America's Post-Civil War Growing Pains

Running head: GROWING PAINS

Assignment #1
America’s Post-Civil War Growing Pains

INTRODUCTION The period being covered in this presentation is the Civil War and its growing pains following the Civil War. Things to be explored will be the turning points in American history along with historical events after the Civil War, segregation and it’s shaping of American history, changes in attitudes, and the life of an American along with the laws passed to discriminate against the non-whites citizens. Other things to be explored will be the scenario if President Lincoln has not been assassinated. Basically, it will be an attempt to touch base on situations that have happened during and after the Civil War, that are of significance. MAJOR TURNING POINTS A major turning point in history is when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862 and issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. The proclamation’s impact was to free slaves only in the Confederate states, while leaving slavery intact in the other states. However, the freedom promised was contingent on the Union military triumph over the south. It allowed 180,000 blacks to fight for their freedom by becoming a member of the Union army. Other major turning points were The Revolutionary War and the World War II because if they had not fought in these wars, they might still be part of Great Britain, Germany or Japan and would never have become an independent and free nation. Those nations were cruel, ruthless, and determined to overrun the whole world. They were important victories in order to protect our way of life (Parker, 2012). HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT SHAPED AMERICA’S CURRENT SOCIETY A few major events were the invention of the cotton gin and the invention of the electric telegraph. The invention of the cotton gin led to separating the cotton from the seeds and made it easier to manufacture threads for material. This led to a higher demand of cotton and of the farmers. This also led to factories, steam engines and later railroads. The cotton gin allows us today to perform and expedite and manufacture clothing, furniture upholstery, sheets and curtains at a much faster rate than ever. The other major event is the invention of the telegraph that led to the radio and the telephone, transistors, vacuum tubes and later it led to the beginning of the post office. Today, almost everyone has some sort of electronic device that originated from the invention of the telegraph (Institute, 2012). SEGREGATION AND HOW IT SHAPED AMERICA’S HISTORY Segregation has shaped the American culture since the Civil War and the emancipation of African American slaves. There has always been resentment between the races that has resulted in segregation, hatred and even violence. The violence erupted and it almost seemed worse than when blacks were slaves. Restaurants, hotels, bathrooms and parks have turned into places that would split races apart. Children not raised as slaves were forbidden to communicate with friends of other races because of the ongoing hatred and resentment. The hatred and violence is still in place today, it is just more extreme one way or the other. People today are beginning to tolerate the other races and get along, but there are still those that prefer violence (Clark, 1939). CHANGES IN THE ATTITUDES OF THE PEOPLE
The attitudes of the American people changed because we are motivated to maintain consistency. No one wants to look foolishly inconsistent. To avoid this, we can express attitudes that match our actions in order to appear consistent. For example, in the 1980’s many governments began requiring the use of seat belts by all people riding in automobiles. Initially, these laws were seen as a pain and they were opposed by many, but over time, seat belt use has risen dramatically (Clark, 1939). Advertising caused a significant change in attitudes. They were constantly putting these brands in front of the consumer and they were bent on getting that item. If someone was willing to pay for more advertising then someone else, that was the product that was purchased the most due to the American people being very influential (University, 2012). LIFE OF AN AVERAGE AMERICAN AND THE LAWS OF DISCRIMINATION The average life of an American citizen was its American dream to pursue freedom and a better life with a nice house, a car, and more comfortable existence than our parents. This freedom fuels lots of rags to riches stories and these stories contribute to the American political culture. This era of change in the atmosphere brought in a change that comes with growth. The industrialization affected the life of an American by the new railroads. The railroad companies were willing to hire workers with no skills and allowed them to move up in the company which offered a stability that was not known to the blacks or most Americans. In Percy vs. Ferguson, Percy was a man who did not want the blacks to be equal to the whites. He took his plea all the way to the Supreme Court and they passed a law that started segregation. Segregation did not allow blacks to sit in the front of the bus, eat in the same places as whites or go to the same bathrooms as whites. In 1775 in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress bars blacks from the American Revolutionary army, even though about one-fifth of the people of the mainland colonies were of African ancestry (University, 2012). WHAT IF LINCOLN HAD NOT BEEN ASSASSINATED?
President Lincoln was assassinated and this was a big let down to the south because he was working on a reconciliation to combine the south and the north with the intention of a smooth transition. Lincoln also wanted to promote a loyal government and have them swear an oath to the Union. Due to Lincoln’s assassination the Reconciliation attempt failed leaving a major problem of a racial justice for future generations. If Lincoln would have stayed as President, then the south probably would not have the animosity toward blacks as we still have today (Foner, 1983).
HISTORY SINCE THE CIVIL WAR After the Civil War, each state was allowed to pass their own laws about blacks and whites and if they were equal or not. In 1865, the 13th Amendment was passed to abolish all slavery. Also in 1865, the 14th Amendment was passed to state all people born in the United States will enjoy the rights of all citizens and not be deprived of life, liberty or property. In 1869, the 15th Amendment was passed that stated no one shall be the right to vote based on race or color. In 1955, Executive Order to establish a committee to enforce non discrimination policies. In 1956, desegregation of public transportation was considered to be unconstitutional. And in 1964, the Civil Rights Act was established to end public discrimination of blacks (University, 2012). CONCLUSION
The reconciliation had many good points going for it. Slavery was abolished and laws were passed to help the slaves and others. However, it failed because President Johnson failed to participate in the reconciliation and distribution of land meant for slaves. Also, sharecropping paralyzed many black farmers. Finally, the violence in the south erupted and the north chose to ignore this violence. Soon, there was no one to monitor the behavior of the south and it was left with its power to do as they wish.

REFERENCES
Clark, K., & Clark, M. (1939). Classics in history of Psychology. The development of consciousness of self and the emergence of racial identification in negro preschool children. Retrieved on October 27, 2012, from www.psychclassics.asu.edu
Foner, E., (1983). American Heritage. If Lincoln had not been assassinated? Retrieved on October 28, 2012, from www.americanheritage.com
Parker, M. (2012). Thomas Legion. Turning points of the American Civil War. Retrieved on October 27, 2012, from http://thomaslegion.net
Smithsonian Institute. (2012). History Wired. Retrieved on October 27, 2012 from www.historywired.si.edu
Strayer University. (2012). Contemporary U.S. History. Reconstruction, Ch16, Pg 277-282.
Strayer University. (2012). Contemporary U.S. History. The Industrial Age, Ch17, Pg 292-299.

References: Clark, K., & Clark, M. (1939). Classics in history of Psychology. The development of consciousness of self and the emergence of racial identification in negro preschool children. Retrieved on October 27, 2012, from www.psychclassics.asu.edu Foner, E., (1983). American Heritage. If Lincoln had not been assassinated? Retrieved on October 28, 2012, from www.americanheritage.com Parker, M. (2012). Thomas Legion. Turning points of the American Civil War. Retrieved on October 27, 2012, from http://thomaslegion.net Smithsonian Institute. (2012). History Wired. Retrieved on October 27, 2012 from www.historywired.si.edu Strayer University. (2012). Contemporary U.S. History. Reconstruction, Ch16, Pg 277-282. Strayer University. (2012). Contemporary U.S. History. The Industrial Age, Ch17, Pg 292-299.