How successfull was the trade union movement in the post-Civil War Era?

The Civil War indicated a turning point for the United States. In addition to triggering reformation, it would eventually lead to the rise and development of industrialism in America. However, with industrialism came great issues within the workforce including gender and racial equality as well as wage issues. In an attempt to address these problems, labor unions arose. However, they were quite in unsuccessful. This is evident in their failure to achieve their economic goals, and to truly make strikes count.

Perhaps the only success of the trade union movement was the organization of workers. The American Federation of Labor was open only to skilled workers, whereas the Industrial Workers of the World were for those with radical ideas. The greats successes in organization were those of the National Labor Union, which was the first in admitting both skilled and unskilled workers. The Knights of Labor also succeeded in this field, for it consisted of nearly 750,000 members.

With a great deal of individuals, these trade unions were expected to thrive. And in some cases, they did. The National Labor Union manage to reduce the daily workday by two hours. That is when an eight-hour workday became the norm.

Trade union failures clearly outweigh their successes. Their failure to increase wages was shown at the eve of several strikes. The Railroad Strike of 1877 was an attempt to rebel against lowering wages of the Baltimore and Ohio company. They strikers were quickly suppressed by the US Army upon President Hayes's command. The Homestead Strike of 1892 and the Pullman Strike of 1894 were also protests against wage cuts. They too, were unsuccessful upon the involvement of federal powers.

Wage cuts, however, were only one of the reasons trade unions went on strike. The Haymarket Square Riot of 1886 protested poor treatment of workers. This strike only gave labor unions a bad name, for they were blamed for the bombing and killing of police officers.

Trade unions were successful at getting together and organizing strikes. They even shaved two hours of the normal workday. However, little progress was made with regards to gender and racial equality and wage issues.

Analyze the differences and similarities of the three major Reconstruction plans: Lincoln's, Johnson's, and the radical Republicans'

America fought for freedom a century prior to the American Civil War. Ideas of unity and feelings of harmony filled the atmosphere upon America's acquisition of freedom. However, within the next century, the nation would suffer a huge divide. With an attempt to impose their ideas on each other, the two divisions would enter a war. Eventually, it was this war that would convert the South. However, different people had different thoughts on how this should be done. The three major Reconstruction plans were those of Lincoln, Johnson, and the radical Republicans. The radical Republicans had the best methods and ideas for reconstructing the South.

Lincoln believed in exercising his power of pardon. He claimed that the South had never left the Union. In other words, he emphasized that the Southern political leadership rather than the Southern people had seceded. He acted "with a miracle toward none and charity for all." Lincoln's plan provided for a quick readmission process.

Much like that of Lincoln, Johnson's plan called for a quick readmission process. His 10% plan was mild, lenient, and involved no major punishments. His plan accepted the Thirteenth Amendment, as well as implemented Lincoln's plan. However, Johnson pardoned all who asked.

Johnson's plan was in a political struggle for that of the radical Republicans. This plan was harsher, more vengeful, and more punitive. It was based on Congressional power to admit new states, and called for more civil rights. The radical Republicans' plan included the 50% plan which consisted of dividing the South into five military districts. Also, troops would remain in the South in order to keep order when it came to accepting not enforcing the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.

Although all three plans called for an efficient way to integrate Southern culture into the Union, the radical Republicans' plan seemed more efficient and with better methods. The use of more severe punishment would help emphasize federal power. Also, they had good reasoning. They wanted to promote civil rights and provide the South with economic aid in order to keep blacks in the South. This way, competition for Northern labor jobs would be avoided. Finally, this would also provide for the expansion of a Republican Party in the South.

The Reconstruction would shape that nation in a way that would carry through for many years. Therefore, the implementation of a carefully and well thought-out plan was crucial. Lincoln, Johnson, and the radical Republicans all had their input on the nation's future.

Dominican American National Roundtable 2007

Last weekend I attended the Dominican American National Roundtable in Miami, FL with my dad. Although my dad has been going annually for several years, I was never quite interested in attending. However, since I recently turned eighteen, I decided to get more involved in political affairs concerning my people. It is hard for a teenager like me save the world. Yet, I at least want to be aware of some of the issues affecting other people like myself. What I thought to be a conference full of old, rich Dominicans proved to be an experience filled with vibrant minds with creative ideas.

