U.S. History: Unit 7/8 - The Gilded Age of American Industry, Indian Wars, Segregation, Industrilization, Labor Problems, Progressive Movement,Presidental Reforms and World War 1, Imperalism

Why did people from the east migrate west?

- Ideal farmland
- Potential gold and silver deposits
- Shortgrass pasture for cattle & sheep
- Completed the transcontinental railroad in 1869 (foreigners start migrating between 1870-1900)

What was the Homestead Act of 1862?

The act stated that people could claim up to 160 acres for small fee if they lived and improved on it (people who take the deal were called homesteaders).

What did the Homestead Act do?

- Helped grow population of plains despite the difficulties because of the act
- New farming methods and tools developed & allowed on the land to make profit

Where was wages higher? East or West?

West

Why were wages higher in the west?

Labor shortage in the west fueled the trend of higher wages; however, working conditions were still abysmal.

Why was the "Land of Limitless Opportunities" considered a myth of the west?

It wasn't limitless opportunities because when projects/harvest were completed, may were unemployed for 6 months or more and workforce were divided by race still (whites assumed high positions and non-whites assumed low positions).

When did mining start flourishing?

When the mining boom started (1860 until 1890s - mining boom is completely different from California Gold Rush in 1840s)

What influence did mining have?

It led to construction of railroad and increased migration.

Many western cities were founded partly because? How?

Mining, Discovery of gold and silver led to boomtowns leading to sudden growth in business and population

What was Pike's Peak?

It was when 50 thousand people flooded from California, Mississippi Valley, and the East.

Who was attracted this to mining region? What did it lead to?

"Bad Men"; Precious Minerals, Vagueness of claim boundaries, Cargo of gold, Rise of vigilantes (self-appointed individual who undertook law enforcement w/o legal authority - like batman)

Civil war increased demand for? What economic change did this create?

Beef; ranching become more profitable because of railroads

What was cattle ranching?

Used by Mexican and Texas ancestors long before US citizens invaded southland where we moved cattle by driving cattle or using railroads (currently)

When was the 1st major cattle drive?

1866 (ranchers took cattle to railroad town and sell them)

How did cattle drive increase mass migration west?

Profits earned from cattle enticed easterner, english, and scottish to plains

The cattle kingdom lasted for 20 years but eventually ended. Why?

- Overstocking cattle
- Lack of grass for grazing (due to mass amounts of cattle)
- Arrival of homesteaders using barbed wire
- 2 brutal winters followed by scorching summers which killed 90% of the cattle

What were major reasons to migrate west?

- Transcendental railroad which had cheap fares
- Climate: Plenty rainfal through 1860s to early 1880s

What would be the downfall of individual farming on the plains?

Commercial farming because they could produce more than average homesteaders lowering price which would force homesteaders to produce more to compensate with the costs

Apart from commercial farming having the capability to produce more crops than average homesteaders, why were homesteaders not self-sufficient?

- Focused on single cash crop like corn or wheat
- Focused on both types of markets
- Prices were constantly changing

Because of increased productions, price fell. Farmers mortgaged their farms, facing high interest rates forcing them to grow more to pay off debt. Americans farmers knew something was wrong because of inequitable freight rates, high interest charges, high taxes on property, and land. To combat this problem, what did the farmers establish?

National Grange Movement

What was the National Grange Movement?

Organized in 1868 - it was an educational and social organization for farmers whose goal was to become active in economic and politics manipulation of farmers by defending members against middle men, trusts, and railroads.

What did the National Grange Movement Introduce?

Agricultural cooperatives - business owned and run by farmers to save cost against middlemen

What happened on April 22,1889?

Oklahoma Land Rush (one of the last large terriortities for settlements)

What did the Census Bureau report on 1890?

No true frontier for the US to expand which signified an end of an era which affected American self-image since they believed that without fronter, americans would become weak

Westward expansion took Native American land which broke our previous treaties and forced many to relocate. What did many Native Americans do in response due to this?

Attacking any american settler and going to war (war as in a small scale)

What was the battle of little bighorn?

(1876): Also called Custer's Last Stand, Lakota Sioux reservation in Dakotas overran with miners which made N.A. angry so they all rejoined and were leaving and Custer heard about this and sent his army after them; however, the N.A. outmatched the army eventually killing all of them.

What was the consequence of little bighorn?

Custer was seen as a victim of the massacre, so the army stepped up campign against N.A. by exterminating Bison which destreoyed native food source and the American way of life - eventually lakotas eventually forced to return to black hill, south dakota

What was the Wounded Knee Massacre?

