Different Approaches To Diversity Issues 1865–1925

Different Approaches To Diversity Issues 1865 1925

In this assignment, you are asked to choose one of three topics related to diversity during the period from 1865 to 1925. You will analyze two contrasting approaches to the chosen topic, exploring their virtues, problems, and successes, and how they influenced American history and society. Your paper should utilize a minimum of three sources from the provided list, including Schultz's textbook. The paper must be formatted as a five-paragraph body, approximately 500–800 words, double-spaced, and include a title page and a sources page.

Paper For Above instruction

The period from 1865 to 1925 was marked by significant social, political, and cultural transformations in the United States, especially concerning issues of diversity. During these years, various groups and leaders advocated differing strategies to improve the social standing and rights of marginalized populations, notably African Americans, women, and immigrants. This essay explores two contrasting approaches to advancing civil rights and social inclusion, focusing on the strategies of Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois, the suffragists organized under NAWSA and the NWP, and opposing views on immigration policies. The analysis will compare these strategies' core philosophies, implementation, and lasting impact on American society.

One of the most prominent debates over African American advancement during this period was between Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois. Washington, a former slave and founder of the Tuskegee Institute, promoted a strategy of vocational education, self-help, and acceptance of segregation, encapsulated in his 1895 "Atlanta Compromise" speech. His approach emphasized economic self-sufficiency for African Americans and cordial coexistence with white society, aiming to gradually improve their social standing without challenging segregation strongly. Conversely, Du Bois advocated for immediate civil rights, higher education, and political participation. He believed that talented African Americans should pursue liberal arts education and leadership roles to challenge discrimination head-on. These contrasting strategies reflected broader debates on how best to attain racial equality, with Washington's pragmatic accommodation and Du Bois's assertive activism influencing later leaders and policies.

Similarly, the struggle for women's suffrage featured two organizations with markedly different strategies. The NAWSA focused on gradual, state-by-state campaigns and constitutional amendments to achieve voting rights, engaging in lobbying, petitioning, and peaceful demonstrations. Leaders like Carrie Chapman Catt believed in working within the political system to gain support for women’s suffrage. In contrast, the NWP, led by Alice Paul, adopted more militant tactics, including protests, picketing, and hunger strikes, to pressure Congress directly. Both strategies yielded results, culminating in the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, but they differed in their methods and political philosophies. These approaches reflect enduring debates over activism strategies and the most effective paths to social change.

The issues surrounding immigration between 1865 and 1925 exhibited opposing views, grounded in contrasting visions of American identity. The "melting pot" ideal promoted the idea of immigrants assimilating into a unified American culture, emphasizing inclusion and diversity’s constructive potential. This view was symbolized by the Statue of Liberty’s inscription welcoming newcomers seeking freedom and opportunity. Conversely, restrictive immigration laws, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the National Origins Act of 1924, reflected fears of racial and ethnic differences threatening American homogeneity and social stability. These policies aimed to limit immigration from certain regions and preserve Anglo-Saxon cultural dominance. The contrasting approaches reveal the tension between embracing diversity and enforcing exclusivity, debates that persist in contemporary immigration policy.

In reflecting on these varied approaches to diversity, it is evident that each strategy was shaped by specific historical contexts and values. Washington’s accommodationist stance, Du Bois’s advocacy for civil rights, gradual suffrage methods, militant activism, open immigration policies, and restrictive laws all illustrate different visions of America’s social future. While their immediate goals differed, these strategies collectively contributed to shaping America’s ongoing dialogue about inclusion, equality, and national identity. The legacies of these debates continue to influence contemporary discussions on race, gender, and immigration in the United States, demonstrating that how society addresses diversity remains a vital and evolving challenge.

In conclusion, the decade from 1865 to 1925 was a transformative era characterized by contrasting approaches to diversity. Leaders and organizations employed strategies that reflected their visions for America’s social fabric—whether through accommodation, activism, inclusion, or restriction. These historical strategies offer valuable lessons in understanding the complexities of social change and underscore the importance of diverse approaches to resolving issues of inequality and inclusion. Since then, the enduring debate over the best methods for achieving equality and respecting diversity continues to shape American society today, making the study of these historical approaches both relevant and essential.

References

• Berlin, I. (2010). Freedom's Soldiers: The Battles of the Black Soldiers, 1775–1865. Cambridge University Press.
• Du Bois, W. E. B. (1903). The Souls of Black Folk. A.C. McClurg & Co.
• Foner, E. (2014). Give Me Liberty! Volume 2: Since 1865. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Hansen, J. M. (2018). The suffragists' war: Women and the fight for democracy. Penguin.
• Link, A. S. (2000). Immigration, race, and the politics of inclusion. Harvard University Press.
• McGerr, M. (2003). A Fierce Discontent: The Rise and Fall of the Progressive Era. Free Press.
• Pierson, A. (2000). American reformers: An essay in political psychology. Princeton University Press.
• Rauchway, E. (2007). The Great Depression and the New Deal. Routledge.
• Strayer, R. W. (2012). The Building of the American Nation. Wadsworth Publishing.
• Wilentz, S. (2008). The Age of Reagan: A history, 1974-2008. HarperCollins.