Read Chapter 19-4 about Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points and the Treaty of Versailles. As you read about President Wilson’s idealistic plan for world peace, make notes to answer the following questions. Please post your answer to your blog by 8:20 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17.
Title: Woodrow Wilson Fights for Peace Labels: WWI, Wilson, TOV, Hitler, 14_points
1. What was Wilson's 14th Point?
His fourteenth point called for the creation of an international organization to address diplomatic crisis. It was called the League of Nations.
2. What terms of the treaty specifically affected Germany?
Because it barred Germany from maintaining an army.
3. What were the weaknesses of the treaty?
It humiliated Germany and it had a war-guilt clause that made them force to take responsibility for WWII.
4. Why did Henry Cabot Lodge object to the treaty?
Because he was suspicious of the provision of joint and military action against aggression, even though it was voluntary.
5. How did Wilson help bring about the Senate's rejection of the treaty?
Wilson set out on an 8000 mile tour. He delivered 34 speeches in 3 weeks arguing that the United States should join the League of Nations.
6. What circumstances at this time would eventually lead many Germans to support Adolf Hitler?
Hitler showed a lot of vengeance in his writings and it made Germans support him, he made people realize that the fighting was over, but the war was not.
7. Who is George Clemenceau?
He was a French premier that had lived through to German invasions and was determined to prevent future invasions.
8. Who is David Lloyd George?
He was the British prim minister who had just won reelection. His slogan was, "Make Germany Play."
9. Describe the participation of Russia at the peace conference.
Russia was excluded from the peace conference so they weren't able to express their opinions about the treaty.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
WWI - The War at Home
Please read Chapter 19-3 - The War at Home and post your answer to the following questions. Your answers are due by the end of the day Friday, Dec. 11.
Title: WWI - The War at Home Labels: Propaganda, WWI, domestic, Wilson
1. War Industries Board
The War Industries Board encouraged companies to use mass production techniques to increase efficiency and to eliminate waste by standardizing products. They set production quotas and and allocated raw materials. They also applied price control only at the wholesale level.
2. Railroad Administration
They were in charge of controlling the railroads and making them run.
3. Fuel Administration
They kept track of coal and rationed gas and oil. It resulted with less gas on Sundays and a lot less light at night.
4. National War Labor Board
They worked on improving factory conditions, tried to make an eight hour day, eliminate child labor, and make conditions more safe.
5. Food Administration
This was made to help make food and then conserve it and this made it so some days of the week certain food was rationed.
6. Committee on Public Information
Influenced peoples thoughts and actions. It was shown by things like pictures.
7. Espionage and Sedition Acts
People could be fined and or thrown in jail for interfering with the war effort or saying anything disloyal or profane about the gov.
Briefly explain why Bernard M. Baruch- Businessman, created MIB.
and George Creel- Promoted war by propaganda.
Title: WWI - The War at Home Labels: Propaganda, WWI, domestic, Wilson
1. War Industries Board
The War Industries Board encouraged companies to use mass production techniques to increase efficiency and to eliminate waste by standardizing products. They set production quotas and and allocated raw materials. They also applied price control only at the wholesale level.
2. Railroad Administration
They were in charge of controlling the railroads and making them run.
3. Fuel Administration
They kept track of coal and rationed gas and oil. It resulted with less gas on Sundays and a lot less light at night.
4. National War Labor Board
They worked on improving factory conditions, tried to make an eight hour day, eliminate child labor, and make conditions more safe.
5. Food Administration
This was made to help make food and then conserve it and this made it so some days of the week certain food was rationed.
6. Committee on Public Information
Influenced peoples thoughts and actions. It was shown by things like pictures.
7. Espionage and Sedition Acts
People could be fined and or thrown in jail for interfering with the war effort or saying anything disloyal or profane about the gov.
Briefly explain why Bernard M. Baruch- Businessman, created MIB.
and George Creel- Promoted war by propaganda.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The U.S. enters World War I
Read Chapter 19-2 and post your answers to the following questions. These are due on Friday by 3:10 p.m.
Title: The U.S. enters World War I Labels: Wilson, WWI
1. How did the United States raise an army?
Congress passed a law that was called the Selective Service Act and it was a law stating that men were required to sign up to be randomly selected to go into the war.
2. How did U.S. soldiers help win the war?
The U.S. soldiers helped win the war by training 17 hours a day, and their freshness and enthusiasm.
3. What were the estimated economic costs of the war?
338 BILLION DOLLARS. DAAAAYUM.
4. What did the war cost in terms of the number of civilian deaths; military deaths?; injuries?; and refugees?
Half of the deaths in the war were citizens and there was 22 million deaths. Twenty million people were wounded and ten million became refugees. The U.S. lost 48,000 men in battle and another 62,000 died because of disease.
5. Define armistice.
Armistice- truce.
Title: The U.S. enters World War I Labels: Wilson, WWI
1. How did the United States raise an army?
Congress passed a law that was called the Selective Service Act and it was a law stating that men were required to sign up to be randomly selected to go into the war.
2. How did U.S. soldiers help win the war?
The U.S. soldiers helped win the war by training 17 hours a day, and their freshness and enthusiasm.
3. What were the estimated economic costs of the war?
338 BILLION DOLLARS. DAAAAYUM.
4. What did the war cost in terms of the number of civilian deaths; military deaths?; injuries?; and refugees?
Half of the deaths in the war were citizens and there was 22 million deaths. Twenty million people were wounded and ten million became refugees. The U.S. lost 48,000 men in battle and another 62,000 died because of disease.
5. Define armistice.
Armistice- truce.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
World War I Begins
1. What are the four main causes of World War I? Give an example for each as to why it was a cause.
Nationalism- Germany
Imperialism- Austria Hungary
Militarism -The central powers
System of Alliance- The Allies in world war one, come together, get more powerful.
2. How did the June 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand become the spark for WWI?
Because Austria-Hungary and Serbia wanted a reason to start a war and that was the perfect reason, the assassination sparked hatred among the sides and caused both to declare war, and it was a chain reaction as one declared war on the other, it affected the declaration of war on a lot of other countries too.
3. What happened within the first few months of fighting?
The Germans develop the Schleiffen Plan. That plan was where Germany would hold off fighting with Russian and go through Belgium to Paris, but the plan was not a success.
4. Generally, why did the United States want to stay out of the war?
They wanted to stay out of the war because it was not any of America's concern and it was very far away.
5. Specifically, Why did the following groups of Americans tend to oppose U.S. participation in the war? Naturalized citizens; socialists; pacifists; parents.
Naturalized citizens- They had sympathy for some of the countries that they emigrated from and they believed that the United States should not be involved.
Socialists- They thought it was a capitalist imperialist struggle between Germany and England to control the markets in Africa, China, and the mid-east.
Pacifists- The pacifists did not want the war and the believed that the since the United States had no right in fighting it that the violence should stop.
Parents- Parents did not want their children to grow up around and witness the atrocities of the war.
6. How did Germany respond to the British naval blockade of Germany’s ports? What was the U.S. response?
Germany responded by using the U-boats to create a blockade of their own and Americans responded in outrage and declared that it threatened freedom of the seas and prevented American goods from reaching German ports.
7. What forced the United States into the war?
The German U-boats threatened to kill Americans that were on British ships and Wilson would not stand for it.
Nationalism- Germany
Imperialism- Austria Hungary
Militarism -The central powers
System of Alliance- The Allies in world war one, come together, get more powerful.
2. How did the June 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand become the spark for WWI?
Because Austria-Hungary and Serbia wanted a reason to start a war and that was the perfect reason, the assassination sparked hatred among the sides and caused both to declare war, and it was a chain reaction as one declared war on the other, it affected the declaration of war on a lot of other countries too.
3. What happened within the first few months of fighting?
The Germans develop the Schleiffen Plan. That plan was where Germany would hold off fighting with Russian and go through Belgium to Paris, but the plan was not a success.
4. Generally, why did the United States want to stay out of the war?
They wanted to stay out of the war because it was not any of America's concern and it was very far away.
5. Specifically, Why did the following groups of Americans tend to oppose U.S. participation in the war? Naturalized citizens; socialists; pacifists; parents.
Naturalized citizens- They had sympathy for some of the countries that they emigrated from and they believed that the United States should not be involved.
Socialists- They thought it was a capitalist imperialist struggle between Germany and England to control the markets in Africa, China, and the mid-east.
Pacifists- The pacifists did not want the war and the believed that the since the United States had no right in fighting it that the violence should stop.
Parents- Parents did not want their children to grow up around and witness the atrocities of the war.
6. How did Germany respond to the British naval blockade of Germany’s ports? What was the U.S. response?
Germany responded by using the U-boats to create a blockade of their own and Americans responded in outrage and declared that it threatened freedom of the seas and prevented American goods from reaching German ports.
7. What forced the United States into the war?
The German U-boats threatened to kill Americans that were on British ships and Wilson would not stand for it.
Monday, November 16, 2009
America as a World Power
Title: America as a World Power Labels: Panama_Canal, TR, Russo-Japanese_War, Roosevelt_Corollary, Dollar_Diplomacy, Mexico, Foreign_Policy
1. What role did President Roosevelt play in ending the Russo-Japanese War? Roosevelt agreed to mediate a settlement in a war between Russia and Japan when the Japanese cam to him begging for help. The Russians and the Japanese convened in New Hampshire and the first meeting took place on the presidential yacht. Roosevelt had a very generous way of greeting people. Roosevelt persuaded Japan to take half of the island of Sakhalin, off the coast of Siberia and a large amount of cash.
