US Industrialization, Immigration, and Urbanization: Key Concepts and Impacts

What is vertical integration?

A business strategy where a company controls all means of production.

What is horizontal integration?

A business strategy where a company takes over other businesses that produce the same product.

What does 'Americanization' refer to?

The process by which incoming immigrants assimilated to American culture.

What was the Immigration Restriction League?

An organization advocating for screening immigrants through literacy tests to separate desirable from undesirable individuals.

What challenges did urban growth create in transportation?

Increased traffic and poor street conditions.

What was the significance of the first elevated highway built in 1870?

It marked a technological advancement in urban transportation.

What environmental issues arose from urbanization?

Fire hazards, disease outbreaks, and pollution due to overcrowding.

Who was Alice Hamilton?

A physician who identified public health issues related to pollution and urban living conditions.

What was the role of the Salvation Army established in 1879?

A charitable organization aimed at helping the poor and addressing social issues.

What were the characteristics of the urban political machine?

Political institutions that leveraged the voting power of large immigrant groups to maintain control.

What is 'honest graft' in the context of political corruption?

The use of insider information for political or personal gain without illegal actions.

Who was Boss Tweed?

A corrupt city boss associated with political corruption and the Tammany Hall political machine.

What was the impact of the Pullman Strike?

A railroad strike that highlighted labor disputes over wage cuts and rent increases.

What were the living conditions for the poor in urban centers?

often lived in tenements described as slum dwellings.

What was the Bessemer Process?

An innovative method for steel production that significantly increased efficiency.

What is Taylorism?

A management theory that uses scientific principles to improve labor productivity.

What was the significance of railroads in post-Civil War America?

They were crucial for economic growth and were supported by government land grants.

What does the term 'new South' refer to?

A vision for the South's economy focused on industrial growth and modernization.

Who was Booker T. Washington?

A civil rights activist and principal of the Tuskegee Institute, advocating for African American education and economic advancement.

What were the main sources of immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

Southern and Eastern Europeans, Mexicans, and Asians.

What were the effects of 'Americanization' on immigrant women?

It led to changing gender roles and increased attachments outside the family.

What was the public's response to the challenges of urban life?

Creation of public agencies and organizations aimed at solving urban poverty and health issues.

What were some of the social issues linked to urbanization?

Increased crime rates, violence, and the emergence of pickpockets and con artists.

What was the role of urban bosses?

controlled political organizations and won votes through loyalty and patronage.

What was the impact of urbanization on American society?

led to a skyrocketing urban population, increased convenience, entertainment, cultural experiences, and better-paying jobs.

What demographic changes occurred due to migration during urbanization?

Young rural women left declining agricultural regions for better opportunities in cities, while Southern blacks migrated due to violence and oppression.

What was the role of immigrants in urban areas?

Majority of urban areas consisted of immigrants forming ethnic communities to recreate their Old World cultures in the New World.

What was the National Labor Union and when was it founded?

1866 to address the struggles of workers to unionize during the post-war period.

What event marked the first national labor conflict in the U.S.?

The Great Strike of 1877, disrupting rail service nationwide.

What were the working conditions for laborers during the Gilded Age?

Laborers faced long hours (10-12 hours a day, 6 days a week), unsafe conditions, and lacked job security.

Why was Pittsburgh significant in the steel industry?

proximity to coal mines needed to fuel steel furnaces.

What was Taylorism and its significance?

involved dividing tasks to speed up production and improve efficiency.

What was the Pullman Strike of 1894?

nationwide railroad strike organized by the American Railway Union in response to wage cuts and high rents in company towns.

What were the effects of the assembly line on production?

cut assembly time by 11 hours, raised salaries, and reduced working hours.

What challenges did unions face during the Gilded Age?

struggled with exclusionary practices, economic depression, and significant losses in labor conflicts.

What were the push and pull factors for immigration to the U.S. between 1865 and 1915?

poverty and oppression; job opportunities in the U.S.

What was the significance of the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics?

crucial for the development of aviation, allowing for advancements in airplane technology.

What was the impact of the automobile on American society by 1910?

began to reshape American social and cultural life, leading to easier transportation and more freedom.

What was the significance of Charles Lindbergh's flight in the 1920s?

popularized aviation and increased public interest.

What was the role of child labor in the industrial workforce?

By 1900, 1.7 million children under 16 were employed, often in unsafe conditions, due to the need for family income.

What types of integration were used by wealthy industrialists?

vertical integration to control production and horizontal integration to eliminate competition.

What was the significance of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?

a significant piece of legislation that restricted immigration from China, reflecting nativist sentiments.

What were the working conditions for female laborers in the industrial workforce?

Female laborers faced exploitation and were often employed in textile factories, which were the largest employers of women by 1900.

What was the impact of the Panic of 1893 on labor?

led to wage cuts and increased economic hardship, exacerbating labor struggles.

What were the main goals of the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor?

aimed for broad labor reforms, while the American Federation of Labor focused on skilled workers' rights.

What was the Gilded Age?

A period of rapid economic growth and industrialization in the United States, beginning during Reconstruction.

What were the pull factors for immigrants moving to the United States in the late 19th century?

new opportunities and the promise of employment in America.

What is the significance of the 'Cross of Gold' speech?

It advocated for the use of silver in currency to help farmers and workers, opposing the gold standard.

How did John D. Rockefeller view competition?

He sought to eliminate competition to create monopolies, which contradicts the principles of capitalism that rely on competition.

What was the main idea behind Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth?

believed that wealthy individuals should use their money to benefit society and help others.

What did Horatio Alger's stories promote?

They promoted the idea that hard work and determination could lead to success and upward mobility.

