PBL+Industrialism


 * Industrialism Unit: 45 Points **

The era of American Industrialism was perhaps the single most defining moment in what would become "modern" America. Simply put, the United States industrialized quicker than any previous (or latter) world power. Why did this happen? Was our massive and rapid expansion good for our citizens, country and the world? Was American Industrialism good for everyone?
 * Introduce industrialism as a "Geography of Hope".
 * Who created the Geography of Hope? The Great Industrialists.

(1). Vocabulary: (a) What is // Laissez-faire // ? (b) What is // Social Darwinism // ? We will review the meaning and application of these terms. We will watch the YouTube classic "Battle At Kruger". Whose side does this fit? Social Darwinists, or non-Social Darwinists? Laissez faire or non-laissez-faire?

For the next several questions, you will want to refer to this document: **(20 points)**

(2). The Great Industrialists (Carnegie and Rockefeller for example) were often referred to as either Captains of Industry or Robber Barons. Look at the six scenarios in __Document One__ and follow the directions.

(3) Do Herbert Spencer and J.D. Rockefeller (__Documents Two and Three__) relate to one another? How?

(4) Industrialists would say that they were indeed interested in helping the less fortunate. To this end, Andrew Carnegie (steel) issued his "Gospel of Wealth". Does Andrew Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth (__Document Four__) fit with the ideologies of laissez-faire and Social Darwinism? Explain your answer.

(5) John D. Rockefeller and George Rice (__Document Five__) engaged in a real-life battle over "fairness" in the world of industrialism: What were they arguing over and what were their arguments? Whose side to you agree with most?

Now, let's determine how industrialism affected workers and the extent to which laissez-faire was actually followed when it came to workers:

(6) After viewing PPT slides, discuss what the life an industrial worker must have been like during the industrial age. What options did they have to improve their lives?

(7) Discuss if each of the following is an example of laissez faire: **(15 points)**
 * Matewan Video
 * Coal Strike of 1900 Video
 * Eugenics (Sterilization and immigration laws)

Now, in a short paragraph, answer the question: Was laissez-faire during the age of Industrialism fair? **(10 Points)**
 * To answer this well, you will want
 * To define laissez-faire and fair
 * Be sure to write a clear thesis statement
 * Name __three__ specific facts - names, events, laws - that you would use to prove the thesis made in your intro. Be sure your examples are specific.
 * Please write a short explanation for why you chose your three topics to prove your thesis. I DO NOT WANT AN ESSAY, but just a brief explanation justifying your topic choices relative to your thesis.