Introduction to The Gilded Age worksheet Flashcards
What does ‘The Gilded Age’ refer to?
‘The Gilded Age’ refers to a period from the late 1870s through the late 1890s characterized by extreme wealth for a small number of Americans in contrast to the struggling majority.
What is the meaning of the term ‘Gilded’?
‘Gilded’ is a decorative technique that involves applying a thin layer of gold to a cheaper surface to make it appear more valuable and attractive.
What societal issues were prevalent during The Gilded Age?
Societal issues included farmers struggling economically, Native Americans facing genocide, Freedmen trying to establish stable lives, and women fighting for legal rights.
What movement did farmers organize during The Gilded Age?
Farmers organized politically and birthed the Populist movement.
How big was the impact of immigrants on the Gilded Age?
Immigrants played an enormous role in American life during The Gilded Age.
Where did most immigrants enter the United States before 1865?
Most immigrants entered the United States through the east and were primarily Protestants from western and northern Europe.
What regions did large groups of immigrants begin arriving from by the mid-1880s?
By the mid-1880s, immigrants began arriving from eastern and southern Europe, including Greece, Russia, Hungary, Italy, The Ottoman Empire, and Poland.
What are the two main factors motivating mass migration?
Mass migration occurs when there are both push factors (bad conditions) and pull factors (better opportunities) for moving.
What was a significant push factor for emigration from Europe?
A significant push factor was overcrowding, as Europe’s population doubled to 400 million during the 1800s.
What were some pull factors for immigration to the United States? (4 reasons)
Pull factors included better political liberties, religious freedoms, jobs, and affordable land.
What challenges did immigrants face on their journey to the United States?
The journey was long, challenging, and pricey, often requiring travel over a hundred miles to reach the port of departure.
How long did it take to cross the Atlantic from Europe?
It took almost two weeks to cross the Atlantic from Europe.
What class did many immigrants travel in due to cost?
Many immigrants traveled in steerage class, where tickets typically cost $30, equivalent to over $1,000 today.
What was Ellis Island?
Ellis Island was a massive immigration processing center in New York harbor that operated from 1892 through 1954.
What iconic statue greeted immigrants arriving at Ellis Island?
Immigrants were greeted by the Statue of Liberty as they pulled into the harbor.
Who celebrated the Statue of Liberty in a poem?
The Statue of Liberty was celebrated by poet Emma Lazarus in the 1893 poem ‘The New Colossus.’
Where were immigrants processed on the west coast?
On the west coast, immigrants were processed through Angel Island in San Francisco Bay.
What checks were performed on immigrants at Ellis Island?
At Ellis Island, immigrants were checked for mental and physical health problems and asked 29 identifying questions.
What happened to immigrants who did not pass the tests at Ellis Island?
Those who did not pass the tests could be detained and sometimes sent back to where they emigrated from.
