Bunuel
After the Great Depression (1929–1939), efforts to reform labor conditions in the United States intensified, driven by widespread economic hardship and growing calls for workers' protections. Initially, alliances between labor rights advocates and business leaders appeared promising, but as the labor movement pushed for broader reforms, tensions emerged. In response, Frances Perkins (1880–1965)—the first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of Labor—played a crucial role in bridging these divides and advancing groundbreaking labor policies, though her contributions are often overshadowed by more prominent political figures of the era.
Perkins employed both moral and practical appeals to unify various factions and promote labor reforms. Her moral arguments were rooted in the belief that economic security and fair labor practices were essential to human dignity. She asserted that safeguarding workers’ rights would not only alleviate suffering but also reflect the nation’s core democratic values. Perkins emphasized that a failure to protect laborers, particularly vulnerable populations like women and children, would undermine the social fabric of the country. By framing labor rights as a moral imperative, she sought to inspire broader public support for reforms like the establishment of minimum wages and maximum working hours.
In her practical appeals, Perkins underscored the economic advantages of labor reforms. She argued that improving workplace conditions and wages would lead to increased productivity and economic stability, ultimately benefiting businesses and workers alike. Perkins highlighted that reducing workplace accidents and worker turnover would lower costs for employers in the long run. This pragmatic approach resonated with business leaders who were initially resistant to government intervention but saw potential economic benefits in reducing labor unrest and boosting consumer purchasing power.
A defining aspect of Perkins’s strategy was her advocacy for the Social Security Act of 1935, which she championed as a means of providing economic security for elderly and unemployed workers. Perkins believed that creating a safety net would not only prevent future economic crises but also reinforce public trust in government institutions. Her leadership in shaping New Deal labor policies left a lasting impact, establishing protections that continue to define the American workplace. Though Perkins faced significant opposition, her ability to balance ethical imperatives with practical solutions helped forge a new era of labor rights in the United States, cementing her legacy as a transformative figure in American labor history.
1. The passage most strongly suggests that which of the following statements expresses an appeal that Frances Perkins made to business leaders?
A. Extending labor protections to vulnerable workers can improve short-term productivity but risks increasing operational costs for businesses.
B. Addressing unsafe working conditions benefits workers but may temporarily disrupt industrial output and efficiency.
C. Improving wages for vulnerable workers is necessary for economic fairness, though it may reduce profit margins for businesses in the short term.
D. Addressing unsafe working conditions and low wages benefits businesses by fostering a more stable and efficient workforce.
E. Labor protections help stabilize the workforce, but the economic benefits are primarily seen in broader public welfare rather than direct gains for businesses.
2. The passage most strongly suggests that Frances Perkins would have agreed with which of the following claims?
A. Protecting the rights of vulnerable workers is primarily a moral obligation, with some impact on overall economic stability.
B. Minimum wages and maximum working hours for workers can benefit businesses in the long run.
C. Minimum wage laws primarily benefit skilled laborers rather than low-income or vulnerable workers.
D. Labor reforms that focus on worker well-being typically yield long-term improvements but cause short-term problems.
E. Ensuring the rights of vulnerable workers fosters social cohesion, though its effects on economic stability are uncertain.
3. The passage is primarily concerned with
A. illustrating Frances Perkins’s attempts to frame labor protections as both a moral responsibility and a means to ensure workers' rights.
B. explaining how Frances Perkins’s labor reforms shaped the long-term economic policies of the United States.
C. highlighting the role of Frances Perkins in resolving tensions between labor unions and business leaders.
D. examining Frances Perkins’s use of both principled and pragmatic strategies to advance labor protections.
E. tracing the events of Frances Perkins' life leading to her contributions to the Social Security Act of 1935.
4. According to the passage, the most prominent aspect of Frances Perkins’s pragmatic appeals was the
A. importance of reducing tensions between labor unions and business leaders to ensure long-term industrial growth.
B. belief that protecting workers' rights would lead to greater public trust in government institutions.
C. assertion that improving labor conditions would enhance productivity and reduce turnover for businesses.
D. goal of expanding social welfare programs to address economic inequality across all sectors of the workforce.
E. suggesting that investing in better labor practices would yield short-term financial gains by fostering a reliable labor force.
1. The passage most strongly suggests that which of the following statements expresses an appeal that Frances Perkins made to business leaders?A. Extending labor protections to vulnerable workers can improve short-term productivity but risks increasing operational costs for businesses.
