Option 1: Big Business (Monopolies) and Exploitation of Workers

Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:

• Textbook: Chapter 18, 21, 22
• Lesson
• Minimum of 3 scholarly sources (in addition to the textbook). The sources associated with each topic selection below can be used as part of the 3 scholarly sources.

Optional Resources to Explore
Feel free to review the library guide for scholarly sources and videos at the following link:

• Link (website): History Library Guide (Links to an external site.)

Introduction
The purposes of each case study assignment include the following:

• To hone your abilities to research using scholarly sources
• To advance critical thinking and writing skills
• To compile a response to the prompts provided
• To explore a historical topic and make connections to change over time

Instructions
Pick one (1) of the following topics. Then, address the corresponding questions/prompts for your selected topic. Use at least one (1) documented example of the corresponding primary source in your writing.

Option 1: Big Business (Monopolies) and Exploitation of Workers
View the following resource:

• Link (video): The Progressive Era (Links to an external site.) (27:30)

Browse and read one (1) of the following:

• Link (library article): The Triangle Disaster: How a Fire a Century ago at a New York Clothing Factory Changed U.S. Labor Laws (Links to an external site.)
• Link (library article): The Pullman Strike (Links to an external site.)

Then, address the following:

• Explain if big business leaders were “captains of industry,” “shrewd businessmen,” or “robber barons.”
• Based on one of the resources noted for this option, assess American working conditions and exploitation of workers in the Age of Industry.
• Analyze the role that government played in reforming American working conditions.
• Explain the benefits of the Federal Government regulations of monopolies.
• Analyze which progressive presidents attained economic justice and reform for workers.

Option 2: Who is A Progressive?
Review the following site:

• Link (website): Presidential Election of 1912: A Resource Guide (Links to an external site.)

Then, address the following:

• According to Roosevelt, what are the characteristics of a progressive?
• Explain and give examples of the characteristics of “anti-progressives.”
• Trace what types of activities “anti-progressives” engaged in?
• Analyze the goals of progressivism.
• Explain what areas of society progressives addressed?
• Analyze the progressive achievements Roosevelt highlights in his speech?

Option 3: World War I
Review the following resources:

• Link (video): A War to End All Wars: Part 2 (Links to an external site.) (6:56)
• Link (library article): The Treaty of Versailles and the Rise of Nazism (Links to an external site.)

Then, address the following:

• Trace the origins of World War I, and assess if the world war was inevitable in 1914?
• Explain if it was possible for the United States to maintain neutrality in World War I. If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.
• Analyze if the United States should have entered World War I to make the world safe for democracy.
• Analyze if the Treaty of Versailles was a fair and effective settlement for lasting world peace.
• Explain if the United States Senate should have approved of the Treaty of Versailles.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

• Length: 3-4 pages (not including title page or references page)
• 1-inch margins
• Double spaced
• 12-point Times New Roman font
• Title page
• References page
• In-text citations that correspond with your end references