Chapter 15-2: Critical Thinking # 5

What effects did the migration from rural areas to the cities in the late 19th century have on urban society? Think About:

• why people moved to cities
• the problems caused by rapid urban growth
• the differences in the experiences of whites and blacks

Migration from rural areas to the cities in the late 19th century effected the urban society. Since improvements were being made on farming technology, laborers were needed less in the fields. The reaper and steel plow could do the farming job much faster than by hand. Because of these improvements, people, once farmers, moved to cities to find replacements jobs. Coming from the South, the farmers were mainly African American. Once they settled in the cities to find jobs, they discovered that the new living conditions weren't much of a difference. (p.469)

In the Northern cities, the rapid urban growth did not turn out for the best. Segregation and discrimination were a huge part of the North, and since most farmers coming from the South were African Americans, the job competition effected the society because there was even more racial tension. (p. 469)

As rural migration settled in the Northern cities, the urban society did not turn out for the best. The racial violence, economic hardship, political oppression, and lack of jobs for the farmers of the South did not change and "stuck around" along with many other urban problems.

Chapter 15-2: Critical Thinking # 4

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

As cities grew larger, many urban problems factored in. From difficulties with houses, transportation, water resources, sanitation, crime and fire, city governments face the problems of how to provide the people with all their needed services.

In attempt to find a solution for the problems in the cities, the greatest affect was categorized under the matter of transportation.With so much population in the cities, safe transportation was very hard to manage. The solution for transportation problems was something called mass transit. Mass transits were large systems that had been designed to carry a great amount of people on fixed routes. With fixed routes for transportation offered, people could get to their jobs and back much easier. After time, between 1873 and 1897 street cars were invented as well as electric subways.

Not only did the solutions for better transportation result in easier lives for the people and workers, but they linked areas of cities to one another. Even thought this did not expand the population in a huge factor, it did get the cities around easier and joined/connected them with their neighboring communities.

Chapter 15-1: Critical Thinking # 4

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

In the late 1800s, due to the huge entry of immigrants to the U.S., a lot of anti-immigration feelings came forward. A huge effect on immigrants coming to the U.S. appeared in nativism. Nativism was when people showed favoritism toward native-born Americans. (p. 464)

While the massive influx of immigrants appeared to have a negative effect on the people themselves, many immigrants helped build nation wide devices, such as railroads. As more and more people immigrated to the U.S., more workers could be recruited for huge job opportunities.

Even though some native-born Americans did not like immigrations at all, the move to the United States effected the society in the late 1800s in more positive ways. The immigrants helped construct things and work, while also giving up some of their cultural identities to become a melting pot (where the country would be viewed as a mixture of different people blended together.) (p. 464)

Chapter 15-1: Critical Thinking # 3

Which group of immigrants do you think faced the greatest challenges in the United States? Why?

Entering the United States as an immigrant, everyone had trouble and many of the same challenges. The group of immigrants that probably had the greatest challenges in the United States were the Chinese.

Chinese immigrants came to the West Coast in small groups while Europeans arrived in groups of millions. (p. 461) Most Chinese immigrants went to the United States in search of jobs and to find fortunes after the discovery of gold.

Because Chinese specifically went to the United States in search of jobs, people were afraid that they would work for less money, and therefore take over their jobs. With this fear, labor groups went straight to the government. Over time, the government passed an act against Chinese immigration. This act was called The Chinese Exclusion Act, in which Chinese immigrants were banned from entering the United States. This movement was put forth for all Chinese except students, teachers, merchants, tourists, and government officials. (p. 465)

As a result, the Chinese immigrants had the hardest time in the United States because people were strongly against Asian immigration. Of all the immigrants to enter the United States, the Chinese were the only ones to have an act made specifically for them and mainly only "Anti-Asian" groups were formed.

Current Events Summary

Within West Africa, the relations of domestic policies tie into the growth and impact of centralized state power. For example, the acticle dealing with ivory and the government taking actions to end the trade, shows that the centralized state has gained and put their power to full effect. Not only do the articles tie into the growth and impact of centralized state power, but they also relate to personal freedom. One article, in general, relates to personal freedom because the people of the region maintain the right to vote for a new president. With this option they can chose whats right for their country and well-being.

