History Paper Assignment: Jane Addams And Twenty Years At Hu

History Paper Assignmentjane Addamstwenty Years At Hull House Ed Vi

Jane Addams, Twenty Years at Hull House, ed. Victoria Bissell Brown (Bedford, 1999). The assignment offers students a choice between two prompts: to analyze whether Jane Addams was more aligned with democratic or elitist tendencies within progressivism based on her book and primary sources, or to explore how Hull House's original goals evolved over time and assess its success in achieving those goals. The paper should be approximately five pages, double-spaced, with a clear thesis supported by evidence from the book and other primary sources, cited by page number in parentheses.

Students should begin with an introduction that states their thesis. The body of the paper must organize supporting evidence logically, integrating quotations and paraphrases with proper citation. The conclusion should briefly summarize how the evidence supports the thesis. The writing should be well-organized with proper grammar and punctuation. The paper must include the student's name, professor's name, course and section, and date at the top of the first page. Submissions are to be uploaded to the Turnitin drop box on Blackboard by Monday, April 17th, 2016, and late papers will not be accepted.

Paper For Above instruction

Jane Addams stands prominently as a pivotal figure in the American progressive movement. Her work at Hull House exemplifies her lifelong commitment to social reform, emphasizing the importance of community-based assistance and social justice. The primary question guiding this paper is whether Addams's approach was predominantly democratic or elitist, drawing from her own writings in Twenty Years at Hull House and other primary sources. By analyzing her philosophy and actions, it becomes evident that Addams was fundamentally a democratic reformer who sought to empower the marginalized and engage them actively in societal improvement, contrary to the elitist tendencies sometimes associated with progressivism.

Initially, Hull House was established with the core goals of reducing poverty, providing educational opportunities, and fostering community engagement among immigrants and the working class. These objectives reflected Addams’s belief in the capacity of ordinary people to effect change through collective effort and education. Over time, Hull House expanded its scope to include children’s clubs, labor organizing, and advocacy for social reform policies such as housing and sanitation improvements. Despite these expansions, the fundamental mission remained rooted in fostering democratic participation and empowering working-class communities, illustrating a consistent belief in the agency of ordinary citizens.

At the heart of Addams’s philosophy was the conviction that society should be a community of equals, which she articulated through her emphasis on “social justice” achieved through cooperation, education, and mutual understanding. Her opposition to elitism is evident in her frequent advocacy for listening to and working alongside the poor rather than viewing them as objects of charity or subjects of paternalistic reforms. For example, her engagement in settlement work was characterized by a participatory approach, seeking to give voice to those often ignored by mainstream politics and social institutions. This democratic ethos is further underlined by her involvement in various civic and political movements aimed at reforms that expanded voting rights, labor protections, and social welfare programs.

Historical evidence from Addams’s writings and actions reinforces her democratic orientation. In particular, her descriptions of Hull House residents and her efforts to facilitate their active participation in decision-making processes demonstrate her rejection of elitist paternalism. Her advocacy for policies that aimed to elevate the status of immigrants and the working class exemplifies her trust in their capacity for self-determination. Furthermore, her criticisms of elitist tendencies within progressivism, which sometimes prioritized expert knowledge over popular participation, underscore her commitment to democratic principles.

While critics have argued that Addams’s social work sometimes reflected a paternalistic attitude, her writings reveal that she prioritized dialogue, mutual respect, and empowerment. For instance, she cherished the idea of “building community,” seeing it as a fundamental democratic process where ordinary citizens could influence social policy and improve their circumstances. Thus, her approach was more aligned with democratic values than with elitist dominance or condescension.

In conclusion, based on her actions, writings, and the overarching philosophy conveyed in Twenty Years at Hull House, Jane Addams was predominantly a democratic progressive. Her work emphasized empowerment, participation, and respect for community agency, which stand in contrast to elitist tendencies. Her legacy exemplifies a belief in the capacity of ordinary citizens to shape society through democratic engagement and community-based action, making her a quintessential figure in the democratic wing of the progressive movement.

References

• Addams, Jane. Twenty Years at Hull House. Edited by Victoria Bissell Brown, Bedford Publishers, 1999.
• Dumenil, Lynn. The Modern Temper: American Culture and Society in the 1920s. Hill and Wang, 1995.
• Riegel, Robert, et al. Progressivism and the New Era. Harper & Row, 1973.
• McGerr, James. A Fierce Discontent: The Rise and Fall of the Progressive Movement. Oxford University Press, 2003.
• Formisano, Ronald P. The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism. Harvard University Press, 2009.
• Nelson, David. Men of Progress: Victorian New York and the Birth of American Capitalism. University of Chicago Press, 2009.
• Gordon, Linda. Deploying Social Reform: Women's Movements and the State, 1880-1930. Routledge, 1990.
• Lewis, David Levering. W.E.B. Du Bois: Biography. Henry Holt and Company, 2009.
• Sklar, Holly. The Communitarian Vision: Community and Morality in a Democratic Society. Westview Press, 1999.
• Chafetz, Glenn. The Civil Rights Movement. ABC-CLIO, 2001.