US 1-3-4+5 Early Reforms in a Gilded Age AND Politics and Reform

Gilded Age

Term coined by Mark Twain to deride the great industrial successes of the U.S. and the fabulous lifestyles of the wealthy that only hid the many social problems of the time, including, a high poverty rate, a high crime rate, and corruption in the government.

Individualism

The thought that no matter what a person's background was, they could still become successful.

Social Darwinism

Based on Charles Darwin's theories of evolution and natural selection, states that humans have developed through competition and natural selection with only the strongest surviving.

Philanthropy

Providing money to support humanitarian or social goals.

Social Gospel

Christian faith movement that strove to improve conditions in cities according to the biblical ideas of charity and justice.

Dwight L. Moody

President of the Chicago YMCA in the late 1860s. Preacher and Organizer. Supported charities to help the poor, improve society through social programs, day care, and helping the poor.

Settlement House

An institution located in poor neighborhoods that provided numerous community services such as medical care, child care, libraries, and classes in English.

Americanization

Causing someone to acquire American traits and characteristics. Examples, taught English to immigrant children at schools, American history, and citizenship.

Booker T. Washington

An American educator, author, orator, and advisor to presidents of the United States. Between 1890 and 1915, Washington was the dominant leader in the African-American community. Founded the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

Interstate Commerce Act

1887 law passed to regulate railroad and other interstate businesses.

Populism

The political doctrine that supports the rights and powers of the common people in their struggle with the privileged elite.

Inflation

A general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money.

Poll Tax

A requirement that citizens pay a tax in order to register to vote.

Grandfather Clause

A clause in registration laws allowing people who do not meet registration requirements to vote if they or their ancestors had voted before 1867.

Segregation

Separation of people based on racial, ethnic, or other differences.

Jim Crow Laws

Limited rights of blacks. Literacy tests, grandfather clauses and poll taxes limited black voting rights.

Ida B. Wells

African American journalist. published statistics about lynching, urged African Americans to protest by refusing to ride streetcars or shop in white owned stores.

W.E.B. DuBois

1st black to earn Ph.D. from Harvard, encouraged blacks to resist systems of segregation and discrimination, helped create NAACP in 1910.