The migration from rural areas to the cities had many effects on urban society.
People moved to the cities because with the advancement of technology and the merging of farming companies, there were less jobs available for people in rural areas (p.469). Supposedly, there were lots of jobs available in the cities, so people flocked there.
Rapid urban growth caused some problems. One problem was the lack of transportation, which they improved with innovations in mass transit (p.470), but still, there was the problem of the lack of space for so many people. Many families would be crammed into one tiny house, which led to sanitation issues (p.470). Crime rate also rose with the increase in population, as did the risk and occurence of fires, kindled by the many, many wooden houses (p.471). A shortage of water was also an issue. Not only did that worsen the fire situation, but people did not have enough clean water to drink (p.470). Another big problem was the (limited) amount of jobs available. With that many people all in one area, a certain number of jobs only went so far. The native-born Americans got angry at the immigrants for taking their jobs, and turmoil stirred (sct.1).
Blacks were also affected by the migration. They were all farmers, and lost their jobs when demand for human labor on farms decreased. Even in the north, they were discriminated against and it was hard for them to get jobs. On the other hand, some whites prospered from the migration. The farm owners had their machines - which were cheaper than hiring help - to keep their farms up, and the businessmen in the north could use the cheap labor of the new immigrants and desperate job-seekers.
The migration of people from the rural areas to the cities benefitted some people and hurt others.
Monday, September 24, 2007
ch.15 sct.2 C.T.#4
The settlement houses had the most impact. By providing shelter and support for poor people, the settlement houses helped solve one of the biggest problems in cities:poverty. Not only did the houses give people a home, but offered them classes that could help them adapt to the culture and take care of themselves. Healthcare was also provided for the sick who did not have enough money to get it by themselves. Financial support such as insurance was also made available to widows and others in desperate need.
By 1910, about 400 settlement houses were operating in cities across the U.S. Many immigrants, as well as African Americans, who were suffering from racial discrimination, took refuge in these settlment houses. The houses had a great impact on the U.S. by helping improve the huge issue of poverty (which led to the issues of poor health, ect.).
(all details from p.472)
By 1910, about 400 settlement houses were operating in cities across the U.S. Many immigrants, as well as African Americans, who were suffering from racial discrimination, took refuge in these settlment houses. The houses had a great impact on the U.S. by helping improve the huge issue of poverty (which led to the issues of poor health, ect.).
(all details from p.472)
ch.15 sct.1 C.T.#4
The massive influx of immigrants to the U.S. in the late 1800's had both positive and negative effects on America.
Since there were so many new workers willing to work for low wages, factories could afford to hire many workers and produce more stuff faster. The Japenese immigrants worked on the railroads, which then grew much faster (p.461). This provided more transportation for the country, thus widening the path for industrialization and westward settlement.
The huge amounts of immigrants also provoked stress and tension between people fighting for jobs. Many foreign people thought that America had tons of open jobs to offer, and were surprised when they got here and that was not quite the case (~p.462). Since they would accept lower wages, white Americans (native-born) were worried that the immigrants would take all the available jobs. The Americans also did not accept the different languages and cultures of the foreigners; they thought the immigrants threatened the American way of life, and wanted the immigrants to leave (p.464). This tension between people brought America into inner turmoil and unrest; the people were beginning to get upset.
Since there were so many new workers willing to work for low wages, factories could afford to hire many workers and produce more stuff faster. The Japenese immigrants worked on the railroads, which then grew much faster (p.461). This provided more transportation for the country, thus widening the path for industrialization and westward settlement.
The huge amounts of immigrants also provoked stress and tension between people fighting for jobs. Many foreign people thought that America had tons of open jobs to offer, and were surprised when they got here and that was not quite the case (~p.462). Since they would accept lower wages, white Americans (native-born) were worried that the immigrants would take all the available jobs. The Americans also did not accept the different languages and cultures of the foreigners; they thought the immigrants threatened the American way of life, and wanted the immigrants to leave (p.464). This tension between people brought America into inner turmoil and unrest; the people were beginning to get upset.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
ch.15 sct.1 C.T.#3
Asians, especially Chinese immigrants, faced the greatest challenges in the U.S. Right from the start, they had a more difficult time getting into the country at Angel Island, where they were harshly questioned and detained in filthy places for a long time (p.463), but most of the Europeans who were admitted at Ellis Island had only to wait about 5 hours. Prior to arriving in America, the Asian immigrants had to travel on a ship for about 3 weeks, whereas the European journey was only about 1 week (p.462).
