Most Important Thing I Have Learned- Segregation

The most important thing I have learned in this class this year was the segregation that occured within America between white and African American people. I did not realize or have the knowledge of how segregated America truly was and the rules in which were in place between the two different races;more toward blacks than whites. In learning about the segregation of the races I realized how brave the different black groups and organizations were to stand up for what they believed to be right. People like Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks were admirable in their attempt to bring segregation to a realization for all American people. This is the most important thing I have learned because I have a new outlook on the American society and where we are as a nation today.

The Watergate Break-in and its Controversy

"The Watergate affair is generally recognized as the most publicized incident of political improperties by the highest officials of the U.S. government in modern times."(Raymond,557)

The Watergate Break-inoccured on June 17, 1972. The break-in was discoevered by police who found five men attempting to break into and wiretap Democratic party offices. With two other accomplices they were tried and convicted in Jan., 1973. All seven men were either directly or indirectly employees of President Nixon's reelection committee. The "Watergate" break-in was traced to officials of the Committee to Re-elect the President. A number of administration officials resigned; some were later convicted of offenses connected with efforts to cover up the affair. Nixon denied any personal involvement, but the courts forced him to show the tape recordings which indicated that he had, in fact, tried to divert the investigation. "The Watergate affair is generally recognized as the most publicized incident of political improperties by the highest officials of the U.S. government in modern times."(Raymond,557)

Gerald Ford was the successor after Richard Nixon resigned within his postion as president after the Watergate scandal. When Gerald Ford took the oath of office at a quickly arranged ceremony at noon on Aug. 9, 1974. It was after the Watergate scandal and during this time that the economy was in disarray, an energy shortage was worsening, allies were wondering how steadfast the United States might be as a partner and Mr. Nixon, having resigned the presidency rather than face impeachment for taking part in the Watergate cover-up, was flying to seclusion in San Clemente, Calif.

There was a collective sense of relief as Mr. Ford, in the most memorable line of his most noteworthy speech, declared that day,
“Our long national nightmare is over.”
To this speech that Ford made during his inaugural speech after the resignation of Richard Nixon I have to say that it was an accurate statement for the people of America had lost their hope and faith in the presidency. The link above is proof to validate exactly what Ford was addressing within his speech and I believe it is very accurate that he was bringing new hope to the American society with his statement.


Kutler,Stanley I. The Wars of Watergate:The Last crisis of Richard Nixon.W.W. Norton Company: New York, 1990

Raymond,Walter J. Dictionary of Politics: Selected American and Foreign Political and Legal Terms. Brunswick Publishing Corp: 1992

Comparison 1950's to 2007

The 1950s were times of social reconstruction. America had just come out of a war and Americans were ready to get to the happy times in life that they felt they deserved. Music within the 1950s were generally light melodies, sweet lyrics and wholesome singers. Innocent and inoffensive "feel-good" tunes was the feeling in which was expressed within music.

"Rock and Roll, characterized by it's pulsating drums, repetitive chord progressions, stepped up tempos, and loud guitars, provided. American teens of the 1950's the perfect excuse to dance crazy new dances, and wear wild new hairstyles. Thought only a fad, Rock and Roll continued on to become one of the world's most popular and recognizable music forms."

Now, within 2007 if we are to listen to the music we realize how different our culture is today. What was thought of as the most sinful nature of the world with jivi'n hips, and crazy beats is nothing in comparison to our rap, hip-hop, and rock and roll. Artists like Pat Boone, Rosemary Clooney, Perry Como, Elvis, Little Richie, and Frank Sinatra dominated music charts.

Entertainment within the 50's was at first filled through the radio. Family time would not be spent sitting down and watching television all day, but instead would be spent sitting around, listening to the radio. It would be later in the 50's that the television came out and everyone was fascinated. The idea of our modern technology has put many in a place that appreciates the times before modern cell phones, and internet. In many cases the simple life was a better life.
Singer Val Doonican, 78, added, "It was a gentler, somehow less competitive world." The editor of Yours Magazine, which commissioned the research, Valery McConnell said it shows most people are happier when they have a simple life rather than a complicated one.

She said, "Everything about modern-day society is complex and stressful - automated answering machines, mind-boggling car parks and road systems, endless traffic, 50 different varieties of everything, bank managers you cannot talk to, high crime levels and aggression on the streets. More has been lost than gained. Material possessions designed to make our lives easier also have a downside. Modern communication means people speak on mobiles, not on the street corner or at the bus stop. Increased mobility means we no longer know our neighbours or live near our families."

In the 50s people seemed kinder and had more time for each other. People were neighbourly, public transport was good, music was better and housing more affordable. Those who lived the prime of their life within the 50's said they missed the slower pace of life, job security, and the way families had lived closer together and society valued housewives. With an average age of 69, 89% of those asked said they were glad they had been young in the 50s and not now, as children had been more innocent and allowed to remain child-like for longer.

The picture perfect idea people viewed about the 50's can very well be a misconception in that things seemed to be wonderful because everything corrupt was being kept under wraps. There was still just as much crime as there is today, it was just the fact that it was not spread all over the news and talked about for weeks at a time that the society did not know what was truly going on.

The average earnings one would have made during the 50's were as follows:
If you have $100 Converted from 1950 to 2005 it would be equivalent to $835.41 today. In 1950 a new house cost $8,450.00 and by 1959 was $12,400.00
In 1950 the average income per year was $3,210.00 and by 1959 was $5,010.00
In 1950 a gallon of gas was 18 cents and by 1959 was 25 cents
In 1950 the average cost of new car was $1,510.00 and by 1959 was $2,200.00

In my opinion, if I could choose a time which was either 1950 or 2007 that would be better to live in I beleive it is now. Yes, the 1950's seemed fun, new, and exciting with the flared skirts, and perfect little family and home, but the good was exposed while the bad stayed hidden. Women did not go and work in the business area, but instead stayed home to raise children and cook meals. The advances in technology, medicine, and music seemed very extraordinary, but look at what our culture is offered today. We have a world of knowledge and advances offered to us and every one in the society is treated with equal rights. Yes, there is still some segregation when it comes to different people, but our seperation of race is not the same as it used to be. As far as facshion and music I would enjoy living in the 1950's. As far as advances in technologies, and the way in which our society runs now I would choose to live in 2007.