History

What was the Gilded Age in America?

A period from the 1870s to 1900 marked by rapid industrialization, economic growth, and significant social inequalities, coined by Mark Twain.

Who coined the term 'Gilded Age'?

Mark Twain in his 1873 novel 'The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today'.

What is horizontal integration?

A business strategy where a company acquires or merges with competing companies to dominate the market.

What key industry did John D. Rockefeller control?

The oil industry, specifically through the Standard Oil Company.

What was vertical integration?

A strategy where a company controls multiple stages of production and distribution within the same industry.

What innovation did the Bessemer process contribute to?

The production of steel, revolutionizing construction and enabling the expansion of railroads.

Which railroad connected the United States coast to coast?

The First Transcontinental Railroad, completed in 1869.

What was the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887?

A law that established the Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroad rates and prevent unfair practices.

What was the significance of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

It was the first major national strike, highlighting labor unrest and the struggles of workers in industrial America.

Who were the muckrakers?

Investigative journalists who exposed corruption and social injustices during the Gilded Age.

What was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?

A federal law that prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers to the United States.

What did the Pendleton Civil Service Act establish?

It required government jobs to be awarded based on merit rather than political connections.

What is Social Darwinism?

A sociopolitical theory that applies natural selection to human societies and was used to justify social inequality.

Which event is associated with the Haymarket Affair?

A labor rally in Chicago that turned violent and became a symbol of the struggle for workers' rights.

What did Henry George advocate for?

A single tax on land value as a means to address wealth inequality and promote social justice.

What did the Panic of 1893 lead to?

A severe economic depression that intensified debates over monetary policy and impacted national politics.

What was the impact of the Dawes Act of 1887?

It aimed to assimilate Native Americans by dividing tribal lands into individual plots.

Who were the main figures in the women's suffrage movement?

Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

What is one legacy of the Gilded Age?

It set the stage for the Progressive Era, highlighting social, political, and economic reform needs.

What Supreme Court case established the principle of 'separate but equal'?

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).

What was the significance of the Pullman Strike of 1894?

It was a nationwide railroad strike that led to violent confrontations between strikers and federal troops.

What did the American Federation of Labor (AFL) focus on?

Skilled workers and improving wages and working conditions.

What role did immigration play during the Gilded Age?

Over 12 million immigrants arrived, contributing to the growth of cities and the labor force.

What did the term 'Robber Barons' refer to in the Gilded Age?

Powerful industrialists who gained wealth and influence, often criticized for monopolistic practices.

What was the main goal of labor unions during the Gilded Age?

To advocate for better wages, working conditions, and labor rights.

What marked the rise of the Populist Party during the Gilded Age?

Economic struggles and demands for worker protections and anti-monopoly legislation.