Industrial Society:

During the Gilded Age Americans struggled to reconcile the American ideals of freedom and equality with the increasing economic inequality of industrial capitalist society. How did the major groups/people involved in the debate over the “Social Problem” reflect different understandings of economic freedom?

(Include explanations of their positions in your answer to the question.)

Social Darwinists
Supreme Court: supporters of “Liberty of Contract”
the Labor Movement
Middle Class Reformers
the Populist (People’s) Party

Guidelines to follow

Essay should demonstrate your familiarity with the text book “Give me Liberty, An American History” 3rd Edition – Eric Foner – and they should reflect your critical thinking about the questions. Be sure to provide specific examples to support your points. Each essay should be around 750 words. Cite page numbers from the textbook (Foner 603) as well as any other sources that you use.