Question

Which of the following best explains why many Americans rejected the views expressed in the passage?

Refer to the passage.

O Industrialization created a demand for cheap labor from immigrants, intensifying class conflicts between rich and poor.
Excerpt from an open letter to the American Railway Union in 1897, by Eugene Debs, founder and member of the Industrial Workers of the World.
O Industrialization created a middle-class cult of consumption, blunting class conflicts and diluting calls for change.
O Benefits from industrialization improved conditions overall, easing class conflicts that had been present since the nation's founding.
O The government invested heavily in steel and coal, creating jobs nationwide and raising incomes even among those living in poverty.

Answer 1

Many Americans rejected labor movements because of the belief in American Exceptionalism and the opportunity for individual achievement, skepticism towards collectivism instilled by cultural ideologies and global events, and faith in a market that rewards hard work and fair treatment without the need for collective action.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passage excerpted from an open letter by Eugene Debs in 1897 reflects the growing discontent among the working class due to the harsh conditions sparked by industrialization. Despite increased access to consumer goods and improved standard of living for some, many Americans rejected broader calls for change and declined to support labor movements such as the Industrial Workers of the World, which Debs was a part of. This reluctance to embrace class solidarity and the labor movement can be attributed to a blend of cultural, economic, and ideological factors that were unique to the United States at the time.

American Exceptionalism and the notion of the United States as a land of opportunity where individual hard work could lead to upward mobility played a significant role. This independent spirit, stemming from America's history of family farms and entrepreneurial aspirations, made many workers view unions with skepticism. The dream of eventually becoming business owners themselves seemed possible and desirable, diminishing the appeal of labor collectivism.

Additionally, the free labor ideology, which posited that workers could choose their employers and that fair treatment would be ensured by the market dynamics, was widely believed. Influences such as the French Communards seizing property in Paris and other world events fueled anxieties about collectivism and the redistribution of wealth. Consequently, an important segment of the American working class was more inclined to place faith in individualism over collective movements for workers' rights.