Seasons of Giving
Salvation Army poster, 1919
As we head towards the holiday season, BackStory takes a look at the origins and effects of American generosity. When did we start giving to people we’ve never even met? And where does the government fit into all this, anyway?
In this episode, the History Guys will explore giving in American history. From tithing in churches to abolition to robber barons, we’ll look at the origins and unexpected consequences of charity. Who were the “worthy” and “unworthy” poor, and what’s the story behind those tax deductions? Plus, why were so many early charitable organizations concerned with, of all things, funerals?
Please help us shape this episode — post your personal stories, ideas, and questions below!
This looks like another wonderful episode, guys!
If you’re still open to some questions, I’ve got a few:
1) I know a lot of early mutual aid organizations were founded by African Americans for African Americans. At the same time, abolition societies seemed to take a “help the slave” mentality that could be intensely patronizing (as in accounts by Douglass or Jacobs). Was there a lot of tension between African Americans who accepted white aid and those that were aided solely by the mutual aid societies?
2) Can you talk at all about new religious movements, particularly 18th and 19th century ones, and their attitudes towards giving and inclusiveness? What role did Quaker philosophy play in shaping early American government? How did the Swedenborgians help/hinder Native/Colonial relations? Did the wave of Spiritualism after the Civil War lead to a more self-centered view of spiritual responsibility or did it define giving in a different way?
As always, thank you for the wonderful shows you do! I really love listening to BackStory, so please do keep putting together this phenomenal program!
All the best!
Quote“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4 (NIV)
QuoteWhat an interesting topic!
One thing that I’ve thought about lately sprang from a scene in the book “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese. A charity hospital in Ethiopia had rooms and rooms full of Bibles (and more arriving all of the time), but never enough money or medical supplies to care for patients. I’ve also heard of charity groups going to needy locations to build schools or churches when the indigenous population would really appreciate more basic things like access to running water or help with sanitation.
I’d like to know your thoughts or any historical context around the idea of giving people what WE think they need, or items that coincide with OUR values, rather than what the RECIPIENT might need or value?
I can’t wait to hear this episode!
QuoteHi there.
in Stephen Nissenbaum’s ‘Battle for Christmas’, he talks a bit about how charitable giving was encouraged to be done through organized charities, rather then ‘indiscriminately’ (and directly) to someone who asks for it. As these organizations were presumably soliciting on behalf of masses of people, as opposed to what we often see today in soliciting towards the sponsorship of an individual child, how did they go about getting contributions? Were there charitable ‘mascots’ ? Or as, today, was simply saying ‘think about the children’ enough? Also, did this change with the emergence of the middle class and the increased social mobility that it afforded?
I’m also curious about the evolution of those charitable organizations that moved beyond what I would consider ‘the basics’ of charity (i.e. providing necessities like food, clothing and shelter) and into broader social experiments; specifically I’m thinking of Charles Loring Brace and the Children’s Aid Society and its Orphan Trains. Was this an isolated experiment or one of many going on at the time? Was it simply putting into practice (albeit to the extreme) the old adage of ‘teach a man to fish…’ or were there ulterior motives? What have been its lasting effects?
Thanks for all the great shows- I can’t wait for you guys to go weekly!
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