2. What events led to the building of the Panama Canal? What happened regarding Columbia? (Be specific)
Many Americans felt that a canal needed to be built cutting across central America. It would cut down travel time for ships and it would be a shortcut from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean and vice versa. The British and the U.S. had to share rights to the canal as early as 1850 and in 1901 the British gave the United states exclusive rights to build a canal through Central America. The United states had to get permission from Columbia because Panama was a province of Columbia before they started building. When those negotiations broke down, there was a Panamanian rebellion against Columbia, resulting in Panamanian Pandemonium.
3. What did the Roosevelt Corollary state?It stated that the United States will use force to protect its economic interests in Latin America.
4. How did Taft use Dollar Diplomacy to enforce the Roosevelt Colollary on Nicaragua? (Be specfic)It stated that the United States will use force to protect its economic interests in Latin America.
5. Why did Woodrow Wilson invade Mexico?
Woodrow Wilson invaded Mexico because according to his "missionary diploma" the U.S. had moral and responsibility to deny the recognition to any Latin American government it viewed as oppressive, undemocratic, or hostile to U.S. interests; he disliked general Huerta, who took over after Madero overthrew Diaz, and the opportunity came to enforce the missionary diploma when one of Huerta's officers arrested a small group of American sailors in Tampico.
6. What were three major foriegn policy goals achieved by the United States in the early 20th century. Be sure to provide an example or two of each.
It expanded its access to foreign markets in order to ensure the continued growth of the domestic economy
The U.S. built a modern navy to protect its interests abroad.
The U.S. exercised its international police power to ensure dominance in Latin America.
1. What role did President Roosevelt play in ending the Russo-Japanese War? Roosevelt agreed to mediate a settlement in a war between Russia and Japan when the Japanese cam to him begging for help. The Russians and the Japanese convened in New Hampshire and the first meeting took place on the presidential yacht. Roosevelt had a very generous way of greeting people. Roosevelt persuaded Japan to take half of the island of Sakhalin, off the coast of Siberia and a large amount of cash.
2. What events led to the building of the Panama Canal? What happened regarding Columbia? (Be specific)
Many Americans felt that a canal needed to be built cutting across central America. It would cut down travel time for ships and it would be a shortcut from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean and vice versa. The British and the U.S. had to share rights to the canal as early as 1850 and in 1901 the British gave the United states exclusive rights to build a canal through Central America. The United states had to get permission from Columbia because Panama was a province of Columbia before they started building. When those negotiations broke down, there was a Panamanian rebellion against Columbia, resulting in Panamanian Pandemonium.
3. What did the Roosevelt Corollary state?It stated that the United States will use force to protect its economic interests in Latin America.
4. How did Taft use Dollar Diplomacy to enforce the Roosevelt Colollary on Nicaragua? (Be specfic)It stated that the United States will use force to protect its economic interests in Latin America.
5. Why did Woodrow Wilson invade Mexico?
Woodrow Wilson invaded Mexico because according to his "missionary diploma" the U.S. had moral and responsibility to deny the recognition to any Latin American government it viewed as oppressive, undemocratic, or hostile to U.S. interests; he disliked general Huerta, who took over after Madero overthrew Diaz, and the opportunity came to enforce the missionary diploma when one of Huerta's officers arrested a small group of American sailors in Tampico.
6. What were three major foriegn policy goals achieved by the United States in the early 20th century. Be sure to provide an example or two of each.
It expanded its access to foreign markets in order to ensure the continued growth of the domestic economy
The U.S. built a modern navy to protect its interests abroad.
The U.S. exercised its international police power to ensure dominance in Latin America.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Imperialism's Bitter Fruit
Questions for Epilogue: Imperialism’s Bitter Fruit (pages 32-37)
1. a. After the Spanish were forced out of the Philippines, why did fighting break out between American and Filipino forces? Fighting broke out between the Filipino forces and the American forces because the Filipinos thought that after the Spanish left they were granted independence, but the United States was ordered to take control of the islands. The Filipinos thought that they were fighting for their independence and freedom.
b. How was this a different kind of warfare for American forces? The United states was used to fighting controlled, organized, armies but the Filipinos made quick attacks and both sides tortured and executed their prisoners. Filipino guerillas caused the United states to punish Filipino citizens because the Filipino insurgents blended with the civilians quite well.
2. Why were many African-Americans strong critics of the war against Filipino nationalists?
Many African Americans were strong critics of the war against Filipino nationalists because the Filipino nationalists were discriminated against by the white american soldiers of all spots and they were referred to as vulgar names. The Filipinos addressed the racism and the African Americans realized it and deserted the United States in the Philippines.
3. Explain two reasons why the United States lost some of its enthusiasm for imperialism in the early 1900s.
a.American scholars explained how imperialism would cause war and conflict in other places around the world.
b.Theodore Roosevelt said the United States was not ready to take on the burden of an empire.
4. What were the positive effects of American occupation in Puerto Rico and Cuba?
American technology and administrative expertise contributed to rapid development on the islands. Roads and telegraph lines were built, finances reorganized, schools opened, sanitation improved and yellow fever stamped out.
5. After the Spanish-American War, the United States insisted that Cuba only receive independence after agreeing to several limitations set forth in the Platt Amendment. Four restrictions on Cuban independence set forth in the Platt Amendment were:
a. gave the United Sates a right to oversee the Cuban economy
b. exercise veto power over Cuban foreign policy
c. intervene whenever necessary for the "protection of life, property, and individual liberty."
d. to build a naval base on the southeastern tip of the island at Guantanamo Bay.
Was the United States justified in making these demands? Explain your reasoning. Yes they were because in giving up Cuba they are giving up the chance to get supplies and important geographical location and as a result they should be able to have some demands.
6. Do you believe the United States was imperialist? Why or why not? No I do not believe the United States was imperialist because they did not have an empire. They helped other countries and brought civilization and freedom. The United States was not looking to increase power but to simply expand.
1. a. After the Spanish were forced out of the Philippines, why did fighting break out between American and Filipino forces? Fighting broke out between the Filipino forces and the American forces because the Filipinos thought that after the Spanish left they were granted independence, but the United States was ordered to take control of the islands. The Filipinos thought that they were fighting for their independence and freedom.
b. How was this a different kind of warfare for American forces? The United states was used to fighting controlled, organized, armies but the Filipinos made quick attacks and both sides tortured and executed their prisoners. Filipino guerillas caused the United states to punish Filipino citizens because the Filipino insurgents blended with the civilians quite well.
2. Why were many African-Americans strong critics of the war against Filipino nationalists?
Many African Americans were strong critics of the war against Filipino nationalists because the Filipino nationalists were discriminated against by the white american soldiers of all spots and they were referred to as vulgar names. The Filipinos addressed the racism and the African Americans realized it and deserted the United States in the Philippines.
3. Explain two reasons why the United States lost some of its enthusiasm for imperialism in the early 1900s.
a.American scholars explained how imperialism would cause war and conflict in other places around the world.
b.Theodore Roosevelt said the United States was not ready to take on the burden of an empire.
4. What were the positive effects of American occupation in Puerto Rico and Cuba?
American technology and administrative expertise contributed to rapid development on the islands. Roads and telegraph lines were built, finances reorganized, schools opened, sanitation improved and yellow fever stamped out.
5. After the Spanish-American War, the United States insisted that Cuba only receive independence after agreeing to several limitations set forth in the Platt Amendment. Four restrictions on Cuban independence set forth in the Platt Amendment were:
a. gave the United Sates a right to oversee the Cuban economy
b. exercise veto power over Cuban foreign policy
c. intervene whenever necessary for the "protection of life, property, and individual liberty."
d. to build a naval base on the southeastern tip of the island at Guantanamo Bay.
Was the United States justified in making these demands? Explain your reasoning. Yes they were because in giving up Cuba they are giving up the chance to get supplies and important geographical location and as a result they should be able to have some demands.
6. Do you believe the United States was imperialist? Why or why not? No I do not believe the United States was imperialist because they did not have an empire. They helped other countries and brought civilization and freedom. The United States was not looking to increase power but to simply expand.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Spanish-American War
Your answers are due by 12:25 p.m. on Nov. 2.
Questions for Part II—The Spanish-American War
1. What connections did the U.S. have to Cuba in the late 1800s? List at least two.
The United states was by far the largest consumer of of Cuban sugar and about fifty million dollars worth of America investment went to Cuba after the revolt was over. Most all of it went to the Sugar industry. A legislation was passed that boosted the fortunes of both the Cuban economy and American investors on the island.
2. What were the Spanish “reconcentration camps”?
They were towns filled with Cuban peasents. They were used by the spanish to prevent non-rebels from helping nationalist forces. The towns lacked food and housing and a result thousands died from starvation.
3. List three reasons why the United States went to war with Spain in Cuba.
a.The newspapers publicisized that the bombing of the U.S Maine was the fault of the Spanish.
b.The De Lome letter insulted the Americans and proved that the Spanish were against them.
c.The Spanish were taking over Cuba and making them slaves and America wanted to have free access to their sugar so they went into Cuba.
