What Social Classes Owe to Each Other

What Social Classes Owe to Each Other was written by William Graham Sumner in 1883. In this excerpted passage Sumner explains what social classes should do for each other. He starts off by arguing that humanitarians and social reformers are in the wrong for trying to take something earned by one man and support another. Throughout his paper he argues that the separation between rich and poor is how society is supposed to be. He was not in support of welfare-like programs because money people earned was being used to support the “dead-weights” of society. Sumner reasoned that the one action the rich should take on behalf of the poor was to fight for equal opportunity for everyone. “We owe it to the other to guarantee rights. Rights do not pertain to results, but only to chances.” His argument here stems from his avid belief in social Darwinism. Equal opportunity for all would create an environment where some would succeed because of individual capability and others would fail because of a lack of skill. William Sumner thought that the best way to support the poor was to “increase, multiply, and extend the chances.”

In this excerpt Sumner takes a much more factual and logical approach. His use of logos is very apparent throughout the excerpt. Two examples are both of Sumner’s definitions of a “poor man” and a “weak man”.  Another example of his use of logos is in his sarcastic ridicule of philanthropists’ social reform. “Poverty is the best policy. If you get wealth, you will have to support other people; if you do not get wealth, it will be the duty of other people to support you.”

Sumner’s use of pathos also comes in logical form. There are few places where he appeals to the emotional side of his readers. A society based on contract, therefore, gives the utmost room and chance for individual development, and for all the self-reliance and dignity of a free man.” Though his argument is logical, he is trying to play on the same emotional strings connected to independence from Britain and the feeling of superiority of free white men.

His appeal to ethos is quite simple. By his use of proper grammar, extended vocabulary, and a respectful tone throughout his excerpt he succeeds in presenting himself and his theory as respectable, knowledgeable, and commendable.

I do not believe this excerpt or book has much historical significance. It was written in 1883 in response to the economic growth and development during the Gilded Age and addressed questions that many people had about free labor and its effects on society. Though this book most likely helped the supporters of social Darwinism, it did not have a fundamental impact on American society.

I do find Sumner’s argument to be somewhat convincing. I am not in complete agreement with his idea that there should be no form of social support that offers capital; I do agree that the best way to help an impoverished man is to give him the skills necessary to succeed and provide as many options as possible for him. For the time period, many people must have found his argument convincing because of his polished use of logic and his high position at a renowned university.

What Did The Ku Klux Klan really want? CDL

The Ku Klux Klan was a group that constantly threatened, harassed, murdered, and abused African Americans and supporters of racial equality. The first group was formed in 1866 by six Confederate veterans in Tennessee, and more groups quickly formed afterwards. The Klan operated under a belief that all their actions were purely for self-preservation and self-defense.  Nevertheless history reveals that the Ku Klux Klan did not only strive for “self-preservation” but to turn back the clock to a time of slavery. Their attempt at success caused the Klan to implement tactics of guerrilla warfare. Klansmen wanted slavery to be revived so the Klan continually targeted all African Americans exercising rights and privileges that they did not have before the civil war. For example Klansmen found it offensive that blacks were receiving an education, so many of the African American schools were bombed and burned. Furthermore the Klan used tactics as extreme as forcing a man’s wife to watch as his throat was cut. In less than five years the number of political killings reached the thousands, and this proved to be effective, “Ulysses S. Grant received no votes at all in 1868 in eleven counties, despite black majorities” (575). The Federal Government finally interfered in 1870 and 1871 by passing laws that limited the Klan’s power. However this did not stop the violence. The Klan continued to operate and other groups began to strike fear into the hearts of African Americans as well.

1.       Why was the Ku Klux Klan so appealing to White Southerners?

2.       Did the Klan succeed in their objectives?