Social Advances in U.S. History by Marina Miller

Maybe Immigrant Rights?

mcmiller0215 — 2017-02-14 04:03:45 UTC

Mental Health and Criminal Instituions

mcmiller0215 — 2017-02-14 04:03:45 UTC

Labor Unions and Organizations

mcmiller0215 — 2017-02-14 04:03:45 UTC

The improvement of labor conditions and the attainment of better pay, working hours, and rights for workers was one of the greatest achievements as well as the most necessary in US history. Without it workers would not have the 40 hour work week employed in 2015, they would not have vacation days, laws protecting them from discrimination, and right to fair treatment. This timeline shows the advancement of conditions over time starting with the first labor union in America, the Knights of Labor in 1869.

Women's Rights

mcmiller0215 — 2017-02-14 04:03:45 UTC

During the beginning of the formation of the United States, women had very little rights. Though they were generally treated with somewhat more respect, their rights and privileges were akin to those of a slave. They were supposed to do whatever then men wanted, had no voting rights, no property rights, no jobs other than being a mother and house wife, and were to cater to then men's needs at all times. A lot of this stayed the same because many women did not believe they should have more rights or thought that it would be too difficult. Thankfully for women in 2015, that thought process changed. When the Seneca Falls Convention kicked off in 1848, it rose great strife throughout the US concerning whether or not men and women deserved equal rights. The convention was put together by a combination of men and women who believed they should have equality between genders and after two days the signed what was known as the Declaration of Sentiments which outlined a plan for the future regarding laws and rights they planned to set in action to help women achieve new statuses among men. In 1869 Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton for the National Woman Suffrage Association with the intent to give woman the right to vote. Other women later form the American Woman Suffrage Association which wanted the same thing, but wanted it achieved by individual state laws and amendments rather than Congressional amendments to the constitution. In December of the same year, Wyoming became the first territory to pass a woman's suffrage law. in 1890, the two organizations combined together to form NAWSA, the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Colorado is the first state to adopt an amendment in 1893, followed by Utah and Idaho in 1896, Washington in 1910, California in 1911, Oregon, Kansas, and Arizona in 1912, Alaska and Illinois in 1913, Montana and Nevada in 1914, New York in 1917, and Michigan, South Dakota, and Oklahoma in 1918. In 1903, a group of women form WTUL, the National Woman's Trade Union League, to achieve better wages and working conditions for women. In August of 1926, the 19th Amendment to the constitution is ratified giving women throughout America the right to vote. Many more groups are formed such as the American Birth Control League (changed in 1942 to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America), the National Council of Negro Women--working towards and end to discrimination, racism, and sexism--, The Daughters of Bilitis (DOB)-- a lesbian acceptance organization--, and more. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy sets in motion the President's Commission on the Status of Women, and Eleanor Roosevelt is made chairwoman. in 1963 the report shows highly inadequate working practices and makes a move towards fair hiring practices, paid maternity leave, and more affordable child day care. Also in 1963, Congress passes the Equal Pay Act, making it illegal for companies to pay women less than men for the same job. With the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discrimination against both race and gender is made illegal, and the EEOC is formed, which is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In 1966, NOW is formed, the National Organization for Women, and is the largest women's rights group in America. NOW sought to end sexual discrimination, especially in the workplace, by means of legislative lobbying, litigation, and public demonstrations. In 1968, sex segregated help wanted ads are banned. In 1970, a landmark court case Schultz vs. Wheaton Glass Co., the Court of Appeals ruled that a company could not change a women's working title, even though it might be the same job as a mans, in order to pay them less. In 1972, after Education Amendments are being put into place, Title IX states that, "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." This leads to a dramatic enrollment of women in athletics programs and professional schools. The following year, 1973, Roe vs. Wade declares it legal for a women to have a safe abortion. In 1976, the first marital rape law is put into place in Nebraska making it illegal for a husband to rape his wife. In 1978, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act made it illegal for companies to fire or deny a women employment due to her pregnancy.

Women suffered a long time of discrimination and suppression, but were strong together in their movement towards the attainment of rights they deserved. It was because of this that women in 2015 had the opportunities they did and chances for a better future.

Equal Rights for African Americans

mcmiller0215 — 2017-02-14 04:03:45 UTC

There were several monumental actions and movements that occurred which helped further the rights and attainment of equality of citizenship for African-Americans. Starting with the Emancipation Proclamation which was issued towards the end of the Civil War by Abraham Lincoln, this document freed all slaves and future slaves declaring it unconstitutional and illegal. This is furthered by the Freedmen's Bureau and then the enactment of the 13th amendment which abolished slavery everywhere. Unfortunately, many southern individuals were not able to accept this new way of life and many hate groups and laws were formed such as the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), the Jim Crow Laws, Black Codes, and more. The 14th amendment came in 1868 to guarantee African-Americans as citizens and giving them freedom. This was after a series of Reconstruction acts had been passed. Next came the 15th amendment which gave African-Americans the right to vote. After a landmark court case, Plessy vs. Ferguson, the supreme court ruled that "separate but equal" was legal. This terrible ruling led to much discrimination and repression of African-American rights, and the formation of the Jim Crow Laws. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is formed to help protect African-American rights. Many new integration laws start forming such as in the army, sports, and in schools. Jackie Robinson became the first African-American baseball player to play MLB for the Dodgers. Another landmark supreme court case Brown vs. Board of Education declares it unconstitutional for segregation to occur in schools. Segregation is widely advocated for by Caucasian counterparts however, and leads to many terrible outcomes such as the murder of Emmett Till. This is shortly preceded by Rosa Parks as she refuses to give up her seat to a white male, and then the founding of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Another amazing feat is the graduation from high school by nine African-American individuals now known as the "Little Rock Nine". Many new movements begin that are non-violent such as sit-ins and protests and marches and freedom riders. The March on Washington in which Dr. King delivers his "I have a dream speech" is so moving and impacting that the entire nation is urged towards civil rights for African-Americans and equal treatment. Sadly, in 1968, Dr. King is assassinated. Today, racism still exists, but moreover there is peace and equality between African-Americans and Caucasians. There was a long history of discrimination and suppression, but equality strove forward and exists at this time in our history, as it should.