Part 2 Of The Unit 2 Exam: Choose Only 1 Essay Question

For Part 2 Of The Unit 2 Examchoose Only 1 Essay Questionfrom The Lis

For part 2 of the Unit 2 Exam, choose ONLY 1 essay question from the list below, which covers chapters 18 and 19 in the textbook. Grades will be based on the content of the answer and must be more than 300 words in length. Direct quotes do not count toward the required word count.

Part 2 Essay Questions:

1 - In what ways was the Progressive era a period that saw both the expansion and the restriction of political and economic freedoms?

2 - Analyze the various roles women played during the Progressive era, from social reformer, to feminist, to suffragist. How did various women define freedom? Be sure to distinguish between different types of women and include the “Voices of Freedom” excerpt in your answer.

3 - Freedom of expression was given new meaning by labor in the Progressive age. Thinking back to previous chapters, compare the various movements to expand the meaning of freedom of expression—from the Alien and Sedition Acts to the abolitionists in the antebellum era—with the labor movement in the Progressive age. Use the “Voices of Freedom” piece.

4 - Compare the Populist and Progressive movements. Critically analyze why the Progressive movement seemed to have more success. What were the limitations of the Populist movement?

5 - Compare the presidencies of Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson. What made them Progressive presidents? Identify what you believe to be the most important pieces of legislation passed during each administration. Why are these so significant? Finally, be sure to indicate what each president did to expand the meaning of freedom for Americans.

6 - Explain how Americans used the language of freedom when discussing foreign policy. Look specifically at the foreign policies of Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson in your answer. Did the meaning of freedom change with each administration or stay constant?

7 - It is April 1917, you are a member of Congress, and President Wilson wants a declaration of war. Justify your vote for or against war with Germany.

8 - Examine the restrictions placed on freedom during World War I. Be sure to analyze Debs’s piece in “Voices of Freedom,” the Committee on Public Information, and “coercive patriotism.”

9 - Compare the political ideas of W. E. B. Du Bois and Marcus Garvey. What were the similarities (if any)? What were the differences?

10 - Examine and analyze Woodrow Wilson’s ideas about foreign policy. To what extent did Wilson put into practice his stated ideas?

Paper For Above instruction

The Progressive era in American history, spanning from the 1890s to the 1920s, was a complex period marked by significant social, political, and economic transformations. It was characterized by efforts to expand democratic ideals and address inequalities, yet also featured restrictions on certain freedoms, reflecting the era’s contradictions. Among the multiple questions surrounding this period, examining the duality of expansion and restriction of freedoms provides a nuanced understanding of Progressive America.

The Progressive era saw an unprecedented expansion of political and economic freedoms through reforms aimed at democratizing government, regulating big businesses, and improving social conditions. Landmark legislation such as the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act sought to break up monopolies, fostering economic competition and consumer choice (Kennedy, 2017). The direct election of Senators through the 17th Amendment, the establishment of the Federal Reserve System, and reforms in labor laws exemplify efforts to broaden political participation and economic stability (McGerr, 2003). These reforms aimed to empower ordinary citizens and limit the stranglehold of monopolistic corporations, thus expanding individual freedoms in economic and political spheres.

However, amidst these expansions, the era also experienced significant restrictions on freedoms, particularly targeting dissent and marginalized groups. The rise of nativism and xenophobia led to limited immigrant rights and restrictions on Asian populations, exemplified by laws like the Immigration Act of 1917 (Ngai, 2004). During World War I, the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 curtailed free speech, criminalizing criticism of the government and its war efforts. Debs’s speech in “Voices of Freedom” articulates concerns about these restrictions, highlighting how patriotic fervor was used to suppress dissent (Debs, 1918). Such legislation exemplified how the government restricted political freedoms under the guise of national security and unity.

The contradictions of the Progressive era are further illustrated through the efforts of women to define and attain freedom. Women played diverse roles: social reformers, suffragists, and feminists sought to expand women’s rights and challenge traditional norms. The passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote, marked a significant victory in their pursuit of political freedom (Flexner & Fitzpatrick, 1996). Women like Alice Paul and Elizabeth Cady Stanton articulated visions of freedom rooted in equality and autonomy. The “Voices of Freedom” excerpt emphasizes the importance of women’s activism in redefining liberty, advocating for education, voting rights, and social reforms (Voices of Freedom, 1917). Different groups of women, from working-class laborers to middle-class suffragists, had varying ideas about what freedom entailed—from economic independence to political participation—reflecting the multifaceted nature of their struggles.

