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Mr smith goes to washington flashcard
Mr smith goes to washington flashcard
Mr smith goes to washington flashcard
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In social studies class we watched the movie Mr.Smith Goes to Washington. This movie was described as “Frank Capra's classic comedy-drama established James Stewart as a lead actor in one of his finest (and most archetypal) roles” by rotten tomatoes. This movie displayed how the government was and somewhat still is corrupt. The corrupters make a mistake by appointing a new senator who is naive but determined.
Senator Samuel Foley dies in the middle of the night so they have to appoint a new senator as soon as possible. They go through a few people but when Governor Hubert Happy Hopper gets home his kids strongly suggest Jefferson Smith. Jefferson Smith was the leader of the state’s Boy Rangers. After some long conversations (arguments) they
“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a wonderful film about a man Jeff Smith (James Stewart) who believes that children are the future and should be able to enjoy the outdoors, while taking in knowledge of their great Country. When a senator dies in Smith's state, the governor is forced into an awkward position of electing the new senator. While the governor is sitting down to dinner, his young children propose the idea of Jeff Smith who is head of the Boy Rangers and prints a weekly newspaper for the local children. Mr. Smith is elected into office in the funniest way, a coin toss. When Mr. Smith arrives in Washington with his colleague Mr. Pain, (Claude Rains) he is amazed by all the greatness that Washington possesses. After being sworn into the Senate Mr. Smith comes up with idea to propose a Bill that would let boys come together and enjoy the wilderness, and the perfect spot would be in his home town next to a creek. What he doesn't know is that his colleague Mr. Pain has his own plans with that same land. The film then releases the full fury of what corrupt politicians can do to a truthful man. The plot of the film will grab the viewer within the first five minutes and will not let go until the astonishing end. Even though this type of thing is implausible it's still very funny and unique in its own way. The acting was superb! James Stewart will always represent the good guy trying to make his way
Throughout the second chapter Levin states that there is a very small turnover in Congress and each time that election time comes into play, most of the same people are elected for position (Levin 19-32). He believes that while term limits are not enough to balance the power of the governing systems it is a step in the right direction and are necessary and a critical building block (Levin 22). In his next chapter Levin proposes an amendment that is to restore the Senate (Levin 33). This amendment would repeal the seventeenth amendment and make it to where all Senators are chosen by their state legislatures as prescribed by Article I (Levin 33). Prior to the seventeenth amendment the Senate had been chosen by legislators of each state (Levin 34). Throughout the chapter he goes on to talk about how the Framers of our nation intended the Senate to be chosen and also how we have branched away from that. He discusses several different people’s opinions on how it should be ran and also how it should be managed. He states that John Dickinson made a notion that the Senate should be chosen by the state legislatures (Levin
Keso, Edward E.. The senatorial career of Robert Latham Owen,. Gardenvale, P.Q., Can.: Garden city press, 1938.
In the novel 1776 by David McCullough, the author gives the reader an accurate description of the events around the year 1776. However, certain characters and events are portrayed through the opinion of the author which gives an interesting view and may change certain opinions on characters. McCullough starts off with the portrayal of King George when he learns of a rebellion. King George is portrayed as rather wise and we'll put together and the authors puts aside his later madness for the reader to see the kind of man he really was. McCullough’s portrayal of George Washington in my opinion was sort of the opposite of rags to riches. Washington starts off in a practically English lifestyle then later takes control of the American army and
During the American Revolution, Washington and his men were experiencing a series of defeat. In order to bring about great pride and patriotism of an American, they sought to plan a sneak attack on the opposite force. On December 25, Washington and 5,400 troops began crossing the Delaware River to the Hessian stronghold. At this point in time, the Hessians were celebrating Christmas; this was a perfect time for an attack. When Washington and his men arrived, they started attacking the unsuspected Hessians; nearly 1,000 Hessians were captured. Even though the attack was not significant, it raised American spirit. In 1851, Emanuel Leutze created the image of Washington Crossing the Delaware; the painting was later destroyed, but restored by another artist. The mood of the painting can be described as intense and patriotic. Later, a poem called “Washington Crossing the Delaware” was written by David Shulman. The mood of the poem
Mr. Smith is portrayed as an honest man with strong opinions. He is the ideal politician in an ideal society. The film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington depicts a "reassuring image" that happens to be "an image of the past" (Wheeler). However, in today's legislature, people like Mr. Smith are rare due to the fact that a politician's primary goal is re-election. The good of the people may come as another intention of a politician, but it is always secondary to "bringing home the pork." There should be more people like Mr. Smith because the legislature would be able to make decisions more effectively and efficiently, rather than how slowly they currently operate. This is an unfortunate truth, yet it is how our society has been shaped to operate. This becomes apparent after close examination of the United States legislature today and viewing of the film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
There are many accurate depictions of the political process in this movie, but there are also some areas where this movie was just being a people pleaser. The American President accurately portrayed the rolls of the media, the effects of polling, the impact of primaries, and it showed the process of introducing a bill to congress. However, it also was being a typical Hollywood movie at times. This was mostly true in the cases where the President came off being naïve, when he through caution into the wind for a girlfriend, and at other times, like when he was to dignified to join into the smear campaign.
