A.P. U.S. History Notes - Chapters 23-26

This set of 100 flashcards covers key terminology and concepts from the A.P. U.S. History lecture notes for Chapters 23-26, focusing on political, social, and economic developments from the Gilded Age to the late 19th century.

Bloody Shirt

A political tactic used to revive memories of the Civil War in order to gain support for Ulysses S. Grant.

Graft

The use of one's position or power to gain personal advantages, typically through corruption.

Tweed Ring

A group of corrupt politicians in New York City led by Boss Tweed that cheated the city out of millions.

Credit Mobilier

A construction company involved in scandal by overcharging the government for railroad projects.

Whiskey Ring

A scandal involving government officials and liquor manufacturers who defrauded the government of liquor taxes.

Liberal Republican Party

A political party formed in 1872 in response to corruption in Grant's administration; they nominated Horace Greeley.

Panic of 1873

An economic crisis marked by bank failures and widespread unemployment due to over-investment in railroads.

Greenback Labor Party

A political party formed in 1878 that supported the return of the greenback currency to alleviate farmers' debts.

Gilded Age

A term coined by Mark Twain to describe the late 19th century as a period marked by corruption and superficial prosperity.

Hayes-Tilden Standoff

A disputed presidential election in 1876 resulting in the Compromise of 1877 and the end of Reconstruction.

Electoral Count Act

A law passed in 1877 to determine how electoral votes would be counted in disputed elections.

Civil Rights Act of 1875

Legislation aimed at protecting the rights of African Americans; largely declared unconstitutional.

Jim Crow Laws

State and local laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States.

Plessy v. Ferguson

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1896 that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Chinese Exclusion Act

A federal law passed in 1882 that prohibited all Chinese laborers from entering the United States.

Pendleton Act

An 1883 law that established a merit-based system for federal employment to prevent patronage.

Billion-Dollar Congress

The 51st Congress, which was the first to appropriate over a billion dollars; marked increased government spending.

Sherman Silver Purchase Act

An 1890 law that required the U.S. government to purchase silver in large amounts.

People’s Party (Populists)

A political party formed in the 1890s that represented farmers and laborers in their fight against corporate power.

Coxey's Army

A protest march by unemployed workers led by Jacob Coxey in 1894, demanding government jobs.

Pullman Strike

A nationwide railroad strike in 1894 that ended violently after federal intervention.

William Jennings Bryan

A leading Democratic candidate for President in 1896 known for his support of free silver and the 'Cross of Gold' speech.

McKinley Tariff Bill

An 1890 law that increased tariffs to protect American industry but harmed consumers.

The Grange

A national association of farmers founded in 1867 to promote the economic and social needs of farmers.

Farmers' Alliance

A late 19th-century movement aimed at promoting cooperative farming and improving farmers' conditions.

The Dawes Severalty Act

An 1887 law that aimed to assimilate Native Americans by allotting them individual plots of land.

Buffalo Soldiers

African American cavalry soldiers who served in the United States Army during the Indian Wars.

The Homestead Act

A law passed in 1862 that provided 160 acres of land to settlers for a small fee.

Agriculture Mechanization

The use of machinery in farming that transformed agricultural production in the late 19th century.

The Dust Bowl

A period of severe drought in the 1930s that devastated the Southern Plains and agricultural communities.

Turner Thesis

The argument by historian Frederick Jackson Turner that the American frontier shaped American democracy and culture.

Carlisle Indian School

An institution founded to assimilate Native American children into American culture.

Social Gospel

A religious movement that sought to address social issues, advocating for social justice and care for the needy.

Jane Addams

A social reformer who founded Hull House and advocated for immigrants and women’s rights.

The New Morality

A social movement in the late 19th century that sought to challenge traditional moral values.

The Chautauqua Movement

An adult education movement that provided public lectures and home-study programs in the U.S.

Booker T. Washington

An African American leader who advocated for vocational education for blacks and economic self-reliance.

