week_3_questions_comments-325_25
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| week_3_questions_comments-325_25 [2025/09/11 09:17] – [Douglass, Beaten in a Baltimore shipyard] 76.78.172.130 | week_3_questions_comments-325_25 [2025/09/11 13:46] (current) – [Douglass, Beaten in a Baltimore shipyard] 199.111.65.11 | ||
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| The creation of these factories and communities that use dams came at the expense of other businesses and communities. You can't have one without the other. - Oliver M | The creation of these factories and communities that use dams came at the expense of other businesses and communities. You can't have one without the other. - Oliver M | ||
| - | Theodore L. Steinberg examines a conflict between several actors (Worster, Young, the Lake Company, etc.) over greater access to natural resources. In my opinion, his analysis properly situates this conflict within the framework of class struggle and industrialization, | + | **Theodore L. Steinberg examines a conflict between several actors (Worster, Young, the Lake Company, etc.) over greater access to natural resources. In my opinion, his analysis properly situates this conflict within the framework of class struggle and industrialization, |
| I thought it was interesting how Steinberg showed that the push for industrial progress in the Merrimack Valley often ignored the environmental risks of dam failures, which makes me think about how economic growth sometimes comes at the expense of safety. --Caitlyn Edwards. | I thought it was interesting how Steinberg showed that the push for industrial progress in the Merrimack Valley often ignored the environmental risks of dam failures, which makes me think about how economic growth sometimes comes at the expense of safety. --Caitlyn Edwards. | ||
| - | I found Steinberg’s inclusion of the story of the dam breakers and the complaints lobbied against the Lake Company to be incredibly interesting. I’ve never really been taught about any pushback against new technological inventions, since they’re usually portrayed as 100% beneficial with no drawbacks or protesters. I also thought that the Boston Associates were a good representation of the spread of capitalization because of industrialization and how big companies began to seek out more and more control over nature. - Noah Rutkowski | + | I found Steinberg’s inclusion of the story of the dam breakers and the complaints lobbied against the Lake Company to be incredibly interesting. |
| - | This is just one example of many of the effects of industrialization and corporate greed on local communities. While Americans cities may have avoided becoming like London in the greasy, condensed industrial sense, they did not avoid the inevitable withering of local culture and sustenance at the expense of business. - CJ Nemetz | + | This is just one example of many of the effects of industrialization and corporate greed on local communities. |
| Technology at this time created a business controlling aspect of environmental things. Companies were changing rivers and building dams just to power their factories. How water became something people fought over. It’s kind of crazy to think that natural stuff like rivers had to be claimed and protected just so businesses could keep running. -James Clayberg | Technology at this time created a business controlling aspect of environmental things. Companies were changing rivers and building dams just to power their factories. How water became something people fought over. It’s kind of crazy to think that natural stuff like rivers had to be claimed and protected just so businesses could keep running. -James Clayberg | ||
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| Steinberg examines the Boston Associates and other corporations approaches to natural resources during the industrial revolution in a way that I find incredibly interesting. He specifically interrogates the question of what it means to stake claim to a natural resource, and the conflict and damage that claim can bring to other businesses and communities in the area. - Abby Firestone | Steinberg examines the Boston Associates and other corporations approaches to natural resources during the industrial revolution in a way that I find incredibly interesting. He specifically interrogates the question of what it means to stake claim to a natural resource, and the conflict and damage that claim can bring to other businesses and communities in the area. - Abby Firestone | ||
| - | A common theme I'm noticing throughout American history is our blatant disregard for environmental concerns. Seems like this concept of " | + | **A common theme I'm noticing throughout American history is our blatant disregard for environmental concerns. Seems like this concept of " |
| Here I think we can see one of the main worries of the time being ruining the living condition of the American people, come true. The manufacturing really disrupted communities, | Here I think we can see one of the main worries of the time being ruining the living condition of the American people, come true. The manufacturing really disrupted communities, | ||
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| I think this document is a great example of how the manufacturing industry had grown so much in the United States during the 19th century that companies felt the need to go as far as to have their power sources, in this case the water, legally protected. - Grayson Donohoe | I think this document is a great example of how the manufacturing industry had grown so much in the United States during the 19th century that companies felt the need to go as far as to have their power sources, in this case the water, legally protected. - Grayson Donohoe | ||
