The United States of America’s History (Term Paper Sample)

The United States of America’s History Student Name University Name Course number: Name Instructor Due Date The United States of America’s History Race Relations Resulting from the Reconstruction of the United States of America The aftermath of the civil war in the United States of America resulted in significant changes in race relations. The formerly enslaved people underwent a series of transformations in their assimilation process and acceptance back into the community. The first change was the amendments of various laws, which granted formerly enslaved people rights to access social services, education, and equal economic opportunities (Du Bois & Mack, 2017). This major change resulted in the construction of several schools for formerly enslaved Black people. Congress formed the Freedman Bureau to oversee the welfare of formerly enslaved people. Secondly, land ownership before the reconstruction was a preserve for the Whites. Du Bois and Mack (2017) established that blacks who served as enslaved people were not allowed to own land. After the reconstruction, enslaved people were allowed to own farmlands in the Southern parts. As a result, the Freedman Bureau allocated the available land to the formerly enslaved people and gave them the moral right of land ownership (Du Bois & Mack, 2017). Congress also enacted the Southern Homestead Act, allowing African Americans to own lands in the Southern States. The third and most crucial racial relation was the recognition of Black marriages. During the slavery period, Black Americans were not allowed to enter into any contractual agreement and hence could not legally marry. Enslaved people were considered property to their masters who had authority (Du Bois & Mack, 2017). Their children were properties to their masters as well. The reconstruction led to the recognition of legal marriages for formerly enslaved people. Some started searching for their spouses and families who separated during slavery. Consequences of Industrialization on American Politics and Society The United States of America experienced a transformation from an agrarian economy to manufacturing and industrialization. This period covers the changes from overreliance on agricultural activities like cotton farming to mining and manufacturing. The industrial revolution was a strategy by the Northern States but opposed by the Southern States. The industrial revolution's major political impact is the confederacy's end. The Union States restricted the Southern States who majored in cotton farming and practiced slavery (Fukuyama, 2014). The Southern States wanted slavery to continue and opposed every effort toward industrialization. The North succeeded in industrialization and forced the South to abolish slavery. Further, the United States became a robust global power and expanded its territories. The gains from industrialization placed the nation in a powerful position to compete with superpowers in Europe economically. Various parts of the states were opened up through railway lines (Fukuyama, 2014). This global power status made the United States of America get new territories like the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico, owing to the peace agreement with Spain (Fukuyama, 2014). The second social implication is the rise of major towns due to industrialization. Cities like Boston and New York emerged due to industrialization (Fukuyama, 2014). These cities witnessed internal urban migration, where people sought employment. There was a sharp contrast between the traditional economies, which supported slavery and free labor, with new progressive people who believed in consumer economies and paying employees. Industrialization led to the rise of labor movements that organized themselves to advocate for better working conditions. The movements came into place due to increased poor working conditions in factories and mines, where safety issues were neglected. The Rise of Progressive Movements Progressive movements arose in the United States of America from different quotas. Religious groups joined the movements to shape the direction of governance and promote the rule of law. These religious groups advocated for morality in governance and American society (Markwell, 2017). They opposed oppression and exploitation of the workforce and promoted better forms of economic life. Their major argument was that all humans are equal before God and deserve equal treatment, dignity, respect, and social, economic, and political opportunities (Markwell, 2017). Religious groups opposed military wars and promoted peace. Major reforms were made during the progressive era. Women's suffrage is an example of the reform. Women suffrage sought to ensure women got the right to vote (Markwell, 2017). Several women from different backgrounds participated in the movement. Also, the factory safety and labor reform sought to secure safe working conditions and environments for workers. It also secured the eight-hour working day, ended child labor, and promoted food safety (Mar...