Chinese people spoke a completely different language, and had a completely different culture than the "Americans." The Americans didn't like the customs of the Asian immigrants and thought of them as threats to the American way of life (p.464), and the Asians did not understand American culture/customs. The Chinese had a hard time communicating with the English-speaking Americans, which made it harder to get jobs and just cooperate in everyday life.
The Americans thought that Anglo-Saxons were superior to other ethnic groups, and objected to the religious beliefs of other races (p.464). Nativism was one resonse to the growth of immigration. Labor unions feared that jobs would go to Chinese immigrants, who would accept lower wages. Leaders of labor unions went around giving anti-Chinese speeches. In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which banned almost all Chinese immigrants, and later this law was extended indefinitely, until it was finally repealed in 1943. (from "nativism" on: p.465)
Although all immigrants faced hardships, Chinese immigrants faced the greatest challenges in the United States. They faced harsh travel and admission conditions, foreign obstacles, and racial predjudices.
Chinese people spoke a completely different language, and had a completely different culture than the "Americans." The Americans didn't like the customs of the Asian immigrants and thought of them as threats to the American way of life (p.464), and the Asians did not understand American culture/customs. The Chinese had a hard time communicating with the English-speaking Americans, which made it harder to get jobs and just cooperate in everyday life.
The Americans thought that Anglo-Saxons were superior to other ethnic groups, and objected to the religious beliefs of other races (p.464). Nativism was one resonse to the growth of immigration. Labor unions feared that jobs would go to Chinese immigrants, who would accept lower wages. Leaders of labor unions went around giving anti-Chinese speeches. In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which banned almost all Chinese immigrants, and later this law was extended indefinitely, until it was finally repealed in 1943. (from "nativism" on: p.465)
Although all immigrants faced hardships, Chinese immigrants faced the greatest challenges in the United States. They faced harsh travel and admission conditions, foreign obstacles, and racial predjudices.
Monday, September 17, 2007
ch.14 sct.3 C.T.#3
I think 19-century tycoons are best described as effective captains of industry, although a lot of what they did was ruthless.
Their management tactics and business strategies, although a bit harsh, were very effective. Rockefeller payed his employees very low wages, which wasn't nice, but it DID help his company get rich. Forming a trust may have interfered with free trade, but it was smart, and once he controlled the competition, he got lots of money by raising the prices that people had to pay (p.449). These tycoons did interfere with "free trade," especially with the smaller businesses, but they helped create copetition that led to more development. According to the Social Darwinism theory, they also helped the economy rid itself ofthe weaker businesses (p.448). The tycoons had a ruthless, but effective attitude toward competition. They would use tactics to grow larger than other companies, then buy the smaller companies (p.448-449). Once they had bought the other company, they would offer jobs to the people from the old company, which wasn't "nice" (rubbing it in their faces), but it was a smart business move. The tycoon would eliminate its competition of other companies, but then encourage competition among his assistants, as Carnegie did (p.448). Although the tycoons of the 19th century were pretty ruthless, they were very effective captains of industry.
Their management tactics and business strategies, although a bit harsh, were very effective. Rockefeller payed his employees very low wages, which wasn't nice, but it DID help his company get rich. Forming a trust may have interfered with free trade, but it was smart, and once he controlled the competition, he got lots of money by raising the prices that people had to pay (p.449). These tycoons did interfere with "free trade," especially with the smaller businesses, but they helped create copetition that led to more development. According to the Social Darwinism theory, they also helped the economy rid itself ofthe weaker businesses (p.448). The tycoons had a ruthless, but effective attitude toward competition. They would use tactics to grow larger than other companies, then buy the smaller companies (p.448-449). Once they had bought the other company, they would offer jobs to the people from the old company, which wasn't "nice" (rubbing it in their faces), but it was a smart business move. The tycoon would eliminate its competition of other companies, but then encourage competition among his assistants, as Carnegie did (p.448). Although the tycoons of the 19th century were pretty ruthless, they were very effective captains of industry.
