Comparing Progressive Presidents
Comparing Foreign policy: The Progressive Presidents
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Chapter 22 DBQ
1. Fredrick Jackson Turner believed that the Frontier was the key to the American economic boom. He believed that Frontier shaped American culture and made it more different and unique from the British culture, which America came from. Turner fears that with the closing of the Frontier America will not be able to spread Christianity and the idea of democracy and civil liberty to save the inferior races. Turner believes Christianity and the idea of civil liberty are the two things that all of mankind need to be "lifted into the light of the highest Christian civilization."
2. Proponents of people argued that it was part of the American destiny to govern smaller nations. They believed that the reason America was developed with such a proficient government was to .help govern nations of the inferior race. Josiah Strong states that God "has made us adept in government that we may administer government among savage and senile peoples." According to Strong Americans were the chosen people of God and it was the American's responsibility to 'save' the inferior race.
3. I believe at the time ideology was most important in encouraging American imperialism but economic benefits and strategic interest were the underlying factors in encouraging American imperialism. Big Businessmen and Politician saw American imperialism as a way to expand power. The Ideology was used to gain support from the public because the principals of democracy and freedom were very important to the average American.
4. Foreign policy should be governed by economic interest because even though Foreign policy based freedom and democracy are wonderful in theory, it provide any benefits. An economic based foreign policy would farther the country more.
5. The United States should enter in the internal affairs of a foreign country when they start to effect the United States economy. "The right to intervene may be justified by the very serious injury to the commerce, trade, and business of our people."(Sumner) Other reasons is when the conflict is being prolonged and neither side is "either unable or unwilling to stop or mitigate...," which was Sumner's justification for U.S. intervention into the Spanish American War.
2. Proponents of people argued that it was part of the American destiny to govern smaller nations. They believed that the reason America was developed with such a proficient government was to .help govern nations of the inferior race. Josiah Strong states that God "has made us adept in government that we may administer government among savage and senile peoples." According to Strong Americans were the chosen people of God and it was the American's responsibility to 'save' the inferior race.
3. I believe at the time ideology was most important in encouraging American imperialism but economic benefits and strategic interest were the underlying factors in encouraging American imperialism. Big Businessmen and Politician saw American imperialism as a way to expand power. The Ideology was used to gain support from the public because the principals of democracy and freedom were very important to the average American.
4. Foreign policy should be governed by economic interest because even though Foreign policy based freedom and democracy are wonderful in theory, it provide any benefits. An economic based foreign policy would farther the country more.
5. The United States should enter in the internal affairs of a foreign country when they start to effect the United States economy. "The right to intervene may be justified by the very serious injury to the commerce, trade, and business of our people."(Sumner) Other reasons is when the conflict is being prolonged and neither side is "either unable or unwilling to stop or mitigate...," which was Sumner's justification for U.S. intervention into the Spanish American War.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Chapter 22 Responses
In the late 19th century there were many American interested in expanding America's role abroad. Of the many American, were Protestant missionaries, Businessmen and imperialists.The protestant missionaries wanted to expand America's role abroad to teach "ignorant" Asians the Gospel. the missionaries believed that it was their soul duty to 'civilize' the Asian and save them from their racial destiny. On the flip-side, Businessmen wanted to expand America's role abroad by expanding their businesses internationally and make great fortunes. The businessman's appeal towards foreign lands and markets increased when they discovered the frontier has disappeared. In the 1890's the frontier was believed to be an essential part to the growth of economy. Imperialists were politicians willing to assist America in becoming a world power and controlling world markets. Imperialists wanted to become a world power like Britain, France, Germany and Russia.
2. The Spanish americna War began witha Cuban Revolt in 1894, whicch was triggered by a U.S. tariff that made Cuban sugar too expensive for U.S. markets. The American intervention into the war occured for multiple reasons. The main reason that pushed U.S. into entering the war was Depuy de Lome's letter and 6 weeks later the Maine exploded. In the De Lome letterm Depuy de Lome described Mckinlety as a "cheap politician" and a "bidder for the admiration of the Crowd. This enraged the U.S. public and when the U.S. Maine exploded, Americans blamed the Spanish. Other reasons that the U.S. entered the war was because of Yellow journalism which embelished storied of Spainish brutality against Cubans. In the end, with the Teller Resolution America officially entered the war. After 5 months of fighting the was ended with a U.S. victory and the Treaty of Paris. According to the Treaty of Paris, America acquired Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philipienes. With the acquisition of the Phillipiene, America entered another war against the Filipino rebels. Eventhough the original justification for entering the war was to help Cuba achieve independence, after the war Americans didn't reliquish its power over the island.
