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American History Case Study (ANSWERED)

QUESTION

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

  • Textbook: Chapter 18, 21, 23
  • Lesson
  • Minimum of 3 scholarly sources (in addition to the textbook). The sources associated with each topic selection below can be used as part of the 3 scholarly sources.

Optional Resources to Explore

Feel free to review the library guide for scholarly sources and videos at the following link:

Introduction

The purposes of each case study assignment include the following:

  • To hone your abilities to research using scholarly sources
  • To advance critical thinking and writing skills
  • To compile a response to the prompts provided
  • To explore a historical topic and make connections to change over time

Instructions

Pick one (1) of the following topics. Then, address the corresponding questions/prompts for your selected topic. Use at least one (1) documented example of the corresponding primary source in your writing. (Address all three topics in 3 pages each.)

Option 1: Big Business (Monopolies) and Exploitation of Workers

View the following resource:

Browse and read one (1) of the following:

Then, address the following:

  • Explain if big business leaders were “captains of industry,” “shrewd businessmen,” or “robber barons.”
  • Based on one of the resources noted for this option, assess American working conditions and exploitation of workers in the Age of Industry.
  • Analyze the role that government played in reforming American working conditions.
  • Explain the benefits of the Federal Government regulations of monopolies.
  • Analyze which progressive presidents attained economic justice and reform for workers.

Option 2: Who is A Progressive?

Review the following site:

Then, address the following:

  • According to Roosevelt, what are the characteristics of a progressive?
  • Explain and give examples of the characteristics of “anti-progressives.”
  • Trace what types of activities “anti-progressives” engaged in?
  • Analyze the goals of progressivism.
  • Explain what areas of society progressives addressed?
  • Analyze the progressive achievements Roosevelt highlights in his speech?

Option 3: World War I

Review the following resources:

Then, address the following:

  • Trace the origins of World War I, and assess if the world war was inevitable in 1914?
  • Explain if it was possible for the United States to maintain neutrality in World War I. If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.
  • Analyze if the United States should have entered World War I to make the world safe for democracy.
  • Analyze if the Treaty of Versailles was a fair and effective settlement for lasting world peace.
  • Explain if the United States Senate should have approved of the Treaty of Versailles.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

  • Length: 3-4 pages (not including title page or references page)
  • 1-inch margins
  • Double spaced
  • 12-point Times New Roman font
  • Title page
  • References page
  • In-text citations that correspond with your end references

 

ANSWER

Option 1: Big Business (Monopolies) and Exploitation of Workers

Explain if big business leaders were “captains of industry,” “shrewd businessmen,” or “robber barons.”

Big business leaders were robber barons because their practices were exploitative and unethical. It is inarguable that they were shrewd and innovative. For example, Andrew Carnegie had no steel expertise but was adept in marketing and sales. These skills contributed to his success. Jay Gould, a railroad owner, knew how to satisfy market needs. Knowing businesspeople need railroad access, Gould would buy and renovate old and rundown railroads in those areas. Because small farmers and business owners had no other alternatives, they would pay Gould whatever price he charged for transporting their products.

Although shrewd, these business leaders were unethical. They collaborated to monopolize the market and eliminate competition in their respective industries. For example, Rockefeller manipulated market prices by liaising with Railroad owners to charge his competitors exorbitantly. The transportation costs would force the competitors to sell their products at prices higher than Rockefeller, giving him an upper hand in the market. The monopolization took away opportunities from other business people, making these leaders robber barons. The monopoly also allowed them to charge customers extremely high prices and maximize profits. Therefore, these leaders were robber barons.

Assess American working conditions and exploitation of workers in the Age of Industry.

Workers worked under dangerous conditions because most factories lacked standards for protecting worker safety and health. For example, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory did not have a fire escape, causing the death of hundreds of women and two dozen young men. The factory’s doors were swung inward, and many exits were blocked or malfunctioning. These infrastructural designs trapped the factory’s workers during the fire incident. The Women’s Trade Union League advocated for shorter hours, better treatment by employers, fair wages, and the end of night shifts. These demands imply that factory workers were mistreated by their employers, and they had long working shifts and low wages. Corbett et al. (2016) report that employees worked 12 hours a day, six days a week (p.224). During winter, they would use oil lamps to light the factory, and employees would have to strain their eyes to work.

