The Role Of Freedom In American Society

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Throughout history, freedom has played a central role in American society. Freedom is an entitlement of all humanity, but America deprived some people of freedom because of their race, gender, class, and other ways. Freedom is not a birthright but it is an ideal goal which inspired so many Americans sacrifice. Since 1865, freedom was not distributed evenly in our country. It granted to some and withheld from others. Therefore, during the periods such as Reconstruction, Progressivism, and the Post-war after World War two, Americans fought for greater freedom as guaranteed by the constitution.
With the end of Civil War, America entered the period of Reconstruction (1865-1877) in which the South was rebuilt so that it could become a part of Union.
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In this period, freedom was to have social and economical equality. Freedom was to gain wealth and get equal distribution of income because of the rapid growth of industrialization and urban. Some of big businessmen got rich from their ruthless corporations such as John D. Rockefeller of Standard Oil, Andrew Carnegie of Carnegie Steel, and J. Pierpont Morgan of the bank controlled many industrial companies. During this time, the blacks were not the only one demand for freedom, but there were also women, immigrants, workers, Native Americans. In Progressivism with the the rise of mass consumption, Americans have freedom to enjoy the leisure activities like amusement parks, dance hall, theater, especially vaudeville. However, women were still restricted in their family. They desired to participate in the society, escape the family structure of old time and the life of domestic drudgery. There is also industrial freedom in which individuals open their own business, they don 't want to work for someone else. Besides, economic freedom took action. The socialist party form in 1901 and they wanted free college education, better working conditions for laborers, and state ownership of railroads and factories. Wilson also created New Freedom program strengthen antitrust law, protect the rights of worker to union, and …show more content…
Since 1865 until today, freedom has been aaaa living truth and also a cruel mockery for Americans. Freedom was granted for others, but it withheld to some. Freedom was achieved but it was also taken away. This happened with African Americans after Civil War when they go equal right under the law. Then, it deprived them of freedom during the era of segregation. That is the reason why freedom today still remains varies and improved to be better for all

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