Immigration

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.
There were many reasons that Southern and Eastern Europeans, Chinese, and Koreans immigrated into the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many left their homes in order to escape religious persecution. Another cause was rising population, which meant scarce land for farming. The U.S. was believed to have plentiful jobs. Also, Europe was experiencing a time of revolt and reform, which led people to pursue an independent life and come to America for that reason. Many Chinese came for work, and many came when Hawaii began to hire Chinese. Some came just to make money then return home after they were successful.

2. Describe the journey immigrants endured and their experiences at United States immigration stations.
Immigrants often traveled in cargo holds, packed together. They had to sleep in beds infested with lice, and share toilets with other passengers. This caused disease to spread and some people died before they reached land. Then they had to endure the anxiety of whether or not they will be admitted into the country. They had to pass an inspection that took up to 4 or 5 hours in order to be allowed in the U.S. Angels Island for the Chinese was a miserable place of inspection. Those admitted into the nation were faced with the challenges of finding a home, a job, and adjusting to the American lifestyle and culture while learning and practicing the language. They used each other for support and assistance. All immigrants suffered racism and abuse from Americans.

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- The Knights of Labor were founded in 1860 by Philidelphia garment cutters, and accepted other workers in the 1870s. They were the only broad-based union to survive the depression of rising and falling unions. Terence V Powderly was elected grand master.

b. Significance- The Knights Of Labor's goal was to "eventually make every man his own master - every man his own employer. . . There is no good reason why labor cannot, through cooperation, own and operate mines, factories, and railroads." Fell apart when Powderly persistantly refused to act with violence and strikes, and the people decided they'd achieve more themselves.

the Haymarket riot

a. Identification- At Haymarket Square, near downtown Chicago, Illinois, on May 2nd, 1886, labor groups rallied to protest the brutality of police the day before in apprehending a massive union strike. A bomb went off, killing 7 and hurting 67. Many arrests followed, and 8 anarchists were tried for the bombing. 4 were executed. One committed suicide in jail, and the remaining three were pardoned in 1893 by governor John P. Altgeld.

b. Significance- It drew attention to the increasing hatred towards labor and brought back the fear of radicalism in the middle-class. The nation increased security and awareness againts strikes and riots in fear of their destructiveness.

the American Federation of Labor

a. Identification- The AFL formed from the upheavals as the major workers' organization. It was made up of national craft unions, and had about 140,ooo members, who were mostly skilled, native-born workers. It was led by Samuel Gompers, who also headed the Cigar Makers' union. Instead of pursuing concrete goals like other union groups, they went for multiple immediate goals to improve working conditions.

b. Significance- by1901 their numbers reached 1 million, and 2.5 million by 1917. They accepted industrialism and looked for ways to improve the wage-and-hour system instead of fighting for the long-term cause. They also avoided party politics. They worked together, despite opinions on political parties.

Samuel Gompers

a. Identification- Samuel Gompers was the leader of the AFL. He was an optimistic, practical immigrant who also ran the Cigar Makers' union. He avoided the unlikely hopes of achieving perfect working conditions in concrete goals of higher wages, less hours, and the right to bargain collectively.

b. Significance- He led the AFL to expanding into a huge union with 2.5 million members by 1917. Helped the AFL pursue much more realistic immediate goals to improve the wages and hours for the workers in the unions.

the Homestead strike

a. Identification- In July, 1892, the AFL affiliated Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steelworkers refused to allow their wages to be cut so they went on strike in Homestead, Pennsylvania. Henry C. Frick, the president of Carnegie Steel, closed the plant, then later tried to protect it by hiring 300 Pinkerton guards and sneaking them in by the river in the darkness. The strikers attacked them, and militiamen were called in. After 5 months, the strike was subdued.

b. Significance- The Homestead strike turned people against strikers when an anarchist that wasn't even part of the strike tried to take Hery Frick's life.

the Pullman strike

a. Identification- The workers at the Pullman Palace Car Company began to protest in 1894 due to the outrageous policies in the company town near Chicago. George Pullman provided and controlled everything in the so-called "model town" that was made for his workers. The company owned everything and controlled the whole town almost like tyranny.

b. Significance- Pullman would not negotiate. He'd cut wages while keeping the prices of rent and bills in the town. He'd respond to complaints by firing workers, so Eugene V. Debs led a strike against it. Pullman closed the factories and the strikers threatned to block the railroads. So president Grover Cleveland sent in troops to stop the strike.

