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American Federation of Labor

A national federation of labor unions in the United States, founded in 1886, that focused on organizing skilled workers and advocating for better working conditions and wages.

Andrew Carnegie

A Scottish-American industrialist who led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century and is known for his philanthropy.

Bimetallism

An economic policy that advocates the use of both gold and silver as a basis for currency, aiming to increase the money supply and stabilize prices.

Booker T. Washington

An African American educator, author, and advisor to presidents, who advocated for vocational education and economic self-reliance for African Americans.

Chinese Exclusion Act

A federal law enacted in 1882 that prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers to the United States, reflecting the nativist sentiments of the time.

Cornelius Vanderbilt

An American business magnate who made his wealth in railroads and shipping, known for his role in the development of the American transportation system.

Dawes Severalty Act

A law passed in 1887 aimed at assimilating Native Americans into American society by allotting them individual plots of land and granting them U.S. citizenship.

Eugene V. Debs

An American union leader and socialist politician who was a founding member of the Industrial Workers of the World and five-time presidential candidate.

Farmers' Alliance

A collective of farmers in the late 19th century that sought to address the economic challenges faced by farmers through cooperative buying and political action.

Free Silver

A political movement advocating for the free coinage of silver to increase the money supply and combat deflation, popular among farmers and debtors in the late 19th century.

Gilded Age

A term used to describe the late 19th century in the United States, characterized by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and social issues such as inequality and corruption.

Gospel of Wealth

An essay by Andrew Carnegie that argued wealthy individuals have a moral obligation to distribute their wealth for the benefit of society.

Halfbreeds

A faction of the Republican Party in the late 19th century that advocated for civil service reform and opposed the Stalwarts, who favored patronage.

Horatio Alger

An American author known for his young adult novels about impoverished boys who rise to middle-class status through hard work and determination.

Horizontal Integration

A business strategy where a company acquires or merges with its competitors to increase market share and reduce competition.

Industrial Workers of the World

A radical labor organization founded in 1905 that aimed to unite all workers and promote direct action and industrial unionism.

Jim Crow Laws

State and local laws enacted in the Southern United States that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans from the late 19th century until the 1960s.

John D. Rockefeller

An American oil industry business magnate and philanthropist, co-founder of the Standard Oil Company, and one of the wealthiest individuals in history.

Knights of Labor

An influential labor organization in the late 19th century that sought to unite all workers and promote social reforms, including the eight-hour workday.

Labor Unions/ Strikes

Organizations formed by workers to advocate for their rights and interests, often using strikes as a tool to negotiate better wages and working conditions.

Mary Elizabeth Lease

An American political activist and suffragist known for her work with the Populist Party and her speeches advocating for farmers' rights and women's suffrage.

Monopolies

Market structures where a single seller dominates the market, often leading to higher prices and reduced competition.

Mugwumps

A group of political activists in the late 19th century who were reform-minded Republicans that supported Democratic candidate Grover Cleveland over their own party's nominee.

Native American assimilation

The process by which Native Americans were encouraged or forced to adopt European-American cultural norms and lifestyles, often leading to the loss of their own cultures.

Nativism

A political policy that favors the interests of native-born inhabitants over those of immigrants, often leading to anti-immigrant sentiments and legislation.

People's (Populist) Party

A political party in the United States that emerged in the late 19th century, advocating for the rights of farmers and laborers, and promoting policies like the regulation of railroads and the direct election of senators.

Plessy v. Ferguson

An 1896 Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine, which justified segregation laws in the United States.

Political Machines

Organizations that used patronage and political influence to control local or state politics, often associated with corruption and the manipulation of elections.

Populist Party Platform

The set of principles and policies advocated by the Populist Party, including the regulation of railroads, a graduated income tax, and the direct election of senators.

Pullman Strike

A nationwide railroad strike in 1894 that began at the Pullman Company in Chicago, protesting wage cuts and high rents in company-owned housing, leading to significant labor unrest.

Samuel Gompers

An American labor leader and founder of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), who advocated for the rights of workers and the establishment of labor unions.

Sharecropping

An agricultural system where farmers (sharecroppers) worked land owned by someone else in exchange for a share of the crops produced, often leading to cycles of debt and poverty.

Social Darwinism

A social theory that applied the concept of 'survival of the fittest' to human societies, often used to justify imperialism, racism, and social inequality.

Social Gospel Movement

A religious movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that aimed to apply Christian ethics to social problems, advocating for social justice and reform.

Stalwarts

A faction of the Republican Party in the late 19th century that supported the political machine and patronage system, opposing the reformist faction known as the Half-Breeds.

Tammany Hall

A political organization in New York City that was known for its corrupt practices and control over the Democratic Party, particularly during the 19th century.

Tenement Housing

A type of multi-family urban dwelling that was often overcrowded and poorly maintained, commonly found in cities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Grange

An organization of farmers that aimed to promote their economic and political interests, advocating for issues like railroad regulation and cooperative buying.

Trust Companies

Financial institutions that manage trusts and estates, often involved in investment and financial services, playing a significant role in the economy.

The New South/Henry Grady

A term used to describe the post-Civil War South's efforts to modernize its economy and society, championed by journalist Henry Grady who promoted industrial development.

