Post U.S. – Mexican War through 1870’s
When the US – Mexican War (1846 – 1848) was over, the territory of the USA increased for almost 30%, as a part of the Mexican territory became the US land. The territory of the USA expended, but some critical issues raised; they were connected with the governing of the new territories and, basically, the questions about slavery.
The main concern was between the North and the South. “The Northern Whigs and Abolitionists feared the attempts to plant cotton in the new territory. Slaveholders feared that the slavery would be banned and they would lose power in Congress” (U.S. History 30a). Despite such a confrontation between the parts, the government did not have a clear decision concerning the slavery and put in a hard effort to find a compromise between the South and the North.
One of the most influential laws passed after the US – Mexican War was the Compromise of 1850. It had some benefits for both the North and the South. According to the Compromise of 1850, “the North admitted California as the 16th free state, Texas lost boundary dispute with New Mexico, although it had had a claim on its territory, and slave trade was prohibited in Washington D.C.” (U.S. History 30c). What concerns the South, “it got no restrictions on slavery in Utah and New Mexico, Texas received 10 million compensation for the territory of New Mexico, slaveholding was permitted in Washington D.C., and the Fugitive Slave Law was passed” (U.S. History 30c). In such a way, at least a temporary agreement could be negotiated between the North and the South.
Both parties seemed to be content with the law until the North refused to accept the Fugitive Slave Law, according to which all the runaway slaves had to be turned back to their slaveholders (U.S. History 30c). It was one of the main prerequisites for the outright confrontation between the North and the South. After that, there were some more reasons that led to the Civil War, like the Kansas – Nebraska Act, which let the citizens of a particular territory decide whether to accept or outlaw the slavery. The actions from both sides led to violence, like the sack of Lawrence and the Massacre at Pottawatomie. The advocates of the North and the South tried to prove their idea in any way, even if it led to cruelty.
Gradually, these prerequisites led to the beginning of the Civil War. The North and the South had different, and it was hard to come to a fair compromise. For the North, “failure to preserve the Union was a betrayal of the founders and the promise of the Declaration of Independence” (U.S. History 33d). The main goal of the North was not to outlaw the slavery, but to achieve the unification of the country. For the South, the war was viewed as the protection of “their way of life” and territory (U.S. History 33d).
It has to be admitted that the goal of the government and the soldiers was not the same. It is unbelievable that only 25,000 of the Confederate Soldiers, out of 125,000, survived after the Civil War. All in all, more than 640,000 soldiers were killed during the Civil War (U.S. History 33a). It was a great loss for the country and its economy. Most of the soldiers and common people opposed to the slavery, but they were not going to fight against it, as they believed the slavery “would die on its own over time” (U.S. History 34a). The four-year Civil War ended with the surrender of the Confederacy.
The Civil War brought about considerable changes both for the North and the South, representing “a struggle between two societies” (U.S. History 34). Despite the enormous loss and economic hardship, the Civil War became a crucial point for the economy and further development of the country. The war proved the predominance of the industrial society over an agricultural one. Ammunition industry started to develop in the South, which had not happened before the war. Women gained new social roles, working in hospitals and substituting men in the workplace. However, the most significant contribution of the Civil War was the Emancipation Proclamation created by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, which “led to the proposal and ratification of the Amendment XIII to the Constitution, which abolished the slavery all over the land” (U.S. History 34a). It not only proved a great development of the country, but also represented it as the country of a great morality and humanity overseas. The Emancipation Proclamation was a step towards a free society and equality.
American Experience Chicago
Chicago was called “the metropolis of the mid-West,” a territory where the capitalism flourished (Harrison). The main industries associated with Chicago of the post-Civil War period were lumber market, grain industry, railroad construction, and meat industry, also known as the hog Butcher of the World (Harrison). Chicago was the place of capitalistic relationship, where every action was aimed at the profit.
Most of the laborers working for the wealthy employers were poor immigrants working for low wages. There were working for 10 hours a day without a right to protest. When the workers became more skilful and came to a decision that their labor had to be paid better, they were fired and substituted by the new, low paid workers.
The employers valued each cent they could earn, because it would bring them a high profit in total. Industrial capitalism proved that nothing should be wasted, as any product can be used for making money. Thus, cows were used not only for meat, “the hides were used for leather, hair stuffed cushions, horns became combs, guts turned into tennis racquet strings, tails were used to make paintbrushes, and hooves were used in order to produce gelatin” (Harrison). In such a way, it touched upon so many industries and so many people were involved in this work.
It has to be admitted that the laborers were not treated well. They lived in horrible living conditions, obliged to share the same room with all family members. Sometimes, they even had only one bed and could sleep only when one of the members came to a shift. The workers felt that they were not treated properly for the workload they have. What is more, they felt as if they were the slaves that did not have any control over their lives. “The employees were viewed as the property and they did not have a right to bargain for better conditions” (Harrison). It is understandable that sooner or later the people would rebel.
Gradually, “sympathy strikes organized by the socialists workers emptied the factories,” until in 1877, workers rose and demanded an eight-hour working day and higher salaries. The employers were afraid of the revolution and “the spread of the anarchical ideas” (Harrison). However, they did nothing in order to meet the laborers’ wants and get them satisfied. On the contrary, the investors and the employers continued to conduct their business. As a result, the anarchists and the workers united into the labor movement that resulted in a strike for 8-hour day, demanding to be paid the same wages as per the 10-hour day.
The employers feared such strikes, as they could ruin their property and authority. “The anarchists were saying things they had always said. They wanted death to the owner class and urged for the revolution” (Harrison). As a result, the Martial Law was declared, saying that no more than 2 people could gather in the street and that the homes could be entered without search warrants (Harrison). The labor leaders and revolutionists were put into jails, although, many people still supported them and their desire for a fair treatment and a better life.
It should be taken into account that it was still the post-Civil War period of time, and the situation in the country was not stable. People were afraid of losing their job and, at the same time, they did not want to live in poor conditions anymore. As the cities and new industries grew, the laborers felt a burning need to stand up for their life and to be well paid for their hard work.
Works Cited
Harrison, Cherlyn. “American Experience Chicago 2.” Documentary. YouTube, 5 March 2016. Web. 30 April, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPlSUOomDEc&nohtml5=False
“U.S. History.” Pre-Columbian to the New Millennium. PBS Online, n.d. Web. 30 April, 2016. http://www.ushistory.org/us/
