Modern Civil Rights Movement
The contemporary civil rights movements experienced active actions between the years of 1954 -1964 that saw great changes in the history of civil rights movements in the world that have impacted the world up to the present times. It experienced a great dynamics regarding the methods used to advocate various issues among the civil rights movements such as petitions, demonstration, and mass movements among other non-violent movements used by the civil rights groups at the time. Also, the dynamisms in the different issues demanded by the civil rights movements such as the right to vote, employment rights, the right to access education and an end to racism among others. The decade between 1954-1964 demands by the civil right movements mainly concentrated on the basic rights and needs of life such as education as noted in the 1954 Supreme Court ruling that ended the educational segregation. Also, the end of discrimination in public places based on race as noted in the act by Rosa Parks who refused to give out a bus seat in the Montgomery among others that contributed to the singing of the 1957 Civil Rights Act by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The commission created, therefore, provided the foundation and framework that resulted in many changes and goals of the civil rights movement being achieved in the following years to the present. For example, the re-emergence of the women’s rights movement noted in many feminist organizations, the 1963 Equal Pay Act, and the 1964 Civil Rights Act that banned inequality due to gender among other changes in the society as advocated by the civil rights movements. 1965 also saw the passage of the Voting Rights Act by President Lyndon B. Johnson that banned racial discrimination in voting practices. Many of the present civil rights movements have continued to advocate and enhance for equality and justice noted on the foundation established by the modern civil rights movements.
The major figures included Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and President John F. Kennedy among others. Their ideologies were to end the injustices experienced in the society based on race and ethnic affiliation in all the spheres of the society that either touch on the economic, political or social aspects (Donaldson, 2010). King Jr., Parks, Malcolm X attracted mostly African-American followers who mostly were victims of the racial discrimination. John. F. Kennedy also attracted the attention of other people of color who were true to the changes and reforms of the status quo and, consequently, the politicians who believed in the ideology followed him as well. Both of the noted figures contributed to changes in many historical factors in the history related to the end of institutionalized racism and discrimination of people. John. F. Kennedy also supported the movement fully and had planned to implement a stronger civil rights Act, but did not see the day as he was assassinated before the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Both figures were very successful, and no major ideology conflicted. The civil rights movements were very successful as they brought critical changes such as the passing of the Civil Rights Act that has provided the platforms that many of other changes as advocated by the civil rights movements are implemented. The movements provided the foundation for reforms experienced to date, for this reason, regarded as successful. Filling the gaps in the law that exist to discourage the racism still experienced today in society remains undone and need to be accomplished through dialogue and education of the masses against racism.
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Woodrow Wilson and Foreign Policy
The foreign policy of a country has determined the decisions that leaders and a country takes at any particular time as noted in the history of humankind and the United States is no exception. In President Woodrow Wilson pronouncements he swore to make the world safe and democratic and brought the United States into World War I as well as undertook interventions in Mexico meant to teach the Mexicans to elect decent men presents the US foreign policy about the issue such as democracy, security and international relations among others. Wilson pronouncements that made the US participate in World War I impacted the world history greatly to enhance democracy and make the world safe. His ideologies contributed to the formation of the foundation and framework that formed international institutions such as the League of Nations that later developed to the United Nations to try to minimize conflict in the world (Robinson & West, 2016). And, embrace dialogue and, democracy as a principle that allows people participation in decision making and respects of outcomes of elections by leaders. Democracy and capitalism were an idea that was competing with autocracy and socialism and, therefore, the US foreign policy intended to restore democracy and eliminate possible conflict that resulted from non-democratic acts that led to conflicts. And, violence that stagnates the world growth and development at the time that the United States saw as impacting its economic growth negatively among other benefits realized in the peaceful setup. Intervention in such acts at the global set up also increased the international reputation of the United States and, therefore, its foreign policy encouraged such intervention of global concerns. The intervention in Mexico also conformed to the foreign policy by then that encouraged intervention militarily when the interest of the United States is threatened by bad leadership.
The United States has committed many similar actions of military intervention to reinforce its foreign policy in the 20th Century and hence lived up to its ideal of enhancing democracy and good governance. The World War I formed the basis in which other military intervention to enhance democracy, and good governance was promoted. World War II similarly saw the US support the allies that battled against German where the then President Roosevelt indicated four elements of democracy that were lacking. For example, freedom of speech, religion, fear and want and, hence, compelled the US to intervene leding to defeat of German and restoration of democracy and good governance. The Gulf War (1990-1991) also saw the US use military intervention to enhance its foreign policy related to democracy and good governance. Iraq under its leadership of Saddam Hussein had invaded Kuwait that was against the international laws, prompting the US to react and intervene. It resulted in the restoration of independence and democracy that enhances the US foreign policy set at the times of Woodrow Wilson. The Korean War (1950-1953) that saw the North Korea Invade the South prompted the US intervention militarily as well further enhanced its foreign policy related to democracy. The US-led the UN intervention team to rescue South Korea and sent troops that helped it restore its independence and democracy.
References
Donaldson, G. (2010). The Second Reconstruction: A History of the Modern Civil Rights Movement . Malabar, Fla.: Krieger.
Robinson, E. E. & West, V.J. (2016). The Foreign Policy of Woodrow Wilson, 1913-1917 . Charleston: BiblioBazaar.
