Unit+10+-+Politics+and+Industrialization+in+the+Late+Nineteenth+Century+11-12

__Unit Overview__
toc In this unit, we will be looking at a number of developments in the United States during the late nineteenth century. While the Civil War left a lot of the nation in disarray, both economically and politically, a "land of opportunity" existed for many in the "Old West." In the north, technological innovation led to an industrial revolution of sorts. Also, with much of the political infrastructure in ruins, political corruption was rampant. This unit will focus on the growth of westward expansion, industrialization, and political corruption during the late nineteenth century and examine the consequences of these phenomenons.

__Essential Questions__

 * For whom was westward expansion an opportunity and for whom was it a negative consequence? Why?
 * Why did industrialization take place at this point in time in history? Was this beneficial for America? Why or why not?
 * Was the political corruption that took place during this time period as bad as we make it out to be? For whom did the political machines present more of an opportunity than a negative consequence? Why?

__Class #1 - Intro to Political Corruption in the Late Nineteenth Century **(Block B - Mon., Jan. 9th, Block F - Tues., Jan 10th)**__
Welcome back! I hope that you enjoyed a restful three weeks away from school! Today, we are going to spend some time reflecting on the work that we did during the first semester and then, dive right into the late 1800s by looking at political corruption. The rise of the political machines, or graft, was rampant during this time period. Yet for all of the negative elements that are written about it, there were definitely some who benefited from this phenomenon. We'll look at the origins of the political machines in America and look at the consequences of this. We'll also begin to discuss how one could have rooted out corruption in politics during this time period.

1. Be completely caught up on sleep! 2. At some point over the course of this unit, you will want to skim Chapter 23 in American Pageant.
 * Prior to class, you should:**

1. Reflection on Semester One 2. The Presidents: Grant through Cleveland 3. Discussion: What should have been done to alleviate political corruption during this era?
 * In-Class Activities:**

__Class #2 - Finishing Political Corruption and Industrialization in the Late Nineteenth Century (Block B - Wed., Jan 11th, Block F - Thurs., Jan 12th)__
In this class, we will be looking at another phenomenon in American economic development: The Robber Baron. Is this title truly accurate? What impact did these few individuals have on American society at this time? We'll also look at the link between political corruption and trusts that existed during this time period.

1. Skim the first half of Chapter 24 in American Pageant (pg. 565-580 - stop at "Government Tackles the Trust Evil") 2. Read Chapter 11 in Zinn
 * Prior to class, you should:**

1. Words of Wisdom Discussion 2. Reading Discussion and Q&A - wrap up any loose ends from Chapter 23 3. Debate - Robber Barons on Trial
 * In-Class Activities**

__Class #3 - The New Immigrant Experience (Block B - Thurs., Jan. 12th, Block F - Fri., Jan. 13th)__
With the rise of industrialization across America, rumors of a better life swept across Europe and East Asia, leading to a massive influx of immigration. Was the so-called American Dream more of a pipe dream than a reality for these new immigrants? What challenges laid ahead for these people seeking a better life? How did they adapt to a new land with new customs and people who, oftentimes, didn't really want them here? We'll examine these questions in this class.

1. Read the Primary Document packet handed out during the previous class. 2. Answer the following question in a single sentence of no more than 50 words: "Was the United States justified in limiting immigration during this time period? Why or why not?" Please upload your response to turnitin.com 3. Read the first 12 pages of Chapter 25 in American Pageant. Be sure to cover the first two objectives.
 * Prior to class, you should:**

1. Words of Wisdom Discussion 2. 5 Minute Essay 3**.** Reading Q&A and Round Table Discussion 4. If time - Develop Immigration Action Plans
 * In-Class Activities:**

**__Class #4 - Urbanization and the Response to Industrialization (Block B - Mon., Jan. 16th, Block F -, Tues., Jan 17th)__**
With the rise of immigration and industrialization, there were massive responses on behalf of both the workers and the government as well. City populations rose dramatically and with that came a host of consequences, both positive and negative. Labor unions were formed to combat both corporate greed on behalf of tycoons and to protect jobs from being given to those willing to work for less pay. In looking at all of this, the question to ask is, was industrialization a good thing? Why or why not?

1. Finish reading Chapter 24 in American Pageant. 2. Skim through the rest of Chapter 25 in American Pageant. (In all seriousness, you should not spend more than 20 minutes on this chapter.) 3. Respond to the following prompt in a single sentence of no more than 50 words: Was the growth of huge corporations and great fortunes a successful realization of American principles or a threat to them? Why? Upload your response to Turnitin.com.
 * Prior to class, you should:**

1. Words of Wisdom Discussion 2. Reading Q&A 3. Labor Negotiating Session
 * In-Class Activities**

Note: For the Labor Negotiating Session, we'll be using the Haymarket Affair as the context for this session. An interesting site about this event is [|The Dramas of Haymarket], a website that looks at this in the style of a Greek drama. When looking at this website, take a look at why the affair took place. What, specifically, did the laborers want from their company? Why did these demands come about?

From there, it may be helpful to look at what actually took place by looking at [|The Haymarket Trial of 1886]. Pay particular attention to the signs used to try to get people to attend the strike and the role of the Haymarket Eight. While I find the actual trial incredibly interesting, that will not be the focus of this class. Instead, I want us to look at this as an example of conflict between labor and management.

__Class # 5 - The Old West (Block B - Wed., Jan. 18th, Block F - Thurs., Jan. 19th)__
Much folklore exists about the "Old West." How much of this is true and how much of this is nothing more than an idealized fantasy? For many people, America's expansion into western territories represented hope for a better life while for others, it represented the potential eradication of all that they knew to be normal. At any rate, westward expansion had a profound impact on the nation that America is today and that's what we'll be looking at in this class.

1. Read Chapter 26 in American Pageant. (Note: I will be lecturing on this chapter today, so if things are not clear as you read, be sure to bring your questions to class.) 2. Complete your Unit 10 Timeline and turn it in.
 * Prior to class, you should:**

1. Words of Wisdom Discussion 2. Lecture: The Old West 3. Unit Review for quiz
 * In-Class Activities**

__Class #6 - Unit Quiz and Introduction to the Progressive Era (Block B - Fri., Jan. 20th, Block F - Wed., Jan. 25th)__
1. Review for your quiz
 * Prior to class, you should:**

1. Words of Wisdom Discussion 2. Last Call for Questions 3. Unit Quiz 4. Introduction to the Progressive Era
 * In-Class Activities**

**__Unit Resources__**
Unit 10 Timeline Terms





- Taken from a previous textbook - Taken from a previous textbook

Gilded Age Quiz 1 Gilded Age Quiz 2 Gilded Age Vocab Quiz Populism Quiz 1 Populism Quiz 2 [|Lecture Notes on the Gilded Age from Professor Schultz] Lecture Notes on Populism from Professor Schultz

Side Note from Mr. Wood - Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Wisconsin, has compiled, in my opinion one of the best websites available dealing with US History from Reconstruction to the Present. He was also, by no coincidence, my history professor as an undergraduate student for an introductory course in US History and was one of the inspirations from whom I draw on in creating my course. Please take the time to go through his website (available at [|American History 102 - 1865-Present]) as there is extraordinary amount of information on a wide variety of topics.