4. Which do you believe was the most important reason? Why? I believe that the De Lome letter was the most important reason because the letter made all of the Americans have hatred towards all of the Spanish, the Americans called it "the worst insult the country has ever gotten." It embarrssed the president and made everyone in America furious with Spanish.
5. What did the Teller Amendment say?
The Teller-Amendement showed that America had no interest in asserting sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over Cuba and promised to "leave the government and control of the island to its people" once peace was restored.
6. Why was a portion of the Spanish-American War fought in the Philippines?
Because the Spanish had a fleet base there and the Americans knew that the Filippinos would be on their side.
7. Dewey’s victory in the ____Philippines________________________ sparked an outpouring of ______pride___________ in the United States.
8. Why did Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders want to fight in Cuba?
They wanted to fight in Cuba in pride for where they live and they didn't want to bring the war into the United States.
9. a. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?
They wanted to fight in the S-A war because they realized it would issure them more respect, it would show that African Americans care about their country and they are willing to die for it.
b. What forms of discrimination and prejudice did they encounter?
They were the firts units to be mobilized, they were denied promotion, they were not given the chance to fight in Cuba and they had to withstand tropical disease.
10. How did racism influence American perceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines? Give two examples of events where racism affected U.S. policy after the war.
a. The businessmen in America took over the Cuban land and railroads and they were in control of the economy because they believed that rebels needed guidance and managing all their affairs.
b. White Americans had little faith in African Americans and Asian soldiers that were on their side. They did not believe the Puerto Ricans, people from guam, and the filippins would be able to have a stable economy.
Questions for Part II—The Spanish-American War
1. What connections did the U.S. have to Cuba in the late 1800s? List at least two.
The United states was by far the largest consumer of of Cuban sugar and about fifty million dollars worth of America investment went to Cuba after the revolt was over. Most all of it went to the Sugar industry. A legislation was passed that boosted the fortunes of both the Cuban economy and American investors on the island.
2. What were the Spanish “reconcentration camps”?
They were towns filled with Cuban peasents. They were used by the spanish to prevent non-rebels from helping nationalist forces. The towns lacked food and housing and a result thousands died from starvation.
3. List three reasons why the United States went to war with Spain in Cuba.
a.The newspapers publicisized that the bombing of the U.S Maine was the fault of the Spanish.
b.The De Lome letter insulted the Americans and proved that the Spanish were against them.
c.The Spanish were taking over Cuba and making them slaves and America wanted to have free access to their sugar so they went into Cuba.
4. Which do you believe was the most important reason? Why? I believe that the De Lome letter was the most important reason because the letter made all of the Americans have hatred towards all of the Spanish, the Americans called it "the worst insult the country has ever gotten." It embarrssed the president and made everyone in America furious with Spanish.
5. What did the Teller Amendment say?
The Teller-Amendement showed that America had no interest in asserting sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over Cuba and promised to "leave the government and control of the island to its people" once peace was restored.
6. Why was a portion of the Spanish-American War fought in the Philippines?
Because the Spanish had a fleet base there and the Americans knew that the Filippinos would be on their side.
7. Dewey’s victory in the ____Philippines________________________ sparked an outpouring of ______pride___________ in the United States.
8. Why did Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders want to fight in Cuba?
They wanted to fight in Cuba in pride for where they live and they didn't want to bring the war into the United States.
9. a. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?
They wanted to fight in the S-A war because they realized it would issure them more respect, it would show that African Americans care about their country and they are willing to die for it.
b. What forms of discrimination and prejudice did they encounter?
They were the firts units to be mobilized, they were denied promotion, they were not given the chance to fight in Cuba and they had to withstand tropical disease.
10. How did racism influence American perceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines? Give two examples of events where racism affected U.S. policy after the war.
a. The businessmen in America took over the Cuban land and railroads and they were in control of the economy because they believed that rebels needed guidance and managing all their affairs.
b. White Americans had little faith in African Americans and Asian soldiers that were on their side. They did not believe the Puerto Ricans, people from guam, and the filippins would be able to have a stable economy.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Imperialism: The Origins of a Global Power
Questions for Introduction and Part I - The Origins of a Global Power
1. Why did American plantation owners and U.S. Marines topple Hawaii’s queen in 1893? Why was Hawaii considered to be a valuable prize? What was President Grover Cleveland’s reaction? Do you agree or disagree with his quote on page 1?
American plantation owners and U.S. Marines toppled Hawaii's queen in 1893 because the island of Hawaii was a critical stopping point for U.S. ships heading to East Asia and also because Hawaii's rich soil was excellent for growing tropical plants such as pineapples and coffee. All this together persuaded the U.S. that it would be a good idea to acquire the islands before another country. President Cleveland did not approve of this however and when the new American government in Hawaii tried to take over the islands, Cleveland withdrew the treaty that permitted them to do so. I agree with his quote on page one because the U.S. did not have the right to steal this land from its native people and a nation that claims to give its citizen's freedom is stealing this very right from the people of Hawaii.
2. Identify five important changes that transformed America in the nineteenth century. How did these five changes affect Americans?
The Industrial Revolution- gave Americans new technology to complete everyday tasks with greater ease, mass immigration- created greater diversity within the U.S. and expanded the American culture, end to slavery- enabled African Americans to be free and allowed them to be true citizens of the U.S., food and drug laws- gave people a greater sense of security when purchasing meat products and drugs in stores, urban growth- caused an influx of people in U.S. cities where the most jobs were located.
3. How did the economic depression that began in 1893 deepen the divisions in American society? Which groups suffered the most during the depression?
The economic depression that began in 1893 deepened the divisions in American society by causing more labor strikes because the workers realized their vulnerability in an economy based on industry and manufacturing and this caused people to worry about the nation's future and caused plant owners to worry about profits as well. Laborers suffered a great deal due to constant strikes and labor unions and farmers also suffered greatly because the depression only hurt their recent slump in income.
4. What were the values many Americans attached to the frontier? Why did many Americans fear that the closing of the frontier would harm America’s national character?
Americans attached values to the frontier such as bravery, individualism, ingenuity, and patriotism. Americans feared that the closing of the frontier would harm the nation's character because they felt that once the frontier was closed there would no longer be anything to work or strive for and no new opportunity to be found.
5. Why did some Americans suggest greater involvement overseas?
Some Americans suggested greater involvement over seas because this could be America's new frontier and there could be new land to claim and settle. This would allow the American frontier to live on in the eyes of Americans.
6. What policy did expansionists say would ensure the economic success of the United States? What did imperialists say? The policy was called imperialism , imperialism would enable the United States to secure export markets, raw materials, and cheap labor. The imperialists the second group, considered it's strategy central to America's role in the world.
7. How did the theories of social Darwinism and scientific racism lend support to the cause of American imperialism? How were these pseudo-scientific theories used to justify racist policies and imperialism? Are they still used today? It lended support to the cause of American imperialism because the same principles of Darwin, "survival of the fittest," was applied to the same principles in an effort to chart the social and economic progress of different groups of people. Propents justified racism and imperialism by explaining differences among the world's racial and ethnic groups in terms of evolution. Imperialism was reflected by the "survival of the fittest." Social Darwinists believed that the "success" of Western Europeans was a result of their being more suited to postitions of power than other races and cultures.The considered western European cultures to dominate as a natural process in the advancement of civilization. Followers of scientific racism assigned differences aming people according to ethnic and racial groups. They considered mental abilities and personality traits as racial characteristics. Of course they are still used to today, not close to as much but still there is a great deal of racism and people who are racist are different in racist ways and the reason for why they are racist. Racism wasnt just directed toward African Americans. Native Americans, the Irish and the Italian were all discriminated against when they first arrived in the United States as well.
8. What did many Protestant churches say was America’s role in the world? Many Protestant churches said that America's role in the world was to "lift up" the "downtrodden" of other nations, and sent missionaries over seas to do this work.
9. Why did the United States become involved in several Latin American nations in the nineteenth century? Summarize why the United States became involved in Samoa, Hawaii, and other Latin American nations.
The United States was involved with Samoa because they had free access to Samoas harbor but when Germany and Britain each made plans to take over Samoa, the Unites States got involved. They were involved in the conflict which included Germany, Britain, and various Samoan groups for eight years. The United States got territories in Samao. The United states was involved in Venezuela because Britiain was bullying them and they bordered the Brititsh colony of Guiana and held large deposits of gold. The United states did not want Britain or any other European countries to go all through Latin America looking for gold. The United states was involved with Hawaii because they wanted to put a restriction on Japanese immigration. They annexed the United States so the Japanese would not expand into it and it became a colony of the United states in 1898.
10. Why was the United States concerned about British involvement in Venezuela? What concept did U.S. Secretary of State Richard Olney invoke in response? The United States was concerned about British involvement in Venezuela because they did not want them find gold in Venezuela and Guiana and then carve up Latin America like they and other European countries had done to Africa. U.S secrartary of State Richard Olney invoked the Monroe Doctrine to try to prevent Britain from taking any further steps.
1. Why did American plantation owners and U.S. Marines topple Hawaii’s queen in 1893? Why was Hawaii considered to be a valuable prize? What was President Grover Cleveland’s reaction? Do you agree or disagree with his quote on page 1?
