Progressive+Era+Intro

Before getting too far into the Progressive Era, here are a few thoughts/links you should consider: 1. Not everything associated with big business is "rosy."

2. Taylorism & Fordism 101

3. **This is the main assignment! Please read the excerpt and answer the questions (from #5) in your notes before the next class.** Note: It is easier to read the Zinn excerpt from The People's History of the United States website instead of the document! Start with "As Harry Braverman said..." and finish with "...gavel to open the convention." Here is the document for those who would rather use the document:

4. Howard Zinn, the author from //The People's History of the United States//, will be introduced during the next class.

5. Answer the following questions in your notes (for HW):
 * According to the reading, Taylorism supported simplified, (fill in the blank) jobs.
 * In what ways was the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire (1911) an avoidable catastrophe?
 * (fill in the blanks): In 1904, when the population of the U.S. was 82 million, (fill in the blank) workers were killed on the job. In 1999, when the U.S. Population was approximately 272 million, (fill in the blank) workers were killed on the job. (Use @http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/cfch0005.pdf to help you answer the 1999 question). After filling in the blanks, compare the percentages of workers dying per total population between 1904 and 1999.
 * After the turn of the century, approximately 1.6 million people belonged to the American Federation of Labor (AFL), a prominent labor union. What were the demographics of most who belonged to the AFL? What was the attitude of AFL head Samuel Gompers concerning African Americans joining the AFL?
 * Why does the reading say that racism and the exclusion of women and foreigners by the AFL were “practical?”

6. Wrapping it Up/Checking for Understanding (not for HW--wait until after next class to complete this)
 * In your journals, answer the following question in 1/2 page, single-spaced response:
 * Were poor laborers justified in wanting radical change or should they just have been satisfied with having a job to begin with?
 * Be sure to use specific examples from the reading in your argument. Be sure to have a clear thesis that includes the "why" factor.

Extra article for further interest: A People's History Sells 1,000,000 Copies Thought-provoking ideas: Howard Zinn on "The Point of View of HIstory"