Unit 5: The Gilded Age & the Progressive Era (1865-1920)

Exodus of 1879

The first large-scale migration of African Americans out of the South, seeking economic opportunity and escape from Jim Crow.

William Jennings Bryan

A three-time Democratic presidential candidate known for championing free silver and farmers' rights.

Panic of 1873

A severe economic depression triggered by overinvestment in railroads, leading to unemployment and business failures.

Boss Tweed

Corrupt leader of Tammany Hall, known for controlling city politics through bribery and election fraud.

Chester A. Arthur

President who supported civil service reform and signed the Pendleton Act.

Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882

The first federal law to restrict immigration, targeting Chinese laborers.

Credit Mobilier Scandal

A scandal involving the Union Pacific Railroad overcharging the government and bribing Congressmen.

Grover Cleveland

The only U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms, noted for his integrity.

Homestead Strike of 1892

A violent labor conflict at Carnegie's steel plant that weakened the steelworkers' union.

J.P. Morgan

A powerful banker who helped stabilize the economy and consolidate industries during financial crises.

Pendleton Act of 1883

Established merit-based government jobs in response to corruption.

Plessy v. Ferguson

The Supreme Court case that upheld racial segregation laws under 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Political Machines

Powerful organizations that controlled local politics through corruption and patronage.

Great Railroad Strike of 1877

The first major nationwide labor strike, leading to violent clashes and federal intervention.

Rutherford B. Hayes

President who ended Reconstruction and supported civil service reform.

Tammany Hall

The infamous Democratic political machine in New York City known for corruption.

Thomas Nast

A political cartoonist known for exposing corruption and popularizing political symbols.

Alexander Graham Bell

Inventor of the telephone, revolutionizing communication.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

A national labor union focused on skilled workers and labor rights.

Andrew Carnegie

Wealthy industrialist who believed the rich should use their wealth for societal benefit.

Company towns

Communities controlled by companies where workers lived and worked under restricted conditions.

Cornelius Vanderbilt

Railroad and shipping magnate who helped consolidate the railroad industry.

Gospel of Wealth

Andrew Carnegie's theory that the wealthy have a responsibility to help society.

Haymarket Riot

A violent labor protest that led to a crackdown on labor unions and radicalism.

Horizontal integration

A business strategy of acquiring competitors to dominate an industry.

Vertical integration

A business model where a company controls all stages of production.

National Labor Union

The first national labor federation, advocating for worker rights.

Interstate Commerce Act of 1887

The first federal law to regulate railroads and unfair practices.

Jay Gould

Reviled railroad speculator known for manipulative business tactics.

John D. Rockefeller

Founder of Standard Oil, known for creating a massive monopoly.

Knights of Labor

A labor union that aimed to include all workers and sought broad reforms.

Samuel Gompers

Founder of the AFL, advocating for practical labor goals.

Sherman Antitrust Act

The first federal law to prohibit monopolistic practices.

Social Darwinism

The application of natural selection to human society, justifying economic inequality.

Thomas Edison

Prolific inventor known for the light bulb and modern electrical infrastructure.

Transcontinental Railroad

Completed in 1869, it connected the East and West coasts of the U.S.

Wabash v. Illinois

Supreme Court case limiting states' ability to regulate interstate commerce.

Yellow-dog contracts

Agreements where workers pledged not to join unions, used by employers.

Anti-Saloon League

A leading organization in the temperance movement.

Atlanta Compromise

Booker T. Washington's philosophy of vocational education for Black Americans.

Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)

Organization advocating for temperance and women's suffrage.

W.E.B. Du Bois

Harvard-educated civil rights leader who criticized Booker T. Washington.

Carrie Chapman Catt

Suffragist leader who developed plans for women’s voting rights.

Ellis Island

Main immigration station in the U.S., processing millions of immigrants.

George W. Carver

Scientist known for promoting crop diversification and agricultural science.

Horatio Alger Stories

Rags-to-riches tales emphasizing hard work and individualism.

Ida B. Wells

Journalist known for her anti-lynching activism.

