IndexIntroductionThe Transformative Post-Reconstruction EraFailure of Reconstruction: Lack of Freedom for MinoritiesExploitation of Minorities During Reconstruction and AfterHypocrisy of Freedom and Freedom for the privilegedConclusionWorks CitedIntroductionAmerica is currently known as one of the most powerful and economically advanced countries in the world. However, this would not have happened without the technological and economic boom during the Reconstruction Era. As Modernism began to sweep the country, the United States of America also wanted to exercise Manifest Destiny by expanding westward and creating an industrial boom that would pave the way for the country's success. While Modernism led to immediate expansion and, moreover, positive economic growth that survives today, minority groups faced harsh treatment from those in power, those who killed Reconstruction. More specifically, Native Americans, African Americans, and various immigrant groups were negatively impacted by the country's "destiny" to expand Westward. Although European settlers were successful during this time period, it is clear that the less privileged were mistreated and undervalued in the centuries to come. The newfound democracy in America had favored the success of the colonists, at the same time excluding immigrants from the country and taking over native lands. Looking at different groups of people, it is clear that the American experience has been immensely different. For example, “The New Colossus” was an homage to the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom; at the same time, the Chinese Exclusion Act banned Chinese immigration to America. The two concepts are rather hypocritical, given the circumstances; however, the government and time period made it acceptable. In Untold History, by Stone and Kuznick, the concepts of freedom and freedom are told through the hypocritical perspectives between the United States and the less privileged; looking at the successful American democracy, “The New Colossus”, and the Chinese Exclusion Act, one can determine the hypocrisy of it all. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The Transformative Post-Reconstruction Era First, the United States was going through an extremely transformative time during the post-Reconstruction era. During this period, the United States had finally found its place in the economic and political fields; as such, the country was prospering due to the expansion and power they garnered over other countries. There was an essence of independence and freedom after the Civil War as the United States continued to grow into a true democracy. It states in (INSERT TEXT BOOK): “The severe depression that began in 1893 reinforced an idea that was developing within the country's political and financial elite: that overseas marketing for American goods could alleviate the problem of underconsumption at home and prevent economic crises. which led to class warfare in the 1890s.” In essence, the country was trying to continue to maintain its stronghold as an established country. After the Civil War, when the slaves were freed, you would think the country was much freer. While this may have been the case for the multitude of white men in the country, it is clear that other minority groups have continued to face discrimination and lack of privilege. The concepts of liberty and freedom were well sung during the founding and growth of the country, however, these concepts were only related to white men. Failure ofReconstruction: Lack of Freedom for Minorities After the Civil War, liberty and freedom were readily available - to whites. men. Although slavery was banned, discrimination was still evident through segregation and the overt racism faced by the less privileged. During this time, white women were still unable to vote in the established democracy that the country prided itself on. There was a glaring gap in the rhetoric of hope and democracy peddled by American institutions and leaders and in its reality projected onto the general masses. Since the government was made up entirely of white men, there is no doubt that their hope and democracy were subjective in nature. What they may have seen as free, the North and other minority groups, may see discrimination through racism and sexism. In Untold History it states: “What is freedom? Is it the mere privilege of not being chained? If this is all, then freedom is a bitter mockery, a cruel decision." In essence, Congressman James A. Garfield was explaining the true meaning of the freedom accepted at that time; while white men were free in every way thanks to their privileges, there seemed to be little definitive evidence as to what freedom really meant for the masses. Certainly the historical development of freedom in this period was not very progressive. As such, there was a problem with freedom and independence, as not everyone received the same benefits from the legislation. As Garfield stated, not being shackled is not necessarily what freedom means, especially when white men have never experienced it; furthermore, other disadvantaged groups have not experienced the same thing. Exploitation of Minorities During Reconstruction and After When you take a look at Modernism's misfortune on the less privileged, you can look at the treatment of Native Americans during westward expansion. Since the first settlers arrived in America, they believed that God had given them the power to own land in the newly discovered land. So even though the Native Americans were there on their land, the white government had decided that the land belonged to them. When American democracy was founded, Native Americans had less political autonomy than ever before; they were forced to leave their land or even killed at the expense of expansion. Obviously, the murder and seizure of the land by the people who founded it are immoral and unethical; however, the country wanted to do everything in its power to promote nationalism and superiority. Furthermore, looking at African Americans, the abolition of slavery still meant neither freedom nor freedom. During the post-Reconstruction era, African Americans still suffered from racism from society and government. Segregation and racist groups like the Ku Klux Klan made it difficult for African Americans to truly achieve freedom. While being freed from slavery is technically considered liberating, it is obvious that the harms resulting from slavery were horrific and continue to be felt today. Additionally, slavery was abolished during the Civil War as a warfare tactic; it did not necessarily mean that the government supported African Americans. As a result, they were mistreated by white Americans and did not have the same institutions, such as school/government, as whites. Later, during this time period, groups of immigrants from multiple countries were excluded from immigration and mistreated. Specifically, Chinese immigrants were prevented from immigrating to America, thus “protecting” the jobs and livelihoods of American citizens. Evidently, this is not representative of freedom or freedom for people,thus showing the gap between hope and democracy with respect to the government and the masses in general. these groups; while white men were certainly benefiting from the new democracy they had built and succeeded in, it is still clear that expansion and modernization did not benefit the less privileged. On the one hand, “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus was representative of Lady Liberty; represents the nation as a woman, which was different from that of other nations. In the world where men are typically seen as leaders, she went against the status quo by representing the United States as “A powerful woman with a torch.” Although Lazarus described the nation as one woman, it is clear that during this time women were not afforded the same rights as men. Women were denied suffrage during this time period and were essentially seen as the property of men. As such, they were devoid of any power until the women's rights movement. So, although it represented a woman, in a way, it also represents the dichotomy between the free man and the disadvantaged woman. Furthermore, he states, “Give me your tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free…Send me these, the homeless, storm-wracked ones,” who represent the masses of immigrants who were trying to enter the country. This likely represents the Chinese Exclusion Act, under which Chinese and other Asian immigrants were prevented from immigrating to the country to protect the white man's economy. This exclusion law was originally put in place to allow certain workers: teachers, merchants, or government officials, to name a few. However, as time passed, the country blocked immigration from Asian countries in an attempt to sustain white economic superiority. Obviously, the historical development during this time period was close to none; while America was supposedly seen as the “land of the free,” the government was also simultaneously preventing the arrival of immigrants. As mentioned above, it obviously becomes a question of what freedom actually means. “The New Colossus” mentions a woman's leadership and acceptance of immigrants, however, it is clear that the United States did not entirely represent these concepts. Then, taking a look at Untold History, by Stone and Kuznick, they tell the story of America's innate need for war to revive the economy. They then explain the various wars the country experienced during the expansion period, such as the Spanish-American War. Stone and Kuznick also compare the economic system to the Cuban Revolution, where “the volume of trade between the United States and Cuba, which in 1889 amounted to about $64 million, rose in 1893 to about $103 million.” So, it all comes down to the economy and the stronghold they wanted as a global power. This narrative is therefore relevant to the United States' innate need to be a global power in the face of immigration and a male-dominated society. While the country was considered free, white men bypassed the less privileged to remain powerful. Thus, Stone and Kuznick frame the story of economic growth against the lack of freedom seen by women, Native Americans, African Americans, and other immigrant groups. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Conclusion To conclude, the concepts of liberty and freedom are what the United States of America prides itself on. However, the post-Reconstruction era meant continued problems for the less privileged. Although the United States had freed the slaves, they still had to deal with,, 2012.