Alice Paul and Lucy Burns

Hey everyone! Today we finished the Temperance Movement leading into the enactment of Prohibition in 1920. We also discussed the beginnings of the women's suffrage movement. We debated arguments for and against women's suffrage during the time period. We also looked at one of the most prominent organizations, the National American Women's Suffrage Association (NAWSA). This organization used peaceful methods to pressure state and national governments to allow women to vote.

Many women, especially the younger generation, became impatient about the progress of peaceful protest. Influenced by the British women's suffrage movement, American suffragettes began to use more radical methods to gain the right to vote.

For homework, you are to research two of the most interesting leaders during this time period: Alice Paul and Lucy Burns. Please gather information about these two and the different methods they used. We will discuss this in the beginning of next class.

Your test on the Progressive Era is going to be on the Thursday after Thanksgiving. Please email me if you have any questions. Have a great weekend!

~Mr. Mazur

Periods 1-2: Trust busting

Hey everyone. Yesterday we discussed the fundamental ideas of trusts and basic information on trust busting. For homework, you are to research the company that I provided you with and research how they grew during the 1890s and the results of the court cases against them (in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act). Please email me if you have any questions or concerns.

~Mr. Mazur

Periods 3-4: Conservation and Muckraking

Hey everyone! Yesterday we discussed the impact of trusts on the nation and the ideas of trust busting (Theodore Roosevelt). Theodore Roosevelt took an active stance against businesses he felt were harmful to society. Roosevelt also believed that the unregulated expansion of businesses and the destruction of the environment was a problem. For homework, you are to read the article on conservation during the Roosevelt presidency. Please answer the following questions in your notebook. We will discuss more in detail during Wednesday's class.

1.) What evidence does the article give for Roosevelt's love for science before his presidency?

2.) What was the impact of rapid industrialization on nature and the environment?

3.) What was the Boone and Crockett Club and how did they further the ideas of conservation?

4.) What were the policies of Roosevelt regarding conservation during his presidency?

5.) How did Roosevelt continue studying science and animals after his presidency?

Also, your muckraking articles are due tomorrow. I will provide an opportunity for students who would like to present.

~Mr. Mazur

Child Labor

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is having a great day! Yesterday we discussed the working conditions within the factories and also the impact of child labor. We discussed how many reformers pushed for state and national laws to stop such practices, but many of the laws were repealed. Child labor and working conditions will not be fully addressed by the nation until the 1930s.

Today we have child labor laws to prohibit children from working certain hours and they must be a certain age. We also have laws that establish a minimum wage. Although we do have national restrictions, some argue that the restrictions are starting to be repealed.

For homework, you are to read the article I handed out about child labor laws. Please read it and answer the following questions. I will check to make sure you wrote the answers fully in your notebooks.

1.) What do you believe is the bias of the author? Why do yo believe so? Explain using specific instances within the article.

2.) How does the author argue that child labor laws are beginning to break down? What evidence does the author give?

3.) The author presents many valid points within the article. Do you believe some of the restrictions for kids should be decreased? Argue your point by using examples or details.

Please remember that your muckraker assignments are due next week. For the Periods 1-2 class, the assignment is due on Monday. For Periods 3-4, the assignment is due on Wednesday. Please email me with any questions or concerns. Have a great weekend!

~Mr. Mazur

Periods 1-2: Government Reform

Hey everyone! Today we discussed various innovations and inventions that were created during the Progressive Era. These inventions were made to make life easier and more efficient for all. This idea is going to spill into politics. We learned about the three types of government systems that became common during this time period: the commission system, the mayor-council system, and the council-manager system.

In response to government corruption at the time (including the influence of political machines in local, state, and national government), people also began to push for more reforms that forced government to include participation of voters. Among these were ideas that allowed voters to create and vote on legislation, as well as remove political figures. The following are examples:

1.) Initiatives- A concept in which citizens could petition the government to vote on a specific law. If a certain amount of people support the initiative, legislators must take the issue and vote on it.

2.) Referendums- A concept in which citizens (if a certain amount are in support) can take a law that has been passed and force the legislators to submit it to the public for a vote.

3.) Recall- a concept in which citizens (if a certain amount are in support) can force the government to hold a special election to remove a political figure before his/her term has ended.

As we can see, this allows the public to have more representation within local governments.

After this long blog post, here is your assignment: you must research and find the answers to the following questions. I will check and discuss next class.

1.) What type of government system (one of the three we have discussed) does your town have? How is your local government organized? Is your local town government effective in passing laws and achieving its goals?

2.) Research a recent event (within the past 5 months or in the near future) in which the referendum, initiative, or recall was used) and explain the results

3.) We have discussed how local and state governments became more involved with the American public. By the 1910s, the national government also increased the public's power over representation. Please research the 16-17th Amendments and explain how each one either created a more efficient government or decreased the power of corrupt governments).

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me! Have a great day!

~Mr. Mazur

P.S.- Your muckraker assignments are due on Monday. Please make sure you abide by the school rules and keep these projects school-appropriate. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me.

Periods 3-4: Muckraking

Hey everyone. Today we learned about the various inventions and innovations that were created during the Progressive Era. We also discussed the impact of Upton Sinclair's book, "The Jungle."

For homework, you have an assignment that is going to be due on Wednesday, November 9. We learned about various muckrakers and the issues that they exposed in society. It is now your turn to think of problems in our society that you would like to research and "expose." What societal issues need to be addressed and changed? You are to write journalism piece on the issue, exposing it for the class to see. Please make sure that you keep these issues school appropriate and do not do anything that would get you in trouble. School guidelines still apply!