Week 5

When learning about the Great Depression, or any economic downfall in history, in elementary school I was always so confused as to how an entire nation could nose dive into a recession so quickly, especially when not too long before there was an overabundance of wealth and people showing it off. However, with the current financial crisis the United States, the similar circumstances are very parallel.
Not too long ago, our country was in a considerably good place financially and economically, and the talk of a recession seemed somewhat like a scare tactic. And if even a small fraction of our population is even half as stubborn as I am, the concerns and worries of the government were just brushed off. Fast forward half a decade, and here we are: one of the worlds most looked upon countries, now facing national crisis.
The same holds true for our country during the 1930s. Where people who had previously adorned their houses with flashy, ostentatious displays of wealth were sleeping under newspaper blankets and eating "salt pork" (which is really just salt, with a side of pork). Americans were unable to get jobs, food, or any form of necessities, let alone luxuries.
The citizens took a positive stand, however,creating beneficial agencies like Civil Works administration, Agricultural Adjustment, and the Works Progress Administration to name a few, in the hopes of reorganizing and restructuring  American people, money, and resources. These people literally had to go days on end with no nourishment, clean clothes, or hope.
While the recession we're facing is certainly not good (can it actually be good?) we're under very different circumstances today. Even though we've definitely had to make cutbacks, here I am: in college, on a laptop, in my own rented house. These luxuries would have never even crossed someones mind in the 30s- its basically a real life example that things could always be worse.
This emotionally and economically pressing time in America would have made it hard for me, as I'm sure it was for the people living through it, to believe "the only thing to fear was fear itself."

Week Four

This weeks lecture and the AlabamaNorth reading reflect such an interesting time in history, the Great Migration during the Progressive Era in the early 20th century. This migration of people established a new economy, ideas, and large population increases in major cities. This should have been an amazing time for the people, with unlimited dreams and aspirations for the future; however, for the African American migrants who were coming from the south faced a much different reality. For them, this time was one of limited opportunity, inequality, and discrimination. 

The two major players we discussed, Booker Washington and W.E.B DuBois, were two of the many voices to speak out for the black citizens. I was very shocked to find out that their views and ideas of how to move out of inequality were so drastically different. Washington, and accommodationist, did just that- he held a "if you can't change the whites, don't, but work and be successful" attitude. He was very dedicated to developing a working middle class and promoting black economic progress. The passion that fueled his ideas were very different than DuBois's who voted not to accommodate, but to integrate - to not give up. 

Though both ultimately wanted the very best possible outcome for every black citizen, it must have been hard to believe and support radical changes when different leaders hold such strong opinions and ideas. Had I been an African American during this time, faced with such a need for change I could only imagine how difficult it would have been to choose which direction would best help me establish a new life in a new time.

week three

The material and discussions this past week reminded me, if not everybody, of one place they all hate to be: stuck between a rock and a hard place. In this case, America is the stuck one, imperialist expansion, the rock, and anti-imperialist seclusion the hard place.
By the turn of the century America was in an unsettled place: a surplus of money with no circulation, an overabundance of workers with no jobs, and a plethora of worldwide expansion with little followers. To the people of the time there was no gray. It was white or black. Expand or do not expand. As a secondary opinion/viewer, looking in, obviously the best choice is to do what will benefit mother America more. Be idle? Take action? Expand? Don't?
For today's people, the lines of cost can sometime blur over the lines of benefit and vis versa. On the one hand, America would at first be encroaching into foreign lands, populated by alien people, denying them of their motherland and connection to her and their fellow natives. On the other, incredible growth, employment, and monetary opportunities laid out on a golden path before them. Is one right and the other not? After all, the U.S. was known for a reputation of no holds bar intrusion, occupying any land to gain what they wanted- which isn't necessarily bad nor good. In this case however, the Filipino islands were a blank slate to Americans. Intrude to gain, or intrude to control? While neither option may be what was Americas intention, it was the ultimate choice.
Personally, I feel, that even though moving into new lands would cause a flood of people seeking job opportunities and channels which new found markets would stimulate, taking over already settled lands is the parallel of modern day America deciding to take over Tokyo  on Monday, and wanting everything settled by Tuesday. While it seems like a happy ending, there is no thought to the other characters of the story. At no point, except to anti-imperialists, did the thought of expansion project anything except  prosperity.
Was it right? Was it wrong? Was it beneficial? Was it detrimental? To each their own, I just find it somewhat ironic that nearly a century later Americans still haven't learned that actions require consequences. After all, history does repeat itself.

Week Two

   With fall semester now fully underway, I am beginning to realize which courses need more attention devoted to them, which I know I need to read the books for insanely closely, and in good cases, finding out which classes are stimulating. Although rare, it is nice (ad also extremely beneficial) to be in a class where you can learn and grow from the others in the class. After four classes I feel that this will be one of those rare experiences.

    After today’s discussion about Andrew Carnegie, the wheels in my head were turning. I was questioning not only how over a century ago, one man became a business guru, setting mold that still today is hard to penetrate. I find it very fascinating that Carnegie had impeccable tactics and business ethics that allowed him to become an untouchable mogul, without any example to follow – just one to be set.

    After bouncing thoughts around we ended class today with a stimulating question: did Carnegie invest his money into libraries and halls as a slap in the face, or was it to prevent another labor uprising? In my opinion it was a little of both. While I don't necessarily think it was meant as a slap in the face, per se, but rather a way of getting people motivated to get on their feet and learn from experiences, building natural skills, and, most importantly, other people. After all life is about survival of the fittest. I think the same hold true in all of our lives- yes, education is irreplaceable and a great way for us to grow, but more importantly we are gaining untouched life skills- learning how to manage our own time and schedules, performing on no sleep, and living off minimal amount of money. In essence, college is our perseverance test. We are learning how to learn, how to function and grow into productive members of society.

    Although times have changed and we’re living in a different society than the one we’re learning about, the experiences are not all that unfamiliar. I am eager to continue our lessons from the book and from each other, to learn from history and not repeat it.

    

Week One

As another summer quickly ended, and all lovely last minute running around and organizing before school approaches, everyone, I find, is somewhat apprehensive about another glorious fifteen weeks of classes. I too found myself dreading all the statistics and economic classes I'd be starting, but this class was not one of them. I am very interested in history because it is something that affects everyone in our class. Its not just formulas that you save into your calculator of the $20 you offered somebody to do your math homework, its the events and precedents that shape the world, or at least the United States, that we are now all apart of. Reading through the syllabus I was instantly drawn towards our lectures and discussions of Vietnam, Civil Rights, and counter culture because they're all areas many of us are familiar with. We all love the music (or should!), freedom, and the extraordinary leaders of the time, and have all probably heard the "well when I was your age" talks from our parents. Through the presentation of new material and discussions I hope to discover the significance of the time following reconstruction and how it not only affects our society now, but also how it will help lay building blocks for the future.