This is a work by C. Vann Woodward, a great American historian of his time, detailing southern history. Jim Crow refers to the laws established to oversee racial segregation in the south as reconstruction came to its end. Reconstruction took place after the civil war in America where changes were made to the constitution on matters of equal rights. This was until the year 1877. After this period, Jim Crow was established strongly segregating the black race from the white race (Robert 23). The white race during that period didn't necessarily rise to prominence by virtue of intelligence but rather by weakening the bodies that had the mandate to keep their supremacist belief in check. . Voting rights and civil rights laws, 1965 and 1964 respectively ended Jim Crow, however, the Supreme Court, under immense pressure allowed for laws that encouraged segregation of the black race and giving the white race power over them. The Ku Klux Klan then continued to gain prominence among racist white Americans (Stanley 45). They were involved in numerous attacks on black people and strongly preaching white supremacism.The black codes promoted black oppression by restricting black people's freedom, pushing them to debt and working in the labour based sector. These were the failures of reconstruction.
American Expansionism at the Turn of the 20th Century
Recent industrial growth in the country had shifted the economy from predominantly agricultural to more industrial (Stanley 48). This brought about excess production; consequently, foreign markets were needed to sell of the excesses thus the need for expansion. A change in foreign policy to competitive interest from isolation also brought the need for expansion. American imperialism would later follow. This meant that America would exert influence in territories where it felt a government wasn't fit enough to rule. That was their main argument behind imperialist ambitions (Robert 27).
The Paradox in the Progressive Movement
At the turn of the twentieth century, winner-gets-all and economic monopolies were highly regarded. However, the need for inclusiveness in the nation meant compromises had to be made. These compromises took place during the period of the progressive movement. America, though still largely wanting to maintain its rigid system of control had to allow liberalism in their markets contrary to their esteemed regard for monopolism. Political reform made government more representatives and efficient, ironically, the electorate used this as a platform to increase their control. Consequently, democratic gains were lost to corporations (Stanley 54). Civil society victories resulted in policies that greatly undermined their influence. All these factors put in perspective paint a picture of a great paradox.
Conflicts and Religion in the 1920s
America was rapidly liberalizing in the 1920s. Confusion arose as to what was considered acceptable and what was to be proclaimed not correct. One such dispute was on human origin and scopes trial. Tennessee had passed a law restricting teaching of human origin on any other account apart from the theories of the Bible. Evangelical figures in the state exerted great influence in the state. John Scopes acted in contravention to the statute and was arrested for teaching evolution to his class. The case was highly publicized and ended up being a battle between Biblical teachings and Darwin's theories of evolution. Scopes was found guilty and was fined. This was one case of conflicts in the 1920s. Secular consumerism was a pain for religion at the time as it seemed to push people into contravening its norms. Religion responded to modernism by sticking to its principles and challenging any force that it felt was opposing it strongly and more usually than not, its own (Robert 32). The automobile added to cultural conflict by encouraging a culture of extravagance, contrary to the culture in the country at the time. It encouraged the desire for Hollywood style lifestyles of indulgence. The automobile was now the center of life for the working class. This was a period of great conflict in American society.
Works Cited
Robert Lacivita .The Impact of Technology on Society:From 1865-1960 .2004.Print
Stanley K. Schultz,.The Politics of Prosperity: The 1920s .2011. Print.