3. Racism played a big role in the Spanish American War and in foreign affairs. Many americans considered the Asian race and the Spanish race inferior. This was one of the reasons Americans felt it was necessary to expand America abroad. The American view of foreign individuals was distorted by newpapers and racism. A perfect example would be the Spanish American War. WHen the american army came to Cuba they were shocked to see that Cuban revolutionaries were of a darker skin color and the Spanish were of light complexion. They were so shocked because in newspapers, Cubans were represented as being American, ligh-skinned, intelligen and civilized, but the Cubans were the compelete opposite of that view. Also, during warfare Cubans were skilled guerrilla fighter but because of prejudice Cubans were never credited for theri military expertise.
Each president chose a different apporach to lead America into becoming a world power. Roosevelt chose a militaristic approach while Taft chose a more business and corporate approach. Roosevelt felt that inorder to become anational power U.S. needed a strong military for support. To start the path to becoming world power, Roosevelt created the corollary, which stated that U.S. intervention is allowed under certain circumstances in hemispheric affairs, European nation were not allowed too intervene in the domestic affairs of nations in the Western hemisphere. William Howard Taft was the path to becoming a world power through expanding opportunities for corporate investment overseas. Taft's dollar diplomacy worked better in the Caribbean than in East Asia because there was no major power contesting the U.S. in the Caribbean. Woodrow Wilson's approach was much like former Republican presidents but instead of wanting to control other nations like Roosevelt, Wilson wanted to advance democratic ideals through U.S. foreign policies.
5. Central America and the Caribbean were very important to America. These land areas were important to the economy and to the step into becoming an imperial country. All three Progressive president focused on the two areas. As a result of the Spanish America had acquired Cuba, Prute Rico
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Chapter 21 responses
1. Muckrakers, settlement houses, and socialists played a key role in the development of the progressive movement by exploiting the flaws of U.S. economy, society and government and sought ways to reform it. Muckrakers were investigative journalists who exposes the repugnant aspects of American life. Muckrakers such as Ida Tarbell, Lincoln Steffens and George Kibbe exposed the corruption of Local governments, corporations and the horrible states of family life. During this time when the middle-class people were drawn to the concepts of realism were inspired by the Muckrakers and started to take action.
Settlement houses established by young college-educated, protestant women were intended to help the largely immigrant urban poor. Of the many settlement houses, the first was the Hull House. The Hull house provided economic and social needs for the immigrants. The Hull house consisted a nursery, an employment bureau, and various social clubs. In addition to helping immigrants establish a stable life, the leader of the Hull house such as Jane Addams fought against Alcoholism and prostitution.
Bigger issues such as the control over industry were dealt by socialists. Socialists goals were much like the progressives. Socialists fought for regulating capitalism and reforming the economic system. Socialists came from many different parts of the country. Socialists were predominately German working-class immigrants and Jewish immigrants.Settlement houses established by young college-educated, protestant women were intended to help the largely immigrant urban poor. Of the many settlement houses, the first was the Hull House. The Hull house provided economic and social needs for the immigrants. The Hull house consisted a nursery, an employment bureau, and various social clubs. In addition to helping immigrants establish a stable life, the leader of the Hull house such as Jane Addams fought against Alcoholism and prostitution.
2. Before the 1890's municipal transportation networks and utilities of a city were controlled by corporation who charged unfair rates to the public, but the corporation managers received generous reductions. The city Commission Plan and the City Manager Plan were reforms which limited corruption and improved services. The city commission plan shifted municipal power form the mayor to 5 city commissioners, each responsible for a different department of city government. The city commission plan brought great success to Galveston, Texas and other cities that adopted this plan. The Galveston commissioners were able to restore the city's credit, harbor and build a sea wall to protect from future floods. Even though the city commissioners brought great improvements it was still flawed. The city manager plan was created to overcome those flaws. Under the city manager plan, the commissioner still made the policies but a chief executive or city manager implemented the plans. The city manager also made sure that commissioner's plans were always impartial.
Just a corruption existed in Local government, corruption existed in state governments too. One way the progressives saw they could reform the state governments was by restoring power into the people and protect individual's rights. In order to shift the power to the people, the progressives introduced reforms such as the direct primary, which allowed voters rather than party bosses to elect presidential candidates. Other reforms were the initiative, referendum and recall. The progressives also established government regulation of voting rather than political parties. By 1890's every states adopted the Australian Ballot. The Australian ballot allowed voters to vote in private. These reforms allowed the public to have a true say in government without any manipulation from political parties.
