1. Describe the causes of the immigration of Southern and Eastern Europeans, Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Many Europeans came to America during this time to escape from religious prosecution in their respective home countries. Oppression of cirtin religious groups, especially Jews and Catholics, was very common during this time in Europe.
Many Asians came to build a wealth, some of whom planned to return to Asia after they built up their wealth, and others who planned to create a life in America on the wealth they would build.
2. Describe the journey immigrants endured and their experiences at United States immigration stations.
Immigrants coming to America were mostly poor, and therefore had to deal with terrible accommodations on the 1-3 week trip to the United States. They would have to stat on the lower lever of steam ships which would be extremely crowded. Many died of diseases. Once one made it to America, that person would have to pass an array of tests before being admitted to the country. This process could take up to 3 days.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Late 19th Century Big Buisness and Labor
Why and with what effect did the 19th century business ideologies of Laissez Faire and Social Darwinism have on laborers?
Buisness owners in the 19th century adopted the ideas of Laissez Faire and Social Darwinism. The idea of Laissez Faire basically meant that things economically were the way they were and could not be changed because supply and demand isn't something that can be regulated or controlled. In other words, the poor were poor and the rich were rich and that wasn't something that could be or should be fixed. Social Darwinism was the idea that the rich were successful because they were better adapted the world than the poor because God made them that way. To them it wasn't their fault poor people were poor, that was how they were born. The effect these ideologies had on workers was that their owners (the business owners) weren't bothered by the fact that they forced workers to work long hours for little pay under terrible conditions. At this time there wasn't anything workers could really do about it because there were no government regulations on worker's rights, so they just had to put up with bad conditions.
Buisness owners in the 19th century adopted the ideas of Laissez Faire and Social Darwinism. The idea of Laissez Faire basically meant that things economically were the way they were and could not be changed because supply and demand isn't something that can be regulated or controlled. In other words, the poor were poor and the rich were rich and that wasn't something that could be or should be fixed. Social Darwinism was the idea that the rich were successful because they were better adapted the world than the poor because God made them that way. To them it wasn't their fault poor people were poor, that was how they were born. The effect these ideologies had on workers was that their owners (the business owners) weren't bothered by the fact that they forced workers to work long hours for little pay under terrible conditions. At this time there wasn't anything workers could really do about it because there were no government regulations on worker's rights, so they just had to put up with bad conditions.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Labor Unions & Big Business
Identify each of the following events or people. Give an explanation or description of the item. Answer the questions who, what, where, and when.
Explain the historical significance of each item in the space provided. Establish the historical context in which the item exists. Establish the item as the result of or as the cause of other factors existing in the society under study. Answer this question: What were the political, social, economic, and/or cultural consequences of this item
the Knights of Labor
a. Identification
Founded in 1860 by Philadelphia garment cutters, was the only major labor union to survive the depression of the 1870s.
b. Significance
The knights of labor were a result of laborers tired of striking and not achieving anything. They worked more to get long team goals accomplished. Their main goal was to make every man his own boss, to eliminate the profit driven capitalism. This union failed because workers became upset with the passive attitude of the union.
the Haymarket riot
a. Identification
An extremely large group of anti-capitalists gathered at the Haymarket Square in downtown Chicago to protest for more workers rights in May 1886.
b. Significance
This riot, which ended in the death of two unionists, was a result of growing hatred of the capitalist United States Government during this time from workers. This probably has much to do with the belief during this time that the economic climate could not be controlled, so their was no point for Government to regulate worker's rights in any way. This showed how war the tension had came and how serious the workers were about their beliefs.
the American Federation of Labor
a. Identification
Began in 1886 and was a major worker's union. Main goal was to fight for immediate rights, no long term goals.
b. Significance
This union's formation was most like due to the failure of the Knights of Labor. The Knights of Labor focused on long term goals. When the Knights failed, many workers were bitter and felt that working for more rights immediately was the best way to go. This, added to the mistreatment of workers at this time by their bosses, led to the formation of this federation.
