Problem
A. Pretend that you are (pick one) a worker, small businessman, corporate executive, housewife, or college-educated political activist You may be either male or female. Adopt a name for yourself. Where do you live? (Big city, small town, isolated rural area?). Comment on the issues or events that are important to you. If something is not important, briefly state why (e.g., "I am but a struggling worker dealing with competition from Chinese labor. I care but little for foreign affairs except to send these Chinese back to their foreign land.... All the rest of foreign affairs is but a way for rich businessmen to have us working folk die in Cuba, Europe or elsewhere...").
B. Alternatively, assume an identity and write a letter responding to one or more of the following: Carnegie, Gompers, Debs. You have great leeway but make it clear that your letter is grounded upon the sources you read for this chapter. For example, if you are a housewife, you might write about your own experiences but also about your husband and why he likes Gompers and hates the Socialists. In that case, your letter should incorporate the points discussed by Gompers, Debs or even Carnegie.
C. How do these three writers (Carnegie, Debs, Gompers) depict class relations between workers and "capitalists" (i.e., business owners or executives)? What are the similarities and differences in their class theory?
D. Defend Andrew Carnegie's "Gospel of Wealth" philosophy against the alternatives offered in this chapter. Argue that his philosophy was right for this time (and perhaps our own, since it still influences rich philanthropists such as Bill Gates).
E. Criticize Carnegie's philosophy by drawing upon the alternatives offered by Debs and Gompers. Where was Carnegie wrong? What issues did he overlook that were important to people who were not already rich?
F. Compare and contrast the three different views of socialism or communism (the movement to abolish private property) as discussed in these sources.
"Opposing Viewpoints," chapter 4
A. Compare and contrast the arguments made for and against the "new" immigrants. Present both sides of the debate, as argued in these documents, then offer your own opinion.
B. What does this debate over the "new" immigrant "races" have in common with the Reconstruction-era debate over race? How is the discussion the same and/or different?
C. Pretend you are a native-born worker or businessman, then make the case for or against the "new" immigrants. As in unit 1, choose a name or identity for yourself. Make arguments based on the substance of the documents you read. Feel free to write in the same rhetorical style, if you prefer.
D. Compare and contrast the competing depictions of the living standards of the new immigrants.