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Civic Engagement Research Assignment: Eugene Debs Society today has evolved based on the contributions made which ultimately involved various civic engagements. Civic engagements are defined as one’s actions which are displayed to make a difference and contribute to progressive change amongst society. It furthermore allows individuals to address and identify public issues of concern actively. Although numerous people ultimately contributed to the changes; Eugene Debs is a primary example of a person who actively practiced civic engagements. Throughout this assignment, one will assess the civic responsibility which Eugene Debs contributed to United States history. One will furthermore discuss his accomplishments, while also evaluating …show more content…
some of his personal and professional sacrifices. One will also categorize the leadership and civic qualities which were possessed by Mr. Deb. Lastly, one will articulate his motivation for making an active change within society, and identify those who were influenced to create change. Born a Terre Haute, Indiana native, Eugene Debs was conceived on November 5, 1955, by parents Jean Daniel and Marguerite Betterich Debs. Throughout his childhood, he attended public schools but later dropped out at the age of fifteen to provide for his family. During this period he began working as a railroad painter but then advanced to become a railroad locomotive firefighter. After resigning from the railroad industry, Debs continued his education at night school for business and began working at the local wholesale grocery to produce more income. While employed at the local grocery store, he also was elected to be City Clerk in 1879. While employed he also became the organizer of the local Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. Although he was producing more income, he also sacrificed part of his salary to help the new indigenous union and conducted its work at night.
Walsh 3 Throughout his journey, Deb made numerous contributions which ultimately contributed to his civic responsibility. One contribution included establishing the American Railroad Union. According to Standford University “The American Railroad Union was established on June 20, 1893 (2011).” This quote is a primary example of one of the contributions which Deb made to United States History. It was designed as one of the nation’s largest unions which represented all crafts of railroad employees. The American Railroad Union protested the decline in income for employees, as well as bargaining for the demands which employees thought were accessible. Although this was a very significant contribution, it was only the beginning. In addition to his contributions to the American Railroad Union, Debs was also known as one of the “Father of Socialism, ” and he later became the president of Occidental Literary Club of Terre Haute. Although Eugene Debs made a significant impact on the world; he also possessed outstanding characteristics which contributed to his success. Deb’s stated in The Appeal
to Reason newspaper, “I do this because it pleases me, and there is nothing I would not do, so far as human effort goes, to advance any movement designed to reach and rescue perishing humanity. (1908)” This quote describes the characteristic of passion which he possessed for people. He furthermore wanted to help people to become better then what society deemed it would be. Deb possessed the ability to lead and guide others into making an effective change to how they lived. He also maintained the character of an individual who was charismatic ultimately supporting his motivation. In conclusion, his motivation for making an active change within society help shape labor unions today. Furthermore, it set a standard for today’s society. The motive which Deb possessed helped him achieve the goals of forming one the nation’s largest unions. Also, he motivated others to form unions such as The United Transportation Union, which furthermore created Walsh 4 provisions of the Railroad Labor Act (RLA). Deb’s action had a significant impact on American history and ultimately shaped what is known as civic engagement. Works Cited David Walters, David. “Life Of Eugene V. Debs.” Life of Eugene V. Debs, DEBS: His Life Writings and Speeches 1908 The Appeal to Reason, 1908, www.marxists.org/archive/debs/bio/bio.htm. Standford University. “Railroaded.” Rise of the American Railway Union, 1893-1894 | Railroaded, W.W Norton & Company, 2011, web.stanford.edu/group/spatialhistory/cgibin/railroaded/gallery/interactive-visualizations/rise-american-railway-union-1893-1894.
On November 10, 1848, his parents migrated to America. When they arrived they settled in New York where they married. His Parents were loving, caring and wise.(www.marxists.org)
Once he was able to differentiate his public perception to whom he actually is as an individual it enabled
Before I took this class I had heard about unions in workplaces but did not know exactly what they were. In the museum it was said that the black Pullman Porter employees were able to form a union for the first time. When these employees met in secrecy to talk about their working conditions they were already a union; an informal union. In now days, they did not have to be recognized by their employer as a union to be a union. The Pullman Porters were coming together in solidarity as a brotherhood; standing together in strengthening numbers.
... middle of paper ... ... But more than anything, I believe, his contribution to society has been his legacy of service to others and the commitment to social justice for communities fighting against inequalities. References Ferris, Susan & Sandoval, Ricardo (1998).
In 1794 organized labor unions were formed to protect workers from poor working conditions and low wages. The Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor were formed in the late 1800’s. (Difference Between Knights of Labor and AFL). Both the Knights of Labor and The American Federation of Labor original goals were to improve working conditions for employees. Although the unions started out separately, during hard times and low membership they had to combine worker unions to regain their strength.
