Equal Rights the One Group of People

¶ … Equal Rights

The one group of people in American society that has been systematically denied equal rights has been women. Women comprise half the population, but only received the right to vote in 1920. Two specific actions that have been taken to help women overcome inequity has been the suffragist movement, which helped lead to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, and also the National Organization for Women (NOW). Second and third wave feminism has helped, from Gloria Steinem to Beyonce, but Americans have a long way to go. Although American society has become more egalitarian, there are still problems with gender inequality. Women can vote and hold public office, and yet there has yet to be a female president, most lawmakers remain men, and most people in positions of power in all sectors are also men. Men head corporations and thus control the genuine power in the country. There is unequal pay for men and women, and no law to prevent that from taking place. Stereotypes and prejudices against women continue to stymie any changes in social norms.

Theme 2: Individuals, Groups, Institutions

Slavery is the most important domestic issue in American history. The nation was built on the backs of slaves. Social, economic, and political oppression characterized the United States for hundreds of years. Even after European countries had long since stopped the practice of slavery, Americans continued to buy, sell, and beat slaves. In the 19th century, there was finally an attempt to abolish slavery and the abolitionist movement began in earnest. Those for slavery based their ideals on a combination of severe greed and racism. The economy of the South depended on free labor, and the hierarchical social system likewise depended on racism. Those against slavery understood the truth that slavery is a cruelty that should never be tolerated in any form in a society that claims to promote freedom, liberty, and justice for all. The one government action taken to address the issue of slavery was the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln, but that was issued only after the Civil War.

Theme 13: Government Role in the Economy

The government plays an active role in economic affairs, from the creation and maintenance of the Federal Reserve to the free trade agreements that govern international tariffs. Two specific actions that have addressed problems with the nation's economy have been the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The Sherman Antitrust Act was passed in response to the growing concern over how monopolization of the market by mega-corporations was hurting, rather than helping, the economy. Economic growth depends on competition, which is why the government decided to step in and regulate business in an unprecedented way. The FDIC was also revolutionary in that the government offers protection to both business and consumers who rely on banks. Fewer people would use banks were it not for the FDIC.

Theme 14: Presidential Decisions