| - | Again, with this document I find the prospects of water rights, and more specifically the claiming of a natural resource to be a interesting situation when it comes to increasing industrialization. There are only so many major bodies of water in the US. - Abby Firestone | + | **Again, with this document I find the prospects of water rights, and more specifically the claiming of a natural resource to be a interesting situation when it comes to increasing industrialization. There are only so many major bodies of water in the US.** - Abby Firestone |
| It’s interesting how water is so basic and became a source of legal battles and even conflict. We still see this today with companies controlling water flow for farming or tech, and smaller communities getting pushed out. A reminder that access to natural resources is always tied to power. | It’s interesting how water is so basic and became a source of legal battles and even conflict. We still see this today with companies controlling water flow for farming or tech, and smaller communities getting pushed out. A reminder that access to natural resources is always tied to power. | ||
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| The case was a problem that challenged the question if a company could use or divert water in a way that takes it away from others. Most of the time courts would agree with the person suing as if companies could do this they would have a monopoly on the river. - Will C | The case was a problem that challenged the question if a company could use or divert water in a way that takes it away from others. Most of the time courts would agree with the person suing as if companies could do this they would have a monopoly on the river. - Will C | ||
| - | A rare capitalism L. Just because progress would be better if a dam used up all the water, that doesn' | + | **A rare capitalism L. Just because progress would be better if a dam used up all the water, that doesn' |
| This is another notable case involving the legal struggle over ownership of a dam between Worster and the Great Falls Company. I found it interesting that the Great Falls Company presented a historical record to commemorate the dams that had existed prior to their own. - Nikolai Kotkov | This is another notable case involving the legal struggle over ownership of a dam between Worster and the Great Falls Company. I found it interesting that the Great Falls Company presented a historical record to commemorate the dams that had existed prior to their own. - Nikolai Kotkov | ||
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| This correspondence provides an interesting insight into the relations of production between armory workers and their management. One can interpret these strikes as an expression of Foucault’s concept of disciplinary power from the managerial side, as management sought to impose strict discipline, fixed working hours, the rationalization of the labor process, and the internalization of these values. - Nikolai Kotkov | This correspondence provides an interesting insight into the relations of production between armory workers and their management. One can interpret these strikes as an expression of Foucault’s concept of disciplinary power from the managerial side, as management sought to impose strict discipline, fixed working hours, the rationalization of the labor process, and the internalization of these values. - Nikolai Kotkov | ||
| - | It’s interesting how the men choose to respond to these strikes, and is likely telling of how management of factories, outside of the gun making industry, responded and handled strikes. The list of facts in correspondence after the strike discuss that the amount of workers were unnecessary, | + | **It’s interesting how the men choose to respond to these strikes, and is likely telling of how management of factories, outside of the gun making industry, responded and handled strikes. The list of facts in correspondence after the strike discuss that the amount of workers were unnecessary, |
| - | Growing up I lived twenty minutes from Harper’s Ferry so reading about the armory and talking about it during class has been really fun! It’s interesting to see through this correspondence what we were talking about in class in terms of wanting to promote efficiency and how that leads to employers not really giving their workers the best conditions. When I think about worker’s strikes I always tend to think about the Progressive Era and urban centers, so seeing the beginnings of that in smaller, rural manufacturing places is super interesting! - Grayson Donohoe | + | Growing up I lived twenty minutes from Harper’s Ferry so reading about the armory and talking about it during class has been really fun! It’s interesting to see through this correspondence what we were talking about in class in terms of wanting to promote efficiency and how that leads to employers not really giving their workers the best conditions. |
| - | The way that these men are talking about the workers almost makes it seem like they' | + | **The way that these men are talking about the workers almost makes it seem like they' |
| The management Harpers Ferry seemed okay the workers walked out, gave them a reason to cut down the workforce. It’s interesting how they used the strike as a way to push their own agenda, like tightening control. You can really see how labor resistance was met with strategies to keep workers in line, even if it meant losing some. -James Clayberg | The management Harpers Ferry seemed okay the workers walked out, gave them a reason to cut down the workforce. It’s interesting how they used the strike as a way to push their own agenda, like tightening control. You can really see how labor resistance was met with strategies to keep workers in line, even if it meant losing some. -James Clayberg | ||
