Stereotypes that existed years before, were used in campaigns and extended its premises. This paper investigates its consequences for policymaking, as the measures aiming to curb fraud were harming...Show moreStereotypes that existed years before, were used in campaigns and extended its premises. This paper investigates its consequences for policymaking, as the measures aiming to curb fraud were harming the poor.Show less
Between 1933 and 1945, the New Deal period of the United States brought with it an extensive overhaul of the body politic. Federal powers were strengthened, governmental agencies expanded across...Show moreBetween 1933 and 1945, the New Deal period of the United States brought with it an extensive overhaul of the body politic. Federal powers were strengthened, governmental agencies expanded across rural and urban country, and most importantly, it invigorated the hearts and minds of its citizens with a certain need to care for the environment. Environmental politics became a staple of the government, with agencies such as the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Farm Security Administration. Large-scale environmental workers projects were meant to bolster the nation’s economy during the Great Depression while conserving natural resources and providing sustainable environments. However, the benefits of the environmental and social programs of the New Deal were not enjoyed by all. African Americans received the short end of the stick, and were generally excluded from or discriminated within relief programs. The Conservation Corps segregated its worker camps and subjected many Black workers to menial tasks. The Tennessee Valley Authority often times provided no work to its employed Black workers. Farm relief did not apply to the majority of Black farmers, since they virtually owned no land following Emancipation. Within the nation’s capital, several prominent Black federal policy advisors, known as the “Black Cabinet,” attempted to incorporate Black Americans into New Deal relief. Amidst a political landscape indifferent to their plights, they enjoyed several victories, especially concerning ecological problems. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate whether the Black Cabinet were concerned with contemporary notions such as ‘environmental democracy’ and ‘environmental justice.’ Ultimately, this thesis is to find out whether the actions of the Cabinet hindered or favored processes of an environmental democracy.Show less
In this thesis, research has been done into the role that the US Radio broadcast played before and during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. The overarching research question was: Does the United...Show moreIn this thesis, research has been done into the role that the US Radio broadcast played before and during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. The overarching research question was: Does the United States share part of the blame for the Hungarian Revolution because of the anti-communistic radio propaganda they send to the Hungarian people before and during the Revolution in 1956? Two methods were used to find an answer to this question. Firstly, a wide variety of literature to determine the state of the historiographical field and a stand in the discussion if the US shares part of the blame. With this literature, the essential background information was provided to be able to understand the historical setting of the primary sources. Secondly, a case study was carried out while reviewing a good amount of primary material (93 interviews with Hungarian Refugees in the U.S. provided by the Columbia University Research Project on Hungary (CURPH) in 1957 and 1958) in a qualitative way. With this combination, new information about the thoughts and views of the Hungarian people on the Western radio broadcast and their influence embedded in the existing debate was provided. The final conclusion of this thesis is that the Hungarian people enjoyed listening to the radio programs that were sent to them by the U.S. It gave them news and entertainment from the outside world and therefore a sense of freedom. Yet, they did not believe everything they heard and remained critical, especially on the RFE. The influence of the anti-communistic propaganda was that most people expected help from the western world, especially the U.S., if a revolt were to take place. During the Revolution, the U.S. radio broadcast kept giving the Hungarian people this hope, but the U.S. did not intervene in the Revolution. Therefore, many Hungarians were rightly disappointed in the U.S. It can therefore be stated that the U.S. does indeed share part of the blame for the Hungarian Revolution.Show less
During the 1620s the VOC established a presence on the island of Taiwan, then called Formosa. Research on this colony has mostly focussed on the later decades and its dramatic loss at the hand of a...Show moreDuring the 1620s the VOC established a presence on the island of Taiwan, then called Formosa. Research on this colony has mostly focussed on the later decades and its dramatic loss at the hand of a Chinese warlord in 1662. This thesis examines those early years through the construction of Fort Zeelandia, the colony’s administrative capital. This was a slow process, in places equally as dramatic as the colony’s downfall, which shows us that the advantages that allegedly fuelled European expansion could often be ill-suited to the colonial environment.Show less
