Gilded Age 10/9 Quiz Vocab

Dawes Act

1887 law that divided Native American tribal lands into individual plots to encourage Native Americans to adopt white American culture. It weakened tribal culture and caused Native Americans to lose millions of acres of land.

Assimilation

The process of forcing or encouraging a minority group to adopt the culture, language, religion, and lifestyle of the dominant group. The U.S. used it to try to make Native Americans adopt white American culture.

Ghost Dance

Native American religious movement that promised the return of Native lands and their traditional way of life. The government feared it would lead to resistance.

Battle of Wounded Knee

1890 confrontation where U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of Lakota people. It is often considered the end of major armed Native American resistance in the West (Great Plains).

Sand Creek Massacre

1864 attack in Colorado where U.S. troops killed a large group of Cheyenne and Arapaho people, including many women and children.

Homestead Act

1862 law that gave settlers up to 160 acres of western land if they lived on and improved it for several years. It helped increase settlement of the West.

Trust

A business arrangement where several companies are controlled together as one organization. Trusts helped large companies reduce competition and gain more control over an industry.

Monopoly

When one company controls most or all of a market, giving it little or no competition. This could allow the company to control prices.

IWW (Industrial Workers of the World)

A radical labor union founded in 1905 that wanted workers of all skill levels, races, and colors to unite in one big union (excluding people in power). It supported stronger worker power and inclusivity, and it wanted to abolish the wage system. Was known as the “Wobblies.”

Social Darwinism

Belief that competition in society was natural (businesses rise and fall naturally) and that wealthy or successful people were more “fit” to succeed. Some used it to justify poverty and inequality.

Andrew Carnegie

A businessman who built a huge steel empire (using money from stocks) and became extremely wealthy. Made stell production faster, wanted to make things cheaper and better, and encouraged competition. Later, he gave away much of his money to good causes and sold to JP Morgan for 482 million

John D. Rockefeller

A businessman who built Standard Oil and controlled much of the oil industry. He formed trusts, became one of the richest Americans, and was criticized for creating a monopoly, as he paid low wages and drove competitors out with prices.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act

1890 law was meant to stop businesses from creating monopolies and unfair trusts. It was initially weakly enforced, but rebaits to get around ICA and used them to go after labor unions.

Interstate Commerce Act

1887 law that created the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to regulate railroads (that crossed state lines) and prevent unfair practices, such as unfair rates to farmers and businesses, and to stop allowing special advantages to customers. (first law/attempt to regulate big businesses)

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

A labor organization founded by Samuel Gompers that focused mainly on skilled workers and white males. It fought for better wages, shorter hours, safer working conditions, and collective bargening

Ellis Island

Major immigration processing station in New York Harbor. Millions of mostly European immigrants entered the U.S. through it.

Angel Island

Immigration station in San Francisco Bay that mainly processed Asian immigrants. Many Chinese immigrants faced long questioning and discrimination there.

Chinese Exclusion Act

1882 law that banned most Chinese laborers from immigrating to the U.S. It was one of the first major laws restricting immigration based on nationality. They needed certification from the government, which was rarely given.

Nativism

Belief that native-born Americans should receive preference over immigrants. Nativists often feared immigrants would take jobs or change American culture.

Gentleman's Agreement

1907–08 agreement between the U.S. and Japan where Japan limited workers from immigrating to the U.S., while the U.S. reduced discrimination against Japanese students.

Melting Pot

Idea that immigrants from different cultures would blend together into one American culture while still contributing parts of their original cultures.

Graft

Using a political position to make money illegally or unfairly, such as taking bribes or receiving money in exchange for favors.

Political Machines

Powerful political organizations that controlled cities by exchanging jobs, services, or help for votes. They often used corruption to stay in power. Sometimes used gov money for their own benefit and had little gov oversight

Pendleton Act

1883 law that created a merit-based civil service system. Government jobs were increasingly given based on qualifications instead of political connections.

Spoils System

Practice of giving government jobs to political supporters after winning an election.

Patronage

Giving jobs, contracts, or other benefits to people because they supported a politician or political party.

Social Gospel

Religious movement that taught Christians should help solve social problems like poverty, poor working conditions, and inequality. It encouraged social reform during the Gilded Age.

Sharecropping

Farming system where poor farmers, often formerly enslaved people, worked land owned by someone else and paid with part of their crops. It often trapped families in debt. (new form of slavery)

Poll Tax

Tax people had to pay before being allowed to vote. Southern states used it to prevent many poor African Americans from voting.

Literacy Tests

Tests that people had to pass before voting. They were often designed unfairly to prevent African Americans from voting