The issues of gender, race and violence have dominated the American history.
Introduction
The history of America has been marred by several instances of injustices to different vulnerable groups. There have been issues of gender whereby women are discriminated against. Cases of racism have also been witnessed in American history whereby non Americans are discriminated against. Violence has also been marred the American history whereby blood is shed in an attempt to bring oppression to a halt. (Barbara, 1990) Most of these issues were at their peak between the periods of 1865-1945 as outlined below.
Gender
In the early 18th century all the way to the early century, women were discriminated against. They were not allowed to occupy any electoral positions in the country during this time. However, the trend has changed as outlined below:
Development of gender
Throughout the history of America, women have had fewer legal rights and career opportunities than men. Women have been regarded as a weaker sex. Women’s main professions were wifehood and motherhood. They did not have any significant position in the society during the period 1865 – 1945. However, in the 20th century women won the right to vote and increased their educational and career opportunities. Historically, women were seen to be intellectually inferior to men and a major source to evil and temptation. Formal education was not given to women in ancient times and the girls went to dame schools. Women could only attend some classes if there was room; they were never given a priority. They could only get the chance to go to class after all the boys had gotten the chance and some room remained for them. The number of women in schools was significantly low but the number started to increase towards the end of the 19th century. By the beginning of the 20th century about 19% of the undergraduate students were Americans. The number increased even further towards the end of the Second World War in 1940s. In the early history of America, man virtually owned his wife and children. The women had no say in the decision that a man could make regarding his children, properties and even the wife herself. She had to comply with all the directives of the husband. (Barbara, 1990)
Initially women were not allowed to join the military in America. However, the trend changed as the number of women being recruited into the armed forces increased. The women however served in noncombat duties like typists, clerks and cooks. During the Second World War, there were women who also participated in the combat duties alongside their male counterparts. Women were not allowed to participate in any election until 1920. Their roles have been minimal but this trend changed in 1984 when a woman ran for the position of vice-president. The number of women participating in politics has significantly increased in the recent past.
Race
The American history has been marred with incidents of racism. Racism existed in the US right from the colonial era and the slave era. Most of the targeted groups were Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans and in some cases Latin Americans. People who were falling under these groups were discriminated against and did not enjoy several rights like right to own property and different forms of freedom. This led to the affected parties staging demonstrations across the US so that they could also be considered as citizens by the government and be granted equal opportunities like other US citizens. Some of the concerns were raised by prominent activists in the affected groups.
Developments and the end of Racism
Non-Americans were discriminated against and were not allowed to own properties in the United Sates of America. They were enslaved in the country and were regarded as a lesser race. They were not involved in decision making activities in the country. This prompted the formation of several civil rights movements and philosophers who helped in liberating the country from racism. Some of the instances that contributed to the end of racism in the early 20th century included:
The Atlanta Compromise of 1895 - This was an address made by African American leader Booker T in 1895 to a predominantly white audience at the cotton States. The speech has been recognized as one of the most important and influential speeches in the history of America.
The incidence of a young black man drowning at the 29th Street beach set off one of the bloodiest race riots in American history.
During the years 1865 - 1945, people from different races were no allowed to participate in politics. They were discriminated against and did not enjoy equal career opportunities as their counterparts from America. However, the trend changed towards the end of the Second World War and African American can participate effectively and compete with their American counterparts. (Barbara, 1990)
Violence
Violence in the history of America was propagated by the aggrieved parties in the country. Women were discriminated against but did not involve their male counterparts in violent dealings so as to get their rights. However, the Non-Americans who felt oppressed involved the Americans in bloody encounters so as to have their rights. Civil rights movements helped the non-Americans to get liberation from the whites. It took America time to realize the full rights and capabilities of the non-Americans as outlined below:
Development of Violence
The issues of violence have also marred the history of America. There are several forms of violence that were witnessed between the years 1865 and 1945, the end of the Second World War. During this time America experience violence against women and people from different races. Soldiers raped women especially those ones from different races as men from different races were brutally murdered. This marked the genesis of the civil rights groups’ movement to condemn such injustices that were being done on the affected groups. Most cases of violence were witnessed during the First World War and towards the end of the Second World War. (Hamilto, 1906) During this period many American and non-Americans lost their lives in the process. Issues of violence continued up to the 21st century whereby America is the major target by terrorist groups. America has responded by attacking the terrorists so as to bring their activities to a halt. This has not been possible since the Americans still live in fear of the enemy striking at any time.
Conclusion
The history of America has been stained by several forms of injustices. Many vulnerable groups have been on the receiving end of the various forms of injustices taking place in America. Women were initially discriminated against and they did not enjoy equal educational and career opportunities as their male counterparts. Non-Americans were also discriminated against and they were seen as a lesser race. All these led to various forms of violence in America. The civil rights movement resulted into bloody demonstrations that made several Americans and non-Americans to lose their lives. These issues have shaped America and today there is a very big percentage of women and non-Americans occupying several electoral positions in the country. For instance the current president of the US is an African American. There is no more discrimination against race and gender in America.
References
Fields, Barbara J., (1990) Slavery, Race and Ideology in the United States of America, New Left Review
Hamilton, Peter Joseph. (1906) The Reconstruction Period history of era using Dunning School
