The Industrial Economy Labor Strikes Back

Match the dominant economic activity in each region in the national market.

• Poor Agrarian/Textiles

  (Reconstruction)

• Midwest/West

• Farming

• Great Lakes Regions

• Manufacturing

• North East (NYC)

• Commerce & Finance

• South

Answer explanation

What major demographic (type of the people) changes did the U.S. experience around the Civil War?

• Increased urbanization, significant European immigration, and population shifts due to the Civil War.

• Decreased rural population, fewer immigrants, and no significant demographic changes.

• Massive outflow of citizens to Canada, reduced immigration from Europe, and a stagnant economy.

• Increased agricultural production, decline in urban centers, and a stable population.

Answer explanation

Around the Civil War, the U.S. saw increased urbanization as people moved to cities for jobs, significant European immigration for opportunities, and population shifts due to the war's impact on demographics.

Which of the following ist the best reason why people immigrate to the U.S. in large numbers at the turn of the century? 

• To escape from the U.S. to Europe

• People immigrated to the U.S. for economic opportunities, escaping hardship, and seeking freedom.

• To find better weather conditions

• To join family members already in Canada

Answer explanation

People immigrated to the U.S. in large numbers for economic opportunities, to escape hardship, and to seek freedom, making this the best reason for their migration at the turn of the century.

Which of the following best describes the working conditions of immigrants during the Gilded Age?

• Working conditions were luxurious and safe for all immigrants.

• Immigrants primarily worked in office jobs with good benefits.

• Immigrants enjoyed high wages and short working hours.

• Immigrants worked in harsh conditions with long hours, low wages, and unsafe environments.

Answer explanation

During the Gilded Age, immigrants faced harsh working conditions characterized by long hours, low wages, and unsafe environments, contrasting sharply with the incorrect options that suggest better circumstances.

The political cartoon The Protectors of Our Industries and the accompanying slide highlight the poor working conditions in the early Industrial Age. Which of the following best explains why these conditions existed?

• Industrial workers had access to unions and legal protections, which allowed them to negotiate better wages.

• Captains of Industry, also called "Robber Barons," focused on cutting costs to maximize profits, often at the expense of workers' wages and safety.

• Immigrant workers were generally paid higher wages because they were seen as highly skilled laborers.

• The government strictly regulated industry, which led to improvements in working conditions for industrial laborers.

Answer explanation

The poor working conditions existed because Captains of Industry, or "Robber Barons," prioritized profit over worker safety and wages, leading to exploitation and harsh environments for industrial laborers.

The political cartoon The Bosses of the Senate and the slide suggest that laws during the Industrial Age favored big business. Which of the following was a major reason for this?

• Senators were elected directly by citizens, ensuring that the interests of workers were always protected.

• Government policies favored big business, and many senators were heavily influenced by monopolists and trusts, who had significant control over legislation.

• Social Darwinism argued that the government should actively regulate industries to support the poor and provide protections for workers.

• Labor unions had significant political power, leading to frequent legislation in favor of workers’ rights and higher wages.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that government policies during the Industrial Age favored big business, with senators often influenced by monopolists and trusts, leading to legislation that prioritized corporate interests over workers' rights.

Match the following ideologies with the definitions and examples below.

Groups:

(a) Capitalism

,

(b) Socialism

,

(c) Social Darwinism

,

(d) Philanthropy

• Belief that "survival of the fittest" applies to society and justifies inequality.

• Monopolies / Trusts, Robber Barons

• Workers own the means of production and share the profits that come from their labor.

• Act of donating money, resources, or time to support charitable causes and public good.

• Individual owns the means of production and earns the profits, while workers are paid wages for

• Radical Labor Leaders

• Social Gospel

• Captians of Industry

Match the following strikes with the information below

Groups:

(a) Great RR Strike (1877)

,

(b) Haymarket Affair (1886)

,

(c) Homestead Strike (1892)

,

(d) Pullman Strike (1894)

• Ended the Knights of Labor organization.

• Between steel workers & Carnegie Steel Company.

• Strike for an 8 hour day at the McCormick reaper plant in Chicago.

• Turned violent & turned public opinion against radical parts of movement such as Anarchist.

• Strike against the harsh social restrictions on workers.

• Tarnished the legacy of Andrew Carnegie.

• Involved Union leader Eugene Debs.

• Shutdown nations railroads for 45 days.

• Led to the creation of Labor Day.

• Involved; lockouts, strike, scab, Pinkersons, & a battle.

Answer explanation

Which of the following are tools of Capitalist and Labor?

Groups:

(a) Capitalist

,

(b) Labor (Unions)

• Strikes

• Scabs (replacement workers)

• Collective bargaining

• Lock outs

• Closed Shops

• Pinkertons ( notable strike breakers).

• Black lists

Answer explanation

The anarchist movement gained traction during the Gilded Age, particularly among workers frustrated by poor conditions and government favoritism towards big business. Based on the definitions of anarchy provided, which of the following best describes the beliefs of anarchists during this time?

• • Anarchists believed in the total elimination of government to achieve complete freedom for the individual.

• • Anarchists supported strong government intervention to protect workers and regulate business practices.

• • Anarchists aimed to create a government-run economy where all wealth was distributed equally among citizens.

• • Anarchists believed the government should expand its role to enforce strict laws protecting labor unions and worker rights.