Longji Wang
304291956
Discussion 1B
“Democratic Empire”:
An Inaccurate Description of the United States (1880-1920)
Based on the historical evidence from 1880s until the end of the first World War, Franklin’s assertion is inaccurate. Admittedly, the U.S. makes numerous democratic progresses domestically and demonstrates military, economic actions that are similar to what an empire would have done. However, the U.S. does a poor job when it comes to establish the same social orders and make new subjects inclusive to the democratic system overseas. Therefore, if a “democratic empire” is the one that treats all its territories equally, the U.S. fails in this category. But, could the U.S. be a democracy in the fatherland while continue its expansionism …show more content…
First, it directs the population to the prospect the leaders want them to see. Through war propaganda, the power can easily alter the population to think of the best for the country. As a result, domestic problems, such as racism, sexism, social class stratification, income inequality, and etc., are overlooked. Compared with the urgency to “reinvigorate the nation’s unity and sense of manhood” (Foner, 681), the responsibility to “teach other peoples the lessons of democracy” (Foner, 739), the importance to fight “a crime against the people of the United States” (Foner, 748), these issues only seem, as they are, domestic. Results of such negligence is the delay of democracy. The army is segregated before and during the first World War; Black people are not allowed to celebrate among their fellow citizens; women does not obtain their suffrage right until the end of the first World …show more content…
However, this goodwill statement is mostly implausible. Women’s wining the suffrage right is one thing to cheer for. But this basically conclude the democratic victory at that period. Like white women, black people enlist in army and participate in domestic production, hoping to earn themselves equal rights. However, they still experience segregation in the army and discrimination in home. In search for job opportunities and freedom, about half a million black people leave for the north during the Great Migration. Yet, they still face unequal treatments there. An anti-German sentiment also arises during the first World War. Making up about ten percent of the white population, German-Americans are forced to forgo their culture, including language and music (Forner, 759). Above examples can hardly remind anyone of something like
304291956
Discussion 1B
“Democratic Empire”:
An Inaccurate Description of the United States (1880-1920)
Based on the historical evidence from 1880s until the end of the first World War, Franklin’s assertion is inaccurate. Admittedly, the U.S. makes numerous democratic progresses domestically and demonstrates military, economic actions that are similar to what an empire would have done. However, the U.S. does a poor job when it comes to establish the same social orders and make new subjects inclusive to the democratic system overseas. Therefore, if a “democratic empire” is the one that treats all its territories equally, the U.S. fails in this category. But, could the U.S. be a democracy in the fatherland while continue its expansionism …show more content…
First, it directs the population to the prospect the leaders want them to see. Through war propaganda, the power can easily alter the population to think of the best for the country. As a result, domestic problems, such as racism, sexism, social class stratification, income inequality, and etc., are overlooked. Compared with the urgency to “reinvigorate the nation’s unity and sense of manhood” (Foner, 681), the responsibility to “teach other peoples the lessons of democracy” (Foner, 739), the importance to fight “a crime against the people of the United States” (Foner, 748), these issues only seem, as they are, domestic. Results of such negligence is the delay of democracy. The army is segregated before and during the first World War; Black people are not allowed to celebrate among their fellow citizens; women does not obtain their suffrage right until the end of the first World …show more content…
However, this goodwill statement is mostly implausible. Women’s wining the suffrage right is one thing to cheer for. But this basically conclude the democratic victory at that period. Like white women, black people enlist in army and participate in domestic production, hoping to earn themselves equal rights. However, they still experience segregation in the army and discrimination in home. In search for job opportunities and freedom, about half a million black people leave for the north during the Great Migration. Yet, they still face unequal treatments there. An anti-German sentiment also arises during the first World War. Making up about ten percent of the white population, German-Americans are forced to forgo their culture, including language and music (Forner, 759). Above examples can hardly remind anyone of something like