Emergence Of Modern America: The Progressive Era - Industrialisation

The video discusses the creation of the Panama Canal, which significantly reduced shipping times and spurred industrialization in America. It highlights the rise of monopolies and wealth concentration, with the Sherman Anti-Trust Act attempting to curb these issues. The harsh working conditions in factories, including long hours, low pay, and unsafe environments, are examined. Urban overcrowding and poor living conditions led to health issues, while child labor was rampant despite existing laws. The video underscores the lack of incentives for factory owners to improve conditions due to the abundance of cheap labor.

What was the primary reason for the construction of the Panama Canal?

• To connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for faster shipping

• To provide a new source of water for Panama

• To create a tourist attraction

• To establish a new trade route with Europe

What was the Sherman Anti-Trust Act intended to prevent?

• The spread of communism

• The increase in tariffs

• The rise of small businesses

• The creation of monopolies

By 1900, what percentage of Americans owned a majority of the nation's wealth?

• 1%

• 10%

• 25%

• 50%

What were some of the challenges faced by factory workers in the early 1900s?

• High wages

• Short working hours

• Unsafe working conditions

• Comprehensive health benefits

Why were factory owners able to pay low wages to their workers?

• Due to high competition among businesses

• Because there was always someone willing to work for less

• Due to a lack of available workers

• Because of government subsidies

What was a common consequence of the poor living conditions in city slums?

• Decreased population density

• Spread of diseases like tuberculosis

• Increased literacy rates

• Improved public health

What was the status of child labor laws in the early 1900s?

• Widely supported by factory owners

• Strictly enforced

• Rarely enforced

• Non-existent