How Did Carry Nation's Impact On American Culture

As the United States was continuing recovering from the Civil War and embracing the expansion of the West, industrialization, immigration and the growth of cities, women’s roles in America were changing by the transformation of this new society. During the period of 1865-1912, women found themselves challenging to break the political structure, power holders, cultural practices and beliefs in their “male” dominated world.

Carol Berkin’s "Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence" is an excellent book that I immensely enjoyed. When many people think of the Revolutionary War, they might imagine George Washington gallantly leading his men through the winters at Valley Forge or the like. Berkin begins her masterpiece by giving a general overview of the roll that women played in our countries war for independence. Now I, like many others come to think of the iconic role model women like Betsy Ross and the fabled Molly Pitcher, but this star of a book opened my eyes to the everyday

Some women chose to follow their husbands to war and participated in cooking, laundry, and nursing for wounded soldiers [1]. Female suffragists in the 1900’s began encouraging the spread of feminist ideas, all over the country which lead to campaigns by suffragists [3]. Alice Paul and Lucy Burns were suffragists who changed women’s role during the twentieth century by holding suffrage campaigns and forming organizations [5].

As a result, she formed the National Women’s Party. The party was successful despite it’s unpopularity for antagonism in regards to NAWSA, but proved to be a more than adequate reinforcement for the association. Where NAWSA left off, the NWP continued its line of motion, like inertia that despite the friction, carries something onward until the end. Perseverance was the asset that created the effect behind her revolts.

From the 1890s to the 1920s, many social and economic reform movements were taking place within American society, and this time period became known as the Progressive Era. People advocated for women’s suffrage, temperance, rights for African Americans, better working conditions in factories, and much more. One prominent figure from this time period is Carry A. Nation, a temperance activist. Nation would pray, sing hymns, throw bricks, and attack bars with hatchets. Her action resulted in her being jailed, written about, and led to her writing her own magazine. Carry A. Nation’s tactics of praying, singing hymns, and violent attacks were effective in the banning of alcohol, with the 18th Amendment, due to the publicity and fame she received.

Throughout the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, gender roles began to change as women became active participants in American society. For instance, women became active in expressing their views against alcohol and pushed for the prohibition and temperance. Organizations such as The Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), argued that alcohol led to societal problems. Male and female reformers banned together to argue that alcohol was immoral and causing a negative impact on women. Women, if married, would experience an abusive, violent drunk husband who neglected his family and gambled his money away. Thus, the evils of alcohol became part of the progressive agenda that eventually led to the passage of the 18th amendment. Along with prohibition, women also took active roles in acquiring suffrage. In “The Politics of Good Government,” Gayle Gullett argued that in the California Women’s Movement built a nonpartisan broad suffrage umbrella that sought to enhance their “special interests.” Middle-class women assured their male allies that women’s enfranchisement was essential to progressivism. Furthermore, middle-and working-class women argued that suffrage would not only protect working women but women in general. Working class men and women also united to seek reform. Thus, through these heterogeneous groups, the California Women’s Movement built a unified coalition that led to women’s suffrage in 1911. [46] As America entered the First Great War, the

Carrie A. Nation brought disrespect to prohibition movement bc of her violent campaign; The Anti-Saloon League formed in 1893

Women led the movement since they suffered the most from alcohol in abuse in saloons and by their husbands. Notably writer Carry A, denotes that women in saloons are “stripped of everything” (Document A). Thus women are humiliated and they are treated as if they are not equal, in the public eye. These actions somehow occur in saloons because of groups of alcoholics being abusive and controlling, making the women have no choice by intimidating them. Furthermore, women faced the fear of traveling alone in cities, because of these saloons. Thus, many believed “saloons should be refused licenses” (Document D), for the well-being of women in cities. This movement, has made women’s conditions better in America by limiting the fears they have with their husbands and with their environment. Therefore, due to this, woman are now enabled to speak against injustices against them and are now activist in a new movement. This movement is due to Prohibition, allowing feminism to gain traction and unite women for another cause. Overall women in America have finally have found their voice in national issues and

