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Zinn Chapter 10

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Chapter 10 of Zinn discusses the struggle between class systems that was going on when the North and the South conflicted in the United States. During the nineteenth century, there was a competition between class systems that resulted in strikes, killings, and the formation of unions. While reading the chapter, one thing that surprised me was The Contract Labor Law. This law gave business’ bring in foreign workers that provided a source of cheap labor and workers to fill in the spots that strikers left (Zinn, 165). This law rewards business while punishing its workers. It’s saying that industries value money and power more than the well being of their workers, which isn’t right. It amazed me that lawmaker’s valued business more than people’s safety. There were no laws that protected worker’s or their health and safety. No wonder they fought and established strikes. Workers weren’t protected at all during the nineteenth century, to business’ they were disposable and cheap. While reading …show more content…

Rich multimillionaires paid to escape military service by paying for substitutes to take their place. Not everyone had that luxury so it’s seems unfair that people could have just done that. Money can’t solve all problems. In addition, the bribing and secret deals that wealthy inventors and business workers made the country look corrupt. For example, Thomas Edison promised New Jersey politicians $1,000 if they crafted laws that favored his business interests and The Central Pacific line spent $200,000 on bribes to Washington, D.C. just to get free land and loans (Zinn, 173). Back then if you had money you could do whatever, which is unfair. Wealth shouldn’t matter and it definitely shouldn’t interfere with politics and law making. Both chapter 10 and 11 taught me new things that I believe should be taught in the social studies curriculum. Not only were they interesting but they are worth being

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