Limiting Big Business Ms. Moran SWBAT: Identify and Explain ways in which the government and society were able to limit the power of big business by researching Supreme Court cases, federal laws and unions to create a pic-collage to share with the class on the importance of each.

Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Rail Road Co. V. Illinois (1886) The Supreme Court decided that States could not regulate commerce that were beyond their boundaries. This was one of the first times The government assumes responsibility for economic affairs it had been previously delegated to the states. As a result states were denied the power to regulate decisions on commerce out of state. This led to the creation of the interstate commerce act.

Munn v. Illinois (1877) the Supreme Court supported state government attempts to regulate railroads. The Court reversed itself in Wabash v. Illinois (1886), ending state regulation of railroads. The Grangers then turned to Congress. In 1887, Congress passed the interstate commerce act, which prohibited railroads from charging different rates to customers shipping goods an equal distance, and other unfair practices.

Interstate commerce act 1877 - federal law which was designed to regulate railroad industry due to its monopolistic practices of price fixing. Required railroad rates to be "reasonable and just" but did not empower the government to fix a specific rate.

Sherman antitrust act Created in 1890. Prohibit certain business activities that the federal government deems to be anti- competitive. Was the first antitrust law.

Labor unions Knights of labor- most important American liberal organization which fought for long-term goals such as equal pay shorter workday and equal opportunities. This union was open to both skilled and unskilled workers women and African-Americans. American Federation of labor-started by Samuel Gompers was open to skilled workers in similar crafts and focused on gaining immediate goals

Union methods of gaining demands Boycotts- refusing to buy products, or going on strike. Collective-bargaining- a verbal agreement i'm on the employers and employees over a disagreement. Blacklist- A list of names given to other companies condemning specific employees. Yellow dog contract-promises made my employees to never join a union.

Famous Strikes in US History http://www.history.com/topics/homestead-strike

YOUR TURN! Textbook reading and questions: In your brown book read pages Answer the questions: