Daijhon Exam Part 1 (1)

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Upton Sinclair's assertion that the United States circa 1905 resembled a jungle, unfit for a civilized society, finds compelling support in historical narratives and scholarly analyses. The era was marked by profound socio- economic disparities and widespread discontent, particularly among the politically powerless segments of society. In Sinclair's novel "The Jungle," he vividly portrays the harsh conditions endured by immigrant workers in the meatpacking industry, highlighting their exploitation and suffering. These workers, predominantly immigrants and minorities, comprised a significant portion of the politically powerless during this period. Their labor was crucial for the booming industrial economy, yet they faced abysmal working conditions, low wages, and little to no job security. Urofsky's Supreme Decisions, Volume 2, provides valuable insights into the various groups comprising the politically powerless during this era. This included not only industrial workers but also marginalized communities such as women, racial minorities, and immigrants. These groups, despite their numerical strength, lacked political influence and were often marginalized by the prevailing power structures. Urofsky discusses the plight of African Americans during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. Despite legislative efforts to secure civil rights through amendments like the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, African Americans faced severe discrimination and violence.

The documentary series Chicago: City of the Century, particularly episodes 1 and 2, offer a comprehensive portrayal of the socio-economic landscape of early 20th-century America. It depicts the struggles of labor activists and the challenges faced by workers in urban industrial centers like Chicago. According to Chicago ep 2 “Moreover, the portrayal of corrupt political machines and figures like Boss Tweed and Patrick A. "Paddy" Bauler underscores the pervasiveness of corruption and the disenfranchisement of the masses from the political process. This suggests that while some wealthy individuals like John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford may have seen laissez- faire policies as unprofitable, they still wielded significant influence within a system characterized by corruption and manipulation.” The narratives presented underscore the pervasive dissatisfaction with the status quo and the urgent need for reform. Furthermore, in Our Plan, episode 1 of The Prize, the discontent among both the politically powerless and certain wealthy elites like John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford is emphasized. These affluent individuals, despite their privileged positions, recognized the inherent flaws of laissez-faire capitalism. They understood that unchecked capitalism led to social unrest and economic instability, ultimately threatening their own interests. Episode 4 of New York, titled The Power and the People, further explores the complexities of power dynamics during this period. It highlights how even influential figures like Rockefeller and Ford acknowledged the necessity of government intervention to address societal issues and establish

a more equitable social order. The U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence, while espousing principles of equality and liberty, often fell short in protecting the rights of all citizens, particularly those from marginalized communities. As highlighted in Novak's "The Myth of the ‘Weak’ American State," the American state was often perceived as weak, especially concerning its ability to regulate economic activities and protect the rights of workers and minorities. This weakness allowed powerful interests, such as wealthy industrialists like John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford, to exploit the system for their gain, contributing to the inequalities and injustices prevalent in society. Additionally, Kenny's "The Antislavery Origins of U.S. Immigration Policy" sheds light on the intertwined histories of immigration and labor exploitation in the United States. Immigrants, particularly those from non- Western European countries, faced discrimination and exploitation in the labor market, further exacerbating social inequalities. "Revolution," episode 1 of "Not for Ourselves Alone," supports the assertion that Upton Sinclair. was correct in his characterization of the United States circa 1905 as a jungle. The video showcases the deep-rooted discrimination faced by women in the political sphere. Susan B. Anthony's frustration with the proposed Fourteenth Amendment, which explicitly included the word "male," highlights how women were excluded from citizenship and voting rights. Despite their efforts to change the language of the amendment, they faced resistance from male allies within the movement who prioritized other issues, such as African American suffrage, over

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women's rights. This demonstrates the politically powerless position of women in advocating for their own enfranchisement. "To address this assertion, we need to consider the source provided, which is "Failure Is Impossible," episode 2 of "Not for Ourselves Alone." This source primarily focuses on the women's suffrage movement in the United States during the 19th century, particularly highlighting the efforts of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. The video also discusses the struggles of suffragists like Susan B. Anthony and Virginia Minor to secure voting rights for women. Despite their efforts, as seen in the Minor v. Happersett case, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled against Minor, stating that voting was not guaranteed to citizens and could be decided by individual states. This decision reinforced existing inequalities and led to further disenfranchisement, particularly of African Americans in Southern states. Despite setbacks in the legal system, suffragists like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton continued to advocate for women's rights through activism and public speaking engagements. Stanton, for example, traveled extensively to spread awareness and garner support for suffrage, demonstrating a commitment to challenging the existing social and political order. “gumbonce,” ep. 2 of The Way West highlight various facets of this transformation, including the displacement and subjugation of Native American tribes, exemplified by events such as the Battle of Little Big Horn and the subsequent forced relocation of indigenous peoples to reservations. Additionally, the emergence of movements like the Ghost Dance reflects the desperate attempts of Native Americans to preserve their traditional way of life in the face of encroaching civilization. The Ghost Dance movement, with its vision of a utopian future and the return to a pre-colonial existence, underscores the profound impact of European-American