Additionally, the smoke from the lamp would cause them to cough. The authors also reveal that bosses would use corporal punishment for children and adults (Corbett et al., 2016, p.224). Often children would succumb to the injuries imposed by their bosses.

Analyze the role that the government played in reforming American working conditions.

The government played a crucial role in reforming working conditions in America. It mainly used legislative strategies to change the working conditions of the working class. Corbett et al. (2016) indicate that several states passed various legislative efforts to establish safe workplaces in the country (p.476). For example, the Keating Owen Child Labor Act prohibited child labor, while the Adamson Act mandated an eight-hour shift (Corbett et al., 2016, p.572). The Fair Labor Standards Act, enacted in 1938, established the forty-hour workweek and a minimum wage for all workers. Another Fair Labor Standards Act provision was overtime pay for employees who worked additional hours. Congress also passed the National Labor Relations Act, which gave workers the right to unionize & collectively bargain for their employment rights. These legislations significantly improved the working conditions of workers in the industrial era.

Explain the benefits of the Federal Government regulations of monopolies

Anti-monopoly policies ensure that all market players have equal opportunities to compete. The anti-monopoly regulations allow the government to sanction and penalize the companies that engage in unfair business practices, encouraging market competition. Zelga (2017) indicates that a customer’s needs are best met when competition in a specific market segment. This statement suggests that allowing competition in the market provides customers with diverse product choices, allowing them to choose according to their preferences and needs.

Monopolies often set market prices and product quality. According to Zelga (2017), market monopoly discourages companies from improving their product quality. These companies know that customers have no alternatives; hence, they do not bother meeting their needs. Oligopolistic competition occurs when companies in a particular market segment produce the same product. This competition forces the companies to differentiate their products from their competitors, affecting product features and quality levels (Zelga, 2017). Each company will strive to improve its quality of service to attract more customers.

To sum up, regulating monopoly encourages market competition. Market competition eliminates scarcity, consequently reducing product prices. Also, the market competition encourages the company to invest in product quality.

Progressive Presidents who attained economic justice and reformed workers

President Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson attained economic justice and reformed workers. President Roosevelt influenced the enactment of the Fair Labor Standard Act, which established a minimum wage, prohibited child labor, and mandated overtime for employees who worked more than forty hours a week. President Woodrow Wilson influenced the enactment of the Keating-Owen Act, which banned child labor.

Option 2: Who is A Progressive?

Progressivism is an ideology that focuses on social reforms, including democracy and social justice. A progressive is anyone who champions for social justice, such as keeping women from dangerous machinery, supporting better living conditions or working conditions of workers, protecting the vulnerable from mighty corporations, etc.

According to Roosevelt, what are the characteristics of a progressive?

In 1912, President Roosevelt gave a speech highlighting the characteristics of a progressive. The first characteristic of a progressive is faith. According to Roosevelt, a progressive is someone who believes in righteousness, justice, and goodness. They know that conscience, generosity, and unselfishness do not need intellect or rank (Roosevelt, 1912, para. 2). Regardless of their rank, privileges, or intellect, any person can champion social justice, making them progressives.

Another characteristic of a progressive is selflessness. Roosevelt indicated that progressives are not content with self-gratification. They do not seek only what they consider pleasant or useful for themselves. This statement implies that progressives are selfless individuals who seek honor, good, and justice for everyone, not just themselves.

The third characteristic of a progressive is vision. Roosevelt stated, “We aim to secure the real and not the nominal rule of the people. With this purpose in view, we propose to do away with whatever in our government tends to secure to privilege …” (Roosevelt, 1912, para. 6). This statement demonstrates a commitment to achieving their progressive goals. Therefore, a progressive must be visionary and committed to the course.

The last characteristic of a progressive is bravery. Roosevelt stated that anyone committed to better humankind pledges to an “eternal war” against the few or many. He further comments, “We stand for justice and fair play” (Roosevelt, 1912, para. 6). In this statement, Roosevelt suggests that the fight for justice comes with a price: the war against the tyrants and oppressors. A progressive is willing to pay this price to uplift humankind, a commitment that requires bravery.

Characteristics of “anti-progressives.”

According to Roosevelt (1912), anti-progressives are self-centered, lack sympathy and do not have confidence in people. They also have no passionate conviction. People who believe leaders or people in high places should bring social reforms are also anti-progressive. Roosevelt (1912) said, “men … who believe that all wholesome reforms proceed downward from the educated to the multitudes” are anti-progressives (para.2). Recall Roosevelt indicated that any person, regardless of rank and intellect, can champion social justice. Implicit in this statement is the notion that we all have a universal role in uplifting humankind. Inaction or resistance makes one an anti-progressive.

