Chapter+18-19+PPT+2023-24 (1)

Industrialism, Change, and the Progressive Era

Economic development due to railroads.
Nostalgic view of the pre-Civil War South termed "Lost Cause" that idealizes slavery.
- Characterization of slaves as happy and owners as kind.
- Motivated by a fear that the younger generations may not remember this perspective.

Common customs include deference towards White people, such as:
- Stepping aside on sidewalks for Whites.
- Addressing Whites as Mr. or Miss while they are called by first names.
- Avoiding handshakes with Whites.
- Black men removing hats in the presence of Whites.
Racial segregation in public spaces; Whites and Blacks do not engage socially.
- White people avoid downtown areas on Saturday afternoons, while Blacks shop there.

Lynching occurred frequently from 1889-1918, with statistics showing:
- Mississippi: 373 lynchings
- Georgia: 386 lynchings
Common pretexts included accusations of rape or political activism.
Lynching events served as public spectacles attracting family gatherings for picnics.
- Involved grotesque mutilations, corpses being cut and sold as souvenirs.

The song illustrates the horrors of lynching in poetic form:
- Evokes imagery of nature contrasted with gruesome realities.
- Reflects on the Southern landscape stained by violence and oppression.

Farmers express feelings of powerlessness against large corporations.
- Railroads and banks profit significantly while farmers struggle.
- Farmers feel marginalized by modernization and perceive themselves derogatorily as "hayseeds."
Desire for an "easy money" policy to alleviate debts through increased money supply.

Workers face challenges against giant corporations:
- Issues of poor pay, long hours, and hazardous working conditions.
- Child labor is prevalent.
Governmental bodies often support corporations, undermining labor rights.
Wealthy elites maintain significant influence in governmental matters, dismissing poor workers' interests.

Great Railroad Strike of 1877:
- Nationwide protests leading to federal troop intervention.
- Resulted in deaths and the rise of labor unions like the Knights of Labor.
Homestead Strike (1892):
- Involvement of strikebreakers (scabs) and Pinkerton agents.
- Violent state response with militia deployment.
Triangle Shirtwaist Fire (1911):
- A catastrophic fire in a garment factory leading to significant casualties.
- Prompted safety regulation reforms.

a** William Jennings Bryan's Campaign (1896)**:

Opponent to the gold standard, advocating for "free silver."
Famous quote emphasizing the need to prevent oppression of labor through monetary policy.

Rapid population growth between 1870 and 1900:
- From 40 million to 75 million people; 2/3 due to natural births, 1/3 due to immigration.
- Significant growth of urban centers; emergence of larger cities (e.g., Chicago, Philadelphia, New York).

Rise of political machines that traded favors for votes, exemplified by Boss Tweed in NYC.
While inefficient, these machines assisted immigrants in finding jobs and housing.

Critiques of social conditions:
- Slums considered man-made, thus change is possible.
- John Dewey challenged Social Darwinism, advocating for government intervention to aid the poor.
Muckrakers:
- Investigative journalists like Upton Sinclair raised awareness about corruption:
- Sinclair’s "The Jungle" led to the establishment of the FDA.

Recognition that existing laws were inadequate to manage wealth distribution or trust corporations.

Prosecuted the Northern Securities Railroad monopoly and enhanced race relations symbolically.

Established the Federal Reserve and introduced income tax on the wealthy to support the economy.

Limited success on child labor and race issues, allowing segregation in federal government.