Period 6: 1865-1898: Changes to the Republic: Industrialization and Urbanization

American Federation of Labor (AFL) WXT

A powerful labor union that focused mainly on skilled workers and craft unions, it attempted to gain higher wages and better conditions for workers. Their leader was Samuel Gompers.

Asian Immigration and Chinese Exclusion Act MIG

Chinese workers were a very important source of labor for the railroad and mining industries, and they were also a source of cheap labor, as they would usually work for less than other groups because their intention was to return to China and the money they earned in the US would be quite significant back in China. As a result of their willingness to work for less, and their many ethnic differences, and their lack of assimilation, Chinese workers were singled out for discrimination and violence. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was unique in that it limited immigration for one specific group, the Chinese. It is a famous anti-immigrant and nativist law.

Jane Addams/Settlement Houses SOC

Jane Addams is an important social reformer from Chicago who created the idea of the "settlement house," a type of social service and welfare organization based in a struggling neighborhood, funded mostly with charitable donations. Her famous organization was called Hull House. She was a member of the Social Gospel movement, which used the Bible as a guide for addressing the problems of immigration and urbanization. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.

Westward Expansion and Conflict MIG

Westward Expansion after the Civil War leads to conflict with the Native American tribes of the Great Plains and the Southwest, who had mostly been left alone previously, with the exception of some trade and a few skirmishes. Conflict will lead to 35 years of war and many complicated changes, and the closing of the frontier.

J.P. Morgan WXT

A famous Wall Street banker whose company gained control of railroads, banks, and other industries. He bought out Andrew Carnegie for $400 million and then creates US Steel. He was known for his harsh business practices. Morgan was so wealthy he was able to personally bail out the US government after the Panic of 1907. Morgan is known for his battles with President Theodore Roosevelt.

Eugene V. Debs WXT

A famous labor leader and president of the American Railway Union, he led successful strikes against the Great Northern Railway and Pullman Palace Car Company. He was a founder of the Social Democratic Party and ran for president 5 times between 1900 and 1920.

John Muir and the Sierra Club GEO

A famous naturalist and reformer, Muir created the Sierra Club to protect the environment from governmental and business exploitation. His work inspired the growth of national parks, and he is later a great influence on President Theodore Roosevelt.

James Garfield PCE

A former Civil War general and Republican, Garfield's presidency was cut short by his assassination by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker who felt Garfield owed him a job [spoils system] because he helped Garfield get elected. Reactions to the assassination led to the passing of the Pendleton Act, which supported civil service reform and qualifications for government jobs, and opposes the spoils system based on loyalty and patronage.

Progressivism SOC

A general term for social, political, and economic reform that came as a series of responses to problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, and immigration. Reforms were made throughout the states and the national government, and lead to the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th Amendments, as well as to many changes for workers and citizens.

Homestead Strike WXT

A large scale strike that involved negotiations and violent clashes between steel workers and owners [supported by soldiers and private security such as the Pinkertons]. In the end, it is a major failure for the workers, and their is an attempted assassination of Henry Frick, who was the head of the Homestead Plant [owned by Andrew Carnegie].

Interstate Commerce Act WXT

A law that establishes the Interstate Commerce Commission, in part to regulate the railroad industry. In general, it increased more fair competition.

Sherman Antitrust Act WXT

A law that is based on Congress' power to regulate interstate commerce. Monopolies were exposed to federal prosecution if they were found to conspire against free trade. The law was somewhat effective at creating change and was used in conjunction with Supreme Court decisions.

American Protective Association MIG

A nativist group that opposed Catholic immigration to the US, who saw the growth of Catholic immigration as a threat to the predominantly Protestant US society of the time.

Gilded Age ARC

A term that describes the complications of the new industrial era after the Civil War, and its effects on society. "Gilded" means gold on the surface, but covering something different and cheaper - so this is metaphorical for a society that looks good on the surface but is really full of problems. At this time, the US becomes the world's leading industrial and agricultural producer, but wealth and power was increasingly concentrated in the hands of the few. Though the economy was growing rapidly, so were the problems of nativism, political corruption, and inequality.

laissez-faire WXT

A term that means a type of unregulated capitalism, in which the government leaves businesses alone. Laissez faire economics often lead to abusive and monopolistic business practices.

Dawes Severalty Act MIG

After the Battle of Little Bighorn, increased pressure is put upon Native American tribes to give up their more nomadic lives and live on reservations, with the goal of assimilating them into American society.