American plantation owners and U.S. Marines toppled Hawaii's queen in 1893 because the island of Hawaii was a critical stopping point for U.S. ships heading to East Asia and also because Hawaii's rich soil was excellent for growing tropical plants such as pineapples and coffee. All this together persuaded the U.S. that it would be a good idea to acquire the islands before another country. President Cleveland did not approve of this however and when the new American government in Hawaii tried to take over the islands, Cleveland withdrew the treaty that permitted them to do so. I agree with his quote on page one because the U.S. did not have the right to steal this land from its native people and a nation that claims to give its citizen's freedom is stealing this very right from the people of Hawaii.
2. Identify five important changes that transformed America in the nineteenth century. How did these five changes affect Americans?
The Industrial Revolution- gave Americans new technology to complete everyday tasks with greater ease, mass immigration- created greater diversity within the U.S. and expanded the American culture, end to slavery- enabled African Americans to be free and allowed them to be true citizens of the U.S., food and drug laws- gave people a greater sense of security when purchasing meat products and drugs in stores, urban growth- caused an influx of people in U.S. cities where the most jobs were located.
3. How did the economic depression that began in 1893 deepen the divisions in American society? Which groups suffered the most during the depression?
The economic depression that began in 1893 deepened the divisions in American society by causing more labor strikes because the workers realized their vulnerability in an economy based on industry and manufacturing and this caused people to worry about the nation's future and caused plant owners to worry about profits as well. Laborers suffered a great deal due to constant strikes and labor unions and farmers also suffered greatly because the depression only hurt their recent slump in income.
4. What were the values many Americans attached to the frontier? Why did many Americans fear that the closing of the frontier would harm America’s national character?
Americans attached values to the frontier such as bravery, individualism, ingenuity, and patriotism. Americans feared that the closing of the frontier would harm the nation's character because they felt that once the frontier was closed there would no longer be anything to work or strive for and no new opportunity to be found.
5. Why did some Americans suggest greater involvement overseas?
Some Americans suggested greater involvement over seas because this could be America's new frontier and there could be new land to claim and settle. This would allow the American frontier to live on in the eyes of Americans.
6. What policy did expansionists say would ensure the economic success of the United States? What did imperialists say? The policy was called imperialism , imperialism would enable the United States to secure export markets, raw materials, and cheap labor. The imperialists the second group, considered it's strategy central to America's role in the world.
7. How did the theories of social Darwinism and scientific racism lend support to the cause of American imperialism? How were these pseudo-scientific theories used to justify racist policies and imperialism? Are they still used today? It lended support to the cause of American imperialism because the same principles of Darwin, "survival of the fittest," was applied to the same principles in an effort to chart the social and economic progress of different groups of people. Propents justified racism and imperialism by explaining differences among the world's racial and ethnic groups in terms of evolution. Imperialism was reflected by the "survival of the fittest." Social Darwinists believed that the "success" of Western Europeans was a result of their being more suited to postitions of power than other races and cultures.The considered western European cultures to dominate as a natural process in the advancement of civilization. Followers of scientific racism assigned differences aming people according to ethnic and racial groups. They considered mental abilities and personality traits as racial characteristics. Of course they are still used to today, not close to as much but still there is a great deal of racism and people who are racist are different in racist ways and the reason for why they are racist. Racism wasnt just directed toward African Americans. Native Americans, the Irish and the Italian were all discriminated against when they first arrived in the United States as well.
8. What did many Protestant churches say was America’s role in the world? Many Protestant churches said that America's role in the world was to "lift up" the "downtrodden" of other nations, and sent missionaries over seas to do this work.
9. Why did the United States become involved in several Latin American nations in the nineteenth century? Summarize why the United States became involved in Samoa, Hawaii, and other Latin American nations.
The United States was involved with Samoa because they had free access to Samoas harbor but when Germany and Britain each made plans to take over Samoa, the Unites States got involved. They were involved in the conflict which included Germany, Britain, and various Samoan groups for eight years. The United States got territories in Samao. The United states was involved in Venezuela because Britiain was bullying them and they bordered the Brititsh colony of Guiana and held large deposits of gold. The United states did not want Britain or any other European countries to go all through Latin America looking for gold. The United states was involved with Hawaii because they wanted to put a restriction on Japanese immigration. They annexed the United States so the Japanese would not expand into it and it became a colony of the United states in 1898.
10. Why was the United States concerned about British involvement in Venezuela? What concept did U.S. Secretary of State Richard Olney invoke in response? The United States was concerned about British involvement in Venezuela because they did not want them find gold in Venezuela and Guiana and then carve up Latin America like they and other European countries had done to Africa. U.S secrartary of State Richard Olney invoked the Monroe Doctrine to try to prevent Britain from taking any further steps.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Spanish-American War (1898)
Directions: As you read about the Spanish-American War, write notes to answer the questions about its causes and effects.
Causes: How did each of the following help to cause the outbreak of the Spanish-American War?
1. American business owners- Many business owners wanted America to support Spain to protect their investments but it was a cause because other Americans were enthusiastic about the rebellion.
2. José Martí- Marti launched a revolution in 1895 and he organized Cuban resistance against Spain. Marti deliberately destroyed land, mostly American owned sugar cane plantations, he provoked U.S. intervention of Cuba. This was a cause because he revolted against both the Spanish and the Americans.
3. Valeriano Weyler- Weyler was a Spanish General that was sent to Cuba to restore order. He put an estimated 300,000 Cubans in concentration camps where thousands died. It was a cause of the Spanish-American war because it caused bad blood between the Americans and Spanish over news paper circulation.
4. Yellow journalism- Yellow journalism was a cause of the Spanish-American war because it exaggerated the news to lure and enrage readers of the horrors that the Spanish did and it turned people against the Spanish.
5. De Lôme letter- The Spanish minister of the United States wrote a letter that criticized the U.S. president (McKinley). The letter called him "weak" and a "bidder for the admiration of the crowd." This was a cause of the war because it angered Americans that their president was being insulted by the Spanish.
6. U.S.S. Maine- The U.S.S. Maine was a cause of the war because the ship blew up in Havana, newspapers reported the cause of the blow the Spanish so Americans became outraged and were infuriated by the Spanish.
Effects: What happened to each of the following territories as a result of the Spanish-American War?
7. Cuba- Cuba was freed by Spain after the Treaty of Paris.
8. Puerto Rico- Puerto Rico was turned over to the United States by the Spanish at the Treaty of Paris.
9. Guam- Guam was turned over to the United States by the Spanish at the Treaty of Paris.
10. Philippine Islands- The Philippine Islands were sold to the United States by Spain for twenty million dollars at the Treaty of Paris.
Causes: How did each of the following help to cause the outbreak of the Spanish-American War?
1. American business owners- Many business owners wanted America to support Spain to protect their investments but it was a cause because other Americans were enthusiastic about the rebellion.
2. José Martí- Marti launched a revolution in 1895 and he organized Cuban resistance against Spain. Marti deliberately destroyed land, mostly American owned sugar cane plantations, he provoked U.S. intervention of Cuba. This was a cause because he revolted against both the Spanish and the Americans.
3. Valeriano Weyler- Weyler was a Spanish General that was sent to Cuba to restore order. He put an estimated 300,000 Cubans in concentration camps where thousands died. It was a cause of the Spanish-American war because it caused bad blood between the Americans and Spanish over news paper circulation.
4. Yellow journalism- Yellow journalism was a cause of the Spanish-American war because it exaggerated the news to lure and enrage readers of the horrors that the Spanish did and it turned people against the Spanish.
5. De Lôme letter- The Spanish minister of the United States wrote a letter that criticized the U.S. president (McKinley). The letter called him "weak" and a "bidder for the admiration of the crowd." This was a cause of the war because it angered Americans that their president was being insulted by the Spanish.
6. U.S.S. Maine- The U.S.S. Maine was a cause of the war because the ship blew up in Havana, newspapers reported the cause of the blow the Spanish so Americans became outraged and were infuriated by the Spanish.
Effects: What happened to each of the following territories as a result of the Spanish-American War?
7. Cuba- Cuba was freed by Spain after the Treaty of Paris.
8. Puerto Rico- Puerto Rico was turned over to the United States by the Spanish at the Treaty of Paris.
9. Guam- Guam was turned over to the United States by the Spanish at the Treaty of Paris.
10. Philippine Islands- The Philippine Islands were sold to the United States by Spain for twenty million dollars at the Treaty of Paris.
Friday, October 23, 2009
U.S. Imperialism Begins
Title: U.S. Imperialism Begins Labels: Hawaii, Imperialism, Mahan, Frontier_Thesis, Alaska
Link to Reading Assignments and Digital Notes
1. Name at least five factors that fueled American Imperialism.
The five factors that fueled American Imperialism were the technology factor, economic factor, nationalist factor, military factor, and the humanitarian and religious factor.
2. Choose two of the above five factors and describe them in your own words.
The technology factor was that the Industrial revolution provides the ability to travel around the world. Industrialists created machniery that made it possible to do things that were not able to be done before the Industrial Revolution.
3. What was known as “Seward’s Folly” and why?
William Seward propsed the idea for the United States to buy Alaska but it was so expensive that people called it "Seward's Folly." The country bought it for 7.2 million dollars.
