Part Two of William’s City of Ambition focuses mainly on the New Deal, put into motion by FDR. Having learned about this in the past, I was excited to see how William would portray these facts and learn more about the details and history behind the New Deal. While I had heard of the many letter organizations that were founded to aid in Roosevelt’s plan, I found it interesting to see how they intertwined and overlapped or contrasted in policy and effectiveness. Roosevelt described his plan to relieve America from the Great Depression in three steps: Relief, Recovery, and Reform. While these programs, such as PWA, CCC, CWA, helped to relieve some Americans by providing jobs and help recovery on a small scale, they also worked to improve city infrastructure and environments. After learning about the close relationship between FDR and LaGuardia, it occurred to me that maybe New York was given a little more assistance in these programs from Washington, and my hunch was somewhat correct. However, I’m not sure if it was especially beneficial to New York or America as a whole. If the funds were split more evenly, would it have made it more effective or less? Was the money spent wisely?

While reading Bread Givers, I enjoyed the first-person perspective offered in the novel. Contrasting from the previous books we read of this same time period, it followed one family rather than a whole immigrant group. While I recognized some of the facts of immigrant hardships, they were made more personal with a backstory- the backstory of Sara Smolinsky. For example, her father, Reb Smolinsky made the conscious decision to not send Sara to school until after she was ten years old. While most families had children and sent them to work in factories from the age of six, Reb allowed her to gain a basic education before sending her off to earn wages for the family, despite their extreme poverty. This was one of the few good decisions that he makes. Reb Smolinsky was quite the character because he was constantly contracting himself. He revolved these contradictions around his scripture, twisting the words and excerpts to suit his aim. I find it extremely frustrating that noone had recognized his tyrant ways before it was too late.

Looking at the book from a modern viewpoint, many of the things that occur in this book that I deem unbelievable were probably common events tied into the time period and immigrant theme. It seems that all of the daughters of Reb Smolinsky represented the different ways that women fit into immigrant society. Although unfortunate, Anzia Yezierska does an excellent job of expressing the emotions and situations that the immigrants lived in. To me, this account is far more provoking than previous readings because it is more effective in making the reader see the true living conditions of immigrants in 20th century New York.

“American Moderns” by Christine Stansell offers an enthralling retelling of the culture of New York in the early 20th century. She includes brief, yet key, autobiographies to demonstrate some of the significant personalities of the time. These provide insight into the mind-set of Bohemian ideals, most of which were intertwined with the politics of the time. During this time period many new political parties and ideas surfaced. These were a result of the extensive social platform that was encouraged and made available to the distinctive communities of early 1900’s New York City. These ideas expanded on previous ideas and brought to life new ideas, most of which had some background influence from overseas, but others were formed completely from new-minded individuals, results of the bohemian era. One of the newer ideas was feminism, which was often linked to suffrage. During this time, women had shown extreme success in slowly integrating themselves as somewhat equivalent to males; they had gained more rights as married women, worked in professions that were previously strictly male, yet still maintained the household and child rearing. This time period brought about the beginning of many new ideas and culture, and I attribute this change to the diversity displayed throughout NYC that was a result of the increased immigration that had occurred in the late 19th century.

The tragedy of hurricane Katrina brought forth many volunteers and donations to its victims. This astounding positive response made by others greatly helped the victims when little was done to prevent the damage that was a well known possibility. I think it is ironic that so much assistance was offered after the hurricane rather than used for preventative measures against the storm, considering it’s severity. This shows that human nature is more likely to assist after damage is done, when we can physically see the tragedy and how our resources are being put to use. However, we must also take into consideration the source of aid, as individuals or private groups cannot provide large preventative measures. To a certain extent, I believe that it is the government’s responsibility to provide these preventative measures, and any efforts made by individuals or private groups should assist in post-disaster reconstruction. Our democratic government allows the opportunity for change in policy, but we cannot change the economic state of our nation. It is nearly impossible to aid all living in poverty and allow for them the same benefits of the middle or upper class. In a perfect and ideal world, all would be equal in social, economic, and political standings while safe and protected from risk.

As I began reading “All the Nations Under Heaven”, I too was reminded of the humble beginnings of what is now one of the best cities in the world, New York City. I find it incredible that it started first, as a business expedition, but secondly, as a safe haven for persecuted peoples; moreover, its ability to maintain its status as a place of refuge over the course of its history (with a few exceptions in time). Many early settlers found comfort in knowing that they were free to “worship in private to nonconformists”. This was challenged many times throughout the history of New York City and still continues to be debated- now pushed beyond religious toleration, segregation, and gender equality to marital equality. Issues such as these will continue to arise, and as they do, we will conform and adjust adequately. The history of New York City continues to be written each day as we grow and evolve.

New York City would not be what it is today without its inhabitants. Binder, Reimers, and Salvo can attest to the many different cultures that are represented throughout New York City. The people that reside within this city (and their ancestors) are the people that have shaped it into the place that it has become. From the early Dutch and English settlers, Jews, African Americans, Irish, German, Poles, Italians, and so many others, I find it incredible to think that so many people with so many different backgrounds and cultures and beliefs are able to coexist in such harmony.