Eight Time Periods of U

Essay

Eight time periods of U.S. history were described in the chapter (Colonial, Pre-Civil War, Civil War, Progressive, Great Depression and New Deal, World War II and Postwar, Social Reform, Retrenchment). Choose one of these periods and discuss some of the values and social welfare responses seen during that time. Briefly discuss how any of the values and/or social welfare responses can still be seen today.​
Time Period                                                     Key Social Welfare Response
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Colonial Period (1690 - 1800)                       Elizabethan Poor Laws
Values:  Individualism, the individual is responsible for his or her condition and individual effort is highly valued. Abundant, limitless natural resources.​
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Pre-Civil War Period (1801-1860)               Residential Institutions
Values: Placing similar people with similar problems together.​
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Civil War/Postwar Period (1861-1874)       First Federal Intervention
Values:  Segregation. Importance of federal government as a resource for those in need.​
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Progressive Era (1875 -1925)                       Birth of Social Work Profession
Values:  Importance of environmental or structural factors on individual's lives. Workers should have basic rights. Need for social responsibility.​
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Great Depression/New Deal (1926 -1940)   Social Insurance & Public Assistance
Values:  Social and economic conditions contribute to economic distress. The federal government should help correct economic imbalances.​
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World War II & After (1941 - 1959)           GI Bill
Values:  Individual well-being and home/family life, particularly nuclear families. Soldiers/veterans should be honored and supported.​
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Social Reform Period (1960 - 1975)             War on Poverty
Values:  Social responsibility. Question authority.​
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Retrenchment Period (1976 - 2000)             Cutbacks & Local Control
Values: Individual and family responsibility. External aid only for the "worthy" poor.)