EXAM 1 notes

What was the South doing economically while the North industrialized?

The South continued to rely on an agrarian economy, primarily based on cotton production, while the North industrialized with manufacturing and infrastructure development.

What was the Fisk/Gould scandal?

The Fisk/Gould scandal involved Jay Gould and James Fisk attempting to corner the gold market by manipulating prices and influencing the U.S. Treasury.

What was the Credit Mobilier scandal?

A scandal in the 1870s involving bribery and kickbacks from the Credit Mobilier construction company, which overcharged the U.S. government for railroad construction.

What was the Whiskey Ring scandal?

The Whiskey Ring scandal involved government officials and distillers defrauding the federal government of liquor taxes.

Who was Boss Tweed; how was he able to steal so much from NYC taxpayers? How did Thomas Nast’s actions help to lead to Tweed’s downfall?

Boss Tweed was the head of the Tammany Hall political machine. He stole millions through corruption. Thomas Nast's cartoons exposed Tweed's crimes, leading to his downfall.

Define 'waving the bloody shirt'.

A political strategy used by Republicans post-Civil War to remind voters of the Union sacrifices and the horrors of the war.

From the 1870s to 1900, what group of people did the Republican Party usually seek to support/favor?

The Republican Party favored businesses, industrialists, and Northern interests, advocating for high tariffs and pro-business policies.

Define exodusters.

Exodusters were African Americans who migrated from the South to Kansas in the late 1870s to escape discrimination and economic hardship.

How did the federal government support railroad development during the Civil War?

The government provided land grants and financial assistance to private railroad companies to build the transcontinental railroad.

What were the negative impacts of railroad development in the West?

Railroads led to the destruction of Native American lands, environmental degradation, and the near extinction of the buffalo.

Miners, cattle ranchers, and farmers – what are the specifics of each (geography, behavior patterns, interactions)?

Miners: Focused in the West, especially during gold and silver rushes. Cattle ranchers: Located in Texas and Great Plains, interacting with railroads and settlers. Farmers: Settled in the Great Plains, facing hardships like drought and isolation.

What economic hardships did farmers face in the late 1800s-early 1900s?

Farmers struggled with falling crop prices, high railroad rates, debt, and difficult soil.

Define Munn v. Illinois.

A Supreme Court case that upheld the right of states to regulate private industries affecting public interest, such as railroads.

What did Turner’s Frontier Thesis say?

Turner’s Frontier Thesis argued that the American frontier shaped U.S. democracy and character, emphasizing the importance of westward expansion.

Why were some concerned about the 1890 Census findings?

The 1890 Census showed the frontier was closed, causing concerns about the loss of opportunities for expansion.

What was the significance of the Battle of Wounded Knee?

The Battle of Wounded Knee (1890) was the last major conflict between Native Americans and the U.S. Army, resulting in the massacre of Lakota Sioux.

Define assimilation.

Assimilation is the process by which minority groups adopt the customs and culture of the dominant society.

What was the goal of A Century of Dishonor by Helen Hunt Jackson?

The book aimed to expose the mistreatment of Native Americans and advocate for better treatment by the U.S. government.

Define the Dawes Severalty Act.

The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed to assimilate Native Americans by allotting individual parcels of land to them, leading to the loss of tribal lands.

Who was John Muir, and what was his role in the conservation movement?

John Muir was a naturalist who founded the Sierra Club and advocated for the preservation of wilderness areas.

What was the significance of the National Parks under T. Roosevelt?

Roosevelt expanded the national park system and created the U.S. Forest Service to preserve natural resources for future generations.

Why did the South stay poor and why was it difficult for farmers to organize?

The South remained economically dependent on agriculture and faced racial divisions, making it difficult for farmers to unite and advocate for change.

How were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois similar? How were they different?

Both were leaders in the African American community, but Washington advocated for vocational training, while Du Bois pushed for immediate political and social equality.

Define the Atlanta Compromise.

The Atlanta Compromise was Booker T. Washington’s 1895 speech advocating for African Americans to accept segregation while focusing on vocational education.

Define the Niagara Movement.

The Niagara Movement, led by W.E.B. Du Bois, was a civil rights group calling for immediate equality for African Americans.

What was unique about Ida B. Wells' activism?

Ida B. Wells was a journalist and anti-lynching activist who challenged the social acceptance of racial violence.

How did inventions of the late 1800s change society?

Inventions like the telephone, electric light, and alternating current revolutionized communication, industry, and daily life.

What was urban planning like in the late 1800s?

Cities began to grow with planned transportation systems, skyscrapers, and organized infrastructure, shaping modern urban life.