How far do you agree that the KKK had a strong political influence and public support in the 1920s?
How far do you agree that the KKK had a strong political influence and public support in the 1920s? “the Klan defends against the invader”. This quote represents the growing conflict between value systems in 1920 America; America throughout the 20s became divided between a traditional, white, Anglo-Saxon Protestant America and a developing urban, cosmopolitan, migrant population of the north. WW1, combined with the Red Scare, instated a atmosphere of fear and chaos and exposed the underlying tensions of race and immigration which were present within American society. For centuries the white, protestant America had reigned supreme over influential institutions and policies in America, however, with this growth of immigration these traditional values, political power, availability of jobs and housing (to them) became limited. This atmosphere of intolerance caused by the fear in losing hold of society was exploited by the KKK. Through the medium of propaganda, The KKK were portrayed as a fraternal organization that best represented the prejudices that Anglo-Saxon Protestant America held . The KKK became a body of traditional and conservative protest, by transforming the America of “freedom” into an America that advocated “100% Americanism” and laid emphasis on the assertion of old, traditional values of prohibition, family morals and religious faith. This combined
To what extent were African Americans treated as second-class citizens in the states between 1940 and 1946?
To what extent were African Americans treated as “second-class citizens” in the states between 1940 and 1946? In this essay, I will discuss the extent to which African Americans were treated as second-class citizens in the period of 1940 to 1946. I will analyse the political, social and economic factors in the north and south of the USA during this time that caused African Americans to be cited as second-class citizens. A second-class citizen is a person who is discriminated against, despite being a citizen or legal resident of the country they reside in. They have restricted legal and civil rights, and are usually subject to the effects of segregation and disenfranchisement. Before World War Two, in the south, only 2% of the black population voted in the election. After the war, this increased to 15%. The war opened up the eyes of both black and white people alike, that the war on discrimination they had fought and won in Europe, had not been won at home. Men and women saw the heroic feats of black soldiers in the war, and noticed that they had the same patriotism and dedication as the white soldiers. In turn, this caused people to become more open to the idea that black people were not subhuman, but equal citizens fighting for their liberty. This indicates that African Americans faced less discrimination at home, and that they were no longer viewed as second-class
Critical Review on The Assasination of Malcolm X based on three articles from The New York Times, Newsweek and New York Post.
Critical Review on “The Assasination of Malcolm X” based on three articles As we all know, the most powerful creator of rhetorical issue is the media. The media played a large and important role in consistently creating a negative public image of Malcolm X which is still connected with him. The reality created by the media is powerful enough to create lasting images and stereotypes about people. These images may be true in some cases, but when incorrect, form an issue that demand a correction. The media has the ability to set the agenda, what people think and think about. When the report involves issues of race, the reporting and writing contain elements of the racial ideology. When I read all of the three articles, the most racist article would be the Newsweek. Because of their racism style of reporting, it is almost impossible for the public, particularly the white public, to critique messages on race in any useful way. As a result, the media has the potential through its many channels to create racially biased images, particularly in the mind of the white public (Malcolm X’s case). Based on the three articles from The New York Times, Newsweek and New York Post, the media created an image of Malcolm X as a violent and extremist who was primarily interested in harming the white population in the USA. Malcolm X was described as advocating violence and a racial
Essay on Frederick Douglass's views about slavery in the city and slavery on plantations
BLST 33000 AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY Essay on Frederick Douglass's views about slavery in the city and slavery on plantations Slavery did not function as many people now think it did. It was not as large-scale as it is imagined to be and was very systematic. Our textbook tells a lot about how it worked, but it did not tell us of the brutality and harsh reality that went along with the system. Douglas, though, did reveal this to us. From his experience and the textbook, we learn of slavery s effects and of the difference between city slaves and plantation slaves. However, Douglas stories do differ from what the textbook teaches us. Slaves on the plantation had a much different life than slaves in the city. City slaves were far better off. They could work, eat well, sleep well, and do much more compared to the desolate plantation slave. A city slave had a better chance of learning how to read and write, as Douglas did. The difference in the amount and difficulty of work was tremendous; the city slave did not have the difficult task of working in the fields. Also, especially in Maryland and other northern parts of the South, it was easier for a slave to reach freedom from a city, rather than an isolated plantation. Douglas was a great example of this; he failed to reach freedom from the plantation, but succeeded in reaching freedom from the city. No slave wants to live on a
Reasons for the American entry into WW1
Joshua Jacobs Period 7 U.S. History Essay When World War I began America was not involved but eventually we got ourselves into it. America tried for neutrality up to when German submarines stopped respecting the neutrality, when the British ship Lusitania was sunk with over 100 American citizens aboard, the United States declared war. The Lusitania was a large factor on the triggering of World War I and it made a public opinion that President Wilson couldn’t ignore. It is clear that in 1915, when the Lusitania was sunk, that we stopped supporting Germany, and gave further money to the allies. Nationalism is what fueled the war, because we fought for the loss of American lives. President Wilson’s message to the U.S. Senate states that he believes that the European war’s effects on America depend on its people. He wishes that the people will accept his idea of neutrality. According to Wilson “Every man who loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality”, so inferring that he is a man who loves America, he wants neutrality. The spirit of the nation is determined by the public word and the newspapers. Thus he must convince them that staying neutral is the right thing for America. At the time the Idea of neutrality was easy, until Germany made a few misconceptions to change the public opinion. This message told America to not hate any side. This led
How Important was Theodore Roosevelt to the development of US Imperialism 1900-1914
How important was Theodore Roosevelt to the development of US Imperialism 1900-1914? There were many factors which influenced the development of US imperialism after the 1980s. There was the open-door policy which allowed free trading with China. Also, the Spanish-American war led started by President McKinley and the Dollar diplomacy designed by Taft which was an economic form of imperialism. Before the 1980’s America was far from being a world power. Its foreign policy was essentially isolationist, seeking to steer clear from wars and diplomatic entangles. The majority of Americans were hostile to the idea of Imperialism and were not really keen on forging international alliances. However, due to the events which occurred in the 1980s, America was pushed into a rapid naval expansion; a war against Spain and the annexation of territories in the Pacific Ocean. Expansionist ideas were now more welcomed due to the realisation that America needed to control foreign markets overseas due do the rapid growth of their economy. This period was a great age of European Imperialism. Imperialist ideologies influenced many Americans who wished to promote expansionism and a more forward American foreign policy based on naval power. These men had a great influence on American foreign policy and the promotion of Imperialism. One of these men was Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt was
Was Lincoln a genuine advocate for civil rights for African Americans?
