In his book The Story of American Freedom, distinguished historian Eric Foner ar
ID: 161298 • Letter: I
Question
In his book The Story of American Freedom, distinguished historian Eric Foner argues that the story of the American people is the story of a people striving for freedom. “Freedom,” he writes, “ is not a mythic saga with a predetermined beginning and conclusion, but an open-ended history of accomplishment and failure, a record of a people forever contending about the crucial ideas of their political culture." In other words, “freedom” is an idea and concept critical to understanding U.S. history. Freedom, he writes, also meant different things to different people at different points in time.
In your essay, discuss how Foner’s concept of “freedom” is a unifying theme for the last century and a half, and how it can help us to understand the major social, political and cultural events of the last 150 years of American history. To do this, you should choose three major events in the history of the United States since Reconstruction, and discuss how each event illustrates how American policymakers and/or the general populace strove for and demanded, or withheld from others, “freedom.” An “event” could be broadly defined: it could be a social movement, a law or series of laws passed, an era in American history, a war, social trends, a moment or trend in popular culture, etc.
The first event should be drawn from the period 1877-approximately 1900. The second event should be drawn from the period 1900-World War II, and the third event can be drawn from the time period after World War II to 1988.
Can someone help me with it.
Explanation / Answer
1. The Pendleton Civil Service Act was passed by congress in 1882. The Act states that the federal employees to be hired based on expertice, but not on political connections.It reduced the power of the spoils system. Before this Act was passed the president and local party members could appoint whomever they wanted. This act also prohibited compulsory campaign contributions.
2.The 19th Amendment to the constitution was ratified on August 26,1920. U.S constitution granted American woman the right to vote. So, on the election day in 1920, millions of American woman used their right to vote.
3.In 1964, Civil rights Act was passed. It protects individuals from discrimination based on religion, color, race, and sex. It gave all Americans the right to be served in facilities which are open to the public.