The Civil War
Question: In what ways did African Americans shape the course and consequences of the Civil War? Confine your answer from 1861 to 1870.
As the Civil War began in 1861, there were many political reasons for which it began as well as the effects that were seen affected by the institution of slavery itself. Although it is widely taught that President Lincoln and the North immersed themselves in the fight for freedom, this was not entirely true.The North fought to preserve the Union and their values, while the south fought to preserve their southern values and their inalienable state rights. However, the corroboration of African Americans throughout the Civil War led to the significant alteration of the goals of the war, and later to the contribution of the new politics that followed post war.
From Source A, we see the question stated by Major Butler, "are they free?", referring to the fugitive slaves. and if so, "what do I do with them?". At the beginning of the war, when slavery was not the main point, many individuals asked the same question as Butler. Many people also adopted slaves as servants, cooks and soldiers. As the Union began to realize the usefulness of the slaves, the course of the war began to shift. The heart and the dedication of the African Americans who refused to "leave this land" in favor of heeding "the call to our suffering country", the North began to make abolition the primary goal of the war (Source B). By thrusting themselves in the war effort, African Americans changed the course of the war based upon political disagreements and state power into a wart to "terminate and forever prohibit" slavery (Source D)
This change was apparent when Lincoln declared the Emancipation Proclamation. While this declaration only freed slaves in the areas of rebellion, it exhibited the change in purpose, and showed a moral side to the war that had not been shown before.Whereas Lincoln had taken a stance of neutrality, ("If I could end this war by freeing the slaves I would") the eagerness of African Americans to "stake their lives for us" ultimately persuaded him to make them a promise of freedom (Doc C). Furthermore, the willing participation and cooperation of the African Americans in the Civil War alongside the hopes of gaining their liberties caused a completely new course for the Union to follow.
The outcome of the Civil War differed from what had been previously expected. What had once been focused upon the reformation of the U.S. and the institution of slavery in he new territories, now shone the light on the appeasement of the South. From the Republican Party of 1864, the creation of the 13th Amendment was necessary. Had African Americans not pushed as hard as they did, this would not have been so. The eventual creation and addition of the 14th and 15th Amendments which granted the voting rights and citizenship of African Americans only increased the aggravation of the South (Source H). The government was forced to focus the majority of LBJ's presidency on Reconstruction. African Americans were also supporters of Reconstruction, as shown by their involvement in the constitutional conventions (Doc J). Although grandfather causes and poll taxes eventually curtailed this involvement, African Americans were able to gain full citizenship and suffrage. Such feats would have been near impossible had they not become part of the war.\
African American involvement during the Civil War aided in changing the focus onto freedom which led to political change as the war drew to a close. Without this, America would not be the image of inalienable rights granted to the U.S. by the U.S. Constitution.
Key Terms
freedmen- former slaves who helped other slaves become free
Ku Klux Klan- white supremacist group
Copperheads- group of democrats who wanted peace with the confederates
fugitive slaves- wanted slaves
*NOTE
NO KEY TERMS OR ESSAY FOR POST COLD WAR AMERICA
CHECK PRESENTATIONS
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Bob Dylan: Musician / The Chicago 7 Trial
Bob Dylan was born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24th, 1941 in the city of Duluth, Minnesota. He grew up to become a musician, focusing on the genre of American rock and roll; he performed with the pseudonym Bob Dyan at various clubs, eventually permanently changing it to his name. What was so influential about his presence in the music industry was his lyrics, which many regarded as not only catchy words but a type of literature unto itself. He wrote about important social issues as well as real life events, which captured and inspired the nation. He became an activist singer at the urge of his then girlfriend Suze Rotolo who's parents were union organizers and volunteers; his first activist song was "The Death of Emmett Till". He believed in the power of songs, the power that they could create and effect change in the world and in people's hearts.
He wrote many songs that were concerned with racial issues such as "Oxford Town" (about the admittance of a black man into and all white school), but his song "Blowin' in the Wind" was the song to put him on the map as not only an activist but a popular singer as well; this now extended his influence and power to get his message out to people. However, because of the fact that so many Americans were beginning to endorse the Vietnam war, Dylan wrote to show his disapproval and his protests. He wrote the song "The Times Are A'Changing" before the public began to protest the war in 1963, which included many controversial lyrics such as "Come mothers and fathers/throughout the land/and don't criticize/what you can't understand/your sons and daughters are beyond your command." He was expressing the emotions parents were feeling such as anger and frustration at their helplessness while their children were sent to an unknown country to fight for a stupid war. Again, he believed in the power of music to send out his message to end the war and the suffering of millions of innocent soldiers.
Much of the critique of Bob Dylan stemmed from whether or not he truly advocated for the things he sang about; whether or not he sang for the people of for the money. While many believe it was for the money, it was assured that he sang from the heart. He was also accused of lyric plagiarism, which was disputed and dissolved.
