Liberty, Equality, Power, vol. 2. Almost 500 pages survey a variety of reflections and discussions of different aspects of the political and social history of the United States from the period of Reconstruction up to the present. As the title runs, the focus is very much on comprehension of liberty, equality and power contributed to the U. S. history, although there are some comments on American history in general. The American history is the main field of authors of Liberty, Equality, Power, vol.
2. James M. McPherson (the author of chapters 13-19) specializes in a Civil War history, whereas Gary Gerstle, the author of Chapters 20-25 is a specialist in the U.S. history of labor, nationalism, politics, ethnicity and immigration. Their work shows integrity of historical development and social conditions for American ethnos formation. Comprehension of American history against a background of social events gives us a possibility to interpret Liberty, Equality, Power as a new model of American history.
The authors present an excellent attempt to synthesize wide-ranging literature on examined theme. The theme of liberty is often related to the themes of equality and at the same time concept of equality is often related to liberty and power which seem to be mutually contradictory. However, such idea is not correct. From this point of view, the liberty is the beginning of all the things. Liberty and power have great impact on the development of society. Yet, the reality that determines all existing in the world influences the compound process of historical development. Both ideas are interrelated because they suppose existence of different factors, explaining why different societies and personalities managed to dominate or collapse. I realize that my survey is brief and incomplete.
The Essay on Liberty and Equality
The principles of liberty and equality are what led America to be the great country it is today. Those terms would not be as meaningful if Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and many other founders of our country did not embrace those ideas and adopt them from the Europeans. The strong belief in liberty and equality led this nation to adhere to those standards set by the great ...
However, despite it is being selective, I have pursued a goal of backing up my opinion that mankind had been preoccupied with concept of liberty, equality and power since the ancient time. To do that, I have given an idea of literature, based on Liberty, Equality, Power. The book provides students with sound explanations of how the countries and historical figures achieve, loose and use power. The authors also provide students with examples of how sometimes making decisions can either be granted success or failures for the whole nation. However, it imposes a question on the reader and suggests to use own judgment based on beliefs and values. James M. McPherson and Gary Gerstle have clearly read a lot of literature to write this historical survey and their knowledge covers a lot of historical and socio-cultural information.
The authors do claim to a detailed historical approach, although they also reckon on their readers knowledge. Their aim, evidently, is to provide much more rounded picture of American history, focusing attention on their favourite themes: the period of Reconstruction (1863-1877), Politics of Stalemate (1865-1890), Economic Change and the Crisis of the 1890s and detailed consideration of America as an industrial society (1890-1920), to mention a few. James M. McPherson examines the period Reconstruction as a chronicle of individuals. He presents readers a history of American Reconstruction (1867-1877) and surveys the past from the perspectives of working people. This chapter incorporates great effort to interpret the history of America from the bottom up. The author narrates about Wartime Reconstruction, linking it to problem of black equality.
Reading the chapter we come to conclusion that history is made by certain people who belong to certain ethnic groups. These people have certain prejudices and ideas, which influence and shape Americans history and views. Despite the opinion that multiculturalism should be enhanced, there was a problem of racial equality. Although the majority of Northern states declared the end of slavery, the problem didnt disappear. Only after heated debates in society the slavery was ended and opened the diverse perspectives of Americans of all ethnic groups and races. However, some Republicans were worried that slaves werent protected enough because they considered that rights of freed slaves were a subject of much controversy.
The Essay on Characteristics and Impacts of American Reconstruction
The key goals of Reconstruction were to readmit the South into the Union and to define the status of freedmen in American society. The Reconstruction era was marked by political, not violent, conflict. Some historical myths are that the South was victimized by Reconstruction, and that the various plans of Reconstruction were corrupt and unjust. Actually, the plans were quite lenient, enforcing ...
Only afterwards freed slaves received the right to vote as well as possibility to enjoy other human rights. The author also focuses attention on all stages of Reconstruction, dwelling on the retreat from Reconstruction, when public opinion had many objections to the Republicans in the South. He mentions the Mississippi plan of 1875, according to which all whites should become Democrats, browbeating of black voters, as well as some of well-known lawsuits (U.S. v. Cruikshank of 1870, U.S. v. Reese of 1871 and several civil rights court examinations in 1883) Gary Gerstle aims to combine explanation and description of American history focusing attention on completely different view of American history.
Gerstle shows that problems of our past history are closely related to modern national problems. He is anxious about the American history: thats why he examines the development and establishment of social-economical relations as well as social, ethnic and gender issues that caused significant changes. In contrast to other writers, he tries to show complicated ethnical history of America: the story of African American Labor and Community, the era of new sociality and examines womens social role as being subjected to re-comprehending. One of the issues in his chapter is related to concept of new woman. He considers that although society at least tries to involve women in all kinds of social and political life, the whole portrayal is far from truth. The fact is that women roles are still represented in a wrong way obeying the old stereotypes.
Gerstle speaks about womens social integration into new society and their positive role in development of country. While the general historical events are quite briefly described, greater emphases are laid on documenting the policy of equality, ethnic and gender issues. The history of community, race and gender issues, ethnicity, life and values of American citizens, social and economic conflicts, progress and poverty, the rise and fall of the American Century, new economy and reconstruction all these themes find their full reflection in Gerstles chapter..
The Essay on Social Justiceand The Role Of The Social Worker
Social Justice and the Role of Social Work Social and economic justice occurs when "all members of a society share equally in the social order, secure an equitable consideration of resources and opportunities, and enjoy their full benefit of civil liberties" (DuBois & Krogsrud Miley, 1996; p.15). An easier way to understand the concept of social and economic justice may be to consider what is ...