Women became very involved in the push to stop drinking. They believed it would protect

A small portion of the public, more specifically religious females, began to view alcohol as a destructive and dangerous item (Document A). Groups including Anti- Saloon League, and the the Women's Christian Temperance Union strongly manifested their tension in protests and marches. These actions caused the government to quickly resort to outlawing alcohol with the 18th Amendment, a choice that would soon be regretted (Document C). Many farmers or families living outside the city felt attacked by this choice, as alcohol was a large component of their lives. Like the changes in women’s suffrage did, this created loads of tension between a majority of society and the government - eventually leading to the repeal of the amendment with the 21st.

The role of women in American history has evolved a great deal over the past few centuries. In less than a hundred years, the role of women has moved from housewife to highly paid corporate executive to political leader. As events in history have shaped the present world, one can find hidden in such moments, pivotal points that catapult destiny into an unforeseen direction. This paper will examine one such pivotal moment, fashioned from the fictitious character known as ‘Rosie the Riveter’ who represented the powerful working class women during World War II and how her personification has helped shape the future lives of women.

Some would say Nation’s bar smashing antics were uncalled for or could have been handled better. Others, however, would make the argument that Nation did what she thought was best to get her point across to others. After my research, I would agree that Nation did exactly what she thought was best. She thought that by smashing these bars to pieces, people would take notice, which is precisely what happened. As bystanders would see her smashing and crashing into these bars, they would second guess their choices on going to or supporting them. Also, Nation’s powerful public speeches had tremendous effects on listeners as well. Nation risked her life and freedom to fight for what she believed in. Even after being beaten severely and jailed multiple times, Nation would not back down. She was the definition of persistent right up until the day that she died. She was not afraid of conflict and was surely not afraid of fighting for what she believed in. Overall, Carry Amelia Nation was one of America’s first strong female leaders and had an impact on many states. She is considered to be one of the nation's first strong female advocates, and rightfully so. Carry Nation did amazing work for what she believed in and changed the lives of many people, especially the loved ones of those dealing with alcohol

Abraham Lincoln affects American culture today because he brought the U.S. together and united our country. He decided at a fairly young age to go out into the world to fend for himself. Without him doing that, he would not have been independent and willing to take over as president.

American Lore is just like any other lore it has myths, legends, and fairy tales, but American lore shows the history of America and how we live today, with a twist to the story. With Legends, myths, and fairy tales it expresses the way americans think and how creative we can be to come up with these stories from things that could actually happen. Legends are based on historical facts Myths are based on religion and gods and goddesses. Fairy Tales are made believe not real, includes special creatures. Tall tales and legends are more based in American lore and is heavily based on history and the many traditional stories that are spread from generation to generation. American lore is based on, “power social status and prestige, control or dominance over people and resources. Achievement which is a personal success through demonstrating competence according to social standards . Hedonism pleasure or sensuous

Throughout the ages, women have aided in the achievement of greatness of their brothers, sons, fathers and husbands. However, there are moments in history where this aid is more than a hand to hold. The distinction must be made that the Rosie the Riveter Movement did not take place for the same reasons as women’s suffrage. Thus, there is a difference between the concepts of Feminism and Patriotism. It is true that in some ways when the war ended women who worked had earned a more equal relationship with men in the workplace, however this was not the purpose of ‘Rosie the Riveter’. If one requires an example of a feminist movement, the events that took place in the 1960s and 1920s should suffice. Women assumed the roles of men during the war, and did so out of the responsibility to their country. This is the precise reason why World War II was the greatest moment in history for American women. The movement was not one of suffrage or equality; it was a demonstration of innate strength, endurance, and especially patriotism. Despite the odds, and all those who doubted them, women exercised their patriotism for their country. This is evident in the valor that many unrecognized women displayed in the United States’ Armed Forces, and on the Homefront. Neither gender, nor sexuality held any responsibility for their simple, yet heroic actions.