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The Chicago 7 trial, or also known as the Conspiracy Seven, was a group of 7 defendants (Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines, Lee Weiner) who were charged with conspiracy and inciting a riot among other things. They attempted these crimes during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The eighth member had his trial cut during the proceedings.
These young people were accused of breaking the Rap Brown law, which stated it was illegal to cross state lines in order to riot or conspire to use interstate commerce to incite rioting. They also organized protest marches and rock concerts at the Democratic National Convention, where conflicts between the police and the protesters turned into a full-blown riot. This also included the commonly used tear gas and police beating, as shared by every other riot; the press was there as well, denouncing the supposed overreaction by the police. Bobby Seale, mentioned above, was a defendant who protested loudly in the courtroom against the judge, calling him racist after he was not allowed a separate trial (he wanted his own lawyer who was recovering from surgery). Seale was eventually given a separate trial, after being gagged, and given 48 months in jail.
The other activists were encouraged to follow Seale's actions; they disrupted the trial as much as they could. Eventually they were found in contempt and sentenced to 29 months in jail. Kunstler, one of the seven, was given 4 years for referring to the judge's courtroom as a "medieval torture chamber". Five of the seven protesters were given lesser charges. From the testimony of the Timothy Leary, we also find a recount of the how he became aquainted with Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman.
(Video of the Chicago 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a-sFuzmloE
(Testimony of Timothy F. Leary, a Democratic candidate for Gov in Cali. )
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/chicago7/leary.html
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Carter Cartoons
This political cartoon is picture of President Jimmy Carter telling 3 dictators to embrace in a group hug. All three dictators, which include Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin who led the country of Germany, are pictured as sullen and grimacing; they are clearly unwilling to acknowledge each other. President Carter is pictured as oblivious to the obvious tension of the three men. This was drawn in order to picture the naivete of Carter, just as he was when he brought together the President of Egypt and the President of Israel into an agreement where neither would fight the other. This was drawn by cartoonist Jerry Herbert.
The political cartoon above depicts a translation of the Middle East talks that President Carter. The mechanic comments on the obvious stall of the car, which is missing basically all of the parts to make it run, yet assures the owner that eventually it will. Like the talks, it would obviously take time, yet it would take too much time to do the things they want. It is making fun of the talks and the absurdity of them. This was drawn by cartoonist Jerry Herbert.
The image above depicts a talk between Carter and Fidel Castro, former dictator of the country of Cuba. It shows the obvious evil done by Castro yet Carter is still surprised by his action. The picture was published by cox and forkum.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
President Jimmy Carter
We have all heard about great presidents like George Washington or Abraham Lincoln; but have you heard about Jimmy Carter?He was born in Southern town of Plains, Georgia. You were Southern, liberal, soft spoken, and an evangelical Baptist, meaning that he was not only very religious but believed in a
literal interpretation of the bible. He grew up on a farm, a peanut farm and would own a peanut farm all of his life. He attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, graduating top in his class with a degree in nuclear engineering. He served six years in the United States Navy as an officer aboard a nuclear powered submarine before returning to Georgia to run for congress. He became the youngest congressman in the history of Georgia. He eventually ran for president in the 1977 elections, and won; he was seen as trustworthy.
As president at the time, Carter was left with many obstacles to overcome, mainly from the last presidency; he was left with an un-trusting nation due to the scandalous actions of former President Nixon. Although President Johnson also attempted to help the nation before Nixon as well, he merely accomplished creating ideas but not putting them into action.Carter also took care of the energy crisis, an aggressive Soviet Union, Iran, and many other things. He pardoned over 10,000 people who refused to join the army for the Vietnam war, simply because they were exercising their rights; this was one of many humanitarian actions he did in order to begin to gain back the trust of the American people. He also helped in the Camp David Peace Accords, where President Aware Al Sedate of Egypt and President Meantime Begin of Israel signed a peace accord, and both countries would no longer fight. He also created the Delta Force, which was a team equipped and trained to respond to crises quickly and professionally.
literal interpretation of the bible. He grew up on a farm, a peanut farm and would own a peanut farm all of his life. He attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, graduating top in his class with a degree in nuclear engineering. He served six years in the United States Navy as an officer aboard a nuclear powered submarine before returning to Georgia to run for congress. He became the youngest congressman in the history of Georgia. He eventually ran for president in the 1977 elections, and won; he was seen as trustworthy.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Dorothea Lange - Try the Train
This particular photo by Dorothea Lange is called, "Toward Los Angeles". It was taken in March of the year 1937.
The men exhibited in the photo are only two of the millions of immigrants that moved from either across the border or from the American Midwest in order to find labor jobs in California. During the Great Depression was the highest peak of displaced farmers who sought work and moved out to the west coast. Wages were decreasing and the number of laid off farm workers was increasing; all in all, it was a bad time to be a farmer. The problem of the time when this picture was taken was the inequality and disparity that the farm laborers were forced to endure while on the job. The government was not doing anything effective to give aid to the farm workers, especially those who were Mexican or Mexican American; white government officials were even claiming that these specific immigrants made up half of the unemployed in California while white trade unions blamed them for the loss of available for white men.
