Sinking of The Maine

 Sinking of The Maine
Maddie Williams
Per: 2

 From an interview in 1898 between Commander Marix and Commander Converse it is said that the damage done was not of an explosion inside the ship but from an underwater mine. This gives verbal evidence that it is correct to think that the Spanish blew up the Maine. In 1976 Admiral Rickover looked at the ship and came to the conclusion that it was an internal explosion. The mines produced in 1898 were believed to have been incapable of igniting the Maine. The most likely cause was from a fire in the coal bunker adjacent to the 6 inch magazine. (H.G Rickover team conclusion)
 Before The Maine exploded president McKinley made it clear to public that he did not want to intervene with the war against Spain. If involved, the war would cost too many lives and hurt the nation's economy. Earlier on McKinley had been called " weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd". This was said by the Spanish Ambassador. The ship blew up near Cuba. The Spanish were fighting to keep Cuba. The Maine exploded in the Havana harbor and as the public was erupted in fury the blame automatically flew towards Spain. Due to this America intervened in the war and helped Cuba fight for their independence. Along the way the U.S also fought to give the Philippines their freedom and then they used them as a source of money just as they did Cuba until The Philippines rebelled and
 won their freedom.

Sources: Pg. 303 of US History textbook, Pg. 308 of US History textbook and Google Images

The Jungle

 The Jungle
Maddie Williams
Per:2

1) What qualities did Sinclair believe a person must have to succeed in Packingtown?
To rise in rank in Packingtown you had to be able to tell tales and spy on your fellow workers. You also had to be tough and willing to do anything that kept you in a job. In short you had to be a knave.

2)According to the passage, what is the plant owner's main goal.
 The plant owner's main goal is to make as much money out of the plant as possible. They didn't care how.

3) What does Sinclair mean when he says, "...there was no place in it where a man counted for anything against a dollar....?"
Sinclair means that in Packingtown the men did not matter compared to the money that was being made. All that mattered to the owners was the amount of money that was being made from the men who worked to earn them that money.

When it was published, The Jungle was so shocking that it launched a government investigation of the meatpacking industry.  The investigation eventually led to the establishment of laws regulating the industry.  Using the internet, research an area that our government enforces now (meat packing, environment, pharmaceuticals) and report how this is enforced today.  The meat packing industry has the highest rate of repetitive motion injuries. To work in the meat packing business is extremely dangerous and labor intensive. The animals involved are mistreated and the working conditions are very hazardous. The government recently took action by placing inspectors in each section to approve the facilities frequently and without disrupting production. To help with the industries injuries labor laws have been set and medical care and health care is given to the workers.