Eugene V. Debs

a. Identification- Eugene V. Debs led the Pullman strike. He was a young, charismatic organizer. He was given six months in jail for his "attack" on the railroads

b. Significance- Debs led one of the many unsuccessful strikes. He took on a big enemy and tried something very daring which only provoked a higher force to step in and stop it quickly, and he was placed in jail for the attempt, which no benefit or victory.

the Industrial Workers of the World

a. Identification- The Industrial Workers of the World, a.k.a the "Wobblies," wanted to unite all laborers, skilled and unskilled, like the Knights of Labor did. But they surpassed the Knights tacticsand used violence and sabotaged to achieve their goals. Its goal was "One Big Union," and its motto was "An injury to one is an injury to all."

b. Significance- The "Wobblies" tried to take over industries with planned strikes and violence, but the group died out when many of its members, which were already few, were getting convicted of crimes.

Section 14-3 Terms and Names

Read Chapter 14-3 and then identify the significance of each of the following terms / names: (Post your answers in your blog before the beginning of class.)

Andrew Carnegie- owned a steel business which became the largest in the U.S. and produced more steel by 1899 than all of the factories in Great Britain

Social Darwinism- The philosophy based on Darwin's theory of evolution. It was believed that the strong survive while the weak suffer and only the strong are favored and live on.

John D. Rockefeller- established the Standard Oil Company, who instead of buying out other companies, joined them in friendly contracts.

Sherman Antitrust Act- made it illegal to form trusts that interfere with free trade between states or with other countries.

Samuel Gompers- led the Cigar Makers' International Union to join with other craft unions in 1886

American Federation of Labor (AFL)- focused on collective bargaining, and used strikes as a main tactic, to come to written agreements on wages and hours that were more suitable to workers

Eugene V. Debs- attempted to form a union that included workers of all skill levels in a specific industry

Industrial Workers of the World- included miners, lumberers, and cannery and dock workers. Welcomed African Americans. Was not very successful but gave dignity to unskilled workers

Mary Harris Jones- perhaps the most prominent organizer in the women's labor movement

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 government was so eager to promote the growth of railroads because they were extremely helpful to the country. The railroads made everything better for the U.S. Settlement in the west was made possible, and they made it possible to make a living in the west, as well. They revolutionized trasportation. Traveling long distances was hugely faciliated and local transit was more reliable and organized. The railroads allowed the shipment of goods from all over the U.S. and helped expand the markets. As more markets came about and expanded there would be higher demand for railroads to send their merchandise. The railroads also linked the cities and states of the U.S. together and made it even mor united. The government also controled the railroads so if they spread more through the country it would expand government power. The government was very eager to assist the railroads' growth.

Expansion of Industry

Question:

What were the three major factors that contributed to the immense technological boom that took place in theUnited States after the Civil War? Explain how two of these factors helped to bring about this technological boom.

The three major factors that contributed to the immense technological boom that took place in the United States after the Civil war were the plentiful natural resources, support of the government for business, and growing urban population, which supplied labor and business for new markets. The natural resources were important, especially oil. Oil was a hugely popular industry and it still is today. Companies rushed to drill for oil wherever it could be found, and the byproduct, gasoline, became the most inportant factor once cars came into use. Also, iron and coal became huge industries as well. The iron was used to form steel by the technique discovered by Henry Bessemer, called the Bessemer process, during which air is injected into the molten iron to remove the carbon and any other impurities. The new steel was used for many things, and railroads was an important use for steel. It could also be used to build stronger structures.

