Reflection About Reconstruction
I. Reconstruction: Option 2 “Reconstruction can be summed up this way…”
During reconstruction a major shift took place in our government. With the passing of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments the United States had become a nation pressing toward equality. With the newly granted freedom to learn how to read and write, marry, practice religion, and vote it seemed as if blacks were in store for a better life. However for freed blacks most aspects of life were still heavily influenced by white southerners. Land disputes were among these major issues that freed blacks had to deal with. During the war, Union officers had given seized plantation land to slave refugees for them to settle on while the war was being fought. Upon the war’s end many …show more content…
blacks had become established on small portions of the land and felt they were entitled to it for their past suffering. Few white politicians agreed and in 1865 President Johnson ordered that all seized land be restored to the rightful (white) owner. Although many argue that African Americans had benefitted from reconstruction, the changes that our government had made to benefit freed slaves only lasted while the northerners were present in the south. After their withdrawal, the freedom that was granted to blacks was soon revoked by southern state governments. Many state governments created obscure loop holes to limit the freed black’s ability to live a truly equal life to that of the southern whites. Although the main topic of reconstruction was how to handle the end of slavery, another concern was how to handle white southerners. Once their land was granted back to them many plantation owners quickly began turning a profit again through sharecropping. As the north established the right for blacks to be free, they did not give them the resources to succeed, such as land to settle. With hope that blacks would stay and work as waged employees on cash crop plantations, republicans were hesitant to break up white land to give to blacks. They did not want them to privately own land. Blacks were left with no choice but to work for almost nothing in return. This alone crippled the freed slaves chance to succeed in the south. Along with not allowing the freed slaves to settle land, many of the laws that were created through state governments during reconstruction contained loopholes. For example, a law was passed stating that a black man could vote only if he had a “free” ancestor in his family. This requirement was rarely met by blacks considering slavery had recently been abolished.
The historian’s summary of reconstruction is somewhat accurate except there are arguments suggesting that blacks did ultimately gain from reconstruction. Also, not all southern whites considered reconstruction a victory. However, the quote is true to say that the north had lost interest by the late 1870’s is rather true. After establishing the Reconstruction Acts and Amendments 13 – 15, the United States government was very active in the south until the mid-1870s. They had established army troops throughout the southern states to help keep order and protect recently freed slaves. By 1877 northerners had almost completely lost interest in the war and newly elected president Rutherford B. Hayes withdrew all the troops from the southern states. The fall of reconstruction as America’s top priority was due to the fact that America was transforming into an international power. With a booming foreign trade market and the establishment of a legitimate army and powerful navy America transformed into a world power after the Civil War.
I. Industrialization: Argument for railroads
Railroads played a major role throughout the nineteenth century, transforming America into a nation of industrialization. Without the railroad this would not have been possible and America would have been forced to stay an agricultural driven economy. Aside from becoming the dominant mode of passenger transportation, the railroad was more beneficial to the transformation of America’s economy.
There were many benefits to industrialization due to the development of the railroad. The real effect took place in the latter half of the nineteenth century after many different routes and passages were discovered. By linking these separate passages together America soon had a continental rail system that spanned over much of the east, northwest, and west. Railroads allowed a safe journey across the country in a fraction of the time it took in a wagon. With the ability to reach outside of the main cities business men could develop markets throughout the country.
This greatly affected the way manufacturers transported both their finished goods and raw materials. Not only could they be transported more efficiently, but more importantly at a lower cost. Also, by having railways link up with water passages and coastal ports materials could be shipped to different parts of the nation or Europe. These methods let factories, mines, and textile mills flourish. With more profit to be gained many businesses began providing railcars for employees to ride to work. This was an inexpensive method to recruit a massive number of workers from outside the immediate cities. Not only did this provide more jobs, it also started the movement of businesses from the big cities to the rural towns.
Since factories were now closely tied with railroads many finished products could be delivered directly to consumer’s rural city. This revolutionized the way business was preceded and soon people found themselves not having to work as much for their survival. Instead the shit was made to working in factories, mines, etc. for a wage then buying already finished products from the local store. With the large numbers of jobs created by factories, many more people could afford to purchase these products, thus spreading the new lifestyle across America. As more people bought consumer goods businesses began to constantly develop new products. These new advances in technology led to a higher standard of living for many Americans. As new products were invented consumers bought them, thus boosting the market and starting the process over again. This trend of constant purchase of goods completely transformed American culture, however without the railroads to transport goods it could not have taken place.