expansion on indigenous cultures and societies. The movement's rapid spread among Native American reservations and the subsequent fear and misunderstanding it incited among white settlers and authorities further exemplify the societal tensions and conflicts that characterized this period of American history. Furthermore, the violent suppression of the Ghost Dance at Wounded Knee serves as a poignant symbol of the clash between different visions of the West and the brutal realities of its conquest. The film "Matewan" illustrates the harsh conditions faced by coal miners and their families, as well as the oppressive tactics employed by wealthy individuals and corporations to maintain control over them. The politically powerless groups referred to in the film are the coal miners and their families, who are subjected to exploitation and mistreatment by the coal companies and their hired thugs. From "Gumbo," episode 1 of Jazz, highlights the oppressive environment faced by African Americans in the post-Civil War era, including segregation, discrimination, and the systemic denial of civil rights. Laws like Jim Crow and the Plessy vs. Ferguson ruling institutionalized racial segregation and upheld white supremacy. Voting against the construction of a monetarily profitable social order, even with government assistance as needed, would be misguided because it would perpetuate the injustices and inequalities inherent in the societal structure of the time. Upton Sinclair's characterization of the United States circa 1905 as a jungle reflects the rampant exploitation, suffering, and disenfranchisement experienced by the politically powerless, who comprised various marginalized groups such as industrial workers, immigrants, women, and people of color. These

groups faced systemic oppression, economic exploitation, and lack of political representation, leading to dire living conditions and limited opportunities for social mobility. Moreover, even wealthy individuals like John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford recognized the inherent flaws of laissez-faire capitalism and advocated for government intervention to address social and economic issues. Therefore, voting against measures aimed at constructing a more equitable and just society with government assistance would perpetuate the status quo of inequality, exploitation, and suffering, ultimately undermining the well-being and progress of the nation as a whole. “The Many Lives of American Reconstruction” discusses the lack of coherence in Reconstruction initiatives and the resulting bitterness and injustice that characterized the period. This bitterness and injustice, stemming from the failure to achieve meaningful equality and justice for all citizens, contributes to the portrayal of the United States as a society in disarray, characterized by deep divisions and systemic injustices. Also, it mentions the views of rich white males like John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford, who saw laissez-faire policies as unprofitable anarchy. Despite their economic status, even they recognized the need for a more structured and potentially government-supported social order. This suggests that even those at the top of the socioeconomic ladder were dissatisfied with the state of society, further indicating the presence of societal shortcomings. “American Progressivism” outlines practical grounds for Progressive-era reform, including targeting corruption and social and economic unrest. This aligns with the assertion's characterization of reformers as acting on

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practical grounds to address these issues. Initiatives such as civil service reform, anti-monopoly measures, and political reforms like the Seventeenth and Nineteenth Amendments reflect this practical approach to tackling societal problems. In conclusion, the evidence presented from various sources paints a vivid picture of early 20th-century America as a society plagued by socio- economic disparities, political disenfranchisement, and institutionalized discrimination. Upton Sinclair's assertion that the United States resembled a jungle, unfit for a civilized society, holds weight when considering the realities faced by marginalized and politically powerless groups. The need for reform was urgent, as highlighted by the widespread dissatisfaction and the acknowledgment even among the privileged elite of the flaws within the existing system. “Abolition 1+2+3.MP4.” Google Drive. Accessed February 13, 2024. https://drive.google.com/file/d/16PxvLUP4d5y4gMI7lW2l6prKlCVo0Ob4/view. “Chicago 1 SUB 000153 - 004336.MP4.” Google Drive, January 13, 2003. https://drive.google.com/file/d/19anLh99MFrcH0lUYYF7fvSvVkM4Yvph6/view. “Corp Sub 000555 - 001810.MP4.” Google Drive, 2003. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BwVAxILlwFP0uaYAx55LFW-YAx8_k6RR/view. “Jazz 1 Sub 1+2+3.MP4.” Google Drive, 2000. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UByfwWGZR0JVNcb91qT7UpeY3_OQe5T5/view. Kenny, Kevin. “The Antislavery Origins of US Immigration Policy.” The Journal of the Civil War Era, September 1, 2021. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/803638. “Matewan Sub 000040 - 002527.MP4.” Google Drive, 1987. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CyEhMExG82E61fyFOBGD4eET4x5vJdbU/view.

Mitton, S. “‘American Progressivism.’” Boca Raton, January 8, 2018. Mitton, S. “‘The Many Lives of American Reconstruction.’” Boca Raton, January 8, 2018. “New York 4 SUB 000000 - 005747.MP4.” Google Drive, November 14, 1999. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s_RWuUAZxVuaDno6zHAk5QZ1S-VtQCnO/view. “Not 2 000000 -002347.MP4.” Google Drive, 1999. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1npsIoUukJF2EC6HHxlRve9UxJ3EWRJUN/view. “Not for Our 1 012048 - 013100.MP4.” Google Drive, 1999. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gOf0_B-1Lfn7BHtc7fBVwxuGkeSE4sLC/view. Novak, Wiiliam J. “The Myth of the ‘Weak’ American State.” Research Gate, June 1, 2008. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279340504_The_Myth_of_the_Weak_American _State. “The Prize Part 1- Our Plan (Official Video) Episode 1 of 8.” YouTube, July 23, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2hSATHD634. “RBG SUB 1 000000 - 004643.MP4.” Google Drive, 2018. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ulezeiXtZawty2vtX1arlOsfObRDEbI8/view. Urofsky, Melvin I. “The Case of the Almost-White Traveler: 1 : Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).” Taylor & Francis, April 20, 2018. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/mono/10.4324/9780429492976-1/case-almost- white-traveler-melvin-urofsky?context=ubx&refId=dd283399-4780-4f3d-a6be- 8286afa25b29. “Way West 4 1+2+3+4.MP4.” Google Drive, 1995. https://drive.google.com/file/d/17Hv5l0PztE2_tGvvNFnnMMPTFDbUA4sz/view.

Daijhon Exam Part 1 (1)

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