Assignemnt
Chapters 4-6 in our reader present a view of a state trying to establish its identity amidst rapid economic, social and demographic change. The abuses of power during the Gilded Age produced social and political unrest which, in turn, created anxiety among middle-class, native-born white Americans. More important, this turmoil often involved immigrant populations that often were seen as a threat to 'American values.' Specifically threatening were people of color and generally people who were not quite "American." Keep in mind that "American" at the time was defined as 'white Anglo-Saxon Protestant'. Only white people, and, after 1870, people of African descent could become naturalized citizens, according to law. The progressive reform era was partly a response to these anxieties about the future of the American system of capitalism and attempted to reform the worst abuses of power to prevent a more radical revolution. In addition, progressives took on immigration reform which led to even further restrictions on immigration in the 1920s.
As you read the sources in this chapter in the context of the background provided in our lectures and the textbook, and as you write your post, take into consideration the study questions offered at the end of each chapter of the reader. Your discussion posts should relate these readings to modern-day California. You can take one of three approaches in your post (be sure to clearly label your discussion to reflect your approach):
1. You can considerthe legacies of the racial and ethnic phobias of the turn of the last century.
o What do the documents suggest about Californians and their concerns about peoples of color?
o How did progressives view immigration and immigrants?
o Do you see similarities to more recent discussions of race and ethnicity in the state? Differences? And what do these similarities and differences suggest about Californians today?
o To what extent are debates about immigration also debates about our identity as Californians?
2. You can consider the role of women
o What do the different views about woman suffrage suggest about women's roles in California during the progressive era? Why was the issue a soruce of debate to begin with?
o How do concerns about prostitution and morality reflect the notions about gender in progressive-era California?
o In what ways did women's roles change by the 1920s? How do the images reflect perceptions of women at the time?
o What connections do you see in these debates to the ways in which we approach gender in today's California? Similarities/differences?
3. You can consider politics
o What did the progressives mean with the notion of "good government?" What prompted this approach to government?
o How did they propose to create this 'good government?"
o How does their immigration policy connect to their political reforms?
o How did progressives shape modern California?