By the turn of the century railroads had led to a significant portion of the nation to become industrialized. It was so vital that the topic of railroads were involve with every aspect of the industrialization process, and without the efficiency of the railroads America would have never been able to make the transformation necessary to allow international trade.
II. Immigration: Option 1 Italian immigrant
Dear Luigi, I am pleased to write you and tell you that I have made it to America. I am doing well in health, although it was a long, brutal journey from our village in Italy. Although we saved for over half a year for expenses for the trip, we decided to save more money and walk from our home to the city Naples where the ship was at. It was a long walk, lasting over seven days but once we arrived we found our passage to America. Cousin, you should see the ship! I have never seen anything this large float on water before, it is truly magic. After locating our ship we waited for days before loading. We planned our walk to be longer than it was, but once we loaded the large steam ship we found that it was not as magnificent as I first though it was. The amount of people that were allowed on made it impossible to find comfort the entire voyage. I could not have imagined that it would be this overcrowded, and it led to many problems quickly. The uncleanliness became evident after the first few days, and it made the conditions unfit for cattle. After two horrible weeks of sea travel I heard one of the crew say that America was on the horizon.
I have never been so anxious in my life! Our passage was to New York City, you’ll recognize it by a large statue of women at the bay’s entrance. Hours after reaching the statue we were finally let off the boat and led to the building were newcomers register to be allowed into the country. This place is known as Ellis Island and it is very important that you pass inspection at this building. They will check for your health and any disabilities, both physical and mental. These examinations can be harsh or misleading, and in order to pass inspection you must be in good health. Also, they might ask you if you about your background and plans for coming to America. Whatever you do, do not tell them that you have a job waiting for you in America or they will send you back! But the worst part is that if you do not pass the inspectors send you back on the ship to home. In fact as we were in line waiting I saw the inspectors separate a grandmother from her family because she was coughing obsessively. They pulled her aside and put her in a separate line, most likely she was not allowed in. It was very sad to see a family separated so
unexpectedly. After waiting in the long, crowded, noisy lines at Ellis Island we finally passed inspection and were granted admission to America. From Ellis Island we walked to an address that an inspector at Ellis Island said there would be more Italians like us. However, it was not an address to a house or shop, but rather a whole section of New York was full of Italians just like us. Called a “neighborhood” this area was almost like home, the shops, people, and language made it seem as if we had traveled back to Italy. Although everyone’s accents were mixing together due to the fact that these Italians had come from various parts of the mother country. Assimilating to American life outside of the neighborhood was a bit tougher though. I found a job in a factory working long hours in dirty, hot conditions. To get there I must walk many miles there and back six of the seven days in the week. Along the way the other Italian workers and I are often publically ridiculed by the white Americans and even other immigrants from different nations. I can understand why the original Americans are upset, but I am very confused as to how the other immigrant ethnicities have fairly ranked themselves in a hierarchy. To be honest I feel like we are all trying to make a better opportunity for ourselves. The pay is ok, nothing to be happy for, I am just grateful to be earning a wage again even if it is very low. Your sister found work in a wealthy white family’s home uptown. She tells of the exhausting work she does, not to mention she walks the furthest to work for we have no money for the train. She constantly comes home in tears after her walk home. Yesterday, for instance she came home crying saying she was verbally put down at work. Then on her walk home she read an anti-immigration poster that illustrated how the Europe immigrants are ruining America. However, I don’t believe that is true. I think that we are going to have a better life here in America. Although the start was rough, we are now starting to become established and hopefully will start to save money soon. Once we can save some money I think others from the family should make the voyage. Keep saving cousin, and I will write when we have money to send for passage. Sincerely, Mario IV. Rise of The U.S. as a World Power: Option 2
Fellow Americans, I stand before you today a man that is grateful for the opportunity to better this great nation. I have tried my best over the past 8 years to help this nation grow and become the world power that our forefathers believed it was destined to become. Since the turn of the century America has rapidly progressed, growing in many ways both domestically and abroad. At home here in America I have sought to end big business corruption, and will continue to eliminate all large trusts that pose a monopolistic threat. This “trust busting” brigade will ensure that the customer is never cheated, and help improve business labor relations. Aside from regulating the economy with the Square deal, I have also implemented regulation on the railroads, quality of food and drugs, and conservation of nature.