"New Immigration" MIG

After the Civil War, immigration from Eastern and Southern Europe, and Mexico, increased and contributed to the industrial transformation of the US, and also its cultural diversity. New Immigration once again leads to class tensions and conflicts.

Transportation 1860-1890 WXT

After the Civil War, the Federal government supported the development of railroads, especially in the West, with land grants and subsidies, which leads to faster growth of rail lines. The first Transcontinental Railroad is completed in 1869, when the Union Pacific and Central Pacific lines were joined at Promontory Point, Utah [with a ceremonial golden spike]. Railroad transportation provided transformative opportunities for growth in business, trade, and transport of goods and people, and developed the West.

Haymarket Square Riot WXT

Also known as the Haymarket Affair, this was a labor rally in Chicago related to a strike against the McCormick Harvesting Company. Police were attempting to disperse the crowd when a bomb exploded, killing over 11 and injuring over 100. Anarchists were blamed for the bombing, and 4 were executed. The incident is used o discredit the Knights of Labor. This incident leads to more support for labor groups on the one hand, and more anti-labor feelings on the other.

Populist Party PCE

Also known as the Peoples' Party, mainly a political party for farmers of the Midwest and the West, the Populists supported many Progressive reforms in their "Omaha Platform" that were later adopted by Democrats and Progressives, such as free unlimited coinage of silver, income tax, government ownership and regulation of businesses. Though they never won a presidential election, the Populists influenced the election of 1896, and won seats in Congress and Governor of state elections.

mechanized agriculture increases production/prices drop WXT

As new machines are used in agriculture such as mechanized reapers, the costs of agriculture decrease and production increases, driving food prices down. The unfortunate result of more efficient production was to put farmers in danger of bankruptcy.

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 WXT

Because of several pay cuts to workers in an overall struggling economy since the Panic of 1873, over 100,000 railroad workers on several rail lines went on strike. The strike lat 45 days and over 100 workers were killed. Federal troops, and state and local militias opposed the strikers on behalf of the owners and the Federal government. A major result of this strike is the growth of labor unions, as it was seen that only organized workers could win in such a situation.

Chester A. Arthur PCE

Becomes president after Garfield's assassination, he was not known to be a reformer earlier in life but as president he supports the Pendleton Act.

Booker T. Washington ARC

Booker T. Washington was born a slave, but became an important African-American reformer in the South after the Civil War. Though living under segregation, Washington created educational and vocational opportunities for African-Americans through his Tuskegee Institute. Washington believed that African-Americans should achieve economic equality first and then push for social equality later. He was supported by some African-Americans and denounced by others, especially WEB Du Bois. Washington's autobiography, Up From Slavery, was also influential.

Andrew Carnegie and the Gospel of Wealth/Philanthropy WXT

Carnegie immigrated to the US from Scotland, and started several businesses. He learned the Bessemer steel process in England and went into the steel business, creating Carnegie Steel Company, which became the biggest in the US. Known for his harsh business practices, he became very wealthy as a monopolist. He dealt with the Homestead Strike. Later, he wrote a famous essay, The Gospel of Wealth, which states that wealthy people must use their wealth to benefit society. He engaged in philanthropy later in life, donated most of his wealth to charities and social programs, such as creating the public library system.

Social Darwinism WXT

Charles Darwin was a naturalist who studied birds and other animals and developed a theory of evolution based upon his observations. Later, others attempt to apply this theory to human society. A famous supporter of this idea was Herbert Spencer. In general, Social Darwinism supports the idea that certain races are naturally superior to others, and also that the existence of wealthy classes is evidence for that superiority. This supports all kinds of unequal systems, and reinforces negative views on members of lower classes.

"political machines" PCE

Cities were run by political party organizations, who controlled most aspects of city life, such as housing, police, fire departments, and many jobs. Loyalty to political parties was expected and enforced, and to some degree rewarded.

US Department of the Interior, Fish Commission GEO

Congress forms this Department to handle domestic matters, including western exploration, oversight of Indian reservations, and management of federal lands.

William Randolph Hearst ARC

Famous newspaper monopolist, he built a media empire of newspapers, magazines, and later radio and movies. His "yellow journalism" strategy helps push the US into the Spanish American War.

Benjamin Harrison PCE

Harrison supported business. instituted high protective tariffs, signed the Sherman Antitrust Act, supported African American voting rights, admitted 6 states to the Union, and modernized the US Navy.