Samuel Gompers
a. Identification
An immigrant who headed the AFL in the late 1880s.
b. Significance
Gompers had a passion for workers rights that led to his fight for worker's rights through the AFL. He believed strongly in his cause, and this passion helped him lead the AFL to becoming 2.5 million people strong.
the Homestead strike
a. Identification
A strike that took place in July 1892. The Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steelworkers went on strike in Homestead, Pennsylvania because of pay cuts.
b. Significance
This strike was likely due to the frustration of the lack of results from the efforts of the AFL. When the workers continued to work hard to no avail, they became extremely upset, and violent. This event hurt the AFL and all unions because it made the public opinion on unions darken.
the Pullman strike
a. Identification
The workers started a strike that took place in George Pullman's "model town" due to wage cuts in 1894.
b. Significance
The Pullman strike was a result of George Pullman's policy of not hearing the concerns of his workers in regards to their wage cuts. The workers banded together and fought for their rights in a very intelligent way that showed the determination of the workers to get rights.
Eugene V. Debs
a. Identification
Refused to handle Pullman cars in support of strikers in pullman strike
b. Significance
His refusal to follow the laws and handle the cars both showed how far the workers were away from getting the rights they wanted but also showed how hard they were willing to work for those rights.
the Industrial Workers of the World
a. Identification
A group like the Knights of Labor except alot more radical. They banded together in the west in 1905.
b. Significance
The IWW was alot different than alot of other union groups that had come before them because they were alot more violent. This s most likely because of the years of failure and frustration in trying to get rights that were continually denied of them.
Explain the historical significance of each item in the space provided. Establish the historical context in which the item exists. Establish the item as the result of or as the cause of other factors existing in the society under study. Answer this question: What were the political, social, economic, and/or cultural consequences of this item
the Knights of Labor
a. Identification
Founded in 1860 by Philadelphia garment cutters, was the only major labor union to survive the depression of the 1870s.
b. Significance
The knights of labor were a result of laborers tired of striking and not achieving anything. They worked more to get long team goals accomplished. Their main goal was to make every man his own boss, to eliminate the profit driven capitalism. This union failed because workers became upset with the passive attitude of the union.
the Haymarket riot
a. Identification
An extremely large group of anti-capitalists gathered at the Haymarket Square in downtown Chicago to protest for more workers rights in May 1886.
b. Significance
This riot, which ended in the death of two unionists, was a result of growing hatred of the capitalist United States Government during this time from workers. This probably has much to do with the belief during this time that the economic climate could not be controlled, so their was no point for Government to regulate worker's rights in any way. This showed how war the tension had came and how serious the workers were about their beliefs.
the American Federation of Labor
a. Identification
Began in 1886 and was a major worker's union. Main goal was to fight for immediate rights, no long term goals.
b. Significance
This union's formation was most like due to the failure of the Knights of Labor. The Knights of Labor focused on long term goals. When the Knights failed, many workers were bitter and felt that working for more rights immediately was the best way to go. This, added to the mistreatment of workers at this time by their bosses, led to the formation of this federation.
Samuel Gompers
a. Identification
An immigrant who headed the AFL in the late 1880s.
b. Significance
Gompers had a passion for workers rights that led to his fight for worker's rights through the AFL. He believed strongly in his cause, and this passion helped him lead the AFL to becoming 2.5 million people strong.
the Homestead strike
a. Identification
A strike that took place in July 1892. The Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steelworkers went on strike in Homestead, Pennsylvania because of pay cuts.
b. Significance
This strike was likely due to the frustration of the lack of results from the efforts of the AFL. When the workers continued to work hard to no avail, they became extremely upset, and violent. This event hurt the AFL and all unions because it made the public opinion on unions darken.
the Pullman strike
a. Identification
The workers started a strike that took place in George Pullman's "model town" due to wage cuts in 1894.
b. Significance
The Pullman strike was a result of George Pullman's policy of not hearing the concerns of his workers in regards to their wage cuts. The workers banded together and fought for their rights in a very intelligent way that showed the determination of the workers to get rights.