Although my administration has done much good in reforming several of our domestic policies, I am most proud of the strides we took to establish America as contender in International affairs. During my two terms I have sought to do what was best for America and her interests. First, the building of our nation’s military and navy are essential to all Americans safety. When I took office in 1901 our Army was less than 50,000 men strong and with little resources to protect our great nation. Great strides have been taken to strengthen and properly equip our armed forces, and I am proud to say that our boys can compete with anyone. Even more impressive than the strengthened army is the establishment of the naval forces. I, along with my staff and Admiral Mahan believe that the development of America’s Navy is a crucial aspect to our nation’s defense. I am proud to say that our Navy has succeeded to be one of the world’s largest and most capable ocean fleets.
To better the mobility of American Naval vessels I have sought to develop a canal in the Central American nation of Panama. During my first I encouraged the Panamanian people to seek freedom and independence from Columbia. This new nation has allowed America to purchase enough real estate to build a canal large enough to transport the largest vessels in the world. This water passageway will connect the two great oceans that boarder our nation, the Atlantic and Pacific, protecting many American interests. Not only will this allow our coasts to be guarded, I also hope that when this project is completed it will boost America’s economy and hopefully business with nations across the globe.
While the development of our armed and naval forces, along with the building of the Panama Canal are what I consider to be the great strides to assimilate America into a world power, I feel that the effort made to solve issues concerning Asian nations is another commendable attribute to my administration. The efforts taken to mediate hostile situations have brought an end to conflict in Japan. Although I was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, it was my administration as a whole that completed the tasks. As America elects its next leader I hope that she continues to rise as a premier nation. Its citizens are in a good position to prosper from business opportunities and achieve the life they want for themselves. I believe that America is off to an excellent start in the twentieth century and I am confident that the steps taken over the past decade will allow America to flourish in prosperity for generations to come. With increasing international trade and business I project that America will become a world power in the next decade.
During reconstruction a major shift took place in our government. With the passing of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments the United States had become a nation pressing toward equality. With the newly granted freedom to learn how to read and write, marry, practice religion, and vote it seemed as if blacks were in store for a better life. However for freed blacks most aspects of life were still heavily influenced by white southerners. Land disputes were among these major issues that freed blacks had to deal with. During the war, Union officers had given seized plantation land to slave refugees for them to settle on while the war was being fought. Upon the war’s end many …show more content…
blacks had become established on small portions of the land and felt they were entitled to it for their past suffering. Few white politicians agreed and in 1865 President Johnson ordered that all seized land be restored to the rightful (white) owner. Although many argue that African Americans had benefitted from reconstruction, the changes that our government had made to benefit freed slaves only lasted while the northerners were present in the south. After their withdrawal, the freedom that was granted to blacks was soon revoked by southern state governments. Many state governments created obscure loop holes to limit the freed black’s ability to live a truly equal life to that of the southern whites. Although the main topic of reconstruction was how to handle the end of slavery, another concern was how to handle white southerners. Once their land was granted back to them many plantation owners quickly began turning a profit again through sharecropping. As the north established the right for blacks to be free, they did not give them the resources to succeed, such as land to settle. With hope that blacks would stay and work as waged employees on cash crop plantations, republicans were hesitant to break up white land to give to blacks. They did not want them to privately own land. Blacks were left with no choice but to work for almost nothing in return. This alone crippled the freed slaves chance to succeed in the south. Along with not allowing the freed slaves to settle land, many of the laws that were created through state governments during reconstruction contained loopholes. For example, a law was passed stating that a black man could vote only if he had a “free” ancestor in his family. This requirement was rarely met by blacks considering slavery had recently been abolished.
