Download Washington State History: Chapter 6, Lesson 1: Reading Notes

Washington State History: Chapter 6 Notes
Priority Standard: 4.2.1
I can understand and analyze how individuals and movements have shaped Washington State or
world history.
Learning Targets
 I can show the connection between working conditions and the creation of labor unions.
 I can show the impact of the Industrial Workers of the World on the union movement.
 I can show how the Progressive Movement brought reform to the United States.
WORKING CONDITIONS
workers faced low wages, long hours and dangerous conditions; no
protection; all had to work, including women and children; women and
children worked for less
Labor Unions
formed to get better pay, shorter hours, safer working conditions; more
power as a group than alone; different unions allowed different people in
Striking for Better Conditions
often replaced with strikebreakers--also called “scabs;" companies used
blacks and immigrants to replace striking workers, causing racial strife;
union leaders “blacklisted;" government used troops against strikers
FEAR OF UNIONS
Americans feared that unions were radical and would overthrow the United
States political and economic system; the U.S. sees the struggle between
capitalism and communism going on in Europe
Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)
nicknamed “Wobblies;" let everyone join; wanted free speech; believed
using sabotage against business was okay when needed
The Everett Massacre
300 Wobblies go to Everett to support striking shingle mill workers; gunfire
as they arrive--men are killed; 70 arrested but it couldn’t be proven in court
who fired, so the Wobblies are freed
The Centralia Massacre
mill owners have a dispute with IWW; owners hire former WW1 soldiers,
called legionaries, to harass Wobblies; legionaries plan to attack Wobblies
after parade but Wobblies find out; during the ensuing fight Wesley Everest
is arrested; later, a mob takes Everest from jail and hang him outside of
town; no-one arrested for his murder
GAINS FOR LABOR
despite violence and setbacks, improvements are made in working
conditions; reformers still see other social, economic and political problems
that need improvement
Corruption in Business
abuses with government and companies working together; bribes and
payments; companies wanted to get a "monopoly," charge high prices and
put other competitors out of business
Corruption in Politics
powerful “political machines” are created to keep people in power and
make money; these political machines often did not serve the public; a
“spoils system” is created
Tough Times for Many
there is a large gap between rich and poor; average income of most below
the “poverty line;" in tough times businesses and banks ran out of money;
thousands lost jobs and savings
THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT
many reforms; supporters called “Progressives;" four amendments added to
the Constitution: voting rights for women, federal income tax, prohibition
on alcohol, direct election of U.S. senators
Prohibition
women headed this effort; thought alcohol created violence against women
and children, crime, wasted money; 18th Amendment created; “rumrunners”
brought alcohol to “blind pigs:" breaking the law was widespread so police
start to ignore enforcement; prohibition repealed in 1933
Political Reform
reformers wanted government to work for the people and the stop spoils
system; the initiative, referendum and "recall” are created
Controlling Business
Progressives wanted to control monopolies; utilities—water, gas, electricity—
and railroads took the most advantage
Help for Workers
reforms brought shortened work day of 8 hours; banned child labor-children required to go to school
Women's Rights
women led in all areas of the Progressive Movement; biggest change for
Washington was women’s right to vote; women; Washington was 10 years
ahead of the nation giving women’s right to vote; women could also serve
on a jury
WORLD WAR I
the U.S. wants to stay out of Europe's war but finally joins in 1917; during
the war many companies and farmers, including those in Washington, make
enormous profits
Postwar Pain
after the war ends huge numbers of soldiers come home to no jobs; farmer's
crops aren't needed so the price plummets, causing more hardship
THE "ROARING TWENTIES"
after years of sacrifice and hard times, Americans become "consumers;"
spend money on entertainment, recreation and new products; automobiles
become common, changing all parts of life; electricity becomes
commonplace so people want telephones, radios and appliances--toasters,
refrigerators and washing machines; "credit" and "interest" are used
Washington State History: Chapter 6, Lesson 3: Reading Notes
Priority Standard: History 4.2.1
 I can understand and analyze how individuals and movements have shaped
Washington State or world history.
WORLD WAR I
"The Great War" * war in Europe 1914--1917 before U.S. enters conflict *
U.S. companies make huge profits selling to England and France * many
want U.S. neutral * many U.S. citizens from Europe; hard not to pick sides *
new weapon: submarine sinking ships * U.S. passenger ship sunk; U.S.
eventually enters war * "Selective Service" created; men "drafted" into the
military * 75,000 men from Washington State fight in WWI

Fear on the Homefront
Germany is the enemy; German Americans attacked, vandalized; some
thought they could be the enemy

Wobblies Criticize the War
thought war was for profit * organized strikes against companies making
war materials * IWW organizes lumber
strike * government needs
lumber; settles strike in favor of IWW

Free Speech Challenged
Congress passes laws stopping public criticism * many Wobblies arrested for
breaking the law; continued to speak out until the end of the war
WASHINGTON'S ECONOMIC BOOM
lumber used in war effort * food sent to Europe * older men found work,
workers came from other states, women took various jobs * people hate war
but business booms * before war: one shipbuilding company; after war:
more than 25 *
THE WAR ENDS
peace comes * America returns to normal

Postwar Pains
sharp drop in economy; government doesn't need war materials anymore *
not as much food needed * African Americans and "The Great Migration" *
food prices drop * shipyards don't get orders for ships * bankruptcies *
anger increases towards immigrants and blacks * women forced out of work

Race Relations
much intolerance * KKK revives * KKK extends hatred to Catholics, Jews,
immigrants, labor unions * KKK spreads from the South to Seattle; hold
large rallies; threaten union members, Japanese farmers, burned crosses to
scare people
THE ROARING TWENTIES
1920s also about prosperity and fun * Americans became "consumers" *
went from saving to spending * spent more for entertainment, recreation,
new products * automobiles gave independence * roads, highways created
* connected city to country and country to city * engines also brought
machinery, trucks, school buses * more young people go to school because
of buses * electricity becomes commonplace * new industries for appliances:
toasters, refrigerators, washing machines * machines saved time, made life
easier

Buying on Credit
families only had one income; bought things on credit, paying a little at a
time * owed interest on borrowed money
HELP FROM HYDROPOWER
new inventions needed electricity, hydropower developed * Northwest had
40 percent of hydropower potential * rivers used to produce electricity
The Campaign for Grand Coulee Dam
Columbia Basin farmers had hard time making a living in 1920s * income
dropped, drought * farmers wanted a dam for irrigation * supporters of dam
at Grand Coulee called "pumpers" * dam would generate electricity to pump
water uphill to a reservoir, then to farms downhill * took years to get
around to building the dam * Columbia Basin Reclamation Project * largest
project like it in U.S history