The Gilded Age

Assembly Line Manufacturing

A production method where goods are assembled in a sequence to increase efficiency and output.

Cross of Gold Speech

William Jennings Bryan’s 1896 speech advocating for bimetallism and against the gold standard, symbolizing populist economic concerns.

Economies of Scale

Cost advantages gained when production increases, reducing the cost per unit.

William McKinley

Republican president who supported high tariffs, the gold standard, and industrial expansion.

US Steel

The first billion-dollar corporation, dominating the steel industry in the early 20th century.

Haymarket Square Riot

A labor protest in 1886 that turned violent, harming the labor movement's public perception.

American Federation of Labor

A labor union founded by Samuel Gompers, focusing on skilled workers and practical economic reforms.

William Jennings Bryan

A Democratic leader advocating for bimetallism, farmers’ rights, and progressive reforms.

William H. Seward

Secretary of State who expanded U.S. territory with the purchase of Alaska ('Seward’s Folly').

Ghost Dance

A Native American spiritual movement aiming to restore their lands and way of life, leading to increased tension with U.S. authorities.

The Gilded Age

A period of industrial growth and wealth disparity in late 19th-century America.

Homestead Strike

A violent labor dispute in 1892 at Andrew Carnegie’s steel plant, weakening the union movement.

American Socialist Party

Advocated for workers' rights, public ownership of industries, and economic equality.

American Suffrage Association

Focused on gaining women the right to vote through constitutional amendments.

Thomas Edison

Inventor of the light bulb and other technologies, revolutionizing industry and daily life.

Tammany Hall

A Democratic political machine in New York City, known for corruption and immigrant support.

Pullman Strike

A nationwide railroad strike in 1894, highlighting labor unrest and federal intervention.

Wounded Knee Massacre

The 1890 killing of Lakota Sioux, marking the end of armed Native resistance.

The Gospel of Wealth

Andrew Carnegie’s philosophy advocating for the rich to use their wealth to improve society.

Laissez-Faire Economics

A policy of minimal government intervention in economic affairs.

Susan B. Anthony

A leading women's suffrage activist who fought for women's voting rights.

Andrew Carnegie

An industrialist who led the steel industry and promoted philanthropy.

Benjamin Harrison

Republican president who signed the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and supported high tariffs.

Monopolies

Large corporations dominating markets, often stifling competition.

The New South

Post-Reconstruction efforts to modernize the Southern economy and reduce dependence on agriculture.

Political Bosses

Leaders who controlled political machines, often using corrupt methods.

Standard Oil

John D. Rockefeller’s company, dominating the oil industry and becoming a monopoly.

Stalwarts and Half-Breeds

Factions within the Republican Party, divided over patronage and reform.

The Sierra Club

Environmental organization founded by John Muir to protect natural areas.

Referendum

A direct vote by the electorate on a specific issue.

The Silver Standard

Advocated for using silver in currency to increase money supply and aid debtors.

Samuel Gompers

Founder of the AFL, focusing on practical labor reforms.

Rutherford B. Hayes

Republican president who ended Reconstruction and supported civil service reform.

Populist Party

Represented farmers and laborers, advocating for bimetallism and economic reforms.

Social Darwinism

Applying 'survival of the fittest' to justify economic inequality.

Social Gospel

A movement emphasizing Christian ethics to address social issues like poverty.

Socialism

Advocates for public ownership of resources and reducing economic inequality.

Tenement Housing

Crowded urban housing; later improved with building codes and sanitation reforms.

Booker T. Washington

Advocate for African American education and economic self-reliance.

Boss Tweed

Corrupt leader of Tammany Hall, controlling NYC politics.

Chester A. Arthur

President known for signing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act.

Chief Joseph

Nez Perce leader who resisted U.S. government efforts to move his people to reservations.

Temperance

Movement to reduce or ban alcohol consumption, leading to Prohibition.

Trusts

Business arrangements consolidating companies to reduce competition.

Women’s Suffrage

Movement to secure voting rights for women.

Indian Reservations

Land designated for Native Americans, often forcibly relocated.

Land-Grant Colleges

Institutions funded by federal land sales to promote education and agriculture.

Settlement Houses

Urban centers offering social services to immigrants and the poor.

Chinese Exclusion Act

1882 law banning Chinese immigration, reflecting racial prejudice.

Dawes Act

1887 law dividing Native American lands to assimilate them into U.S. society.

Department of the Interior

Manages public lands, natural resources, and Native affairs.

Interstate Commerce Act

1887 law regulating railroads to ensure fair rates.

Colored Farmers Alliance

Organized Black farmers to address economic challenges and racial injustice.

Cornelius Vanderbilt

Railroad magnate who revolutionized transportation networks.

Knights of Labor

Early labor union advocating for broad social reforms.

Mother Jones

Labor activist advocating for workers’ rights and opposing child labor.

Las Gorras Blancas

Hispanic group resisting land seizures in the Southwest.

J.P. Morgan

Influential banker who helped finance industries and stabilize markets.

John Muir

Conservationist who advocated for preserving wilderness.

Jim Crow Laws

Segregation laws enforcing racial discrimination in the South.

McKinley Tariff

1890 law raising tariffs, benefiting industry but angering farmers.

Open Door Policy

U.S. policy promoting equal trade access in China.

Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act

Law establishing merit-based hiring for federal jobs.

Plessy v. Ferguson

1896 Supreme Court case upholding 'separate but equal' segregation.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act

1890 law aimed at breaking up monopolies and maintaining competition.

Edward Bellamy

Author of 'Looking Backward', envisioning a utopian socialist future.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Women’s rights leader advocating for suffrage and legal reforms.

Eugene V. Debs

Socialist leader and labor activist, involved in major strikes.

Farmers Alliances

Organized rural groups advocating for farmers’ economic and political interests.

Frederick Jackson Turner

Historian known for the 'Frontier Thesis' on American development.

The Grange

Farmers’ organization promoting social and economic reforms.

Grover Cleveland

Democratic president opposing high tariffs and supporting gold standard.

Henry George

Economist advocating a single tax on land to address inequality.

Ida Wells-Barnett

Journalist and activist against lynching and for racial equality.

James Garfield

President whose assassination highlighted the need for civil service reform.

Factors Leading to the Industrial Revolution

Railroads, abundant resources, labor supply, and new technologies.

Munn v. Illinois

Court case that allowed states to regulate businesses.

Wabash v. Illinois

Court case that limited state regulation of railroads.

U.S. v. E.C. Knight

Court case that limited federal power over monopolies.

Destruction of Buffalo

Widespread killing of buffalo devastated Native American cultures.

Taylorism

Scientific management of labor to improve efficiency.

Henry Ford

Innovator of the assembly line and affordable cars.

Greenback Party

Advocated for paper currency not backed by gold or silver.

Ashcan School

Art movement depicting gritty urban life.

Frederick Law Olmsted

Landscape architect known for designing Central Park.

New vs. Old Immigration

'Old' immigrants came from Northern/Western Europe; 'New' immigrants came from Southern/Eastern Europe.