A solution to this problem was the protest of this horrible mistreatment, which many groups did do. However, there were laws created (vagrancy laws) which gave officials the right to arrest and even give the workers to other farm owners to "pay off their debt"; eventually they were repealed in 1941 as they wee found unconstitutional. The creation of individual farm workers unions was the only solution to the problem until the convergence of two major unions which bore the United Farm Workers of America, most commonly associated with the great Cesar Chavez. Up to this day, the struggle to bring these workers all the rights they deserve is still being fought, although there have been successes.Dorothea
Friday, March 7, 2014
Russia
World War I was known as the war to end all wars; it was an international fight between the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary) and the Allies (France, Britain, and Russia) with one of the main the underlying causes being imperialism. The Russian Empire was a country that became involved by mere alliance with no true dog in this dogfight.
Russia entered the war when Germany declared war on the country just as Austria was declaring war on Serbia after the assassination of Franz Ferdinad of Austria by Gavrilo Principo: this action was what got the ball rolling and soon he world became involved. Russia was experiencing the after effects of the July crisis, which was a bundles of consecutive conflicts in the ten years before the WW. The country was in a poor economic state and led to their dependence on the foreign investment from France; this led to a mutual growth of both countries, with Russia's defense building back up. The Tsar Nicholas II had made his cousin the Grand Duke Nicholas as leader of the entire Russian army, made up of around 1.2 million men, with groups of cavalry and infantry going towards Germany and towards Austria Hungary; the rest were in defense of their proper land. In August of 1914, the Battle of Tanneberg was one of the first defeats of Russia against the Austrians after a number of victories, with more than thirty thousand Russia soldiers having lost their lives. In most of 1915, Russia's forces were forced to retreat even further, with them having fought back and then driven back once again. In March of 1917, the Tsar Nicholas resigned his position with the takeover of a newer government from the Bolsheviks; this group allowed Lenin and Trotsky to enter Russia and start a revolt against Russia's involvement in the war. July of 1917 was Russia's final invovlement in the war, which was the people's attempt to remove themselves and state their independence; they threw down their weapons and ran for their lives in protest. After the October Revolution, the fighting ceasedThe Bolshevik leaders were ultimately successful in their civil war.
Approximately one million seven hundred thousand Russian soldiers died during World War I. Foloowing the war, Russia was hit with a famine as well as a harsh winter.
Russia entered the war when Germany declared war on the country just as Austria was declaring war on Serbia after the assassination of Franz Ferdinad of Austria by Gavrilo Principo: this action was what got the ball rolling and soon he world became involved. Russia was experiencing the after effects of the July crisis, which was a bundles of consecutive conflicts in the ten years before the WW. The country was in a poor economic state and led to their dependence on the foreign investment from France; this led to a mutual growth of both countries, with Russia's defense building back up. The Tsar Nicholas II had made his cousin the Grand Duke Nicholas as leader of the entire Russian army, made up of around 1.2 million men, with groups of cavalry and infantry going towards Germany and towards Austria Hungary; the rest were in defense of their proper land. In August of 1914, the Battle of Tanneberg was one of the first defeats of Russia against the Austrians after a number of victories, with more than thirty thousand Russia soldiers having lost their lives. In most of 1915, Russia's forces were forced to retreat even further, with them having fought back and then driven back once again. In March of 1917, the Tsar Nicholas resigned his position with the takeover of a newer government from the Bolsheviks; this group allowed Lenin and Trotsky to enter Russia and start a revolt against Russia's involvement in the war. July of 1917 was Russia's final invovlement in the war, which was the people's attempt to remove themselves and state their independence; they threw down their weapons and ran for their lives in protest. After the October Revolution, the fighting ceasedThe Bolshevik leaders were ultimately successful in their civil war.
Approximately one million seven hundred thousand Russian soldiers died during World War I. Foloowing the war, Russia was hit with a famine as well as a harsh winter.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Progressive Characters
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt was born in New York City; he was a sickly child, and was bedridden for most of his childhood. When he was older, and gained more strength, he participated in as many recreational activities as he could, wanting to take in as much exercise and freedom as he could. Eventually, he went to Harvard, graduated, and took his place of duty in the NYC Police Force; he was taught that a life of service was a worthy life, and created a police force to be reckoned with.
In Roosevelt's term as president, he created the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which ensures that meat and other foods were healthy and the Square Deal which aided the poor and the needy. He also added the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, and stated that the U.S. would get involved with Central and South America if European countries attempted to invade. Roosevelt also created the Progressive Party in an attempt to run for president again and make real progressive change.
Teddy Roosevelt tried to make progressive change in a way that helped the lower working class have a fighting chance against the bigger corporations who owned them. He was the first president to ever side with workers who were striking against the unfair working conditions; he even threatened the owners with military attacks if anything were to "happen" to the workers. He also tried to instill a sense of duty in Americans to offer aid to other countries like his father and grandfather had instilled in him.
Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson was initially a bookworm in his younger days before he became president; he graduated from Princeton, gaining a Ph.D and eventually becoming the university president. However, before he became university president, he was a teacher at the university for quite some time. He also created the idea of Moral Internationalism while immersed in his academics.
Wilson's idea of Moral Internationalism was that the United States owed it to themselves and other countries to be involved in foreign affairs due to their power and wealth; it was also believed that freedom and democracy should be brought to other places as well. He also created the 14 Points, which were 14 ideas that kept a progressive pace plan; these were also known as ideas which would better the country and lead into a greater social change. One more thing Wilson attempted to do was try to pass the Treaty of Versailles, which was a peace settlement to end World War I.
Wilson's attempt to bring progressive change to the U.S. Moral Internationalism and through the League of Nations. The idea of Moral Internationalism was to help the nation become more politically involved in the foreign affairs of the world, therefore exposing them to other realities other than their own. The League of Nations was one of the 14 Points; it called for a council of leaders from all over the globe and discussions of how to solve worldly problems would follow.
Ida Tarbel
Ida Tarbel was born in rural Pennsylvania in 1857 to a family of teachers and farmers; she grew up in a tough love environment which led to the success of her and her father's wildcat oil wells. Tarbel attended high school only after John D. Rockefeller had 'acquired' her father's business and graduated from Allegheny College; she was the first women to attend and graduate from the college. She earned a degree in chemistry and taught high school science in Ohio, eventually leaving the job for a more fulfilling life.
Tarbel became a writer; more specifically, she began to write investigative journalism pieces. She also wrote a biography of Madame Roland (important figure in the French Revolution) which exposed her writing style to McCLure's magazine; she right away took a job at the magazine, becoming head writer and editor after writing a 10 part series on the life of Abraham Lincoln. She also wrote a 19 part series on the life and business of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller in order to expose the corrupt business deals that had cost her father and other farmers their land.
Tarbel was a muckraker, meaning she wrote facts which in turn exposed the truth; this was how she had exposed the corruption of the oil company. Her writing led to an investigation of the Standard Oil Company and its disbandment into six different companies, effectively ending Rockefeller's reign.
Robert La Follette "Fighting Bob"
Robert La Follette was born in Wisconsin in 1855; he was raised on a farm and used this to help his own fight for the poor. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin and was the first on his family to. He then became the District Attorney and was eventually elected to the House of Representatives where he began going after corrupt politicians from both Democrats and Republicans.
He created the ideas of initiative, which was the ability of citizens to make and pass a law without help of legislature, and referendum, which was the ability to end an elected official's time in office before the next election. He also began The Wisconsin Idea to try to give the government back to the people and give America more of a direct democracy in order to take away power from the corrupt elite (corporations and parties). La Follette also ran and was elected Senator of the state of Wisconsin; he was one of the few that went against Wilson's declaration of war, openly speaking against it in public speeches.
La Follette was open to speaking his opinions whether or not they were deemed necessary or even wanted; he was especially prone to making speeches which gained him many enemies; these speeches made him susceptible to being accused of treason. He also felt that both natural born and immigrants alike had a duty to keep on the values that drove the American spirit during the country's revolution days. Everyone had a right to speak their mind.
John D. Rockefeller
John D. Rockefeller was the second oldest of a group of six children to a farming family in upstate New York City; he attended school and after high school went to the Folsom Mercantile College and finished a bookkeeping course. He began to work as an assistant bookkeeper at the Hewitt and Tuttle Firm. After many promotions, Rockefeller formed his own business with a partner, later turning it into an oil refinery business, renaming it Standard Oil.
Rockefeller was a master at monopoly, meaning he was in control of all the oil in the Ohio region with no competition. He also learned how to control the means of production, completely dominating the oil business and every part of production. Predatory pricing was also a useful method of his; he would lower his prices to less than his competitors, and when he bought them out, the prices skyrocketed with no other place to buy his product as he was the only producer.
Rockefeller's business endeavors soon came to an after interference with muckracker Ida Tarbel and her infamous 19 part series of his life and corrupt business. His company was forced to break up into six different companies, effectively ending his reign. He became a philanthropist, and gave his money away to may organizations until his death in 1937.
Eugene V. Debs
Eugene V. Debs was born in a German family in Terre Haute, Indiana; life as an immigrant was difficult, yet their knowledge was as vast as the family library. His family opened a general store and later became trusted members of the community; after finishing high school, Debs went to work at the Union Pacific Railway, but left the dangerous job to do union work and became a union activist.
After creating the American Railway Union, he ventured far and wide to gain rights for workers, even opening a publishing company to get the voices of the workers and their situation heard. He and the ARU stood behind the Pullman Strike and gave the workers their support, although Debs was jailed for having been involved. The Great Railway Strike was one of his proudest moments, giving all he had into helping the workers earn their rights.
Debs was a progressive reformer at heart, from his creation of the ARU to his endorsement of the Women's Suffragist Movement. He even continued his talks and motivation while he was in jail, uplifting the jailers and prisoners alike. He died in his home in Terre Haute after having met President Harding on an invitation to the White House.