During the Progressive movement, much of the national reform centered around decreasing the power of the trusts, protection of workers, and quality of consumer goods. The biggest progressive leader was Theodore Roosevelt.
3. Initially Progressivism began with protestant middle-class Americans. These young Americans felt that it was their job to right the moral wrongs. They wanted to correct the corruption and immoralities they saw in the American government and decrease the gap between the rich and the poor. From this large group of protestants emerged groups such as the Muckrakers, leaders of the settlement houses, and the socialist.
4. Even though progressives believed that governmental power should be controlled by the public, they did not believe that every person was eligible to have that power. The Progressives felt that the "unfit" groups of people should be disenfranchised. One of the biggest groups they believed should disenfranchised were immigrants. Progressives created election laws and made becoming a citizen very difficult.
5. Women during the progressive era achieved many reform such as the settlement houses, the Mann Act and temperance reforms, but one of the most important victories was the 19th amendment which enfranchised women. The movement for Woman's suffrage began with the Seneca falls Convention and progressed so much that Wyoming became the first state to grant women the right to vote. The woman's suffrage movement gained great momentum during the progressive era because the view of women had changed. Women now were viewed as being gentler, possessing a moral sense and nurturing quality that men lacked. During the progressive era, instead to stating that a woman's capabilities were equal to a man's, they argued that women were different from and because of this difference they qualified to vote. Also, Americans believed that a woman's experience ans a mother and household manager would enable them to reform local and state government, which the progressives essential goal.
6.
Roosevelt
Vision: A
Roosevelt's ability to look beyond the here and now and wee what the future should be was great. Most of Roosevelt's reform policies were based on how he wanted the future to be. For example, the actions Roosevelt took as a conservationist were to preserve American lands and forestry for the future.
Accomplishments: A-
Roosevelt had achieved many things in various categories. Roosevelt broke up numerous monopolies, regulated the banking system and railroads, supported pieces of legislation such the pure food and drug Act, Meat Inspection Act and the Hepburn Act. Although Roosevelt's accomplishment did not completely erase the corruption businesses, railroads and banks but his accomplishments were the beginning to improvement.
Taft
Vision: C
William Howard Taft was handpicked by Roosevelt as his successor, but Taft was never able to achieve as much success or praise as Roosevelt. During his presidency Taft spent most his time trying to live up to the reputation of Roosevelt and gaining support. So, Taft did not have the ability to see what the future should be.
Accomplishment: C-
Compared to Roosevelt Taft did not accomplish much at all his only piece of legislation was the Payne-Aldrich Tariff which helped very little. It incluced a 2% corporate income tax but did not reduce tariff.
Wilson: A
Vison:
I would give Wilson's political view an A because throughout his presidency, Wilson fought with Congress for the passage of various reform such as the Underwood-Simmons Tariff. Also, during his presidency Wilson showed what an ideal and fair president should be like. For his cabinet he chose talented, wise members who were worthy of holding a position of authority and he displayed a public image where the president was in charge of his party and faithful to the public. In addition, many of his policies still remain today such the Federal Reserve.
Accomplishment: A+
Underwood-Simmons Tariff: reduced tariffs
Federal Reserve Act: strengthen the nation's financial structure.
Established the Federal Trade commission: managed the regulation of businesses
Kern-McGillicuddy Act: first workmen's compensation law
Keating Owens Act: outlawed child labor
The Adamson Act: guaranteed an eight hour work day
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Chapter 20 Responses
1. There were various sources of economic growth such as technology, corporate growth, new ideas of managments, mass production and distribution. Of the many invention the most inventions for economic growth were the harnessing of light and gasoline powered internat combustion engine. Whith the discovery of electricity industries switched from steam power which was expensive and high in pollution to more efficient and cleaner electrial power. As the demand for electrical generators rose, jobs in metalworking and machine-tool industries grew. TO control the market instability corporations formed. As the number of corporation grew a form of management was organized. Status and duties of the corporation were divided among individual managers ina heirachal system. The senior manager took over the responsibilities of the owner and created long-term plans. Below the senior manager is the middle manager who oversees the various departments and manages the staff of the departments. The main goal of the manager was to efficiently increase factory productivity with the fewest human or mechanical interruptions. The best way they saw to achieve this goal was to introduce scientific practices into the factory floor. The " time-and-motion studies" of Fredrick Winslow Taylor was the first step in achieving the manager's goals. Taylor observed each single movement a woker had to make in the prodution process in order to identify where wasted human energy can be eliminated. His principals and ideas were called Taylorism. The first to use Taylorism was Henry Ford in his assembly line. In the assembly each worker only performed one simple task as the car was carried on a conveyor belt to various work stations, so this saved time which was perviously wasted in transporting car parts to the different work stations and limited the time the worker had to perform the task.
