Shame Or Proud?
What extent should we proud or ashamed of American Society?
INDUSTRIALIZATION: Political
As time passed in America, political machines began to sprang up. Bigger businesses were having a significant amount of influence over government decisions. Tammany Hall, in New York was led by William Marcy Tweed a.k.a "Boss Tweed". He brought in extreme corruption and exchanged social services with new immigrants for political votes. I ashamed of this because America was allowing the upper class to take advantage of the lower. The political cartoon shows Boss Tweed leaning against a vote booth. Written on it are the words "In counting there is strength" which means it doesn't matter where the majority of the votes are, since he counts the ballots, he has the final decision of who wins.
INDUSTRIALIZATION: Economic
In 1870, J.D. Rockefeller found the Standard Oil refinery. He made as much money as he could and gave away alot of it away too. However, Ida Tarbell wrote about the corruptness of the Standard Oil. They were buying out other businesses seen as a threat and sticking their hands in political affairs. I ashamed of America for this because once again they are taking advantage of people in a manipulative way. The vieo link is a rap song about how J.D. Rockefeller was a robber baron.
INDUSTRIALIZATION: Social/ Cultural
I am proud to say that the inventions that came out of the industrialization were steeping stones to even greater inventions in the future. They all helped make the American life easier in some way. Henry Ford created the automobile which got people to places quicker. Thomas Edison created the light bulb which made it easier to see. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone to make communication more efficient. The cartoon explains other inventions made during that era.
IMMIGRATION: Political
The Chinese Exclusion Act was a bill passed by Congress. It banned Chinese people from entering the U.S in 1882. I ashamed that this happened because America gave all immigrants the allusion of a perfect country to seek refuge, but then turns around and tries their hardest to deny the entry to certain groups. The document is the actual beginning of the Chinese Exclusion Act. What stood out to me was the fact that the Congress thought the Chinese "endangers the good of certain localities within the territory." Prejudice at its finest.
IMMIGRATION: Economic
Although immigrants faced many obstacles, once in America many of them needed guidance. Jane Addams founded the Hull House which provided shelter, education, and even jobs for new arriving immigrants. I am proud of this because it helped people instead of taking from them. The video clip is an advertisement for the Hull House directed to immigrants.
IMMIGRATION: Social/ Cultural
Immigrants coming from other countries had to come through either Ellis or Angel Island. Once there, they were tested by the Americans which resulted in most of them getting sent back. I ashamed of this because some immigrants were not even aware of this procedure until they got there. I think it was unfair to the ones who traveled all that way just to get turned around. In the clip, Erika Lee & Judy Yung read an excerpt from their book "Immigrant Gateway to America" comparing both islands.
URBANIZATION: Political
Eugene Debs was the leader of the American Railway Union. The Pullman Company cut workers' pay and this led to starvation for many families. The workers that were fired joined forces with the American Railway Union and boycotted their former company. This upset Grover Cleveland, but this is something I am proud of. I'm proud of this because the people did not just allow the companies to walk over them and abuse them for money. They stood up for what they believed and it paid off. The clip includes actual pictures of the Pullman strike.
URBANIZATION: Economic
In the 1800's, collective bargaining was used to win workers' rights. I am proud of this because this is fairness and shows how workers can have a voice without the government suppressing them. This included higher wages and shorter work hours. The image represents workers from a trade union joining hands and creating a voice for themselves to ensure that they receive equal treatment as other workers.
URBANIZATION: Social/ Cultural
Urbanization led to poor living & working conditions. Mother Jones and the Knights of Labor were huge players in fixing the problems in the workplace. They both aimed to seek lower hours, higher pay, and abolition of child labor. Even though they supported the Chinese Exclusion Act, I am still proud that they dedicated their time to solve these issues. In the audio, Samuel Gompers gives a speech about labor support. He is also the founder of the American Federation of Labor.
PROGRESSIVISM: Political
In 1890, the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) was formed. Their goal was to convince Congress to pass a law stating that all women were allowed to vote. Eventually, in 1920, an amendment was ratified granting all American women the right to vote. I am proud of this because they proved alot of people wrong and it was a case of equality which took alot of bravery. I chose this clip from Iron Jawed Angels because Alice is making a speech about how women should be able to have a voice in their government.
Progressivism: Economic
in 1909, Congress passes the 16th amendment of graduated income tax. It allowed the government to lay taxes on the people. However, people who made more income had to pay higher taxes. I am proud because it relieves the lower class, but I am ashamed because I know one day I'll have to pay those higher taxes. The image shows how much a person would be charged for however much their income is in 1913 & 2013.
Progressivism: Social/ Cultural
Jacob Riis is a man who wrote about the poor living conditions that most immigrants lived in when they came to America. There were slums, shacks, tenements, and etc. that were run down and unsanitary. I am proud that he wrote about the truth in "How the Other Half Lives". It is honesty. The clip shows what Jacob captured from the tenement life.
IMPERIALISM: Political
In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt added on to the Monroe Doctrine. His State of the Union address became known as the Roosevelt Corollary. He wanted to protect the smaller Western countries from European rule. In the picture, Roosevelt has his navy with him and is protecting the Caribbean countries. I am proud of this because it isn't harming anyone, but rather protecting.
IMPERIALISM: Economic
The U.S wanted easier access to trade and sell merchandise with other countries. So to avoid travelling all the way around the tip of South America, they wanted to build a canal. The canal area belonged to Panama though which belonged to Colombia. Since Panama wanted their freedom from Colombia, America saw it as a way to help so they could get the canal, which is what happened. America helped Panama gain independence and then began to build the canal. The video takes you through the canal as if you were really there. I am proud of this because it was a good investment on America's part.
IMPERIALISM: Social/ Cultural
In 1895, the U.S. overthrew Hawaii's government by forcing the queen out of her position. Afterwards, they sent over Sanford Dole to lead. I ashamed of this because the U.S didn't want Europeans invading other countries, but they did it with Hawaii by sending unnecessary troops. The document is of people who signed a petition against the annexation of Hawaii. These people were native inhabitants of the island.
WORLD WAR I: Political
In April 2-4, 1917, the U.S. declares war on Germany after they broke their promise not to sink ships without fair notice. The clip is actual footage of U.S. declaring war on Germany. It shows the soldiers leaving and the people supporting. It also shows them preparing to fight on the battle field. I am not proud or ashamed for this act.
WORLD WAR I: Economic
Millions of dollars were spent on weapons for the war. They had rifles, poison gas, aircraft, tanks, airships, artillery, and grenades. Most of the deaths in the war were caused by the gas. The video explains the importance of several different weapons used in World War I. I am not ashamed or proud of this either.
WORLD WAR I: Social/ Cultural
During World War I, the Selective Service Act became widely known and dreaded by some. It gave the federal government the power to draft males into the war if they were fit to do so. I ashamed of this because there were some men who didn't want to go in, but had no choice and could've possibly lost their life. The link is a gallery of photos related to the Selection Service Act. There were many people against it so there's a picture of a protest. You also have a propaganda poster that shows patriotic Uncle Sam demanding people to join the U.S. army.