Digital Portfolio Reflection

Throughout this course, we have explored numerous periods of time in American history,

while looking into significant events that shaped the past to give us the present that we have

today. Truthfully, I, as well all can, learn from that history and take away important lesson that

we can apply today towards the betterment of our country. A large number of these lessons all

focus upon one common theme, one commonality that binds them together; that theme is the law.

In the 20th century, laws were made, laws were broken, and laws were challenged. Several times

throughout the 20th century, important historical figures, from Ida Tarbell to Martin Luther King

Jr. fought and challenged the law to fight for what they believed was right. Through the trials and

tribulations of the historical figures that we learned about throughout this course, we can learn

how to continue upon the road that they began paving for us.

First off, a great example of a historical figure that made an impact on society as a result

of the law was Ida Tarbell. Tarbells family was greatly affected by Rockefeller, whose Standard

Oil put Tarbells company out of business. However, after much growth in size, Tarbell knew that

the Standard Oil Company mustve been in violation of the Sherman-Antitrust Act1. After

exposing the Standard Oil Company for what it was doing, Tarbell was able to successfully use

the law to ensure that the monopolistic practices of the Standard Oil Company could not

continue. Tarbell acted as a pioneer for the muckrakers of the time. By her exposing the unjust

principles of the Standard Oil Company, Tarbell enabled many other muckrakers to fight for

injustice-of-the-law in their own way. For example, after Tarbell, Thomas Lawson brought the

inner workings of the stock market into the light, (Progressive Citizens). There is a lesson to be

learned from Tarbell and the muckrakers. No one is above the law. Despite the money he had,

1 This act, passed in 1890, outlawed all monopolies.

John Rockefeller was still required to follow the laws of this country. And when he didnt, he had

to face the punishment. This principle is still relevant to us today. Whether a law enforcer,

teacher, fire fighter, or even the president, no one is above the law. And when people attempt to

put themselves above the law, they will be punished for it, such as Rockefeller was.

Another great example that I can take from history and apply it to myself and today is Franklin

Delano Roosevelts presidency. Now, this example is a little bit different, because his presidency

caused the law to be made. FDR served three consecutive terms from 1933-1945. His presidency

started in the heat of the Great Depression, while the last four years of it were spent in World

War Two. At the time of the conclusion of his second term, the nation felt as though it wouldve

been too difficult of a transition of presidents while fighting in World War Two. America was

also pleased with the work that FDR had done up until this point, so the decision was made to

allow him to serve a third term in office, the first time that this was ever done. In fact, many

described FDRs leadership as unparalleled to any other (Franklin Delano Roosevelt). FDRs

presidency was not a result of law, rather, caused a law to be passed. In 1951, the 22nd

amendment to the constitution was ratified, stating that, No person shall be elected to the office

of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as

President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President

shall be elected to the office of the President more than once, (States). Like in Tarbells

situation, there is another valuable lesson that a historian could take away from this to try

bettering his country: sometimes, changing tradition can have positive outcomes. The two-term

limit was not a rule at the time of FDRs presidency, it was a tradition started by George

Washington. However, putting the countrys best interest in mind, FDR broke the tradition to

continue leading our country through one of its most difficult time to date: World War Two.
 The last example of how we can take 20th century American history and apply it to our

lives, in regards to law, is the Civil Rights Movement. This unprecedented period in the 1960s

and 70s was a time where people of all races, ethnicities, and sexualities all fought for change.

African Americans, women, gays, and minorities alike all wanted to be treated equally in the

land of the free. According the reading, As awareness was being raised across America about

civil rights for African Americans, it was only natural that other groups who felt marginalized by

the American mainstream to make demands of their own. Not since the drive for suffrage had a

drive for women's rights met with much success. A new feminist movement emerged in the

1960s pressing for modern reforms, (Shaping a New America). Many rose up to fight the

oppression with anger and violence, such as Malcom X. Others relied on peaceful protests, such

as Martin Luther King Jr. One way or another, millions of Americans all fought for the equal

treatment. This period of time in American history led to many laws being passed in support of

the groups that were fighting. To a historian, this period of time would be one of the most

relevant to study to compare to the current times. For many minority groups, the Civil Rights

Movement hasnt ended. It was just a few years ago that gay marriage was legalized, while many

women and minority workers are still being underpaid. The Civil Rights Movement teaches

people that if you want change, you need to stand up and do something about it. Martin Luther

King Jr. stood up and did something. And despite his life coming to an early end, he made one of

the greatest impacts that an one man could make. For any group in America, whether the

minority or the majority, if members of the group want something to be accomplished, they need

to stand up and fight the current system, fight the law. That is how change will come.

Learning from those who have come before me as given me a sense of responsibility

towards my country. Anyone couldve gotten the word out regarding the Standard Oil Company,
but Ida Tarbell took it upon herself to do so. Any man couldve risen up to lead our country

during the Great Depression, but FDR rose up to take responsibility for it. Anyone couldve risen

to encourage the people to fight for equality, but Martin Luther King Jr. saw it as his

responsibility to do so. Learning from these great men and women, I must ask, why not me? If

theres a law that I dont agree with, why shouldnt I be the one to do something about it? If

theres a non-existing law that should be passed, why cant I be the one to take initiative?

Reading about these men and women gives me no excuse to not fight for the betterment of the

country. If they did it so long ago, why shouldnt I do it today?

Bibliography
"Franklin Delano Roosevelt." n.d. USHistory. 23 April 2017.
This article is from the digital textbook for the class, and discussed Franklin Delano Roosevelt as
a leader, as he was taking over the country in the midst of the Great Depression. The content
from the article is from USHistory.com, a very credible source for the material that we are
learing.

"Progressive Citizens." n.d. USHistory. 23 April 2017.

This article, also from our digital textbook, talks about Ida Tarbell and the affect that she had in
regards to the Standard Oil Company.

"Shaping a New America." n.d. USHistory. 23 April 2017.

This article from the digital textbook talks about the reform that was coming about during the
Civil Rights Movement. It goes through section by section, talking about what each group was
fighting for in terms of equality.

States, United. "U.S. Constitution." n.d. Cornell Law. 23 April 2017.

This website from Cornell University Law displays the Constitution in its entirety and all of its
amendments. Cornell, being such a prestigious intuition, is a very credible source for the given
material.