Industrialism, Urbanization, and Reform Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key historical figures, immigration, big business concepts, progressive reforms, labor response, and foundational American ideals.

Jacob Riis

Exposed the living conditions of the urban poor in New York City, helping raise awareness and lead to reforms.

John D. Rockefeller

Built Standard Oil, became the richest man in America, and showed the power of big business and industrial growth.

Upton Sinclair

Wrote The Jungle, which exposed the harsh conditions in meatpacking plants and led to food safety reforms.

Andrew Carnegie

Made his fortune in steel, supported libraries and education, and promoted the idea of "the Gospel of Wealth."

Joseph Pulitzer

Founded the Pulitzer Prizes and used his newspaper to fight for Social justice and inform the public.

Ellis Island

Processing center for immigrants arriving in the U.S. (1892-1954).

Angel Island

Immigration station in San Francisco Bay, where Asian immigrants were detained and questioned (1903-1940s).

Old Immigrant

Arrived earlier earlier (before 1924), often Spoke English, and was more familiar with American culture.

New Immigrant

Arrived after 1965, often spoke little English, and faced more language and cultural barriers.

Urbanization

The growwwth of cities and the increase in the percentage of people living in urban areas.

Progressives

Reform-minded leaders who wanted to fix social and political problems through government action.

Social Darwinism

Theory stating that the government should help the strong succeed and let the weak fall behind (survival of the fittest).

Social Gospel Movement

A movement that focused on using Christianity to solve social problems, like poverty, inequality, and poor working conditions.

Hull House

Established with Jane Addams; provided social services, education, and support for immigrants and the poor in Chicago.

Initiative

State progressive measure that allowed citizens to propose laws and put them on the ballot.

Recall election

State progressive measure that allowed voters to remove elected officials from office.

Referendum

State progressive measure that allowed voters to approve or reject laws passed by the legislature.

Secret ballot

State progressive measure that kept votes private to prevent pressure or intimidation.

16th Amendment

Gave the federal government the power to tax income.

17th Amendment

Allowed for the direct election of U.S. senators by the people.

18th Amendment

Prohibited the production, sale, and transport of alcohol.

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote.

5 American Ideals

Liberty (freedom to live how you want), Democracy (people rule), Equality (equal rights for all), Opportunity (chance to succeed), and Justice (fair treatment).

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution that protect individual rights and freedoms.

Assimilation

The process of adapting to a new culture, often by giving up parts of your original culture.

Horizontal consolidation

When companies in the same industry merge to become larger and control more of the market.

Vertical consolidation

When a company merges with suppliers or distributors to control the entire process from raw materials to the final product.

Captains of Industry

Wealthy business leaders who used their success and influence to shape the economy and society (often through business, philanthropy, or politics).

Robber Barons

Business leaders who gained great wealth through aggressive, often unfair, and exploitative practices.

Tenements

Slum housing characterized by overcrowding, poor sanitation, disease, little fresh air or light, and unsafe conditions.

Bread-and-butter goals

Objectives of labor unions focused on higher wages, shorter work hours, safer working conditions, and the right to organize.

Strike

A weapon used by labor unions when negotiations with business owners fail, involving withholding their labor.

Nativism

The belief that a country's native people should be protected from foreign influence and immigration.