In the United States, politics is always present in our daily lives. Politics is important because it shapes the way we live our lives. We live in a society where there is order and stability but also liberty and freedom of speech and it is because of the well-structured constitution written by The Framers at the Philadelphia Convention of 1789. Watching the film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington made me learn about concepts of American politics in a way that was entertaining and not at all boring. It is a fascinating film with an excellent script and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to have fun while also learning about politics. The beginning of the movie starts when a senator from an unnamed state dies and the governor, named Hubert …show more content…
According to the Oxford dictionary, a filibuster is “an action, such as a prolonged speech, that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly while not technically contravening the required procedures”. In politics, a filibuster is usually used so that one can obstruct the progress of a bill, or to convince the senate to work on another bill. In the film Mr. Smith goes to Washington, Jefferson Smith does a filibuster to prove his innocence and to obstruct the progress of the dam building bill. Smith achieves this by speaking nonstop for 24 hours without sitting down, in an attempt to make the people in the senate and the people of his state understand that he is innocent. Performing a filibuster in the senate requires the speaker “to not yield,” which means that a speaker must not sit down while speaking so that he can continue on with a filibuster. Another concept that the film portrays perfectly is the usage of mass media. Mass media according to our notes is defined as a “linkage mechanism, such as television, radio, newspaper, magazines, and the internet, capable of rapidly communicating information to large numbers of people over large distances.” Since the film’s setting is the 1930’s, the media that was used in order to rapidly communicate information were newspapers, radio, and magazines. In the film, the radio and newspaper are used to spread information in different ways. At the start of the film, the newspaper is used in a big way to make fun of Smith by calling him dumb when he is interviewed by journalists shortly after he arrived in Washington DC. Later in the film, when Smith is performing a filibuster, the majority of the newspapers and radio stations speak negatively of Smith and are do not even mention his filibuster due to Jim Taylor’s
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
Media plays an important role in politics. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington illustrates this. In the movie the newspaper was controlled by Taylor and his political machine. Due to this the newspaper wrote negative things about Smith and tarnishing his reputation in Washington. He was frustrated because the newspaper made him look like a joke and people in Washington believed it. This also influences passing his bill in the senate. Saunders decided that Smith should call for a filibuster which is talking about the bill and try to influence votes. The newscaster was not accurate with his description of a filibuster because he thinks it just blocks a vote. Saunders was not completely accurate because he talks about passing through the senate but it also has to pass through House of Representatives.
The movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington did a great job demonstrating the power and influence media can have on American politics. In the movie Jim Taylor is an evil man who corrupts politicians. He uses his control of the media, particularly newspapers, to exert is power on politicians. Without his support politicians are viewed in a negative light by the media and are subsequently unelected (22). In the end of the movie Jefferson Smith who was appointed Senator from his state is falsely accused of trying to profit off of his bill. Senator Jefferson Smith goes to the senate floor to filibuster a motion to have him removed from the senate. The filibuster lasts nearly a full day as does the war of public opinion. Jim Taylor uses his pull with the local media to blacklist all information
“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” Mr. Smith was too naive to survive as a senator during the time the movie “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” took place. Mr. Smith’s naiveté was most evident in his ambitious proposal to start a national boys camp. However, when false allegations regarding Mr. Smith’s motives for starting the camp surfaced, Smith was too idealistic to defend himself from the political machine that accused him of acting in self-interest. Making matters worse, Senator Smith was a genuinely honest and simple-minded man, making it difficult for him to survive among his scheming colleagues.
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
Ulysses Simpson Grant, the 18th President of the United States of America, was a significant influence on American history. Throughout his life, he always felt an exceptional commitment to the American military. This man helped the Union defeat the Confederates in the American Civil War and contributed to Americans during the Reconstruction time period, in hopes that America would be a fully industrialized nation. Grant displays many important military and political leadership roles in American society.
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.
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.
John Adams Biography John Adams was born on October 30, 1735 and died on July 4, 1826. He was the second president of the United States. He served from 1797 to 1801. Earlier, he served as the first vice president of the United States. John Adams was a statesman, a diplomat, and a leading advocate of American independence from Great Britain.
After all these years since the United States was born no one has forgotten the name George Washington. George Washington help the united states gain its independence. That wasn't all after we one independence George Washington was elected the first U.S. president. I believe that George Washington was the best president because he was our first its because of him how we are today even though the U.S. is going through a rough patch right now he left a great name for the United States Of America. George Washington was the right man for the job.
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
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.
Before and after the Mexican- American War filibusters were dealt with like any other criminal. Many filibusters found it thrilling to go against international and domestic law. Filibusters in early history of the US wanted to add free colonies to their own country. The Neutrality Law of 1818 was created to stop and deal with filibusters. This law was the misery of American filibusters. Article 6 stated anyone will be imprisoned for a maximum of three years and fined up to three thousand dollars, who aided anyone in US jurisdiction, who attempted any military expedition against any state or jurisdiction the US...
The Political machine provides a service to the American Political system by directly engaging with the general public on trying to satisfy the communities’ needs and issues, helping to reduce discrimination against a majority of under privileged in the government sector, and lastly provides continuous efficiency in order to maintain such a large following.
In 1773, Phillis Wheatley introduced controversy to her insight in politics and her slavery through poetry. The poem “To his Excellency General Washington”, shows the dedication that Wheatley proposed to politics and the problems of the America. Wheatley anticipates the future of this war that the new world is in to break away from the British. She shows the strength and triumph of the new world before the outcome of this war. This proposed Wheatley as a groundbreaker to poetry and the freedom in the new world fighting for independence. Wheatley’s poems and her personal struggle of slavery intertwine to her overall goal of each poem. This demonstrates the bold stand and positioning that Wheatley took to as an African American female poet. Wheatley exhibits her struggle of being