Freedom In America - 2258 Words

The United States of America is and has always been very close to realizing democracy’s ideal of a country where there is â€Å"liberty and justice for all†, though a number of factors have conspired to move the country away from them in the past, and threaten to do so in our immediate future. Though their outcomes have varied considerably over the years, the main factors causing the U.S to stray from its ideals of freedom and equality have always been one or both of the following factors—discrimination and war. These factors are perennial, affecting every nation that has ever existed and probably every nation that will exist, and our nation’s reaction to them has been on par with that of every other nation in a similar position. From†¦show more content†¦One such factor is war. During World War I, the Espionage Act of 1917 was used to jail prominent critics of American intervention in the war—among them, Eugene V. Debs, four-time president ial candidate (Ball, 146). Shortly after the war ended, A. Mitchell Palmer used the powers granted by the act to conduct mass arrests and deportation of hundreds of foreign residents (Emert, 54, 55, 56). During World War II, the federal government forcibly relocated thousands of Japanese Americans into what were essentially concentration camps (Cooper, 10, 11). The Japanese internment was implemented in the name of combating a virtually non-existent military threat, for fear that Americans of Japanese descent might aid the Empire of Japan (Cooper, 63). After the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon and the declaration of the War on Terror, the USA PATRIOT Act was hurriedly conceived and passed into law (Ball, 38). Included in the law were provisions for roving wiretaps, the sharing of information between criminal probes and intelligence agencies and secret searches of private property in violation of the Constitution (Ball, 57, 74, 81). War has always been a major contributor to the detriment of civil liberties in all nations, andShow MoreRelatedAmerica s Freedom Of Freedom1495 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Since 2011, the Freedom House has classified Mexico as a purple, or a â€Å"not free† country in its annual Freedom of the Press report. The upraise of violence in the country, stemmed from its war against drugs, has threatened Mexico’s freedom of expression and practice of journalism, undermining the foundations of the country’s democracy. During the last 12 years, 82 journalists have been murdered, 18 have disappeared and there have been 33 attacks on media outlets according to the NationalRead MoreEssay on Freedom In America889 Words   |  4 Pages America is the universal symbol of freedom. But is it really free? Does the history of the United States stay true to the ideas of our forefathers? Or has the definition been altered to fit American policies? Has freedom defined America? Or has America defined freedom? I believe America was at first defined by freedom, then after time, America defined freedom, altering the definition to fit the niche it fi ts in, but still keeping key components so it still seems to be staying true to theRead MoreAmerica Is Considered For Its Freedom1616 Words   |  7 PagesAmerica is known for its freedom. Freedom to speak your opinion, freedom to practice any religion that you choose, and freedom to criticize the government. American’s are able to have the power or right to act, speak, or even think about almost anything they wanted to without restraint from the government or from other people. Migrants from other countries come to the United States to have a chance at freedom. To raise a family away from war torn cities or harsh governments. They come to AmericaRead MoreThe Importance Of Freedom In America1256 Words   |  6 PagesFreedom has been present in American literature and American history ever since this country was formed. 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I’m going to tell who wrote the bill of rights that made religious freedom a law and why they wrote it. I’ll tell you about the people who fight in war just to make sure we have this freedom among other freedoms. I’ll talk about how America is one place whereRead MoreFreedom Of Speech : America3324 Words   |  14 PagesAmerica is a land whose roots are nourished by equality, opportunity, and freedom. The first amendment that our forefathers sought to proclaim was that of freedom of speech. In doing so, all men were allowed to speak their minds, regardless of how it might impact someone else. This was a concept that was relatively marred since its conception in ancient Greece. Free loving nations have always sought to increase the happines s of its citizens, yet it has always failed. America is a benchmark of libertyRead MoreReligious Freedom in America569 Words   |  2 PagesFrom the beginning the United States of America was formed, it has been founded and established by religious toleration and freedom. Without religious freedom, people are forced to comply with laws and policies that blatantly contradict their beliefs. This results in people living their lives in a struggle between their personal beliefs and obeying the laws that are placed before them. Obviously upholding personal convictions is very important, but people are forced to decide if it is personallyRead MoreAmerica Is A Country Of Freedom2427 Words   |  10 PagesThe United States of America is a country of freedom, a quality highly desired by many non-Americans. As Americans, the Bill of Rights grants each of us native-born Americans with certain freedoms. For example, we have the freedom of religion, the freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of petition, and freedom to bear arms. In addition to these freedoms, we also have the freedom to receive a free public education. As a future educator, this freedom directly affects me