Eugene V. Debs
a. Identification
Refused to handle Pullman cars in support of strikers in pullman strike
b. Significance
His refusal to follow the laws and handle the cars both showed how far the workers were away from getting the rights they wanted but also showed how hard they were willing to work for those rights.
the Industrial Workers of the World
a. Identification
A group like the Knights of Labor except alot more radical. They banded together in the west in 1905.
b. Significance
The IWW was alot different than alot of other union groups that had come before them because they were alot more violent. This s most likely because of the years of failure and frustration in trying to get rights that were continually denied of them.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Important tearms from chapter 14-3
Andrew Carnegie: Established the most successful steel company of his time
Social Darwinism: The belief that one cannot survive without adapting to his/her surroundings; this is the belief that drove American business
John D. Rockefeller: Established the Standard Oil Company
Sherman Antitrust Act: Made it illegal to form a trust that interfered with free trade
Samuel Gompers: President of the AFL
American Federation of Labor (AFL): A group of unions that worked together to fight for better working conditions
Eugene V. Debs: Formed a union for unskilled workers
Industrial Workers of the World: a radical group of socialist union members
Mary Harris Jones: fought for better working conditions for women
Social Darwinism: The belief that one cannot survive without adapting to his/her surroundings; this is the belief that drove American business
John D. Rockefeller: Established the Standard Oil Company
Sherman Antitrust Act: Made it illegal to form a trust that interfered with free trade
Samuel Gompers: President of the AFL
American Federation of Labor (AFL): A group of unions that worked together to fight for better working conditions
Eugene V. Debs: Formed a union for unskilled workers
Industrial Workers of the World: a radical group of socialist union members
Mary Harris Jones: fought for better working conditions for women
Monday, September 14, 2009
Railroad Development
The federal government gave land and made loans to the railroad companies. Why was the government so eager to promote the growth of railroads?
The United States Government wanted badly for the railroad companies to achieve success because of the positive effect it would have on the American economy. The railroads connected the entire country, which allowed for many opportunities that hadn't even been thought of beforehand. They allowed businessmen to travel all over the country and expand their businesses easily. They also allowed for people to move westward and settle there, creating towns with prospering economies.
The United States Government wanted badly for the railroad companies to achieve success because of the positive effect it would have on the American economy. The railroads connected the entire country, which allowed for many opportunities that hadn't even been thought of beforehand. They allowed businessmen to travel all over the country and expand their businesses easily. They also allowed for people to move westward and settle there, creating towns with prospering economies.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Expansion of Industry
Question:
What were the three major factors that contributed to the immense technological boom that took place in the United States after the Civil War? Explain how two of these factors helped to bring about this technological boom.
Before the American Civil War the United States was a mainly agricultural county. After The War, however, the technology and industry of the country boomed. This was due to three major factors: a surplus of natural resources, government support for businesses, and a growing urban population that was able to provide cheep labor.
The natural resources available to Americans was arguably the biggest factor in the evolution of industry in America. After Edwin Drake became the first person to drill for oil, it became an extremely popular resource that's uses seamed unlimited. Drilling for oil became very popular all throughout the west. Also, large amounts of iron were discovered, which could be used to make steel. Steel was in great demand for many innovative uses, including tools and the Brooklyn Bridge.
The Urban population's ability to provide cheap labor, combined with the discovery of electricity, provided for success in business that was previously unheard of. Not needing to be near a power source, such as a river, made it much easier for companies to develop and create better working conditions and get more done in less time.
What were the three major factors that contributed to the immense technological boom that took place in the United States after the Civil War? Explain how two of these factors helped to bring about this technological boom.
Before the American Civil War the United States was a mainly agricultural county. After The War, however, the technology and industry of the country boomed. This was due to three major factors: a surplus of natural resources, government support for businesses, and a growing urban population that was able to provide cheep labor.
The natural resources available to Americans was arguably the biggest factor in the evolution of industry in America. After Edwin Drake became the first person to drill for oil, it became an extremely popular resource that's uses seamed unlimited. Drilling for oil became very popular all throughout the west. Also, large amounts of iron were discovered, which could be used to make steel. Steel was in great demand for many innovative uses, including tools and the Brooklyn Bridge.
