Unit 6 - Period 6: 1865-1898 Review

These flashcards cover key themes, terms, and events from Unit 6, focusing on the period from 1865 to 1898.

Industrial Capitalism

An economic system characterized by the use of machinery and factories for production and a focus on the expansion of markets, especially in the U.S. from 1865 to 1898.

The Gilded Age

A term coined by Mark Twain describing the late 19th century as a period of superficial prosperity accompanied by widespread social problems.

Laissez-Faire Economics

An economic philosophy advocating minimal government intervention in business, allowing for free-market forces to dictate production and pricing.

Social Darwinism

A belief that applied Charles Darwin's ideas of natural selection and survival of the fittest to social and economic issues, used to justify inequality.

Populist Party

A political party formed in the 1890s representing farmers and working-class people seeking reforms such as monetary policy changes and regulatory measures.

Omaha Platform

The 1892 platform for the Populist Party that called for reforms like direct election of senators, a graduated income tax, and government ownership of railroads.

Interstate Commerce Act of 1887

A federal law created to regulate railroad rates and practices, marking the first federal effort to regulate industry.

Transcontinental Railroad

A rail line completed in 1869 that connected the Eastern U.S. with the West, facilitating the movement of goods and people.

Settlement Houses

Community centers established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, most famously Hull House in Chicago, aimed at helping immigrants and the poor integrate into society.

The Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)

A federal law that prohibited all immigration of Chinese laborers to the U.S., reflecting nativist attitudes and racial discrimination.

The Knights of Labor

A significant labor organization founded in 1869 that sought to include all workers and advocated for various social reforms.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

A national federation of labor unions founded in 1886 that focused on achieving better working conditions and wages for skilled workers.

Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)

Founded in 1874, this organization promoted the prohibition of alcohol and addressed social issues related to women's rights and social reforms.

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877

A nationwide strike that began in response to wage cuts, ultimately leading to violent clashes and federal government intervention.

The Pullman Strike (1894)

A nationwide railroad strike that resulted from wage cuts and led to federal intervention, demonstrating the tensions between labor and government.

The Dingley Tariff

An 1897 protective tariff that raised duties on imports to protect American industries, reflecting the Republican party's pro-business stance.

The Pendleton Act (1881)

Legislation that established a merit-based system for federal employment and aimed to reduce corruption and patronage in government.

Muckrakers

Journalists and writers in the early 20th century who exposed corruption and societal issues resulting from industrialization.

Gospel of Wealth

A philanthropic philosophy suggested by Andrew Carnegie, proposing that the wealthy had a responsibility to distribute their surplus wealth for the benefit of the community.