Jane Addams

Founder of Hull House and advocate for social reform.

John Dewey

Philosopher promoting progressive education and critical thinking.

Morrill Act

Granted federal land to create land-grant colleges for education.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Organization aimed at fighting racial discrimination and inequality.

National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA)

Group advocating for women’s voting rights through peaceful reforms.

Nativism

Belief that native-born Americans are superior to immigrants.

Old & New Immigrants

Old: Northern/western Europeans; New: Southern/eastern Europeans.

Sears & Roebuck

Revolutionized consumer culture with its mail-order catalog.

Settlement House Movement

Created community centers for social services in urban neighborhoods.

Tenement Homes

Overcrowded housing for urban working-class families.

Tuskegee Institute

Founded by Booker T. Washington for vocational training of Black Americans.

Fourth Party System

Defined by Republican dominance and Progressive reforms from 1896-1932.

Barbed Wire

Revolutionized land fencing and farming in the American West.

Coxey’s Army

Unemployed workers' march on Washington demanding a federal public works program.

“Cross of Gold” Speech

William Jennings Bryan's speech advocating for free silver.

Dawes (Severalty) Act (1887)

Aimed to assimilate Native Americans through land allotments.

Eugene Debs

Socialist leader known for leading the Pullman Strike.

Homestead Act

Granted free land to settlers willing to improve it.

Battle of Little Bighorn

Native American victory led by Sitting Bull against U.S. troops.

Bonanza Farms

Large corporate-run farms focused on wheat production.

Populist Party

Represented farmers and laborers against elites and big business.

Farmers’ Alliance & Colored Farmers’ Alliance

Regional organizations advocating for farmers' economic interests.

Pullman Strike (1894)

Nationwide strike protesting wage cuts, led to government intervention.

Silverites & Goldbugs

Groups debating monetary policy, favoring silver and gold respectively.

Sitting Bull

Lakota Sioux leader symbolizing Native American resistance.

The Patrons of Husbandry (Grange)

Farmers’ organization promoting cooperative action against monopolies.

The Significance of the Frontier in American History

Frederick Jackson Turner's thesis on the importance of the American frontier.

Wounded Knee Massacre

U.S. troops killed over 150 Lakota Sioux, marking the end of armed resistance.

Australian Ballot

Secret ballot reform allowing private voting.

Lochner v. New York (1905)

Supreme Court ruling invalidating a law limiting bakers' work hours.

Hetch Hetchy Valley

Location of a conservation controversy over a proposed dam.

17th Amendment

Mandated direct election of U.S. senators by voters.

18th Amendment

Prohibited manufacture and sale of alcohol during Prohibition.

Elkins & Hepburn Acts

Strengthened federal regulation of railroads.

Federal Reserve

Central banking system aiming to stabilize the U.S. economy.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Regulates unfair business practices and enforces antitrust laws.

Forest Reserve Act of 1891

Gave the president authority to designate protected forest lands.

Ida Tarbell

Muckraker who exposed Standard Oil’s monopolistic practices.

Initiative & Referendum

Reforms enabling direct citizen participation in legislation.

Jacob Riis

Documented the living conditions of the urban poor in New York.

John Muir

Naturalist who advocated for wilderness preservation.

Meat Inspection Act (1906)

Mandated federal inspection of meatpacking facilities.

Muckrakers

Progressive journalists exposing corruption and advocating reforms.

Mueller v. Oregon (1908)

Supreme Court case that upheld women’s work hour limitations.

Progressivism

Reform movement addressing problems of industrialization and urbanization.

Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

Banned sale of misbranded or adulterated food and drugs.

Newlands Act (1902)

Funded irrigation projects in the West for agriculture.

Robert La Follette

Progressive leader known for reforms in Wisconsin.

Social Gospel

Movement applying Christian ethics to social issues.

Square Deal

Theodore Roosevelt's domestic policy focused on fairness and regulation.

Theodore Roosevelt

The 26th U.S. president known for Progressive reforms.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (1911)

Tragic fire leading to reforms in workplace safety.

Trust-busting

Government efforts to break up monopolies and promote competition.