The Urban population's ability to provide cheap labor, combined with the discovery of electricity, provided for success in business that was previously unheard of. Not needing to be near a power source, such as a river, made it much easier for companies to develop and create better working conditions and get more done in less time.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Chapter 13 section 1-2 questions
1. What are some of the main reasons that the federal government's policy of assimilation failed?
A main reason that the government never achieved assimilation with the Native Americans is because they had no motivation to actually let assimilation occur. Other than those who resented the way that the Natives were treated (and these people were a minority) nobody really cared what happened to them. There was no benifit for the government to allow assimilation to occur and it would save money and help American settlers prosper to just simply continue oppressing the Native Americans, which is what eventually ended up happening.
Another reason that the idea of assimilation didn't work was because the two cultures were so fundemently different from eachother, it would be impossable for one group to make the transition from one culture to the other. The only way the two groups could have gotten along would be for each group to allow their cultures to coexist, which neither the Americans or the Natives would allow to happen.
2. How successful were government efforts to promote settlement of the Great Plains? Give examples to support your answer.
The federal governemtn was extreamily successful in promoteing settlement of the Great Plains. This is because it was planned out so well on how to get people to move there. Giveing away land to railroad companys was brillant because not only did that give citizent intersted in moveing westward a means of getting there, but the companys could also turn around and sell that land to settlers. In order to extend the opprunity of moveing westward to those who couldn't afford to buy land of their own, the government gave away land grants to thousands of familys and was able to increase the US population liveing in the west to 30% by the turn of the century.
A main reason that the government never achieved assimilation with the Native Americans is because they had no motivation to actually let assimilation occur. Other than those who resented the way that the Natives were treated (and these people were a minority) nobody really cared what happened to them. There was no benifit for the government to allow assimilation to occur and it would save money and help American settlers prosper to just simply continue oppressing the Native Americans, which is what eventually ended up happening.
Another reason that the idea of assimilation didn't work was because the two cultures were so fundemently different from eachother, it would be impossable for one group to make the transition from one culture to the other. The only way the two groups could have gotten along would be for each group to allow their cultures to coexist, which neither the Americans or the Natives would allow to happen.
2. How successful were government efforts to promote settlement of the Great Plains? Give examples to support your answer.
The federal governemtn was extreamily successful in promoteing settlement of the Great Plains. This is because it was planned out so well on how to get people to move there. Giveing away land to railroad companys was brillant because not only did that give citizent intersted in moveing westward a means of getting there, but the companys could also turn around and sell that land to settlers. In order to extend the opprunity of moveing westward to those who couldn't afford to buy land of their own, the government gave away land grants to thousands of familys and was able to increase the US population liveing in the west to 30% by the turn of the century.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Conflict in Iraq
Short Response
1. Where do most Kurds, Shi'a, and Sunnis live in Iraq?
Kurds: Most live in the mountainous regions in the Middle East.
Shi'a: Most live in Southeastern Iraq.
Sunnis: Most life in Northern Iraq.
2. Which ethnic group(s) hold(s) power over the majority of oil reserves in Iraq?
The Shi'as have control over most oil reserves because they are in Southern Iraq.
3. What is the main reason Britain become involved in Iraq?
Britian didn't have any oil fields and oil's importance was rapidly growing.
4. What did pan-Arabists advocate after World War II?
They wanted Iraq to cut ties with the west and join the United Arab Republic.
5. How was Saddam Hussein able to gain power and popularity in the 1970s?
He mordernized the Iraqi economy and created many government programs that benifited Iraqi citizens.
6. Why did the United States become involved in the Iran-Iraq War?
They didn't want iran's islamist government to win the war but did want to improve relations with Iran and its leaders.
7. Why did President George H.W. Bush (1989-93) bring the ground portion of the First Persian Gulf War to a halt? List two reasons.
a. He did not want the responsability of controling a totally destabilized Iraq.
b. He did not want to totally destroy Iraq's current government.
