Essay on Comparing the Historical American North and South

Introduction

In the attempt to understand the major historical differences between the American north and south, one will always have to know how each implemented its policies. The American north is those which consist of most of the states that did not have the active participation in slavery while the south majored in slavery. Due to the nature of their economic backgrounds, the different parts developed separately and had diverse views on how to handle their affairs. While in the development stage, the north gave the rise to largest industries and a huge influence in industrialization, whereas the south focused on providing the raw materials for the industries by working on large plantations. This article will handle, among other aspects, the way the north differs and compares to the south.

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Development and Policies

Advancement in the form of life and technology has a significant effect in the way people live and associate. In the south, poor development in forms of infrastructure and exposure to technology made the people susceptible to radical laws. While the north was highly populated and gave way for the best law makers and judiciary, the states at the south invested on agriculture. The small population and the tendency to use the Bible verses to legitimize their actions of slavery made them develop laws that favored their current state. In the south, having a slave and using them for the purpose of achieving wealth was right while their counterparts focused on how to ensure trade and collective agreements was obtained.

At the north, having an outstanding economy and providing a sustaining production chain made the basis of the policies. Given the global demand for their industrial products, at the time the United States provided for most of the World's Cotton, the policies drifted towards achieving an environment where business will thrive. This approach focused the lawmakers to avoid any controversial shifts that could sabotage the continuation of this agenda.

Typically, women were expected to be working at home and be responsible for caring for the children and ensure the get what they need. However, after the development and improvement of economy and women got more financially stable, some amendments were made for them to even own property and make will. Given this state, the women slowly started gaining the need for them to vote and give their view on whom their leaders should be.

Women were not allowed to vote, that means they were basically confined to being the normal stay-at-home mom. This view did not go well with the women. After establishing a sustainable income, they started working in simple firms when jobs were offered. While giving women the opportunity to work is a good thing, it came with lots of effects as the women started getting an education.

Studying opened great doors for the women as they had the opportunity to explore and expand their knowledge on daily affairs in the society. Many women were drifted to ensuring that they had the opportunity to work and even own their own property. Having the financial power enabled various women to engage in the execution of business transaction and make their own profits. Owning property and graduation with college degrees became common place. With more of these women being educated the need for gaining the political freedom started gaining momentum.

It is worth noting that during this time, the foreign women who used to work in firms were allowed to vote. Most of the work they did was menial and hence meant that they had little knowledge and school compared to their local counterparts. At this point the need for a change of the way things were was raised. Various women who by then had a good schooling started the campaign for women to be given the same opportunity as men to vote and elect their leaders. These revolutions were hard because at the time, the woman was seen as one who was supposed to cater only for the house matter and nothing more.

Unions

Slowly the urge for a good leadership program was drafted, women started coming together to form unions which would then allows them to express their ideas. These unions were formed on the basis of many aspects; however, the church and Christian believe formed the basis of each. The Christian women started grouping each other to form the unions that would then succeed in ensuring women had various rights.

The main proposal and argument given by these unions was that women were equal as men. They argued that the women at that time had achieved much and hence deserved to be given the opportunity to vote and engage in the political arena. It was after their formations that varios activists started the quest for achieving a common ground for the women to vote. During their time of expression, these groups used various methodologies in ensuring that the government hears their cry.

At first, it was a peaceful way of approaching legal aspects and bargaining with the leaders to amend rules that will favor them. However, soon after various other younger activists came up with tougher ways of approaching the problem. Demonstrations became common play and arrests took place. Women were able to succeed because they got the help from the leaders and some of the movements. Given the opportunity to take part in votes paved way for other matters to arise.

After the Vote

Women slowly engaging actively in the political arena, women started vieying for political positions which they won. Given this power and influence, the laws such as the implementation of family planning methods were started. Women spearheaded the need for them to be given the opportunity to decide how many children they wanted and be given the chance to provide for their kids while actively working. This then spewed another circle of agendas. The motion was bitterly condemned but after some time, the government gave in and allowed women to take this birth control measures.

Redemption Era

This era was marked by the great need to re-integrate the society that had been in chaos in the quest for freedom of slaves and attainment of citizenship for the former slave. This was not a quite easy one since the president Lincoln was shot and the country left at the mercy of racists who formed the government and ordered that they may be made of only whites. The slave society at this time felt free, which was actually what mattered, but at the withdrawal of Lincoln things didn't work that well.

The slaves had been promised land after the slavery ended; however, they were not given by the government. On the contrary, the land was returned to the former land owners, and this left the slaves with no option but to go back to the farms. Working in the farms meant that the slaves would only get the shelters provided by their employers and these were poor structures. The work they had invested in the farms was shared to the owner who would take a larger share of the produce in return for the land.

This woes were about to come to an end after the implementation of the Amendment XIV. It gave the former slaves the opportunity to enjoy equal citizenship with their former masters and got the opportunity to own land just like their former master. It also provided for the equal protection by the state and improvement of the blacks in general. In conclusion, although the blacks had suffered and be oppressed, they found a way to enrich them and be productive.