Essential Questions
Has rapid industrial development been a blessing or a curse for Americans?
Rapid industrial development has been a blessing for Americans because it allowed the American economy to grow and it has provided jobs for many Americans. It stimulated the American economy and allowed the country to prosper.
Rapid industrial development has been a curse for Americans because people wanted to move and develop to quickly, people saw the potential for big money and got greedy. If industrial development was slower we could have avoided many of the problems we were faced with if we had time to think and prepare for this change.
Were big business leaders "captains of industry" or "robber barons"?
Big business leaders were captains of industry because without them industrial achievements in America would not have happened. The big business leaders gave jobs to the Americans which allowed industry to grow in the country.
Big business leaders were robber barons, and they became richer and richer their workers got paid less and less, all while working longer. The big business were all about the money. Workers had poor conditions, long hours, and little pay. The big business leaders were "robbing" their employees.
Should businesses be regulated closely by government?
Business should be closely regulated by the government because regulations allow for competition and safe working conditions which would only benefit America. Government regulations would improve the working conditions of the workers and allow them to be paid a living wage which would boost the economy.
Big business should not be regulated by the government, the business leaders should be able to run their business the way that they see fit, with the government regulating everything, they will become to powerful again. That is what we worker hard to get away from. Business owners should have the freedom to do what they feel is best for their business, they are the ones working first hand, and know what is in the best interest for business.
Should businesses be allowed to combine and reduce competition?
If it hurts the workers and they are not working in adequate conditions, no. Workers sometimes aren't even paid. If businesses combine to reduce competition, they can charge an unnecessary, hefty price because of the lack of competition. Folks will have no cheaper alternative and then must buy the pricey item(s). This will simply make the poor even poorer. For those workers who are not paid, they will no longer be able to buy anything due to a higher price. Businesses should not be allowed to do this. (Jack Kehoe)
Can workers attain economic justice without violence?
If big business owners truly considered and cared about the feelings of their workers, they would already have economic justice. For those who do not care, workers must demonstrate against them. So no, violence was necessary for workers to attain economic justice for themselves. (Jack Kehoe)
Has rapid industrial development been a blessing or a curse for Americans?
Rapid industrial development has been a blessing for Americans because it allowed the American economy to grow and it has provided jobs for many Americans. It stimulated the American economy and allowed the country to prosper.
Rapid industrial development has been a curse for Americans because people wanted to move and develop to quickly, people saw the potential for big money and got greedy. If industrial development was slower we could have avoided many of the problems we were faced with if we had time to think and prepare for this change.
Were big business leaders "captains of industry" or "robber barons"?
Big business leaders were captains of industry because without them industrial achievements in America would not have happened. The big business leaders gave jobs to the Americans which allowed industry to grow in the country.
Big business leaders were robber barons, and they became richer and richer their workers got paid less and less, all while working longer. The big business were all about the money. Workers had poor conditions, long hours, and little pay. The big business leaders were "robbing" their employees.
Should businesses be regulated closely by government?
Business should be closely regulated by the government because regulations allow for competition and safe working conditions which would only benefit America. Government regulations would improve the working conditions of the workers and allow them to be paid a living wage which would boost the economy.
Big business should not be regulated by the government, the business leaders should be able to run their business the way that they see fit, with the government regulating everything, they will become to powerful again. That is what we worker hard to get away from. Business owners should have the freedom to do what they feel is best for their business, they are the ones working first hand, and know what is in the best interest for business.
Should businesses be allowed to combine and reduce competition?
If it hurts the workers and they are not working in adequate conditions, no. Workers sometimes aren't even paid. If businesses combine to reduce competition, they can charge an unnecessary, hefty price because of the lack of competition. Folks will have no cheaper alternative and then must buy the pricey item(s). This will simply make the poor even poorer. For those workers who are not paid, they will no longer be able to buy anything due to a higher price. Businesses should not be allowed to do this. (Jack Kehoe)
Can workers attain economic justice without violence?
If big business owners truly considered and cared about the feelings of their workers, they would already have economic justice. For those who do not care, workers must demonstrate against them. So no, violence was necessary for workers to attain economic justice for themselves. (Jack Kehoe)