ch.14 sct.2 C.T.#4
The government was eager to promote the growth of railroads in order to encourage settlement of the west and economic growth. Governments always want the country to advance and develop, and moving more people west would lead the country to development (p.442). There was good land in the west that the government wanted the people to farm so they could make money. If the people have more money, that means the country does too, which means the government then has more money too. If people had easier transportation to take them west and transport their goods to market, they would be more likely to go. And if more people were selling more goods, the markets would enlarge, and that combined with taking advantage of the available natural resources (not only land but oil, ect.), would lead to industrial growth. Railroads would also lead to the growth of new towns and markets along its paths, furthering the development of the west, and thus the country. To encourage the settlement and growth of the nation, the government was eager to give land and loans to the railroad companies to promote their growth.
ch. 14 sct.1 C.T.#5
I think the invention of electricity had the greatsest impact on society, although the other inventions such as steel had great impact too.
Electricity had many effective applications. It was used for light bulbs, powering machines, electric streetcars, and more (p.438). Steel also had many applications, but not as many as electricity, because many, many different types of machines ran on electricity.
Electricity also had a great impact in the home and peoples daily lives. It powered many time-saving appliances (p.438) such as sewing machines, telephones, and typewriters. These allowed people to work at home and opened up many jobs for women in offices (p.439). Electricty and the inventions that stemmed from it affected the workplace by allowing people to work faster from the home and in the workplace. It did much of the work that had been being done by manual labor, so it reduced peoples work hours and backbreaking labor. Electricity also took some of the need away for manual laborers, which some people did not like (p.439). One of the biggest effects of electricity on the workplace was that factories no longer had to be on rivers; they could spread over the land in city areas. This caused industry to grow very rapidly (p.439).
The invention of electricity had the greatest impact on society at that time, affecting both the workplace and peoples daily lives (in the home) greatly.
Electricity had many effective applications. It was used for light bulbs, powering machines, electric streetcars, and more (p.438). Steel also had many applications, but not as many as electricity, because many, many different types of machines ran on electricity.
Electricity also had a great impact in the home and peoples daily lives. It powered many time-saving appliances (p.438) such as sewing machines, telephones, and typewriters. These allowed people to work at home and opened up many jobs for women in offices (p.439). Electricty and the inventions that stemmed from it affected the workplace by allowing people to work faster from the home and in the workplace. It did much of the work that had been being done by manual labor, so it reduced peoples work hours and backbreaking labor. Electricity also took some of the need away for manual laborers, which some people did not like (p.439). One of the biggest effects of electricity on the workplace was that factories no longer had to be on rivers; they could spread over the land in city areas. This caused industry to grow very rapidly (p.439).
The invention of electricity had the greatest impact on society at that time, affecting both the workplace and peoples daily lives (in the home) greatly.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
current events: summary 1
In East Africa, many things are going on in the world of economic policies.
Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania have agreed to implement a trade pact on january 1, that includes "The Common External Tariffs" and is supposed to help boost trade. Their goal is to eventually establish a common market, allow goods to pass between the three countries tax-free, lead to a common currency, and eventually a political confederation. The three countries' farm-based economiesare considered stable compared to their war-devasated countries, and Kenya is considered to have a more developed industrial base, so to compensate for this, according to the East Africa Community Customs Union, Kenya will pay duty on its goods entering Tanzania and Uganda for 5 years. The Customs union will also enable businessmen to freely access an enlarged market of more people and more money.
Joining the East African Community are the countries of Rwanda and Burundi, and their membership will take effect from July first. Consultations on forming a political union are also under way.
There is no duty on goods exchanged between countries in the E.A.C., making the movement of goods across the region cheaper. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have all reported increased revenues since the launching of the customs union, so it seems to be working.
Plans for further integration are being made, including an East African common market, a single currency, and a federal president and government.
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have also unveiled budgets that will hopefully keep hefty deficits in check and reduce their reliance on aid. In Kenya, the public deficit has risen since lasy year. The three countries hope to raise taxes and boost tourism in order to help narrow the budget gaps. Unfortunately, joining the Customs Union, which will mean the abolition of customs duties, an important source of revenue for the countries, could cause difficulties in the short term.
Kenya, Tanzania, and many other African countries rely heavily on tourism as a source of revenue, but with the recent terror attacks, tourism is declining because tourists do not feel safe traveling there. Afican countries are attending the World Tourism Conference, along with their other attempts to encourage western tourists to return.