4. What plantation-based product accounted for three-quarters of Hawaii’s wealth in the mid-19th century and who controlled this product? Sugar that was controlled by the Americans.
6. Using as much detail as possible, outline the sequence of events that led to America gaining possession of Hawaii? In other words, why was the United States interested in these Pacific islands? In 1867 the United states took interest in the Midway Islands in the Pacific Ocean. The Hawaiian Islands had been economically important to the U.S. for a long time. American merchants would stop there on their way to China and the East Indies as early as 1790. Most of the sugar crop in Hawaii was sold to the United states. American owned sugar plantations accounted for about three-quarters of the Island's wealth. Immigrants came from China, Japan and Portugal to find work in Hawaii, and not long after they arrived, immigrants outnumbered native Hawaiians three to one. The McKinley tariff put Hawaiian sugar growers in competition with the American market. U.S. military and economic leaders understood the importance of Hawaii for its large ports, like Pearl Harbor.
Link to Reading Assignments and Digital Notes
1. Name at least five factors that fueled American Imperialism.
The five factors that fueled American Imperialism were the technology factor, economic factor, nationalist factor, military factor, and the humanitarian and religious factor.
2. Choose two of the above five factors and describe them in your own words.
The technology factor was that the Industrial revolution provides the ability to travel around the world. Industrialists created machniery that made it possible to do things that were not able to be done before the Industrial Revolution.
3. What was known as “Seward’s Folly” and why?
William Seward propsed the idea for the United States to buy Alaska but it was so expensive that people called it "Seward's Folly." The country bought it for 7.2 million dollars.
4. What plantation-based product accounted for three-quarters of Hawaii’s wealth in the mid-19th century and who controlled this product? Sugar that was controlled by the Americans.
6. Using as much detail as possible, outline the sequence of events that led to America gaining possession of Hawaii? In other words, why was the United States interested in these Pacific islands? In 1867 the United states took interest in the Midway Islands in the Pacific Ocean. The Hawaiian Islands had been economically important to the U.S. for a long time. American merchants would stop there on their way to China and the East Indies as early as 1790. Most of the sugar crop in Hawaii was sold to the United states. American owned sugar plantations accounted for about three-quarters of the Island's wealth. Immigrants came from China, Japan and Portugal to find work in Hawaii, and not long after they arrived, immigrants outnumbered native Hawaiians three to one. The McKinley tariff put Hawaiian sugar growers in competition with the American market. U.S. military and economic leaders understood the importance of Hawaii for its large ports, like Pearl Harbor.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Progressive Era Presidents Taft and Wilson
Read Chapter 17-4 (Progressivism Under Taft) and Chapter 17-5 (Wilson's New Freedom)
Title: Progressive Era Presidents Taft and Wilson Labels: Wilson, Taft, Progressive_Era
1. How did William Howard Taft get selected to run for president? He got selected to run for president because after Roosevelt won the election in 1904, he pledged not to run for reelection in 1908 so he handpicked Taft, his secretary of war.
2. How did Teddy Roosevelt come to oppose Taft for the presidency in 1912? He came to oppose Taft for the presidency in 1912 because Roosevelt was running against him. Roosevelt was running for the Progressive party and Taft was his opponent, Taft was running for the Republican party. It was obvious that Roosevelt was wanted by Republicans but Taft supporters juggled around Taft's and Roosevelt's delegates from numerous delegations and put Taft in the Republican spot, so Roosevelt opposed Taft.
3. What events helped Woodrow Wilson win the election in 1912? The split in the Republican ranks gave the Democrats a real good chance of winning office and they chose Woodrow Wilson as their candidate. Taft and Roosevelt turned nasty on each other and with Wilson's progressive platform called the New Freedom, which demanded stronger antitrust legislation, banking reform and reduced tariffs, he was able to win the election of 1912.
4. What legislation did Wilson use to attack trusts and monopolies? Wilson supported small business and free market competition and he saw business monopolies as evil. Wilson described all business monopolies being a threat. Wilson won the 1912 presidency and in victory he could claim a mandate to break up trusts and to expand the governments role in social reform. The legislations he used were the direct primary, worker's compensation, and the regulation of public utilities and railroads. Wilson used the Clayton Antitrust Act to prevent monopolies.
5. What was the Nineteenth Amendment? The nineteenth amendment granted women the right to vote and it it was passed by Congress in 1919.
6. How did America's entry into World War I affect the reform movement? " Theres no chance of progress and reform in an administration in which war plays the principal part." Woodrow Wilson stated in 1913. It basically means that World War I destroyed any chance of further advancement for reform. World War I demanded Americas involvement and by getting involved, reform efforts stalled.
Title: Progressive Era Presidents Taft and Wilson Labels: Wilson, Taft, Progressive_Era
1. How did William Howard Taft get selected to run for president? He got selected to run for president because after Roosevelt won the election in 1904, he pledged not to run for reelection in 1908 so he handpicked Taft, his secretary of war.
2. How did Teddy Roosevelt come to oppose Taft for the presidency in 1912? He came to oppose Taft for the presidency in 1912 because Roosevelt was running against him. Roosevelt was running for the Progressive party and Taft was his opponent, Taft was running for the Republican party. It was obvious that Roosevelt was wanted by Republicans but Taft supporters juggled around Taft's and Roosevelt's delegates from numerous delegations and put Taft in the Republican spot, so Roosevelt opposed Taft.
3. What events helped Woodrow Wilson win the election in 1912? The split in the Republican ranks gave the Democrats a real good chance of winning office and they chose Woodrow Wilson as their candidate. Taft and Roosevelt turned nasty on each other and with Wilson's progressive platform called the New Freedom, which demanded stronger antitrust legislation, banking reform and reduced tariffs, he was able to win the election of 1912.
4. What legislation did Wilson use to attack trusts and monopolies? Wilson supported small business and free market competition and he saw business monopolies as evil. Wilson described all business monopolies being a threat. Wilson won the 1912 presidency and in victory he could claim a mandate to break up trusts and to expand the governments role in social reform. The legislations he used were the direct primary, worker's compensation, and the regulation of public utilities and railroads. Wilson used the Clayton Antitrust Act to prevent monopolies.
5. What was the Nineteenth Amendment? The nineteenth amendment granted women the right to vote and it it was passed by Congress in 1919.
6. How did America's entry into World War I affect the reform movement? " Theres no chance of progress and reform in an administration in which war plays the principal part." Woodrow Wilson stated in 1913. It basically means that World War I destroyed any chance of further advancement for reform. World War I demanded Americas involvement and by getting involved, reform efforts stalled.
Child Labor Reform Photographs
Examine the eight photographs taken by photographer Lewis W. Hine around the turn of the century.
For each photograph consider the following questions: (Copy the following and post it to your blog. Title: Child Labor Reform Photographs Labels: Child_Labor, Progressive_Era )
Objective Assessment
As you view each photograph take note about what you see. (note people, background, objects) Pretend you were describing the image to someone who could not see it. Try to avoid making judgments.
Where are these children? List any clues relating to their surroundings.
Describe any tools or objects you see.
Describe their clothing. What do their clothes reveal about their work?
Subjective Assessment
What questions do you have about each of these photographs?
Based on your observations, list three things you might infer about the lives of these children. (Be sure to consider Hine's notes about the photographs when considering this.
Photograph A
In photograph A I see a girl that looks like she is in a melancholy mood, her face is bland, and her emotions are hidden. She works in a Cotton mill on one of the spinners and she is just a little girl. There is a big Spinner behind her and she works for very little money a day. The little girl is wearing clothes that classify her as a low class girl that is not of age to work but is forced to.
Photograph B
The girls in this photo are seen as very tired and exhausted. The five girls are dressed in old ratty clothes. They do not look happy, they look deprived of sleep and warn down. I would infer that these girls work endless hours to support their families and themselves so they can buy food and get them through life.
Photograph C
Picture C is a little girl, very young in a cotton mill factory surrounded by big cotton mills. The machines are nearly twice her size and she is standing in the middle of them. Her face as dull as an unsharpened pencil. The picture explains how in the Child labor time, age did not matter and if you could talk, than you could work. It shows how excuses were given by the factory owners about how the small girls just shuffled in and are just helping.
Photograph D
Photograph D is a picture of a young boy, selling papers in the middle of downtown on a busy street. His facial expression shows anxiety. Perhaps anxiety to sell a paper so that he could enjoy a meal that day? He is surrounded by rich wealthy people of the higher class, and it appears that they just breeze right by him. His clothes are that of the lower class and he just looks sad, like nothing makes him happy and he is determined to sell of the papers he has.Lewis Hine calls the boy a newsie trying to sell papers.
Photograph E
Photograph E is about boys working in a coal factory. There is many boys, all doing hard work in what looks like a basement, coal dust lingers in the air and through the boys lungs making it hard for them to breathe and inevitably very unhealthy. The working boys are all sitting down minding their own work and there is two other boys, that look to be a little older than the rest that are standing up. They have metal rods that they use as weapons when disobedience comes about. One would infer from this that these boys become very sick because all of the unhealthy dust that surrounds them day in and day out. The dust goes through their lungs and then eats away at their body. Louis Hine desribes the boys standing up as slave-drivers that keep the boys in line and obedient.
