Jonah Patel
John D. Rockefeller is known for his philanthropic work, particularly in the realm of education, civil rights, and equality for women. Rockefeller's legacy in New York includes increasing the state's role in education, environmental protection, transportation, housing, welfare, medical aid, civil rights, and the arts. He also achieved virtual total prohibition of discrimination in housing and public accommodations, outlawed job discrimination based on sex or age, and increased opportunities for minorities and women in state agencies and law enforcement. However, the reference to Rockefellers last line being removed from the constitution likely refers to Nelson Rockefeller, who was confirmed as Vice President by Congress in 1974. This was made possible by the 25th Amendment, which addressed constitutional contingencies related to presidential succession and disability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rockefeller's involvement in the US Constitution | Rockefeller chaired the Special Legislative Committee on the Revision and Simplification of the Constitution |
| Rockefeller was nominated for Vice President and confirmed by Congress | |
| Rockefeller's plan for the redistribution of wealth was deemed constitutional | |
| Rockefeller's involvement in state-level politics | Rockefeller was elected governor of New York in 1958 and re-elected in 1962, 1966, and 1970 |
| Rockefeller increased the state's role in education, environmental protection, transportation, housing, welfare, medical aid, civil rights, and the arts | |
| Rockefeller achieved near-total prohibition of discrimination in housing and public accommodation | |
| Rockefeller outlawed job discrimination based on sex or age | |
| Rockefeller increased the number of African Americans and Hispanics in state jobs | |
| Rockefeller appointed women to head state agencies and initiated affirmative action programs for them | |
| Rockefeller backed New York's ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
Nelson Rockefeller's political career
Nelson Rockefeller was a significant figure in US politics, serving as vice president under Gerald Ford after Nixon's resignation. Rockefeller was born in 1908 and was the grandson of John D. Rockefeller, founder of the vast Standard Oil fortune, and Nelson Aldrich, an influential Republican senator from Rhode Island. Rockefeller's foremost interest was politics, and he sought a role in national politics, joining President Roosevelt's administration in 1940 as the head of a new agency for Latin-American affairs.
In 1956, Rockefeller resigned from the federal government to focus on New York State and national politics. He chaired the Temporary State Commission on the Constitutional Convention and the Special Legislative Committee on the Revision and Simplification of the Constitution. In the 1958 New York state election, he was elected governor of New York, defeating incumbent W. Averell Harriman by over 570,000 votes. Rockefeller was re-elected governor three more times in 1962, 1966, and 1970. During his tenure, he increased the state's role in education, environmental protection, transportation, housing, welfare, medical aid, civil rights, and the arts. Rockefeller also achieved significant progress in prohibiting discrimination, increasing diversity in state jobs, and advancing women's rights.
In 1967, Rockefeller secured approval for a $2.5 billion state bond issue for infrastructure development, leading to the creation or expansion of over 22,000 miles of highways. He also took control of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, shifting power away from Robert Moses. Rockefeller's time as governor was not without controversy, as he faced criticism for his handling of the Attica prison riot in 1971 and his support for harsh drug laws.
Rockefeller had ambitions to become president but faced challenges in securing his party's nomination. When Gerald Ford became president in 1974, he nominated Rockefeller to be vice president, a role Rockefeller accepted. Rockefeller served as vice president from 1974 to 1977, but he found the position less engaging than he had hoped, as domestic policy was largely driven by President Ford and Chief of Staff Donald Rumsfeld. Rockefeller passed away in 1979, and his death marked a turning point in media coverage of political figures' personal lives.
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Rockefeller's views on the death penalty
Nelson Rockefeller was a supporter of capital punishment and oversaw 14 executions by electrocution during his time as governor. The last execution, that of Eddie Mays in 1963, was the last execution in New York to date and the last execution before Furman v. Georgia in the Northeast. Despite his personal support for capital punishment, Rockefeller signed a bill in 1965 to abolish the death penalty except in cases involving the murder of police officers.
However, Rockefeller's support for capital punishment and tough-on-crime policies have been criticised. Opponents have blamed him for the deaths of inmates during the Attica prison riot in 1971, which occurred after he ordered the National Guard and state police to retake the prison. Rockefeller's refusal to negotiate with the inmates and his belief in "law and order" have been seen by some as contributing factors to the deadly outcome of the riot.
In addition, critics have pointed to the racial bias and inequities in the administration of the death penalty, which disproportionately affects people of colour and those with mental illnesses. Studies have shown that the death penalty is applied arbitrarily and unfairly, targeting the most vulnerable people in society and undermining the integrity of the criminal justice system.
