0005 The “Gilded Age” (SMR 2.5) Flashcards
(112 cards)
1
Q
In summary, how did the New Industrialization that occurred after the civil war change the nation forever?
A
- New tycoons (Carnegie, Roosevelt) and profits from vigorous new developments (like the railroad) became rich
- New industrial north became more and more urbanized
- Country is now vastly made up of people who are dependent on greater business interest rather than being independent in economic endeavors and therefore also dependent in political thought
2
Q
What happened to factories that built and made weapons after the civil war?
A
They survived in peace time and this resulted in most Americans not working for themselves but for employers
3
Q
What issues arose with factories after the Civil War?
A
A lack of regulation from the federal govt.
4
Q
How did the expansion of railroads dramatically change the nation after the civil war? (5)
A
- Transformed depot towns into cities
- Technological advancements transformed other industries (like the steam engine)
- South becomes integrated into industry as factories move south
- More contact between East and West coasts (int’l ports)
- Standardized time zones are created
5
Q
Why were standardized time zones created after the civil war?
A
Because of the expansion of railroads, we needed to know when it’s noon in the areas of each country, and to know when products would arrive at depot spots so ships could schedule departures accordingly
6
Q
What happened on May 10, 1869 that connected the east and west coasts?
A
Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad line (Central Pacific Co.)
7
Q
Name one of the main railroad barons who came into power and became very wealthy from the railroad business?
A
Leland Stanford
8
Q
What was Horizontal Integration?
A
Created monopolies within a particular industry
9
Q
What is an example of Horizontal Integration?
A
Standard Oil controlled by Rockefeller, he took over the refining stage of oil and owned all the refineries so that he could set the price
10
Q
Rockefeller controlled the refining stage of oil. Is this an example of vertical or horizontal integration?
A
Horizontal
11
Q
What were the new business strategies implemented after the civil war?
A
Horizontal and Vertical Integrations and Holding Companies
12
Q
What is vertical integration?
A
When one company buys out ALL factors of production from raw materials to finished product
13
Q
What is an example of vertical integration?
A
US Steel owned by Carnegie who bought out all mining, refining, etc. companies so he could control every single step
14
Q
Carnegie bought out all aspects that made US steel. Is this an example of horizontal or vertical integration?
A
Vertical
15
Q
Who was Andrew Carnegie?
A
a rags to riches man, born in Scotland, immigrated to America, started as a factory worker at 13 in a bobbin factory, worked his way up and ended up buying Carnegie Steel Company, created vertical monopoly and sold it later to JP Morgan for $481 million, spent the rest of his life to massive philanthropy, created Carnegie Hall for arts, created Carnegie Mellon University, created Carnegie libraries
16
Q
What is a Holding Company?
A
When you own stock in enough companies to have controlling interest in various aspects of an entire industry.
17
Q
What is an example of a Holding Company?
A
If you had enough stock in railroads, you could monopolize everything coming in and out of the railroads
18
Q
What new business cultures were present after the civil war?
A
Laissez Faire economics and Social Darwinism
19
Q
What is Laissez Faire Economics?
A
the concept that all business is created for self-interest of owner and that owners could do essentially whatever they wanted to make that profit
20
Q
What are three examples of Laissez Faire Economics?
A
- A company could steal inventions from another company and innovate it to make it better
- A company could hire people for less money (mostly women and children)
- A company could make people work as long as they wanted them to
21
Q
What is Social Darwinism and how does it impact business?
A
Survival of the fittest mentality applied to business and social classes, only those who manage money and invest it wisely will survive
22
Q
What issues did Laissez Faire Economics and Social Darwinism create after the civil war?
A
Unfair working standards which led to government regulations
23
Q
Why was the govt tentative to regulate businesses after the civil war?
A
because businesses were bringing in the $ and the majority of voters were made up of wealthier business owners
24
Q
What were the two main government regulations that were created after the civil war?
A
The Interstate Commerce Commission (1887) and the Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)
25
What was the Interstate Commerce Commission (1887)?
A government regulation that regulated railroads and pricing of railroads but this was corrupt because many senators were invested into the railroad
26
What was the Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)?
A government regulation that intended to bust monopolies for intention of making it better for consumers but it was often used against unions rather than trusts, stating that unions were putting consumer interests in jeopardy by striking and stopping production
27
Why was the Sherman Anti-Trust Act not what it claimed to be?
it was often used against unions RATHER THAN trusts, stating that unions were putting consumer interests in jeopardy by striking and stopping production
28
When did the Gilded Age take place?
In the second half of the 19th Century after the civil war
29
Why was there a growth of Labor Unions and Labor Movements during the Gilded Age?
After the civil war, there was a sense of Laissez Faire economics and social darwinist attitudes that led to unethical working conditions. Labor movements were a worker initiated response to demands by employers, wanted shorter work weeks and minimum wage.
