Unit+I+-+2011-12+-+Life+at+the+turn+of+the+20th+Century

= = =Life at the turn of the 20th Century=



Our first unit is titled "Life at the turn of the 20th Century." What does this mean we will be studying? How does the picture above relate?
2010-11 Unit on Industrialization & Its Effects 2010-11 Unit on The Progressive Era

*Key terms: capitalism, entrepreneur, industrialization, urbanization, Ellis Island, Progressives, muckrakers, Jacob Riis, 19th Amendment, Sherman Antitrust Act, union, social Darwinism

==A. In the late 19th century (1800s) the American economy underwent major changes. So major that the time period is often called the second industrial revolution. Around this time America saw the start of its modern economy. There were new industries like oil, steel, and automobiles. Electricity was becoming widespread and the first airplane flights were being experimented. There were many new inventions, many new businesses, and many changes to everyday life. Much of this was possible due to the setup of the American economic system: capitalism. What is capitalism? How does it work in America?==

B. How do businesses work? How does a local pizza place operate? What about Nike? How do farmers make their living?

 * ==After brainstorming and discussing the answers to the questions above, please select one big corporation to research and take notes on the history of. Your notes should be in 2-column note format.==
 * ====Possible choices include Nike, McDonald's, Google, Facebook, Coca-Cola, etc.====

==C. During the late 1800s many new businesses emerged and the first major big businesses developed - the first major corporations in American history. One of these was the Standard Oil Company, started by John D. Rockefeller, who is considered the wealthiest American to ever live. How did he do it?==

D. When Rockefeller and others like him were developing these huge businesses and making tons of money, what else was happening in America?

 * ===new types of jobs for many Americans===
 * ===millions of new immigrants came to America===
 * ===cities developed and grew like never before (housing, politics)===
 * ===immigrants, women, and racial minority groups did not have equal rights or opportunities===

What was life like in America at the turn of the 20th century? (problems & positives)
==E. Many people recognized the problems of the times and began to get together to try to fix them. These people became known as the Progressives and their actions became known as the Progressive Movement and the time period became known as the Progressive Era. Who came together and what did they fight for? What did they accomplish?==

F. What is social Darwinism? Is that how life is in America? Is that how it should be?
Example of a Literacy Test