The United States went through dramatic economic change during and after the Civil War, as industrialization spread rapidly and changed society. This transformation and some of the apparent abuses that developed (monopolistic practices, work conditions, low wages, arbitrary and oppressive expectations) led to an increased role of the government in regulating businesses and society. Government might intervene on the side of business owners for a variety of reasons. Or it might intervene on the side of workers. Or it might intervene for more general reasons. This role was heightened as government was viewed as the arbiter between business and organized labor. One can explore these developments from 1865 on through to the end of the 1930s. Examine the statements below and drawing from provided sources, present a paper with specific examples and arguments to demonstrate the validity of your position.
Topic and Thesis Statement—choose one of the following as your Thesis Statement:
THESIS STATEMENT 1: From the late 1800s to the end of the 1930s, increasing government interventions and regulations of business tended to help the overall economy and the common workers.
THESIS STATEMENT 2: From the late 1800s to the end of the 1930s, increasing government interventions and regulations of business tended to hurt the overall economy and the common workers.
Plan to make that thesis statement the last sentence in your introductory paragraph. The general subject is government economic interventions and regulations in that period of history. You may moderate the wording slightly to fit more precisely the position you wish to take. This is NOT a simple statement of a topic; it is a statement of a position you are taking about that topic. p.s.—Valid arguments and “A” papers can be made with either thesis. So, you choose the one you think is the stronger position.
After giving general consideration to your readings so far and any general research, select one of the positions above as your position—your thesis. (Sometimes after doing more thorough research, you might choose the reverse position. This happens with critical thinking and inquiry. Your final paper might end up taking a different position than you originally envisioned.) Organize your paper as follows, handling these issues:
Part 1: Introductory paragraph with thesis statement. The thesis statement should be the last sentence in your opening paragraph.
Part 2: FOUR EXAMPLES–To support your position, use four specific examples from different decades between 1865 and 1940. However, one of your four examples must be from the 1930s.
Part 3: Explain why the opposing view is weak in comparison to yours. The opposing view is the thesis statement you did not choose.
Part 4: Legacy today and conclusion. Consider your life today: In what way does the history you have shown shape or impact issues in your workplace or desired profession?
Length: The paper should be 500-to-750 words in length.
Research and References: You must use a MINIMUM of three sources;