In Roosevelt's term as president, he created the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which ensures that meat and other foods were healthy and the Square Deal which aided the poor and the needy. He also added the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, and stated that the U.S. would get involved with Central and South America if European countries attempted to invade. Roosevelt also created the Progressive Party in an attempt to run for president again and make real progressive change.
Teddy Roosevelt tried to make progressive change in a way that helped the lower working class have a fighting chance against the bigger corporations who owned them. He was the first president to ever side with workers who were striking against the unfair working conditions; he even threatened the owners with military attacks if anything were to "happen" to the workers. He also tried to instill a sense of duty in Americans to offer aid to other countries like his father and grandfather had instilled in him.
Woodrow Wilson
Wilson's idea of Moral Internationalism was that the United States owed it to themselves and other countries to be involved in foreign affairs due to their power and wealth; it was also believed that freedom and democracy should be brought to other places as well. He also created the 14 Points, which were 14 ideas that kept a progressive pace plan; these were also known as ideas which would better the country and lead into a greater social change. One more thing Wilson attempted to do was try to pass the Treaty of Versailles, which was a peace settlement to end World War I.
Wilson's attempt to bring progressive change to the U.S. Moral Internationalism and through the League of Nations. The idea of Moral Internationalism was to help the nation become more politically involved in the foreign affairs of the world, therefore exposing them to other realities other than their own. The League of Nations was one of the 14 Points; it called for a council of leaders from all over the globe and discussions of how to solve worldly problems would follow.
Ida Tarbel
Tarbel became a writer; more specifically, she began to write investigative journalism pieces. She also wrote a biography of Madame Roland (important figure in the French Revolution) which exposed her writing style to McCLure's magazine; she right away took a job at the magazine, becoming head writer and editor after writing a 10 part series on the life of Abraham Lincoln. She also wrote a 19 part series on the life and business of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller in order to expose the corrupt business deals that had cost her father and other farmers their land.
Tarbel was a muckraker, meaning she wrote facts which in turn exposed the truth; this was how she had exposed the corruption of the oil company. Her writing led to an investigation of the Standard Oil Company and its disbandment into six different companies, effectively ending Rockefeller's reign.
Robert La Follette "Fighting Bob"
He created the ideas of initiative, which was the ability of citizens to make and pass a law without help of legislature, and referendum, which was the ability to end an elected official's time in office before the next election. He also began The Wisconsin Idea to try to give the government back to the people and give America more of a direct democracy in order to take away power from the corrupt elite (corporations and parties). La Follette also ran and was elected Senator of the state of Wisconsin; he was one of the few that went against Wilson's declaration of war, openly speaking against it in public speeches.
La Follette was open to speaking his opinions whether or not they were deemed necessary or even wanted; he was especially prone to making speeches which gained him many enemies; these speeches made him susceptible to being accused of treason. He also felt that both natural born and immigrants alike had a duty to keep on the values that drove the American spirit during the country's revolution days. Everyone had a right to speak their mind.
John D. Rockefeller
Rockefeller was a master at monopoly, meaning he was in control of all the oil in the Ohio region with no competition. He also learned how to control the means of production, completely dominating the oil business and every part of production. Predatory pricing was also a useful method of his; he would lower his prices to less than his competitors, and when he bought them out, the prices skyrocketed with no other place to buy his product as he was the only producer.
Rockefeller's business endeavors soon came to an after interference with muckracker Ida Tarbel and her infamous 19 part series of his life and corrupt business. His company was forced to break up into six different companies, effectively ending his reign. He became a philanthropist, and gave his money away to may organizations until his death in 1937.
Eugene V. Debs
After creating the American Railway Union, he ventured far and wide to gain rights for workers, even opening a publishing company to get the voices of the workers and their situation heard. He and the ARU stood behind the Pullman Strike and gave the workers their support, although Debs was jailed for having been involved. The Great Railway Strike was one of his proudest moments, giving all he had into helping the workers earn their rights.
Debs was a progressive reformer at heart, from his creation of the ARU to his endorsement of the Women's Suffragist Movement. He even continued his talks and motivation while he was in jail, uplifting the jailers and prisoners alike. He died in his home in Terre Haute after having met President Harding on an invitation to the White House.
Friday, February 21, 2014
The Flux of the Puerto Rican/Cuban Immigrant
Nowadays, we know Puerto Rico as part of the United States, while Cuba is one of our worst enemies; however, it did not start put this way. Decades ago, both islands were unto themselves and not bothered by the U.S.. They are located near the Greater Antilles, and in between Florida and Venezuela; both of their inhabitants contain Spanish origins. These islands intertwine with the history of the United States and had vastly different experiences with the challenges of 20th century migration from the islands to the mainland. \
The first man of European descent to land on the islands was Christopher Columbus, an explorer who was endorsed by the King and Queen of Spain to discover more land to expand their territory. The were eventually colonized, used as military bases in the beginning and developed into gold mines and plantations; their resources were some of the first exploitation of natural resources, including the original inhabitants. The natives were killed off by diseases, horrible treatment bot physically and mentally, and overwork. Eventually, they were bumped off the number one use of laborers and replaced by Africans in the mines and fields. The islands were huge economic breakthroughs with the growing of sugar, coffee and tobacco plantations. However, eventually the Spanish and African inhabitants rebelled against the Spanish rule; Cuba and Puerto Rico were nearing their independence. The US then entered the Spanish American War, which resulted in the obtainment of Puerto Rico and Cuba; whereas Puerto Rico would become a commonwealth, Cuba would eventually become a near enemy.