The historian’s summary of reconstruction is somewhat accurate except there are arguments suggesting that blacks did ultimately gain from reconstruction. Also, not all southern whites considered reconstruction a victory. However, the quote is true to say that the north had lost interest by the late 1870’s is rather true. After establishing the Reconstruction Acts and Amendments 13 – 15, the United States government was very active in the south until the mid-1870s. They had established army troops throughout the southern states to help keep order and protect recently freed slaves. By 1877 northerners had almost completely lost interest in the war and newly elected president Rutherford B. Hayes withdrew all the troops from the southern states. The fall of reconstruction as America’s top priority was due to the fact that America was transforming into an international power. With a booming foreign trade market and the establishment of a legitimate army and powerful navy America transformed into a world power after the Civil War.
I. Industrialization: Argument for railroads
Railroads played a major role throughout the nineteenth century, transforming America into a nation of industrialization. Without the railroad this would not have been possible and America would have been forced to stay an agricultural driven economy. Aside from becoming the dominant mode of passenger transportation, the railroad was more beneficial to the transformation of America’s economy.
There were many benefits to industrialization due to the development of the railroad. The real effect took place in the latter half of the nineteenth century after many different routes and passages were discovered. By linking these separate passages together America soon had a continental rail system that spanned over much of the east, northwest, and west. Railroads allowed a safe journey across the country in a fraction of the time it took in a wagon. With the ability to reach outside of the main cities business men could develop markets throughout the country.
This greatly affected the way manufacturers transported both their finished goods and raw materials. Not only could they be transported more efficiently, but more importantly at a lower cost. Also, by having railways link up with water passages and coastal ports materials could be shipped to different parts of the nation or Europe. These methods let factories, mines, and textile mills flourish. With more profit to be gained many businesses began providing railcars for employees to ride to work. This was an inexpensive method to recruit a massive number of workers from outside the immediate cities. Not only did this provide more jobs, it also started the movement of businesses from the big cities to the rural towns.
Since factories were now closely tied with railroads many finished products could be delivered directly to consumer’s rural city. This revolutionized the way business was preceded and soon people found themselves not having to work as much for their survival. Instead the shit was made to working in factories, mines, etc. for a wage then buying already finished products from the local store. With the large numbers of jobs created by factories, many more people could afford to purchase these products, thus spreading the new lifestyle across America. As more people bought consumer goods businesses began to constantly develop new products. These new advances in technology led to a higher standard of living for many Americans. As new products were invented consumers bought them, thus boosting the market and starting the process over again. This trend of constant purchase of goods completely transformed American culture, however without the railroads to transport goods it could not have taken place.
By the turn of the century railroads had led to a significant portion of the nation to become industrialized. It was so vital that the topic of railroads were involve with every aspect of the industrialization process, and without the efficiency of the railroads America would have never been able to make the transformation necessary to allow international trade.
II. Immigration: Option 1 Italian immigrant
Dear Luigi, I am pleased to write you and tell you that I have made it to America. I am doing well in health, although it was a long, brutal journey from our village in Italy. Although we saved for over half a year for expenses for the trip, we decided to save more money and walk from our home to the city Naples where the ship was at. It was a long walk, lasting over seven days but once we arrived we found our passage to America. Cousin, you should see the ship! I have never seen anything this large float on water before, it is truly magic. After locating our ship we waited for days before loading. We planned our walk to be longer than it was, but once we loaded the large steam ship we found that it was not as magnificent as I first though it was. The amount of people that were allowed on made it impossible to find comfort the entire voyage. I could not have imagined that it would be this overcrowded, and it led to many problems quickly. The uncleanliness became evident after the first few days, and it made the conditions unfit for cattle. After two horrible weeks of sea travel I heard one of the crew say that America was on the horizon.
