Poverty during the Cold War in America
Thesis:
The governments responsibilities are to prep the nation and keep the citizens safe from perceived perceived threats or real threats
The governments responsibilities are to prep the nation and keep the citizens safe from perceived perceived threats or real threats
With urban centers being deteriorated and many poor groups being left behind shows how the government failed to prep our nation from these threats.
Poverty came back into american life during the 1950s effecting the city. When poverty hit it mostly affected the urban centers many of these centers deteriorated because the tax dollars were gone. As well as this many poor groups were affected by poverty such as African Americans ,Hispanics , Hispanics and Farmers. The government tried to help with its programs but they instead made things worse for the people.
Poverty came back into american life during the 1950s effecting the city. When poverty hit it mostly affected the urban centers many of these centers deteriorated because the tax dollars were gone. As well as this many poor groups were affected by poverty such as African Americans ,Hispanics , Hispanics and Farmers. The government tried to help with its programs but they instead made things worse for the people.
The Economics, Politics and Social problems from poverty show how the government failed to prepare our citizens for the foreseen threats to come.
Economics
During the 50s which was a decade of prosperity for most it did not hit all. The poorer groups in America such as African Americans, Hispanics and others were not able to succeed. The blacks suffered from long racial discrimination which kept them from good housing and good jobs making them poor still. Hispanics during these years face many of the same problems that the blacks did. During the 50's and 60's the bracero program brought nearly five million to the states to work on ranches and farms in the south as temporary contract workers. they lived in extreme poverty and hardship working for little pay. The economics show how The government failed to prep our economy for the threat of poverty.
Politics
When poverty first started to hit the cities the government tried to step in and help the poor with programs that it created. But these programs actually made things worse for those in the struggle. They teared down the slums to put up bigger places for people but these new places were very crowded for the people inside taking away space from them. The urban renewal programs ended destroying more space then they created. Politics show the failed attempt of the government to create a better life style for the poor.
Social
In the 50's middle class citizens started to move to the suburbs taking their tax dollars with them. This lead to the cities urban centers deteriorating because there was no money now soon cities had no public services such as transportation and housing for the poor. The people soon turned into living in extreme poverty. I believe that this shows how again the government failed to keep our people safe from poverty.
Historical Connections
Since the Roaring 20's through the 50's the government has tried to prepare all citizens for up coming threats. They have done this with most but all citizens.
The Roaring 20's
During the 20's a decade that was of prosperity for some people but not all shared in the joy. For many Americans this time was a decade of poverty, 60% of people lived just below the poverty line. Minority groups such as blacks struggled very much being poorly paid and dealing with racial discrimination. As well as this women were poorly paid to and farmers struggled to keep up in the economy with all the economic boom. the 20s show how the government failed to protect those already in poverty and those who were going into poverty.
http://formypupils.com.sapo.pt/10thGrade/Historical_Context/Roaring20s/overview.html
The Great Depression and New deal
The Great Depression and New deal
Throughout the Great Depression poverty took its turn for the worst. Since there was no unemployment insurance lost jobs turned into lost homes which soon turned into extreme poverty. In 1931 tent camps and shack towns started to appear called Hoovervilles. Since the government could not help establishing programs for help was now all up to the local authorities. Soon unemployed people started to form leagues to help get money for their cause. the great depression showed hoe our government wer unable to help out the poor citizens of the nation.
http://photosofwar.net/history-can-and-does-repeat-itself-struggling-family-trying-to-survive-during-the-great-depression-ca-1930-dorothea-lange/
The Progressive Era
The Progressive Era
In the progressive era urbanization, industrialization and immigration transformed New York's economy, making poverty more prevalent among the working class. While at the same time this created enormous wealth for some. Efforts to alleviate the effects of poverty among the working class and poor families through direct action and government reform became known as "progressivism". I think that this shows how the failed to protect citizens to keep them from poverty.
http://www.washoe.k12.nv.us/americanhistory/secondary/lessons/lessons_std07/gamble_t2.html
U.S as a world power
U.S as a world power
During this time period it prosperous for most in America as we became a world power. Big businesses had become even larger and large corporations were bringing in a lot of money. Owners and managers had started to become rich. However workers for those places were not getting rich. Farmers were struggling to make it as the rail road started to charge more to transport there crops. People would be working for long hours each day as well as children working long hours for little pay. People had to live in terrible conditions paying high rent for poor housing. I believe that this shows how the government did not prep out nations poor for this threat.
World War 1 and the Home Front
Throughout ww1 in Germany poverty was at a high because they were unable to export industrial goods and severely limited trade. Resources had to be diverted to the war. as a result of this Germany was no longer the second most economically advanced nation in the world. Families lived in poverty during this time with low economic growth. This shows how our government is not the only one that is unable to protect its citizens from possible threats.
Current Significance
Even now America is still struggling with poverty just not as bad as before. Now it is said that 4 out of 5 adults struggle with joblessness, near poverty or reliance on welfare for at least some of their lives. Increasing globally U.S. economy, the widening gap between the rich and the poor are points from survey data. These data points show the government needs to truly prepare the citizens for real and foreseen threats to us. Today shows us how the government has still not mastered protecting its citizens.