While the labor movement went through some horrific times, leading to future worker’s rights and benefits; its main reason for existence was brought on by American’s desire for economic freedom.

            While Americans rely on economic freedom; they defend its political freedom vehemently.  American politics, and the demand and desire for freedom go hand-in-hand; the country was founded on this idea.  In The Story of American Freedom, Eric Foner says about America, “Its vision of the new nation as an asylum for freedom in a world overrun by oppression resonates in the political culture to this day” (3).  Americans were governed with the concept being freedom first.  The American Revolution began as an economic feud, but soon turned into a war for freedom.  The colonists were angry towards, what they perceived as, Britain’s unfair taxing.  That anger did, however, dissipate into inspiration; the colonists were inspired by the idea of having their own country, “free” to do as they wish.  Of course, the colonists win the war; and they do get their country, along with the ultimate goal, freedom.  Fighting for freedom can also be negative.  McCarthyism played on fear; Joseph McCarthy led an anti-communist movement destroying the accused reputations and livelihoods. Foner says this about McCarthyism, “It is equally certain that the vast majority of those jailed or deprived of their livelihood during the McCarthy era were guilty of nothing more than holding unpopular beliefs and engaging in totally legitimate political activities” (256).   All this because he played on the idea that communism could lead to the destruction of American’s freedoms.  Eventually, there were laws put in place making McCarthyism illegal, and courts reversed decisions to somewhat vindicate the victims and the wrongfully accused.  Americans have proven, time and

 

 

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