Gilded Age: Migration &Industrialization (copy)

Gilded Age

period from late 1800s-early 1900s in which rich got richer; extremes of wealth & poverty existed

Homestead Act

offered 160 acres of land to settlers to encourage development of Great Plains

Dawes Act

sought to Americanize/assimilate Native Americans into mainstream culture by granting land to heads of household

Indian Wars

1850s-1890--Gold Rush, building of RRs, & discovery of rich farmland W. of MS River led to clashes as whites moved onto Native American lands; ended with Battle at Wounded Knee & Native Americans were forced onto reservations

Granger Movement

1870s-1880s - Farmers tried to fight back against abuses of RR co. who were charging them high shipping rates

Populist Movement

1890s - coalition of farming interests that sought relief from high RR shipping rates, high interest rates charged by banks; farmers were struggling b/c of overproduction & needed help; suggested bimetallism, direct election of Senators, gov't regulation of RRs, graduated income tax

William Jennings Bryan

Democrat who was endorsed by the Populist Party in the Election of 1896; supported free coinage of silver/bimetallism to provide relief to farmers

Robber Barons

industrialists of late 19th century who believed in social Darwinism & laissez faire capitalism; used ruthless tactics to maximize profit (monopolies, trusts)

Results of Industrialization

1865-1900 - urbanization, expanding job market & desire for cheap labor led to increased immigration

Political Machines

groups that took control of city gov'ts through graft; used patronage, bribes, kickbacks, & voter fraud; offered help to immigrants in exchange for their votes

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

union led by Samuel Gompers that fought for "bread and butter" issues--better wages, hours, & working conditions; pushed for collective bargaining rights

Barriers Faced by Unions in late 19th Century

federal gov't used troops to put down strikes, Court issued injunctions ending strikes, & employers used blacklists & yellow dog contracts

Nativism

belief that Anglo-Saxon Protestants were superior--disliked Catholics who they feared would obey the Pope 1st, resented Jews, saw immigrants as job competition

Immigration Restrictions from Asia

Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) & Gentlemen's Agreement (1907)

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory

caught fire in 1911 & led to deaths of approx. 150 women--helped build momentum for better working conditions & safety standards in buildings

Jane Addams

began settlement house movement to help urban poor (community centers); founder of Hull House