it aimed at being one of the mainstream parties to run American political scene in a more labor friendly manner. This party was mistaken by the government and other agencies to be progressing communist ideals while it was actually propagating for civil liberties. The goal to advocate for laborer’s rights found the party fighting to keep itself afloat as it was now against the mainstream American politics of the time. Politicians also found the Socialist Party of America to be a threat and it was labeled a Stalinist (Brown 69). The movement expanded rapidly mostly in the post WWII while the same also applied to their enemies. The Cold War saw the sunset come for this party whereby legislations were enacted e.g. The Internal Security Act that resulted in the party disintegrating into numerous organizations that seemed to have unending conflicts (Zinn 453). These sorts of developments were initiated by politicians as a result of the fears of losing the Cold War and to curb communism tendencies in America. The red scare against the communist party in the United States was fueled by the Russian revolution. Communists at the time specifically fought against racism and related vices as well as social reforms. This movement however achieved a number of milestones among the American populace. One of them is the protection that is currently being enjoyed by the country’s citizens. The party was able to achieve this by shifting their mind from the two-edged political system run by either the Republicans or the Democrats in the 1960s (Zinn 461). This is a notable achievement as Americans can now safely pursue other parties or ideologies. The foundations of civil rights came from many movements that were socialistic. The Great Depression also basically formed a good opportunity for the communists to organize unions and expand their course. They also bred industrial unions after 1935 that fought relentlessly for laborers’ rights. The Civil Rights Movement. This movement is highly related and linked to the Women’s Rights Movement. Although their distinctions were huge while basin the argument on the course, their foundations were quite similar. This is made fun of by Chris Rock, the black American comedian who states that women burnt bras from their movement while black Americans died from being burnt alive. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are some of the notable figures who saw the rise and expansion of the Civil Rights Movement. These personalities and their movements were seen to be radical as they aimed at changing the institutions of the day to reflect their wishes contrary to the norm. These leaders seemed to integrate social and political aspects in their messages mostly through speeches. The goals that these personalities set converge at liberation of all people and ensuring that all are treated equally as human beings but not on the basis of the color of their skin or origin. Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee is one group that followed these ideologies in fighting for the black population but not necessarily against white people leading the nation. Black people had for decades had been taken to be unequal in all spheres of public influence; in economic, social and political scenes. The groups under this movement used speeches, freedom rides, voting events and the like to gain publicity and air their views. They slowly but surely became popular and were easily taken to be advocates of peace and unity and Americans started to appreciate one another as equals. Their non-violence stance had however made many to ridicule them but their achievements speak for themselves. Their main achievement lies in the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 which offers individuals equality in the eyes of the law thereby rendering the oppressed and the minority free to engage in their daily businesses in peace (Bloom 202). Feminist views that shaped the Women’s Rights Movement also have a profound backing from the Civil Rights Movement where women like Ruby Sales had a strong platform to propel women’s rights. Peace Movements. Peace movements on the other hand seldom involved themselves in violent acts but rather employed tactics that were to attract public attention. Vietnam War is seen to have triggered or fueled the spread and voice of these movements. Public demonstrations formed one major characteristic of the movements although at a lower degree and intensity than that of the civil rights movements. The government was nonetheless not condoning any form of demonstration, non violent or otherwise and this led to years of conflict with government forces. Members of these movements came to be known as hippies out of the way they conducted themselves and their lifestyles. These movements also saw a new crop of young people coming up to take leadership in many quarters including Congress which was occupied by many old people (Bloom 211). The peace movements’ major achievement was that they created public awareness not only for the Americans but the world at large that people can face their government and make it change its policies and mode of making decisions. CONCLUSION These movements have contributed towards the present day America in huge ways irrespective of their scope or objectives. These movements seem to have concentrated on civil rights in the realms of racism, gender parity and other social and political inequalities. In respect to the political scene all citizens are now equal as their opinions are equally important and so are their votes. People are also free to choose their political parties depending on what they want or believe in. all Americans can also boast of social freedom and equality whereby they can interact with those they choose without restrictions. The union movement is also one of the strongest and vibrant worldwide leading to some of the best working conditions. It is however important not to forget the fact that all these freedoms and rights that current Americans enjoy were not handed in a silver platter but people died, jailed and maimed for them to be in force. They are in place because a number of people at a time in the past went against the system the day to achieve that which was favorable for all regardless of race, religion or origin. Works cited Bloom, Alexander and Breines, Wini. "Takin it to the Streets": A Sixties Reader. Oxford University Press, 2003. Print. Brown, Michael E. New Studies in the Politics and Culture of U.S. Communism. Monthly Review Press, 1993. Print. Zinn, Howard. A Peoples History of the United States, 1492-present. HarperPerennial, 2005. Print. Read More