N.A. defying gov orders, Lakota continued to perform Ghost Dance (Ritual Dance that celebrated a hoped-for a day when White settlers would disappear and buffalo would return and N.A. would be reunited w/dead ancestors - fed gov banned it fearing it would lead to violence). Group of NA fled & army chased him which ensued to a deadly battle on Dec 29, 1890:
25 US Soilders killed, ~200 Lakota, men, women, and children killed

Why was Century of Dishonesty by Helen Hunt Jackson written?

It showed how N.A. were given broken promises and served injustice

What did the Century of Dishonesty do?

Pressured legislation to try to help NA but establishing Dawes Act

What is Dawes Act?

An act that attempted to move N.A. to reservations to make them farmers which was unsuccessful because many NA were nomadic not farmers and DID NOT LIKE BEING FARMERS.

When did N.A. gain citizenship?

1924 (Native African Citizenship Act)

How was life for african-americans post segregation?

- Many in poverty (mostly sharecroppers bc they feel into debt)
- Many moved to cities in north which marked the start of the "Great Migration" - left seeking jobs, escaping racism, fear in south
- Some went west to get homesteads

How was segregation imposed post-reconstruction?

Southern states tried to bypass 15th amendment (voting rights regardless of race ) after 1877; so, in 1890, Mississppi placed a $2 tax to vote, created literacy tests, "grandfather clause" which stated any man could vote if he had ancestor who could in 1867 (15th amendment passed 1869) because it didn't ban states to vote on other grounds
Major effect: Number of AA register to vote in southern states fell drastically between 1890 & 1900

How were we able to legalize segregation?

Jim Crow Laws; however, 1875 congress passed civil right act (forbade discrimination) so A.A sued for not serving blacks and SCOTUS heard 5 cases in 1883 and struck down the act & 14th amendment stated "equal protection" but didnt apply to private citizens/entities
Racial discrim in housing, resturants, hotels, theaters, and employment become increasing persisent for generation

What was Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)?

Plessay a man who was 1/8th black 7/8th white sat on a white train - he was refused so he argued it violated 13th and 14th amendment eventually arrested convicted. The court uphelpd state - imposed racial segregation. 14th amendment established equality for races but seperate treatment didnt apply inferiority creating the phrase "Seperate but equal"/

How did African Americans respond to legalization of segregation?

Those living in south started mob violence and lynching.

Who were the African americans who helped improve conditions?

- Ida B. Wells - anti-lycnhing crusader who wrote books to bring awareness in north
- Mary Church Terell - anti-ylnching crusader who was a women's right activist
- Booker T washington - famous AA educator who proposed a compromise that if they took patience in improving themselves before seeking civil rights which was unctroversiall
- W.E.B Du Bois - adovcated constant struggle for civil rights and disagreed with washington

Acrnoym:
Inspiring Minds, Building Wisdom (Ida inspires because she wrote books about the issue, Mary creates a mindset for americans to promote women's right activist, Booker builds because he presents an idea what to do before getting civil rights and W.E.B Du bois advocated for Wisdom of equality.)

Why was the Gilded Age from 1870-1900 called the Gilded age?

"Gilded Age" based on novel by Mark Twainb and Charles Warner called the Gilded Age: A tale of today. (Gilded meant gold outside rotten inside)

What new ideas emerge from the Gilded Age?

Individualism, Social Darwinism, Laissez-Faire, Modern Capitalism (Corps & Big Business)

What were the 3 factors that contributed to the 2nd industrial revolution?

Techonological development, Access to resources, Gov. Support

What were some large technology advancements?

Electricity, Widely used by 1890

Who/What were major leaders/technology in technological advancements?

Thomas Edison - Major Innventor
Transatlantic telegraph cables
Alexander Graham Bell - Telephone in 1876 (Bell Telephone)
Henry Ford - Assembly Line of 1896
Wright brothers - Airplane
Development of refrigeration

How did natural resources help accelerate industrilization?

- Abduance of raw mat like (timber, coal, iron, copper)
- Able to obtain resources cheaply w/o import
- Since resources located in American West IT HELPED ACCELERATE INDUSTRILIZATION
- Oil became significant by end of 19th century

Because of industrilization, population triplied, work force was needed so?

industrial workforce

What type of government did the government pratice to ensure industrilization?

Laissez faire (policy that gov interefre as low as possible) - They did this by keeping laws & promoting investment, build trans network = econ growth, attracted entrepreuners)

How were northerns entrepreuners react to laissez faire?