Upon arriving, I was welcomed with sunny weather and palm trees. Yet leisure was not the goal of this trip. Friday, the first night, we were introduced to several keynote speakers, including Dr. Rosa Perez-Perdomo. Born in the Dominican Republic, through hard work and education, she managed to become the secretary of the Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Throughout her time there, she has advocated for the health care of minorities within Puerto Rico, particularly Dominican- Americans.

Dr. Perez-Perdomo lead a workshop concerning Dominican-American health care. She focused not only on the lack of health care, but on mental disorders, which are often ignored within the Dominican-American community due to their physical absence. I felt particularly touched by and involved in this discussion because I can relate to this issue.

The opening ceremony served to truly engage me in the conference, but also I felt touched upon attending a workshop about Dominican identity. In the workshop I learned about Dominican roots, composed of Africans, African-Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, as well as other minority groups still occupying the island. Now, when I say I'm Dominican, I can clearly define what that means.

To further explore Dominican culture, the DANR hosted Johnny Ventura, a legendary merengue composer and singer. He was the first to achieve fame outside the Dominican Republic. Johnny Ventura has been around since the 1960s, and continued to release hits through the '90s.

The DANR touched me in several ways. It addressed issues that truly affect myself as well as the people around me, and it exposed me to other Dominican-Americans. I was expecting to meet with old Dominicans. However, I was surprised to meet so many Dominican-Americans my age, in college as well as a few in high school. The DANR was the perfect mix of successful Dominican-Americans. Among the older people were high achieving politicians and businessmen. The younger, college crowd consisted of hard working college students making their way to success. In addition to encountering role models, I felt encouraged to continue working hard like the other Dominican-Americans I met.

Were the grassroots movements in the Age of Reform successful in achieving their goals?

From the Eve of the American Revolution until the civil war, America was ready for change. It was the first experience of a republican government, rather than a one man rule. With this idea, Americans were willing to take a lead in making social changes, an opportunity they were previously deprived of during British rule. The Second Great Awakening further empowered women to play a leading roles in these reform movements. Advances were made in regards to women's rights, abolition, and public education. However, these movements were unsuccessful at achieving their ideal goals. Instead, they merely paved the was for future events.

Prior to the Era of Reform, women were regarded simply as housewives with one goal- to raise responsible republican citizens. Through the ideals of the Second Great Awakening, individualism spread, and the era of reform resulted. Republican motherhood was replaced by the cult of domesticity, and women began to demand more respect from society as well as from their own families. This shift in attitude lead women to demand not only mere glorification, but legal rights and an actual voice in their own society. Little did they know, they would have to wait decades for significant progress.

Women set to advocate for their own rights with a can-do attitude in 1848. The Seneca Falls Convention was lead by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. There, the optimistic women created a list of expectations and demands, the "Declaration of Rights Sentiments." They were tired of being second-class citizens and wanted changes. In addition to calling for social equality, they felt the had a right to own property as well as to vote. Unfortunately, their second class citizenship status remained with them until the following century, when they were finally given the right to vote.

While women were read to rid themselves of their second-class citizenship status, slaves were calling to achieve citizenship. Harriet Tubman, a former slave, advocated for current slaves. With the creation of, The Liberator, an abolitionist newspaper, abolishment circles got emotional encouragement. Other leaders included Fredrick Douglass, who wore about his harsh enslaved conditions, and William Llloyd Garrison. Little was accomplished during the Age of Reform for the slaves, who were mainly occupied in the South. While the North's industry flourished with Eli Whitney's invention of interchangeable parts, Southern economy became more and more reliant on slave labor due to his ideas regarding the cotton gin. This era only serves to widen the gap between the North and the South. Eventually, it would take a war to abolish slavery.

While slave conditions remained the same, White America was making some progress within the field of public education. The idea of educating the "brats" gave way to the creation of a public school system. However, teacher were often poorly trained and paid. Horace Mann, secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education, called for improvement in these conditions. Nonetheless, with nearly one million illiterate citizens, education was still a luxury in America. In addition, education for the Blacks was forbidden.

The Era of Reform initiated several movements that would eventually lead to significant change. The grassroots movements were not successful at achieving their ideals at the moment. However, they got the movements off the ground and going.