Unit 3 Progressive Era Scenario Activity

Instructions

You will be given 4 different scenarios from the Progressive Era.

You will then choose from one of the 3 options which solution to the issue that you think is most appropriate.

There are no wrong answers!!

Scenario #1

​The majority of workers live in tenement houses that are falling apart and overcrowded. Because they are made mostly of wood and built right next to each other without any fire escapes, they would be very dangerous for people if a fire started. Lack of adequate plumbing has led to there being a lot of sewage on the streets.

Scenario #1 Solution Options

A. These buildings provide housing for people who have nowhere else to live. If the housing were nicer then the new immigrants couldn’t afford it and they would be homeless.

B. A law should be passed that requires the city to collect trash weekly and also to require buildings to have a fire escape. Also, money should be spent on roads and trolleys so it is easy to work in the city but live somewhere else. This will keep the city from getting overcrowded.

​C. Workers should be given a larger share of the profits made by the companies where they work. No business owner should be able to make more than 20 times as much money as his lowest paid employee.

Poll

Which option for solving scenario #1 would you choose?

• A

• B

• C

Scenario #2

​Democracy is no longer working well in local governments because of the political
machines. Elected officials are taking bribes from businesses to make laws that favor those businesses. Also, people can only be hired for government positions like mail carrier or teacher if they pay a bribe. Lastly, elected officials are using tax money to pay ridiculously high prices for building and contract work that is all being done by their friends. Sometimes this leads to a kick-back where their friends let them keep some of the money “paid” for the job.

Scenario #2 Solution Options

​a. Elect people into office who promise not to be corrupt and who will try and change the laws that allow corruption.

b. Change how governments are run so that instead of electing a mayor, the governor appoints 5 people to run the city together. The appointment people are experts in their field – an engineer, a public safety office, a financial advisor, etc.

c. Get rid of local government and instead have all meetings decided by the entire town in local town hall meetings.

Poll

Which option for solving scenario #2 would you choose?

• A

• B

• C

Scenario #3

​State and federal governments allow monopolies to control an entire industry. Once a monopoly exists in an industry they can charge consumers high prices, pay workers low wages and pollute the environment.

Scenario #3 Solution Options

​a. Monopolies mass produce products wanted and used by society. By becoming so large they are able to offer more products to more people and employ more workers. Also, they have generated wealth and power that has made the United States into a world power.

b. State governments should make laws that regulate businesses. These laws could include requirements for working conditions, limits on the pollution that a business can generate and making monopolies illegal.

c. The state should take control of essential businesses, like railroads, electricity, and oil because these items are all necessary for people to eat, live in warm houses and transport themselves and goods. Since no one would choose to live without electricity it defies the rules of supply and demand, meaning an electric company that was a monopoly could charge whatever they wanted and people would still pay. For this reason, it should be run by the government and equally distributed to all people for a reasonable price.

Poll

Which option for solving scenario #3 would you choose?

• A

• B

• C

Scenario #4

​80% of African-Americans live in the South in 1900 as tenant farmers under Jim Crow laws that segregate their daily life, voting restrictions that deprive them of their right to vote, and the Ku Klux Klan that terrorizes anyone who tries to fight for a better life.

Scenario #4 Solution Options

​a. The situation in the south is slowly improving. African Americans are slowly gaining rights through hard work and patience. It just takes time.

b. The government needs to enforce the 15th Amendment and also ensure that Plessy v Ferguson (segregation) is carried out equally so that although groups are separated, they have the same access to quality goods and services.

c. Plessy v Ferguson must be overturned and more resources should be given to African Americans. Because they were denied opportunities for so many years, it is now time for them to get more help than other Americans to level the playing field.

Poll

Which option for solving scenario #4 would you choose?

• A

• B

• C

Poll

Looking at your 4 choices, which letter did you have the most of?

• A

• B

• C

What does this mean?

A. Laisse-Faire, Conservative, Big Business

B. Progressive, Liberal, Big Government

C. Radical

Poll

Did this activity help you understand the Progressive platform or ideas?

• Yes

• A little

• No