I have never been so anxious in my life! Our passage was to New York City, you’ll recognize it by a large statue of women at the bay’s entrance. Hours after reaching the statue we were finally let off the boat and led to the building were newcomers register to be allowed into the country. This place is known as Ellis Island and it is very important that you pass inspection at this building. They will check for your health and any disabilities, both physical and mental. These examinations can be harsh or misleading, and in order to pass inspection you must be in good health. Also, they might ask you if you about your background and plans for coming to America. Whatever you do, do not tell them that you have a job waiting for you in America or they will send you back! But the worst part is that if you do not pass the inspectors send you back on the ship to home. In fact as we were in line waiting I saw the inspectors separate a grandmother from her family because she was coughing obsessively. They pulled her aside and put her in a separate line, most likely she was not allowed in. It was very sad to see a family separated so
unexpectedly. After waiting in the long, crowded, noisy lines at Ellis Island we finally passed inspection and were granted admission to America. From Ellis Island we walked to an address that an inspector at Ellis Island said there would be more Italians like us. However, it was not an address to a house or shop, but rather a whole section of New York was full of Italians just like us. Called a “neighborhood” this area was almost like home, the shops, people, and language made it seem as if we had traveled back to Italy. Although everyone’s accents were mixing together due to the fact that these Italians had come from various parts of the mother country. Assimilating to American life outside of the neighborhood was a bit tougher though. I found a job in a factory working long hours in dirty, hot conditions. To get there I must walk many miles there and back six of the seven days in the week. Along the way the other Italian workers and I are often publically ridiculed by the white Americans and even other immigrants from different nations. I can understand why the original Americans are upset, but I am very confused as to how the other immigrant ethnicities have fairly ranked themselves in a hierarchy. To be honest I feel like we are all trying to make a better opportunity for ourselves. The pay is ok, nothing to be happy for, I am just grateful to be earning a wage again even if it is very low. Your sister found work in a wealthy white family’s home uptown. She tells of the exhausting work she does, not to mention she walks the furthest to work for we have no money for the train. She constantly comes home in tears after her walk home. Yesterday, for instance she came home crying saying she was verbally put down at work. Then on her walk home she read an anti-immigration poster that illustrated how the Europe immigrants are ruining America. However, I don’t believe that is true. I think that we are going to have a better life here in America. Although the start was rough, we are now starting to become established and hopefully will start to save money soon. Once we can save some money I think others from the family should make the voyage. Keep saving cousin, and I will write when we have money to send for passage. Sincerely, Mario IV. Rise of The U.S. as a World Power: Option 2
Fellow Americans, I stand before you today a man that is grateful for the opportunity to better this great nation. I have tried my best over the past 8 years to help this nation grow and become the world power that our forefathers believed it was destined to become. Since the turn of the century America has rapidly progressed, growing in many ways both domestically and abroad. At home here in America I have sought to end big business corruption, and will continue to eliminate all large trusts that pose a monopolistic threat. This “trust busting” brigade will ensure that the customer is never cheated, and help improve business labor relations. Aside from regulating the economy with the Square deal, I have also implemented regulation on the railroads, quality of food and drugs, and conservation of nature.
Although my administration has done much good in reforming several of our domestic policies, I am most proud of the strides we took to establish America as contender in International affairs. During my two terms I have sought to do what was best for America and her interests. First, the building of our nation’s military and navy are essential to all Americans safety. When I took office in 1901 our Army was less than 50,000 men strong and with little resources to protect our great nation. Great strides have been taken to strengthen and properly equip our armed forces, and I am proud to say that our boys can compete with anyone. Even more impressive than the strengthened army is the establishment of the naval forces. I, along with my staff and Admiral Mahan believe that the development of America’s Navy is a crucial aspect to our nation’s defense. I am proud to say that our Navy has succeeded to be one of the world’s largest and most capable ocean fleets.
To better the mobility of American Naval vessels I have sought to develop a canal in the Central American nation of Panama. During my first I encouraged the Panamanian people to seek freedom and independence from Columbia. This new nation has allowed America to purchase enough real estate to build a canal large enough to transport the largest vessels in the world. This water passageway will connect the two great oceans that boarder our nation, the Atlantic and Pacific, protecting many American interests. Not only will this allow our coasts to be guarded, I also hope that when this project is completed it will boost America’s economy and hopefully business with nations across the globe.
While the development of our armed and naval forces, along with the building of the Panama Canal are what I consider to be the great strides to assimilate America into a world power, I feel that the effort made to solve issues concerning Asian nations is another commendable attribute to my administration. The efforts taken to mediate hostile situations have brought an end to conflict in Japan. Although I was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, it was my administration as a whole that completed the tasks. As America elects its next leader I hope that she continues to rise as a premier nation. Its citizens are in a good position to prosper from business opportunities and achieve the life they want for themselves. I believe that America is off to an excellent start in the twentieth century and I am confident that the steps taken over the past decade will allow America to flourish in prosperity for generations to come. With increasing international trade and business I project that America will become a world power in the next decade.