History chapter 15 vocab

Ellis Island

A major immigration station in New York Harbor that processed millions of European immigrants entering the United States between 1892 and 1954.

Angel Island

An immigration station in San Francisco Bay that processed primarily Asian immigrants, especially Chinese, between 1910 and 1940.

Melting Pot

A term used to describe the blending of different cultures, ethnicities, and nationalities into a single, unified society.

Nativism

A belief that favored native-born Americans over immigrants, often resulting in anti-immigrant policies and discrimination.

Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)

A U.S. federal law that prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers for ten years, later extended and made permanent until it was repealed in 1943.

Gentlemen's Agreement (1907-1908)

An informal agreement between the United States and Japan in which Japan agreed to restrict emigration to the U.S. in exchange for better treatment of Japanese immigrants already in the country.

Urbanization

The process by which large numbers of people move from rural areas to cities, leading to the growth and expansion of urban areas.

Americanization movement

A nationwide effort in the late 19th and early 20th centuries aimed at assimilating immigrants into American culture by teaching English, U.S. history, and civic values.

Tenement

A type of crowded and often unsanitary apartment building, typically housing poor working-class families in urban areas.

Mass transit

Public transportation systems, such as buses, trains, and subways, designed to move large numbers of people efficiently within cities.

Social Gospel movement

A religious movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that emphasized social justice and the need for Christians to help address issues like poverty and inequality.

Settlement house

A community center in urban areas that provided services such as education, healthcare, and childcare to immigrants and the poor.

Jane Addams

A social reformer and activist best known for founding Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago that provided aid to immigrants and the poor.

Political machine

A powerful, organized political group that controlled city and state governments by exchanging favors for votes.

Graft

The use of political power for personal gain, including bribery and embezzlement, which was common among politicians during the Gilded Age.

Boss Tweed

William "Boss" Tweed, the leader of Tammany Hall, New York City's Democratic political machine, who stole millions from taxpayers through corruption and fraud.

Patronage

The practice of giving government jobs and favors to political supporters and friends, often leading to inefficiency and corruption.

Civil service

A system of hiring government employees based on merit rather than political connections, which became a major reform issue during the Gilded Age.

Rutherford B. Hayes

The 19th U.S. president (1877-1881) who began civil service reforms by attempting to end the patronage system.

James A. Garfield

The 20th U.S. president (1881), assassinated due to his stance against political patronage, leading to civil service reform.

Chester A. Arthur

The 21st U.S. president (1881-1885), who pushed for civil service reform after Garfield's assassination.

Pendleton Civil Service Act

A law passed in 1883 that established the Civil Service Commission, requiring government jobs to be awarded based on merit rather than political connections.

Grover Cleveland

The 22nd and 24th U.S. president, known for fighting corruption and attempting to reduce government patronage.

Benjamin Harrison

The 23rd U.S. president, who supported high tariffs and economic policies favoring big businesses.