Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for Social sciences for Secondary education

Foundations of Governance and Colonial Conflict

1. Constitutional Basis of Government

In a modern democracy, a constitution sets forth the basic rules and procedures for how the people shall be governed, including the powers and structure of the government.

2. The British Constitution

The British constitution is comprised of a series of documents that developed over time instead of a single document.

3. Rights of British Subjects

By the late eighteenth century, British subjects believed that the British constitution guaranteed them certain rights, including the right to be tried by a jury of their peers and the right not to be taxed without their consent.

4. The Stamp Act of 1765

The Stamp Act of 1765 established a tax on virtually all forms of paper...

Unit 6: The Gilded Age and Industry

1. The Gilded Age and Industry

On the one hand, there were poor conditions as a consequence of industrialization, specifically regarding harsh working environments. Industrialization also helped America become a primary destination for European immigrants. By the end of the 1890s, rapid industrialization led to significant social problems.

2. Progressivism and Theodore Roosevelt

This era saw the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and a peak in immigration. A key peculiarity of this period was the attempt by politicians to regain control of the country.

Progressivism primarily affected the middle classes, who felt threatened by both the upper and lower classes. They sought to restore power to institutions,...

The Development of the Modern American Trade Union Movement

The modern American trade union movement began with the election of Samuel Gompers as president and Peter J. McGuire as secretary. Born in 1850, Gompers immigrated to America from the Jewish slums of London as a boy. He entered the cigar-making trade, where he received much of his education as a "reader"—a worker who read books, newspaper stories, poetry, and magazine articles to fellow employees to help break the monotony of their work. He eventually became a leader of his local union and the national Cigar Makers Union.

The Founding Principles of the AFL

A statement by the founders of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) expressed their belief in the need for more effective union...

The Rise of Social Darwinism and Economic Change

A new credo emerged based upon social Darwinism: the transcendentalist “man” became “economic man.” Democracy was identified with capitalism, liberty with property, equality with the opportunity to gain, and progress with the accumulation of wealth. Herbert Spencer applied these Darwinian ideas to society, arguing that if people succeeded in life because they were strong, politics should not interfere. The state, therefore, should not intervene in markets or protect farmers.

The Populist Response

Farmers organized a third party, known as the People’s Party or the Populist Party. They argued that, according to the United States Constitution, they possessed rights that were being ignored...

After the Civil War, while the South was being physically and politically reconstructed, the North was being industrialized. In 1890, the frontier was closed when the Native Americans were displaced; they were finally defeated in the Battle of Wounded Knee (South Dakota). In 1893, the Columbian Exposition took place.

The Closing of the Frontier

The closing of the frontier had a psychological effect because it put an end to the national epic conquest of the West. On the one hand, it created a sense of being self-contained, meaning they couldn’t easily start from scratch as before. On the other hand, it brought the satisfaction of having defeated the wilderness.

Expansion and the Transcontinental Railroad

Connected with that were two events that...

Terrorism: Global Challenge and US Policy

Terrorism is an international problem in today's global community. Many nations are affected, whether directly or indirectly. Most nations oppose terrorism, while others condone or even support active, brutal terrorism and terrorist groups.

Defining Terrorism

Terrorism is defined by the US State Department based on four key elements:

1. A threat of violence or an act of violence.
2. A political objective.
3. The violence and threat of violence is a direct attack on civilians, making civilians a primary target.
4. It is perpetrated by a sub-national group or individual, often supported by a nation or nations.

Terrorism vs. Acts of War: Case Studies

Two examples often used to distinguish terrorism from non-terrorism are the...

The Working Class Movement and Industrial Conditions

For the wealthy bourgeoisie, the Industrial Revolution brought increased wealth and higher standards of living. They enjoyed comfortable homes, education, healthcare, entertainment, and holidays.

Working Class Hardships

The working class suffered terrible working and living conditions:

• Low Wages: Income was insufficient to support a family, forcing women and children into the workforce.
• Exhausting Hours: The working day lasted between 14 and 16 hours with strict discipline.
• Dangerous Environments: Lack of safety and hygiene led to chronic illness and frequent accidents, especially in mines.
• Lack of Rights: Workers had no legal protections and were denied the right to protest or strike.

Revolutionary

Far-Right Politics in Hungary and Slovakia

What and why, focusing on the Hungarian case and a piece about Slovakia.

Similarities Between the Movements

• 1. Parliamentary Influence: Both far-right parties started to gain influence by gaining small percentages of seats in the parliament.
  • a. Slovakia: Current situation.
  • b. Hungary: Started with 2% in 2006, reached 20% in 2014.
• 2. Rejecting Refugees:
  • a. Both are external EU borders; many refugees to Europe pass through Slovakia and Hungary.
  • b. Spread of Islamophobia.
  • c. The Slovak PM said Muslims cannot be incorporated into Europe.

Note: All European far-right parties are anti-immigration.

Differences in Political Strategy

• 1. Hungary is further along: Anti-Semitic rhetoric and seeking to eliminate the Central

Bureaucracy and Government Administration

Bureaucracy: In general usage, the set of government agencies that carries out government policies. The bureaucracy is characterized by formalized structures, specialized duties, a hierarchical system of authority, routine record-keeping, and a permanent staff.

Key Personnel and Roles

Bureaucrats: A term used generally to identify anyone who works within a large, formal organization. More specifically, it refers to career civil service employees of the government.

Cabinet: An informal designation that refers to the collective body of individuals appointed by the president to head the executive departments. The cabinet can, but rarely does, function as an advisory body to the president.

Civil Service and

Consequences of the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution brought profound changes across society, categorized as follows:

• Economic Consequences:
  • Increased production leading to a consumer society.
  • The heightened need for raw materials.
• Political Consequences:
  • Shift from absolute monarchy to parliamentary monarchy.
• Social Consequences:
  • Transition from an agricultural society to an industrial society.
  • The persistence of the Ancien Régime's class-based society into the industrial era.
• Cultural Consequences:
  • Transformation of traditional culture into a new urban culture.
• Social and Cultural Consequences:
  • Creation of new classes leading to new ideologies.

The Emergence of the Proletariat and Trade Unions

The emergence of Trade Unions occurred in 19th-...