Did people’s well-being improve in America between 1865 and 1940? If so, what was responsible for improved welfare? If not, why did efforts to improve living standards achieve so little?
To successfully answer the question, consider:
- If you’re saying yes, then explain why your chosen main factor is most significant (especially compared to other reform efforts we discussed)
- If saying no, then explain why the repeated attempts to improve Americans’ welfare failed
- You MUST include BOTH evidence from readings and primary sources
- At least 3 primary sources
- You also must consider the ENTIRE time period (late 1800s through the New Deal). That means:
- The rise of Industry
- Industrial Politics (efforts to improve living standards, whether the Populists, unions, or Progressives)
- Prosperity & Depression (including welfare capitalism and private corporate efforts to raise living standards)
- The New Deal