| - | It's interesting hearing the recollection of events, where workers are seen unionizing, peacefully and increasingly, | + | It's interesting hearing the recollection of events, where workers are seen unionizing, peacefully and increasingly, |
| You can really see the seperation between the workers and the government. It is also upsetting that what was a peaceful protest was quickly seen as an outbreak. Even though the workers were just standing up for fairness within their labor conditions.- Izzy Ellenberger | You can really see the seperation between the workers and the government. It is also upsetting that what was a peaceful protest was quickly seen as an outbreak. Even though the workers were just standing up for fairness within their labor conditions.- Izzy Ellenberger | ||
| Looking at this, it showed that the armory seemed unimpressed with the strike, feeling that they could and would easily replace the workforce with fresh faces if need be. However, the workforce shows that it wants to stay and work there under their (better?) terms. | Looking at this, it showed that the armory seemed unimpressed with the strike, feeling that they could and would easily replace the workforce with fresh faces if need be. However, the workforce shows that it wants to stay and work there under their (better?) terms. | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Reading this for the management' | ||
| + | - Hannah Holstrom | ||
| + | |||
| ====== Douglass, Beaten in a Baltimore shipyard ====== | ====== Douglass, Beaten in a Baltimore shipyard ====== | ||
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| As stated in reference to the aquirement of worker authority following the Harper' | As stated in reference to the aquirement of worker authority following the Harper' | ||
| - | Frederick Douglass presents a vivid personal example of labor relations as shaped by slavery and racism. The very essence of these relationships can be captured in Douglass’s comparison with piracy: “I owed it to him... solely because he had the power to compel me to give it up. The light grim-visaged pirate upon the high seas is exactly the same.” - Nikolai Kotkov | + | One thing that sticks out to me from Fredderick’s passage is how he mentions his attackers said he was going to take over the country. |
| - | Having read Douglass' | + | **Frederick Douglass presents a vivid personal example of labor relations as shaped by slavery and racism.** The very essence of these relationships can be captured in Douglass’s comparison with piracy: “I owed it to him... solely because he had the power to compel me to give it up. The light grim-visaged pirate upon the high seas is exactly the same.” - Nikolai Kotkov |
| + | |||
| + | **Having read Douglass' | ||
| Douglass does a great job of retelling his experiences in the workforce in this passage. One part that stuck out to me was when he said that the white men were saying how African Americans are going to take over the county and they “ought to be killed.” It reminds me of the rhetoric people used post-Civil War or about immigration how the people who now have freedom or have come to the United States are going to take jobs from white Americans. It’s interesting to see these racist ideologies kind of develop alongside the development of technology and industry. - Grayson Donohoe | Douglass does a great job of retelling his experiences in the workforce in this passage. One part that stuck out to me was when he said that the white men were saying how African Americans are going to take over the county and they “ought to be killed.” It reminds me of the rhetoric people used post-Civil War or about immigration how the people who now have freedom or have come to the United States are going to take jobs from white Americans. It’s interesting to see these racist ideologies kind of develop alongside the development of technology and industry. - Grayson Donohoe | ||
| - | "Their reason for this, as alleged, was, that if free colored carpenters were encouraged, they would soon take the trade into their own hands, and poor white men would be thrown out of employment." | + | **"Their reason for this, as alleged, was, that if free colored carpenters were encouraged, they would soon take the trade into their own hands, and poor white men would be thrown out of employment." |
| The same fear sparked from Douglass hasn’t gone away either. The idea that certain groups are “taking over” jobs still show up today, just aimed at different people depending on who you are and what lens you are looking through. ---James Clayberg | The same fear sparked from Douglass hasn’t gone away either. The idea that certain groups are “taking over” jobs still show up today, just aimed at different people depending on who you are and what lens you are looking through. ---James Clayberg | ||
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| We can see from what Douglas went through that racism was extremely and violently prevalent within their economic and social hierarchies. It’s really sad that they saw a person with knowledge and skill and beat him just because of his race. -Izzy Ellenberger | We can see from what Douglas went through that racism was extremely and violently prevalent within their economic and social hierarchies. It’s really sad that they saw a person with knowledge and skill and beat him just because of his race. -Izzy Ellenberger | ||
