History of U.S. Exam 1, Ch. 16

How did the economic development of the Gilded Age affect American freedom?

As there was more economic development, there was still a big split between the lower class and the upper class. Economics taught that money did not go to the hardest workers, but to those who had business skills and access to money. As Charles Darwin came up with Social Darwinism, he expressed that economic hierarchy is natural and the government must not interfere. This became popular and led to limited government and more "free market." This led to people believing they had even less freedom because there was less control over working conditions and unions could not be formed. Private contracts were written then, which said that workers could not complain about loss of freedom. This did not ensure that freedom was not lost, though.

Social Darwinism

Based on Darwin's ideas of Natural Selection, evolution, or survival of the fittest. Explanation of why some people were poor and others wealthy. Social Darwinism was used to defend why government should not interfere because classes are created from nature.

What events demonstrate the influence of railroads on society and politics after the Civil War?

Because of the railroads and economic development, people were given more economic independence. This was positive and negative because it allowed people to find jobs of their choice, but created more jobs that required skills that not everyone had. During this time, there was also the new search for economic freedom. People had to learn to maintain this freedom as society was rapidly industrializing in economic power. This led to people forming unions to demand rights in the workplace and earn economic independence.

How did social reformers such as Edward Bellamy and Henry George conceive liberty and freedom differently that the proponents of the liberty of contract ideals and laissez-faire?

Both believed in the elimination of class differences. Unlike the Liberty of Contract ideals, both men believed there needed to be regulation by government in order to achieve this. This is very similar as comparing it to laissez-faire where this is no government interference. Under the ideas of Bellamy and George, though, government needs to step in with a solution reducing class differences.

How did the ideas of Henry George and Edward Bellamy conflict with Social Darwinism?

Both sought the elimination of class differences.

Dawes Act

Broke up land of Indian tribes in order to give the small parcels to individual families. The entire point was to attack "tribalism." This act had negative effects because Indians lost 86 million acres of land and Indian cultural traditions were broken.

Vertical Integreation

Company that is "vertically integrated" is in charge of all parts of the supply chain that lead to the selling of a product. Carnegie and JD Rockefeller established their companies in this way and accumulated large fortunes and economic power.

Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)

Congress established the ICC in order to ensure that railroads charged reasonable rates and also the same rates to different people (farmers, merchants, etc.), preventing favorable treatment. ICC lacked power to establish rates, so it could only sue companies in court. It had little impact on railroad practices.

Robber Barons

Derogatory term used to describe an industrial leader who wielded power and caused corruption. Opposite of Captains of Industry.

Captains of Industry

Describes and industrial leader whose energy and vision pushed the economy forward. Opposite of Robber Barons.

The Grange (Patrons of Husbandry)

Due to complaints of high freight rates by railroads and favoring of large producers, farmers and local merchants formed the Patrons of Husbandry. Aka the Grange, this group attempted to establish cooperatives for storing marketing farm output in hopes that the carriers would take their produce at a fair price.

Liberty of Contract

Freedom to contract w/o government restrictions. When people can contract freely, the government and unions could not interfere with working conditions. This liberty ensured people would not lose freedom and ensured equality.

Knights of Labor

Group led by Terrence Powderly attempting to organize unskilled workers and skilled workers, organizing women and men in the workplace, and organizing blacks and whites in the workplace. Reformed attempted to achieve this with strikes, boycotts, political action, and educational activities.

Ghost Dance

How Native Americans coped with Dawes Act. Consisted of singing and dancing and told of how one day the whites will disappear, allowing the Indians to practice their customs again. Many who participated were killed by troops near Wounded Knee Creek because the government feared an uprising from the Indians.

Gospel of Wealth

Idea by Andrew Carnegie that wealthy people have the obligation to do charitable acts. This was said to be highly beneficial because it would create a brotherhood between rich and poor. Carnegie believe that the best way to advance society is to help those that are worthy of aid.

How successfully did third parties lead movements for reform at the state level after the Civil War?

In Pennsylvania, the third house of railroad lobbyists exerted as much influence as elected chambers. There were many protestant and moral reform attempts during the Gilded Age. They attempted to Christianize the government by outlawing sinful behavior. They did set the stage for later reforms.

At the turn of the twentieth century, was an eight-hour day the only issue in question in labor relations? (PM Koslow)

Labor factors besides the eight-hour-day came up in the twentieth century. Child labor laws were made and an age restriction was set. There were different notions on adulthood ages, so sixteen year olds did work. Also, there was the fight to get kids in school and out of the factory. Last, women's labor laws were created. They wanted to limit women's working hours. Required breaks from work were discussed and a limit of work hours was set. Working conditions and standards of living were going up.

Bonanza Farms

Large farms that cover thousands of acres and can employ many people. Few emerged in the trans-Mississippi West, while family farms dominated.

Describe the involvement of American family farmers in the global economy 1870 and its effects on their independence.

