period 6 cause and effects

technological innovations (electricity, steel, railroads)

massive economic growth; rise of corporations

desire for coast-to-coast connection (transcontinental railroad)

expanded trade and settlement, harmed native americans

belief government should not interfere with economy

rise of monopolies (carnegie, rockefeller); worker exploitation

industrial jobs, european unrest

urban growth, nativism, labor competition

poor working conditions, low wages

labor unions (knights of labor, AFL); strikes (haymarket, homestead)

gilded age machine politics

patronage, scandals (credit mobilier); calls for civil service reform

western expansion

indian wars, dawes act (1887), loss of tribal lands; increased settlement, mining, agriculture

urbanization

rapid city growth; overcrowding, tenements, poor sanitation

social darwinism

justified inequality and corporate power

rise of the populist party

farmer discontent with banks and railroads→ demanded reforms (coinage of silver, direct election of senators)

pendleton civil service act

reduced patronage; began merit-based hiring

gospel of wealth

rich had duty to give back; justified wealth

plessy v. ferguson

legalized segregation (separate but equal)

environmental conservation begins

early calls for protecting natural resources