Question 1

American beliefs in individualism, small government, a work ethic, the sanctity of private property, free markets and free labor, have inhibited the development of the labor movement. What makes this problematic?

Accepted Answer

The inhibition of the labor movement due to these beliefs frustrates the development of alternative sources of power, which could challenge existing political and economic structures.

Question 2

How did industry move from the arbitrary, personal control of the foreman to incorporating control into the very process of manufacture?

Accepted Answer

Technical control (e.g., assembly lines, automation) and hierarchical bureaucratic methods (assistant manager, manager, etc.) allowed for greater control over the manufacturing process and reduced the arbitrary, personal control of the foreman.

Question 3

What made welfare capitalism such an effective way to compete with the unions?

Accepted Answer

Welfare capitalism addressed workers' demands for better working conditions, benefits, and job security with substitutes that gave them the illusion of security and loyalty to management. By providing benefits such as healthcare, pensions, and profit-sharing, workers became less likely to seek union representation and collective bargaining, making unions an unnecessary rival to management.

Question 4

The role of unions is complex, but two major roles can be picked out, one being an accommodating role, the other being_____?

Accepted Answer

The second major role of unions is often seen as revolutionizing the current power structures and promoting changes that challenge the existing economic and political establishment. However, this approach is not always taken by unions and can be seen as more radical. The accommodating role refers to the unions' efforts to work within the existing power structures to achieve their goals and improve the lives of their members. This includes negotiating with employers for better wages and benefits, promoting workplace safety, and advocating for better working conditions.

Question 5

Similar to capitalists, labor also expanded with the ever-changing and expanding immigrant workforce. What problem(s) did this cause labor?

Accepted Answer

The heterogeneous nature of the immigrant working classes, with different languages and cultures, created divisions that hindered solidarity among labor.

Question 6

As unions grew in importance and influence during the early years of the twentieth century, what was the most striking difference from their counterparts in Europe?

Accepted Answer

American unions in the early twentieth century were less focused on transforming the entire economic system from capitalism to socialism, unlike many of their European counterparts who were more ideologically driven towards systemic change.

Question 7

How did the Great Depression provide the labor movement with an opportunity to grow, especially in its political influence?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How did the Great Depression provide the...

Question 8

As with the labor movement, the origins of the civil rights movement resulted from what economic change?

Accepted Answer

The origins of the civil rights movement, like the labor movement, were a result of the decline in the centrality of agriculture and the rise of industrialization. With the shift to industrialization, African Americans were forced to compete with white workers for jobs in factories, leading to increased racial tension and segregation in the workplace.

Question 9

The White patronage that the civil rights movement enjoyed during its nonviolent protest phase of the early 1960s had mixed motivations.

Accepted Answer

The support from White patrons was partly to encourage and maintain the nonviolent nature of the civil rights protests, aligning with their own values and ensuring broader public acceptance.

Question 10

Like the labor movement, the civil rights movement enjoyed an increase in its political power. What allowed for this?

Accepted Answer

The demographic shift of African Americans migrating to northern urban centers led to a significant increase in the "Black vote," which in turn increased the political power of the civil rights movement.

Question 11

Brown v. Board of Education was marked by gradualism. In what way did it, the desegregation of the armed forces, and other incremental measures make the inequality they were intended to alleviate problematic?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Brown v. Board of Education was marked...

Question 12

The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. at first thought that logic and reason would be enough to end racism. What did he eventually believe?

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is A because King eventually believed that the cause of institutionalized racism was one of power relationships; inequality serves to maintain one group's status over another.

Question 13

How have the goals of parity with men and the desire to be treated differently shaped the general course of the women's movement?

Accepted Answer

The goals of parity with men and the desire to be treated differently have allowed for a fluid definition of women's rights depending on the beliefs and goals of different individuals within the movement. This has contributed to the diversity and complexity of the women's movement.

Question 14

Why was the women's movement in the 19th century so often marginalized by those who would seem natural allies-the labor, anti-slavery, and early civil rights movements?

Accepted Answer

The social environment of the 19th century was still largely patriarchal, and even within progressive movements, the inequality of women was often accepted or overlooked.

Question 15

The Black Lives Matter movement differs from other race-based social movements in that:

Accepted Answer

The Black Lives Matter movement differs from other race-based social movements in that it explicitly addresses the intersectionality of identities including race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and sexual expression. This focus on intersectionality sets it apart from other race-based social movements, which may have focused primarily on racial discrimination or inequality. The movement is also known for its decentralized structure, with many local chapters and leaders rather than a centralized national organization. While some leaders have gained national attention, the movement as a whole does not rely on a small group of visible leaders. Gender does not appear to be a defining factor in the movement, as there are many women and LGBTQ+ individuals involved in leadership positions.

Quiz 13: Social Inequality and Social Movements