Progressive Movement

The two articles given, focus on a variety of different groups that were essential during the progressive era. In Maureen Flanagan’s article, women were at the forefront of the progressive movement, while Shelton Stromquist’s portrays the working class as the key players in progressive reform. Both articles offer unique perspectives into who and how steps toward change were achieved. In this regard, we can argue there was no single group that spearheaded the progressive movement, rather it was a multi-faceted approach from a combination of ideals and different social classes.

As stated, Stromquist’s focus was on the working class, specifically in Cleveland, citing the number of strikes that occurred in the 1890s, “Streetcar strikes in 1892 and 1899, an ore handlers strike in 1891…Between 1893 and 1898, some eighty-three strikes were reported in the city.”[1] Through instances such as riots, Flanagan was able to signify the importance of the solidarity and unity of the working class in establishing their goals for reform, as noted in the Streetcar Strike of 1899.[2]

In Flanagan’s article, she focuses on the Woman’s City Club of Chicago in comparison to a similar male group, The City Club. One of the issues discussed deals with the 2 clubs perspective on public education,  in which the City Club sought a more hands-on approach for students prepare them for labor jobs.[3] While the Woman’s City Club sought reform based on the concerns of “the individual child within the school and industrial work systems.”[4] Through these goals the Woman’s Club were able to establish a strong unity and participation with other Women’s clubs in the city.

What’s key to these two articles and the examples used is that different groups were able to establish and achieve some form of change by creating a strong cohesive group that contributed to the process of reform, and ultimately the Progressive movement.

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[1]Stromquist, Shelton. “The Crucible of Class: Cleveland Politics and the Origins of Municipal Reform in the Progressive Era,” Journal of Urban History 23, (1997). 197.

[2] Ibid. 201.

[3] Flanagan, Maureen A. "Gender and Urban Political Reform: The City Club and the Woman's City Club of Chicago in the Progressive Era." The American Historical Review 95, no. 4 (October 1990). 1040.

[4] Ibid.

“Every Dog (No Distinction of Color) Has His Day”

This Thomas Nast cartoon was published in Harpers Weekly on February 8, 1879. Nast obvious characterization of a Native American and a Chinese man portrays the issues of immigration and racism in American society. It is quite obvious that American feelings during this period were anti-immigrants as shown in the background where there is drawing of a train chasing a Native American off his land westward. And below it a Chinese man being forced to run eastward. The latter is in reference to Chinese workers in California who faced tremendous opposition from whites partly due to labor competition, which in part led to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, “This act provided an absolute 10-year moratorium on Chinese labor immigration.”[1] In the background Nast also portrays an Afro-American signifying and criticizing the major movements to exclude American Indians, Chinese, and Afro-American from American society. The most interesting capture of this political cartoon rests with the stereotypical representation of the immigrants themselves, for it blatantly evokes white America's prejudice conceptions regarding Chinese and American Indians.

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[1] The Chinese Exclusion Act (1882). http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc. (accessed 2/14/12).

Rights

The validity of “Rights” often elicits insightful/fiery testimonies from supporters and detractors respectively. While it can be argued that the notion of “Rights” is a rather grand ideal for the benefit of humankind and not just some random generalization to appease the common society. I do believe in the value of rights, though I feel that there are hidden clauses are associated with it. I recognize that the concept of rights conforms to and shapes certain persons and groups. In other words, the value and meaning of rights are interchangeable. As with the case of declaration of rights, the ideals that were implemented by its framers constructed those so-called rights pertaining to their well-being. As we see from Lynn Hunts text there were indeed questions, concerns, and uncertainties as to whom these rights were extended to, “The French debates over citizenship and rights reveal a recurring clash between the ideals of human rights philosophy and the reality of eighteenth-century prejudices. Slaves, Jews, and women…enjoyed little political rights nowhere in the world in the eighteenth century.”[1] In hindsight, the use of the term-rights during the French Revolution were molded to appease and apply certain groups of society. One can even argue that rights serve as double standards. It was evident during the 18^th century, and to an extent, present in today’s culture.

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[1] Hunt, Lynn. Ed. The French Revolution and Human Rights, A Brief Documentary History. (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. 1996). 18. 