In East Africa, many countries are suffering from declining tourism. Some have widening public deficits, or are having trouble trading with each other because of duties, uncommon currencies, ect. Some efforts to boost the economy include making budgets and forming the East African Community.
- info. from BBC News (online)
*
Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania have agreed to implement a trade pact on january 1, that includes "The Common External Tariffs" and is supposed to help boost trade. Their goal is to eventually establish a common market, allow goods to pass between the three countries tax-free, lead to a common currency, and eventually a political confederation. The three countries' farm-based economiesare considered stable compared to their war-devasated countries, and Kenya is considered to have a more developed industrial base, so to compensate for this, according to the East Africa Community Customs Union, Kenya will pay duty on its goods entering Tanzania and Uganda for 5 years. The Customs union will also enable businessmen to freely access an enlarged market of more people and more money.
Joining the East African Community are the countries of Rwanda and Burundi, and their membership will take effect from July first. Consultations on forming a political union are also under way.
There is no duty on goods exchanged between countries in the E.A.C., making the movement of goods across the region cheaper. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have all reported increased revenues since the launching of the customs union, so it seems to be working.
Plans for further integration are being made, including an East African common market, a single currency, and a federal president and government.
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have also unveiled budgets that will hopefully keep hefty deficits in check and reduce their reliance on aid. In Kenya, the public deficit has risen since lasy year. The three countries hope to raise taxes and boost tourism in order to help narrow the budget gaps. Unfortunately, joining the Customs Union, which will mean the abolition of customs duties, an important source of revenue for the countries, could cause difficulties in the short term.
Kenya, Tanzania, and many other African countries rely heavily on tourism as a source of revenue, but with the recent terror attacks, tourism is declining because tourists do not feel safe traveling there. Afican countries are attending the World Tourism Conference, along with their other attempts to encourage western tourists to return.
In East Africa, many countries are suffering from declining tourism. Some have widening public deficits, or are having trouble trading with each other because of duties, uncommon currencies, ect. Some efforts to boost the economy include making budgets and forming the East African Community.
- info. from BBC News (online)
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Sunday, September 9, 2007
ch.13 sct.3 C.T. #3
I think the most significant factors in bringing an end to the Populist Party were their policy on the monetary system and their third-party status (and quite obviously the election of McKinley, but that was an effect of these causes). If the Populist Party had their way and the monetary system was based on both silver and gold, money would lose a lot of value. I think a lot of people (not in the populist party) wouldn't like the fact that everyone would have money, but it would be worthless (kind of on p. 428), causing inflation, which most people didn't want. So people not in the Populist Party (people who were consumers, not farmers) wouldn't like their monetary policy, and the Populist Party wouldn't get much support. Also, the Populist Party was a "new" party, and it wasn't as big or firm as the Democratic or Republican parties. I think the fact that it (the party) was so undecided (they didn't know whether to join with the sympathetic major parties, or to nominate their own canidates: p. 428) kept it a small, "third-party-status" party. Although their main source of support came basically only from farmers, farmers made up a good portion of the country then, so I don't think that was one of the most significant factors in bringing an end to the Populist Party. I also don't think that their popular participation policy was a significant factor. I would think most people would be happy to have a bigger voice in electing U.S. senators and letting the majority choose (if the policy means what I think it does). I believe that the Populist Party's monetary policy and their third-party status were the most significant factors in bringing an end to the party.
ch.1 sct.1 C.T.#3
Government efforts to promote settlement of the Great Plains was very successful, even if they weren't quite as successful as the government had hoped they would be. The population of the Great Plains grew as hundreds of thousands of families migrated west, lured by huge pieces of cheap, fertile land. An example of this was Esther Clark Hill's family, who lived on the prairie, farming, hunting, and raising animals (p. 420). The government encouraged railroad building, giving out land grants for laying track, and these competing railroads helped the economy by providing transportation for people and their goods (cattle, crops), drawing many, many people to the west (p. 420-421). When Congress passed the Homestead Act, offering lots of free, fertile land in the west, there was a huge land rush of people trying to stake out and claim their land. Almost 600,000 families took advantage of the offer and settled into the land from 1862 to1900 (p. 421). So, the government successfully made efforts to promote westward settlement by encouraging railroads and giving out free land in the Homestead Act, drawing thousands and thousands of people out to the westand greatly increasing the population of the Great Plains.
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