2. The social and economic turmoil of the 20th century had a major impact on corporation and the lives of the workers. The economic instability led corporations to seek consolidation. The Railrods were the first to begin the process. The railroads formed pools where various coroporation came together and established standardized rate, and distributed discrete portions of freight business. These pools or trusts were intended to end the rate wars but many failed to follow by the rules because of their temtation to lower freight rates and exceed one's market share. The next method that corporations saw to end the economic instability was through mergers. Through mergers competition was eliminated thus there were decreased the rate wars. One of the biggest merger was when Andrew Carnegie and J.P. Morgan formed the U.S. Steel Corporation. The workers tried to attacke the economic and social turmoil through union and strikes.
3. From 1880 to 1914 there was a dramatic increase in the number of immigrants coming to America. Among the immigrants were Italians, Russians, Jewish, Hungarians and Slavs. These immigrants were called the "new immigrants" and were beneath the "old immigrants", who came from northern and Western Europe. The old immigrants were now socially accepted because they assimilated to American values, traditions and culture. Many new immigrants came to American to escape religious or political persecution or economic hardships. Many immigrants during this time were single men, who came to America for the high wages and planned to go back to their birth country. When they had enough money to buy a farm in their birth country. Immigrants made up 96% of the workforce in the U.S. industries. Much of the work immigrants did was back-breaking menial labor. Many immigrants worked on railroads and in coal mines. There were also "lighter" jobs such as jobs in garment manufacturing shops. These jobs were mostly held by immigrant women and children.
4. The ethnic communities created by the immigrants were a reproduction of the institutions that they had in their old country. In addition to the old institutions the immigrants also developed new institutions such as fraternal societies. These fraternal societies brought immigrants of common craft and nationality together. These societies provided members with death benefits, mortgage payments and a place to socialize. Within these ethnic groups were a small group of people who used their craft towards economic gain and formed the ethnic middle class. This rising middle class established businesses and provided its community with basic goods and services. Different ethnic groups chose a different route to enter the middle class. Many Jewish immigrants used their talent as tailors to opened up small manufactures in their apartments. Italian immigrants established construction companies and became contractors. Japanese immigrants embraced their agriculture talent and found their route to the middle class. At first they worked as agricultural laborers and then bought their own land.
5. Union were a big part of the early 20th century. It was very hard for the Immigrant workers and African Americans to enter the middle class. The only way to the middle class for these groups of people was through improving their working conditions and the only way to achieve this was thorugh a labor union.
6. In the 19th there was an ideal of separate sphere between the sexes. The male sphere consisted of outside and interacting with the public through work politics and public events. The woman's sphere consisted of doing house work, nurturing children and teach the morals of a good American. During this time it was forbidden to let the two sphere mix. After the Civil War, when more and more women were joining the workforce the two sphere did blend. During the early 20th century, as more women started to work in the factories and were receiving higher education education, women started to challenge the idea of sparate spheres. During the early 20th century a "New Women" developed. the new women was an ideal women that was tall, slender, athletic and wore practical clothes fashioned after men's clothing. women also started also started to interact with the opposite sex which an earlier-middle-class wouldn't have done. Women started to go out to dances and other public events. Women were also challenging their political rights such as their right to suffrage.
2. The social and economic turmoil of the 20th century had a major impact on corporation and the lives of the workers. The economic instability led corporations to seek consolidation. The Railrods were the first to begin the process. The railroads formed pools where various coroporation came together and established standardized rate, and distributed discrete portions of freight business. These pools or trusts were intended to end the rate wars but many failed to follow by the rules because of their temtation to lower freight rates and exceed one's market share. The next method that corporations saw to end the economic instability was through mergers. Through mergers competition was eliminated thus there were decreased the rate wars. One of the biggest merger was when Andrew Carnegie and J.P. Morgan formed the U.S. Steel Corporation. The workers tried to attacke the economic and social turmoil through union and strikes.
