In 1929, the United States saw a disastrous economic depression known as the Great Depression, which disrupted the lives and stability of millions of Americans. To counter this depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted the First New Deal, with a focus on recovery, relief, and reform to help the American people and fix the economic issues. His Second New Deal pushed for reform, with the hopes of the long-term stabilization of the American economy. However, in 1937, people met his New Deal reforms with criticism and opposition, as unemployment rates remained high and the Depression did not end. The end of the Great Depression came during America’s involvement in World War 2, as it led to the creation of many jobs in war industries. …show more content…
Mayor Humphrey, an American Democrat, showcased a commitment to civil rights activism in his “Address to the Democratic National Convention,” (Doc A) in which he urged people to view civil rights as human rights and argued that American citizens should work together to fight for equality. Since Humphrey gave his speech at the Democratic National Convention, which aims to nominate the Democratic candidates for President and Vice President, his purpose was likely to convince the Democratic Party to elect him as a candidate. His emphasis on his support of the civil rights movement to appeal to his party highlights the popularity of these ideas, contributing to the notion of a climate of social reform and justice. Ella Baker, a prominent civil rights activist in the 1960s, addressed recent protests for civil equality in her piece “Bigger than a Hamburger,” in The Southern Patriot (Doc C). She discussed recent sit-ins and civil rights demonstrations, emphasizing how they were part of a larger movement to end racial segregation and discrimination. The historical context of this article was during the 1960s, at a time when discussions about desegregation became increasingly …show more content…
During World War 2, women began to enter the workforce on a large scale, making up almost 50% by 1960. Despite making up a large portion of the workforce, there was still a need for major reform, as businesses paid women less than men for the same work, and women had limited access to high-paying, prestigious jobs, like doctors or lawyers. In addition, many housewives felt dissatisfied and undervalued, as depicted in Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique. The increase in female workers, coupled with the changing expectations of women, led to the growth of the women’s movement. Women engaged in social and political reform, including the attempt to implement the Equal Rights Amendment, which demanded equality of the sexes. Despite this amendment ultimately not getting ratified, it underscores women’s attempts to challenge the patriarchal norms and systems during this time period. While the women’s movement made major strides towards achieving gender equality, it was met with opposition, arguing in support of traditional American social