Another characteristic of anti-progressive is fear. Roosevelt stated that terror qualifies them. Terror means fear. As mentioned earlier, progressivism comes hand in hand with war against tyrants, and any person who displays fear or terror of this war is anti-progressive

The last characteristics of anti-progressives are people who appeal to popular intelligence or popular conscience. For example, instead of doing what is right for humankind, some politicians in the era supported slavery to appeal to or please the masses.

Types of activities “anti-progressives” are engaged in

The first activity involves appeasing or pleasing the masses at the cost of humankind. Roosevelt also stated that their enemies, implying anti-progressives, use brute power and privilege to achieve their goals. He said these people win only by using mercenary politics and crooked financiers to fund their activities. These anti-progressives also control, influence, and own newspapers to support their motives (Roosevelt, 1912, para. 8).

Goals of Progressivism

Roosevelt highlighted two primary progressivism goals: justice for all and direct election of leaders. Justice for all entails fighting against all forms of oppression and exploitation. Roosevelt (1912) indicates that any person, whether a factory worker, a railway worker, or a multi-millionaire, can abuse their privilege and oppress others. Progressivism works to eliminate this oppression and ensure that the country is fit for everyone to inhabit or live.

The second goal of progressivism is to ensure that the public has “real control.” Roosevelt believed that delegates could misrepresent the popular will under the pressure of money or patronage. According to Roosevelt, powerful people can twist delegates from their purpose. The only way to prevent this is by giving citizens the right to nominate candidates themselves. President Roosevelt believed that social and industrial justice will be secure when people have absolute control.

Areas that Progressives Addressed in Society

Progressives addressed industrial or economic areas and social areas. Industrial areas entail minimum wages, working conditions (the number of hours), and employment rights (the right to unionize) of workers. Progressives also addressed industrial practices, such as controlling big businesses and market monopoly. Social areas addressed by progressives include slavery and the living conditions of those in congested areas or large cities. Progressives also focused on civil rights, e.g., women’s right to divorce, suffrage, property rights, etc.

Progressive Achievements

On August 31, 1910, Roosevelt made a speech highlighting progressive political, industrial, and social achievements. Democracy, equality, and the end of slavery are some of the highlighted achievements. He stated an economic system that guaranteed equal opportunities for all people, regardless of race, gender, or nationality.

Option 3: World War I

Origins of World War I

Europe was experiencing political tensions years before the war started. The war erupted after the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This murder happened when nationalists attempted to free Bosnia and Herzegovina from Austro-Hungarian rule. Austro-Hungarian declared war on Serbia with Germany’s help. Germany’s decision to support AustroHungaria violated a treaty with Russia. Fearing Russia and France would attack them, Germany declared war on Russia. Germany also invaded Belgium and attacked Russia’s Ottoman Empire. These diplomatic conflicts caused the war to erupt.

Was the war inevitable?

WW1 was inevitable mainly due to nationalism, intimidating alliances, and militarism. Corbett et al. (2016) indicated that countries had negotiated defense alliances to protect themselves against rivals by the time the war erupted. European nations competed for power over overseas territories and invested heavily in the military. Military supremacy and dreams of owning empires fuelled nationalism and provoked separatist movements in Europe (Corbett et al., 2016, p.609).

This nationalistic movement created conflict between the countries. Because many European countries had formed defense alliances, an attack on any country would have precipitated the war. For example, Austro-Hungarians declared war on Serbia only after receiving assurance of German’s support, demonstrating that the alliances played a vital role in the war. Elsewhere, the Irish were resisting British rule. If the British had moved against the Irish, Irish allies would likely have done what Russia did for Serbia, causing the war. These alliances, nationalism, and militarism made the war inevitable

Explain if the United States could maintain neutrality in World War I.

The United States could not maintain neutrality during the war. Corbett et al. (2016) indicate that true neutrality was difficult, and US’s involvement in the war was inevitable due to myriad factors. First, Great Britain was the US’s trading partner, and their business relations had quadrupled American export earnings from $750 million to $3 billion. In contrast, business relationship with Germany had dwindled, reducing US’s earnings from $350 million to $30 million. Allying with Great Britain was more beneficial to the US.