Rutherford B. Hayes PCE

Hayes was one of several Northern generals who became President after the Civil War. He ended Reconstruction, removes the Army from the South, and also ends the railroad strike of 1877, siding with the owners against the workers.

Henry George, single-tax proposal WXT

Henry George, a writer and economist, in his book Progress and Poverty, supported the idea of a "single tax" based on land value as a way to promote economic equality. He believed in several ideas that would influence the Progressive Movement and other attempts to create more equality. For example, he states that "we must make land common property," meaning that all citizens would share in the ownership and profit based on land. George supported many other reforms such as free transit, universal pensions for workers, the secret ballot, womens' suffrage, and others.

Ida B. Wells ARC

Ida B. Wells was an African-American journalist and activist who was a leader of the anti-lynching campaign. Lynching, a form of vigilante execution, was used often in the South to terrorize African-American communities.

Compromise of 1877 PCE

In 1876, there was a disputed presidential election that was essentially a tie [Hayes/Tilden]. Neither won the electoral vote. The decision went to the House of Representatives, and the Democrats in the House agreed to give Hayes [Republican] the victory. Hayes, in return, had to end Reconstuction in the South, and he agreed. This Compromise leaves African Americans in the South with no support from the Federal Government.

sharecropping and tenant farming WXT

In the South, after Reconstruction ends, southern whites created rules that made it difficult for African Americans to own land or maintain financial independence, especially if they were poor farmers. African Americans were pressured into situations involving renting land, which usually led to falling into perpetual debt, which reinforced the power of the segregated system of the South.

Critics of "Gilded Age" Society WXT

Many Americans criticized Gilded Age Society because it created different types of inequality, mistreatment, and political corruption. Writers, economists, reformers, religious leaders, and even some industrialists like Andrew Carnegie became outspoken critics of the excesses of the era.

Mother Jones, Coxey's Army, the IWW WXT

Mother Jones was a famous labor organizer, and one of the organizers of Coxey's Army, a group of unemployed men who marched on Washington and in mining strikes. She worked against Andrew Carnegie to improve the lives of steel workers. She was a leader of the Knights of Labor and later on, the United Mine Workers, and the IWW [Industrial Workers of the World]. She was known as "the most dangerous woman in America," for her skills at organizing workers' unions.

Battle of Wounded Knee MIG

Not so much as battle, also known as the Massacre of Wounded Knee. After the tribes were pressured to live on reservations, problems led to a religious movement throughout the West known as the Ghost Dance. Due to tensions related to the Ghost Dance, Chief Sitting Bull of the Sioux and several of his followers were killed. A few hundred Sioux fled to Wounded Knee, and when the US army found them there, they opened fire and killed 200 men, women, and children, leaving their frozen bodies in the snow. This is considered an end to the Indian Wars of the Great Plains.

Battle of Little Bighorn MIG

Of the many battles of the Great Plains after the Civil War, the most famous Indian victory was the Battle of Little Bighorn, in which the US 7th Cavalry under General Custer was wiped out by the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes. Custer was seen as a potential candidate for President before this battle [which leads to his death], which increases the impact of the defeat for the US. After this battle efforts to defeat the tribes and force them to live on reservations increase.

Knights of Labor WXT

One of the first powerful and successful labor organizations, it allowed skilled and unskilled workers to join, including some women and African Americans. Members fought for an 8 hr work day, no child labor, equal pay for equal work, and other reforms. Their leader was Terence Powderly, and their height they had 700,000 members. They eventually are weakened through unsuccessful strikes, mismanagement, and the emergence of the more powerful AFL.

Colored Farmers' Alliance WXT

Similar to the Grange in the South, but less effective, this group is formed when African-American farmers were not allowed to join the Southern Farmers' Alliance.

Plessy v. Ferguson PCE

Supreme Court case in 1896 that supports segregation and sets up the doctrine of "Separate but Equal is Constitutional" in the South. Homer Plessy, a light-skinned African American and railroad worker, was arrested for sitting in a "whites only" rail car.

Evolution of Business and Labor WXT

The Civil War helps to facilitate many changes in production techniques, which continue after the end of the war. Starting with the railroads, business leaders learn how to create and sustain bigger and more powerful corporations. Workers, also, reacting to the new conditions, become increasingly organized into labor unions of different kinds in order to improve their working conditions and treatment. These two great forces engage in ongoing struggles.

