Introduction
Events that took place in the ancient times have shaped ways in which communities globally function, their lifestyle, culture, and governance among others. During the period of reconstruction in America after the Civil war, immense political crisis affected the decisions made by various groups on the basis of what they desired more rather than what was suitable for the whole country. In this assignment, we shall take a look and analyze various positions of cases provided with substantial evidence from the sources allocated.
The transformation America has gone through over the years after the civil war has helped in the solidification of its diversity in social, political, cultural and economic state of its people.
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The Lost Cause Narrative of the South and Racial Policy in the US
Racial disparity during and after the civil war, was a great contributor of how the black and white communities associated. Most historians argue that slavery of the colored people was a catalyst to the eruption of secession and outbreak of war. The ‘lost cause’ of the south was experienced due to the North’s focus on free blacks from slavery and support from the then President Abraham Lincoln. Despite the victory of the Union and Northerners after the south’s secession and freedom to Africans, a period of intense racism was observed. A clear indicator that the lost cause narrative never in any way sabotaged racial policies in the US during the post-civil war period; it did influence but never hindered the government in authority from making policies that affected both races. For instance, after President Lincoln’s assassination, Andrew Johnson took over and under his rule, the Southern states implemented harsh legislation that was primarily geared towards controlling the behavior and labor of former African American slaves. The land given to freed slaves were reverted back to the white settlers. Ideally, Southerners were afraid of the possible power that African Americans would attain after year subjecting them to the competition of resources with the natives. On the other hand, as affirmed by Davis Bancroft (1896), social amenities after the post-civil war were separately designed for individuals on the basis of their race. After the Civil War stigmatization towards non-Americans was intense creating a dispatch in the decisions made by individuals from the white community to the government level. On the other hand, it took decades, for the legislators to come to an agreement in implementing policies that favor and treats all races the same.
Political Policies and Diversity
The turbulence experienced during Americas reconstruction period was mostly due to the difference in ideology, political stand, and social interests amongst the concerned parties. Political policies at the time after the civil war impacted on the diversity that was observed despite the prejudices among a few. For instance, under the tenure of President Andrew, Congress implemented laws that were focused on enforcing equal rights and opportunities to all citizens without looking on their race. For instance, the blacks were enabled to vote and participate in the governances by taking up political positions. These political policies enacted with the help of the Congress enhanced the diversity observed today. For instance, in the political arena, both whites and blacks are in a position to hold office and contribute to the legislation within the States. On the other hand, socially, individuals from various communities have been impacted by the ability to venture into different occupation and business opportunities increasing the country’s economic growth. America has promoted freedom of worship supported by the policies enacted in the constitution boosting the diversity of its people in the country. Following the country’s growth in diversity and immense numbers of immigrants from various regions of the world, the Congress was forced to pass the Chinese Execution Act that was primarily meant to stop the numbers of Asians from China. The population of various ethnic groups before the Chinese Execution Act (1882) is an indicator of the country’s diversity in all aspects that included race, trade occupations, business ventures and religion among others. The ‘melting pot’ considered as the mix of cultures that catalyzes the way of lives of people in America embraced ethnic groups worldwide. The English, French and other European persons in search of political safety and freedom of worship added to the broad build-up of cultural practices in the country.
Impact of Reform Movements between 1865 & 1930, Like the Progressives and Agrarian on Democracy
As mentioned earlier, the population of individuals in America during the post-civil war period showcased a trend of difference in ideology which was a contributor to the conflicts that kept arising from time to time. The emergence of formation of groups and movements that were adamant to stay on the course of what they believed intensified their stand and fight for what they believed. For instance, populists were individuals who came together due to the loss of ‘free land’ that was potential for agricultural activity and growth of the community through farming. Populists were never in support of industrialization because they argued that most of the activities under it were contributing to the diminishing practice of farming. As a political party, populists had their interests based on agricultural practices since it was a movement made up of members of the Farmer’s Alliance group which championed all interests of the individuals involved in farming (Moody, 1883). The development of these movements highly suffocated the development of democracy during that period marking a significant transformation in the political arena of the country. On the contrary, each movement substantially impacted on the policies implemented by the representatives of the National House an indicator that the difference in ideology was respected and valued. For purposes of cementing the agreements and similar philosophies amongst various movements, some of the groups like the progressives and populists merged resulting in the formation of the New Deal. While the formation of the New Deal would have been observed as a tool that suited the needs of most citizens, it was an agreement that was compacted with individuals who focused more on what favored their stands. For example, like in most movements that were created, the Reformation was part of their foundation, but it was a different case with the New Deal. While the public was focused on the restoration of the economy, the New Deal instead focused on regulations a condition that was not in any way supportive of democracy or freedom of choice. Furthermore, while some movements like progressivism were founded one responsibility and Protestant morality, the New Deal was quite pragmatic an indicator that the voice of others never mattered.
Conclusion
The reconstruction period in America faced immense challenges following the difference in philosophy of the American people and immigrants that had taken a position to be citizens. From the social level to the governance and economic status of the country, every decision made contributed to the lifestyle and cultures embraced today. Majority of the white community for a long time expressed supremacy of the blacks specifically due to their state of slavery during and before the break of the civil war. Some of the efforts made during reconstruction period included the implementation of legislation that was geared towards creating equality amongst the American people. Moreover, reforms catalyzed by the movements formed were focusing on the ways to facilitate economic growth and political stability of the nation.
References
Chinese Exclusion Act. (1882). Retrieved from http://college.cengage.com/history/wadsworth_9781133309888/unprotected/ps/chinese_exclusion_act.htm
Davis, J. C. Bancroft. (1896). Plessy vs. Ferguson. Retrieved from http://college.cengage.com/history/wadsworth_9781133309888/unprotected/ps/plessy_ferguson_1896.htm
Moody, W. G. (1883). Bonanza Farming and its impact. Retrieved from http://college.cengage.com/history/wadsworth_9781133309888/unprotected/ps/bonanza_farming_impact.htm
