Chapter 18: The New South And The New West 1865–1900

40 Chapter 18 The New South And The New West 1865 1900if Any Cropper

Review the provided document which contains a contract related to sharecropping practices in the post-Civil War South, along with background on racial segregation laws, the Plessy v. Ferguson case, and perspectives of African American leaders, particularly Booker T. Washington. Additionally, the document discusses contemporary political processes, healthcare policies like the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the influence of political motives on legislation. Your task is to analyze these complex issues by examining the fairness of sharecropping arrangements, the impact of segregation laws on social and political dynamics, and the influence of political interests on healthcare policy.

Paper For Above instruction

The post-Civil War era in the United States, particularly in the South, was marked by significant economic, racial, and political transformation. One of the defining economic practices was sharecropping, a system that kept many landless farmers, primarily African Americans, in a cycle of debt and dependency. An analysis of the sharecropper contract reveals inherent inequalities. For example, the contract stipulates that crop owners control the sale of crops and deduct their expenses before paying the cropper, often leading to the cropper receiving only a fraction of the proceeds. The restrictions on planting staple crops, the responsibilities assigned to crop owners, and the inability of sharecroppers to sell or carry their own crops until debts are settled all highlight an imbalance that favors landowners over the laborers. The system was often viewed as exploitative, limiting economic independence and perpetuating a cycle of poverty among sharecroppers, especially African Americans (Frazier, 1957).

The fairness of the sharecropping system was highly questionable, as it generally disadvantaged the cropper, who had little control over the terms and was often forced into a cycle of indebtedness. Alternatives for landless farmers included tenant farming and seeking wage labor, but these options also had their limitations due to systemic racial and economic barriers. Given the oppressive conditions of sharecropping, landless farmers and African Americans often found it difficult to escape poverty, creating a socio-economic structure that upheld racial hierarchies (Washington, 1901).

Meanwhile, the legal landscape of the South became increasingly segregated following the Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). The case upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation laws under the doctrine of "separate but equal." Justice Brown's majority opinion argued that segregation was not necessarily indicative of inferiority, emphasizing that distinctions based on race were within the states' police powers. Conversely, Justice Harlan dissented, asserting that the Constitution is "color-blind" and that segregation laws inherently demeaned African Americans, perpetuating racial inequality (Harlan, 1896). This ruling legitimized the institutionalization of segregation, reinforcing social divisions and fostering systemic racial discrimination.

Booker T. Washington, an influential African American leader of the period, articulated a strategy known as the "Atlanta Compromise," advocating for vocational education, economic self-sufficiency, and gradual racial integration. Washington believed that African Americans could improve their socio-economic status through hard work and education, without directly challenging segregation laws. While criticized for accepting segregation and disfranchisement, his perspective aimed at pragmatic progress within the systemic constraints of his time (Washington, 1900).

Moving into contemporary politics, the modern debate on healthcare policy exemplifies how political motives influence legislative decisions. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, aimed to increase access to healthcare and reduce costs. However, its implementation has been contentious, with critics arguing that political parties prioritize electoral support over healthcare quality. For example, many Republican legislators opposed the ACA partly to undermine its provisions and appeal to their constituencies, despite recognizing its benefits (Brown, 2018). The tendency of politicians to act in self-interest underscores a broader trend where policy decisions are driven more by re-election concerns than by the public's best interests (Milstead & Short, 2019).

This political dynamic is further complicated by voter influence. Elected officials often tailor their positions to align with the preferences of their voters to secure re-election. This is evident in debates surrounding healthcare, where public opinion fluctuations influence legislative actions. The controversy over repealing or replacing the ACA reflects competing interests—cost containment versus access and quality of care—and illustrates how partisan motives shape policy outcomes that significantly affect public health (Andy, 2012).

In conclusion, examining historical sharecropping reveals persistent economic inequalities rooted in systemic racial discrimination, exemplified by segregation laws that institutionalized social divisions. Leaders like Booker T. Washington sought pragmatic pathways toward racial uplift under oppressive conditions. Contemporary politics reveal how electoral motives often distort policy decisions, especially in critical sectors like healthcare. The interplay between economic systems, legal frameworks, social hierarchies, and political interests underscores the complexity of societal progress and the ongoing struggle for equity and justice in America (Tindall & Shi, 2013).

References

• Frazier, E. F. (1957). The Negro in the United States. New York: Macmillan.
• Harlan, J. M. (1896). Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537.
• Washington, B. T. (1901). Up from Slavery: An Autobiography. Doubleday.
• Tindall, G. B., & Shi, D. E. (2013). America: A Narrative History. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Brown, E. C. (2018). Health reform and theories of cost. Journal of Law and Medicine Ethics, 46(2), 123–125.
• Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health Policy and Politics: A Nurse’s Guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Andy, S. (2012). Factors that influence public policy. Journal of Health Politics, Policy, and Law, 37(3), 481–502.
• Patashnik, E. M., & Oberlander, J. (2018). After defeat: Conservative postenactment opposition to the ACA in historical-institutional perspective. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 43(4), 651–682.
• Pagel, M., et al. (2017). Policy priorities in health reform. Policy Studies Journal, 45(2), 233–252.
• Todd, P. (2013). Congressional re-elections and public approval. Journal of Politics, 75(2), 407–422.