Equiano's Birthplace

Upon reading Careys views on Equiano’s place of birth, I believe he was really born in Africa. His descriptive portrayal of his hometown or province is vividly captured in the first chapter. He also describes the cultural norms of his birthplace, “We are almost a nation of dancers, musicians, and poets.”[1]Also, in his narrative, the recurring theme of religion suggests that Equiano embodied that of a righteous individual, who was eager to learn the “knowledge of God”[2] These portrayals are accurate characterizations of an honest individual. Moreover, as noted in Careys webpage, one of Equiano’s main desires was to help end the slave trade, it would have been an embarrassment personally and a significant blow towards the abolitionist cause, thus the falsification of truths would have been an immense gamble by Equiano. In hindsight he had more to lose by lying. Also, Equiano “threatened legal action against the authors of ‘the invidious falsehood’”…[3]  This reiterates the seriousness of Equiano’s motives in producing an accurate account of the slave trade and helping to abolish it. In understanding the case against Equiano, it is plausible to bring forth arguments such as his Baptismal records, and the roll call sheet on his voyage to the Arctic. Both are indeed mystifying to say the least. In perspective, I believe these two instances could be combinations of misunderstandings and white lies. Although both sides produce compelling arguments, the integrity and character that Equiano presented himself to be, serves as a compelling motive that Equiano was indeed born in Africa.

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[1]  Olaudah, Equiano. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano: Written by Himself with Related Documents, ed. with an Introduction by Robert J Allison (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007) 47.

[2] Ibid. 85

[3] Allison, Robert J. Introduction. Olaudah, Equiano. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano: Written by Himself with Related Documents. (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007) 25.

Enterprise of the Indies

            The origins of Columbus’ explorations and conquest were centrally based upon business and commercial inquisitions, as noted by Symcox and Sullivan that “This was to be a commercial enterprise.”[1] With grand visions of expanding their sovereignty and influence, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel shifted their focus from domestic matters into seeking wealth and territory to further enhance their empire. Also, in agreeing to fund Columbus’ expedition, the Spanish Crown sought it to be feasible to counter Portugal’s ventures of commerce.[2] Although the accords between the Spanish Crown and Columbus did not specifically call for religious endeavors, religious purposes were planted within Columbus due to his strong Catholic attributes as described by eyewitness accounts.

            The accounts of Bartolome De Las Casas provide insights into Columbus’ strong Catholic faith, “He was everlastingly zealous of the honor of God…”[3] Columbus often associated God with each new found glory, treasure, wealth, and discovery, “He was openly appreciative of the benefits the Lord bestowed upon him and it is said of him that every hour he acknowledged some fresh bounty from the Lord…”[4] Through these descriptive accounts as well as his letters to Ferdinand and Isabel[5] it’s plausible that Columbus not only sought new land and wealth, but also a desire to use religion to further strengthen the ambitions of explorations and enterprise in the new world.

            Religious purposes were further cemented with the “Piis Fidelium”[6] decree in 1493, which laid the foundation of religious motives in the new lands.[7] Though the importance of religion did not take central stage until subsequent voyages, the combination of Columbus’ strong pious persona as well as the Catholic Crowns own interests allowed religious motives to shape the purposes of exploration.

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[1] Symcox, Geoffrey and Sullivan, Blair. Christopher Columbus and the Enterprise of the Indies: A Brief History with Documents. New York: Bedford/St. Martins’s. 2005. 14.

[2] Ibid. 13.

[3] De Las Casas. On Columbus’s Appearance, Education, and Character 1527-1563.Symcox, Geoffrey and Sullivan, Blair. Christopher Columbus and the Enterprise of the Indies: A Brief History with Documents. New York: Bedford/St. Martins’s. 2005. 48.

[4] Ibid. 47.

[5] Columbus, Christopher. Undated Letter to Fernando and Isabel. Symcox, Geoffrey and Sullivan, Blair. Christopher Columbus and the Enterprise of the Indies: A Brief History with Documents. New York: Bedford/St. Martins’s. 2005 51-55.

[6] Symcox, Geoffrey and Sullivan, Blair. Christopher Columbus and the Enterprise of the Indies: A Brief History with Documents. New York: Bedford/St. Martins’s. 2005. 19.

[7] Ibid. 19.

Hello

Hello, my name is Jan Marquina. Although this is my second semester at Arizona State University, I am still fairly new to online classes so needless to say I'm still trying to navigate my way. I hope to learn as much as possible from everyone in this class to help me prepare for Hist. 498 and hopefully obtain my history degree by the end of this year!