UNIT 2: THE GILDED AGE AND THE PROGRESSIVE ERA

Unit Overview  5 weeks – now through 10/30  Big questions:  How did America become a wealthy, modern nation?  How was America’s newfound wealth distributed?  How did people react to the problems associated with industrialization?  Why weren’t you invited to Mr. Starling’s wedding?

Unit Overview  Assessments:  Industrialization DBQ – 10/8  Progressives research project/presentation – week of 10/19  Expect some quizzes, too  Benchmark 1 is 10/28 to 10/30

INDUSTRIALIZATION AND INEQUALITY

Statistics on the Gilded Age (pp )  Find evidence to support these statements:  “The US became a modern nation between 1865 and 1914.”  “The US became a wealthy nation between 1865 and 1914.”  With your partner: How do you think this affected inequality in American society? (Who won from industrialization?)

How do you think people in the Gilded Age justified this much inequality? With your partner:

Three terms for you  Laissez-faire economics – belief that the government should stay out of the economy  Philanthropy – giving money away to charities  Social Darwinism – belief that helping “weaker” people ultimately weakens the human race

“The Gospel of Wealth” (p. 52)  According to Carnegie, what should the wealthy do with their money?  According to Carnegie, should there be limits on how rich people can be? Why or why not?

Sumner on Social Darwinism (p. 53)  How does Sumner explain inequality?  According to Sumner, what will happen if the government tries to help poor people?