Unit 1: Industrialism

Post-Civil War Westward Migration

In the decades after the Civil War, Americans moved westward in even larger numbers. Reasons: Gold Rushes, Bison hides, religious (Mormons), land.

Indian Removal Act of 1830

Passed by Congress under the Jackson administration, this act removed all Indians east of the Mississippi to an "Indian Territory" where they would be "permanently" housed.

American Buffalo

The slaughter of this animal led to its population decreasing from 100 million down to 5,000. Negatively impacted Native populations, whose food supply was dwindling.

Battle of Little Bighorn (1876)

Battle between Sioux natives, led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, against General George Custer's 7th Cavalry. The Sioux won the battle decisively, killing Custer and his men. However, Americans intensified their efforts to pacify the Sioux in the region.

Chief Joseph

Leader of the the Nez Perce during the hostilities between the tribe and the U.S. Army in 1877. He led a retreat for 1,300 miles, only to be defeated and ending resistance after the death of his fellow Natives and unbearable circumstances.

Dawes General Allotment Act (1887)

An act of Congress that removed tribal ownership of lands and encouraged assimilation with private ownership.

Ghost Dance

Sioux spiritual revival/dance, predicting the banishment of white settlers and the revival of the buffalo on the Plains.

Wounded Knee Massacre (1890)

US army killed 200 in order to suppress the Ghost Dance movement, a religious movement that was the last effort of Indians to resist U.S. invasion. Ended Native American resistance in the Great Plains and signaled the end of significant Indian resistance in the U.S.

Mining

A Western industry that was spurred by the California Gold Rush and would come to be an important driver of westward expansion after the Civil War.

Open Range

An era in the cattle industry during which property was not fenced in; cattle grazed the open western lands.

Cowboys

Hired by cattle ranchers to round up and drive the cattle to railroads. The cattle would then be shipped to eastern markets.

Barbed Wire

Used to fence in land on the Great Plains, eventually leading to the end of the Open Range.

Homestead Act (1862)

The government granted 160 acres to live on land for five years and improve the land.

Asian, Mexican, Native American

The West was home to more than 80% of these minority groups. They faced discrimination, difficulty owning land, and ethnic tensions.

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show

Created by William Cody. Storylines depicted westward migration, life on the Plains, and Indian attacks, and "cowboy fun": bucking broncos, roping cattle, and sharpshooting contests. Toured with Sitting Bull, Calamity Jane, Annie Oakley, and other "mythic" Western figures.

Frederick Jackson Turner

American historian who, in his paper entitled "The Significance of the Frontier in American History," argued that the frontier was the most important factor in the development of the United States.

Second Industrial Revolution

A period of rapid industrial growth in the United States and elsewhere in the last decades of the 1800s, based on heavy industries such as steel, oil, electricity, and others.

Natural Resources

One factor for the growth of American industry. Availability of coal, iron ore, timber, and oil fueled industrialization.

Growing Workforce

One factor for the growth of American industry. After the Civil War, large numbers of immigrants came to the U.S. willing to work for low wages.

Free Enterprise

One factor for the growth of American industry. The freedom to start a business and compete.

Laissez-faire

One factor for the growth of American industry. Lack of government involvement allowed businesses to grow. The government remains "hands off."

Bessemer Process

Introduced in 1856, this was a new way to manufacture steel quickly and cheaply by blasting hot air through melted iron to quickly remove impurities to create strong, lightweight steel.

Railroad Expansion

Played a major role in the industrialization of the United States and the occupancy and the westward relocation of people and some industries. Significant impact on business, farming, and society/culture.

Effects of Industrialization

The U.S. began to dominate the world market, transition for a rural to urban country, and transition from a nation of farmers to wage workers.

Corporations

A business owned by a number of shareholders.

Horizontal Integration

Business model to control the market for a single product/service, often to form a monopoly. John D. Rockefeller used this business model in his Standard Oil corporation to control the oil refining sector.

Vertical Integration

Business model to control every step of the process (production, distribution, sales, etc.). Andrew Carnegie used this business model in his Carnegie Steel Company.

John D. Rockefeller

Established the Standard Oil Company and used horizontal integration. The richest man in the history of the world.

Andrew Carnegie

Steel tycoon who used vertical integration.

Trusts/Monopolies

A combination of corporations cooperating in order to reduce competition and control prices.

Robber Barons

Negative perception of industrialists who made a fortune off the backs of their workers, destroyed small business, and charged high prices.

Captains of Industry

Positive perception of industrialists who grew the economy, encouraged efficiency and innovation, and gave millions of dollars to charity.

Social Darwinism

A theory of "survival of the fittest" for society outlined by William Graham Sumner. If you're rich, you're fit, and you deserve your wealth. If you're poor, you're not fit. Role of Government: Should not intervene to help the poor.

Henry George

In his 1879 book "Progress and Poverty," he argued that with "progress," came more poverty. Problem: rich buy up all the land. Role of Government: equalize wealth, relieve poverty through a government's "Single Tax" on land

Interstate Commerce Commission (1887)

Created to monitor railroad shipping rates and regulate business between states.

Sherman Antitrust Act (1890)

Created to regulate trusts that restrained trade or commerce (destroy monopolies).

Knights of Labor

A labor union led by Terence Powderly that was open to people of any trade, as well as to women and African Americans. Inclusive. It's membership decreased after the Haymarket Square Riot.