Extended Response:
8. What are the different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq? Why is it important to understand these differences?
The three biggest groups in Iraq are the kurds, Shi'as and the Sunnis. It is important to understand their differences and respective backgrounds because the actions they took and continue to take in the Middle east are driven by their beliefs, pride, and different levels of nationalism.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part II Questions:
Short Response
9. What dangers did President George W. Bush (2001-09) say Iraq posed to the region and the world? Name two.
a. He said they had a dangerous weapons program.
b. They supported terriorism.
10. What were the U.S. government's declared goals in sending troops to Iraq?
a. To end Hussein's reign of power in Iraq.
b. To uncover any WMDs Iraq might have.
11. List two reasons violence continues in Iraq.
a. Many Iraqis are distrustful of the new government.
b. Many Iraqis want US forces to leave.
Extended Response:
12. Describe the different groups involved in the ongoing conflict in Iraq. What are their goals? (Reasons for fighting)
Shi'a: The Shi'as do not want the Sunnis to regain power again and resume Hussain's tatics but are also against forgin (US) involvement.
Sunni: The Sunnis are concerned that the democracy will keep them out of power and are trying to get rid of it.
Kurd: The Kurds do not want the Sunnis to regain power and want total control of Kurdistan.
al Qaeda: al Qaeda wants to overthrow the new Iraqi government and possably create a single Islamic state that would include the entire Middle East.
1. Where do most Kurds, Shi'a, and Sunnis live in Iraq?
Kurds: Most live in the mountainous regions in the Middle East.
Shi'a: Most live in Southeastern Iraq.
Sunnis: Most life in Northern Iraq.
2. Which ethnic group(s) hold(s) power over the majority of oil reserves in Iraq?
The Shi'as have control over most oil reserves because they are in Southern Iraq.
3. What is the main reason Britain become involved in Iraq?
Britian didn't have any oil fields and oil's importance was rapidly growing.
4. What did pan-Arabists advocate after World War II?
They wanted Iraq to cut ties with the west and join the United Arab Republic.
5. How was Saddam Hussein able to gain power and popularity in the 1970s?
He mordernized the Iraqi economy and created many government programs that benifited Iraqi citizens.
6. Why did the United States become involved in the Iran-Iraq War?
They didn't want iran's islamist government to win the war but did want to improve relations with Iran and its leaders.
7. Why did President George H.W. Bush (1989-93) bring the ground portion of the First Persian Gulf War to a halt? List two reasons.
a. He did not want the responsability of controling a totally destabilized Iraq.
b. He did not want to totally destroy Iraq's current government.
Extended Response:
8. What are the different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq? Why is it important to understand these differences?
The three biggest groups in Iraq are the kurds, Shi'as and the Sunnis. It is important to understand their differences and respective backgrounds because the actions they took and continue to take in the Middle east are driven by their beliefs, pride, and different levels of nationalism.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part II Questions:
Short Response
9. What dangers did President George W. Bush (2001-09) say Iraq posed to the region and the world? Name two.
a. He said they had a dangerous weapons program.
b. They supported terriorism.
10. What were the U.S. government's declared goals in sending troops to Iraq?
a. To end Hussein's reign of power in Iraq.
b. To uncover any WMDs Iraq might have.
11. List two reasons violence continues in Iraq.
a. Many Iraqis are distrustful of the new government.
b. Many Iraqis want US forces to leave.
Extended Response:
12. Describe the different groups involved in the ongoing conflict in Iraq. What are their goals? (Reasons for fighting)
Shi'a: The Shi'as do not want the Sunnis to regain power again and resume Hussain's tatics but are also against forgin (US) involvement.
Sunni: The Sunnis are concerned that the democracy will keep them out of power and are trying to get rid of it.
Kurd: The Kurds do not want the Sunnis to regain power and want total control of Kurdistan.
al Qaeda: al Qaeda wants to overthrow the new Iraqi government and possably create a single Islamic state that would include the entire Middle East.
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