Nick Salvatore’s book Eugene V. Debs Citizen and Socialist provides a very detailed account of the life and times and Eugene Debs. Debs was born in Terre Haute Indiana and Salvatore emphasizes the important role that this played in Debs upbringing. Terre Haute was ripe with religious fundamentalism from its founding. Religion permeated everyday life throughout Terre Haute. Salvatore writes that, “In newspaper editorials, political speeches, civic dedications and Sunday sermons they assured the kingdom of God had already arrived and that their town was destined to become the center of the Kingdoms Midwest development.” It is striking how the ideals of the Terre Haute community based in religious fundamentalism and a strong industrial economy provided a seemingly Marxist critique of a capitalist system in the 1860’s well before Marxist ideas had widely spread to America. Terre Haute’s social construct was unique in that there was the undeniable American value of individual achievement stressed but here the role of community was necessary to achieve this. In Terre Haute it was believed that for individual prosperity the progress of the community as a whole was necessary. Salvatore explains this best himself writing, “The individual was firmly wedded to his community by both the bonds of daily life and by the expectations of future success. The ideas of individualism, self-interest and community appeared to meld.” This seemingly socialist ideology that man relies on himself and his brethren for progress and success was critical to Debs’ formation of his values and ideologies. Even the Superintendent of Terre Haute schools offered this, “If we shall limit the education of the masses and trust the education of the few for directive power and skill we must expect to be ruled by monopolies, demagogues and partisans” Throughout his life Debs constantly fell back on his Terre Hautian upbringing to reinforce his political values which separated him from the Milwaukee and northeastern socialists
Modern democratic ideas were sprouting in America, especially within the organized labor movement from 1875 to 1900. During this period, blue-collar industrial Americans sought to abate their plight through the formal use of collective bargaining and the voice of the masses; seeking to use their strength in numbers against the pocket-heavy trusts. America’s rise in Unions can be traced back to 1792, when workers in Philadelphia formed America’s first union which instituted the avant garde method collective bargaining. It is because of these grass roots that America’s organized labor has continued to grow to this day, however not unchallenged. The challenges unions face today stem directly from the challenges faced in 1875. The organized labor movement from 1875 to 1900 is to blame for the problems unions face today as early labor unions crucified themselves politically, alienated themselves socially and failed to increase the socio-economic position of the worker, and in many cases only succeeded in worsening such positions.
One person’s ideas won’t change the world but it can make a significant impact. George Washington Carver overcame slavery but his ideas about crops and peanuts clearly improved life for many people. George Washington Carver is best known for his agricultural experimentation especially on the uses of the peanut but his life and research led to a better life for many. His legacy is that regardless of your race you can achieve great things if you preserve.
U.S. Labor History Unionism can be described as "a continuous association of wage-earners for the purpose of maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment" (Smelser). This means that a group of workers can unite to gain more power and leverage in bargaining. The bargaining process may include many aspects but usually consists of wages, benefits, terms and conditions of employment. The notion of union came about in the 1700's. In the beginning, as it is today, workers united to "defend the autonomy and dignity of the craftsman against the growing power of the company" (Montgomery).
...large step towards world peace, thus this is way I believe he was an effective visionary leader.
Throughout the history of the United States of America the continuation of misfortunes for the workforce has aggravated people to their apex, eventually leading to the development of labor unions.
Unions have an extensive history of standing up for workers. They have advocated rights of steelworkers, coal miners, clothing factory employees, teachers, health care workers, and many others. The labor movement is based on the idea that organized workers as a group have more power than individuals would have on their own. The key purpose of any union is to negotiate contracts, making sure workers are respected and fairly compensated for their work. “In theory” unions are democratic organizations, resulting in varying inner authority. Workers look for security within a job a...
A more successful collective bargaining union was known as the American Federation of Labor (AFL) founded by Samuel Gompers in 1886. This organization focused on practical issues that involved craft unionization of skilled workers. The craft workers were successful in organizing because unlike the unskilled workers they could not be replaced easily. This union bargained for thing such as 8 hour work days, higher wages did not deal with social reforms. Women’s wages were not considered because the AFL dealt
In 1886, Samuel Gompers combined small unions specific to one craft into the American Federation of Labor, which included all skilled workers. He did not unite the entire working class; skilled laborers were in higher demand, and keeping the AF of L exclusive to them gave them more leverage. Knowing that the radical nature of the Knights of Labor led to its downfall, the AF of L chose to keep their demands simple, only asking for higher wages and better working conditions. These changes were unanimously wanted, and kept the organization united, with the AF of L being the biggest labor union up until the Great Depression.