Schoolcraft College
Final Portfolio Reflection – Twentieth Century Politics/Bureaucracy
in the United States
`
Anne Thomson
Contemporary American United States Histo ry
Professor Lark
August 23, 2015
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Many talk about how rapidly the world is changing due to technology and the ease and
demands of communication. I suggest that the world has always been rapidly changing, and the history
of politics and politicians during the twentieth century in the United States offers support for this. For
example, when the stock market crashed on October 24, 1929, Americans were confronted with
unprecedented change in their lives. When Americans committed their lives in various ways to two
World Wars, their lives were irrevocably changed. When America was attacked by terrorists on
September 11, 2001, their lives were changed forever. Politics and politicians played a huge role in
determining the effects of these changes. We count on the support of these knowledgeable and
educated public servants during these times of need as well as during times of relative calm. While these
politicians have allegiances to political parties, in many instances, we hope they will approach inevitable
new challenges in politics with an open mind. I can do the same and use my knowledge and an open
mind when engaging in civic society. Following the example of knowledgeable, honest political figures
who have served with an open mind during the twentieth century will assist me in my role as an
effective and productive citizen.
Theodore Roosevelt is a model of a politician who approached politics with a willingness to act
and an open mind. While he may not have had his sights initially set on the presidency, he did have a
drive to serve and was thrust into the position from vice president. Following this unusual ascent to the
highest office, he embraced the position fully and used his “Bully Pulpit” effectively. Even after serving
for over seven years, his desire to serve was still so great that when he failed to win the nomination of
the Republican Party, he ran as a Progressive. This open mind served the country well; not because he
won the nomination as a Progressive candidate, but because it opened the door to third party
candidates and ideas considered with a new legitimacy. Roosevelt is remembered for what he did as
president and his true interest to serve, not his loss in 1912 as a Progressive.
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Roosevelt’s legislation demonstrates an open mind that serves constituents, a keystone of a
strong democracy. He had the “interests of people over big business” (“The Progressives”) at the
forefront of the legislation that was the cornerstone of his tenure and his platform. Roosevelt worked
tirelessly to break up trusts and to ensure the success of every worker, as well as to support
conservation and wildlife. When one examines his legislative accomplishments, including the Sherman
Anti-Trust Act, the Pure Food and Drug Act, and the Newlands Reclamation Act, it is clear that he
pursued the various needs of the people more than a political party agenda. In his service as a politician,
Roosevelt went directly to the people (“The Progressives”) and served their needs with an open mind.
The fact that he is remembered as a Progressive more than a Republican supports his openness.
While political parties don’t necessarily embrace division within, these divisions can actually strengths a
democracy. The split the Republicans experienced during Roosevelt’s time, provided more Americans
with a true voice and choice in government. The Progressives had a voice as did the conservative
Republicans and the Democrats. This openness provides people with more of a choice; we see this today
with the Tea Party stemming from the Republican Party. Whether we agree with them or not, being
open to new factions and new ideas serves people best.
Another politician of the twentieth century who served his constituents most effectively with an
open mind was Franklin Roosevelt. Like his distant cousin Theodore Roosevelt, FDR expanded the role
of the government to serve the people during a time of great need, during the Great Depression. He
wasn’t afraid of failure and he wasn’t afraid of criticism about expanding the role of the federal
government in various aspects of people’s lives; the times demanded this and he recognized it. From his
first days when he shut down the banks to the development of Social Security, his openness to try
whatever it took to improve the lives of Americans was evident. FDR gave direct payments to those out
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of work; many would view this as a “handout,” but he knew this was initially essential to get people on
their feet. He followed this up with government supported work programs. Some New Deal programs
like the Agricultural Adjustment Administration eventually failed and many, like the Works Progress
Administration, were criticized for various reasons, but FDR served the people with an openness that
transcended party politics (“The FDR Era”). Bold moves like these would serve us well at times today
when political party agendas rather than the needs of people often seem to dictate legislation.
Like Teddy Roosevelt, the legislation passed by FDR, indicates an openness to serve rather than
a strict commitment to a political party. His “alphabet soup” legislation during the Great Depression
offered something to nearly everyone who was struggling during this unprecedented time. Programs for
banking like Glass-Steagall Banking Reform Act, programs for workers like the Civilian Conservation Corp
and the Civil Works Administration, and programs for conservation like the Soil Conservation and
Domestic Allotment Act demonstrated FDR’s commitment to the American people of all political parties
(“The FDR Era”). Whether or not the New Deal brought the United States out of the Great Depression is
debatable, but it certainly offered hope and improved the lives of Americans across party lines. If we
can use the memory of the how the New Deal at least helped Americans cope with the Great
Depression, perhaps we can deal with and anticipate contemporary challenges better (McNeill).
