American Gilded Age by Foner, E. (2013)
Q1a. The great railroad strike of 1877 triggered an enormous labor upheaval. Organizing workers to better social circumstances and alleviate acute economic disparity was the Knights of Labor goal. Concerned about the dread of social class and the accumulation of power, the “single tax” was Henry George’s answer to the problem. George opposed the traditional association of liberty with property ownership. Gronlund cooperative shared wealth was the first book to make socialist ideas more mainstream. According to Edward Bellany, freedom was a social state that was built on interdependence rather than independence. In his opinion, freedom and spiritual growth are essential, as is the equality of wealth and power. Walter Rauschenbusch believed that in urban areas, social gospel devotion resulted in the establishment of mission and relief organizations, and in 1886, around 350,000 workers demonstrated in support of an eight-hour workday (Foner, 2013, p. 589-624).
Q1b. They organized influential labor organizations, such as the Knights of Labor, to address their concerns. They fought for the fundamental economic rights of all workers, believing that the emergence of these issues was a result of unfettered economic expansion and the political dominance of businesses (Foner, 2013, 624-630).
Q2a. In Plessy v. Ferguson, the Supreme Court ruled that institutions might be separated based on race provided they were otherwise equal. According to this statement, despite not living up to similar treatment criteria, the state government was allowed to separate blacks and whites. When it came down to it, institutions such as schools and hospitals were separated, with white institutions being given the upper hand. This resulted in the establishment of a new system of oppression against black people (Foner, 2013, p. 636-652).
Q2b. Many African-Americans left the New South because of discriminatory policies, economic inequalities, widespread racism, and violent violence against black people in the region’s new South (Foner, 2013, p. 646).
Q3a. Women’s opportunities in the workplace significantly increased as women could now work for money, build a career, or pick from a wide range of occupations. As shopping became popular, women took on a more visible role in society. While fighting for better working conditions, higher income, and most crucially, a position in the consumer society, labor movements called into question past assumptions. Workers were infiltrating the consumer culture because they want to be able to participate in it as well (Foner, 2013, p. 684).
In tandem, banning and the women’s vote rode a wave of populist progressive enthusiasm to the right. It was customary to reduce the adverse effects of alcohol from household batteries to much-needed labor income, suffrage activities, and temperance organizations. Elite Protestants also discovered a way to curb the working class’s political influence via the local lounge’s homosocial location. The 18th Amendment was partially owing to the revolutionary spirit and increased patriotism of the First World War. It was a remarkable experiment that would improve America (Mc Girr, 2015).
Q3b. Progressives were attempting to limit who may engage in American democracy while simultaneously democratizing America even more for those allowed to participate (Foner, 2013, p. 705-711). The moralist, activist, and monarchist mentality exhibited in Prohibition enforcement gained fresh ground in the War on Drugs. Like the Alcohol War, moral outrage became a way of financing vast jail and police bureaucracies. It was also used as a rationale for infringing on constitutionally guaranteed rights (Mc Girr, 2015).
Q4a. This was accomplished via the employment of the Roosevelt Corollary. He defended his conduct by claiming that the United States has international police authority in the Western Hemisphere. He was doing his part to uphold the rule of law. Taft achieved his goals via economic development, which he accomplished via American credit to penetrate international markets. Wilson made use of the concept of “moral imperialism.” The United States has a responsibility to get involved in other nations’ affairs to propagate democracy across the world (Foner, 2013, p. 718-720).
Q4b. Because the United States had so many diverse links with other nations, World War I impacted us as well. In addition, the United States had a responsibility to safeguard democracy since it had been expanding it around the globe (Foner, 2013, p. 726-730).
Q5a. Fundamentalism is characterized by conservatism and tradition, as well as a return to previously held principles. Diversity – believing that immigration and change are beneficial and advocating for immigrants’ equal treatment in the workplace (Foner, 2013, p. 774-791).
Q5bThis event triggered the Great Depression: the crash of the stock market in December 1929. The banks were forced to close their doors. The Government’s Reaction Was: The Hoover administration did nothing to improve the plight of the American people, and the situation only became worse as time went on. On the other hand, the Roosevelt administration successfully re-injected money into the economy by constructing government programs to give people jobs, and his method was successful (Foner, 2013, p. 788-795).
Q6a. The National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) established, which worked in collaboration with groups of business leaders to construct industry codes that specified standards for manufacturing, pricing, and working conditions. A program is known as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) deployed young jobless workers on ecosystem restoration, flood prevention, and the maintenance of wildlife and plant preserves. The Agriculture Adjustment Act (AAA) gave the federal government the authority to boost agricultural prices by establishing regulatory criteria for essential crops and paying farmers for growing fewer crops than were previously allowed. The Economy Act reduced government expenditures by a fourth as a result of its implementation. The Progressive Workers’ Administration hired hundreds of painters to paint murals on public buildings; the group also hired authors and performers to contribute to the project. The Wagner Act paved the way for establishing the National Labor Relations Board, which was established in 1935. Through the Social Security Act, a jobless insurance system, pensions for the elderly, and assistance for the disabled, the elderly, and families with dependent children came into being (Foner, 2013, p. 802-819).
Q6b. Minorities: The Federal Housing Administration prohibited blacks from relocating to white communities, and several public works projects refused to recruit blacks. Because AAA bribed White landowners not to plant food, African Americans were forced off their fields due to this practice. The tenants were able to dismiss a large number of tenant farmers and laborers after receiving this money. The recipients of AAA funds were expected to distribute the funds to their Black employees, but the fact is that this did not happen. Since only individuals who worked and paid FICA taxes into the system would be entitled to receive benefits from it, as previously noted, Social Security did not provide benefits to African-Americans or other minorities. Because many African Americans worked “off the books” or for cash, they did not contribute to Social Security and, as a consequence, did not qualify for benefits under the program. Immigrant restrictions were imposed on Mexican-Americans, and illegal inhabitants’ expulsion was authorized to cut state assistance payments.
Women: Increased representation of women in the federal government, with Eleanor Roosevelt serving as First Lady as the most notable example. Organized feminism as a political force has all but evaporated. According to the Economic Act, both members of a married couple were forbidden from having governmental positions. The majority of New Deal initiatives did not provide benefits to women. Camps operated by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) were only open to males. The ideal of a male-headed home had a significant impact on social policy (Foner, 2013, p. 824-837).
