History Midterm Review (Gilded Age + Immigration)

Social Darwinism

“Survival of the fittest”—the idea that certain people become powerful in society because they are innately better (natural selection)

Captain of Industry

A positive term to describe business people as being notably powerful, wealthy, successful, or influential

Robber Baron

Successful industrialists whose business practices were often considered ruthless or unethical.

Ellis Island/Angel Island

Ellis: An island where immigrants were processed before going to the US. The immigrants there were treated far better than those in Angel island where immigrants would go through simple questions and inspections before getting let through.

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Angel: Like Ellis, Immigrants would go here to get processed before going to the US. Unlike Ellis however, immigrants were treated very poorly. Immigrants would typically be detained for long periods of time, go through gruesome interrogations, and would live in disastrous living conditions.

Monopoly

A monopoly occurs when a company dominates its sector, industry or geography, and has little or no competition

Sherman Antitrust Act

The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 refers to a landmark U.S. law that banned businesses from colluding or merging to form a monopoly.

Formation of Unions

When you and your co-workers come together to form a group, you establish a union which workers would typically use to get the right to negotiate with your employer over wages, benefits and working conditions

Collective Bargaining

A process in which workers, through their unions, negotiate contracts with their employers to determine their terms of employment

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory

Trapped inside because the owners had locked the fire escape exit doors, workers jumped to their deaths. In a half an hour, the fire was over, and 146 of the 500 workers—mostly young women—were dead

Chinese Exclusion Act

Image result for Chinese Exclusion Act simple terms The 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act was the nation's first law to ban immigration by race or nationality. The act, which was renewed and enforced until 1943, banned Chinese immigration and prohibited Chinese from becoming citizens.

Child Labor

The exploitation of children who are deprived of their childhood by work that prevents them from attending school or causes physical, mental, or social harm.

Laissez Faire

it allowed private businesses to make as much money as possible without intervention in the idea that this wealth would trickle down to individuals. (“leave alone”)

What were the factors that led to industrialization in the U.S.?

Abundant natural resources (coal, iron, oil); Abundant labor supply; Railroads; Labor saving technological advances (new patents) and Pro-Business government policies

What was the impact of immigration? Does the United States benefit from being a nation of immigrants?

Immigration both increased the diversity of the US and also increased the demand for ones basic needs (food, water, shelter, etc). In terms of benefits, immigration increased potential economic output by increasing the size of the labor force

Where were immigrants coming from and why? Was life better for them in the US?

Immigrants in the Gilded Age came primarily from Europe.

These immigrants were treated badly and were disrespected.

What were the problems that resulted from industrialization?  

Bad living conditions for workers; Poor nutrition; Stressful, unsatisfying lifestyle; Dangerous workplaces; Child labor; Discrimination against women; Environmental harm (pollution, climate change, etc))

Was the Federal Government more hands off or hands on during the Gilded age and immigration?

The government was pretty hands on; they supported the innovation of this new society and went on to pass on acts (Sherman Anti-Trust, Interstate Commerce Act)) to help with stability

What was the impact of immigration?

Immigration allowed for a significant increase in the US economy due to the abundance of workers, it also significantly increased the demand for daily needs.

Should the government have the right to restrict what private companies do? 

To an extent; the government should regulate these companies so nothing sketchy happens, but aside from that these private companies should be given all the freedom

How did one's identity impact their place in society during this era?

It determined where your standing in the social hierarchy was, depending on your background you were either destined to be discriminated or allowed to live a fruitful, lively life