30
What were the three main labor unions that arose during the Gilded Age?
1. Knights of Labor
2. American Federation of Labor
3. Industrial Workers for the World
31
What was the first national labor union in 1869?
The Knights of Labor
32
What was the Knights of Labor?
Knights of Labor: first national labor union (1869), most basic and tamest, tried to garner deals with owners, i.e. would put together boycotts and strikes to inform consumer public, dwindled before 20th century because of Haymarket Tragedy / Riot
33
Why did the Knights of Labor union dwindle before the 20th century?
Because it was associated with the Haymarket Tragedy/Riot in Chicago
34
What was the Haymarket Tragedy/ Riot?
started as a peaceful strike in May 1886 at a boycott, by fourth day, tensions had risen and a bomb went off that killed policeman and four civilians, many were severely injured. Ended Knights of Labor as the leading labor union because they were constantly linked to the tragedy
35
Who led the American Federation of Labor?
Samuel Gompers
36
What was the American Federation of Labor (AFL)?
Labor union that started out of a desire for craft unions (unions based on skills rather than industries), focused on “bread and butter” issues
like increasing income and improving working conditions), started in 1890s - 1924 by Samuel Gompers, would later become AFL-CIO
37
What was the difference between industrial groups and craft unions?
Craft unions were unions based on skills rather than industries and industrial unions were unions that united along the whole industrial line
38
Why did the AFL have a rift with other union groups?
Other groups thought the AFL was prejudiced towards skilled workers because of their emphasis on craft unions
39
What group did the AFL combine their efforts with?
Commercial Industry Organization (CIO), becoming the AFL-CIO which is still in practice today
40
What political party was integral to advocating for labor unions?
Socialist Party of America
41
Who was Eugene Debs?
A member of the Socialist Party of America and an integral leader of 1894 Pullman Car Strike, used what he learned from 1894 Pullman Car Strike to start the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)
42
What was the 1894 Pullman Car Strike?
strike of railway workers that had Debs arrested and imprisoned, would lead to IWW
43
What was IWW?
Industrial Workers of the World, a labor union that was known for their aggressive and successful strikes, they wanted to overthrow control of the govt by the traditional political parties, in order to work it towards worker advantage
44
What were three famous strikes from the IWW?
1. The Pennsylvania Press Steel Car Strike
2. Lumber Strike
3. Miners Strike
45
What was the Pennsylvania Press Steel Car Strike?
Where 500 IWW members were arrested, arresting all of them proved to be too expensive, used fight for free speech to gain membership around the country
46
What was the 1917 Lumber Strike?
Led to an 8 hour day and improved working conditions
47
What was the 1902 Miners Strike?
first time that federal govt (under Teddy Roosevelt) intervened for union workers, it was a coal strike that could have caused a coal famine if they stopped working, Roosevelt facilitated negotiations, labor got concessions from management, was a compromise that came about because federal govt got involved.
48
What was the Populism movement during the Gilded Age?
movement trying to bridge distance between rich and poor, Started with farmers united to address common problems: large debts, rising foreclosures, railroad abuses (fought against railroad monopolies), and included women, was later organized into Populist Party (or Peoples Party) in 1892
49
What economic and political reforms did the Populist party call for? (5)
1. Increase in money supply (so that working class and rural groups could buy land and improve their situation)
2. Graduated income tax (those who were making more should pay more)
3. Government ownership of railroads & telegraphs (to eliminate profiteering)
4. Direct election of US senators (by giving more power in hands of people)
5. Fought for an 8 hour workday
50
What occurred that showed a rising power of the Populist (Peoples) party?
1892 Presidential Election where a Populist Candidate had won 1 million votes
51
What were the major differences between the Populism and Progressivism movement?
They both were fighting against the power of the upper class but the Populism Movement was more on the bread & butter issues (like 8 hour working days and fair taxes) while the Progressivism movement focused mostly on Middle Class issues (more on social / govt reforms)
52
What was Progressivism?
A movement that built on the achievement & goals of Populism to address the uncontrolled power of the upper class
53
Name 4 of the urban, middle class reformers that were part of the Progressive movement
Robert Lafolette
Theodore Roosevelt
W.E.B. Dubois
Upton Sinclair
54
What were the five main goals of the Progressive Movement
1. Protect social welfare (i.e. child abuse)
2. Promote moral improvement (prohibition)
3. Create economic reform (trust busting)
4. Foster efficiency (scientific management)
5. Clean up local govt (initiative, referendum, recall)
55
Which US President was part of the Progressive movement?
Theodore Roosevelt. He was in the Republican political party but moved toward Progressivism and passed regulations on businesses
56
Who was W.E.B Dubois?
