Major Changes in Race Relations
The reconstruction period brought several positive changes to the Southern States. During this period, African-Americans attained some political and civil equality. Constitutional amendments were some of the changes experienced. For example, the Thirteenth Amendment took place and abolished slavery. Also, the Fourteenth Amendment, which secured citizenship rights and gave equal protection to all individuals under the law, was put in place. Additionally, there was also the Fifteenth amendment which prohibited voting rights discrimination (Smithsonian American Art Museum, n.d.). In most cases, the discrimination was based on previous servitude condition, race, or color. Its prohibition resulted in the expansion of American democracy.
Consequently, the abolishment of slavery gave freedom to blacks, hence enabling them to make decisions. However, this led to the end of free labor, thus leading to changes in labor arrangements (Smithsonian American Art Museum, n.d). Previously, the slaveholders were using their slaves to work for them without paying them. As a result of these changes, the whites were forced to approach their former slaves and negotiate for wage labor. The move brought about a positive impact to the blacks who were formally enslaved since they gained freedom of deciding where they wanted to work. Besides, the services could no longer be offered for free, and therefore the blacks could also earn wages.
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Socio-economic changes were also experienced during the reconstruction period. The planters, who formally used slaves as their labor force, faced challenges due to lack of free labor. The individuals who were previously freed equated their freedom with economic independence. Consequently, individuals came up with new labor systems to replace slavery. For instance, in most tobacco and cotton plantations, the planters and the laborer agreed on sharecropping, hence a mutual benefit. Such systems were favorable to the blacks since they owned no land, and also to the whites since they needed individuals to work on the farms (Eric & Mahoney, n.d.). However, most laborers working on sugarcane plantations were given wages. Subsequently, both systems promoted economic growth.
Consequences of Industrialization on American Politics and Society
Industrialization had a significant impact on shaping American culture. Construction of transactional railroad was one of the significant changes. Consequently, the railway expanded the produce market in the country. However, prices for farm products decreased drastically thus resulting in considerable losses to the small scale farmers. The small scale farmers could not compete with big businesses, and they were forced out of the market as a result. In response, many individuals in society were forced to relocate to the cities in search of better lives. As a result, the urbanization led to unemployment, thus increasing the poverty level (Encyclopedia.com, 2003). Lack of essential utilities and poor plumbing led to disease outbreak among other social problems. The death rate in most cities increased due to the many challenges faced. Children were also forced to work together with their parents so that the family could get enough to sustain them and enable them to pay for rent.
A lot of political unrest was also experienced after industrialization period. Several conflicts were encountered as individuals formed different unions to fight for their rights. Native Americans suffered more from these conflicts. Most of their homes among other properties were destroyed. Also, there emerged several major massacres where many people lost their lives. For instance, the Sand Creek Massacre which occurred in 1864 left many Indian children and women killed (Babayan, 2013). Despite tribes trying to defend their homes and families, they were defeated thus being forced to vacate their homes. There was a rise of several reservations as a result, mostly in Mexico, Oklahoma, and Dakotas. Many individuals suffered significant losses during this period.
The Rise of the Progressive Movement
Progressive reforms were achieved due to religion and social morality. When the Protestants Christians came in place in the 20th century, they had an intention of reducing the harsh conditions that were there. Consequently, they later decided on setting up missions and schools to educate individuals from the third world population for they believed Christ would not return before every individual. Other religious authorities also viewed liberalism as a sin thus preventing it from spreading (Kanaan, 2016). Similarly, the social gospel movement also believed that Christ was waiting for social ills such as prostitution to come to an end for him to return. As a result, they started convincing people to hence from such behaviors thus resulting in social reforms.
One of the reform movements that were used to define the progressive era is Temperance movement, which sought to ban or limit alcohol consumption. The members of the movement in question considered alcohol as a social evil that brought more problems to society. Also, the supporters believed that alcohol was the cause of crimes, poverty, child abuse, and suicides in society (Cheyenne, 2018). Therefore, they believed that by being banned, there would be no such cases. Additionally, the state reforms can also be used to describe the progressive error. The primary intentions for state reforms aimed at ensuring that state governments respond more to people’s needs. As a result, governments’ systems would be more effective thus serving their citizens better.
Progressive movement played an essential role in American politics. Constitutional amendments are some of the political changes achievement attained by the movement. For instance, the 17 th constitutional amendment took place as a result of the movement’s actions. The amendment in question aimed at countering senate corruption (Siteseen Limited, 2018). Consequently, there was more transparency and accountability on government’s programs. Similarly, the 18 th amendment prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcohol in the United States. Additionally, the 19 th amendment granted women right to vote, thus giving them an equal right with men on choosing leaders (Siteseen Limited, 2018). Therefore, the campaign had good intentions for the country by striving for positive changes.
American imperialism contributed to the Hawaiian annexation. The United States was interested in Hawaii since early 1820s, and used the sugar trade to gain to achieve their intentions. First, the U.S. government got into agreement with Hawaiian sugar farmers under the terms that were relatively favorable to the farmers (U.S. History, n.d.). As a result, the farmers got a ready market for their product and made good profit. The trade gave them economic freedom. However, the Hawaiians got depressed years later after the U.S. raised their import rates for foreign sugar. Consequently, the farmers decided to overthrow their leader, Queen Liliuokalani, who believed that foreign interference was the main problem facing Hawaii Island. Subsequently, the United States sent its armed forces to protect farmers against the Queen. The Queen was abdicated, and the Washington politicians left to take over the matter.
Similarly, the conflict between Philippine and American was as a result of the United States Government desire for an oversea empire. The U.S. government claimed the Philippines under the treaty of Paris which they had agreed earlier 1898. Under this treaty, Spain decided to turn over its colonial sovereignty. Subsequently, the Philippine Republic declared that it was independent, and it was not under Spain or its successor (The History Guy, n.d.). As a result, the conflict arose, forcing the Filipinos to peacefully accede to the American rule. In conclusion, the conflict in question results to be as a result of American imperialism.
References
Babayan, T. (2013). How did industrialization change the nature of American society? What was its impact on Native Americans? On farmers? On women? Retrieved from https://sites.suffolk.edu/tababayan/2013/02/20/how-did-industrialization-change-the-nature-of-american-society-what-was-its-impact-on-native-americans-on-farmers-on-women/
Cheyenne O., (2018). Reform Movements of the 19th Century. Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-transcendentalism-movement-and-social-reform.html
Encyclopedia.com, (2003). Social and political impact of the second phase of the industrial revolution. Retrieved from: https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/social-and-political-impact-second-phase-industrial-revolution
Eric, F., & Mahoney, o. (n.d.). America’s Reconstruction: People and politics after the civil war. Retrieved from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/exhibits/reconstruction/section3/section3_intro.html
Kanaan, J. (2016). Religion in the progressive era. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/wsn7b5yj6ple/religion-in-the-progressive-era/
Siteseen Limited, (2018). Progressive Movement: causes, accomplishments and timeline. Retrieved from http://www.american-historama.org/1881-1913-maturation-era/progressive-movement.htm
Smithsonian American Art Museum, (n.d.). Racial relations during reconstruction. Retrieved from http://americanexperience.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Racial-Relations-during-Reconstruction_.pdf
The History Guy, (n.d.). Philippine-American war. Retrieved from https://www.historyguy.com/PhilipineAmericanwar.html#.XKmdH1Uza1t
U.S. History, (n.d.). Hawaiian Annexation. Retrieved from http://www.ushistory.org/us/44b.asp