Vertical Integration

A business strategy where a company controls multiple stages of production, from raw materials to finished products, to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

W.E.B. DuBois

An African American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist who co-founded the NAACP and advocated for the rights of African Americans and higher education.

William Jennings Bryan

An American orator and politician who was a dominant force in the Democratic Party in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his advocacy of populism and the free silver movement.

What generated rapid economic development after the Civil War?

Large-scale industrial production, technological change, international communication networks, and pro-growth government policies.

What role did government subsidies play after the Civil War?

They helped open new markets in North America.

Who were notable figures in the industrial era?

Jay Gould, Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie.

What factors contributed to the increase in goods production?

Technological innovations, access to natural resources, redesigned financial structures, advances in marketing, and a growing labor force.

What was the impact of decreasing prices on workers?

Workers' real wages increased, improving access to goods and services and raising standards of living.

What company is associated with John D. Rockefeller?

Standard Oil Company of Ohio.

What did many business leaders do to increase profits?

They consolidated corporations into large trusts and holding companies.

What was a consequence of wealth concentration among business leaders?

The gap between rich and poor grew.

What regions did businesses and policymakers look to for influence and control?

The Pacific Rim, Asia, and Latin America.

Sears, Roebuck and Co.

An American retail and mail order company founded in 1893, known for its catalog sales and department stores.

Catalog Sales

A retail method where products are sold through printed catalogs, allowing customers to order items by mail.

Richard Sears

The co-founder of Sears, Roebuck and Co., who started the company as a watch-selling business.

Roebuck

The partner of Richard Sears, who joined the company in 1895 and helped expand its offerings.

Retail Expansion

The growth strategy employed by Sears, which included opening physical stores in addition to catalog sales.

Laissez-faire policies

Economic policies that oppose government intervention in the economy.

Industrial workforce expansion

Growth and diversification of the workforce through internal and international migration.

Child labor

The employment of children in various industries, often under poor conditions.

Molly Maguires

A secret society of Irish-American coal miners known for their activism.

Knights of Labor

An influential labor organization that sought to unite all workers.

Samuel Gompers

Founder of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and a key labor leader.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

A national federation of labor unions in the United States.

Homestead steel strike

A major industrial strike in 1892 at the Homestead Steel Works.

Pullman strike

A nationwide railroad strike in the United States in 1894.

Eugene V. Debs

A labor leader and socialist politician who played a key role in the Pullman strike.

Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)

A radical labor organization that aimed to unite all workers.

New South

A term used to describe the economic shift in the Southern economy towards industrialization.

Sharecropping

A system where farmers work land owned by someone else in exchange for a share of the crops.

Redeemers

Southern political leaders who aimed to restore the pre-Civil War social order.

Bourbons

A term used to describe a faction of the Democratic Party in the South that sought to maintain white supremacy.

What enabled consolidation within agriculture?

New systems of production and transportation

What contributed to declines in food prices?

Improvements in mechanization

How did farmers respond to consolidation in agricultural markets?

By creating local and regional cooperative organizations

What were two movements formed by farmers in response to market changes?

Granger movement and Farmers' Alliance

What inspired the creation of the People's (Populist) Party?

Economic instability

Who was a notable activist in the Populist movement?

Mary Elizabeth Lease

What did the People's (Populist) Party advocate for?

A stronger governmental role in regulating the American economic system

What factors contributed to increased urban populations in the United States?

International and internal migration, driven by economic growth and opportunities.

Which groups of immigrants were attracted to urban areas in the United States?

Immigrants from Asia, southern and eastern Europe, and African American migrants.

What were some reasons for migration to urban areas?

To escape poverty, religious persecution, and limited social mobility.

How did urban neighborhoods reflect the diversity of the population?

They were based on particular ethnicities, races, and classes, providing cultural opportunities.

What social issues arose from the growth of international migration?

Debates over assimilation and Americanization.

What was the Chinese Exclusion Act?

A nativist law aimed at restricting Chinese immigration to the United States.

How did political machines thrive in urban areas?

By providing immigrants and the poor with social services in an unequal power structure.

What role did corporations play in the development of the middle class?

They created a demand for managers and clerical workers, fostering middle-class growth.

How did access to educational institutions affect urban populations?

It contributed to the growth of a distinctive middle class.

What impact did increased leisure time have on urban culture?

It helped expand consumer culture.

What was a significant cultural negotiation for immigrants in urban areas?

Compromises between the cultures they brought and the American culture they encountered.

What was the significance of urban economic growth in the context of migration?

It attracted diverse populations seeking better opportunities.

What challenges did immigrants face in urban settings?

Access to power and resources was often unequally distributed.

Why did larger numbers of migrants move to the West?

In search of land and economic opportunity.

What promoted economic growth and created new communities in the West?

The building of transcontinental railroads, discovery of mineral resources, and government policies.

What opportunities did migrants seek in the West?

Building railroads, mining, farming, and ranching.

What was a consequence of increased competition for land and resources in the West?

An increase in violent conflict among white settlers, American Indians, and Mexican Americans.

What led to the range wars in the West?

Competition for land and resources as the American bison population was decimated.

How did the U.S. government respond to American Indian resistance?

By violating treaties and using military force.

What was the outcome for American Indians due to government policies?

They were confined to reservations and denied tribal sovereignty.

Who was a key figure in the Great Sioux War?

George A. Custer.