African American who was educated, rose to prominence as leader of Niagara Movement and NAACP, opposed Atlanta Compromise advocated for representation
57
What is muckraking and who was a famous Muckraker?
exposing corruption through journalism, Upton Sinclair ("The Jungle" and "The Brass Check")
58
What was "The Jungle"?
A novel published by Upton Sinclair that called for reform in meatpacking industry that inspired the passage of the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act
59
What was "The Brass Check"
A novel by Upton Sinclair that exposed yellow journalism and inspired first code of ethics for journalists
60
Reforms of the Progressive movement during the Gilded Age had to do with _________ and _______ areas in the _____ class.
political & social , middle
61
Which group during the Gilded Age want to increase the role of the govt to address political and social issues but still wanted to maintain capitalism?
The Progressives
62
What progress did Progressives make when it comes to child labor?
First state laws for child labor laws occur in Massachussets, and indicate that children had to go to school a certain amount of time throughout the year and shouldn’t work more than a certain amount of hours, in 1892 child labor is ended on a federal level
63
What state did prohibition start in?
Kansas in 1881 / Reverend Mark A Matthews
64
What was Taylorism?
The concept of standardizing best labor practices for efficiency with Scientific Management named after lead developer Frederick Taylor
65
How did the Progressive movement want to clean up local govt?
By reforming elections to give more power to the people through initiative, referendum and recall, and through direct primary elections
66
Define Initiative, Referendum and Recall as it relates to the Progressive Movement's desire for election reform
- Initiative: using petition to forced a public vote on an issue (no longer having to wait for legislature to put it on a bill)
2. Referendum: using a petition to force a public vote that would overturn legislations that had already been passed
3. Recall: removal of elected officials by petition of the people
67
The Progressive movement wanted a ________ election. What was that?
Direct primary elections: people could now choose their own candidates for who would lead the country
68
In summary, what were the physical and social impacts of industrialism and urbanisation in the Gilded Age? (9)
1. Urban reform (Settlement Houses)
2. Mandatory education and expansion of women/ black colleges
3. Increased role of women in society and maternal commonwealth / womens suffrage
4. The Print Revolution and introduction of yellow journalism
5. Segregation and Jim Crow laws
6. Rise of cities that gave way to mass transportation
7. Jobs that gave way to immigration and ethnic neighborhoods
8. Political Machines & corruption
9. Dichotomy between rich & poor (Tycoons & Philanthropy)
69
What were Settlement Houses?
A community center in poor neighborhoods
- Founded and lived in by middle-class women
- Provided schooling, child care, cultural activities
70
Who founded Hull House and what was it?
Jane Addams, a Settlement House
71
How did education change in the Gilded Age?
- 1890: Children between 6-10 must attend school 20 weeks a years (first in Massachussets and later expanded on by other states)
- Founding and expansions of Women’s colleges
- Few Black colleges (Howard & Tuskegee Institute)
72
Who believed in the founding of black colleges and why?
Booker T. Washington who believed that blacks should try to assimilate themselves to be less threatening and get white-collar jobs
73
During the Gilded Age, the role of women _____. Why?
Increased role of women in society, women had more freedom, women could now hire household staff to go out and do other things and do things outside the home
74
What was the Maternal Commonwealth?
Arose during Gilded age where values of women's sphere taken out of the home and placed in public life, changed America forever by creating things like the Women's Christian Temperance Union, Settlement houses, social work and women in office and professional work
75
What was the Women's Christian Temperance Union?
A prohibitionist movement with the goal of outlawing alcohol
76
What type of jobs might a woman have had during the Gilded Age?
secretaries, phone operators, nurses
77
Who was the first female Presidential Candidate in 1872?
Victoria Woodhull
78
William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were two tycoons who profited from the
Print Revolution
79
What was the Print Revolution that took place during the Gilded Age?
Modern newspaper that was both informative and sensational, a form of entertainment that included yellow journalism, created tycoons like William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer
80
What is Yellow Journalism?
little to no research to back up headlines, about sensationalized headlines, exaggerated news events, scandal mongering
81
What started the movement for women's suffrage?
The 1848 Seneca Falls Conventions, a result of women getting more involved in the public sphere during the Gilded Age
82
What was the NWSA?
The National Womens Suffrage Association that was founded by Susan B. Anthony & Elizabeth Cady Stanton, fought for womens equality and suffrage
83
Who was the first state to allow for full womens suffrage (note that this is not federal suffrage)?
Wyoming in 1869 followed by Utah in 1870
84
What is NAWSA and when was it founded?
1890: National American Woman Suffrage Association (founded by Alice Stone Blackwell & Elizabeth Cady Stanton) -- a combination of NWSA and AWA because after the 15th Amendment there is a split
85
Who founded NAWSA?
