Question

u.s. history guided reading assignment
hour __ date ____

• as you read section 2 and 3 of chapter 14 (p.464 - 471 and 472- 476),
• the course textbook can be accessed in the google classroom. google classroom code = rtoowelk
• answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper using complete sentences.

section 2 (p 464–471)

1. what was laissez-faire capitalism?
2. why did business leaders oppose government regulations of business?
3. why did corporations arise?
4. what does vertical integration involve?
5. what does horizontal integration involve?
6. how would you assess the contributions – both positive and negative – made by tycoons such as john d. rockefeller and andrew carnegie?
7. how did businesses market their products in the late 1800s?
8. what was innovative about the department stores and mail-order catalogs?

section 3 (p 472–476)

1. what was the sherman anti-trust act?
2. what groups of people went to work in factories during the second industrial revolution?
3. what might have been some benefits of hiring child workers over adult workers?
4. you read of the violence that often-accompanied labor union strikes. do you think this helped or hurt the cause of the workers? explain why.

Answer:

To answer these questions, we'll analyze each one based on U.S. History content (late 19th - early 20th century industrialization, business, labor, etc.):

Section 2 (p 464–471)

1. What was laissez - faire capitalism?

Laissez - faire capitalism is an economic system where the government has minimal interference in business and the economy. It’s based on the idea that free - market forces (supply and demand) should drive economic activity, with businesses operating with little regulation, tariffs, or subsidies.

1. Why did business leaders oppose government regulations of business?

Business leaders opposed government regulations because they believed regulations would limit their ability to maximize profits. Regulations could restrict practices like setting prices, forming monopolies, or using certain labor or production methods. They also favored the laissez - faire idea that the free market should self - regulate.

1. Why did corporations arise?

Corporations arose to raise large amounts of capital (money) for business expansion (like building factories, railroads). They also offered limited liability to investors (investors only lost the money they invested, not personal assets), which encouraged investment. Additionally, corporations could have a longer lifespan than individual businesses, ensuring continuity.

1. What does vertical integration involve?

Vertical integration is when a company controls all stages of production related to its product. For example, a steel company might own iron mines (to get raw materials), steel mills (to process iron into steel), and transportation (to move materials and finished products). This reduces costs and increases control over the supply chain.

1. What does horizontal integration involve?

Horizontal integration is when a company buys or merges with other companies in the same industry (at the same stage of production). For example, a company that makes shoes buys other shoe - making companies. This reduces competition and allows the company to control prices and market share.

1. How would you assess the contributions – both positive and negative – made by tycoons such as John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie?

• Positive: They drove industrial growth (Rockefeller in oil, Carnegie in steel), created jobs, built infrastructure (like railroads needed for steel transport), and many (like Carnegie) engaged in philanthropy (funding libraries, universities).
• Negative: They used monopolistic practices (like trusts) to eliminate competition, exploited workers (low wages, long hours), and their monopolies could lead to higher prices for consumers.

1. How did businesses market their products in the late 1800s?

Businesses used new marketing techniques: they created brand names, used advertising (in newspapers, magazines), offered samples, and used salespeople. They also took advantage of new distribution methods like department stores and mail - order catalogs to reach more customers.

1. What was innovative about the department stores and mail - order catalogs?

• Department stores: They offered a wide variety of goods under one roof, used fixed prices (no haggling), and provided a more convenient shopping experience for urban consumers.
• Mail - order catalogs: They allowed rural customers (who had limited access to stores) to buy goods by mail. Catalogs like Sears, Roebuck & Co. offered a huge range of products, and customers could order via mail and have items delivered, expanding the market for businesses.

Section 3 (p 472–476)

1. What was the Sherman Anti - Trust Act?

The Sherman Anti - Trust Act (1890) was the first federal law to restrict monopolies and trusts. It made “every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations” illegal. Its goal was to promote competition in the marketplace.

1. What groups of people went to work in factories during the Second Industrial Revolution?

During the Second Industrial Revolution, factory workers included immigrants (from Europe, Asia), rural Americans (moving to cities for jobs), women (entering the workforce in larger numbers, especially in textile and garment factories), and children (who were often hired for their small size and low wages).

1. What might have been some benefits of hiring child workers over adult workers?

Child workers were cheaper to hire (they were paid less than adults), could fit into small workspaces (like in textile mills or mines), and were seen as more obedient and less likely to unionize or demand better working conditions.

1. You read of the violence that often accompanied labor union strikes. Do you think this helped or hurt the cause of the workers? Explain why.

• Hurt: Violence during strikes scared the public, made workers seem unruly, and gave business owners and the government an excuse to suppress unions (through force or legislation). It also damaged the public’s sympathy for workers’ demands.
• (Alternative view, less common) Helped: In some cases, extreme violence showed the desperation of workers, but overall, the negative perception from violence outweighed any potential gains in most cases.

These answers are based on the historical context of the Second Industrial Revolution in the United States, focusing on business practices, labor, and government - business relations.