W.E.B. Du Bois

An African American leader who demanded full civil rights and co-founded the NAACP.

Muckrakers

Journalists who exposed corruption and societal issues in the early 20th century.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized news reporting that emerged in the late 19th century.

The Gospel of Wealth

The idea that the wealthy should use their fortunes for the public good, espoused by Andrew Carnegie.

Public Education Reform

The movement to expand access to education and improve schools across the United States.

Niagara Movement

An early civil rights organization founded by W.E.B. Du Bois and others advocating for black rights.

Federal Reserve System

A central banking system established in 1913 to provide a safer and more flexible monetary system.

The Gold Standard

A monetary system where the value of currency is directly linked to gold.

Laissez-faire economics

An economic system where businesses operate with minimal government interference.

Manifest Destiny

The 19th-century doctrine that the expansion of the US throughout the American continents was justified.

Populism

A political ideology seeking to represent the interests of ordinary people against the elite.

Women’s Suffrage Movement

The campaign for women’s right to vote that gained momentum in the late 19th century.

The Great Migration

The movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North from 1916 to 1970.

Labor Unions

Organizations formed by workers to protect their rights and interests regarding wages and working conditions.

Social Darwinism

The belief that societies evolve through a process of natural selection, influencing attitudes toward wealth and poverty.

The Pendleton Civil Service Act

A 1883 law that established a merit-based system for federal government jobs.

Susan B. Anthony

A leader in the women's suffrage movement who fought for women's right to vote.

The Age of Reform

A period in the 1830s to 1860s characterized by various social movements aimed at reforming society.

The Spanish-American War

A conflict in 1898 between the United States and Spain, leading to American territorial gains.

Progressivism

A social and political movement that aimed to address issues caused by industrialization and urbanization in the early 20th century.

The Open Door Policy

A U.S. diplomatic policy that aimed to ensure equal trade opportunities in China.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

A tragic industrial disaster in 1911 that raised awareness about worker safety and labor laws.

Child Labor Laws

Regulations established to restrict the employment and working conditions of children.

Federal Trade Commission

An agency established in 1914 to promote consumer protection and eliminate harmful business practices.

Reform Movements

Efforts aimed at improving society and addressing social issues during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Prompting Progressive Change

The societal issues and reactions that led to reforms in various sectors during the Progressive Era.

Labor Day

A holiday dedicated to honoring and recognizing the American labor movement, celebrated on the first Monday in September.

The Civil Rights Movement

A decades-long struggle for social justice and equal rights for African Americans in the United States.

Voter Suppression

Strategies used to discourage or prevent specific groups from exercising their right to vote.

Anti-Trust Laws

Legislation aimed at preventing monopolistic practices and promoting fair competition in the marketplace.

Regulation of Corporations

The establishment of laws and standards to control and oversee business practices and ensure consumer protection.

What were the defining characteristics of political life during the Gilded Age?

This era was typified by widespread political corruption, patronage, corporate influence in government, and frequent scandals such as the Tweed Ring, Credit Mobilier, and the Whiskey Ring.

How did the Compromise of 1877 impact the Reconstruction Era?

It marked the end of federal intervention in the South, leading to the rapid rise of Jim Crow laws, systematic disenfranchisement, and the institutionalization of racial segregation as upheld by Plessy v. Ferguson.

What major economic grievances fueled the rise of the Populist movement in the late 19th century?

Farmers and laborers protested against low agricultural prices, high railroad freight rates, deflationary monetary policies (favoring the gold standard), and the control of powerful trusts and corporations over the economy.

What were the primary aims of the Progressive Movement?

To address the social and economic problems arising from industrialization and urbanization through reforms focused on increasing direct democracy, regulating big business, promoting social justice, and improving public health and welfare.

How did immigration patterns and nativist sentiments evolve during the late 19th century?

The period saw a surge in "New Immigrants" from Southern and Eastern Europe, leading to increased nativist reactions, calls for immigration restriction, and the passage of laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act which targeted specific ethnic groups.