B. Addressing unsafe working conditions benefits workers but may temporarily disrupt industrial output and efficiency.
C. Improving wages for vulnerable workers is necessary for economic fairness, though it may reduce profit margins for businesses in the short term.
D. Addressing unsafe working conditions and low wages benefits businesses by fostering a more stable and efficient workforce.
E. Labor protections help stabilize the workforce, but the economic benefits are primarily seen in broader public welfare rather than direct gains for businesses.
A) Incorrect: This option incorrectly introduces the idea that labor protections may increase operational costs, contradicting Perkins’s focus on long-term economic benefits.B) Incorrect: The passage does not suggest that Perkins warned of potential disruptions to industrial output. Her appeals to business leaders emphasized the positive outcomes of labor reforms.C) Incorrect: The passage frames reforms as mutually beneficial to both workers and businesses, without suggesting reduced profit margins.D) Correct: Perkins’s practical appeals highlight that improving wages and working conditions creates a more stable, efficient workforce.E) Incorrect: Perkins’s arguments to business leaders tie labor protections to direct economic advantages to the businesses.2. The passage most strongly suggests that Frances Perkins would have agreed with which of the following claims?A. Protecting the rights of vulnerable workers is primarily a moral obligation, with some impact on overall economic stability.
B. Minimum wages and maximum working hours for workers can benefit businesses in the long run.
C. Minimum wage laws primarily benefit skilled laborers rather than low-income or vulnerable workers.
D. Labor reforms that focus on worker well-being typically yield long-term improvements but cause short-term problems.
E. Ensuring the rights of vulnerable workers fosters social cohesion, though its effects on economic stability are uncertain.
A) Incorrect: This option understates Perkins’s belief that protecting vulnerable workers significantly contributes to both moral and economic stability, not just "some impact."B) Correct: Perkins’s advocacy consistently highlighted that labor reforms like minimum wages and work-hour limits were not only morally necessary but also economically advantageous for businesses over time.C) Incorrect: Perkins’s focus was on protecting vulnerable, low-income workers, contradicting the idea that minimum wage laws primarily benefit skilled laborers.D) Incorrect: The passage talks about lasting economic stability without suggesting significant short-term problems.E) Incorrect: The passage describes Perkins’s strong belief in the clear economic benefits of labor protections; this option contradicts those assertions. 3. The passage is primarily concerned withA. illustrating Frances Perkins’s attempts to frame labor protections as both a moral responsibility and a means to ensure workers' rights.
B. explaining how Frances Perkins’s labor reforms shaped the long-term economic policies of the United States.
C. highlighting the role of Frances Perkins in resolving tensions between labor unions and business leaders.
D. examining Frances Perkins’s use of both principled and pragmatic strategies to advance labor protections.
E. tracing the events of Frances Perkins' life leading to her contributions to the Social Security Act of 1935.
A) Incorrect: This option narrows the focus to workers' rights; too limited in scope.B) Incorrect: The primary focus of the passage is on her advocacy approach rather than the long-term outcomes of her reforms.C) Incorrect: Resolving tensions is not the central theme of the passage.D) Correct: The passage indeed emphasizes Perkins’s dual approach—moral and pragmatic—in advocating for labor reforms.E) Incorrect: The passage does not trace the events of her life leading to specific legislation. 4. According to the passage, the most prominent aspect of Frances Perkins’s pragmatic appeals was theA. importance of reducing tensions between labor unions and business leaders to ensure long-term industrial growth.
B. belief that protecting workers' rights would lead to greater public trust in government institutions.
C. assertion that improving labor conditions would enhance productivity and reduce turnover for businesses.
D. goal of expanding social welfare programs to address economic inequality across all sectors of the workforce.
E. suggesting that investing in better labor practices would yield short-term financial gains by fostering a reliable labor force.
A) Incorrect: The focus of her pragmatic appeals centered on improving productivity and reducing turnover rather than purely addressing tensions.
B) Incorrect: Perkins’s broader advocacy was directed at convincing businesses of the economic benefits of labor reforms, not government trust.C) Correct: The passage emphasizes Perkins’s argument that better labor conditions lead to increased productivity and reduced turnover.D) Incorrect: The passage highlights labor protections and their economic benefits rather than broad welfare initiatives.E) Incorrect: This option incorrectly focusing on short-term gains, whereas Perkins's appeals stressed long-term productivity and stability as the key benefits of labor reforms.