HIS 105 ASSIGNMENT 2

HIS 105 ASSIGNMENT 2

Assignment 2: Industrialization and the Rise of a Regulated Economy 

The United States went through dramatic economic change during and after the Civil War, as industrialization spread rapidly and changed society. This transformation and some of the apparent abuses that developed (monopolistic practices, work conditions, low wages, arbitrary and oppressive expectations) led to an increased role of the government in regulating businesses and society. This role was heightened as government was viewed as the arbiter between business and organized labor. One can explore these developments from 1865 on through to World War II. Examine the statement below and drawing from provided sources, present a paper with specific examples and arguments to demonstrate the validity of your position.

Statement—in which you can take a pro or con position:

• From the start of Progressive era of the late 1800s through the New Deal period in the 1930s, increasing government interventions and regulations of business tended to help the overall economy and the common workers.   (Or you can argue that such interventions and regulations hurt the overall economy and the common workers.)  Use specific examples from different decades—and be sure one of your examples is from the 1930s. 

Here below are two sample Thesis statements—feel free to use either.  Make it the last sentence of your introductory paragraph:   

•          1.  From the late 1800s to the end of the 1930s, increasing government interventions and regulations of business tended to help the overall economy and the common workers.     

•           2. From the late 1800s to the end of the 1930s, increasing government interventions and regulations of business tended to hurt the overall economy and the common workers.

After giving general consideration to your readings so far and any general research, select one of the positions above as your position—your thesis. (Sometimes after doing more thorough research, you might choose the reverse position. This happens with critical thinking and inquiry. Your final paper might end up taking a different position than you originally envisioned.) Organize your paper as follows, handling these issues with this FOUR-PART organization:  

1. The position you choose or something close to it—will be the thesis statement in your opening paragraph. [Usually this is a one paragraph introduction with your thesis statement being the last sentence of the paragraph.]

2. To support your position, use four (4) specific examples from different decades between 1865 and 1940. However, one (1) of your four (4) examples must be from the 1930s.  [This typically takes two paragraphs; and probably will need to have in-text citations in this part of the paper. Note—examples from different decades—including one from the 1930s. Focus on specific examples that support your thesis; you are not summarizing broad trends and periods.]

3. Explain why the opposing view is weak in comparison to yours. [The opposing view holds to the other thesis statement—the one you did not choose.  Don’t be dismissive. No new research needed; just one paragraph of critical thinking suggesting why your thesis/position is stronger than that different view.]

4. Consider your life today: In what way does the history you have shown shape or impact issues in your workplace or desired profession? [This will work as the conclusion paragraph.  Be succinct.  Many of these types of government economic programs, laws, and regulations from this period became a normative part of our economic structure.  Most came from “Progressive” reformers or later from “New Deal” leaders addressing problems of the Great Depression.  They had diverse objectives, such as keeping a competitive environment for businesses, protecting workers and product safety, helping organized labor, shoring up financial institutions and deposits, and providing or subsidizing jobs for the unemployed.]

Length: The paper should be 500-to-750 words in length. 

Research and References: You must use a MINIMUM of three sources; the Schultz textbook must be one of them. Your other two sources should be drawn from the list provided below. This is guided research, not open-ended Googling. 

Source list for Assignment 2: Some sources are “primary” sources from the time period being studied. Some sources below can be accessed via direct link or through the primary sources links on Blackboard. Each week has a different list of primary sources. For others, they are accessible through the permalink to the source in our online library: Sources below having libdatab.strayer.edu as part of the URL have a permalink to that source in our university’s online library.

NOTE: PLEASE USE AS A GUIDE OR REWRITE TO MAKE IT YOURS