Essay Sample on Government Involvement in American History

Government involvement in controversial issues in the United States has been seen throughout various time periods in history. Many incidents have shown how government involvement can be helpful and harmful to situations involving citizens of the United States. From the 1870s to the 1920s, the federal government was able to span their influence from controlling labor strikes to maneuvering through World War I. During the span of time from the 1930s to the 1960s, the government had to adapt to a changing economy during the great depression, remain standing through World War II, and debate on whether to enter the Vietnam War. Additionally, the period from the 1970s to the 1980s included change in control of the Executive Branch of government and the debate on whether the United States should enter the Vietnam War. Other incidents occurred during these time periods as well. Upon consideration, it can be determined that less involvement by the federal government would benefit the United States citizens more than an overbearing governing entity. United States citizens pride themselves on having basic rights and freedoms. Limiting interaction by the federal government that involve basic rights of United States citizens, unless violation of them is involved, would be best. Limited involvement by the federal government in certain situations would allow citizens to live their lives as the founders of the United States intended.  

Beginning in the 1870s and spanning to the 1920s, various occurrences represented the activism of the federal government during this period. It could be considered that the federal government was reasonably active in the events that occurred during this time. The first major instance of the federal government proclaiming its presence during this time was their involvement in the railroad strikes of 1877.1 Federal troops were called to certain areas where the strike was taking place since local troops could not diffuse the situation properly.2 This shows the government’s involvement and influence within the workforce since the railroad workers were affected by their involvement. The involvement of the government in the workforce also led to the Republican Party giving land and money to the companies3. An added representation of government involvement was seen when the Native Americans were removed from their land and placed on reservations.4 Also, the involvement if the United States in World War I illustrated the amount of involvement that the federal government had between the 1870s and the 1920s. The United States enter World War I in April of 1917 after a decision was made by Congress to do so.5 This decision made by the federal government placed the United States citizens in World War I, with little to no consideration of the feelings of the people of the United States. The involvement on the United States in World War I lasted until the early 1920s. The previously given examples are only some of the major happenings during this time. Thus, the major incidents that occurred between the 1870s and the 1920s demonstrate the involvement that the federal government had. It can be concluded that the government had a large amount of involvement during this period that affected a various amount of people.  

Due to the involvement of the federal government in some situations, some people were able to benefit from the government’s decisions. Overall, the people that benefited the most from the actions taken by the government from the 1870s to the 1920s were white Americans and the wealthy. During the 1870s wealthy railroad owners were able to benefit from the government by gaining land and money.6 White Americans were able to benefit from government decisions when Native Americans had to leave their land and move onto reservations.7 This was due to the need for white settlers to move west in search of precious metals.8 American settlers were able to benefit from the decision that the federal government made to move Native Americans to reservations. Additionally, during the time that the United States was in World War I and at times of peace, women as well as the wealthy were able to benefit. Women were able to join the workforce and be employed to different positions than they were able to be in previously since there was a lack of workers due to the war.9 Women being in positions that were considered to be a job for a man could be counted as unheard of. At the time right before the thralls of war took over Europe and the United States entered the war; American business was able to flourish.10 This was the result of the increased amount of overseas trade that occurred during this time.11 Therefore, the groups that benefited the most from government involvement during the 1870s to the 1920s were white Americans and wealthy Americans.  

With each choice that was made by the federal government, the citizens were able to perform their own acts to show their true feelings about the government. During the 1890s, citizens wanted to take back the government for themselves instead of it being entirely centered around large corporations and the economy.12 The populist party was created by farmers in the attempt to take back the government for the people.13 They wanted to modernize the government and make sure that citizens had the most power and ensure that the people who created products, like farmers, had the ability to flourish in the economy.14 The creation of the Populist Party indicates the negative feelings that some Americans had towards the federal government at this time. They wanted to take the government back for the people and not have it centralized on business dealings. Also, during the expansion west white settlers were concerned about having more land when traveling into Native American territory. The settlers requested that the federal government sign more treaties with the Native Americans to gain more land which the Native Americans were weary of since this would place them on reservations.15 This is an example of how in the past the federal government has been willing to perform acts to help their white citizens without consideration of the affect it may have on citizens of what may be considered a minority group. During this time people also criticized how the government was handling the topic of immigration and wanted reform.