American Federation of Labor

A labor union led by Samuel Gompers that organized only skilled unions. Did not allow women and African Americans. Exclusive. It became the largest union by the 1890s.

Haymarket Square Riot (1886)

Chicago labor protest organized to protest the treatment of workers at the McCormick Harvester Company as well as methods used by police in dealing with protestors; ended abruptly when an unknown assailant threw a bomb that killed 7 police officers; 8 anarchists were convicted of conspiracy and 4 were arrested. It led to members leaving the Knights of Labor, which many considered too radical.

Homestead Strike (1892)

On June 29, 1892, workers belonging to the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers struck the Carnegie Steel Company at Homestead, Pa. to protest a proposed wage cut. Henry C. Frick, the company's general manager, determined to break the union. He hired 300 Pinkerton detectives to protect the plant and strikebreakers. After an armed battle between the workers and the detectives, several men were killed or wounded, the governor called out the state militia. The Homestead Strike led to a serious weakening of unionism in the steel industry until the 1930s.

Pullman Strike (1894)

A staged walkout strike by railroad workers upset by drastic wage cuts. The strike was led by socialist Eugene Debs but not supported by the American Federation of Labor. Eventually President Grover Cleveland intervened because it was interfering with mail delivery and federal troops forced an end to the strike. The strike highlighted both divisions within labor and the government's continuing willingness to use armed force to combat work stoppages.

Socialism

Political and economic system that favors public (instead of private) control of property and income. Wealth should be distributed equally and workers should own the means of production. Became increasingly popular amongst workers/unions in the late 1800s/early 1900s.

New Immigrants

Immigrants who came to the U.S. after the 1880s, increasingly from southern and eastern Europe.

Push Factors of Immigration

Warfare, famine, religious persecution, political persecution, lack of Jobs/Money.

Pull Factors of Immigration

Peace, prosperity, religious and political freedoms, access to jobs/money.

Steerage

Cheapest accommodation a steamship; poor food, cramped. Most immigrants would travel in this fashion.

Ellis Island

Entry point for European immigrants; 12 million immigrants came through the U.S. here. Medical and intelligence exams were given; 97-99% acceptance rate.

Angel Island

Entry point for Asian immigrants; 1 million immigrants came through the U.S. here. Primarily Chinese; 82% acceptance rate.

Melting Pot Theory

Belief that American society was a blend of different immigrants into one common culture. This theory excluded Asian immigrants of the time.

Nativism

Protecting interests of white, native-born Americans over "new" immigrants—a hatred of foreigners/immigrants.

Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882

Prohibited immigration of Chinese workers; limited civil rights of Chinese immigrants; forbade the naturalization (citizenship) of Chinese residents.

Urbanization

Growth of cities. American cities grew in the late 19th century due to the arrival of immigrants and rural-to-urban migrants seeking jobs in the city.

Mass Transit

Large numbers of people commute inexpensively. More efficient travel in cities. Usually via trains.

Tenements

Low-cost, multifamily "apartments." Few windows, poor sanitation, dirty, crowded. Most famous were on the Lower East Side of Manhattan; mostly immigrant housing.

How the Other Half Lives

Written and photographed by Jacob Riis, examining New York City tenements/slums.

1893 Chicago World's Fair

A Gilded Age fair that saw the introduction of the Ferris Wheel and displayed many "wonders" of the age.

Political Machine

Political organization in which a city "boss" commands the support of workers; often corrupt.

Tammany Hall

A political organization within the Democratic Party in New York city (late 1800's and early 1900's). Win loyalty of immigrants by promising reform. Most famous "Boss" was William Tweed.

William "Boss" Tweed

Political Machine Leader of NYC's Tammany Hall. Corrupt in spending tax dollars. Benefit voters for votes and politicians for graft/greed.

Spoils System

A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends.

James Garfield

20th President, assassinated by Charles Guiteau because of an imagined political debt via the spoils system.

Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)

In response to Garfield's assassination, this act established a Civil Service Commission in which applicants had to pass a civil service exam to work for some jobs in government. GOAL: reduce the power of the spoils system.

Tariffs

Taxes on imported goods. In the late 19th century, Republicans favored high tariffs, Democrats favored low tariffs.

Gold Standard

Linking currency to gold. In the late 19th century, Republicans favored the gold standard, Democrats favored bimetallism.

Bimetallism

The use of both gold and silver as a basis for a national monetary system. This would increase inflation/help those in debt.

Grange

An association formed by farmers in the last 1800s. Called for government regulation of railroads and grain elevators. Established co-ops to run their own stores.

Farmers' Alliance

A Farmers' organization similar to the Grangers, but more political. Would ultimately merge into the Populist movement.

Populist Party

U.S. political party formed in 1892 representing mainly farmers, favoring free coinage of silver and government control of railroads and other industries.

Omaha Platform (1892)

Political agenda adopted by the Populist Party in 1892.

Provisions:

Called for unlimited coinage of silver (bimetallism), government regulation of railroads and industry, graduated income tax, and a number of election reforms.

William Jennings Bryan

Democratic candidate for president in 1896 under the banner of "free silver coinage" which won him support of the Populist Party. He delivered the famous "Cross of Gold" speech speaking out against the Gold Standard.

Cross of Gold Speech (1896)

Delivered by William Jennings Bryan at the 1896 Democratic Convention. The speech criticized the gold standard and supported the coinage of silver.

Impact of Populism

Populist ideas that later became law: graduated income tax, regulation of railroads, moving away from the gold standard.