Module 6: A Nation Grows - 1877 to the 1900s
The period after the Civil War was one of major growth and progress. Americans had the feeling of Manifest Destiny, and began expanding into the West. The expansion created a need for a better transportation system and soon the West and East were connected by the railroad. Many new innovations occurred during this time. Thomas Edison perfected the light bulb, Henry Ford began using the assembly line to manufacture cars, and Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.
Immigration and industrialization dominated city life and created an income disparity between the upper- and working-class. Successful businessmen created monopolies by eliminating competition. These same business owners exploited their workers, demanding long hours, low pay, and hazardous working conditions. Women and children even went to work in these dangerous conditions and women still lacked the right to vote. Eventually, the working class would become fed up with the injustices that existed in America and start the Progressive Movement.
While all of the changes in America were taking place, one specific aspect about American culture stayed the same. The South continued to discriminate against African Americans. African Americans migrated out of the South to find work in the cities of the North. Even in the Northern cities segregation occurred. Laws were passed that created “separate but equal” public and private facilities. Women still lacked the right to vote and began working in the textile mills of the North. Their working conditions were dangerous and they worked for little pay.
Getting Started
Imagine you are an immigrant coming to America to seek a better life. Would you migrate towards a large Northern city, or would you take a chance at farming in the West? Explain your reasoning behind your choice. What innovations or inventions would help you to become successful? What challenges will you face?
Based on what you know about life in America after the Civil War, compose a four to five sentence paragraph that answers each of the questions above in your journal. If you need assistance on writing a journal entry, please visit the Developmental Module for more information.
Once you have completed your journal entry, please save it with a file name of mod6_immigration and submit it to the journal dropbox.
Key Vocabulary
To view the definitions for these key vocabulary terms, visit the course glossary.
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