The island of Puerto Rico has been property of the US since its annexation, yet it has never been considered a state nor do Puerto Ricans have the citizen's right to vote for Congress. Legally, a Puerto Rican can move around the 50 states and live there as it is considered internal migration. On the other hand, the completely different cultures of both places made Puerto Ricans feel uncomfortable and many did not migrate; there was as little as 40,000 people moving in a time span of two decades. Eventually, at the end of WWII, immigration from Puerto Rico burst; in 1945, there were 13,000 Puerto Ricans in NYC and a decade later, there were almost 700,000. By the mid 1960's, there was more than 1 milllion. The reason for the immigration explosion? Affordable air fare.
There were many cities with P.R. inhabitants, the including ones being Chicago, Philadelphia and Newark; many also moved to New England as well. In the 1930's, New York City was the capital of P.R., with Northeast Manhattan being the main center; it was also known as Spanish Harlem, and the place where much of the Puerto Ricans gained a political and cultural life. Migration to the U.S. slowed down due to urban recession; the poverty, unemployment and racial discrimination in the 50's and 60's played a big role. The second generation of Puerto Ricans were the ones to fight back and began to organize and protest against the unjust treatment. in 1951, a referendum for Puerto Rico lead it to becoming a commonwealth though many wanted it to be fully independent. Retaliation included an attempted assassination of the President and on the House of Representatives, showcasing the strong feelings that Puerto Ricans kept bottled inside. At the beginning of the 21st century, there were more established routes to the U.S. mainland and at the present day, there are Puerto Ricans who have even secured government jobs.
In the late 19th century, Cubans were moving as the wanted between Florida and the island to participate in trade of sugar, tobacco, and coffee; evetually, cigar companies moved their plants to the U.S. mainland, meaning the workers did so as well. These companies were located in the main centers of Key West and Ybor City; Cubans crossed the strait in order to secure there jobs at these factories. The immigration of Cubans was 50,000 to 100,000 moving to an from Havana, Key West and Tampa annually. The U.S. began to take great interest in Cuba's enterprises and eventually interfered to secure their own involvement. In the 1950's, Fulgencio Bautista was leader of Cuba, and was overtaken by Fidel Castro in a rebellion against his tyranny. Eventually, Casto made himself dictator and severed alliance with the U.S.; many of the immigrants found themselves suffering from all the different international policies. Flights to Cuba were cancelled due to the hostility and in the brief time that flights from Mariel to the U.S. was available, over 125,000 left; these immigrants were known as the Marielitas. In the 1980's and 1990's, flotillas became a common occurrence and mode of transportation to the U.S. from Cuba; the U.S, agreed that any Cubans found on these would be returned to Cuba.
The Cubans only expected to stay for a short while as their government was being fixed but soon realized that they would have to stay permanently; this lead to a new generation of Cubans in Florida. In the 1980's, the population was 580,000 in Miami, and people created communities to remind them of their homeland. Eventually, around 50% of hotels in Miami were run by Cuban Americans. They gained a successful reputation.
Both Spanish Harlem and Miami and capitals for Puerto Rican Americans and Cuban Americans. They changed the dynamic of these locations in a white based America, bringing with them new dialect, languages, music, and overall cultures.
The first man of European descent to land on the islands was Christopher Columbus, an explorer who was endorsed by the King and Queen of Spain to discover more land to expand their territory. The were eventually colonized, used as military bases in the beginning and developed into gold mines and plantations; their resources were some of the first exploitation of natural resources, including the original inhabitants. The natives were killed off by diseases, horrible treatment bot physically and mentally, and overwork. Eventually, they were bumped off the number one use of laborers and replaced by Africans in the mines and fields. The islands were huge economic breakthroughs with the growing of sugar, coffee and tobacco plantations. However, eventually the Spanish and African inhabitants rebelled against the Spanish rule; Cuba and Puerto Rico were nearing their independence. The US then entered the Spanish American War, which resulted in the obtainment of Puerto Rico and Cuba; whereas Puerto Rico would become a commonwealth, Cuba would eventually become a near enemy.
