Working Conditions

How do you think working conditions at this time in history will contribute to a massive change in labor? 
I think the working conditions at this time in history will contribute to a massive change in labor because it will cause there to be less workers. The conditions were so bad that people were dying from them. The deaths of these workers were lowering the number of workers. If more men die, the numbers are just going to keep lowering. The workers could decide to go on strike, too which would cause the amount of workers to lower. Soon, the numbers of workers will have changed drastically.  

Cartoon

How did analyzing these cartoons help you understand the relationship between big business and government better?

It helped me picture the difference between big businesses and the government. It showed me the feelings portrayed by big businesses and the government, also. 

Why would the position of the government be emphasized in these cartoons? 

 The position of the government would be emphasized in these cartoons because it plays a major role in our society. The government doesn't always know how to control things. 

How do these cartoons help you answer the essential question, "How does a society distribute wealth?"

These cartoons help me answer the essential question, "How does a society distribute wealth?" by describing the ways big businesses, consumers, and the government are connected. The actions of each group affect the other groups in some way. 

Railroad Game

1. What was your strategy? Did it work? What would you change about it?

Our strategy was to move across the region as quickly as possible while keeping some assets. Our strategy did not work. Eventually, we got put up for auction and got bought out. I would change the way we handled our assets. We should have moved slower and tried to keep as much assets as possible. 

2. Why do you think connecting the different economic regions made your railroad more money?

I think connecting the different economic regions made our railroad more money because it provided a way for people and resources to move from region to region. Without the railroads, it would be difficult for region to use resources from a different region. 

3.What do you think could improve this game? 

 I think offering more choices of hometowns would improve this game. I think that having more ways to create assets would improve this game, also. 

4. What were your overall thoughts of the game?

I liked the game. I though it was a good way to learn, but it was fun, also. 

5. After studying railroads and playing the game, how did this "innovation" change the United States?

This "innovation" of railroads changed the United States because it allowed resources to be transported from regions to regions. Businesses gained more consumers and were successful because their products were able to be transported farther. 

Patillo Higgins

A life lesson that I learned from Patillo Higgins is to never give up on something that you believe in. He believed strongly that there was oil in Beaumont. Several people told him that it was impossible and that he was wasting time and money. He didn't give up. He spent the last part of his money on an ad looking for an oil investor. He got one reply from a guy named Lucas. His new partner helped him prove to the world that he was right. They drilled one thousand feet into the ground and found oil. I thought it took him a lot of courage and confidence to stand up to the people that didn't have faith in his theory.