Unit 4 – Developing the American Nation-State
With the nation-state politically secure, the nation focused on industrialization and the development of an interdependent national market. Using the philosophy of Social Darwinism, industrialists justified their creation of monopolies and exploitation of labor and resources. Big business control of government, combined with their monopolistic practices, resulted in rising protests from farmers, laborers, and radical critics of laissez-faire capitalism. Workers and farmers sought improvement in their conditions through organization and political action, but African-Americans and immigrants had few opportunities for improving their lot. Problems that developed during the Gilded Age set the agenda for change in the Progressive Movement of the early 20th Century.
By the end of this unit, you should be able to answer the following basic questions:
- What accounts for America's transition to industrialism in the later 19th century?
- How did businessmen try to stabilize the growing chaos in the American economy in the late 1800's?
- What was the impact of urbanization in the late 19th century?
- How did big business control the national government at the expense of the masses during the Gilded Age.
- How did big business justify monopolies and exploitation of society?
- How did extreme actions of industrialists produce extreme proposals for reform?
- Why did early labor unions fail to gain wide acceptance?
- To what extent were the problems of farmers during the Gilded Age attributable to big business?
- To what extent did the Populists predict the future?
- Booker T. Washington's programs created more realistic opportunities for reform that did those of W.E.B. DuBois. Assess the validity of this position.
- How did the decorative and fine arts of the Gilded Age reflect the values of the era?
Norton chapters 18 – 20
AMSCO chapters 17 – 19
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