3. From 1880 to 1914 there was a dramatic increase in the number of immigrants coming to America. Among the immigrants were Italians, Russians, Jewish, Hungarians and Slavs. These immigrants were called the "new immigrants" and were beneath the "old immigrants", who came from northern and Western Europe. The old immigrants were now socially accepted because they assimilated to American values, traditions and culture. Many new immigrants came to American to escape religious or political persecution or economic hardships. Many immigrants during this time were single men, who came to America for the high wages and planned to go back to their birth country. When they had enough money to buy a farm in their birth country. Immigrants made up 96% of the workforce in the U.S. industries. Much of the work immigrants did was back-breaking menial labor. Many immigrants worked on railroads and in coal mines. There were also "lighter" jobs such as jobs in garment manufacturing shops. These jobs were mostly held by immigrant women and children.
4. The ethnic communities created by the immigrants were a reproduction of the institutions that they had in their old country. In addition to the old institutions the immigrants also developed new institutions such as fraternal societies. These fraternal societies brought immigrants of common craft and nationality together. These societies provided members with death benefits, mortgage payments and a place to socialize. Within these ethnic groups were a small group of people who used their craft towards economic gain and formed the ethnic middle class. This rising middle class established businesses and provided its community with basic goods and services. Different ethnic groups chose a different route to enter the middle class. Many Jewish immigrants used their talent as tailors to opened up small manufactures in their apartments. Italian immigrants established construction companies and became contractors. Japanese immigrants embraced their agriculture talent and found their route to the middle class. At first they worked as agricultural laborers and then bought their own land.
5. Union were a big part of the early 20th century. It was very hard for the Immigrant workers and African Americans to enter the middle class. The only way to the middle class for these groups of people was through improving their working conditions and the only way to achieve this was thorugh a labor union.
6. In the 19th there was an ideal of separate sphere between the sexes. The male sphere consisted of outside and interacting with the public through work politics and public events. The woman's sphere consisted of doing house work, nurturing children and teach the morals of a good American. During this time it was forbidden to let the two sphere mix. After the Civil War, when more and more women were joining the workforce the two sphere did blend. During the early 20th century, as more women started to work in the factories and were receiving higher education education, women started to challenge the idea of sparate spheres. During the early 20th century a "New Women" developed. the new women was an ideal women that was tall, slender, athletic and wore practical clothes fashioned after men's clothing. women also started also started to interact with the opposite sex which an earlier-middle-class wouldn't have done. Women started to go out to dances and other public events. Women were also challenging their political rights such as their right to suffrage.
chapter 19 responses
1. Railroad and the improvement in technology were the two most important factors in the nation's economic growth. Railroads greatly contributed to the nation's economic growth becuase they were the largest consumers of coal, the largest carriers of goods and people, and the lrgest employers of labor. Inaddition to contributing to economic growth, railroads led to the creation of standard time zone. Technological advances impacted economic growth by improving railroads and communications. Railroads gain improvement such as automatic signals, air brakes and knuckle coupler which made railroads more efficient. Other inventions such as the Telegraph, telephone and type writer made communicating over long distance easier.
2. As the drive for greater speed and productivity in factories increases, the conditions of the workers worsened. Workplace accidents increases and one of the worst was the triangular waist shirt factory fire. Also, the advance in technology replaced artisand with machines. Before, when artisan worked independently now orked under managers for low wages and no workmen's compensation. To regain their job independence and to decrease labor violence labor union formed. Laobr political activism grew and department of labor formed in several states. By the seeing the poor woking conditions of factory workers many wirters such as Henry George were inspired to create books telling the public of these conditions. this enraged many people and increased the urge to improve the working conditions.
3. The knights of Labor represented unskilled and some s killed laborers, while the AFL only supported skilled workers and looked down upon unskilled workers. The knights of Labor admitted even women and blacks. The AFL were very prejudice group. They were prejudice against southern and Eastern Europe immigrants and black workers. The main goal of the Knights of Labor was to raise wages, shorten hours and better working conditions. The AFL worked for the same bread-and-butter issues as the Knights of Labor. In addition, to the bread-and-butter issues the AFL also fought for legal protection for employer negotiated contracts or trade agreements. To achieve these goals, strikes was the main method but the knights of Labor discouraged this. Even though strikes was discouraged the knights of labor won most of its battles through strikes.
4. The Depression of 1893-1897 had nurmerous effects on the Ameircan Life. The Depression was triggered by a collapse of the stock market, and economic slowdown abroad, the issue with the American monetary system, declining farm prices, and over expansion of railroad construction. With the bankruptcy of the Reading Railroad and the National Cordage Company ccaused 491 backs and 15,000 other business failed. As a result the unemployment rate rose to more than 15 percent. Another major impact was the Coxey's Army led by Jacob Coxey, who convinced hundereds of unemployed workers to ride to Washington and press to put them to work on road building and other public works. This had a drastic impact but Coxey's army was put at rest.
