American History Chapters 19-21 Highlights

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Questions and Answers

What allowed the Americans to seize California from the Mexicans in chapter 19?

Their hunger for the land overpowered any desire that the comfortable Mexicans felt.

What happens to landowners as time passes?

Farms expand, and laborers are imported from overseas to aid the harvest.

What are Hoovervilles?

Shantytowns built by unemployed and destitute people during the Great Depression.

What happens when greedy businesses develop?

The more workers come, the less they have to pay them, and owners ensure workers keep up with demand. Signup and view all the answers

What is ownership in chapter 19?

Businesses grow crops on a field, preventing others from using the land. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Hoovervilles?

The government raids and burns Hoovervilles on the grounds of public health. Signup and view all the answers

How are the owners actually hurting themselves?

Hungry and miserable migrants could come together and overpower businesses. Signup and view all the answers

Where do the Joads end up?

A Hooverville. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ma decide regarding the starving children?

She decides to feed her family first and give the kids any leftovers. Signup and view all the answers

What has Connie done?

Abandoned the family. Signup and view all the answers

What do the Joads encounter after they leave Hooverville?

A blockade of men carrying pick handles and shotguns. Signup and view all the answers

What do Ma and Tom discuss about 'the people'?

They discuss the significance of hardworking migrants who will always persevere despite suffering. Signup and view all the answers

Why do the rich/owners hate migrants?

They are scared of migrants who desire more than they can comprehend. Signup and view all the answers

How do the banks work against themselves?

They spend money to suppress laborers instead of improving their quality of life. Signup and view all the answers

What are stoop crops?

Vegetables that force farmers into a lowly position while farming. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'secret gardening' refer to?

Migrant farmers trying to cultivate land they are often removed from by authorities. Signup and view all the answers

What does Jim Casy take blame for?

The altercation with the deputy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the entire camp preparing for in chapter 24?

A dance on Saturday night. Signup and view all the answers

What is the central committee concerned about?

The expected riot at the dance. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the government camp.

Run by elected committees with rules established by the people. Signup and view all the answers

Who scares Rosasharn?

Lisbeth Sandry. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 19 Highlights

Nativism leads to the seizure of California from Mexicans, driven by Americans' hunger for land.
Descendants of American squatters eventually become landowners over time.
Landowners import laborers from overseas as their farms expand, becoming abusive and disconnected from farming’s natural harmony.

Chapter 20: Hoovervilles and Labor Dynamics

Hoovervilles are shantytowns made of cardboard, housing the unemployed during the Great Depression.
As business greed increases, more laborers are hired, resulting in wages decreasing due to an oversupply of desperate workers.
Businesses use mechanization to replace workers, undermining their need to pay fair rates.

Chapter 21: Economic Impacts and Community Struggles

Owners grow crops on land, asserting ownership and barring others from utilizing it.
Hoovervilles face government raids, leading to further displacement of families.
Greedy businesses inadvertently create a powerful, unrestful population of migrants ready to revolt against oppression.

Chapter 22: Government Camp and Community Spirit

The Joad family settles in a government camp characterized by self-governance and mutual assistance.
Elected committees maintain order and provide basic services without outside police interference.
A sense of community emerges as sharing and cooperation become essential for survival.

Chapter 23: Migrant Experiences and Desires

Migrants seek pleasure amidst the hardship, engaging in drinking, dancing, and socializing.
The chapter recounts stories of violence and hardship faced by migrants, illustrating their resilience.
Music plays a significant role in community bonding, with instruments like harmonicas and fiddles enriching their social interactions.

Chapter 24: Tensions and Anticipation of Change

The entire camp prepares for a dance, conscious of potential riots due to rising tensions with local authorities.
Ezra Huston and Willie Eaton lead the Central Committee, strategizing to prevent unrest.
The chapter explores themes of oppression, resilience, and the deepening divide between migrants and local authorities, symbolizing broader societal conflicts.

Key Figures

Floyd Knowles: Provides insights on labor exploitation and advises caution around police.
Jim Casy: Takes blame for Tom's actions, showcasing selflessness and impacting Uncle John's emotional state.
Ezra Huston and Willie Eaton: Central figures in camp organization, reflecting the migrants' struggle for dignity and control.

Societal Commentary

Encourages reflection on the nature of power and the role of community in resisting oppression.
Depicts the detrimental effects of mechanization on human labor and dignity.
Highlights the struggles of the working class against wealth accumulation and corporate greed.

Symbols and Themes

Hoovervilles: Represent desperation and the vulnerability of the migrant population.
Mechanization: Symbolizes industrial exploitation and the loss of traditional farming practices.
Community: Emerges as a critical theme, with cooperation seen as essential for survival against societal forces.

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Description

Explore the significant themes from Chapters 19 through 21 of American history, focusing on land acquisition, labor dynamics during the Great Depression, and the economic struggles of communities. This quiz covers the impact of nativism, the rise of Hoovervilles, and the consequences of business practices on workers.