Master Link:
(History of the Grange and Populist Party) http://tfk.factmonster.com/ce6/history/A0839726.htmlTo Do:
Links to Follow You need a background to understand the following activities. Please read the text at the site listed below before you start. http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/H/1994/index.htm Read Chapter 8 from the Hypertext.
Activity 1 Background: With the end of the Civil War in 1865, the nation was well on its ways towards industrialization. It may be argued that the war helped American on its march towards industrialization. With the passage of the Pacific Railroad Act and the Homestead Act in 1862 the Federal government took a step away from Laissez Faire economics. Additionally, government contracts with both industry (for needed war matierals) and with farmers (for need food stuffs) helped chip away at this doctrine. By the middle of the 1870's America was well on its way away from small industries, where each individual posessed a skill, went through an apprentiouship, and created a whole product such as a shoe. Individual skills were quickly being replaced by machines. "Sun Time." was being replaced by "Artificial Time" where electricity not only powered the machines but also the clocks which drove the workers according to the owners needs and desires. The modern factory had come to America. Within a short time factories were soon competing with one another for buyers. Within time, a few individuals and businesses began to control the market, From railroads, steel, coal and soon petroleum fortunes were made and prices rose and fell with the dictates of the market. Individal farmers attempting to get their crop to market had to rely on railroads, storrage centers, and to a certain degree luck in their quest for a profit. Monopolies were often seen by the farmer as the reason for their declining profits. In time they turned to state as well as the federal governement for a regress to their grievences.
Activity 1 Links: Monopolies
Activty 2: Background: Many groups began to unite in their attempt to address the injustices they felt were being delivered to them by the Industrial Revolution and "Big Business". One industry in particular was targeted by these groups; the railroad industry. Two of these groups in particular are well noted for their complaints and attempts at controling the perceived effects of the railroads. The Grange and later the Populists were two such groups. Niether group suceeded or failed completely. To a certain degree these groups paved the way both for future groups and well as legislation which attempted the control many of the negative effects of the Industrial Revolution in America.
Activity 2 Links
Activty 2 Directions: The Grange and Populists, a Comparison: In the chart below: list the specific compliant of the both the Grange and the Populist Movements? Next determine who were their complaints lodged against? Finally, what did each groups wish to see happen or lobby for in order to remedy the situation? From the The Political Economy of 'Agrarian Revolt' on the Great Plains, 1862-1900 by Kathleen Pickering, University of Wisconsin - Madison, USA) (30 Points Possible)
The Grange and Populists: a Comparison
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The Grange Movement |
The Populist Movement |
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Specific Compliant |
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Complaints Against |
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What did each group want to see done to remedy the situation? |
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Activity 3: Background: Cartoons are often used used to make comments (lampoon) about individuals and society. One can learn about the times one is studying by an analysis of such cartoons. However in order to understand a political cartoon and the indivuals involved in their creation one must understand a few of the terms that relate to cartooning. One must understand the tems characture, stereotypes as well as symbolism before one attempts to understand the cartoons themselves. Additionally, no analysis of political cartoons is possible without an understanding of the times in which the cartoons were produced. .What was a powerful issue at one time perhaps might not be today. As well, symbols can shift their meaning depending on whose perspective one is looking at it in. For example, the American flag to a patriot might represent freedom or opportunity, while to some individuals, a slave in the 1790's, for example, it might represent oppression and a loss of freedom.