Was Lincoln a genuine advocate of civil rights for African Americans? Abraham Lincoln is known by historians today for his staunch determination to protect the Union, even if that meant using force. With this in mind, it is hardly surprising that his public views on African American’s civil rights have been disputed - whether they were just a tool to protect the Union or whether he actually believed that they should be equal. It is arguable that Lincoln’s own views were that slavery should be abolished; however it may also be the case that he did not want to lose popularity by advocating civil rights for African Americans. Lincoln came to attention to the public during seven debates in 1857 and 1858, with the Democrat Senator Douglas, both trying to get elected in Illinois. Slavery was the key topic during these debates, with each candidate stating their views. In one speech in Edwardsville, Illinois Lincoln said, ‘they [the Republican Party] will use every constitutional method to prevent the evil [slavery] from becoming larger[1]’. This shows his disapproving stance on slavery and his unwillingness to let slavery expand to other areas in the United States. Furthermore in a letter in 1862 to the editor of the New York Tribune he stated ‘my oft-expressed personal wish that all men everywhere could be free[2]’. This letter was written in explanation of why he did
How far was the economic prosperity of the 1920s due to developments in the car industry?
How far was the economic prosperity of the 1920s due to developments in the car industry? Explain your answer fully. [10 Marks] The developments to the car industry helped the economic prosperity in the 1920s; however there were many other factors which also contributed the prosperity such as, the World War One, technological change, cheap labour force and credit. I consider the First World War being one of the main important factors which contributed most to the economic prosperity. There were many developments in the car industry which helped the economic boom. Henry Ford’s business methods and new technology allowed him to make cars more affordable. One of the methods he used was the introduction of hire purchase, where buyers were able to pay for the car in instalments. This meant that more people were buying cars as they were more affordable. This bought in money into the USA and helped with the economic prosperity. Henry Ford also introduced an assembly line which was a more efficient method of producing cars. An electric conveyer belt carried partly assembled car at the same speed as the worker. This meant that because more cars were made faster more people were buying and so bought money into the USA. Before the conveyor belt one car was made every 3 minutes, however by 1920 one car was produced every 10 seconds. Fords new modern advertising techniques helped
How successful was Prohibition in the 1920 to 1930s?
How successful was Prohibition in the 1920 to 1930s? Prohibition, considering the goals it set out to achieve, was largely unsuccessful. However, it did decrease alcohol consumption at some country areas and just for a few years (1920-1922/3). On January 1920 prohibition was introduced by the 18th amendment that aimed on increasing the level of morality in the USA by banning the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcohol in the country. However, drinking itself was never illegal. It was mainly supported by women, who saw alcohol as a method in which their husbands oppress them. Also, big business saw drunkenness as a dangerous to business because it decreases efficient of workers. The First World War also made the support for Prohibition to expand, first of all, the country was in a need for food and the grain used in alcohol production could be used as food, so, people felt that stopping drinking was a kind of patriarchal duty for every citizen, another issue is that most of the larges breweries were from German origins and the post-war anti-German feeling led a lot of people to stop buying alcohol from them. So, on the one side, it achieved some positive sides. On the other, it damaged the US society a lot. So, the aim is to decide whether Prohibition was worth it. As it was written above Prohibition did achievements. First of all, there was a huge support of
To what extent did the NAACP achieve its aims from 1945 to 1955.
To what extent did the NAACP achieve its aims from 1945 to 1955. The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) was an organisation that challenged segregation and demanded equality of rights for all black citizens, founded in 1909 by civil rights campaigners. The NAACP found its main aims towards challenging segregation was with three methods; court cases, pressurising politicians and a series of non-violent protests and boycotts. All of these showed positive outcomes and in most ways did pushed NAACP views of having a de-segregated America. The significance of the organisation increased dramatically after the Second World War when its membership sharply raised this was mainly down to the amount of unemployment within African Americans. America found itself having an economy boom at the time of WW2 with numerous factories in action producing weapons and vehicles for the military, but after WW2 many factories were not required as the military down sized this meant many African Americans were dropped from their jobs. This is significant as it shows how the NAACP may have achieved the aims of higher employment for blacks, but this only lasted throughout WW2. Moreover by targeting economic equality meant the NAACP had shown widespread involvement in not just education and transport. Furthermore they used the 14th and 15th constitutional amendments in