The expanding popluation was very helpful to the booming industry as well. The greater the population, the more people there are looking for work, and also more people to purchase the products created by the industries. Also more people meant more potential investors and more inventors. The growing population greatly facilitated the industrial boom.

Westward Expansion Questions

1. What are some of the main reasons that the federal government's policy of assimilation failed?

Think About:

• Native Americans' way of life
• Cultural differences
• Attitude of whites toward Native Americans
• Government promises

Assimilation failed because the Americans, who treated the Native Americans terribly since they arrived, were asking them to forget all of their current lifestyle, traditions, and culture, and adopt lives just like those Americans that have always mistreated them. The Native Americans had completely different lives and the Americans tried to make them throw away all of their customs and beliefs and act as Americans do. Also, even if the Native Americans obliged, the Americans would probably betray them before long anyways. The government hadn't had a history of keeping their promises to the Native Americans. There was no chance assimilation would be successful.

2. How successful were government efforts to promote settlement of the Great Plains? Give examples to support your answer.

Think about:

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

Government efforts to promote settlement of the Great Plains was very successful. It took only 30 years to settle into the western half of the country, while it took over 250 to settle the first half. Railroads were quickly built for transportation of people and merchandise. With the railroads goods could be shipped from anywhere in the U.S. Water was no longer needed to transport goods now that railroads could be used, so people could ship goods and profit from the middle and west of the country. Also, the homestead act offered free land to settlers, so of course people rushed to settle and get their free land. The settlement of the west didn't take long at all.

Conflict in Iraq Q&A

Part I Questions:

Short Response

1. Where do most Kurds, Shi'a, and Sunnis live in Iraq?

Kurds: Mountainous regions Shi'a: southern region Sunnis: central area

2. Which ethnic group(s) hold(s) power over the majority of oil reserves in Iraq?
Shi'a and Kurds

3. What is the main reason Britain become involved in Iraq?
To gain control of the oil fields

4. What did pan-Arabists advocate after World War II?
Iraqi unity and a unique Iraqi national

5. How was Saddam Hussein able to gain power and popularity in the 1970

He used the money from rising oil prices to fund free education, develop a good public health care system, and reform the agricultural system.

6. Why did the United States become involved in the Iran-Iraq War?
To prevent Iran from winning after it began to step up its attacks.

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. To eliminate Sadam Hussein's control of the Kuwaiti oil fields

b.

Extended Response:

8. What are the different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq? Why is it important to understand these differences?
The ethnic groups in Iraq are Kurds and Arabs, and the religious groups are Shi'i and Sunni Muslims.
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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. Dangerous weapons

b. Terrorism

10. What were the U.S. government's declared goals in sending troops to Iraq?

a. End Saddam Hussein's regime

b. Find weapons of mass destruction

11. List two reasons violence continues in Iraq.

a. Many Iraqis are angry that the U.S. remain in the country

b. Iraqis do not trust the new government

Extended Response:

12. Describe the different groups involved in the ongoing conflict in Iraq. What are their goals? (Reasons for fighting)

Shi'a:

There are 70-80,000 Shi'a involved. This group contains the Mahdi army and the Bard Brigade. Their goal is to resist the dominance of the U.S. and Sunnis, and they also want to increase their power in Iraq.

Sunni:

Consists of the Islamic army in Iraq, the Islamic Front for Iraqi Resistance, and the 1920 Revolution Brigades. Their numbers are over 20,000. Their goal goal is to prevent U.S. and Shi'i dominance. Some joined U.S. in fighting Al-Qaeda

Kurd:

There are 100,000 Kurds, which is made up of the Kurdistan Democratic party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, and the Kurdistan Workers Party. Their goal is Kurdish self-determination.

al Qaeda:

Al Qaeda is 10,000 sunni including 800-3,000 non-Iraqis. Their goal is to incite a civil war in Iraq and to drive the U.S. out of the country.