Unions and Social Reforms Unions organizations of workers

Unions and Social Reforms • Unions: organizations of workers that joined together so they could have more power to stand up to owners who were treating them unfairly. • Collective Bargaining: collectively (together) the workers would bargain with owners for better wages and working conditions. • If owners would not negotiate, workers could strike

Unions and Social Reforms • Reform: Union raise awareness of unfair/unsafe working conditions - Government steps in to start regulating business • Laws are passed to protect workers (labor laws) • Hours based on age • Working conditions improve • Abolition of slavery • Public education

Population & Demand Goes Up • Need for more products; eat more, use more = consume more • More demand means they need more supplies: like natural resources • Malthus (left unchecked a population will outgrow its resources)

Ayn Rand (1905 -1982) – Discussion not written notes • Russian-American writer and philosopher (came to America when she was 21 • Created philosophy of objectivism • Most famous works are Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead • Reason is the only path to knowledge • Rejected all faith and religion • Acknowledged Aristotle as her greatest influence • Major influence on American conservative movement and Republican party • This despite some major conflicts with conservative and right-wing ideals (atheism, abortion rights, her all or nothing philosophy, etc. ) • On imperialism (next unit): “Americans didn’t conquer…You are a racist if you object to that…[And since] the Indians did not have any property rights – they didn’t have the concept of property…they didn’t have any rights to the land” • HER IDEAS ARE CONTROVERSIAL, I AM NOT ADVOCATING THEM ONE WAY OR THE OTHER!

Atlas Shrugged: Part II (start at 6: 00 – end @ 45: 00, 1: 02: 00 or 1: 27: 00 – the decision is yours!) IF YOU WERE ABSENT – It’s on Amazon Prime video (if you have access), if not, use these links – Synopsis and Character List – from the most reliable source in the world WIKIPEDIA (kidding) to answer the following questions to the best of your ability: On Page 54 of your NB (minimum of three FULL sentences each) 1. How did the Dagny Taggart’s Railroad mirror that of a railroad during the beginning of the Industrial Revolution? 2. How did Hank Rearden’s metal symbolize steel created by the Bessemer process during the industrial revolution? 3. How does the movie support laissez – faire capitalism? 4. How does the movie challenge socialism?