Traditionally supported higher tariffs - to protect business & fed subsides for companies building roads, cancals,railroads, etc.

How were southern leaders react to laissez faire?

Against it, citing low tariffs to promote trade and keep cast of imported goods low

What was social darwinism?

Applying Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest to society

What did social darwinists embrace?

Laissez faire- bc they believed gov shouldnt interfere in "survival of the fittest" by helping poor & races better than other

What did the idea of social darwinism cover?

Many aspects of american society in Gilded Age including policies affecting migration, imperialism, and public health

What was the Gospel of Wealth?

Written by Carnegie that stated wealthy should engage in philanthrophy using their fortunes to advance society like building schools,hospitals,etc.

What were the biggest business of late 19th century?

Railroads, steel, oil

How did people view these big business owners?

2 views either as
- "Robber Baron" - get where they are by cheating/exploiting workers
-"Captain of Industry", embodient of American dream, show that anyone can be successful in America

Who were the big business tycoons?

Andrew Carnegie in Steel, John D. Rockefellers in US Standard Oil, JP Morgan in Banking

What was "self-made man"?

- Individualism was rationale for modern capitalism
> Not reducing oppo for indiv advancement but expanding them chance to suceed and attain greater wealth
- Can contribute to rise to power, ruthlessness, arrogance, and at times rampant corruptions
- Large financial contributions to politicians, political parties, and gov officals

What was vertical integration?

a business strategy used by steel mogul Andrew Carnegie and involves buying out raw material from producers and distributors.

What was horizontal consolidation?

used by John D Rockefeller in oil industry where he bought out competing companies (producers)

Despite industrialization occurring, how were wages and working conditions?

- The avg salary was around 400 to 500
- By 1900, 17% industrial workforce, fourfold increase since 1870
- Textile industry #1 employer
- Sexism still existed: women were payed half of a man's salary
- 1.7m under 16 were employed (more than double than the last 30y combined) which lead to public outrage:
- Resulted in 38 states passing a legislation: 12y age limit, 10h workday (however most were simply ignored)

What working conditions that needed to be improved?

- Better pay
- Better working conditions
- Shorter workdays

What are labor unions?

groups that try to improve working conditions and pay and benefits

What methods did labor unions use to push for their goals?

- Collective bargaining/arbitration
> Negotation methods to convince employer to fix things
- Slow-downs
- Strikes (When workers dont work, try to stop work from happening)

What was Pullman Strike of 1894?

-Pullman Palace Car company cut workers wage w/o lowering rent & prices in companytowns. They tried to negoitate however it failed since George refused to meet and fired them.
- In response, pullman workers walk off job on May 11th 1894 (125-250k ppl in 27 states join cause)

What did Cleveland & the government do in response to the Pullman Strike?

Cleveland sends fed troops to break down the strike .
- VIolence breaks out on July 7th following destruction of property on July 6th
- Between 4-30 ppl killed when nat guard defended themselves from assault

Who opposed labor unions?

Employmers because they disliked increase costs and slow production which lead to employers trying to stop unions from forming by hiring detectives, lockouts (not allowing employees to work), and hiring replacement workers during strike aka strikebreakers/scabs

Unions were seen as un-american. Why?

Associated w/ Marxism or Socialism
Associated w/ Anaarchism (propaganda)
Associated w/ Immigrants
- gov often involved in ending strikes w/ military

What was the Knights of Labor?

Founded on 1869 by Tereno Powderly; it was a union meant to push for better working conditions - It favored abtriation (like discussing until meet conclusion) over violence

Why was the Knights of Labor seen as radical?

- allowed women and african americans could join
- their demands of 8h workday, equal pay for women, no child labor, and worker-owned factories

Why did the Knights of Labor eventually lose influence?

1886 - Haymarket Riot in chicago (Union demonstration interrupted when bomb thrown a t police, fright breaks out 7 officiers killed & 4 demonstrates killed - dozens wanted)

What was the American Federation of labor?

Founded by 1861 - its main goal were to gain union recognition by companies (agreement to bargain), closed shops (companies only hire union members), and 8h work day

Did the American foundation of labor ever gain influence?

No because of working discrimination

What was the long-term issue of the rising labor problems? What solution did we come up with?

Use of social darwinism and americans soon lost control of their livelihood and government which threatened the existance of the democratic government. The solution was to use republican priniciples into industrilial system byguarnteeing economic rights for all Americans.

Who the 1896 election?

William McKinley

What were the progressive amendments?

