Unit 7 Wild West Gilded Age

What was the primary purpose of the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862?

To grant charters to railroad companies for the construction of a transcontinental railroad.

How did the construction of the transcontinental railroad impact the economy and travel times in the United States?

It decreased travel time from New York to San Francisco from three months by ship to one week by rail and revolutionized the economy through mass production and consumption.

Which two railroad companies were granted charters for the construction of the transcontinental railroad, and what was their respective starting point?

Union Pacific (starting in Nebraska) and Central Pacific (starting in California).

What was the "right of way" and how did it affect the development of towns and the profitability of railroad companies?

The "right of way" was government-granted land (5 acres on both sides of the track), leading to the creation of towns and substantial profits for railroad companies.

What role did immigrant labor play in the construction of the transcontinental railroad, and which immigrant groups were specifically hired?

Immigrant labor was crucial, with Chinese immigrants hired by Central Pacific and Irish immigrants by Union Pacific.

What major challenges did the railroad companies face while building the transcontinental railroad, particularly in relation to the Rocky Mountains?

The companies faced difficult terrain, particularly the Rocky Mountains, which required advanced engineering to cross.

How did the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 transform transportation and communication in the United States?

It drastically reduced travel times across the country and connected previously isolated regions, promoting economic growth and communication.

Explain the significance of the transcontinental railroad’s completion at Promontory Point, Utah, in 1869.

It marked the joining of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, completing the first transcontinental railroad.

How did the construction of the transcontinental railroad contribute to the Indian Wars of the late 19th century?

It increased settler numbers, leading to conflicts with Native Americans over land, especially as gold was discovered on Native territories.

Why did Native American tribes, particularly those in the Great Plains, resist signing treaties and moving to reservations?

Most tribes were nomadic and relied on buffalo, which made reservation life incompatible with their traditional way of life.

What is the significance of the practice of "counting coup" in Native American culture, and how did it relate to their conflicts with settlers?

"Counting coup" was a Native American tradition of taking trophies in battle, such as scalps, to demonstrate bravery, often in conflict with settlers.

Describe the events of Red Cloud's War and its outcome in the context of U.S. government-Native American relations.

Red Cloud’s War (1866) resulted in a Sioux victory and led to the Ft. Laramie Treaty of 1868, which allowed the Sioux to retain reservations in Montana and the Dakotas.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Little Bighorn, and why is it a significant event in U.S. history?

The Sioux, led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, defeated General Custer and his 7th Cavalry, marking a significant Native American victory in 1876.

Who were the key Native American leaders involved in the Battle of Little Bighorn, and what were their tactics?

Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse led the Sioux forces, using ambush tactics to encircle Custer’s cavalry.

Explain the causes and consequences of the Battle of Wounded Knee in 1890.

The battle was fueled by fears of the "Ghost Dance" religious movement and resulted in the deaths of over 200 Native Americans, marking the end of major Native resistance.

What does the term "Gilded Age" mean, and why did Mark Twain use it to describe the era?

"Gilded Age" refers to the era's superficial wealth and corruption, with Twain using it to highlight the disparity between outward prosperity and underlying social issues.

How did political corruption during the Gilded Age hinder progress in addressing issues like industrialization and urbanization?

Politicians were heavily influenced by business interests, prioritizing the wealthy over the needs of the working class and the urban poor.

How did the rapid expansion of the railroad system during the Gilded Age transform the U.S. economy?

The railroad revolutionized the economy by promoting mass production, creating national markets, and facilitating faster transportation of goods.

Explain the concept of "standardized time" and how it was introduced during the Gilded Age.

Standardized time, created with four time zones, was introduced to coordinate rail schedules across the country, improving efficiency.

Who was Cornelius Vanderbilt, and what impact did he have on the railroad industry?

Vanderbilt expanded the railroad network, creating Grand Central Station in NYC, and attempted to create a railroad trust to control the market.

How did the Bessemer Process revolutionize the steel industry during the Gilded Age?

The Bessemer Process allowed for the mass production of steel by turning iron into steel more efficiently, fueling industrial growth.

Describe Andrew Carnegie’s business strategy of vertical integration and how it helped him dominate the steel industry.

Vertical integration allowed Carnegie to control every stage of production, from mining to distribution, reducing costs and increasing profits.

What role did John D. Rockefeller play in the development of the oil industry, and what tactics did he use to gain control of the market?

Rockefeller founded Standard Oil and used tactics like rebates and horizontal integration to monopolize the oil industry.

How did Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse contribute to the development of electricity during the Gilded Age, and how did their contributions differ from Thomas Edison’s?

Tesla and Westinghouse developed alternating current (AC) electricity, which was more efficient than Edison’s direct current (DC).

What is the difference between "Captains of Industry" and "Robber Barons," and how did public opinion vary about these industrialists?

Captains of Industry were seen as visionary leaders, while Robber Barons were viewed as exploitative figures profiting at the expense of workers.

What were some of the main grievances that led to the rise of labor unions in the late 19th century?

Workers faced long hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions, leading to the formation of unions to fight for better treatment.

Describe the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 and its impact on the labor movement in the U.S.

The strike, triggered by wage cuts, spread across the nation and was violently suppressed by federal troops, highlighting tensions between labor and government.

What was the significance of the Haymarket Square Bombing of 1886, and how did it affect public perception of labor unions?

The bombing during a labor rally in Chicago led to the deaths of officers and negative public opinion about labor unions, associating them with violence.

Explain the main causes of the Pullman Strike of 1894 and the government’s response to it.

The strike was caused by wage cuts and high rents in company-owned housing, and it was suppressed by federal troops after disrupting national rail traffic.

What role did Eugene V. Debs play in the Pullman Strike, and what was the outcome for him and the labor movement?

Debs led the strike, which was crushed by federal troops. He was arrested, and the strike's failure marked a setback for the labor movement.