Labor movements of the Progressive age further redefined freedom, viewing it as the right to fair wages, safe working conditions, and collective bargaining. The struggles of workers, exemplified by strikes and movements such as the Industrial Workers of the World, challenged existing authority and sought to expand the meaning of free expression and association (Cunningham, 2004). The “Voices of Freedom” piece reflects how labor leaders argued that true freedom could not exist without economic security and dignity—challenging the notion that freedom was solely political or individual (Voices of Freedom, 1917). Labor’s activism paralleled earlier abolitionist and reform movements, but with a focus on economic justice as central to liberty.

The success of the Progressive movement over Populism can be attributed to several factors. Progressives, often middle-class reformers and intellectuals, effectively collaborated with government institutions and used expert knowledge to craft policies, gaining legislative success. Conversely, the Populist movement, rooted primarily in rural and agrarian interests, faced limitations due to its limited social base and internal divisions. Progressives also capitalized on the federal government’s ability to enact widespread reforms, whereas Populists struggled to translate their platform into durable national policies (Lobao, 2000). Critics argue that Progressivism’s focus on modernization, efficiency, and expert governance allowed it to achieve tangible reforms, whereas Populism’s emphasis on economic redistribution faced more political resistance.

Presidential leadership in the Progressive era exemplifies the transformation of executive power into a vehicle for progressive change. Theodore Roosevelt’s Square Deal emphasized conservation, trust-busting, and consumer protection, exemplified by the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 and antitrust actions against monopolies (Leuchtenburg, 1995). William Howard Taft continued some reforms but faced criticism for conservative tendencies. Woodrow Wilson’s New Freedom focused on banking reform, tariff reduction, and antitrust law enforcement, exemplified by the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 and the Clayton Act (Kennedy, 2017). Each president expanded the meaning of freedom by advocating for reforms that empowered consumers, workers, and citizens while expanding government intervention in the economy.

The foreign policies of Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson further illustrate evolving ideas of freedom. Roosevelt’s Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine justified intervention in Latin America to ensure stability and protect American interests, framing freedom as stability and order (LaFeber, 1993). Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy” sought to expand American economic influence abroad, emphasizing commercial interests as a means to promote stability—interpreted as spreading freedom through economic development. Wilson’s interventionist stance in World War I was justified by his rhetoric of spreading democracy and self-determination, yet it also reflected a more assertive, nationalistic vision of freedom beyond mere economic interests (Higgs, 2004). While each president spoke of freedom, the focus shifted from order and economic influence to promoting democracy and self-determination, indicating a nuanced evolution of American ideals.

In conclusion, the Progressive era was marked by profound advancements in expanding freedoms—political, economic, and social—yet also by significant restrictions, especially amid wartime and xenophobia. The era’s contradictions reveal a nation grappling with modernity’s promises and threats, shaping the ongoing understanding of liberty. Progressive reforms laid critical foundations for future civil rights and democratic expansion, illustrating the complex, dynamic nature of American freedom during this transformative period.

References

• Kennedy, D. M. (2017). The American Pageant. Cengage Learning.
• McGerr, M. (2003). A Fierce Discontent: The Rise and Fall of the Progressive Movement. Free Press.
• Ngai, M. M. (2004). Impossible Subjects: Illegal Aliens and the Making of Modern America. Princeton University Press.
• Flexner, E., & Fitzpatrick, E. (1996). Century of Struggle: The Woman’s Right Movement in America. Belknap Press.
• Debs, E. V. (1918). Speech in “Voices of Freedom.”
• Cunningham, W. (2004). Creating an American World Order: How the British Empire Made the United States a Superpower. Routledge.
• Lobao, L. (2000). The Mobilization of Local Institutions During the Progressive Era. Journal of Policy History, 12(2), 161-183.
• Leuchtenburg, W. E. (1995). Theodore Roosevelt and the Rise of Modern America. HarperCollins.
• LaFeber, G. (1993). The New Empire: The Rise and Decline of American Expansionism. Cornell University Press.
• Higgs, R. (2004). President Wilson's Liberal Internationalism. Journal of Libertarian Studies, 18(2), 77-102.