The island of Puerto Rico has been property of the US since its annexation, yet it has never been considered a state nor do Puerto Ricans have the citizen's right to vote for Congress. Legally, a Puerto Rican can move around the 50 states and live there as it is considered internal migration. On the other hand, the completely different cultures of both places made Puerto Ricans feel uncomfortable and many did not migrate; there was as little as 40,000 people moving in a time span of two decades. Eventually, at the end of WWII, immigration from Puerto Rico burst; in 1945, there were 13,000 Puerto Ricans in NYC and a decade later, there were almost 700,000. By the mid 1960's, there was more than 1 milllion. The reason for the immigration explosion? Affordable air fare.
There were many cities with P.R. inhabitants, the including ones being Chicago, Philadelphia and Newark; many also moved to New England as well. In the 1930's, New York City was the capital of P.R., with Northeast Manhattan being the main center; it was also known as Spanish Harlem, and the place where much of the Puerto Ricans gained a political and cultural life. Migration to the U.S. slowed down due to urban recession; the poverty, unemployment and racial discrimination in the 50's and 60's played a big role. The second generation of Puerto Ricans were the ones to fight back and began to organize and protest against the unjust treatment. in 1951, a referendum for Puerto Rico lead it to becoming a commonwealth though many wanted it to be fully independent. Retaliation included an attempted assassination of the President and on the House of Representatives, showcasing the strong feelings that Puerto Ricans kept bottled inside. At the beginning of the 21st century, there were more established routes to the U.S. mainland and at the present day, there are Puerto Ricans who have even secured government jobs.
In the late 19th century, Cubans were moving as the wanted between Florida and the island to participate in trade of sugar, tobacco, and coffee; evetually, cigar companies moved their plants to the U.S. mainland, meaning the workers did so as well. These companies were located in the main centers of Key West and Ybor City; Cubans crossed the strait in order to secure there jobs at these factories. The immigration of Cubans was 50,000 to 100,000 moving to an from Havana, Key West and Tampa annually. The U.S. began to take great interest in Cuba's enterprises and eventually interfered to secure their own involvement. In the 1950's, Fulgencio Bautista was leader of Cuba, and was overtaken by Fidel Castro in a rebellion against his tyranny. Eventually, Casto made himself dictator and severed alliance with the U.S.; many of the immigrants found themselves suffering from all the different international policies. Flights to Cuba were cancelled due to the hostility and in the brief time that flights from Mariel to the U.S. was available, over 125,000 left; these immigrants were known as the Marielitas. In the 1980's and 1990's, flotillas became a common occurrence and mode of transportation to the U.S. from Cuba; the U.S, agreed that any Cubans found on these would be returned to Cuba.
The Cubans only expected to stay for a short while as their government was being fixed but soon realized that they would have to stay permanently; this lead to a new generation of Cubans in Florida. In the 1980's, the population was 580,000 in Miami, and people created communities to remind them of their homeland. Eventually, around 50% of hotels in Miami were run by Cuban Americans. They gained a successful reputation.
Both Spanish Harlem and Miami and capitals for Puerto Rican Americans and Cuban Americans. They changed the dynamic of these locations in a white based America, bringing with them new dialect, languages, music, and overall cultures.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Ida Tarbell, Muckraker Extraordinaire
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| Ida M. Tarbell |
Ida Minerva Tarbell was a Pennsylvania native, born in November of 1857 in her mother's father's home. She grew up in Titsuville, where she eventually graduated as valedictorian from her high school; she went on to Allegheny College and became a graduate in 1880. It was in her early years that she first encountered the oil schemes that affected her father's small business and eventually guided her to her destiny. Her journey through magazines and written publications for individuals such as Napoleon Bonaparte and Abraham Lincoln led her to becoming a majorly known author. She began her research on the Standard Oil trust at the turn of the century and in 1902 began interviewing those closest to the company. She dug up dirt on John D. Rockefeller and his suspicious business practices, eventually uncovering a whole scheme behind this multi-millionaire. Her investigative report of Rockefeller and profile of him were one of the first, which gained her a title of pioneer in investigative journalism as well as recognition as one of the first female muckrakers, although she disliked the name.
Tarbell lived until she was 86 years old, dying in 1944. She died of pneumonia in a Bridgeport hospital in Connecticut. Her legacy includes the Ida Tarbell House, a national landmark as well as an induction in the National Women's Hall of Fame; this was done at Seneca Falls.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
An Account of the Battle of Little Bighorn
As many of us know, the Battle of Little Bighorn was a battle between a group of rebellious Indians who refused to cooperate with the United States government and a group of military men led under the brave General Custer. Or was it?
The Battle of Little Bighorn was fought between two main groups; the Sioux, the Cheyenne the Arapaho on one side and the United States Army on the other. The Native Americans and the U.S. originally had land treaties that stated the boundaries of each nation, and all was peaceful until the U.S began to break these promises while on the prowl for the newly discovered gold. There were many meetings between the Natives and The U.S.; winter of 1968, General George Armstrong Custer and his men attacked a camp on the Washita River, murdering their Chief. They were moved to a reservation, but moved and were attacked again in the winter of 1875. Not leaving anything else to chance, the Cheyenne moved in with the Sioux, where other tribes eventually joined them; they believed they were safer and stronger in numbers. They set up camp near Little Bighorn River, and General Custer lead his men against them, knowingly outnumbered. They were not victorious, which only led to a bigger problem with the Natives since this now became about revenge.