During the twentieth century, various women have served in political roles and on political
issues to ensure the various rights of women in the United States. It’s this variety that demonstrates the
openness in which women have approached the political system. Carrie Chapman Catt of the National
American Woman Suffrage Association led the fight for the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920 by working
to get New York and Arkansas to support women’s suffrage in 1917 (“The Progressives”). Then, in 1935,
“A committee of staffers led by Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins, the first female ever to hold a
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Cabinet position, penned the Social Security Act” (“The FDR Era”). These are not insignificant items; they
were difficult ideas with differing sides and during the process an openness was needed to even
consider them. This openness to serving continued as women played key roles during the wars of the
twentieth century including supporting the efforts of total war, responding to “Rosie the Riveter” by
entering the work force, and by entering the auxiliary forces of the Armed Forces (“The Homefront”).
The role of women continued into the 1960s to the present as women such as Jane Roe, Betty Friedan,
Phyllis Schlafly, and Gloria Steinem used the political system to promote varying ideas (“Shaping a New
America”). While many were quite biased in the views and programs they promoted, the variety of
views and ideas offered the American people an openness to choose among them.
As a student of American history this semester, I have grown in my appreciation of the
importance of the past in a few ways, and I can apply this appreciation in an influential way as a
productive member of society. First, I appreciate and share the story of the past; this is most enjoyable.
Also, as Michael Postma suggests in “What Can History Teach Us Today?” , I appreciate the role the past
plays in our present lives, and I share and act upon this appreciation when I take part in civic life;
without this knowledge I would not be able to do this as effectively. Finally, the past serves as a guide to
the decisions that I make as a responsible and informed citizen (Postma). Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin
Roosevelt, and American women in politics have taught me the importance of keeping an openness in
my political views and decisions. I can apply their lessons of openness and apply less of a hard line
political party role, understand the changing landscape of politics, and find the balance between
supporting a political party and supporting a politician. Using my liberal arts education will assist me in
fulfilling this goal. As David Perry explains, “We need both specific expertise and the fruits of
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contemplation” to deal with surprises in life, and politics is certainly a place where we find these
surprises.
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Works Cited
“The FDR Era.” History 153 – Contemporary American – U.S. History. Schoolcraft College. Web. 21
August 2015.
“The Homefront.” History 153 – Contemporary American – U.S. History. Schoolcraft College. Web. 21
August 2015.
McNeill, William H. “Why Study History?” American Historical Association. 1985. Web. 09 July 2015.
Perry, David M. “How History Can Help Us Predict the Next Pope.” The Atlantic. 12 March 2013. Web. 21
August 2015.
Postma, Michael. “What Can History Teach Us Today?” ASCD Express, Vol. 6, No. 22. 2011. Web. 20
August 2015.
“Progressive Citizens.” History 153 – Contemporary American – U.S. History. Schoolcraft College. Web.
21 August 2015.
“The Progressives: Teddy Roosevelt.” History 153 – Contemporary American – U.S. History. Schoolcraft
College. Web. 21 August 2015.
“Shaping a New America.” History 153 – Contemporary American – U.S. History. Schoolcraft College.
Web. 21 August 2015.
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Annotated Bibliography
McNeill, William H. “Why Study History?” American Historical Association. 1985. Web. 09 July 2015.
In this personal essay McNeill begins by explaining that the study of history is “worthwhile” and
“necessary.” He explains that it makes us “wiser in our public choices” and “more richly human in our
private lives.” He supports these ideas in his essay mainly through a discussion of the role of memory
and its importance for decision making. This support suggests that history should be a required subject
for all (including of course college degree seekers). I considered McNeill’s ideas quite a bit while I
considered the value of the memory of the New Deal and the Great Depression.
Perry, David M. “How History Can Help Us Predict the Next Pope.” The Atlantic. 12 March 2013. Web. 21
August 2015.
In light of Pope Benedict’s resignation and the election of the new pope, Perry presents five
expectations about what will happen during the election. His expectations include ideas about the
flexibility of rules, voting, wildcard candidates, and the strength of candidates. He concludes with an
argument for the importance of history education by claiming that this unexpected election supports
the importance of a liberal arts education. This article was really relevant to the ideas I explored about
FDR and Teddy Roosevelt as well as to my concluding ideas about my role in the political system. While I
only referenced it briefly, it was supported nicely and has much potential should I further develop my
reflection.
Postma, Michael. “What Can History Teach Us Today?” ASCD Express, Vol. 6, No. 22. 2011. Web. 20
August 2015.
In this very brief column, Postma lists and discusses several reasons for studying history. He
includes some of the more obvious ones for example, the role of the past in guiding the future. He also
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includes some newer ideas such as the role of understanding culture and decision making as they
connect to the study of history. Most importantly for students today is the view of diversity that the
subject area offers. He offers support for all students to study history. His ideas supported my
concluding ideas nicely, especially the role of history in making decisions and the connection between
the past and the present.