Choose a historical event that you believe had a significant impact on American government and politics. Create a 1-2 page summary of the event and your justification as to why you believe

Response 1

The Declaration of Independence was the first formal statement by a nation’s people asserting their right to choose their own government. It marked the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain. The Continental Congress boldly declares to the world that the good People of these Colonies solemnly publish and declare that these United Colonies are, by right, Free and Independent States. This momentous assertion signifies the birth of American independence Initially, the American colonists were fighting for their rights as British subjects. However, as the Revolutionary War intensified, the movement for independence grew stronger. A committee including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin was tasked with drafting the formal statement. Thomas Jefferson played a significant role in writing the document. The Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia on July 4th, a date now celebrated as the birth of American independence. The Declaration has inspired revolutionary movements beyond the United States. It remains a great historical landmark, asserting the right of a whole people to choose their own government. This document represents the courage and determination of those who sought freedom and self-governance during a critical period in history. When circumstances demand that a group of people sever the political ties that bind them to another, and when they aspire to stand as equals among the nations of the world, it is essential that they express the reasons motivating their separation with due regard for the opinions of humanity. Prudence suggests that well-established governments should not be changed lightly or for trivial reasons. However, history has shown that people often endure suffering rather than disrupt familiar forms. Yet, when a consistent pattern of abuses and usurpations aims to establish absolute despotism, it becomes both their right and duty to overthrow such a government and establish new safeguards for their future security. We commit our lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to uphold this declaration, trusting in divine Providence for protection. 

Sidlow, E. I., & Henschen, B. (2023). GOVT, Enhanced (11th ed.). Cengage Limited.  https://digitalbookshelf.southuniversity.edu/books/9798214139371

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Response 2

Title: The Civil Rights Movement: Catalyst for Change in American Politics

 

Introduction:

The Civil Rights Movement, spanning from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s, was a pivotal moment in American history, characterized by a fervent struggle for racial equality and justice (Izzo & Looker, 2022).  This movement, marked by landmark events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, fundamentally transformed American society and politics. This paper aims to elucidate the significant impact of the Civil Rights Movement on American government and politics, drawing upon theoretical frameworks and historical analysis.

 

Justification:

The Civil Rights Movement holds a paramount position in American history due to its profound ramifications on the nation's political landscape. The movement emerged in response to entrenched racial segregation, systemic discrimination, and disenfranchisement faced by African Americans across the United States. Social movements like the Civil Rights Movement serve as catalysts for political change by challenging existing power structures and advocating for marginalized groups' rights (Henschen & Sidlow, 2023). 

One of the most notable impacts of the Civil Rights Movement on American politics was the passage of landmark legislation aimed at dismantling institutionalized racism. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, fundamentally altering the legal framework governing civil rights in the United States (Henschen & Sidlow, 2023). Similarly, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to eliminate barriers to voting for African Americans by outlawing discriminatory practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes. These legislative achievements not only enshrined the principle of equality under the law but also expanded political participation and representation for African Americans, reshaping the demographics of American politics.

 

Furthermore, the Civil Rights Movement galvanized widespread grassroots activism and mobilization, leading to the emergence of new political coalitions and alliances. Organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) played pivotal roles in organizing protests, boycotts, and voter registration drives, fostering a culture of civic engagement and collective action (Lee, 2018). The tactics employed by civil rights activists, including nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience, not only garnered national attention but also inspired subsequent social movements advocating for various causes, such as women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental justice.

 

Moreover, the Civil Rights Movement precipitated a realignment within the American political landscape, particularly within the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party, traditionally associated with the South and segregationist policies, underwent a transformation as it embraced civil rights as a central tenet of its platform (Lee, 2018). This realignment ultimately contributed to the emergence of the Republican Party as the primary political vehicle for conservative, Southern voters, a phenomenon known as the "Southern Strategy" (Maxwell & Shields, 2019). The repercussions of this realignment are still felt in contemporary American politics, underscoring the enduring legacy of the Civil Rights Movement.

 

In conclusion, the Civil Rights Movement stands as a watershed moment in American history, profoundly impacting government, politics, and society. Through legislative achievements, grassroots mobilization, and political realignment, the movement challenged systemic racism and inequality, paving the way for greater inclusivity and social justice in the United States.

 

References:

 

Henschen, B. & Sidlow, E. I. (2023).  GOVT Enhanced (11th ed.). Cengage. ISBN: 9780357795538.

Izzo, A. L., & Looker, B. (Eds.). (2022).  Left in the Midwest: St. Louis Progressive Activism in the 1960s and 1970s. University of Missouri Press.

Lee, W. J. (2018).  Grassroots Impacts on the Civil Rights Movement: Christian Women Leaders' Contributions to the Paradigm Shift in the Tactics of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Its Affiliates (Doctoral dissertation, The Claremont Graduate University).

Maxwell, A., & Shields, T. (2019).  The long southern strategy: How chasing white voters in the South changed American politics. Oxford University Press, USA.