The US also faced internal pressure from its citizens to engage in war. Businesspeople felt siding with Great Britain was paramount to protect America’s economic interests. Comparatively, German Americans and Irish-Americans felt the country should fight against Great Britain due to historical reasons. However, the majority of Americans sided with Great Britain and its allies.

Thirdly, and most importantly, Germans’ war tactics made it impossible for the US to stay neutral. The country attacked unarmed American freighters to weaken the British economy. In 1917, Germans sank other American ships, causing Democrats and Republicans to pressure Wilson to declare war.

The final element that sealed the US’s decision to get involved was the Zimmermann telegram. The British intelligence intercepted a top-secret telegram of Germans imploring Mexico to fight against the US should it declare war on German. These factors demonstrate that the US’s involvement in the war was inevitable.

Analyze if the United States should have entered World War I to make the world safe for democracy.

The US should have entered WW1 to make the world safe for democracy. President Wilson believed it was the US’s responsibility to make the world safe for democracy. By the time the country entered the war, the Allies were on the brink of defeat. The US should have used this position to advocate for peace and democracy.

Analyze if the Treaty of Versailles was a fair and effective settlement for lasting world peace.

The Treaty of Versailles was unfair and an ineffective settlement for lasting world peace. First, the war was unfair to Germany. The Allies (France, Great Britain, and Italy) used the treaty to exploit Germany (Mallard, 2011). For example, the treaty allowed France and Great Britain to receive substantial monetary reparations and territorial gains from Germany as part of their revenge for being dragged into the war (Mallard, 2011). Other allies also took advantage of the treaty to negotiate territorial expansion and secure strategic interests at the expense of Germany. For example, the Japanese, British, and French took most of the colonial territories that belonged to Germany. France won most of the disputed territory along the German Border.

Secondly, this treaty had a “war guilt clause” that imposed heavy penalties on Germany. This clause forced Germany to pay reparation of over $33 billion to the Allies and take public responsibility for causing the war. The treaty humiliated Germany, fuelling the rise of ultra-nationalists such as Adolf Hitler. These nationalistic sentiments played a massive role in WWI, meaning the treaty did not resolve the underlying issues that caused the war in the first place. The punitive measures outlined by the Treaty against Germans significantly contributed to WW2, which was ineffective in bringing long-term world peace. Thirdly, Germany and its allies were not represented when the treaty’s terms were being made.

Explain if the United States Senate should have approved the Treaty of Versailles.

The US should have approved the treaty. It remained at war with Germany due to its failure to ratify the treaty and shattered the significance of the League of Nations. Joining the League of Nations would have allowed the country to provide global world peace leadership. Many believe these responsibilities would have burdened the country by mandating its extensive intervention. According to critics, signing the treaty would have caused more nations to seek protection from the US, burdening the country. Wawro (2019) counters this opinion, arguing that the US government had adequate resources to facilitate the extensive intervention, including a superior military, strong dollar, and economies of scale. After all, America played the same role in WW2 as in WW1. Also, WW1 proved that the isolationist strategy was ineffective in the face of a global war. Therefore, the US should have approved the treaty and joined the Nation of Leagues to provide global leadership in fostering world peace.

References

Corbett, P. S., Janseen, V., Lund, J., Pfannestiel, T., Vickery, P., & Waskiewicz, S. (2016). US History. OpenStax. https://assets.openstax.org/oscms-prodcms/media/documents/USHistory-WEB.pdf

Mallard, G. (2011). The gift revisited: Marcel Mauss on war, debt, and the politics of reparations. Sociological Theory, 29(4), 225-247. https://www.academia.edu/download/83025123/j.1467-9558.2011.01398.x20220401-18389-1cvv64v.pdf

Wawro, G. (2019, January 18). The Challenges America Faced at Versailles in 1919 Are the Same the U.S. Faces Today. Times. https://time.com/5506810/america-versailles-treaty-today/

Zelga, K. (2017). The importance of competition and enterprise competitiveness. World Scientific News, 72, 189-194. https://yadda.icm.edu.pl/yadda/element/bwmeta1.element.psjd-2586e537-f9c3-43a1-af8c-472a4a2ff351/c/WSN_72__2017__189-194.pdf

Roosevelt, T. (1912). Who is a progressive? https://saintomerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/4.-Yannick-Mireur-Preparatory-Readings-for-Lecture-7-June-2019.pdf

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