Alice Stone Blackwell & Elizabeth Cady Stanton
86
After the 15th Amendment there was a split in the NWSA. Why was this?
- Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Lucretia Mott believe womens suffrage should come before black male suffrage or atleast in tandem
- Abolitionist side (Fredrick Douglass) argued that white women had some influence in the vote because they could influence their husbands and when black men were given the right to vote, their wives could do the same
87
What happened as a result of NAWSA supporting the WWI effort in 1918?
called for women to join the war effort to take the place of men, New York and Oklahoma grant full suffrage in reflection of women’s patriotic fervor (again not federally)
88
When did women receive full federal suffrage?
1920: 19th Amendment is ratified and gives women full suffrage federally.
89
Which amendment gave women the right to vote?
The 19th Amendment
90
Why was there segregation in the Gilded Age?
1. Jim Crow Laws
2. Poll taxes and literacy requirements that stopped the black vote (and only the black vote)
3. Blacks were mostly sharecroppers which was an economic extension of slavery
91
What were the two approaches in place to fight back against segregation during the Gilded Age & who led the movements?
1. Educate blacks to make them more respected in society (Booker T. Washington) with colleges like Tuskegee
2. Demand immediate equality (W.E.B Dubois) through the founding of orgs like NAACP and Niagara Movement
92
What was the main argument against Booker T. Washington's approach to ending segregation?
That it was simply an "accomodation" towards White Supremacy
93
Booker T. Washington's approach to ending segregation did what?
Promoted economic independence for blacks, led the way for graduates like George Washington Carver (noted agricultural scientist)
94
What were the accomplishments of W.E.B Dubois?
was a black man and a harvard graduate, wanted immediate equality for all blacks
Founded organizations like Niagara Movement and NAACP (tried to push civil rights on a more immediate level),
Dubois’ work led to later Civil Rights Movement of 1950’s and 1960’s
95
What occurred as a result of the rise of cities during the Gilded Age?
1. New technologies
2. Mass Transportation
3. Ethnic Neighbhorhoods
4. Increased poverty and crime
5. Diseases
6. Immigration
7. Political Machines and Corruption
8. Dichotomy between rich and poor
96
What new technology changed business and life in the Gilded Age?
Steam Engine
97
What role did mass transportation have in the Gilded Age?
technologies led to cable cars, trolleys to take people to their jobs
98
Why did ethnic neighborhoods spring up in the Gilded Age?
due to urbanization and factory work available attracts immigrants from non-industrialized countries and they settle down in ethnic neighbors
99
Why was there an increase in poverty, crime and diseases in cities during the Gilded Age?
1. Tightly packed areas
2. Multi-generational families lived in tiny tenements, spread disease that they had brought over and disease because they were overworked
3. Native workers were upset that immigrants were coming in to take their jobs and ruined their fight for better pay/working hours
100
What was the result of increased immigration during the Gilded Age?
1880 - 1920: New Immigration waves because of jobs available in cities but led to some terrible exclusionary acts for certain immigration groups like the Eastern & Southern Europeans and Asias
101
What were two of the exclusionary acts that came as a result of immigration in the Gilded Age?
The Immigration Act of 1892 and the Chinese Exclusion Act
102
What was the Immigration Act of 1892?
limited immigration based on undesirable attributes like criminal record, physical/mental ability, in initial examination at places like Ellis Island you could be automatically deported
103
What was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?
sought to limit immigration of chinese people because it was difficult for them to assimilate into American culture (unlike Europeans)
104
Wha was an example of the corruption of the Gilded Age?
Political bosses; controlled the city through personal politics and rendering essential services; resorted to criminal activities
I.e. Boss Tweed of Tammany Hall
105
Who was Boss Tweed and what was Tammany Hall?
Under Boss Tweed, lieutenants moved immigrants into certain neighborhoods and cities and gave them specific jobs but in exchange for them voting a certain way, an example of the political machines and corruption
106
Why was there a dichotomy between the rich and the poor during the Gilded Age?
Social Darwinism claimed that the hardest worker would make the greatest profit and that wealth was a proof of who was the strongest. This led to major tycoons and the birth of the American Dream
107
What was the Gospel of Wealth?
Concept that spreading good and true Christian values through the spreading of wealth would improve morality of country (i.e. giving money to start up a college, donations to Settlement Houses to assist in rearing of children), practiced by Andrew Carnegie & Rockefeller
108
Who thought people should leave behind their wealth for the improvement of others?
Andrew Carnegie
109
What is the American Dream?
anyone can become rich by a combination of wits and luck (started by Horatio Alger)
110
Who is an example of the American Dream?
Andrew Carnegie is an example of this
111
Who came up with the concept of the American Dream?
Horatio Alger
112
What came out of the optimistic air of the Gilded Age?
The American Dream