Government subsidies: Transportation and Communication WXT

The Federal government provided financial support for railroad companies and telegraph companies.

Grover Cleveland PCE

The first Democrat elected president after the Civil War, he was the only President to win two nonconsecutive terms. Though he signs the Interstate Commerce Act, he also uses federal soldiers to oppose striking railroad workers. He was generally pro-business and conservative, but supported governmental reform.

John D. Rockefeller WXT

The founder of the monopoly Standard Oil Company, he used business practices such as vertical and horizontal integration, trusts, and rebates to grow his corporation. He also took control of other businesses besides oil. For a while he was the wealthiest person in the US. Known for harsh business practices, he used much of his wealth for philanthropy later in life.

Monopolies [Trusts] and Business Consolidation WXT

The lack of governmental regulation and the increased growth of the processes related to industrialization led to larger and stronger companies and corporations, many of which became monopolies, in which a single corporation controls an entire industry with no competition. This is also called horizontal integration. Monopolistic businesses also used vertical integration to control all aspects of their production process.

Chief Joseph MIG

The leader of the Nez Perce Indians, he and his tribe resisted the US encroachment on their lands. After being chased by the US Army for hundreds of miles, in the winter, and winning several battle, Chief Joseph eventually surrenders.

Jim Crow Laws PCE

The nickname for segregation laws, "Jim Crow" being a slur for African-American men. These laws, actively used in the South after Reconstruction ends, separated whites and blacks. The separation was unequal, favoring whites. These laws were enforced by states and contradicted the intent of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. The Supreme Court supports these laws with the landmark decision in the Plessy v. Ferguson Case [separate but equal is Constitutional].

assimilation NAT

The process of blending into the majority or dominant culture. This was sometimes seen as a positive goal, and other times seen as a negative. Since the dominant culture was "white anglo-saxon Protestant," the process of blending for Catholics, African-Americans, Jews, Native Americans, and other groups would be a challenging and imperfect one full of tensions as different cultures responded to change in language, education, social expectations, laws, and other aspects of sharing society together.

urbanization MIG

The process that involves the growth of cities. Mostly this occurred in the North and Northwest before and after the Civil War. Urbanization had some positives and many negatives, with a lot of inequalities and types of corruption, as well as problems with disease and sanitation, mixed in with increased opportunities and exposure to culture and innovation.

Las Gorras Blancas and La Mano Negra MIG

These groups were Mexican Americans and Native Americans who resisted the loss of their lands after the Mexican American War.

middle class WXT

This group, between rich and poor, grows considerably along with the development of capitalism and urbanization, and the gradual increase in opportunities. As the middle grows, it begins to exert more power economically and politically.

National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) NAT

This organization fought for a woman's right to vote, local, state, and federal. Two early leaders were Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.

Thorstein Veblen, "Conspicuous Consumption" WXT

Thorstein Veblen was an economist and sociologist who wrote a book The Theory of the Leisure Class, in which he claims that society is made of two groups, producers and exploiters. He is famous for the phrase "conspicuous consumption," which means that some wealthy people will engage in extravagant spending in order to make a statement about their wealth, accomplishments, and class.

Treaties with Native Americans MIG

Treaties with western Indian tribes were made many times after the Civil War, and the deals were often broken and revised to suit the needs and desires of different groups involved with Westward Expansion. Native Americans generally received smaller amounts of land, of less value, as they were increasingly pressured to agree to treaties.

Robber Barons and Captains of IndustryWXT

Two nicknames for the great industrialists of the Gilded Age - one negative and one positive. Depending on point of view, these industrialists were heroes or villains. One thing they had in common is that they generally were monopolists, operating in a non-regulated, laissez-faire business environment. They did not generally support the idea of fair economic competition or fair treatment of workers or consumers. The excesses of these industrialists leads to demands for more governmental regulation.

wages and working conditions WXT

Workers created unions to fight for better pay [wages] and safer and better working conditions. Accidents and terrible injuries [even death] were common, and workers had few protections and little or no compensation for injuries. Also, businesses would like to hire the cheapest labor available, or create an unequal process for contracts or deals with workers.

The Grange and Granger Laws WXT

organizations in the West and Midwest that supported and protected farmers' rights. The Grange helped create laws in the West and Midwest that regulated pricing of farm goods, railroad transport prices, and use of grain elevators. Originally these laws were supported by Munn v. Illinois, but later overturned by Wabash v. Illinois.