Ch. 17, sec. 5 critical thinking #4

Why do you think Wilson failed to push for equality for African Americans, despite his Progressive reforms?

Wilson said that he had made no promises other than to do them justice. So what he did by enforcing segregation was to him justice. He also might have done what most politicians do. They promise the people what they want to get their vote and once in office they turn their backs on what they said and do what they really wanted to do from the beginning.

Ch. 15, sec. 2 critical thinking # 4

#4. Which solution or (attempted solution) to an urban problem discussed in this section do you think had the most impact? Why?

The government built urban dwellings called, tenements. The tenements added ventilation and better plumbing. But even though the ventilation helepd for a little while, the rotting garbage from outside would produce and stench defeating the purpose of the new windows.

Ch. 15, sec. 1 critical thinking # 3 &4

#3 Which immigrants do you think faced the greatest challenges in the United States?

The Asians faced the greatest challenges. They had to endure harsh questioning and be locked up in "filthy ramshackle buildings" before they found out if they were admitted int o the country or not. In 1882 Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. Banning entry to all Chinese except students, teachers, merchants, tourists, and government officials. (p. 465)

#4 What were the effects of the massive influx of immigrants to the U.S. in the late 1800s?

There was a rise in Nativism . Nativism is favoritism towards native-born Americans, which led to anti-immigrant groups and soon led to immigration restrictions. Many native-born Americans were without jobs because the immigrants would work for less money. This led to the Depression of 1873 which intensified the anti-Chinese sentiment. (p. 464)

Current Events Summary

Recent data shows that inflation has risen from 4.5% to 6.5% in Johannesburg, South Africa. More data shows that the annual trade deficit has risen to R9.4bn. This data shows that another interest rate hike is on the table. Economists are worried that the recent interest hikes will “stunt the longest expansion in SA’s history.” (news24.com)
There has been a major fuel shortage in Africa forcing many buses off the road. This is a problem caused by the government when they ordered cuts of 50% to all prices of goods. The cuts were ordered in an attempt to halt the highest inflation in the world.
The African Rand strengthens against the U.S. dollar , trading at R7.47/%. Many economists believe this is a negative risk because food prices have been a major concern.

Ch. 14, sec. 3 critical thinking #3

Do you think that the tycoons of the late 19th century are best described as ruthless robber barons or as effective captains of industry?

-management tactics and business strategies
-contributions to economy
-attitude toward competition

effective captains
tactics
-horizontal /vertical integration
-social darwinism
-bribery of congress
-lassaize faire

effective captains
contributions to economy
-oil and steel easier to access
-vanderbilt RR spread commerce
-provided jobs

ruthless robbers
contributions to economy
-rockefeller raised prices/cut wages
-long hours/dangerous work environment/child labor

After looking at all the data, while the tycoons were ruthless in some aspects of their strategies, overall they were effective captains of industry and used their skills in business to maximize their oppurtunities and capital.

Ch. 14, sec. 2 critical thinking #4

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 government was corrupted in Congress by 20 representatives who were being given shares of stock earned by the railroad. The company doing this was called the Credit Mobilier. The railroads also made dreams of acquiring more land possible for the government. (p. 444)
Another benefit for the government was transportation. If the government would support the railroad it could get free transportation in return. This would be crucial in upcoming elections and campaigning strategies.
By giving out loans and giving land the government would in a sense have complete control over the growth of railroads. In 1887, Congress passed the Interstaet Commerce Act, establishing the right of the federal government to supervise railroad activities.(p. 445)

Ch. 14, sec. 1 critical thinking #5

Which invention or development described in this section had the greatest impact on society? Justify your choice.

The development that that had the greatest impact on society was the Bessemer Process. By injecting air into molten iron one manufacturers could remove carbon and other such impurities, thereby; decreasing the weight and chance of rust and increasing the flexibility of it. The metal that was form by using the Bellemer Process was called steel.(p.437)
Steel had many different uses. Railroads quickly became the biggest cutomers because of the thouasands of miles of track. But it was used for many other things as well. Joseph Glidden invented barbed wire using steel and McCormick and Deere invented farm machines to help turn dirt into fertile soil.(p. 438)
Steel was also the main factor in the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. Steel cables attached to high towers were used as the main weight-bearing component for the bridge. William Le Baron Jenney designed the first skyscraper with a steel frame, this allowed architects to build the buildings as high as they wished, unlike the weight bound iron clad buildings built before. (p. 438)
Steel was by far the most important development on society at this time.

Ch. 13, sec. 3 critical thinking #3

The most significant factors in bringing an end to the populist party were Lack of Money, William Mckinley, and Fear of Inflation.
William Mckinley was the Republican nominee for president. He was in favor of the gold standard and was incredibly wealthy. He was running against Democratic nominee William Jennings Bryan.
William Jennings Bryan in contrast had only meager funds. Bryan made up for the Lack of Money by campaigning in 27 states and making 20 speeches a day.(page429) Mckinley campagned on his front porch and had thousands of people giving speeches for him.
Fear of Inflation though was the biggest downfall of the Populist party. The party favored the silver standard which would increase inflation which drove the business owners to Mckinley. While Bryan recieved support from the South and the farm vote of the Mid-west, Mckinley recieved support from many business owners in the North and all of the East. Mckinley gained 7 million votes to win while Bryan only recieved 6.5 million. With this major loss the Populist party collapsed.

Ch. 13, sec. 2 critical thinking #3

How successful were government effort to promote settlement of the Great Plains?

The government was only mildly successful. It opened The Transcontinental Railroad and passed the Homestead Act.
The Transcontinental Railroad made for easier, quicker, but more expensive traveling from coast to coast. They used 170 million acres of land and spent half a billion dollars. The Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroad companies raced to lay tracks East and West to connect the United States.(p.420-421)
The Homestead Act was passed in an effort to lure citizens into getting more land. The law offered 160 acres of free land to anyone who was the head of a family. This sparked 600,000 families to leave their homes. But there were railroad and state government agents and farmers who claimed mines and built fences. Overall only 10% of the land was actually settled by families for whom it was intended.