Photograph F
Photograph F is a group of boys in a glass making factory. Every one of them is wearing old, ratty, disgusting clothes that indicate their limited wealth. Big machines and pipes are all around the room. It almost looks like a giant spider with many legs, the legs being all of the pipes that run down through the room and the body is the big pipe that the small ones come off of. They boys have ripped clothes and it is late at night, nine p.m. to be exact and they all look tired and out of energy.
Photograph G
Photograph G is of a clam shucking factory. The picture literally shows people of all ages, a very young girl right next to an older woman, most likely her mother. There are many people around big tables all working hard, shucking clam after clam. Most of the workers are children but some are accompanied by adults and they are all a big help. One would infer from this that young children helped their parents at work. School was not an option for the children and they needed to help their parents work so that it would move along faster and they could earn more money.
Photograph H
Photograph H shows many kids walking into a factory on a cold night. They all are preparing for twelve hours of long,hard, work. The clothes they wear are very bad and they would definitely not keep the children warm on a cold December night. The photograph shows how they all dread walking into the factory.
For each photograph consider the following questions: (Copy the following and post it to your blog. Title: Child Labor Reform Photographs Labels: Child_Labor, Progressive_Era )
Objective Assessment
As you view each photograph take note about what you see. (note people, background, objects) Pretend you were describing the image to someone who could not see it. Try to avoid making judgments.
Where are these children? List any clues relating to their surroundings.
Describe any tools or objects you see.
Describe their clothing. What do their clothes reveal about their work?
Subjective Assessment
What questions do you have about each of these photographs?
Based on your observations, list three things you might infer about the lives of these children. (Be sure to consider Hine's notes about the photographs when considering this.
Photograph A
In photograph A I see a girl that looks like she is in a melancholy mood, her face is bland, and her emotions are hidden. She works in a Cotton mill on one of the spinners and she is just a little girl. There is a big Spinner behind her and she works for very little money a day. The little girl is wearing clothes that classify her as a low class girl that is not of age to work but is forced to.
Photograph B
The girls in this photo are seen as very tired and exhausted. The five girls are dressed in old ratty clothes. They do not look happy, they look deprived of sleep and warn down. I would infer that these girls work endless hours to support their families and themselves so they can buy food and get them through life.
Photograph C
Picture C is a little girl, very young in a cotton mill factory surrounded by big cotton mills. The machines are nearly twice her size and she is standing in the middle of them. Her face as dull as an unsharpened pencil. The picture explains how in the Child labor time, age did not matter and if you could talk, than you could work. It shows how excuses were given by the factory owners about how the small girls just shuffled in and are just helping.
Photograph D
Photograph D is a picture of a young boy, selling papers in the middle of downtown on a busy street. His facial expression shows anxiety. Perhaps anxiety to sell a paper so that he could enjoy a meal that day? He is surrounded by rich wealthy people of the higher class, and it appears that they just breeze right by him. His clothes are that of the lower class and he just looks sad, like nothing makes him happy and he is determined to sell of the papers he has.Lewis Hine calls the boy a newsie trying to sell papers.
Photograph E
Photograph E is about boys working in a coal factory. There is many boys, all doing hard work in what looks like a basement, coal dust lingers in the air and through the boys lungs making it hard for them to breathe and inevitably very unhealthy. The working boys are all sitting down minding their own work and there is two other boys, that look to be a little older than the rest that are standing up. They have metal rods that they use as weapons when disobedience comes about. One would infer from this that these boys become very sick because all of the unhealthy dust that surrounds them day in and day out. The dust goes through their lungs and then eats away at their body. Louis Hine desribes the boys standing up as slave-drivers that keep the boys in line and obedient.
Photograph F
Photograph F is a group of boys in a glass making factory. Every one of them is wearing old, ratty, disgusting clothes that indicate their limited wealth. Big machines and pipes are all around the room. It almost looks like a giant spider with many legs, the legs being all of the pipes that run down through the room and the body is the big pipe that the small ones come off of. They boys have ripped clothes and it is late at night, nine p.m. to be exact and they all look tired and out of energy.
Photograph G
Photograph G is of a clam shucking factory. The picture literally shows people of all ages, a very young girl right next to an older woman, most likely her mother. There are many people around big tables all working hard, shucking clam after clam. Most of the workers are children but some are accompanied by adults and they are all a big help. One would infer from this that young children helped their parents at work. School was not an option for the children and they needed to help their parents work so that it would move along faster and they could earn more money.
Photograph H
Photograph H shows many kids walking into a factory on a cold night. They all are preparing for twelve hours of long,hard, work. The clothes they wear are very bad and they would definitely not keep the children warm on a cold December night. The photograph shows how they all dread walking into the factory.
Friday, October 9, 2009
TR's Square Deal
1. How did Roosevelt create the modern presidency? Roosevelt dominated the news with his many exploits. It was created by Roosevelt making bold decisions . His leadership and duplicity plans created the modern presidency.
2. How did Roosevelt's intervention in a coal strike set a precedent for federal arbitration? His actions demonstrated a new principle. From that point on when a strike threatened the public welfare, the government was expected to intervene, he set the example of intervening in strikes to make it get under control.
3. What did Roosevelt do to the trusts and railroads? He passed the Interstate Commerce Act, it was not fully enforced so Roosevelt pushed Congress to pass the Elkins Act in 1903, this made it so it was legal for railroads to give, and shippers to receive rebates for using particular railroads. It also made it so that railways could not change rates without notifying the public.
4. What legislation passed during Roosevelt's presidency protected citizens? The legislation that helped citizens was the Meat Inspection Act that protected people from eating harmful meat.
5. What did Roosevelt do to protect the environment? He established several national parks, fifty wildlife sanctuaries, one and half million acres of water power sites and another eighty million acres that would be explored for water and mineral resources.
While this isn't part of the homework, make sure you can describe (with good details) the following people and events:
Teddy Roosevelt (TR)
Upton Sinclair
The Jungle
Square Deal
Meat Inspection Act
Pure Food and Drug Act
Newlands Act (1902)
2. How did Roosevelt's intervention in a coal strike set a precedent for federal arbitration? His actions demonstrated a new principle. From that point on when a strike threatened the public welfare, the government was expected to intervene, he set the example of intervening in strikes to make it get under control.
3. What did Roosevelt do to the trusts and railroads? He passed the Interstate Commerce Act, it was not fully enforced so Roosevelt pushed Congress to pass the Elkins Act in 1903, this made it so it was legal for railroads to give, and shippers to receive rebates for using particular railroads. It also made it so that railways could not change rates without notifying the public.
4. What legislation passed during Roosevelt's presidency protected citizens? The legislation that helped citizens was the Meat Inspection Act that protected people from eating harmful meat.
5. What did Roosevelt do to protect the environment? He established several national parks, fifty wildlife sanctuaries, one and half million acres of water power sites and another eighty million acres that would be explored for water and mineral resources.
While this isn't part of the homework, make sure you can describe (with good details) the following people and events:
Teddy Roosevelt (TR)
Upton Sinclair
The Jungle
Square Deal
Meat Inspection Act
Pure Food and Drug Act
Newlands Act (1902)
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Urbanization
1. What is Urbanization?
Urbanization is the rapid growth of cities.
2. For what reasons did a number of Americans move from the country to the cities?
Rapid improvements in farming technology meant that less farmers were needed in rural areas, so some moved to the city to find whatever jobs they could. A lot of them were African Americans and they had to move to the city because they could not afford the technology equipment that made farming more efficient and there was no longer a use for farmers that worked by hand.
3. What were the housing problems that many poor city dwellers faced?
Poor city dwellers were faced with housing problems by being cramped into small apartments called tenements. Often two to three families were packed into a one family tenement making it unsafe, uncomfortable, and unsanitary. As cities grew, row houses were made, single family dwellings that shared side walls with other similar houses, they packed many families onto one block.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
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.
2. Describe the journey immigrants endured and their experiences at United States immigration stations.
2. Describe the journey immigrants endured and their experiences at United States immigration stations.
1. The causes of immigration of southern and eastern Europeans is because a lot of them wanted to escape religious persecution, some of them left because of the increasing population and some Europeans sought independent lives in America. The causes for the Chinese immigration was that some wanted to find their fortunes in searching for gold after the California gold rush. The cause for the Japanese immigration was because Hawaiian planters were able to recruit Japanese people to work for them.
