The Writing Guide By Professor Stansbury: His 105 In Your Fi

The Writing Guideprof Stansbury His105in Your Five

In your five paragraph essay using this Writing Guide, use the Schultz class text and at least two of the other sources provided for the topic you chose. You need to include a list of Sources at the end; also, you must cite each of those sources in the body of your paper with short in-text citations. Your introduction should be one paragraph in length, identifying the two different people or government programs you will discuss, providing relevant date(s) or time frames, and describing what you will cover in the paper. In two paragraphs, describe the background and key innovations or successes of each person or policy. One paragraph per person or policy. In a comparison paragraph, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each and their impact during that period. Conclude by discussing similar issues or approaches that developed later and are present today.

Paper For Above instruction

The late 1800s and early 1900s was a transformative period in American history, characterized by rapid industrialization, innovation, and government intervention. This essay examines two distinct approaches to economic change during this period: the innovative strategies of pioneering entrepreneurs Madame C. J. Walker and Henry Ford, and the government’s efforts with policies such as the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Social Security Act. These approaches, each with their strengths and weaknesses, profoundly influenced America’s economic landscape and continue to resonate in contemporary discussions on development and regulation.

Madame C. J. Walker exemplified entrepreneurial ingenuity in the early 20th century through her pioneering efforts in the cosmetics industry. Born in 1867, Walker faced early struggles including poverty and limited access to formal education. Her motivation stemmed from a desire to improve her economic situation and to empower other African American women. Walker developed innovative marketing strategies, such as door-to-door sales and personalized demonstrations, which allowed her to reach her target demographic effectively. Her ability to brand her products and establish a successful business from humble beginnings marked a significant achievement in an era when racial and gender barriers were substantial. Walker’s success was rooted in her innovative marketing approach and her focus on beauty and self-care that appealed widely to African American women, fostering economic independence and community upliftment (Bundles, n.d.).

Henry Ford’s legacy in industrial innovation also emerged from a background of modest beginnings. Born in 1863, Ford initially struggled with job instability and a lack of formal engineering training. His motivation was driven by a desire to streamline automobile production and make cars affordable to the masses. Ford revolutionized manufacturing through the development of assembly line techniques, significantly reducing production costs and time. The introduction of the moving assembly line in 1913 transformed the automobile industry and set new standards for industrial efficiency. Ford’s strategies exemplified innovation in operational management and mass production, making automobiles accessible to a broader population and spurring economic growth (Schultz, 2018, pp. 396–397). His approach not only created a new market but also influenced manufacturing practices worldwide, reflecting the period’s shift toward systematic industrial efficiency.

On the governmental side, the passage of the Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890 represented a bold effort to regulate monopolistic practices and promote fair competition. Motivated by concerns over the concentration of corporate power and its negative effects on consumers and small businesses, the act aimed to curb trusts and monopolies that stifled economic competition. While initially weakened by court decisions, it laid the groundwork for future antitrust enforcement. The impact of the Sherman Act was mixed; it provided a framework for government intervention but also faced limitations in implementation, often allowing large corporations to evade regulation, thus reflecting the era’s ambivalence toward government regulation of business (Schultz, 2018, pp. 362–364).

In contrast, the Social Security Act of 1935 responded to the economic hardships of the Great Depression by establishing a social safety net, including unemployment insurance and pension provisions. Motivated by the need to alleviate widespread poverty and promote economic stability, the act marked a shift toward government responsibility for economic welfare. Its implementation significantly impacted the economy by reducing poverty among the elderly and unemployed, while also expanding the federal government’s role in economic policymaking (Schultz, 2018, pp. 425–429). Both programs demonstrated different aspects of government intervention—regulatory versus welfare-oriented—and their effects echo in modern social policy debates.

When evaluating these approaches, the strengths of Walker’s and Ford’s strategies lay in their ability to innovate and adapt to market demands, creating wealth and broadening economic participation. Walker’s entrepreneurial focus empowered marginalized communities, while Ford’s manufacturing innovations revolutionized industry and transportation. Their weaknesses included limited scalability for Walker’s small business model and the potential for labor disputes and automation risks in Ford’s mass production system. Conversely, government policies like the Sherman Antitrust Act faced enforcement challenges, revealing weaknesses in regulatory capacity, whereas social welfare policies like the Social Security Act have faced ongoing debates over sustainability and scope. The period’s history shows that successful economic development often required a combination of innovation, regulation, and social programs, each influencing the other.

I favor the approach exemplified by Ford’s innovation and Walker’s entrepreneurial spirit because these strategies fostered economic mobility and industrial growth through creativity and efficiency. However, modern policy should incorporate effective regulation and social safety nets to mitigate inequalities caused by unrestrained capitalism. The ongoing debates surrounding antitrust enforcement, labor rights, and social welfare echo the issues faced during this transformative era, illustrating the importance of balanced economic policies that promote growth while safeguarding societal well-being.

References

• Bundles, A. L. (n.d.). Madam C. J. Walker: A brief biographical essay.
• Schultz, K. M. (2018). HIST: Volume 2: U.S. History since 1865 (5th ed.).
• Gates, H. L. (n.d.). Madam Walker, the first Black American woman to be a self-made millionaire.
• History.com Editors. (2019, June 6). Henry Ford. https://www.history.com
• Bundles, A. L. (n.d.). Madam C. J. Walker: A brief biographical essay.
• Schultz, K. M. (2018). HIST: Volume 2: U.S. History since 1865 (5th ed.).
• Whitaker, J. B. (1871). The impact of the factory on worker health.
• Sinclair, U. (1906). Attack on the meatpackers (From The Jungle).
• Lloyd, H. D. (1884, June). The lords of industry (From North American Review, 331).
• Additional scholarly sources from the university’s online library.