Originally, small farmers did well, producing single crops for sale. However, as railroads began to bring in factory-made goods, items from family farms were replaced. Family farms relied on loans to make purchases and the farms became increasingly vulnerable. With economic depression and expanding agriculture, farm products prices began to fall steadily. Small farmers suffered and many eventually migrated to cities for work.

What was the movement for an Eight-Hour day? (PM Koslow)

People often worked for 12 hours, 6 days a week. The eight-hour day was fairer to the workers. It argued that there is a right to work, a right to have rest, and a right to have leisure. The workers wanted to capture some control over their work.

Why were railroads so important to America's second industrial revolution?

Railroads opened up more opportunities for farming to spread. As the population increased, railroads allowed for mass production and distribution. Rapid communication and economic growth led to things like scientific breakthroughs and the invention of the typewriter and telegraph that created a chain reaction of progress and development.

Trust

Several companies combined to prevent competition. Established during Second Industrial Revolution by putting several rival companies under one manager.

What was the Social Gospel movement?

Started by the Protestant Church, pushed the ideas that freedom meant actual equality of wealth and power. Only with this could the idea of brotherhood really be present.

The Haymarket Affair

The Haymarket Affair was the movement for the eight-hour day following the work of the Knights of Labor. There were an immense amount of strikes and demonstrations. It was named because there was a meeting at the Haymarket.

Discuss 2 distinct ways that the Haymarket event has been remembered. (PM Koslow)

The Haymarket affair was remembered in different ways. One way it was remembered was as a labor movement for workers rights and for an eight-hour work day. Workers unionized to achieve these rights. It was also remembered in terms of the police officers that were killed during the riot at a meeting. The police were seen as heroes by some, but this is disputed by workers because it's the power of police who did not help them, but shot at them and broke up the strikes.

Sherman Antitrust Act

The Sherman Antitrust Act served to band all practices that restrained free trade. This Act had very vague language and was almost impossible to enforce. The laws did, however, help establish the idea that the national government could regulate the economy to promote public good.

Social Gospel

The Social Gospel movement beginning with the Protestant church was a movement that pushed the idea that people were only truly equal if wealth and power was distributed equally. Only then would the ideals of a Christian "brotherhood" be present. The Social Gospel movement was intended to establish relief programs for those in poverty.

How was the West transformed economically AND socially during the turn of the 20th century?

The West became more populated because the Homestead Act granted hundreds of families farms. The agriculture business was very successful. Bonanza farms emerged and farms became increasingly oriented in the national and international markets. However, the money needed for all the farming machinery did not ease the women's burdens for managing the household. Chores like cooking, sweeping, and tending to the animals was back breaking work. All of the work off the farm was burden that fell on women.

In what ways did the West provide a "safety valve" for the problems in the industrial East? In what ways did it revel some of the same problems?

The West was a place of opportunity. Living conditions were a lot better; there was an increase in land for cultivation. The economy was expanding and people were traveling to the West. The issue in the West, however, was that workers were still getting paid low wages, there was a corruption in politics, and whites took a lot of land from the Natives.

How did the federal government actively promote industrial and agricultural development after the civil war?

The federal government promoted industrial and agricultural development in many ways. For one, the government enacted high tariffs. This protected the American industry by preventing competition from other countries. The government also granted land to railroad companies to encourage expansion. last, the government removed Indians from western lands that could be used for farming and mining. With more farming, mining, manufacturing, and expansion opportunities, America's economy would prosper.

Was the Gilded Age political system effective in meetings its goals?

The political system during the Gilded Age was both effective and not. The party affiliation of the president went back and forth during this time period. Often times, Congress found themselves split, making it difficult for any president to make changes. The political system was also not equipped to deal with the economic growth. The two political parties could not agree on many things (like high vs. low tariffs) and this created a stalemate. The political system was healthy, though, in terms of more people showing up to vote and party loyalty increasing. Also, during this time period, groups were established to ensure railroads charged businesses reasonably, which would be efficient for the economy.

How did American political leaders seek to remake Indians and change they ways they lived?

There was much conflict between the Indians and white Americans. However, they just wanted freedom and their idea of freedom is the preservation of their culture and their lands. Unfortunately, the white Americans did not like this. Congress took away the treaty in which the government negotiated agreements with Indians as if they were independent nations. Then, the government established schools for Indian children, in which they were removed from their culture, given "American" names, and non-indian clothing.

Why did organized efforts of farmers, workers, and local reformers largely fail to achieve substantive change in the Gilded Age?

Workers and reformers pushed for changes in the workforce. They wanted good pay and good working conditions. They formed unions and scheduled walkouts and went on strikes. However, this failed because the government would fight back. Troops killed strikers in Pittsburg, and the strikers responded with burning railroads. There was warfare, pretty much, between the workers and the owners that it only had negative effects, not beneficial results.