Issues of the Gilded Age

What was the significance of Plessy v. Ferguson?

"separate but equal"; legalized segregation in public services

What was the relationship between big business and labor unions during the Gilded Age?

Big business and labor unions disliked each other and competed for control. Labor unions used strikes, boycotts, and sabotage to hurt the business. Big business used the courts, lockouts, yellow dog contracts and scabs against labor unions.

2 political machines

Boss Tweed Tammany Hall

What are the effects of tariffs on industry?

Congress passing a tariff (tax on imported goods) or if the amount of a tariff is raised, it reduces competition and helps American businesses. It is called a protective tariff. it may also result in American businesses raising prices on goods. If the amount of a tariff is lowered, it will increase competition among businesses.

What were the positive and negative effects of the immigrant experiences in America?

Negative- Immigrants were disappointed with the low wages and overcrowded living conditions. They also faced nativism from old immigrants who felt superior to them and discriminated against them because of their religious differences and fear that the immigrants would take jobs from Americans. The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1882 also in fear that the Chinese laborers would take American jobs. Positive- There is a blending of cultures in America ("melting pot"), and most citizens are very proud of America's diversity.

What was the purpose and the significance of the ICC and the Sherman Anti-trust Act?

People felt that the government should regulate big business. The ICC (1887) and Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) were the first attempts by the government to regulate industry; both laws were weak.

What was the relationship between political machines and immigrants?

Political machines offered immigrants employment, food, money and other basic necessities in the period around the mid-1800s, according to The City University of New York. Political machines provided this aid in exchange for votes.

What was the platform of the Populists and why did the Populists prefer the coinage of silver?

Populists wanted - the free coinage of silver, direct election of senators, graduated income tax, and public ownership of railroads Populists- the People's Party (farmers union/ political party) preferred silver because it would lead to inflation (prices rise), which would increase the income of farmers

How were urban areas impacted by industrialization ?

Urban areas (cities) became overcrowded during industrialization. Immigrants lived in tenements with poor living conditions. The government had to make regulations regarding housing and provide basic city services such as sanitation, police an fire protection. Settlement houses were established to provide services for the poor and immigrants.

Why was the late 1800's called the "Gilded Age"?

Wealth and prosperity covered up the economic and social problems in society; government favored big business, and there was no government regulation of industry (laissez faire)

What brought about the rise of organized labor?

big business was not fair to workers; wanted higher wages, shorter working hours, and better working conditions; also wanted child labor laws

political machine

gave jobs and housing/ tenements in exchange for votes

What were the four major groups discriminated against in the Gilded Age, and how did they respond?

African Americans - Early Civil Rights leaders: Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Ida B. Wells; responded with the. Niagara movement & NAACP (Dubois), and the push for anti-lynching laws (Wells). Mexicans- Las Gorras Blancas - New Mexicans who held night riots against Anglo- Americans (whites) who attempted to take their land. Chinese - although discriminated against and treated harshly, they still opened their own businesses. Women - Early Women's Rights leaders: Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton; wanted the right to vote (suffrage); responded by voting illegally and getting arrested; toured the country to get support for the suffrage movement (Anthony)

What was the relationship between government and big business during the Gilded Age?

Government took the side of big business when called upon during labor strikes and made workers go back to work without union demands being met. Government also issued injunctions to force labor unions to go back to work. Government allowed big business to use the Sherman Antitrust Act against labor unions.

How does Social Darwinism relate to business?

Social Darwinism - "survival of the fittest", big businesses overpowers small businesses because they are so ambitious and dominant in the market. Therefore, big businesses are more "fit" and more likely to survive and grow. Small businesses, unfortunately, a re more likely to fail.

What circumstances brought about the passage of the Pendleton Act?

The Pendleton Act was passed following the assassination of James A. Garfield in 1881 by a man who believed he deserved a government job. The assassination caused public outrage, which led President Chester Arthur to push for an act that ended politicians appointing friends and family to government positions, and introduced the concept of awarding jobs based on merit.

How was the environment impacted by industrialization?

There was water runoff from machines that hurt farmers' crops. There was pollution from factories. Because of overcrowding, cities needed sewage and water treatment systems. The government allowed these harmful effects until the problems became so alarming that Congress eventually passed laws to protect the environment.

Were the barriers of to prevent blacks from voting effective?

Yes.