Gompers, Samuel. Report of the Committee of the Senate upon the Relations between Labor and Capital. Washington, D.C, 1885. 1:365-70.
Gompers explains the philosophies that led to the success of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in the 19th century, after replacing the Knights of Labor. Gompers explains that, with the increase in modernism and capitalism, many people were left impoverished, as the rich acquired more and more wealth, precisely why the trade union had to be formed to fight for the welfare of this class of society. He also explains that the unions were not in any way related to barbarism, and neither did they give rise to socialist nor communism ideas. He argues this out by illustrating that formations of such unions was only possible in countries like the United States and in Britain where civilization, and the respect of people’s rights was allowed. The article therefore helps to understand the factors that led to AFL becoming a powerful force even through the strike, and how it played a role in opposing the communism culture.
Congress, U. S. “The Homestead Act of 1862.” A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: US Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875 (1862).
The article explains the events that led to the passing of the Homestead Act in 1862, and oulines the legislative laws present in the Act. The article explains that the House of Representatives passed the Homestead Act after being supported by 107 votes against 16. The Senate also passed the Act with 33 votes to 7. All of this happening in the same year 1862. Through the article, we get to learn that the article allowed for more western migration. Along with the Act the government gave out 160 acres of land for a small fee, only if the settlers had settled in the area for more than 5 years. The settlers were also allowed to claim full ownership of the land at a small fee of $1.25. The article therefore helps to explain the events that led to the expansion of the west in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Richardson James, ed., Messages and Papers of the Presidents (Washington, D.C., 1899), 10:139-50.
The article explains President McKinley’s request to the United States Senate for the declaration of war against Spain after the public and political pressure grows out of hand in 1898. The president explains in the article of how neutrality was not a choice for them after witnessing the tyranny of the Spanish domain in Cuba, which had aroused US citizens’ sympathy. The president stipulates the main reasons for declaration of the war as one, to empathize with the suffering the Cubans were facing. Two, to protect the American citizens living in Cuba, who could not even be protected by the legal actions in the country. Three, he was remorseful of the investors who had suffered great loss after making great investments in Cuba, and lastly, he wanted to strengthen the relations between the Cubans and the Americans. The article therefore helps us to establish the reasons as to why the President pushed for the declaration of War on the Spanish Government.