Chapter 14-3: Citical Thinking # 3

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

• their management tactics and business strategies
• their contributions of the economy
• their attitude toward competition

The tycoons of the late 19th century are best described as ruthless robber barons. They way they managed tactics and what business strategies they did have, were a factor in the role of ruthless robber barons. Not only did the way they handled their management and strategies show the role of the oil companies and steel factories, but how they treated their competition factored in as well.

The tycoons invloved industries that were of oil. The Standard Oil Company of the time was established by John D. Rockefeller. Even though Reckefeller donated over $500 million to provide funds for the Univeristy of Chicago and to donate to a medical institute (p.449), the way he gained the money had a worse effect. Rockefeller managed his oil company by running other businesses out of business, and by over charging his customers. Not to mention, but the conditions in which the workers of his industry worked in where uncomfortable. He would over work them and take advantage of his own workers.

Being one of the only oil companies around, people were forced to by oil from him. By the end of time, Rockerfellers oil company had controlled nearly 90 percent of all industries. Rockefeller can be considered a ruthless robber baron because he took even more money than needed from people, making a huge profit, and also tried to run other companies out of business for his own personal gain.

By the late 19th century, the tycoons had complete control of their money management. They went from the bottom of the heap to millionaires who took advantage of their competition and the people in the region. Even though contributions were made to the economy, the way Rockefeller managed his business and treated competition was cruel and hardhearted.

Chapter 14-2: Critical Thinking # 4

The federal government gave land and made lands to the railroad companies. Why was the government so eager to promote the growth of railroads? Think About:

• why the railroads had power
• the rights of the railroad customers and workers
• the scope of government regulations

The government was so eager to promote the growth of railroads because they made expansion of the western land possible and opened up a whole new world. The railroads had much power and gave customers and workers rights and privileges that were not as open to the public before railroads were created.

Railroads and railroad companies were promoted with such great eagerness, receiving land grants and loans from the government to improve the new land of the west. Not only were railroads promoted to develop settling in the West, but they also improved the country. The newly developed railroads linked each section of land to one another and united the nation.

While the nation was united and settlement in the west grew, businesses also had a positive change. By linking towns with railroads, communication within industries became much easier. Becoming a network, markets could sell large amounts of their products to the entire country. The income of businesses strongly grew and had the option to be exposed to new land.

Chapter 14-1: Critical Thinking #5

Which invention or development described in this section had the greatest impact on society? Justify you choice. Think About:

• the applications of inventions
• the impact of invetions on people's daily lives
• the effect of inventions on the workplace

There were numerous inventions and developments that made a huge impact on society. The greatest invention on society factored into electricity. The development of electricity changed how people lived and the way people worked. The way people lived were mainly changed because it made household appliances easier to function and to be managed.

While electricity changed the everyday lives of people, the world of business was mainly effected and changed for the best. The inventors that factored in, such as Thomas Alva Edison and George Westinghouse, made electricity much safer and cheaper. The advantage of electrical power made it easier to live the everyday like.

By the year 1890, machines that ran businesses were powered off of electrical power. (p. 438) The advantage of electricity in the business industry allowed companies to work in other locations, besides their used-to-be power source such as rivers. The invention of electricity enlarged industries and allowed them to develop them into a huge success.

Without electricity, other inventions and developments would not be able to be made and function. The advantage of electric power led to the invention of light bulbs by Thomas Edison and one of the greatest discoveries of all times, the telephone, invented by Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson. Without electricity, these new developments would not be able to be used. As a result, the convenience of electricity had the greatest impact on the people in society and changed the industries and businesses.

Current Events: West Africa

Domestic Policies

Throughout West Africa, many of the regions are similar within domestic policies. While people in each region have to find the best way to deal with the government for whats best, they also have to work for their own lifestyle.

Ever since 2003, ivory has become popular in West Africa. Many elephants would be found dead, mainly by gangs of poachers, and the tusks would be used for ivory trade. This benefited the people of the region because ivory is very popular in Western Africa. Even though the trade of ivory is beneficial for the people in countries such as Liberia and Nigeria, and increased the income of markets, the government found that the domestic trade of ivory was to be handled under national legislation. It was declared that if the terms for trading ivory were not met, every domestic, legal trading options would be taken away.

