U.S. History Unit 1 Study Guide

How long was the Gilded Age?

1870-1890

When did the Pullman Strike end?

After the government got involved.

What pastimes did Americans develop during the Gilded Age

Baseball, football, and boxing

Why did the government at first leave the trusts alone?

Because they were believed to have encouraged economic growth.

What did Carnegie and Morgan do?

Both great leaders in the steel industry.

What did the election of 1896 include?

Cross of Gold speech, farmers and union workers United behind the same candidate; and the end of the Populist Party

What we're farmers most worried about? What were they also worried about?

Debt, high prices on railroad shipping

What happened during the Gilded Age?

Educational opportunities and literacy increased, while the government and politics became corrupt. There was industrial growth, discontented farmers, and urban growth.

In the late 1800s factories, what were they known for?

For having poor working conditions and pay low wages. They also hired men, women, and even children.

What did the Populist Party movement inspire?

Future reform efforts

Gilded Age Presidents

Grover Cleveland, Chester Garfield, and Theodore Roosevelt

What was Eugene V. Debs known for?

His socialist views and led the Industrial Workers of the World(IWW).

What did new technology lead to?

Increased production and a decrease in prices.

What did the farmers support?

Low tariffs and the direct election of Senators

Captain of industry

Made money in honest ways and would possibly give large contributions to charitable organizations.

What did the Pendleton Civil Service Act do?

Mandated that all federal employees be hired based on merit.

What happened during the Gilded Age?

Many politicians used the spoils system to give jobs to political supporters and friends.

How was steel produced?

Mass produced, in an inexpensive way due to the Bessemer Process.

Tammany Hal?

Most famous political machine. Located in New York City and led by Boss Tweed. It became popular for its willingness to help immigrants

What happened by 1900?

Most teachers had been trained in teacher education, the literacy rate had greatly improved, and mandatory elementary education laws were in place in most states.

What did the the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory cause?

New regulations to be implemented to make factories safer.

Describe Gilded age

On the outside, life seemed grand with new inventions and booming factories. However, many Americans were really poor and struggling as they worked in factories for low pay.

What did improved transportation allow?

People to move outside the city

What was the first political party that represented the farmers called?

Populist Party

What did the farmers prefer?

Silver standard of currency

What inventions occurred during the Gilded Age?

Skyscrapers, electricity, and indoor plumbing

What would labor unions sometimes promote?

Strikes

Yellow journalism

Style of newspaper reporting that emphasized sensationalism over facts. It was basically a way to sell newspapers with investigating facts. William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were both became synonymous with yellow journalism.

What do Social Darwinists believe?

That it's ok for a strong business to take over another weaker business.

What was the first organization formed by farmers called?

The Grange

Who did the Homestead Act provide 160 acres of free land to?

To anyone who would live on the property amd farm it for 5 years.

Why were labor unions formed?

To help and support workers

Vaudeville

Type of theatrical entertainment involving several different acts.

Who was Samuel Gompers?

Union supporter who created the American Federation of Labor(AFL). The AFL soon joined with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). They became the AFL-CIO and only accepted skilled workers in this union.

"Trust"

Used to limit competition. A trust is bad for society because it limits the availability of products and prices for the consumer. The government got involved by passing the Interstate Commerce Act and the Sherman Anti-Trust Act ti limit trust-building.

Robber baron

Wealthy industrialist who made money by stealing from the poor

Political machines?

Were organizations run by a political boss that provided services to their supporters in exchange for votes.

What were problems for frontier farmers?

Wildfires, insects, and extreme weather

Who was the first candidate for the Populist Party?

William Jennings Bryan

Famous Americans and their accomplishments

Wright Brothers-airplane William Randolph Hearst-newspapers Horace Mann-education Alexander Graham Bell-telephone

What was Rockefeller a great leader in?

oil industry

How did electricity help business?

they were able to stay open later

Haymarket Strike?

turned public opinion against the unions. Several people were injured and some even died during this strike. The Knights of Labor were blamed for this tragedy.