The Battle of Little Bighorn was fought between two main groups; the Sioux, the Cheyenne the Arapaho on one side and the United States Army on the other. The Native Americans and the U.S. originally had land treaties that stated the boundaries of each nation, and all was peaceful until the U.S began to break these promises while on the prowl for the newly discovered gold. There were many meetings between the Natives and The U.S.; winter of 1968, General George Armstrong Custer and his men attacked a camp on the Washita River, murdering their Chief. They were moved to a reservation, but moved and were attacked again in the winter of 1875. Not leaving anything else to chance, the Cheyenne moved in with the Sioux, where other tribes eventually joined them; they believed they were safer and stronger in numbers. They set up camp near Little Bighorn River, and General Custer lead his men against them, knowingly outnumbered. They were not victorious, which only led to a bigger problem with the Natives since this now became about revenge.
All in all, the Battle of Little Bighorn was fought with two perspectives since there were two sides to the fight. Many debate on whether the battle started due to the discovery of gold on the land of the Natives or whether the Natives attacked unprovoked, but the fact of the matter is a battle was fought and one side won.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
The Exclusion of the Chinamen
The Chinese were one minority group of many others that immigrated to the United States in the 1800's. The Chinese arrived in time for the California Gold Rush but quickly learned mining for gold in California in the late 1840's and early 1850's was a bust. They had been targets of hostility and found different work like working restaurants and laundry. The situation of the transcontinental railroad, which was predominately built by Chinese immigrants due to the fact that the original workers either refused or left for other work opportunities.Of course, they were not the ideal worker since they were so much smaller in stature and not seen as able to do much labor, they brought positive results at their new jobs. Soon, thousands were recruited to work on the railroad and it all spiraled from there. Although they were excellent in their works habits, the Chinamen were not seen as any more than a way to get more work done for less; this was especially true since they primarily worked the dangerous unskilled jobs that white men did not do.
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 resulted from the uselessness of the Chinese; the railroad was finished, a labor source was no longer needed and more unwelcome than ever. There was much violence against the Chinese from anti-Chinese supporters, mainly the other immigrants and/or white individuals. In document A, a play dubbed "The Chinese Must Go", the stereotypical associations to Chinese workers are exemplified through the dialogue exchanged between three main characters. What is also exemplified is the idea that the Chinese were "stealing" the jobs and money that "rightfully" belonged to the white man. This is supported by document C, a speech to the workingmen of San Francisco which was an anti-Chinese group as well. It states that the immigration of the Chinese pose a threat to the foundation of their community as well as the invasion of their jobs having to do with labor; these men take the situation personally, and shows how invested they are in getting rid of any competition that foreigners brought to earning money. In document D, an autobiography of a Chinese immigrant, the envy and disgust that other minorities felt towards the Chinese is clearly stated by one who experienced it. They were also targeted through the blatant prohibition of naturalization of Chinese in 1878 and interracial marriage in 1880, even though Chinamen were not even allowed to bring along their wives (many were suspected of being prostitutes due their high rates of importation which was against the law passed in 1870).
Ultimately, the Exclusion Act was passed not only because the Chinese were no longer needed, but because they were seen as a threat to the American way of life. By the American way of life, I mean the part where the white men are given more and everyone else who is not white is given less; the overwhelming numbers of the Chinese jeopardized this idea, hence the outward attack at isolating these poor immigrants.
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 resulted from the uselessness of the Chinese; the railroad was finished, a labor source was no longer needed and more unwelcome than ever. There was much violence against the Chinese from anti-Chinese supporters, mainly the other immigrants and/or white individuals. In document A, a play dubbed "The Chinese Must Go", the stereotypical associations to Chinese workers are exemplified through the dialogue exchanged between three main characters. What is also exemplified is the idea that the Chinese were "stealing" the jobs and money that "rightfully" belonged to the white man. This is supported by document C, a speech to the workingmen of San Francisco which was an anti-Chinese group as well. It states that the immigration of the Chinese pose a threat to the foundation of their community as well as the invasion of their jobs having to do with labor; these men take the situation personally, and shows how invested they are in getting rid of any competition that foreigners brought to earning money. In document D, an autobiography of a Chinese immigrant, the envy and disgust that other minorities felt towards the Chinese is clearly stated by one who experienced it. They were also targeted through the blatant prohibition of naturalization of Chinese in 1878 and interracial marriage in 1880, even though Chinamen were not even allowed to bring along their wives (many were suspected of being prostitutes due their high rates of importation which was against the law passed in 1870).
Ultimately, the Exclusion Act was passed not only because the Chinese were no longer needed, but because they were seen as a threat to the American way of life. By the American way of life, I mean the part where the white men are given more and everyone else who is not white is given less; the overwhelming numbers of the Chinese jeopardized this idea, hence the outward attack at isolating these poor immigrants.
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