Session One Assignment (2)
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McNeese State University *
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421W
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History
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Dec 6, 2023
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1
Session One Assignment
SOCL 421W
Version of 1-5-23
The total minimum word count for this assignment is 700 words (after completely
answering questions 1-7).
1. The left-right continuum of political ideologies has served for decades as a foundational
construct for studying American extremism. However, in Reading 1.1, the author claims that the
continuum has not always adapted well to changing times and new circumstances. Give a few
examples of how the continuum concept has failed to adapt.
-
The continuum concept is a notion proposed by Jean Liedloff in her 1975 book The
Continuum Concept that human beings have an inbuilt set of expectations that our
species' evolution has intended us to satisfy in order to attain maximum physical, mental,
and emotional growth and adaptation. Expectations for men and women are gendered.
The gravity of crimes and the sanctions imposed in response to such offenses. Typically,
political beliefs can be classified as "left wing" or "right wing." Therefore, these were the
instances of the concept. The book states,
"For example, Americans born during the
Great Depression may associate extremism with the social upheavals of World War II,
and with the neo-Nazis and communists who appeared to threaten the American way of
life after the war ended."
2. How did American extremism in the United States change during 2017? Was this a distinct
change to a new form of extremism, or simply a variation upon earlier types of extremist
activity?
-
"Starting in 2017, there was a noticeable uptick in white supremacist violence, which
continued for two years and culminated in a devastating August 2019 attack in El Paso,
which left 22 innocent people dead." White supremacist violence rose to extreme levels,
and has been prevalent ever since. The internet became a perpetual tool in promoting
white supremacist ideologies through “unmoderated “free speech” discussion groups”.
This ease of communication makes it rather different to earlier spurts of extremist
activity.
3. What factors contributed to the growth of the Anti-Masonic Movement?
-
Organized extremism, as they believed their group was founded in response to fighting
what they regarded ‘extremism’. Social, political and economic factors were driven by
paranoia. The Mason trials were also largely of influence.
4. Whatever happened to the original Ku Klux Klan of the post–civil war era? Why do John
George and Laird Wilcox refer to the Klan as the premier extremist organization of the 19th
century?
2
-
The KKK was created after the civil war and got a “second wind” from the Red Scare,
according to George and Wilcox. Through the intent of prosecuting the left-wing, the
KKK gained a “measure of respectability” that it did not have in the 19
th
century. They
were anti-immigrant, and anti-catholic, and espoused a hatred of jews and elitists. They
were also the largest or the “top” extremist group of the 20
th
century because of its size.
5. Do you know of any political initiative in your community that is designed to limit the number
of immigrants moving into your community? If so, briefly describe it. (If you cannot think of any
initiatives, look online for communities that may be known for their desire to restrict
immigration. Explain what they do to try to limit immigration.)
-
The Immigration Restriction league, founded in 1894, were convinced that “Anglo-Saxon
traditions, peoples, and culture were being drowned in a flood of racially inferior
foreigners from Southern and Eastern Europe” (Lee, 2019). The league utilized
pamphlets, books, meetings and countless journal and newspaper articles to promote their
campaign of anti-immigration and eugenics. Though, the league was disbanded in 1921,
after Prescott F. Hall, the founders’ death.
6. According to Mark A. Crenson, what happened when the Know-Nothings rose to power in
Baltimore? Were they successful in making any reforms in the city?
-
Baltimore broke out of the two-party system, in 1854, to elect a Know-nothing
government, according to Crenson. Samuel Hinks, the mayor, owned majority of city
council and won the election, despite him never holding public office. A 70 page bill
sponsored by the Baltimore democrat Martin Kerney came into effect, providing that
“"whenever any white child or children ... shall be taught gratuitously or at the same rates
as the pupils in the Public Schools, in any Orphan Asylum, School, or Academy ... it shall
be the duty of the School Commissioners of the City of Baltimore and the Trustees of the
School Districts of the several counties to pay ... such sum for the education of each child
taught." This bill is considered to be the “ancestor” of legislative action regarding
schooling across western culture.
7. After reading Crenson’s chapter, how can you explain the decline of the Know-Nothings in
Maryland?
-
Nationally, the Know-Nothing movement was dismantled when the issue of slavery
arose, trumping any issues of immigration. Northern delegates “walked out of the
American party convention in 1856, and the party’s national council dissolved in 1857.”
This disintegration of council came as a response to advisories that suggested the party’s
adherents to adopt structures and policies “best suited” to local circumstances.”
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