As a freshman Congressman, and Speaker of the House, Henry Clay pushed the limits and increased the power of the position, making it the second only to the president. Henry Clay’s initial acts as speaker were a premonition of his politica...
Willie Stark-He becomes a treasurer of Mason City and from there his political career takes flight. After becoming a treasurer Stark decides to study law and become a lawyer. After he receives some success he runs for governor and becomes a power-hungry politician.
Slayton, Robert A. Empire Statesman: The Rise and Redemption of Al Smith. New York: Free, 2001. Print.
This movie justifies the behaviors of most president men, advisors and candidates. Politics is normally founded on backroom finagling. Lurie shows that the aim of any politician is to gain heroic actions. He thus reveals the worst issues relating to politics and movies. This is because; politics is full of dram as it happens in movies.
From the very beginning of his time in the presidential spotlight, Theodore Roosevelt signified the Progressive goal and ambition. Often times, Roosevelt’s presidency is labeled as accidental or ironic. This irony is present in the fact that he was given the role of vice president to William McKinley simply because Roosevelt’s rising popularity and progressive ideals were seen as a threat by McKinley. The McKinley administration figured that they could silence the growing progressive voice Roosevelt embodied by giving him the menial position of vice president. So, it was seen as a shock when McKinley was suddenly assassinated, six months into his second term, and Roosevelt rose to power bringing with him new excitement and power to the Presidency (Theodore Roosevelt ). It is exactly this surge of excitement and charisma which made Roosevelt one of America’s most unforgettable presidents. His presidential career and attitude can be described by the phrase “steward of the people” which he aimed to embody throughout his term, this meant that Roosevelt made his primary goal to maintain the public good to the fullest extent of his power (Theodore Roosevelt ). Roosevelt’s character and contributions to the Progressive campaign are both equally important parts of American history and will be explored throughout this paper.
The Freedmen’s Bureau, also known as The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, was created in the South after the Civil War in 1865 by Congress with the intention of providing assistance to the less fortunate whites and newly freedmen. Congress had decided that the organization would operate for one year after the end of the Civil War. In 1866, Congress passed a bill which stated that the Bureau continue to function as a peace cooperation for longer than one year, increasing its powers throughout the South. Major General Oliver Otis Howard was the head of the Bureau from 1865 to 1872 under the regulated War Department; he converted from a soldier in the War to a believer in emancipation for all. Ultimately, the Freedmen’s Bureau
While Woodrow Wilson was president of the United States, he managed to accomplish some unthinkable feats, such as fighting for the passage of the 19th Amendment and establishing order in the entropic territories such as Haiti and the Dominican Republic by dispatching US Marines in these places. However, due to weak judgement and intuition, as well as inexperience, he made a feeble, manipulatable diplomat. During the Paris Peace Conference and throughout the ratification process for the Treaty of Versailles, Wilson’s ineptitude and stubbornness towards the Republican Party ultimately led the US senate to shoot down the Treaty.
As many scholars before him and many after him, Woodrow Wilson was a reformist, in that, he endeavored to change the way the government operated (Buck, Cox, Morgan, p. 5). He demanded the efficient operation of the government. He was actually one of the first politicians who specifically asked for efficiency. It was during the Progressive Era, a time of major change. Developments in trade and working conflicts were on the rise as well as the demand for services provided by government. All of this change happening so quickly also jumpstarted an increase in corruption and a continuing loss of values among the people. The spoils system, introduced by President Andrew Jackson, was prevalent. Per the spoils system, party loyalists were given administrative jobs regardless of qualifications or training. This combination of things prompted Wilson to question the development of the government in terms of handling these changes so as to maximize efficiency and utilization of resources. He analyzed the then current power regime, found them lacking in skill and corruptible, and offered suggestions to better the system and prevent future corruption. In response to the spoils system, Wilson demanded that there be a separation of politics and administration which he hoped would liken the government to corporations. With ‘The Study of Administration’ (1887), Wilson supplied the first published essay on public administration and established himself as a foremost authority in this field. In this essay, Wilson publicly launched the idea of government as administration.
With the help of superb editing, sound, mise en scene, and cinematography, this film cannot be topped. The fist scene of the movie creates an atmosphere that helps the viewer know that he/she will enjoy this wonderful classic. Throughout the movie there are surprises and fun that makes this a movie that people will want to watch again and again. Gene Kelly said it best when he said, "Dignity, always dignity. " That is what this movie has from beginning to end, dignity.