Democracy Between 1865 and 1930s

Democracy involves the will to fight and stop social injustices, respect the human rights by allowing freedom of expression, movement and right to elect a leader of your choice duly. However, the period between 1889 and 1922 was marked with cases of lynching the people of color. The move was politically instigated leading to a total death toll of 3,465 people of color (GW3 1920s Anti-Lynching Readings, p.10). 581 lynching cases were linked to rape. New York brought to book 230 persons related to cases of abuse. The alarming lynching figures contributed to the enactment of Dyer anti-lynching bill as well as the rallying of over 1million women against the act. According to Anti-Lynching Bill of 1922 section two and three, every citizen had a right to life. Therefore, it was a total obligation of the state and municipal officers to take down the perpetrators (GW3 1920s Anti-Lynching Readings, p.2). The bill also provided for prosecution of officers who cooperate with the criminals in lynching the people of color. The gunning down of people of color in the state of Georgia indicate that indeed there was no freedom of movement for people of color. The killing of one race in cold blood was an indication of lack of respect for life and segregation along racial lines. The Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill was a turning point in the history of United States to strengthen democracy where people of all races are socially accommodated and tolerated without violence.

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Democracy also entails formation of laws for the majority good and not an elite group in society. Good rules are enforceable and face little or no resistance from the citizens. In this case, Anti-lynching Bill was supported by women groups, radio broadcasts and other members of the society. Since the bill was still under discussion, killings in Brooks County continued. For instance, in 1918, a person of color killed his boss after a quarrel. The merciless and vengeful crowd murdered Mary Turner. In another case in Tulsa along the Greenwood Avenue, a man of color and woman was lynched and their house set on fire (GW3 1920s Anti-Lynching Readings, p.9). At this time, democracy was at stake because the people color lived in fear. Inability to coexist peacefully during this period shows that democratic rights of the African American women were undermined. The funding of anti-lynching campaign also illustrated social solidarity despite coming from different races. The Anti-Discrimination and Race Relations during the WW II upheld the rule of law that all Americans are born the same and are equal. However, lack of respect for the right of others and loose talk among citizens resulted in uncontrolled crimes. The American democracy was at trial because parents shared hatred values with their sons and daughters against other races such as Jewish.

The holocaust event shaped the American history regarding the need to prevent future genocide against humanity. The campaign of violence against the Jewish people led to their deportation in 1938. Cuban refused to welcome over 100,000 Jewish immigrants in 1939 (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum). Xenophobia and anti-Semitism increased fear and unwillingness to embrace the refugees. Over 2million Jewish were killed while those who survived in fear. The Senate called relief and rescue of Jewish using Jewish organization. It was difficult for humanitarian groups to save the lives of Jewish living in Europe. At the time of the Holocaust horror, democracy was at stake because European countries failed to secure the safety of immigrants.

The formation of national Christian and religious conferences contributed significantly to brotherhood and sisterhood, giving dignity to the rights of others and promoting tolerance. Religious leaders joined hands with the USA military and other organization to spread the message of cohesion and peace (

Periscope Film). More so, the effort by the religious leaders aimed at sending the message of love and care for each other. The religious groups and the military also denounced discrimination against others along racial, social status, nationality, and religious lines. The southern states realized the need for proper consideration regarding the people of color. In context, the southern states were forced to grant equal rights, employment, and education opportunities to preserve the democratic traditions of America. The need to empower men of color was meant to ease social, political and economic tensions that have existed for a very long time. Democracy became a reality in southern states once they realized that granting other race equal human rights confined in the constitution under one God was an intention of social prosperity. Example of constitutional privileges granted to the people of color included similar housing, access to education fair wages and salaries as a simple justice against prejudice.

The new deal of 1933 developed by the Congress came as a relief to the USA after a period of Dust Bowl and Great Depression of 1930 (Noel, 2016). The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) ensured that every young American undergoes vocational training between the ages of 17-25 (Classes, Teachers, Workbooks - School in the CCC, p.3). The program successfully employed an estimate of 3 million American youths in environmental and disaster management. Absorption of massive unemployed number of teenagers reduced social problems such as crime. Martial Davis who lacked trained was absorbed in CCC because he had artistic talent. Equity and access to education formed an integral part of American democratic ambition to influence its citizens (Classes, Teachers, Workbooks - School in the CCC, p.7). CCC as part of progressiveness in American history, it marked a period of change in the democracy to alleviate the problem of racism and lynching.

References

Document 1: "Anti-Lynching Bill," 1918, Senate Reports (7951), 67th Congress: 2nd Session, 1921-22 Vol. 2, pp.33-34.

Document 7: "The Anti-Lynching Crusaders: The Lynching of Women," [1922], NAACP Papers, Part 7: The Anti-Lynching Campaign, 1912-1955, Series B: Anti-Lynching Legislative and Publicity Files, 1916-1955, Library of Congress (Microfilm, Reel 3, Frames 570-73).

Document 9: "Agreement between the Anti-Lynching Crusaders and the N.A.A.C.P.," [1922], NAACP Papers, Part 7: The Anti-Lynching Campaign, 1912-1955, Series B: Anti-Lynching Legislative and Publicity Files, 1916-1955, Library of Congress (Microfilm, Reel 3, Frames 567- 68).[PeriscopeFilm]. (2016, Jan 16].

WORLD WAR II ANTI-DISCRIMINATION & RACE RELATIONS U.S. GOVERNMENT MOVIE 76064. [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZKPpEUsj

LoNoel, K. (2016). Classes, Teachers, Workbooks - School in the CCC. Retrieved from https://unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov/2016/08/23/classes -teachers-workbooks-schoolin-the-ccc/.[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]. (2014, May 18).

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMTPAE53PqE