USH Unit 1 Industrialization Day 8

Robber barron

A derogatory term used to describe wealthy and powerful industrialists in the late 19th century who were accused of using exploitative practices to amass their fortunes.

Chinese exclusion Act

A federal law enacted in 1882 that prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers to the United States, reflecting widespread racial prejudice and economic fear.

dumbell housing

A type of apartment building popular in urban areas during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by its narrow, elongated shape and a central air shaft for ventilation.

new immigrants

Immigrants who arrived in the United States after the 1880s, often from Southern and Eastern Europe, seeking better economic opportunities and facing different social challenges compared to earlier immigrants.

old immigrants

Immigrants who arrived in the United States prior to the 1880s, primarily from Northern and Western Europe, who typically assimilated more easily into American society than newer immigrant groups.

gentleman’s agreement

A diplomatic agreement between the United States and Japan, established in 1907, which aimed to limit Japanese immigration to the U.S. in exchange for fair treatment of Japanese residents already in the country.

capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit, where investment and prices are determined by competition in the free market.

nativism

The policy of protecting the interests of native-born or established inhabitants against those of immigrants. Nativism often manifests as a preference for native culture and a desire to limit immigration.

laissez faire

An economic philosophy advocating minimal government intervention in the economy, allowing individuals and businesses to operate freely under competitive conditions.

social darwinism

A social theory that applies the concept of natural selection to human societies, suggesting that the strongest or fittest individuals or groups will thrive and succeed, often used to justify social inequality and imperialism.