Grade 11
|
Source NYSED Directions: the following question is based on the accompanying documents (1- 8). Some of these documents have been edited for the purposes of these exercises. This question is designed to test your ability to work with historic documents. As you analyze the documents, take into account both the sources of the document and the author’s point of view. Historic Context The industrialization, which followed the Civil War, had a great impact on many different area of life in the United States. One of the groups most affected by the growth of industry was the worker. Question: Discuss the impact of industrialization on workers in the United States form 1865 to 1914 and evaluate the ways that individuals and government responded to the problems created by industrialization. After reading the documents, complete part A Part A: Short answer Document 1 The opportunity to get rich, to attain great wealth is here…now within the reach of almost every man and woman…. You have no right to be poor. It is your duty to be rich…. I sympathize with the poor, but the number of poor who are to be sympathized with is very small… let us remember, there is not a poor person in the United States who was not made poor by his own shortcomings… Russell Cornwell, Acres of Diamonds, 1900 What was the attitude of Russell Conwell toward the poor? Document 2 It is true that wealth has been greatly increased, and that the average comfort, leisure, and refinement have been raised, but these gains are not general. In them the lowest class do not share…There is a vague but general feeling of disappointment; and increases bitterness among the working classes; a widespread feeling of unrest and brooding revolution. Henry George, Progress and Poverty, 1905. Why did Henry George warn against dissatisfaction among the working classes? Document 3 The employer desires to reduce wages and lengthen the hours of labor, while the desire of employees is to obtain shorter hours of labor and better wages, and better surroundings. Strikes establish or maintain the rights of unionism; that is, to establish and maintain the organization by which the rights of worker can be better protected. Samuel Gompers According to Samuel Gompers, what are the differences between the goals of employers and employees? Document 4 I am going to fight… If it takes all summer and all winter, and all next summer and all next winter. Yes, even life itself. I will fight this to the bitter end. I will never recognize the union, never, never. HC Frick, President, Carnegie Steel, 1892 What was the attitude of many "captains of industry" toward unions? Document 5
What does this poster show about the government response to the Haymarket affair? Document 6
How did government and management respond to strikes between 1902 and 1904? Document 7 What does this cartoon show about working conditions? Document 8 The Dumbbell Tenement Plan
What does this floor plan show about living conditions in the tenements that housed immigrant workers? Part B: Essay response Write an essay that discuss the impact of industrialization on workers in the United States from 1865 to 1914 and evaluate the ways that individuals and government responded to the problems created by industrialization. Our essay should be well organized with an introductory paragraph that states your position on the question. Develop you position in the next paragraphs and write a conclusion. In your essay, include specific historical details and refer to the specific documents you analyzed in Part A. you may include additional information from your knowledge of American History. |
