1. Students will understand the impact the Industrial Revolution had on the United States.(Ch. 6)
The War of 1812 was a big reason the Industrial Revolution started in America. America went to war with Great Britain, and it was made apparent that America needed more economic independence and a better transportation system. So manufacturing began to expand. There were lots of immigrants coming to America, and they were willing to work for little pay in poor conditions in order to survive and start their new life. Railroads were being built, which made western expansion possible, and transportation for businesses and individuals easier. Monopolies formed, such as the Standard Oil Company, and they weren't good for the common working man. They bought out the market and then raised prices as high as they wanted because they didn't have to worry about competition. Labor unions started, so workers could get better conditions and higher pay. They weren't very good at first, because they could just get fired and the company could hire some immigrant who would love to work for little pay in bad conditions. There was a lot of natural resources and the government supported businesses. Edwin Drake used a steam engine to drill for oil, and finally getting oil out of the earth became practical. A new process was used to get steel from iron. It was cheap and efficient, and steel was much better for building that iron.
2. Students will understand the impact immigration and urbanization had on the United States.(Ch. 7)
Immigrants came from alot of places for many reasons such as religious frredom, better lives, jobs, education, land, and political problems. Many people didn’t like immigrants. Along with this they faced problems such as finding jobs and homes, getting along with other cultures and religions, understanding other languages, dying from disease and bad conditions. For these reasons restrictions were put on immigrants.
Cities started growing very rapidly in the 1800s and 1900s. This was because immigrants were coming over and Americanization allowed anyone who wanted to come over to do just that and steam ships made it easier to come over. As a result of so many people moving to
3. Students will understand the impact of the Progressive Era on the United States.(Ch. 9)
Progressives aimed to help out the common people any way they could. Settlement houses were set up to give immigrants, poor, or African Americans a place to go to get a meal or stay warm. Many had community centers, churches, and social services to use as they needed. This period also brought about the YMCA and Salvation Army. The workplace was also improved by giving employees better conditions, pay and fewer hours. Child labor was also put to an end. Progressives also wanted to improve people’s personal behaviors by encouraging prohibition, believing that alcohol was the cause of most American’s low morals. Giving women the right to vote was another area that was pushed for at this time, although this would not be achieved for another 40 years. Another thing that was pushed for by Progressives was efficiency in the workplace by developing scientific management and assembly lines. Although this created some problems for workers, products were made much faster. President Teddy Roosevelt was a big trustbuster; he broke up monopolies that were being corrupt and unfair and also regulated the railroads by passing the Elkins Act and Hepburn Act. He also passed the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act that improved the meat packing industry and the way products were labeled. He also set aside millions of acres of land for natural parks and conservation.
4. Students will understand the impact imperialism had on the United States and world.(Ch. 10)
Imperialism is when much stronger/bigger countries take over smaller/less powerful countries for economic, political, and military gains. The United States bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Although many people thought Alaska was just a big chunk of ice, it turned out to be one of the best purchases in our history because we eventually benefited from fishing, tourism, and oil industries. We also took over Hawaii much to their disapproval. Imperialism also allowed the United States to gain Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, and Cuba. Imperialism spread across the world, especially Europe. Countries like Great Britain and Germany would dispute over land and began an arms race where they would try to out-do each other by building up their armies and navies as well as weapons such as Dreadnoughts. These disputes eventually became one of the causes of the First World War.
5. Students will understand the political, social and economic changes that occurred in the 1920’s in the United States.(Ch. 12-13)
Roaring 20's-entertainment: Flapper girls were women who wanted equal rights with men. They would drink and smoke in public and wear seductive outfits. Dances like the Charleston and Fox Trot were popular, and so was jazz music. Also known as the Jazz Age. Movies with sound were revealed and Walt Disney started producing cartoons. Writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald were popular. The radio let people listen to their favorite shows and news.
-Red Scare: United States was fearful of Communists, radicals, and socialists. Communism theory is the belief that the poor would rise up and overthrow the leaders of society (rich) and create a classless society where everyone was equal. Soviet Union was the first communist country. The Palmer Raids was where government went out and tried to get rid of communists/radicals/socialists and send them out of the country. Sacco and Vanzetti were Italian immigrants and anarchists accused of killing the guy that paid them. They were found guilty (even thought they didn't do it) and were put to death. The Ku Klux Klan made and comeback and were anti black, immigrant, communist, radical, and socialist.
-Republican Domination: Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover were all Republican Presidents. Harding's presidency was rocked by scandal, and he got sick and died. Coolidge took over, and people really liked him. He didn't talk much. Hoover was from Iowa and was very popular, but then the stock market crashed and the great depression set in shortly after he was elected. People were tired for being involved in foreign affairs, so the 1920s became the Do Nothing Decade (do as little as possible). Laissez Fair: government should stay out of business. The 1920s undid some things that the Progressive Era did in terms of business. Trickle Down Theory: give tax cuts to the rich and by helping them the positive of the rich will 'trickle down' and help the low
-War Prevention: The League of Nations tried to eliminate and prevent another war. 4 Point Treaty: United States, Great Britain, France Japan all said each country would respect others possessions in the Pacific and wouldn't take them over. 5 Point Treaty: United States, Great Britain, France, Japan, Italy said they would freeze Navy at 1921 levels. Only froze one part of the Navy. 9 Point Treaty: United States, Great Britain, France, Japan, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, and China said they would keep the 'open door' in China and promised China's independence. Kellogg-Brained Pact: about 63 countries declared they would not use war to settle disputes (outlawed war).
-Automobile/Airplane: Route 66 was the first trans-continental highway. Henry Ford revolutionized the car. He paid his workers very well ($5/day). Model T was the best selling car of the time period. With the airplane you could now have small airplanes for small passenger flights and mail.
-Prohibition: 18th Amendment banned alcohol (making/selling/transporting). Women mostly pushed for prohibition. Alcohol was illegal from 1920-1933. You could use it for medicine and communion. The Volstead Act created the Prohibition Bureau to enforce the law.
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