The late 19th Century brought wealth and progress to America. However, the debate about the "price" at which they were created in America is an important part of the historiography of American History. The steel magnate, Andrew Carnegie, is a complex figure in a 19th C. American History. A man of incredible wealth, he not only built huge steel mills with the help of cheap labor, but gave millions to support the arts and build libraries.
The issue of labor in America is an important one in understanding the so-called Gilded Age. In response to low wages and poor conditions, workers attempted to create unions in order to improve their lives. Though Carnegie wrote about the need to improve the conditions of labor, his steel plants were not generally labor friendly. In 1892, Carnegie faced a labor uprising at his Homestead Plant outside of Pittsburgh, PA. His reaction and that of his partner Henry Clay Frick was a vital element of American labor history.
Watch the video (stop at 1:32:00) and explain which side was in the right: labor or management. Did Carnegie and Frick react in a justified way? Did the union do a disservice the workers it was meant to represent? Explain your response thoroughly.
http://youtu.be/OktRUbrw_Xo?t=1h2m2s
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Reconstruction
The end of Reconstruction in 1877 brought a return to power of the Southern white Democrat in state governments across the South. Despite the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, southern white Democrats passed Jim Crow Laws to create virtual slavery among the newly freed blacks. Segregation, white supremacy, and Jim Crows Laws became the norm in the South until the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s.
As historians, we need to look at the short and long term effects of Reconstruction and then evaluate it as a whole. In 1965, near the end of his life, the black poet, Langston Hughes (1902-1967), wrote "Emancipation: Long View Negro" as a reaction to Emancipation and Reconstruction.
Read the poem and explain, in approximately 250 words, how you think Hughes evaluates Reconstruction. Make note the date of the poem and why Hughes would write this poem when he did.
As historians, we need to look at the short and long term effects of Reconstruction and then evaluate it as a whole. In 1965, near the end of his life, the black poet, Langston Hughes (1902-1967), wrote "Emancipation: Long View Negro" as a reaction to Emancipation and Reconstruction.
Read the poem and explain, in approximately 250 words, how you think Hughes evaluates Reconstruction. Make note the date of the poem and why Hughes would write this poem when he did.
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