Despite Rockefeller's support for capital punishment, his legacy in other areas of criminal justice reform is more nuanced. He achieved significant progress in reducing housing and employment discrimination, increasing diversity in state jobs and agencies, and backing affirmative action programs. However, his tough-on-crime policies, particularly regarding drug offences, have been criticised for their lack of focus on rehabilitation and their contribution to mass incarceration.
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Rockefeller's impact on civil rights
John D. Rockefeller laid the early foundations for his commitment to civil rights during his childhood. He spent vacations with his family at Virginia's Hampton Institute, a historically Black institution, and interacted with African-American students. Rockefeller's wife, Laura Spelman Rockefeller, was dedicated to civil rights and equality for women. The couple donated money to the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, an all-women historically Black college in Atlanta, which was later named Spelman College after Laura's family. Rockefeller also gave considerable donations to other educational institutions, including Denison University and various Baptist colleges.
Rockefeller's charitable giving began when he was just 16 years old, donating six percent of his earnings to charity. As his wealth grew, so did his charitable contributions, focusing primarily on educational and public health causes, as well as basic science and the arts. Rockefeller's commitment to civil rights continued into his political career. As governor, he actively promoted and appointed qualified African Americans to state positions, contributing to the diversification of state employment. He also supported the civil rights organization, the National Urban League, and played a role in constructing their new headquarters.
During his tenure as governor, Rockefeller navigated a period of school desegregation and the rise of the Black Power movement. He dealt with turbulent times, including the Attica prison riot in 1971, which involved negotiations with prisoners who had taken control of a cell block and held correctional officers hostage. Despite his personal support for capital punishment, Rockefeller signed a bill in 1965 to abolish the death penalty, except in cases involving the murder of police officers. One of his final acts as governor was to commute the death sentences of all prisoners on Arkansas's death row following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Rockefeller was the only southern US governor to hold a memorial service for the slain civil rights leader.
In summary, Rockefeller's impact on civil rights was significant. He promoted diversity in state employment, supported civil rights organizations, navigated school desegregation, and championed social justice issues such as the rights of the poor in education and healthcare. His philanthropic efforts and political actions advanced the cause of civil rights, particularly in the realm of education, both during his lifetime and through the ongoing work of the Rockefeller Foundation.
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Rockefeller's nomination as Vice President
The 25th Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified in 1967, addressed the issue of filling vacancies in the office of Vice President, which had occurred on several occasions in the country's history. Previously, if the Vice President died, resigned, or succeeded to the presidency, the position would remain vacant until the next election.
The amendment empowers the President to appoint a new Vice President, subject to confirmation by a majority vote in both houses of Congress. This provision was invoked in 1974, when President Richard Nixon's Vice President, Spiro Agnew, resigned in 1973, and Nixon himself resigned amid the Watergate scandal in 1974. Nixon was succeeded by his Vice President, Gerald Ford, who then nominated former New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller as his Vice President.
Rockefeller's nomination was controversial due to his complex finances and questionable political practices. Nonetheless, he was confirmed by comfortable majorities in both houses of Congress. Rockefeller had a notable political career before his Vice Presidential nomination. He served as governor of New York from 1958 to 1973, winning re-election four times. During his tenure, he increased the state's role in education, environmental protection, transportation, housing, welfare, medical aid, civil rights, and the arts. He also achieved significant progress in prohibiting discrimination, particularly in housing, employment, and education.
Rockefeller supported capital punishment and oversaw 14 executions by electrocution as governor. However, he later signed a bill to abolish the death penalty, except in cases involving the murder of police officers. He also proposed tough drug laws, including mandatory life sentences for all drug-related convictions, which were approved by the legislature in 1973.
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Rockefeller's legacy in New York
John D. Rockefeller Sr. was born in Richford, New York, in 1839 and is considered one of the wealthiest Americans of all time. Rockefeller spent much of his retirement in Westchester County, New York, where he laid the groundwork for modern philanthropy, alongside other industrialists like Andrew Carnegie. Rockefeller's fortune was used to pioneer a systematic approach to targeted philanthropy, with a focus on medicine, education, and scientific research.
Another notable member of the Rockefeller family is Nelson A. Rockefeller, who served as Governor of New York State and played a crucial role in passing civil service legislation. As governor, he oversaw significant building projects, including the Empire State Plaza, Lincoln Center, and the World Trade Center. He also expanded the State University of New York (SUNY) into the largest public education system in the world.
The Rockefeller family's legacy in New York extends beyond business and politics to the world of art. Michael Rockefeller, a member of the family, disappeared in 1961, and his collection of indigenous art was first exhibited in New York in 1962. This collection included bisj poles, drums, shields, and ancestor figures, and was considered unique at the time. Additionally, Nelson Rockefeller's mother, Abby Aldrich, played a pivotal role in establishing the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
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