Camryn Cothen
C121
Task 3: Reconstruction and the Age of American Imperialism
A:
Three of the biggest major legislative changes resulting from the reconstruction was the
thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments. Following the abolishment of slavery in 1865,
the thirteenth amendment would create necessary change in race relations. When put to a vote,
the amendment was passed 119 to 56, receiving over the two thirds necessary, so slaves were
immediately freed and allowed to live a free life. The thirteenth amendment changed the lives of
those in the present, and in turn the fourteenth amendment would change the lives of those in the
future as well. The fourteenth amendment stated that anyone born on United States soil is to be a
legal citizen. This was a critical change, as despite being born in the United States, before this
legislation was passed, many African Americans were not considered citizens. Unfortunately,
former slaves were not guaranteed citizenship, and the states had the right to decide whether
these new citizens would be allowed to vote. Finally, building onto the fourteenth amendment,
the fifteenth amendment would provide all United States citizens with the right to vote,
regardless of skin color and race. This amendment was among the most impactful, as it provided
former slaves, turned citizens, and any US born African American with the right to vote, and
thus the right to have a say in the legislative processes moving into the future. (Norton 2015)
B:
Industrialization had some negative consequences on American politics and society, two of the
major contributing factors to these consequences were technology and machines. On the surface,
machines had a positive impact on the daily life of American citizens, sewing machines allowed
for the mass production of clothing, phones allowed for easier communication, and the
refrigerator helped preserve food extending its shelf life. Electricity rattled the world, and
changed how everyone lived, as well as opened the door for new and improved inventions and
machines. It would also lead many Americans to leave their agricultural jobs in favor of factory
work, as well as leaving rural living areas to live closer to their jobs. The influx of people
moving into more metropolitan areas created a need for housing and jobs in the service industry,
increased housing ang jobs caused American cities to expand tremendously. While there are
many positive outcomes of this industrial age, the increase of population in these growing cities,
and the lack of an organized police force, caused a spike in crime rates. Many turned to crime out
of survival as poverty continued to impact Americans, jobs fluctuated due to business cycling,
and those with a lack of skills to work higher paying positions. Due to the increase in crime and
violence, a formal police force was created, opening new careers, and a solution to enforce laws
in these American cities. (Norton 2015)
C1:
The social gospel movement was led by 3 protestant ministers, Walter Rauschenbusch,
Washington Gladden, and Charles Sheldon. The movement was motivated to use biblical
principles to resolve issues such as poverty, inequity, injustice, etc. They wanted to help others
reach individual salvation by involving the church in societal matters. It was believed that
helping others would create god’s kingdom on earth, and the gospelers would often ask
themselves “what would Jesus do?” (Norton 2015)
C2:
During the progressive era many social reforms came about to bring positive change to society,
one influential movement during this time was John Dewey and Progressive Education. In 1870,
many children were needed to work on farms with their families, leaving them only a few
months out of the year in which they would attend school. John Dewey proposed that expanded
schooling would lead to more educated citizens and workers. From the 1870s to the 1880s,
children would be required to attend school until age 14. In the 1900s, childhood was deemed a
“special life stage”, students were to be sheltered from the dangers of society to encourage
growth, physically and emotionally, and only exposed to age-appropriate learning material. The
number of public schools tripled by the 1910s and would attempt to prepare students for the
modern world by making personal development the focal point of its curriculum. (Norton 2015)
In 1910, women’s rights activists would define themselves as the women’s rights movement,
rising against the struggles they faced in their societal role. Women wanted to have careers, they
wanted to be the leaders in their family and society, just like the men. Women were soon granted
the opportunity to work in their neighborhoods, after Jane Addams proposed that women should
have the right to work in cities, if they were on the gentler side of life. (Norton 2015)
C3:
In 1912, the seventeenth amendment was passed, with the intention to stop political corruption.
Prior to the passing of this amendment, the state senators were chosen by the legislature,
however the progressive movement and this new amendment allowed voters to decide who
would be representative of their state in office. Allowing the public to vote for their political
officials helped to make the government more efficient, and it made the senators want to keep
their people happy so that they would retain their position. (Norton 2015)
D:
One conflict during the period of American Imperialism was the fight over Hawaii. Hawaii was
one of the largest sugar exporters into the US, and at this time the United States owned 75% of
Hawaii’s wealth and economy, meaning that they would receive the sugar export for free. Hawaii
was under watch by many other external countries looking to take control and classify the sugar
as a domestic product. In 1820, the McKinley Tarriff would get rid of the free sugar export, and
Hawaii would become part of the United States. Later in 1893, Queen Liliuokalani would
attempt to pull back political power over the haole only to be overthrown as the result, allowing
America to gain authority over Hawaii using it for their own personal gain. Hawaii would finally
be deemed as a state in 1959. (Norton 2015)
Another conflict during the period of American Imperialism, was the Spanish American war.
Cuba was a main trade line with the United States, trading primarily sugar, but when Spain (who
ruled over Cuba at this time) implemented a sugar export tax, Cubans became furious and began
to revolt. President McKinley sent assistance through the USS Maine to Cuba to help defend
their people, as United States relied on their working relationship with the Cuban people for
sugar. An explosion of the USS Maine would occur, causing the death of 266 Americans, in
which America would blame Spain for. This explosion was the reason President McKinley
declared war against Spain, starting the Spanish American war. (Norton 2015)
E:
Norton, M.B. (2015). A people & a nation. Retrieved
from [Link]