| - | It's so important that we have a recorded history of the turmoil and prejudice, both against and regarding workers of color/ | + | It's so important that we have a recorded history of the turmoil and prejudice, both against and regarding workers of color/ |
| Even if tech has improved and methods change, it doesn' | Even if tech has improved and methods change, it doesn' | ||
| + | |||
| + | I thought that reading Douglass' | ||
| + | -Hannah Holstrom | ||
| + | |||
| ====== McGaw, Papermaking ====== | ====== McGaw, Papermaking ====== | ||
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| This chapter analyzes the impact of modernization on the relations between paper mill workers and their management, on the image of American proletarian masculinity, | This chapter analyzes the impact of modernization on the relations between paper mill workers and their management, on the image of American proletarian masculinity, | ||
| - | I find it interesting that the author in the small preface of this notes that worker’s pride is something to be considered in this reading. Something that is diminished as precursors of the assembly line manufacturing became a more popular means of production. Workers who were once prideful of their skills and their product, had been replaced with people who were neither, and simply knowledgeable of their one task in the production line. - Ava B | + | **I find it interesting that the author in the small preface of this notes that worker’s pride is something to be considered in this reading. Something that is diminished as precursors of the assembly line manufacturing became a more popular means of production. Workers who were once prideful of their skills and their product, had been replaced with people who were neither, and simply knowledgeable of their one task in the production line**. - Ava B |
| - | McGaw’s discussion of how women’s work in paper mills differed from men’s work was particularly interesting to me. Women did not experience much change in their work after industrialization because they weren’t typically working with the machines. It was surprising to me to hear that the female rag sorters were somewhat valued and, unlike male machine workers, weren’t pushed to prioritize quantity over quality. - Noah Rutkowski | + | **McGaw’s discussion of how women’s work in paper mills differed from men’s work was particularly interesting to me. Women did not experience much change in their work after industrialization because they weren’t typically working with the machines**. It was surprising to me to hear that the female rag sorters were somewhat valued and, unlike male machine workers, weren’t pushed to prioritize quantity over quality. - Noah Rutkowski |
| I am able to see some parallels in the adaptability of women' | I am able to see some parallels in the adaptability of women' | ||
| - | This reading reflects a lot about what we talked about in class on Tuesday with the development of piece work and how people started breaking down the process of manufacturing one thing so that there wouldn’t be as much of a need for skilled workers. Seeing the many titles people had at the paper making factory like “machine tender” and “foreman of the drying room” is such a great example of this. - Grayson Donohoe | + | **This reading reflects a lot about what we talked about in class on Tuesday with the development of piece work and how people started breaking down the process of manufacturing one thing so that there wouldn’t be as much of a need for skilled workers.** Seeing the many titles people had at the paper making factory like “machine tender” and “foreman of the drying room” is such a great example of this. - Grayson Donohoe |
| - | McGaw talks in this essay a bit about differences in the standards for masculinity and education when it came to factory work post mechanization, | + | McGaw talks in this essay a bit about differences in the standards for masculinity and education when it came to factory work post mechanization, |
| - | Skilled labor started to fade as jobs got more specialized and repetitive. I also thought the part about women’s roles was surprising and how they kept doing similar work even as machines took over, and were still seen as important in the process. It’s a good example of how not everyone experienced industrialization the same way. ----James Clayberg | + | Skilled labor started to fade as jobs got more specialized and repetitive. I also thought the part about women’s roles was surprising and how they kept doing similar work even as machines took over, and were still seen as important in the process. |
| I thought it was interesting to see how proud they were in their craftsmanship and how they embodied their skill. Though because they were so focused on their one skill when different technologies and machineries advanced the worker is practically out of a job.- Izzy Ellenberger | I thought it was interesting to see how proud they were in their craftsmanship and how they embodied their skill. Though because they were so focused on their one skill when different technologies and machineries advanced the worker is practically out of a job.- Izzy Ellenberger | ||
| I enjoyed reading up on the transition towards mechanization, | I enjoyed reading up on the transition towards mechanization, | ||
| + | |||
| + | Compared to the other readings, we see how there is a defense for the need of mechanization of factories and how it says: " | ||
| + | tasks." | ||
| + | |||
| + | I thought the companionship between the owners and workers discussed was interesting, | ||
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