Unit 5: Gilded Age
Trigger Words: http://www.studyblue.com/#flashcard/view/4541862
Timeline:
Primary Source: American President Grover Cleveland (1837–1908)http://millercenter.org/president/cleveland
This source was a factual summary of President Grover Cleveland's life in brief. It included his date of birth/death, political party, career, religion, marriage, children, nickname, term, and education, which was informational for quick research. It also explains his presidential career in brief, from his bachelor years as president to marriage as well as his legacy.
This source explains how President Grover Cleveland happened to fall into the pit of politics and how he was asked to run for mayor, rather than the other way around. As mayor, Cleveland exposed city corruption and earned such a reputation for honesty and hard work that he won the New York gubernatorial race in 1882. However, despite his achievements, Cleveland was accused of a sex-scandal and faltering a child out of wedlock. In the following presidential election, despite the fact that Cleveland won the popular vote, he lost the Electoral College and lost the election to the Republican candidate. Emily V. |
Primary Source:The Musical Saga of Homesteadhttp://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5322/
Summary: This source is a list of songs that the homestead strikers would sing. The songs complain about the working conditions and law wages of the jobs. They also portray the frustration of the people. The songs resembles an accurate depiction of the work environment at that time. They also describe how some people get killed because of the working conditions they have to deal with. Analysis: These songs were sang but angry workers protesting for their right to work with respect and care. The songs were to attract the governments attention and show the conflicts workers had to deal with to keep food one their tables. The purpose of these songs were to signify and make it known the ridiculous working regulations that had to be followed. The songs are about the poor working conditions and how unfair it is. The creators of these songs seem frustrated and fed up with how the government is treating people who are working to survive. Cathy L. |
Primary Source:Baseball in America
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Primary Source: Attack on the Meatpackers
http://college.cengage.com/history/us/kennedy/am_pageant/12e/students/primary/meat.htm This article by Upton Sinclair, the same writer of "The Jungle," heavily criticized the meat industry. In this source he comments of the "endless horrors" of the industry. For example, he writes about how people feel comforted after seeing meat inspectors thinking they are protected from diseased meats, but he says these hundred and sixty-three inspectors had been appointed by the packers and they were paid by the government only to be sure that all diseased meat was kept in the state. In other words, the diseased meat could still be sold in the city. He details the process of "deviled ham." Made out of waste ends of smoked beef that were too small, plus tripe, dyed with chemicals to that it wouldn't show white. Men welcomed tuberculosis, as it made the cattle fatten quicker, yielding diseased, unsanitary meat faster. He explains that the chemicals are so bad that a minor scrape can kill a man.
In short, Sinclair is showing and explaining the rarely seen conditions that these men work in and the terrible state of the food put on people's plates everyday. This certainly frightened people, and it brought national attention to the meat packing industry. Government regulation became more prevalent, and inspectors were present at most times to be sure the items put into the meat were not potentially harmful, or gut-wrenching. Sean Gibson |