Activity 3 Links:
Activity 3 Directions: For each cartoon explain their historical significance. (Why were they produced and what were they attempting to demonstrate?) In order to complete this assignment, you must do a bit of research. In fact unless you do this background reading you will be lost as each cartoon attempts to portray a particular perpective, in a specific time period, for a specfic reason. You need to read through some of links provided in the History of the Grange and Populist Part. (60 Points Possible)
Activity 4 Background on the Progressives (Just read): The Grange Movement as well as the Populist Movements of the late 1800's were really responses to the Industrial Revolution and the effects it was begining to produce on different segments of society. For the most part, the Grange Movement was an agrarian and rural response, coming mainly from disatisfied farmers, who appeared unable to understand that they themselves, in part, contributed to the problems they faced. In fact one might speculate that their own success in a way led to lower prices for the products they wished to sell. One of the first laws of economics " the law of Supply and Demand," states that the more you have to sell of a product the lower the price will be. The opposite is also true; the less avialability of a product the higher the price will be. In contrast, the Progressives are not so easily defined. In general the Progressives appeared to be urban, city dwellers, individuals or groups which reacted to changes of Industrialization as felt within the city. Additionaly, they were varied in their activities and what they wished to reform. For example, one progressive group felt the problems of the city were a result of the new immigrats, in particular from those from eastern and southern Europe Their response was in asking for immigration quotas or restrictions. Another group who in part defined the problem, in terms of immigration sought to educate or cleanse the immigrant of their past heritage. These groups tended to blame the immigrant. The cities were places of filth and coruption. Disease ran rampant, the immigrants must be to blame. Little was the mention of the fact that govenment did lttle to nothing to improve the situation. In short, some wished to scub the immigrant clean or "force the immigrant out," to "push the American in."
Activity 4 Links and Directions: Read the brief background on the Progressives:
Activity 5 Background: The Industrial Revolution would not have been possible without a source to power the new industries. Today we relie on oil, nuclear, or perhaps even solar power, to power our homes and industry. Coal, or "Black Gold," was the source of energy in the late 1800's and 1900's. Without coal there was little or no industry. Those countries with a constant supply of coal could participate in the Industrial Revolution, if they so desired and had the will to mine the coal from the bowels of the earth. However coal mining was dangerous and dirty work.. One might watch the films the Molly Maguires or Matewan to get a sense of the dangers involved. Whole towns were devoted to the Coal Industry. In particular in Pennslyvannia and Kentucky with the United States this appeared to be the case. In parts of these states Company Towns were created. In a company town you lived breathed and died coal. Perhaps you were paid in cash, but from a company's perspective script was better. That way you could buy from the company store and attend the company school and perhaps be burried in a company plot.
Activty 5 Links and Directions: The Life of a Coal Miner: Follow the links below and in two pages, describe the life a coal miner. Remember to be specific by giving examples from these readings in your answer. (30 Points Possible)
Activity 6: Background One group of Progressives, often called Muckrakers were for the most part journalists, who sought to expose different ills within society, government, and business through their writings. A few notable Muckrakers include, Ida Tarbell, whose History of Standard Oil, stood as an inditement of J.D. Rockerfeller and his oil monopoly. Shame of the City, by Lincoln Steffens discussed in the deal the coruption of local politics, by political bosses whose purses bulged at the expense of taxpayers. He advocated the need for political reform and govenenment responsibility. In part his advocacy helped to lead to the passage three politcal reforms the initiative, referendum and the recall. Other political reform of the period was the 17th amendment. Yet perhaps the most noted Muckraker of the period was Upton Sinclair, whose discusting description of conditions within the meatpaking plant in his work The Jungle would directly lead to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act as well as the Meat Inspection Act. It was said of his reform that he "aimed at the public's minds, but hit them in the stomach."
Actvity 6 Links: The Jungle, Chapter 14
Activity 7: Directions Greatest Impact: After you have completed the chart below, from this list, pick one Progressive reform that you feel has had the greatest impact on our country today. Yes, it is true, unless you know what these terms mean you cannot write your paper. You may use some of the sites below to gather this information. Format: (two page /minimum; typed double spaced; argue from general to specific). (100 points Possible) (0-30 points for the chart) (0-100 points for the paper) Note: All essays will be graded according to the Helix Writing and Points Rubrics .
Activity 7 Links Search Terms at:
Progressive Reforms
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Terms |
Definition |
| 17th Amendment | |
| 19th Amendment | |
| Pure Food and Drug Act | |
| Meat Inspection Act | |
| The Mann Act | |
| Initiative | |
| Referendum | |
| Recall | |
| City Manager Plan | |
| The Commission System | |
| The Hepburn Act | |
| Clayton Anti Trust Act | |