Gilded Age Questions: Study

Grant's Nomination

Republicans nominated Grant due to Civil War heroism.

Electoral Vote Disparity

Grant won 214-80 despite only 300,000 popular vote majority.

Crédit Mobilier Scandal

Bribery attempt by companies to avoid scrutiny.

Political Machines

Organizations using bribes and scandals for political gain.

Boss Tweed

Corrupt leader who embezzled $200 million in New York.

Thomas Nast

Cartoonist who exposed Boss Tweed's corruption.

Pendleton Act

Established merit-based appointments for government officials.

Unintended Pendleton Effect

Politicians sought corporate funding over voter support.

People's Party Roots

Originated from frustrated farmers' Farmers' Alliance.

Populist Party Platform

Advocated against governmental injustices affecting farmers.

Populist Party Success

Achieved 1,029,846 votes, 22 electoral votes.

Hard Money

Monetary policy based on gold-backed currency.

Cheap Money

Monetary policy advocating for paper currency.

Inflation during Panic of 1873

Treasury withdrew $100 million due to money scarcity.

Railroad Growth Factors

Government land grants and subsidies fueled railroad expansion.

Impact of Railroads

Facilitated economic growth and national connectivity.

Railroad Corruption

Engaged in price-fixing and bribery for favorable legislation.

Economic Divisions

Parties divided by ethnic and cultural differences.

Republican Support Base

Primarily Puritan descendants advocating strict societal norms.

Democratic Support Base

Immigrants favoring lenient personal codes.

Prohibition Debate

Contentious issue reflecting cultural party divisions.

Civil War Voting Patterns

Freed Southerners leaned Republican post-Civil War.

Railroads

Government-supported transportation network fostering economic growth.

Ghost Towns

Abandoned areas due to lack of railroads.

Stock Watering

Inflating stock value through bribery and manipulation.

Industrialization

Rapid economic growth driven by transportation advancements.

Commodities

Coal, steel, oil, iron ore essential for industry.

Patents

Legal protections for new inventions and innovations.

Middle Class

Emergence of moderately wealthy professionals and entrepreneurs.

Technological Innovations

New inventions like assembly lines and refrigerators.

Monopolies

Companies controlling entire sectors, limiting competition.

Trusts

Alliances of companies to control markets and prices.

Holding Companies

Entities owning shares in other companies for control.

Interlocking Directorates

Directors serving multiple companies to consolidate power.

Pools

Agreements among companies to fix prices collectively.

Social Darwinism

Justification of wealth based on survival of the fittest.

Andrew Carnegie

Steel industry magnate known for ruthless business practices.

John D. Rockefeller

Oil industry leader, known for monopolistic tactics.

Cornelius Vanderbilt

Railroad and shipping tycoon, influential in transportation.

JP Morgan

Banker who used interlocking directorates for influence.

Robber Barons

Term for wealthy industrialists exploiting workers and competition.

Mass Production

Efficient manufacturing method increasing output and reducing costs.

Cash Register

Device for recording sales transactions and managing cash.

Typewriter

Innovative writing machine, revolutionizing communication and business.

Refrigerator Car

Railcar designed for transporting perishable goods.

Robber Barons

Industrialists exploiting workers for wealth and power.

Cornelius Vanderbilt

Railroad magnate known for ruthless business tactics.

JP Morgan

Banker who financed various industries for profit.

Interlocking Directorates

Strategy to control multiple companies simultaneously.

Gospel of Wealth

Wealthy must act morally responsible with their riches.

Laissez-Faire Policies

Minimal government intervention in economic affairs.

Labor Problems

Long hours, low wages, and dangerous conditions faced.

National Labor Union

First organized union, representing mainly white male workers.

Colored National Labor Union

Union for black workers, less effective than NLU.

Knights of Labor

Inclusive union advocating for all workers' rights.

American Federation of Labor

Coalition of unions promoting workers' interests collectively.

Internal Migration

Movement within the country increasing workforce diversity.

International Migration

Foreign workers joining labor force, often low-wage.

Class Divisions

Economic disparity between wealthy and working class.

Labor Strikes

Workers' protests for better conditions and pay.

Haymarket Square

Event damaging Knights of Labor's public perception.

Strikebreakers

Workers hired to replace striking laborers.

Economic Growth Evidence

Success of industrialists like Rockefeller and Morgan.

Laborer Suffering

Poor conditions and lack of economic growth for workers.

Social and Economic Reform

Knights of Labor's focus rather than political engagement.

Management Response

Employers often resisted union demands and strikes.

Worker Protections

Absence of laws safeguarding laborers during Gilded Age.

Living Conditions

Poor housing and environment for industrial workers.

Colored National Labor Union

Labor union for black workers, not very effective.

Knights of Labor

Inclusive labor organization, avoided politics, focused on reform.

American Federation of Labor

Coalition of organizations advocating for workers' rights.

Great Railroad Strike

1877 strike caused by wage cuts, failed due to government force.

Panic of 1873

Economic downturn leading to wage cuts and strikes.

Homestead Strike

1892 violent confrontation between labor and management.

Haymarket Square Incident

Event linked to rise of socialism and decline of Knights.

Socialism

Political ideology advocating for government equality and support.

Laissez-faire

Economic policy of minimal government intervention in business.

Interstate Commerce Act

Law regulating railroad rates and practices.

Interstate Commerce Commission

Agency established to enforce the Interstate Commerce Act.

Strikebreakers

Workers hired to replace striking employees.

Wabash Railroad

Significant strike event in 1885, associated with labor issues.

Public Sentiment

General opinion of the public influencing labor policies.

Labor Unions

Organizations formed to advocate for workers' rights.

Economic Reform

Changes aimed at improving workers' social and economic conditions.

Government Attitude

Initially supportive of big business, later responsive to public.

Violent Encounters

Conflicts between labor and management during strikes.

Wage Cuts

Reduction in employee pay, often leading to strikes.

Education/Literacy Rates

Increased awareness of workers' rights and issues.

Trust Regulation

Government measures to control monopolistic business practices.

Bribes

Payments made to influence government officials, initially common.

Unskilled Workers

Laborers easily replaced during strikes, impacting union strength.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act

1890 law prohibiting trusts and trade restrictions.

Trusts

Corporate entities limiting competition and trade.

Laissez-faire

Economic system with minimal government intervention.

Theodore Dreiser

Author of Sister Carrie, highlighting urban wealth disparity.

Sister Carrie

Dreiser's novel about ambition and urban life.

Edwin L. Godkin

Advocate for civil service reform in America.

Henry George

Promoted idealism and poverty progress.

Edward Bellamy

Wrote Looking Backward, critiquing trusts and advocating socialism.

General Lewis Wallace

Author of Ben Hur, opposing Darwin's theories.