After the Civil War, the United States saw a drastic change in the social, cultural and political situations of the country. The gilded age and the progressive era are the renowned periods of the United States, which saw major changes in the American society. Several political and social reforms provide an evidence of the changes that took place in the American society. One such evidence is Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s address on woman suffrage in the United States Senate Committee. Elizabeth not only argued for the women’s right to vote, but also regarding the role of the women in the American society. She felt that as a citizen and member of one of the greatest nations, woman must have equal rights according to the fundamental principles of the government . She must have the right to secure her safety and happiness. Prior to the Civil War, women were suffering from bondage, custom, dependence and superstitions.
The opportunities for higher education and emancipation from all the suffrage would lead women to live a new life with dignity and status in the American society. The presence of women in the government institutions is their birth right to self-sovereignty . Elizabeth feels that the responsibilities of life are equal on men and women, and hence the need for the women’s right to vote. Another example that gives a note of the changes in the American society after the Civil War is the Atlantic Compromise speech. The Atlantic Compromise speech better explains the social and economic changes of the United States. In the Atlanta Compromise speech, Booker T Washington responded to the “Negro problem” of the United States . The speech is one of the most significant speeches in the history of the United States. He mainly focused on the social and economic conditions of the Blacks.
Booker T Washington mentioned about the relationship between the Blacks and whites in the South, which was economically shifting in the late nineteenth century. He promised the Blacks that he would master them in agriculture, commerce and domestic services . He also assured the whites that the Blacks believe in prosperity for their hard work. Washington eased the fears of the Whites about the desire of the Blacks for social integration. He called the need for improving the social and economic conditions between the two races. Washington praised the South for providing several opportunities to the Blacks post emancipation of slavery. He requested the whites to trust the blacks and offer responsibilities to them, so that both the races could advance in industry and agriculture . Washington encouraged the African-Americans to achieve self-betterment before they could hope to attain legal equality in the American society.
Florida Congressman Frank Clark’s speech in favor of segregated public transportation in Washington D.C explains about the social status of the Blacks post Civil War. This is clear evidence about the life of the blacks after the Civil War. The speech is in response to the decision of the Supreme Court regarding the segregation of the blacks into the American community as constitutional. Clark describes the amendment of segregation as a benefit to both the Blacks and whites, which provides equal accommodation for both the races in public transportation . Clark praises the whites for their contribution in educating the blacks and building churches for them by paying taxes. He agrees with Lincoln’s statement that the nation cannot exist half-white and half-black. Clark calls for the need to maintain harmony between the two races and stay equal before the law. He also states the necessity to maintain integrity of the race and preserve the civilization .
Clark says that for all the bloody sacrifices made by the heroes of revolution, it is the right of the people to demand. He describes that the country belongs to the white men, in which the blacks might mingle and live together if they decide to do so. Regarding the economic and political sphere of the United States, the Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine provides evidence to the growing impatience with the political stability of the country. In his annual message to the Congress, President Theodore Roosevelt proposed a comprehensive policy, which aimed at the southern neighbors of the United States. Roosevelt stated that it is the duty of each individual to realize that a nation has no right to do injustice to another nation, whether it is strong or weak . He mentioned about the interference of the United States in the struggle of Latin America.
Roosevelt declared that the United States would interfere if the country feels that a nation is unable to protect itself. He broadened the Monroe Doctrine by giving the United States police powers to interfere in the western hemisphere if need arises . Since the existing laws were not sufficient, the Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine updated the police powers of the United States. The interference of the United States depends on the degree of atrocity and the power to remedy it. To conclude, the era between 1865 and 1920 is a period that influenced the social, cultural and economic changes in the society. It was during this period that major reforms enhanced the quality of life of the women and the African Americans. The era saw several political and economic improvements in the society, which became the foundation for the present day United States. The efforts of major personalities led to drastic changes in the American society during the post Civil War era.
Works Cited
Clark, Frank. "Frank Clark Praises Segregation." Davidson, James West, et al. US: A Narrative History, Volume 2: Since 1865. McGraw-Hill Education, 2011. 32-33.
Roosevelt, Theodore. "Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine." Davidson, James West, et al. US: A Narrative History, Volume 2: Since 1865. McGraw-Hill Education, 2011. 36.
Stanton, Elizabeth Cady. "Address Before the U.S Senate Committee on Woman Suffrage." Davidson, James West, et al. US: A Narrative History, Volume 2: Since 1865. McGraw-Hill Education, 2011. 15.
Washington, Booker T. "Atlanta Compromise." Davidson, James West, et al. US: A Narrative History, Volume 2: Since 1865. McGraw-Hill Education, 2011. 26-27.