5. The currency problem started during the Civil War when greenback notes were issued. To improve the deflation issue the treasury decided to bring the greenback to par with gold by limiting the amount of greenbacks in circulation. The shortage of money supply increased deflation. With the specie Resumption Act in 1875 the U.S. dollar was brought to the same value as gold but the decrease in money supply hurt southern and western farmers. The farmers debts were enlarged by the increasing value of greenbacks. The issue of deflation was brought into question by farmers who denounced bans and attacked the monetary system. The farmer's interest rate grew as the price of cotton or wheat declined which was his main crop.
6. The southern and western farmers faced problems concerning credit, railroad rates and the exploitation of workers and farmers by the "money power." To find solutions to these problems the Southern Farmer's Alliance emerged which later transformed into the National Farmer's Alliance and industrial Union. To eliminate the middleman merchant who profited from Farmers,the alliance set up marketing cooperatives. The alliance helped to improve the social and economic needs of the farm families. To achieve their goal the alliance set up a third party, The Populist party. The party platform included a graduated income tax, direct election of U.S. senators, unlimited coinage of sliver at a ration of 16 to 1, government ownership of railroads, telegraph and telephone companies and the establishment of sub-treasures or federal warehouses for the storage of crops. the People's party didn't last because the people's party was fused into the democratic party.
7. The election of 1896 was considered to be the turning poin in the American Political history, which moved away for political stalemate. In the election of 1896, the Republican candidate was William Mckinley and the Democrats candidate was William Jennings Bryan. Bryan actively campaigned througout the country, covering 18,000 miles, focusing mainly on the Free-silver issue. The Republican platform included maintaining the gold standard reviving business confidence and ending depression. The Republican attacked the Democrats by denouncing them as irresponsible inflationist and by stating that the free silver ment a 57-cent dollar. The Republican reached out to many immigrants by printing many pamphlets in various languages. In the end McKinley won the presidency with 271 electoral vores. This was considered an important eletion because many felt the outcome would determine their future. This election did determine the future because the Republicans would remain in control of the congress and the presidency for the next 14 years.
2. As the drive for greater speed and productivity in factories increases, the conditions of the workers worsened. Workplace accidents increases and one of the worst was the triangular waist shirt factory fire. Also, the advance in technology replaced artisand with machines. Before, when artisan worked independently now orked under managers for low wages and no workmen's compensation. To regain their job independence and to decrease labor violence labor union formed. Laobr political activism grew and department of labor formed in several states. By the seeing the poor woking conditions of factory workers many wirters such as Henry George were inspired to create books telling the public of these conditions. this enraged many people and increased the urge to improve the working conditions.
3. The knights of Labor represented unskilled and some s killed laborers, while the AFL only supported skilled workers and looked down upon unskilled workers. The knights of Labor admitted even women and blacks. The AFL were very prejudice group. They were prejudice against southern and Eastern Europe immigrants and black workers. The main goal of the Knights of Labor was to raise wages, shorten hours and better working conditions. The AFL worked for the same bread-and-butter issues as the Knights of Labor. In addition, to the bread-and-butter issues the AFL also fought for legal protection for employer negotiated contracts or trade agreements. To achieve these goals, strikes was the main method but the knights of Labor discouraged this. Even though strikes was discouraged the knights of labor won most of its battles through strikes.
4. The Depression of 1893-1897 had nurmerous effects on the Ameircan Life. The Depression was triggered by a collapse of the stock market, and economic slowdown abroad, the issue with the American monetary system, declining farm prices, and over expansion of railroad construction. With the bankruptcy of the Reading Railroad and the National Cordage Company ccaused 491 backs and 15,000 other business failed. As a result the unemployment rate rose to more than 15 percent. Another major impact was the Coxey's Army led by Jacob Coxey, who convinced hundereds of unemployed workers to ride to Washington and press to put them to work on road building and other public works. This had a drastic impact but Coxey's army was put at rest.
5. The currency problem started during the Civil War when greenback notes were issued. To improve the deflation issue the treasury decided to bring the greenback to par with gold by limiting the amount of greenbacks in circulation. The shortage of money supply increased deflation. With the specie Resumption Act in 1875 the U.S. dollar was brought to the same value as gold but the decrease in money supply hurt southern and western farmers. The farmers debts were enlarged by the increasing value of greenbacks. The issue of deflation was brought into question by farmers who denounced bans and attacked the monetary system. The farmer's interest rate grew as the price of cotton or wheat declined which was his main crop.