What were the living conditions for workers and the poor during the Gilded Age?

They faced poor living conditions, often in overcrowded tenements, due to inability to afford better housing.

Who was Jacob Riis and what was his contribution?

a journalist who documented the living conditions of the poor in his book 'How the Other Half Lives,' advocating for social reform.

What were the consequences of railroad expansion?

increased agricultural productivity, industrial growth, and the establishment of a national market, but also environmental degradation and displacement of communities.

What was the role of immigrants in the workforce during the Gilded Age?

provided a large, transient workforce that filled labor demands in rapidly industrializing cities.

What is limited liability?

A legal structure that protects investors from losing more than their initial investment in a corporation's debts.

What was the Sherman Antitrust Act?

A federal law passed in 1890 aimed at preventing monopolies and promoting competition, though it was often used against labor unions.

What was the significance of the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887?

It aimed to regulate the railroad industry and ensure fair rates for farmers and consumers.

What did the term 'Social Darwinism' imply during the Gilded Age?

It suggested that wealth and success were a result of natural selection, justifying social inequality and the lack of support for the poor.

What was the impact of the Panic of 1893?

It led to widespread economic depression, bank failures, and high unemployment, significantly affecting the labor force.

What were the main sources of immigration to the United States by the end of the 19th century?

By the end of the century, sources shifted from Northern and Western Europe to include immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as Asia and Mexico.

What was the purpose of the Contract Labor Law?

It aimed to regulate the employment of immigrants by allowing employers to recruit foreign laborers under specific contracts.

What did the term 'Redemption' refer to in the context of Reconstruction?

It referred to the conservative Democratic takeover of Reconstruction governments in the 1870s, reversing many of the gains made by freedmen.

What was the significance of the Wabash case?

limited the states' ability to regulate interstate commerce, leading to the need for federal regulation.

What were the main ideas of Ward's Dynamic Sociology?

emphasized the importance of social reform and the role of sociology in understanding societal issues.

What are some environmental issues caused by urbanization?

Human waste in rivers, pollution, and poor air quality.

What factors contributed to urban poverty?

Newcomers often did not earn enough to live comfortably, leading to stigma against the poor.

What types of crime were prevalent in urban areas during this period?

Pickpocketing, theft, high murder rates, and lynching.

What is a political machine?

A political organization that uses corruption to maintain power, often led by corrupt bosses.

What significant public health measures were created in 1912?

The establishment of the Public Health System and public agencies to address pollution.

What was the role of Alice Hamilton in urban health?

helped identify pollution issues and advocated for manufacturers to resolve them.

What were the working conditions for children in factories?

worked in unhealthy conditions, facing diseases and injuries.

Why were women and children considered desirable workers?

often unskilled and could be paid less than men.

What was the Knights of Labor?

A labor organization that advocated for workers' rights and included women.

What was the Great Railroad Strike?

A labor strike in response to wage cuts that resulted in over 100 deaths.

What were some reasons people flocked to cities?

Better paying jobs, escaping poverty, and seeking community.

How did chain stores impact local businesses?

could sell goods for lower prices, threatening local stores.

What was the significance of the sewing machine in clothing production?

It allowed for the mass production of ready-made garments.

What was Simon Patten's view on leisure?

believed leisure was essential for the average working American's quality of life.

What were the main factors behind population growth from 1860 to 1900?

Industrialization, immigration, and urbanization.

What is nativism?

favoring of native-born citizens over immigrants, often leading to discrimination.

What were the living conditions for immigrants in urban areas?

Poor living conditions with limited access to resources and opportunities.

What was the impact of scientific management on factory workers?

It led to loss of control for workers, who were often overworked and underpaid.

What was the role of transportation in urbanization?

Railroads and steam-powered ships made cities more accessible and desirable.

What were the dangers faced by child workers?

Exposure to diseases, injuries from machinery, and harsh working conditions.

How did the consumer economy affect women?

It changed clothing styles, food preparation, and increased employment opportunities.

What was the significance of the Salvation Army?

It provided social services and support to the urban poor.

What were the conditions of labor laws during this period?

Labor laws were often set but many exemptions existed for children and young workers.

What was the Homestead Strike?

A labor strike at Carnegie Steel Company protesting wage cuts, leading to violence.

What was the impact of heavy immigration on American cities?

It made cities diverse but also led to competition for jobs and resources.

what were monopolies

massive corporations that dominated entire industries like steel, oil, and railroads, controlling prices, products, and services with little or no competition

who was frederick winslow taylor

mechanical engineer, management consultant, and inventor known as the "Father of Scientific Management"

what was the AFL

American Federation of Labor (AFL) was a prominent labor organization founded in 1886

what did the AFL do

organizing skilled workers and advocating for their rights, achieving goals such as higher wages, shorter workdays, and improved working conditions through collective bargaining and strikes

what was the Haymarket Riot

a violent event on May 4, 1886, in Chicago's Haymarket Square when a peaceful labor rally protesting police brutality and advocating for an eight-hour workday turned into a chaotic clash after a bomb was thrown

What was Tammany Hall

a powerful political machine in New York City, which controlled the city's Democratic Party and local politics from the late 18th century until the 1960s

what were mail order catalogs

large books that allowed people, especially those in rural areas, to shop for a huge variety of products from major city-based retailers

whyw as coney island important

was seen as a place for leisure and fun; amusement parks, food, etc

what was the black sox scandal

eight players from the Chicago White Sox were accused of conspiring with gamblers to lose the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds

what was vaudeville

a popular form of family-friendly entertainment in late 19th and early 20th century America featuring a varied bill of performers, including comedians, musicians, singers, dancers, and magicians