HIST 1502 Worksheet 2 Week 3 SP 2024

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University Of Connecticut *

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1502

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History

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Apr 3, 2024

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pdf

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2

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HIST 1502 SP 2024 Weekly Analysis Worksheet #2 Week Three: The Gilded Age Type your answers directly onto this page, save it with your last name in the title, convert to PDF, and upload it as an Assignment by Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 11:59 pm EST. Gilded Age America was characterized by vast disparities in resources and influence — a small number of people had enormous wealth and power, while the majority had far less. Both of your documents for this week address this aspect of late-nineteenth-century American culture and are the central focus of this worksheet. Be sure to draw upon information from the textbook and/or lectures as you answer questions 2, 3 & 4. No research beyond class texts and lectures is necessary for answering them. Answers that do bring in outside sources will not be accepted. Finally, your answers to questions 2, 3 & 4 should be no less than 150 words each. 1. Your textbook gives four guiding questions for approaching any historical document or primary source. Answer the first three for each of your assigned documents this week. (The fourth question is reflected in the rest of this worksheet.) “ Who produced this document, when, and where ?” Doc. A/ Helen Campbell, 1880s Doc. B/ Andrew Carnegie, 1889, Trieste Italy “ What type of document is this?” Doc. A/ Primary source Doc. B/ Literary document “ Who was the intended audience of this document?” Doc. A/ The general public as well as other reformers Doc. B/ The general public, the upper class, policy makers 2. Identify and explain the arguments made by the domestic workers and Andrew Carnegie about wealth, poverty, and their consequences. Domestic workers interviewed by Helen Campbell in the 1880s emphasized the harsh realities of poverty, detailing long working hours, low wages, and challenging living conditions. Their arguments underscored the systemic inequalities and exploitation within the domestic service sector. Many spoke of the difficulty in breaking the cycle of poverty and the lack of social and economic mobility. In contrast, Andrew Carnegie, in his essay "Wealth" (1889), argued that the accumulation of immense wealth was beneficial for society. He proposed the "Gospel of Wealth," asserting that the wealthy had a moral duty to use their fortunes for the greater good. Carnegie believed that philanthropy and responsible wealth
distribution could mitigate social issues caused by economic disparities. While domestic workers highlighted the struggles of poverty, Carnegie's argument focused on the potential positive consequences of concentrated wealth when deployed for philanthropic purposes. The juxtaposition of these perspectives reflects the complex and ongoing dialogue on wealth, poverty, and societal responsibility. 3. How do the domestic workers and Carnegie explain this inequality? Do they consider it to be a problem? If so, describe any solutions they offer. The domestic workers interviewed by Helen Campbell in the 1880s attribute inequality to exploitative labor practices and limited opportunities for upward mobility. They portray their plight as a consequence of unjust systems perpetuating economic disparities. For them, inequality is a pressing problem, hindering their ability to escape poverty, access education, or improve their living conditions. Their narratives underscore the urgent need for social and economic reform. Andrew Carnegie, in "Wealth" (1889), acknowledges inequality but views it differently. He argues that the wealthy accumulating vast fortunes is a natural outcome of a capitalist society. While he recognizes inequality as a potential issue, Carnegie sees the concentration of wealth as a tool for societal improvement. His proposed solution involves philanthropy, suggesting that the wealthy should redistribute their wealth responsibly to address social problems. While the domestic workers call for systemic change, Carnegie's solution lies in harnessing wealth for the collective welfare, revealing contrasting perspectives on addressing economic disparities. 4. What are the points of similarity or difference in their opinions, and what factors might shape their individual perspectives? Both domestic workers in the 1880s and Andrew Carnegie acknowledge the existence of economic inequality, but they differ significantly in their perspectives on its causes and solutions. Domestic workers attribute inequality to exploitative labor practices and limited opportunities, viewing it as an urgent and systemic problem that impedes social mobility. In contrast, Carnegie sees wealth accumulation as a natural outcome of capitalism and suggests philanthropy as a solution, framing concentrated wealth as a potential force for societal improvement. The differences in their opinions may be shaped by their social positions. Domestic workers, experiencing firsthand the challenges of poverty, emphasize the need for systemic change. Carnegie, as a wealthy industrialist, views wealth as a potential tool for positive impact. Their differing experiences, roles in society, and levels of privilege likely contribute to the variation in their perspectives on the nature and resolution of economic inequality.
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