Bob La Follette-Claire Haley

Bob La Follette

Claire Haley
Period 2
Source
Video


Robert La Follette was a republican United States senator from Wisconsin, who was in office from 1906 – 1925. He was the Governor of Wisconsin for 5 years. He was best known for reforming the nation's voting system by setting up the direct primary, allowing citizens to select nominees for upcoming elections. He also championed the rights of minorities and advocated women's right to vote, despite the constant struggle.

In his home state, he was convinced industry and railroad interests had too much sway over the party. To counter this, La Follette began building an independent organization within the party that stressed voter control. The party dissidents who joined La Follette became known as "Insurgents" and their opponents within the party were called the "Stalwarts." The Insurgents' call for reform gained more support after the Panic of 1893 shook up the economic, class, and ethnic assumptions held by most Americans.

After securing his senator nomination, he traveled to 61 counties, gave 216 speeches and spoke to 200,000 people." He ended up winning the 1900 race for governor by 100,000 votes. He pressured the state legislature to require each party to hold a direct primary, in which all party members could vote for a candidate to run in the general election. This new idea soon became known as the "laboratory of democracy." The idea spread, and many states started implementing this new principle into their government.

He adamantly opposed U.S. entry into World War I, believing that disputes should be solved peacefully. Although he was accused of being unpatriotic, La Follette believed that America's involvement in the war would end democratic reforms at home. Though critics declared that his opposition to the war was political suicide, La Follette was re-elected to the Senate in 1922. In 1924, he lost the presidential election to Republican Calvin Coolidge. La Follette died the following year.

Claires US group p.2

Articles
Hiring Workers

Effects of Transcontinental Railroad

Dealing with Workers

Life in the Railroads

Transcontinental Railroads

Part 2 Questions
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Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln

Claire Haley

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in Hardin County, Kentucky to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. He grew up in a modest home of pioneers who were well respected in the community. The couple had two other children. When young Abraham was 9 years old his mother died of tremetol. Though both his parents were not educated, he learned how to read. Over a period of years he worked as a shopkeeper, postmaster, and eventually general store owner.  These jobs were what gave Lincoln his social and public speaking skills that he is so well remembered by.

In 1854, Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed states and territories to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery. And it gave rise to the Republican Party. This came as a shock to Lincoln, and immediately wanted to take action. Lincoln joined the Republican Party in 1856. In 1860, a campaign was organized to support Lincoln for the presidency. Many say that Lincoln's nomination was because of his views towards slavery.  Lincoln ended up receiving 180 of 303 Electoral votes.

Before his inauguration in March, 1861, Fort Sumter was under siege in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. On April 12, 1861, the start of America’s most deadly conflict was underway. Lincoln took care of this in a very unexpected way. He distributed $2 million from for war material without Congress approval. On top of that, he called for 75,000 volunteers into military service without a declaration of war.

The first year had passed and hope seemed lost. But Lincoln felt confident enough to reshape the cause of the war from "union" to abolishing slavery. He was reelected, and then on April 9, 1865, the commander of the Army of Virginia, surrendered his forces and the war for all intents and purposes was over. Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. and is remembered today for being one of the best presidents of the United States.

Part 2 Questions

Hiring Workers:
What do you think the attitudes of the owners of the Transcontinental Rail Road were about their workers?  Who do you think they hired?
The owners probably did not look highly upon their workers considering they were lower class. They most likely hired immigrants who would work for minimum wage.

Dealing with Workers
-How do you think working conditions were?
Working conditions were not desirable, they worked outside doing construction, no matter what the weather was. It was also dangerous, and the jobs were high-risk.
-What should an employer do about dangerous working conditions?
He should fix it to make it more safe.
-What should a worker do about dangerous working conditions?
He cant do anything because he has no power, but he could quit or talk to his boss about it.

Life in the Camp
-What do you think the camps where they built the RR's were like?
Very bad, with little support or shelter, and little protection against harsh weather.

The Builders?
-Who do you think built the Rail Roads:  Government, states, or people? The people themselves built the railroads, but it was funded by the government.
-What do you think they did with their money?
Used it for construction, weapons, war materials.

Impact of Transcontinental Rail Road.
-what do you think the impact of the rail road would be?
Transportation would be easier, and more efficient.

Hiring Workers

Hiring Workers

Claire Haley
Period 2


In 1850, a wave of Chinese immigration came through the US. They faced prejudiced, stereotypes, and mislead judgement. There were laws put in place to limit their rights, and no one would hire them. Railroads projects were becoming a huge industry, so the work load started increasing, and more workers were needed. So, they started hiring Chinese workers, who worked alongside their former Irish workers. The result was a pleasant surprise. They found that the Chinese were very hard-working, efficient, and well behaved. The "Celestials" (as what they were nicknamed) began to be harassed by the Irishmen, who felt threatened by their competition. But Crocker and Strobridge made it clear that the Chinese would be treated with respect or they would replace the Irish. After this, Chinese workers flooded the construction sites. However, despite their work ethic and willingness, the Chinese continued to have less pay than the Irishmen. Then one day, Crocker had so much confidence in his workers, that he decided to try for a record by laying 10 miles of track in one day. The project was a success, and Crocker and the workers were praised for their huge accomplishment.

Source: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/tcrr-cprr/