- 16th: Federal Income Tax
- 17th: Direct Election of Senators
- 18th: Prohibition of alcohol
- 19th: Women's suffrage

What was the 16th amendment?

Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes
- Before 16th amendment: flat tax was used; After 16th amendment: progressive tax used

Who were the Progressives?

People who believed that society, on some level, was deteriorating and the only cure was significant government intervention

What did Journalists during the Progressive Era try to achieve?

- Expose the dark side of Americans
- Combining careful research with sensationalism (different from yellow journalists)
They wanted to achieve this by believing that exposing would influence people to pressure people with the power to change

What did Teddy Roosevelt dub these Journalist? Why?

He called them Muckrakers because they neglected their own salvation -- they were too focused on raking up muck on the ground.

Who was Upton Sinclair do?

He wrote The Jungle, 1906 - it explained the horrific unsanitary conditions of meat packaging industry to chicago*

What did the Jungle do?

Exposed the meat packing industry - it become popular and public outcry pushed for reform 4 months after the book was published - T.R. pushed congress to pass the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906

What did the Pure Food and Drug Act do?

- Prohibited sale of misbranded/adulterated food and drugs in interstate commerce
- Laid a foundation for the nation's 1st consumer protection agency, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Who were other journalists or "muckrakers"?

- Ida Tarbell
> Documented aggressive techniques in the Standard Oil (Rockefeller) employed to outmaneuver and where necessary rollover whoever got in his way
- Jacob Rils
> Photojournalist whose Book How the Other Half lives and exposes terrible living condition of poor and working class of living in NYC's tenements

Why was the idea of political science used?

1 group of progressives drew its idea for increasing government efficient from business

When the idea of political science was prominent, Frederick W Taylor's wrote a book The Principle of Scientific Management (1911). What was about it?

It stated that we should:
- manage our time
- breaking tasks into smaller parts
- using standardized tools

What was the question asked during political science?

Could the approach be applied to cut down on the wasted government energy?

How did we answer the question that we asked during the prominent idea of political science?

- Divide city into several departments, with each under control of expert commissioner
- Employment of city manager hired by city council
- Officials select city-wide instead by neighborhood which would weaken "political bosses"

Because of there was large resentment against the senate, what was the senate known as the? Why?

Millionaire's club because many senators got in pocket of millionaires and big buginess interest - in office for themselves not the people

Constitutionally, how were senators elected?

Elected by state legislature not directly for citizens

What did the Progressives pushed for due to the issue in the senate?

17th amendment - stated direct election of senate so the people could

What were the early challenges when the Women's Suffrage movement started?

- Started back in 1848: Seneca Falls Convention
- 2 major groups had different agendas which weakened the suffrage movement:
> National Women Suffrage Association
> American Women Suffrage Association

What was the National Women Suffrage Association?

Formed by Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B Athony - their focus was to pass a *constitutional* amendment for the women's right

What was the American Women Suffrage Association?

Formed by Lucy Stone and Julia Ward - their focus was to get suffrage at *state* level, and eventually national level

Were the groups successful? If not, how did they resolve it?

No because by 1900, only 4 state's granted women full voting rights - eventually they form to combine the *National Women American Suffrage movement (NAWSA) in 1896)

What were some Women Militant Suffragist Groups we learned about?

National Woman's Party

What was the National Woman's Party?

Led by Alice Paul
- more radical (wasnt passive unlike the AWSA, NWSA, and NAWSA): they picketed, blocked sidewalks, chained themselves to lamp posts, went on hunger strike if arrested
- had to be force-fed in prison
effect: brought more attention to the women's suffrage movement

When did the Women's Suffrage Movement end?

August 26, 1920 when the 19th amendment was written - it took 72y bc house passed consitutional amendment but failed in senate by 2 votes so in election of 1918, NAWSA defeated 2 anti-suffrage senators which allowed the amendment to be passed , and not enough attention was bought

What was the 19th amendment?

Gave women full voting right

What was the Progressive movement's most successful "goal"?

Prohibition movement

Why did the Prohibition movement occur? What was it?

Many progressives blamed alcohol for many of society's problem like wasted wages and physical abuse and illness - so introduced the temperance/prohibition movement which advocated that people should stop or moderate drinking

What were the unions formed which advocated for the prohibition movement?

- 1874: Women's Christian Temperance Union formed
> by 1911, 250k members in the group
- 1893: Anti-Saloon League formed
both groups pressed for prohibition - they used emotion based on patriostism, efficiency, and anti german settlements in WW1; they gained a critical victory in 1917 when Congress passes the 18th amendment on 1918 - ratified in 1920