key concepts apsuh chapter 8

In what ways did technological advancements and government policies promote industrial capitalism following the Civil War?

The acceleration of industrial capitalism was driven by large-scale production, technological progress, enhanced communication networks, and government policies favoring economic growth.

What was the effect of government subsidies on transportation and communication systems?

Government subsidies played a crucial role in the development of transportation and communication systems, thereby creating new market opportunities across North America.

What enabled businesses to significantly boost production?

Businesses achieved a dramatic increase in production through technological advancements, improved access to natural resources, enhanced financial and management strategies, marketing innovations, and a growing labor force.

What impact did industrial capitalism have on workers' wages and the wealth gap?

Although goods became cheaper and workers' real wages rose, leading to better living conditions, the wealth gap widened as a result of business consolidation.

What strategies did business leaders implement to maximize their profits?

Many business leaders consolidated corporations into large trusts and holding companies, further increasing the concentration of wealth.

How did U.S. businesses and policymakers pursue economic expansion outside national borders?

They sought to exert control over markets and natural resources in the Pacific Rim, Asia, and Latin America.

What were some supporting arguments for laissez-faire policies during times of financial distress?

Proponents argued that free-market competition fostered long-term economic growth and opposed government intervention in the market.

How did industrialization alter the workforce dynamics?

The workforce expanded and diversified via internal and international migration, with a notable rise in child labor.

What actions did workers take in response to inadequate wages and poor working conditions?

Workers organized into local and national unions to confront business leaders directly.

What significant changes occurred in the Southern economy post-industrialization?

Despite calls for a 'New South,' the economy remained heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly sharecropping and tenant farming.

What was the impact of mechanization on agriculture?

The introduction of mechanization led to increased agricultural productivity, resulting in lower food prices.

How did farmers act in response to economic difficulties?

Farmers formed local and regional cooperatives to combat the consolidation of agricultural markets and dependence on railroads.

What was the main objective of the Populist Party?

Motivated by economic instability, the Populist Party advocated for greater government regulation of the economy.

How did migration influence urban growth?

The influx of migrants contributed to the expansion of cities as economic centers, drawing individuals from Asia, southern and eastern Europe, and African Americans from the South.

What prompted migrants to relocate to urban areas?

Many migrants were driven by the desire to escape poverty, religious persecution, and limitations on social mobility in their home regions.

In what ways did ethnic and racial neighborhoods influence urban life?

These neighborhoods offered cultural opportunities but also sparked discussions on assimilation and the process of Americanization.

What was the role of political machines in urban environments?

Political machines flourished by providing social services to immigrants and the underprivileged in exchange for political backing.

How did industrialization contribute to the rise of the middle class?

The need for managerial and clerical workers within corporations, along with enhanced access to education, resulted in a burgeoning middle class and an expanded consumer culture.

How did government policies facilitate westward expansion?

Policies such as the establishment of transcontinental railroads, mineral discoveries, and land incentives spurred economic growth and new settlements.

What were the motivations for migrants to head westward?

Many aimed for economic independence, seeking opportunities in railroads, mining, farming, and ranching.

What were the consequences of westward expansion on Indigenous and Mexican American populations?

The expansion intensified competition for land and resources, leading to violent confrontations.

How did the U.S. government react to Indigenous resistance?

The government frequently violated treaties, deployed military action, confined Indigenous populations to reservations, and disregarded tribal sovereignty.

How did Indigenous peoples resist U.S. policies?

Indigenous groups worked to maintain their cultures and identities while striving for economic self-sufficiency.

What is Social Darwinism?

This concept posits that wealth and success naturally arise from the principle of survival of the fittest, often used to justify economic disparities.

What does the Gospel of Wealth advocate?

This philosophy holds that affluent individuals have a moral obligation to enhance society through philanthropic efforts, including educational and urban development investments.

What alternative social and economic visions emerged during this period?

Various groups, including agrarians, utopians, socialists, and Social Gospel proponents, emerged to advocate for reforms targeting economic inequality and social injustice.

In what ways did political debates mirror economic and social tensions?

Political discussions centered on tariffs and currency, while reformers denounced corruption and the undue influence of wealth on governance.

How did women engage in reform movements?

Women participated actively in voluntary organizations, pursued higher education, and worked in settlement houses to assist immigrants in adapting to new environments.

What was the effect of Plessy v. Ferguson on African Americans?

This case upheld racial segregation, reversing many political advancements from the Reconstruction era and entrenching systemic discrimination.

How did African Americans respond to the rise in discrimination?

Despite facing violence and prejudice, African American reformers continuously advocated for political and social equality.