6. The southern and western farmers faced problems concerning credit, railroad rates and the exploitation of workers and farmers by the "money power." To find solutions to these problems the Southern Farmer's Alliance emerged which later transformed into the National Farmer's Alliance and industrial Union. To eliminate the middleman merchant who profited from Farmers,the alliance set up marketing cooperatives. The alliance helped to improve the social and economic needs of the farm families. To achieve their goal the alliance set up a third party, The Populist party. The party platform included a graduated income tax, direct election of U.S. senators, unlimited coinage of sliver at a ration of 16 to 1, government ownership of railroads, telegraph and telephone companies and the establishment of sub-treasures or federal warehouses for the storage of crops. the People's party didn't last because the people's party was fused into the democratic party.
7. The election of 1896 was considered to be the turning poin in the American Political history, which moved away for political stalemate. In the election of 1896, the Republican candidate was William Mckinley and the Democrats candidate was William Jennings Bryan. Bryan actively campaigned througout the country, covering 18,000 miles, focusing mainly on the Free-silver issue. The Republican platform included maintaining the gold standard reviving business confidence and ending depression. The Republican attacked the Democrats by denouncing them as irresponsible inflationist and by stating that the free silver ment a 57-cent dollar. The Republican reached out to many immigrants by printing many pamphlets in various languages. In the end McKinley won the presidency with 271 electoral vores. This was considered an important eletion because many felt the outcome would determine their future. This election did determine the future because the Republicans would remain in control of the congress and the presidency for the next 14 years.
Civil War project links
Rural Americans Move to the Cities
In the years after the Civil war, America experienced a period of Industrial boom where the American economy shifted from an agriculture base to an Industrial base. During this time periood many immigrants, African Americans, and yung, unmarried women were attracted to the large cities, looking to create a new life for themselves. To the Americans migrating to the cities, the life of the city seemed easier but the move to the citites brought them a life of hard labor with little compensation.
"The opportunity to get rich to attain great wealth is here...."(doc 1) This was the view of many rural Americans about cities such as Chic ago and New York City. The civil War destroyed Southern Economy. Many plantation were burned and farmers were not making much profit. During this time where farmers were at loss, numerous factories appeared in NOrthern cities in the need for labor. This was the golden opportunity for the Rural Families. To Rurla americans the city life seemed simpler. They ere amazed bu the technologies and excitment of the cities. A farmer's son, Harry Reese explains the city as a big mystry to them. He says, "Electric lights wer somehing to marbel at.. the old edison phonograph with its wax cylinder records and earphones was positively ghostly... andtrolley car, well they too were past understanding!"(doc 3) Rural American saw the city as a place of amusements. One of the many amusement sof the city life was the Chicago World Fair. This attracted over 27 milion visitor many of the rural visitors. (doc 2) The fair was "a showcase for techonology, progress, consumer culture and life in modern America."(Doc 2) Essentially Rural Americans were attracted to the cities by it ostentatious life.
Eventhough the life in the cities were exciting and exhibited the new technologies, the living and working conditions in the city were unpleasant. "Not the slightest provision had been made for the confort of the employees." (Doc 6) Carrie Meeber one of the many who was fooled by the excitment of promise of Chicago explains her first day of work as "nauseating." (Doc 6) At her workplace, " the wash room were desagreeable, crude, if not foul places, and the whole atmosphere was sorbid," Carrie explains. "The foreman became a tru ogre, prowling constantly about keeping her tied down to her miserable work."(doc 6) These were the conditions in many factories. They workers only worked on one tedious job the whole day without any breaks and were forced to work fast. With the low wage many factory workers recieved, they had to live in tenement apartments as shown in the Doc 4. the condition in the tenement apartments were very poor. A large group of people had to live in small area.
As shown in document 7 the population in he cities and the number of non-farm workers drastically increased between the 1850 to 1910. The reason for this increase is because many felt the cities were and opportunity to get rich and enjoy the city's various facilities such as fairs, cars, and electricity with didn't exist on the farms, but soon many understood that they wouldn't be able to enjoy the riches of the city because of the low wages and the physical labor that they had to do in the factories.