Although the people that dwell within West Africa need to make money, the best way to deal with that is to not interfere with the government. Especially after the civil war, the people had to remain civilized and opened minded. To remain opened minded was in the best interest of the countries because when it came to electing a president, the best thing to do is make the right decision that helped the people.

In Nigeria, the people not only suffered from a civil war in the past, but was recently told that a change was to be made in their money system. Even though this announcement had been made publicly, everything did not follow through as planned because the President had put a hold on things. With such confusion on the control of the country, the President Yar'Adua, has been known for his non-leadership. This situation left higher exspectations from each country in West Africa of what the new president is to be.

There are numerous issues thats are relavent to the domestic policies in West Africa. The leadership of the people and what decisions they make involvoing the government are the strongest choices to be made.

Chapter 13-3: Critical Thinking # 3

What do you think were the most significant factors in bringing an end to the Populist Party? Think about:

• monetary policy
• third-party status
• source of popular support
• popular participation policy

The most significant factors to bringing an end to the Populist Party were the Panic of 1893, silver and gold, and the support of the population.

Throughout the 1880's, farmers had been exceeded of their limits with debts and loans. The railroad industry was spreading faster than stores. By the year of 1893, many companies were going bankrupt. This lead to panic of all the citizens and to the trade of paper money for gold. Once the supply of gold ran low, people traded the paper money that they had for silver, eventually putting silver mines out. Once a year had passed, the panic of the people became a stage of depression because businesses and companies incomes were falling. The unexpected downfall of the people caused much tension between the Populist Party and everyone who was in the situation. (p.428)

Once the trade for gold and silver became very large, the Populist Party had the responsibility of something called the monetary policy. The monetary policy made the Populists chose whether people can trade paper money for silver and gold, or just gold. Since the Populist Party was supported by the citizens and farmers who were in debt, everything they decided mattered. If the people could not trade in paper money for silver or gold, they thought that everything they had was completely useless. The thought of inflation became a huge problem and sent people into fear. (p.428)

If the source of support for the Populist Party declined, so did the role they had. Once the popular participation and popular support began to fall, the end of the Populist party became even closer. While loosing supporters, the Populist Party also had another disadvantage; they were a third-party status. They were considered a smaller, less powerful political party. As a result, once the issue of money came into hand, the Populist Party hit a weak spot. They lost their supporters and once William McKinley was nominated for president and debated that both gold and silver should be used, Populism came to a downfall. The farmers who were in debt and supported the Populist party now had lost all their expectations. (p.429)

Chapter 13-2: Critical Thinking #3

How successful were government efforts to promote settlement of the Great Plains? Think about:

• the growth in population on the Great Plains.
• the role of railroads in the economy.
• the Homestead Act.

The government effort to promote settlement of the Great Plains was very successful for many reasons. First of all, within a 30 year period, the growth of population increased. While people settled in the West, the government was very helpful by turning land that consisted of forest and prairies, into farmland. In all, another 400 million acres were changed into farmland for the people after 1870 to about 1900. (p. 420)

While increasing the amount of land to be settled on, the governments efforts to promote settlement of the Great Plains also took action by the expansion of railroads. The power of the federal government set aside 170 million acres. (p.420) With that, land grants were made, giving both the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific the opportunity to build as many railroads that they wanted. With the companies expanding railroads all over, people had the option to buy farming land off of the companies. The settlement in the west was also effected by railroads because the companies needed a large amount of people to work. The solution for the lack of workers was to haul in immigrants. The more railroads that were built lead to the need of workers, which lead to even more immigrants settling in the west for job opportunities.

The government was also successful with their efforts to promote settlement of the Great Plains when the Homestead Act was passed. The Homestead Act proposed 160 acres of land to any citizen for free. (p.421) Taking advantage of this offer, about 600,000 families were now living in the Great Plains. Even though the offer of 160 acres was plenty of land to live on, some settlers who claimed their land was too dry, changed the minds of the government and could now claim over 160 acres of land. In time, the government improved the Homestead Act and promoted even more settlers to settle in the West. Even though people began to claim land before the government stated it was open, the governments attempt to endorse settlement in the Great Plains was a huge success.