2. Most of all the immigrants after the 1870s traveled by steamship, across the Atlantic from Europe the trip took one week, and across the Pacific from China it took about three weeks. The conditions on the steamboats were awful, the immigrants were often crowded together in very small spaces because they could only afford to travel in the steerage, the cheapest part of the boat. Some did not survive. Immigrants had to pass through Immigration stations like that of Ellis Island. There they were physically examined by a doctor and then reported to a government inspector. Those who were deathly sick were not admitted in to the country. The government inspector checked documents and question immigrants to see if they met the legal requirements to gain entry into the country. Requirements were like so, they could not be convicted of a felony, had to have proof that they could work, and had a little money. Twenty five dollars after 1909. While Ellis Island dealt with the Europeans, Angel Island dealt with the Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans. Angel Island was just like Ellis Island in the way that they examined the immigrants.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Big Business and Labor Quiz
The business ideologies of Laissez Faire and Social Darniwism caused labor to have a "survival for the fittest" type of life. Laborers were mistreated severely by the factory owners, rich industrialists and the upper class. Most facotry Owners adopted Social Darwinism. Social Darwinism was where the owners found harsh working conditions, low wages, and unfair treatment meant to be. English philosopher Herbert Spencer used Charle's Darwins theory of evolution to explain human society. Economists found social darwinism a way to justify the doctrine of Laissez Faire. Which means allow to do in French. According to Laissez Faire the marketplace should not be regulated, thus making work for laborers extremely hard. The laborers had no chance but to except the seven day workweeks, 12-14 hour days, low wages, no vacation time, no sick leave, no disability insurance, no healthcare, no unemployment compensation and severly dangerous working conditions. For example John D. Rockefeller was the first American billionaire, by adopting social darwinism and abiding by the doctrine of Laissez Faire he was able to earn a ridiculous amount of money. The bottom line was that the rich industrialists thought that God intended to give the workers awful work problems so that the economy could be regulated, and the country would expand.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Labor Unions & Big Business
I have also shared a pdf file with you entitled Labor Unions. Using this reading and your textbook, complete the following assignment and post it on your blog by 8:20 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21. Title: Labor Unions & Big Business Labels: Labor, Industrial_Age
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- It was a labor union founded by garment cutters in 1860 and its grand master was Terrence V. Powderly. At its peak in 1886, it had 730, 000 members. It accepted both women and african americans as well. Members came from all over the country, but the grand master was from pennsylvania and he was a mayor there.
b. Significance- The Knights of labor was the only labor union that survived the hard times of the 1800s, unlike other labor unions they welcomed all different people including women and african americans that greatly increased their population. They were against strikes for the most part, but inevitably the labor union particiapted in a couple. In the early 1800s they joined a strike for eight hour shifts, not too long after the police had to break up the riot and it ended with two deaths. The riot lead to the Haymarket riot that caused people to turn against the workers strikes and protests.
the Haymarket riot-
a. Identification-The haymarket riot immediately followed the riot in Chicago where two people were killed and others were wounded. Protestors gathered in Haymarket square to protest police brutality. A bomb exploded as police approached and seven were killed, sixty seven were wounded. Many anarchists and unionists were arrested, seven were tried, and four were executed. The evidence was circumstantial but one a police death is involved, it does not matter.
b. Significance- This was significant because it made people discontent of labor and revived midddle class of radicalism.
the American Federation of Labor
a. Identification- It emerged because of the 1886 upheavals as the major workers' organization. It was an alliance of national craft unions and it had about 140,000 members. The majority of the workers were native born skilled workers. It was lead by immigrant Samuel Gompers. The AFL pressed for goals like higher wages, shorter hours and the right to bargain collectively.
b.Significance- In the summer of 1892 the AFL and the Afl-affiliated Amalgated Asscoiation of Iron and steel workers refused to accept pay cuts and went on strike in Homestead, Pennsyvania. The effect of this is that it caused the Carnegie Steel company to close its plant and steel went through a setback.
Samuel Gompers
a. Identification- He was a pragmatic and opportunist immigrant, he headed the Cigar makers' union. Gompers lead the AFL. Under Gompers, the AFL grew to one million members in 1901 and two and half million members in 1917. His presence was valuable and his ideas attracted people. The AFL applied across the whole country. They represented 111 national unions.
b. Significance- The AFL rapidly grew under Samuel Gompers and as a result labor Unions became more powerful and people used there exercise to protest. Protesting became natural and labor unions grew.
the Homestead strike
a. Identification- In July 1892, the AFL-Affiliated amalgamated association of iron and steel workers refused to accept pay cuts and went on strike in Homestead, Pennsylvania. Henry C. Frick, the president of the Carnegie steel company, closed the plant.
b. Significance- The general public became in awe by the strikers and they were in no way friendly towards them. People saw them as a danger and once the threatened Henry C. Fricks life, enough was enough and the public was disgusted with the strikers.
the Pullman strike-
a. Identification- In 1894 workers at the pullman palace car company went on strike about company policies that they did not agree with. The strike was near the company town. Pullman factory workers did not have a choice but to basically live a "Pullman life." They shopped at Pullman stores, prayed at Pullman churches, and learned at Pullman schools, the controlled town became two much and people protested when the times got tough and Pullman would not negociate. Pullman had no problem cutting wages from 25 to 40%.
b. Significance-When the times got tough and Pullman cut wages, workers called a strike lead by young charismatic man, Eugene V. Debs. Pullman retaliated by closing the plant. Debs helped by refusing workers to work on Pullman cars. The government got involved and sent troops to Chicago, eventually the strikers gave and Debs was jailed. The railways would not be up to par without the manufacturing of the Pullman cars so the president, Grover Cleveland, sent the troops in to set things straight.
Eugene V. Debs
a. Identification- Debs was a young, charismatic, organizer. He lead the Union retaliating against the wage cuts handed by Pullman. He voted to aid the strikers by refusing to handle all Pullman cars. Because of Pullmans national popularity in the railway system, President Grover Cleveland sent troops to Chicago to stop the protestors and get the working of cars back in full swing. Eugene V. Debs was arrested for defying the court injunction. The Supreme court upheld Debs sixth month sentence on grounds that the federal government had the power to remove obstacles from interstate commerce.
b. Significance-Pullman cut wages from 25 to 40% and that resulted in the protesting of Pullman industry workers. Someone had to step up and lead the union laborers, the young man Eugene Debs lead them and he caused the President to become worried about the railways. Due to the absence of the Pullman workers the railways did not run properly and this would not fly with the president so he sent troops to fix it. Eugene Debs and the other protestors wreaked havoc by protesting and standing up for what the believed in. They tried to fix what they thought was wrong.
the Industrial Workers of the World
a. Identification- In the West, many Colorado miners partook in small violent strikes. In 1905 many of these workers formed a new labor organization known as the Industrial Workers of the World. Unlike the AFL, the IWW accepted all kinds, unskilled and skilled. They believed in unifying all of the workers. They believed in violent outbursts.
b. Significance- Labor Unions like the Knights of Labor and the AFL influenced unions like the IWW, as the Unions became more modern, they became more violent, resulting in many deaths throughout the early twentieth century. They searched for equality among the workers and fair wages for all. The government was threatened by this because it set an example for other unions to use violence in their favor.
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- It was a labor union founded by garment cutters in 1860 and its grand master was Terrence V. Powderly. At its peak in 1886, it had 730, 000 members. It accepted both women and african americans as well. Members came from all over the country, but the grand master was from pennsylvania and he was a mayor there.
b. Significance- The Knights of labor was the only labor union that survived the hard times of the 1800s, unlike other labor unions they welcomed all different people including women and african americans that greatly increased their population. They were against strikes for the most part, but inevitably the labor union particiapted in a couple. In the early 1800s they joined a strike for eight hour shifts, not too long after the police had to break up the riot and it ended with two deaths. The riot lead to the Haymarket riot that caused people to turn against the workers strikes and protests.
the Haymarket riot-
a. Identification-The haymarket riot immediately followed the riot in Chicago where two people were killed and others were wounded. Protestors gathered in Haymarket square to protest police brutality. A bomb exploded as police approached and seven were killed, sixty seven were wounded. Many anarchists and unionists were arrested, seven were tried, and four were executed. The evidence was circumstantial but one a police death is involved, it does not matter.
b. Significance- This was significant because it made people discontent of labor and revived midddle class of radicalism.
the American Federation of Labor
a. Identification- It emerged because of the 1886 upheavals as the major workers' organization. It was an alliance of national craft unions and it had about 140,000 members. The majority of the workers were native born skilled workers. It was lead by immigrant Samuel Gompers. The AFL pressed for goals like higher wages, shorter hours and the right to bargain collectively.
b.Significance- In the summer of 1892 the AFL and the Afl-affiliated Amalgated Asscoiation of Iron and steel workers refused to accept pay cuts and went on strike in Homestead, Pennsyvania. The effect of this is that it caused the Carnegie Steel company to close its plant and steel went through a setback.
Samuel Gompers
a. Identification- He was a pragmatic and opportunist immigrant, he headed the Cigar makers' union. Gompers lead the AFL. Under Gompers, the AFL grew to one million members in 1901 and two and half million members in 1917. His presence was valuable and his ideas attracted people. The AFL applied across the whole country. They represented 111 national unions.
b. Significance- The AFL rapidly grew under Samuel Gompers and as a result labor Unions became more powerful and people used there exercise to protest. Protesting became natural and labor unions grew.
the Homestead strike
a. Identification- In July 1892, the AFL-Affiliated amalgamated association of iron and steel workers refused to accept pay cuts and went on strike in Homestead, Pennsylvania. Henry C. Frick, the president of the Carnegie steel company, closed the plant.
b. Significance- The general public became in awe by the strikers and they were in no way friendly towards them. People saw them as a danger and once the threatened Henry C. Fricks life, enough was enough and the public was disgusted with the strikers.
the Pullman strike-
a. Identification- In 1894 workers at the pullman palace car company went on strike about company policies that they did not agree with. The strike was near the company town. Pullman factory workers did not have a choice but to basically live a "Pullman life." They shopped at Pullman stores, prayed at Pullman churches, and learned at Pullman schools, the controlled town became two much and people protested when the times got tough and Pullman would not negociate. Pullman had no problem cutting wages from 25 to 40%.
b. Significance-When the times got tough and Pullman cut wages, workers called a strike lead by young charismatic man, Eugene V. Debs. Pullman retaliated by closing the plant. Debs helped by refusing workers to work on Pullman cars. The government got involved and sent troops to Chicago, eventually the strikers gave and Debs was jailed. The railways would not be up to par without the manufacturing of the Pullman cars so the president, Grover Cleveland, sent the troops in to set things straight.