"The opportunity to get rich to attain great wealth is here...."(doc 1) This was the view of many rural Americans about cities such as Chic ago and New York City. The civil War destroyed Southern Economy. Many plantation were burned and farmers were not making much profit. During this time where farmers were at loss, numerous factories appeared in NOrthern cities in the need for labor. This was the golden opportunity for the Rural Families. To Rurla americans the city life seemed simpler. They ere amazed bu the technologies and excitment of the cities. A farmer's son, Harry Reese explains the city as a big mystry to them. He says, "Electric lights wer somehing to marbel at.. the old edison phonograph with its wax cylinder records and earphones was positively ghostly... andtrolley car, well they too were past understanding!"(doc 3) Rural American saw the city as a place of amusements. One of the many amusement sof the city life was the Chicago World Fair. This attracted over 27 milion visitor many of the rural visitors. (doc 2) The fair was "a showcase for techonology, progress, consumer culture and life in modern America."(Doc 2) Essentially Rural Americans were attracted to the cities by it ostentatious life.
Eventhough the life in the cities were exciting and exhibited the new technologies, the living and working conditions in the city were unpleasant. "Not the slightest provision had been made for the confort of the employees." (Doc 6) Carrie Meeber one of the many who was fooled by the excitment of promise of Chicago explains her first day of work as "nauseating." (Doc 6) At her workplace, " the wash room were desagreeable, crude, if not foul places, and the whole atmosphere was sorbid," Carrie explains. "The foreman became a tru ogre, prowling constantly about keeping her tied down to her miserable work."(doc 6) These were the conditions in many factories. They workers only worked on one tedious job the whole day without any breaks and were forced to work fast. With the low wage many factory workers recieved, they had to live in tenement apartments as shown in the Doc 4. the condition in the tenement apartments were very poor. A large group of people had to live in small area.
As shown in document 7 the population in he cities and the number of non-farm workers drastically increased between the 1850 to 1910. The reason for this increase is because many felt the cities were and opportunity to get rich and enjoy the city's various facilities such as fairs, cars, and electricity with didn't exist on the farms, but soon many understood that they wouldn't be able to enjoy the riches of the city because of the low wages and the physical labor that they had to do in the factories.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Frederick Jackson Turner
1. To Turner 1980 marked the end of Western settlement and he consideres this end " the closing of a great historic movement." In Turner's thesis he states the the end of the Western settlement marked by the Superintendent of the Census for 1890 " closed the first period of American history."
2. Turner considered the American frontier different from the European frontier because he believed that settlers moving into the American frontier had to stray away from the european methods and adopt new method which possessed a new identity for America. The European frontier was much like a microcosm of Europe it self. "It was the frontier of europe in a very real sense."
3. According to Turner, the frontier helped remove the european customs and help implement more 'American' methods and promoted nationalism and individualism. I believe that the frontier helped shape only part of the American life. I believe that other factors such as immigration, slavery, and industrialization also help shape American life. These factors including the frontier helped create a unique American view that exists have today.
4. Turner believed that "the growth of nationalism and the evolution of American political institution were dependent on the advances of the frontier." Many disagree with this concept and believe that the key to American individualism is the issue of slavery, Civil war and immigration. "when American history comes to be rightly viewed it will be seen that the slavery question is an incident. In the period from the end of the first half of the present century to the close of the Civil War slavery rose to primary, but far from exclusive, importance...."
5. I don't believe that there are any frontiers left for discovery. Almost all of the planet has been searched, discovered, and settled. All of the land is divided by religion, politics and economy.
2. Turner considered the American frontier different from the European frontier because he believed that settlers moving into the American frontier had to stray away from the european methods and adopt new method which possessed a new identity for America. The European frontier was much like a microcosm of Europe it self. "It was the frontier of europe in a very real sense."
3. According to Turner, the frontier helped remove the european customs and help implement more 'American' methods and promoted nationalism and individualism. I believe that the frontier helped shape only part of the American life. I believe that other factors such as immigration, slavery, and industrialization also help shape American life. These factors including the frontier helped create a unique American view that exists have today.
4. Turner believed that "the growth of nationalism and the evolution of American political institution were dependent on the advances of the frontier." Many disagree with this concept and believe that the key to American individualism is the issue of slavery, Civil war and immigration. "when American history comes to be rightly viewed it will be seen that the slavery question is an incident. In the period from the end of the first half of the present century to the close of the Civil War slavery rose to primary, but far from exclusive, importance...."
5. I don't believe that there are any frontiers left for discovery. Almost all of the planet has been searched, discovered, and settled. All of the land is divided by religion, politics and economy.
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