America, After the Civil War
Reconstruction and widespread of industrialization
Two major turning points happened during the reconstruction and widespread of industrialization period in South America after the Civil war. First, African-Americans or ‘black Americans were freed from slavery under the rule of President Abraham Lincoln. Three senators sponsored the bill proposing to abolish slavery nationwide, Lyman Trumbull of Illinois, Charles Sumner of Massachusetts and John Henderson of Missouri. Second is the fourteenth and fifteenth amendment of the US constitution.
After having freed from slavery, the next thing that black Americans do is to work in farms and factories to gain economically and sustain their daily needs in life. Despite having freedom, black Americans did not enjoy the same treatment, opportunity and democratic rights as what the whites are enjoying. Blacks need to go to different schools, churches and other public places. Putting them in isolation from the whites, blacks decided to build more churches and schools for them. Discrimination among black Americans did not just manifest in the use of public places, supplies that they have to wear are also second hand or already used. Socio-political and economic discrimination continues as if black Americans we’re tagged as second class citizens of America.
After the fourteenth amendment of the constitution, all naturally born in America were granted citizenship and ensured an equal protection of the laws. This amendment gave black Americans the right to defend themselves before a decision could be made final in trial courts; it also gave the government the power to punish states abridging citizens through lessening representation in US congress. The context of the fourteenth amendment could be summarized in four principles. First, all persons, naturally born in United States affirmed their citizenship, second, states are disallowed to abridge the privileges and immunities of all citizens including black Americans, third, deprivation of life, liberty and property were disallowed without the due process of law, and lastly, every citizen is already entitled of their rights to equal protection of the laws.
William Stewart, the head Senate Committee for Judiciary who came from Nevada initiated the fifteenth amendment which was ratified February 3, 1870. The amendment provided equal political rights regardless of race entitling black American the right to vote, despite the step to prohibit voter disfranchisement of African Americans, the struggle to achieve genuine equality continued until the twentieth century. (Richmond, 1967)
Socio-Economic Impacts of 14th and 15th amendments
The fourteenth and fifteenth amendments are also known as the reconstruction amendments. After the civil war, farms and plantations were greatly devastated, 40% of livestocks are killed, machineries, railroads and factories are also paralyzed. Freedmens’ Bureau, an institution made through the effort of US congress helped black Americans to establish courts and resolve cases between the blacks and whites, look for jobs and supply emergency reliefs for further survival.
Freedmens’ bureau also set up schools to teach black Americans how to read and write. Black and white women coming from north served as teachers. In the South, where shortage of schools is widely experienced, both white and black Americans attended the newly establish schools to learn. Economic difficulties are well prevalent in the South, pushing whites and blacks to work, most of the inhabitants in this region become sharecroppers.
Sharecropping is a system of labor where sharecroppers work for farmers in exchange of profit out the harvested crops. All needed materials for farming is provided including tools and seeds. Under this system, the farm owner also provides shelter and food for the sharecroppers as long as they are able to pay settlled price of rentals.
South undergo an industrial revolution in the late 1800s, Americans found out that farming wasn’t enough so they have to build large scale industries manufacturing oil, iron, hardwood and textiles for economic purposes. (The Thirteenth Amendment and American Freedom, 2004)
Reconstruction period if Abraham Lincoln would have not been assassinated
The first American president to come up with the plan of reconstruction is Abraham Lincoln. Through the 10% of voters who swore with an oath of allegiance, Lincoln suggested to readmit southern states in order to end the civil war. Except the withholding of slaves, Lincoln promised to protect the private properties of the inhabitants of south, full pardon to southerners are also ensured except for Confederate Army officers and officials. These proposals were supported by congress believing it could resolve the civil war.
The reconstruction period could be faster if only Lincoln was not assassinated. Lincolns death effects to the people intensified the hatred and extreme dislike of northern states towards the south. Radical republicans pushed Wade-Davis bill requiring 50% instead of 10% of the votes in order to swear allegiance and give unequal conduct to southerners. If Lincoln is living during these years, he could have managed to influence radical republications to make way for a faster reconstruction. The next president, a southerner, Andrew Johnson proposed the same bill as Lincolns but failed to amuse congress.
These circumstances, especially the death of Lincoln also greatly affected the lives of southerners, they believe that Lincoln is the most considerate official that is able to pursue measures that could resolve inequalities between the inhabitants of north and south.
Effects of Urbanization and Industrialization
Migrants shifting to cities for better job opportunities resulting to concentrate the population in rural areas, also, excessive water and air pollution was experienced as factories and or heavy industries began to operate. Class divide also occurred as tycoons accumulate excessive wealth while making the workers have-nots.
Lower standard of living is also prevalent as farm workers turning city employees adjust their way of living. Migrants found out that city life is far different from being a farm worker where basic necessities like water and food is just nearby. Due to increase in population density, even water and basic needs in cities were not met. Inconveniencing the people, the process of urbanization became a hard thing for common workers. The whole process of industrialization became a challenge in economic and governmental systems of America.
The impacts of Urbanization and Industrialization is also felt as family structures began to change. Men working in factories have higher wages while women are encouraged to stay at home to look for the children. Younger people are seen as a potential for cheap labor, making their fathers the bread winner of the family.
Trade Unions are established to defend the rights of the workers against exploitative entrepreneurs. The struggle for higher wages and shorter time period of work began as they felt the need to fight for their economic rights. Exploitation in factories and uneven distribution of wealth sparked as a catalyst for socialist revolution. (Dogra, 2010)
References
Dogra, A. (2010). Urbanization During the Industrial Revolution.
Richmond, V. (1967). The Reconstruction Amendments’ Debates: The Legislative History and Contemporary Debates in Congress on the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. Virginia.
The Thirteenth Amendment and American Freedom. (2004).