Eugene V. Debs
a. Identification- Debs was a young, charismatic, organizer. He lead the Union retaliating against the wage cuts handed by Pullman. He voted to aid the strikers by refusing to handle all Pullman cars. Because of Pullmans national popularity in the railway system, President Grover Cleveland sent troops to Chicago to stop the protestors and get the working of cars back in full swing. Eugene V. Debs was arrested for defying the court injunction. The Supreme court upheld Debs sixth month sentence on grounds that the federal government had the power to remove obstacles from interstate commerce.
b. Significance-Pullman cut wages from 25 to 40% and that resulted in the protesting of Pullman industry workers. Someone had to step up and lead the union laborers, the young man Eugene Debs lead them and he caused the President to become worried about the railways. Due to the absence of the Pullman workers the railways did not run properly and this would not fly with the president so he sent troops to fix it. Eugene Debs and the other protestors wreaked havoc by protesting and standing up for what the believed in. They tried to fix what they thought was wrong.
the Industrial Workers of the World
a. Identification- In the West, many Colorado miners partook in small violent strikes. In 1905 many of these workers formed a new labor organization known as the Industrial Workers of the World. Unlike the AFL, the IWW accepted all kinds, unskilled and skilled. They believed in unifying all of the workers. They believed in violent outbursts.
b. Significance- Labor Unions like the Knights of Labor and the AFL influenced unions like the IWW, as the Unions became more modern, they became more violent, resulting in many deaths throughout the early twentieth century. They searched for equality among the workers and fair wages for all. The government was threatened by this because it set an example for other unions to use violence in their favor.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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-He was the founder of the Carneie steel company that was very important in the growth of the United States and helped industiralization beccause a lot more things were being made out of steel.
Social Darwinism-The thought that compettion between peopls, unions, nations, and countries, that drives social evolution.
John D. Rockefeller- The founder of the Standard Oil company that resulted in him revolutionizing the petroleum industry. He was an industrialist that allowd him to make huge sums of money.
Sherman Antitrust Act- It was a requirement enforced by the United States government that investigates major corporations for fraud and the violation of the Act and it prevents companies from becoming too powerful.
Samuel Gompers- Gompers was an American Labor worker and he was significant because he founded the American Federation of Labor and he served as their president for many years.
American Federation of Labor (AFL)- It was one of the first federations of labor unions in the United States. It was significant because it was the largest union grouping in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century.
Eugene V. Debs - He was an American union leader. His presence was significant in the United States because he was one of the founding members of the International Labor Union and the Industrial Workers of the world, he was also a political figure as he ran for president, he was known as one of the best-known socialists in the United States.
Industrial Workers of the World- It is an international union that helps workers. It is considered very important because it was the biggest most well known union in all of America. It is so siginificant that it still runs today and the Union still fights for workers.
Mary Harris Jones- She was a woman that was an American Labor Union organizer. She showed that woman could do mens jobs.
Andrew Carnegie-He was the founder of the Carneie steel company that was very important in the growth of the United States and helped industiralization beccause a lot more things were being made out of steel.
Social Darwinism-The thought that compettion between peopls, unions, nations, and countries, that drives social evolution.
John D. Rockefeller- The founder of the Standard Oil company that resulted in him revolutionizing the petroleum industry. He was an industrialist that allowd him to make huge sums of money.
Sherman Antitrust Act- It was a requirement enforced by the United States government that investigates major corporations for fraud and the violation of the Act and it prevents companies from becoming too powerful.
Samuel Gompers- Gompers was an American Labor worker and he was significant because he founded the American Federation of Labor and he served as their president for many years.
American Federation of Labor (AFL)- It was one of the first federations of labor unions in the United States. It was significant because it was the largest union grouping in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century.
Eugene V. Debs - He was an American union leader. His presence was significant in the United States because he was one of the founding members of the International Labor Union and the Industrial Workers of the world, he was also a political figure as he ran for president, he was known as one of the best-known socialists in the United States.
Industrial Workers of the World- It is an international union that helps workers. It is considered very important because it was the biggest most well known union in all of America. It is so siginificant that it still runs today and the Union still fights for workers.
Mary Harris Jones- She was a woman that was an American Labor Union organizer. She showed that woman could do mens jobs.
Monday, September 14, 2009
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?
Rails made local transit reliable and westward expansion possible for business as well as people. Iron, coal, steel, lumber and glass industries grew rapidly as they tried to keep pace with the railroads' demand for materials and parts. The boom of these industries helped small business' which made the economy greater, this is why the government was so eager for the railroads to be promoted. The railroads also made it possible for trade and interdependence, these factors affected the economy in the way that made different regions in the United States come closer together, and rely on each other for different materials. The Government pushed for the railroads to grow because it created jobs, not only that, it nearly created cities. For example, Seattle, Washington or Denver, Colorado were known for making specific railroad parts, if it wasn't for the railways, then the cities very well wouldn't have been as big as they are today. The railways helped the cities branch out as well. The bottom line is that the growth of the railroads helped the economy in both big industries as well as small businesses.
Rails made local transit reliable and westward expansion possible for business as well as people. Iron, coal, steel, lumber and glass industries grew rapidly as they tried to keep pace with the railroads' demand for materials and parts. The boom of these industries helped small business' which made the economy greater, this is why the government was so eager for the railroads to be promoted. The railroads also made it possible for trade and interdependence, these factors affected the economy in the way that made different regions in the United States come closer together, and rely on each other for different materials. The Government pushed for the railroads to grow because it created jobs, not only that, it nearly created cities. For example, Seattle, Washington or Denver, Colorado were known for making specific railroad parts, if it wasn't for the railways, then the cities very well wouldn't have been as big as they are today. The railways helped the cities branch out as well. The bottom line is that the growth of the railroads helped the economy in both big industries as well as small businesses.
What were the three major factors that contributed to the immense technological boom that took place in the United 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 was due to the wealth of natural resources, government support for business, and a growing urban population that both provided cheap labor and markets for new products. The wealth of natural resources helped bring about the technological boom because due to the factor that they were natural, they did not cost a great amount of money. Because they were natural, they did not have to go through long expensive processes to be made and they were brought about by the Earth. The natural rescources helped boost the technological boom that then boosted the economy. The government support for small business really helped the technological boom because regular people were able to invent technology that was used all through out the United States. Small Businesses really boomed as the technology grew because the ideas came from them. The small businesses provided the neccesities to make technology and they often had the brains to make the technology.
The three major factors that contributed to the immense technological boom that took place in the United States after the Civil War was due to the wealth of natural resources, government support for business, and a growing urban population that both provided cheap labor and markets for new products. The wealth of natural resources helped bring about the technological boom because due to the factor that they were natural, they did not cost a great amount of money. Because they were natural, they did not have to go through long expensive processes to be made and they were brought about by the Earth. The natural rescources helped boost the technological boom that then boosted the economy. The government support for small business really helped the technological boom because regular people were able to invent technology that was used all through out the United States. Small Businesses really boomed as the technology grew because the ideas came from them. The small businesses provided the neccesities to make technology and they often had the brains to make the technology.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Westward Expansion Questions
1. The federal governments policy of assimilation failed for numerous reasons. One being that the Native Americans were independent people that were perfect content with the lifestyle they were living and they had no interest in taking part of the "white" culture. The Native Americans were treated very poorly by the white people. When the two met it often resulted in bloodshed created tense feelings. The Indians sought that the white people had no right coming in their land and claiming it as if was theirs, demanding they join their culture and way of living. The argument was that the Indians were not civilized, but if the white people act as discourteous, ignorant, and selfish, then really, who is the uncivilized one? The Native Americans wanted no part in the white culture, they were happy with their tee pee huts, hunting, and seasonal moving. It was of no interest of theirs to just morph into the white culture and act like them. They were promised houses and a lot of money, but what they really received was a great deal of disrespect.
2. The governments effort to promote settlement of the Great Plains was extremely successful. The land went like wildfire. When Congress passed the Homestead Act people were very eager to move out West and settle their families into big chunks of land that they claimed. Some land was more fertile then others so the Homestead Act was strengthened as more land was given out and a lot more settlers became motivated to move West. For example, by passing the Homestead Act, the government was able to convince people that farming was a possibility that would bring riches in the West and and the motivation that Act brought was phenomenal.
2. The governments effort to promote settlement of the Great Plains was extremely successful. The land went like wildfire. When Congress passed the Homestead Act people were very eager to move out West and settle their families into big chunks of land that they claimed. Some land was more fertile then others so the Homestead Act was strengthened as more land was given out and a lot more settlers became motivated to move West. For example, by passing the Homestead Act, the government was able to convince people that farming was a possibility that would bring riches in the West and and the motivation that Act brought was phenomenal.
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