The Era of Reconstruction and the Gilded Age, 1865-1890

A collection of flashcards examining key concepts, events, and figures from the Reconstruction and Gilded Age periods in American history.

What significant challenge did Lincoln's successors face after his assassination in 1865?

They had to reunite the nation while balancing the power between states and the federal government.

What was the main political divide within the Republican Party during Reconstruction?

The Republicans were divided into radicals and moderates.

What significant challenge did Lincoln's successors face after his assassination in 1865?

They had to reunite the nation while balancing the power between states and the federal government.

What was the main political divide within the Republican Party during Reconstruction?

The Republicans were divided into radicals and moderates.

What was the key stipulation of Lincoln's Ten Percent Plan?

Only 10% of a former Confederate state's electorate had to swear an oath of allegiance to the USA.

Which political group disagreed with the Ten Percent Plan and what did they propose?

Radical Republicans proposed the Wade-Davis Bill in June 1865 (50 per cent of the electorate to take a much tougher oath of allegiance)

What was Lincoln’s response to the Wade-Davis Bill?

Lincoln vetoed the bill, which led to a further deterioration in relations between Congress and President. 

When and what was the 13th Ammendment ?

this was introduced by Lincoln in November 1864 and, approved by Congress in January of the following year – abolition of slavery. 

What was the objective of the Freedmen's Bureau established in March 1865 by Lincoln and Congress?

To provide advice on education and employment for former slaves and help establish schools for African Americans.

Johnson’s initial aim?

Johnson was keen to push ahead with Reconstruction and he wanted to restore the Southern states as quickly as possible. 

What were two exapmles to show Johnson’s failed presidency?

13,000 pardons issued and the new state governments set up during Presidential Reconstruction were dominated by the same old Southern elites. 

what was the 1866 Civil Rights Bill?

moderate Republicans joined forces with radicals to introduce a Civil Rights Bill which gave minimum rights to blacks.

What is politically significant about the Civil Right Bill of 1866?

Johnson vetoed the bill. For the first time in history, Congress overturned the presidential veto, which required a two-thirds majority in both Houses and ensured the passage of the bill. 

Who was Thaddeus Stevens?

Johnson was opposed by Radical Republicans, led by Thaddeus Steven – he wanted to confiscate Southern estates and to redistribute the land to freedmen. Stevens knew that economic freedom would be as important for former slaves as political freedom. 

What was the purpose of the Fourteenth Amendment?

ensure that the Civil Rights Bill could not be changed in the future. People who were born in the USA or who were naturalised were US citizens, and all citizens were guaranteed equality before the law.  

The passing of the Fourteenth Amendment led to a major political confrontation. Johnson refused to compromise and denounced it.

What was the Military Reconstruction Bill of 1867 ?

imposed military rule on the South with the exception of Tennessee. The ten remaining states were grouped into five military districts, each placed under a federal commander.

What was the purpose of the Military reconsturction bill for the south which was rejected by Johnson?

Southern states had to elect national conventions which would accept black suffrage and accept the Fourteenth Amendment. Johnson vetoed this act. Congress overruled Johnson. 

How was Johnson’s power limited ?

The Command of the army Act - reduced his military powers

The Tenure of Office Act - prevented Johnson from removing a host of office-holders

who and when was the KKK formed?

former Confederate soldiers in Tennessee in December 1865. Race riots in the summer of 1866 in Memphis, New Orleans and other Southern cities.  

What was the outcome of the Impeachment of President Andrew Johnson?

Johnson was saved from conviction by one vote, but his political standing was severely damaged.

35 senators voted against him and 19 for him

Under Grant, what evidendce is there to suggest the new state governments were inefficient or prejudice?

Northerners who were nicknamed ‘carpetbaggers’ after the type of suitcase they carried. Southern whites who were called 'scalawags’ - from a nickname for low quality farm animals. These were Southern whites who formed a Republican coalition with black freedmen and Northern newcomers to take control of their state and local governments. 

what was the purpose of the 15th Amendment?

the right to vote should not be denied on account of race, colour or previous conditions of servitude

What was a piece of legislation which tackled the issue of the KKK?

Enforcement Acts 1870-71 (Ku Klux Klan Acts) the federal government passed these laws to strengthen the provisions of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments Americans and to try to limit discrimination.  

what was the purpose of the Civil rights Act of 1875/

intended to guarantee equal treatment in issues such as jury service and public transport.

Who were the Redeemers?

a powerful reaction from the Democratic Party in the South. They wanted the return of white supremacy and the removal of rights for blacks. 

By 1876, Redeemers had won back white Democratic control of most of the ex-Confederate states.  

Give 4 examples of Political corruption under Grant…

Black Friday - a group of speculators attempted to influence the government and manipulate the gold market. (Grant was not directly involved in the scheme, however his reputation suffered because he had become personally associated with two of the speculators James Fisk and Jay Gould)

The Whiskey Ring scandal of 1875 involved a network of distillers, distributors and public officials who conspired to defraud the federal government of millions in liquor tax revenue

New York Custom House Ring

‘Pork barrel politics’ – patronage system (‘to the victor the spoils’) leads to inefficient and corrupt government as government jobs are given to supporters

what is regarded as the end of reconstruction ?

The presidential election of 1876 and subsequent compromise of 1877 is regarded as the end of Reconstruction. 

Why was the Gilded age named “the era of weak presidents” ?

Named after the title of a novel by Mark Twain…

It is traditionally one of the most criticised periods in American history. Historians have portrayed it as a time of excessive political corruption where politicians were small-minded and used public office to serve their own interests. 

What is the spoils system ?

awarding government jobs after an election to voters as a reward for their loyalty, rather than appointing people based on merit

What happend under Rutherford Hayes ?

tried to reform the civil service and set the ball rolling for later reform. He was opposed by a faction of Republican Party led by Senator Roscoe Conkling called the ‘Stalwarts’. 

What happend under James Garfield?

continued Hayes reforms of the Post Office, strengthening federal authority over New York Custom House and making a stand against the leader of the Stalwarts. Garfield was assassinated by disgruntled patronage-seeker. 

what happend under Chester Arthur ?

advocated Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act (1883) to award political office on basis of merit. Created the first Civil Service Commission, which was the beginning of the end of the spoils system

what happend under Grover Cleveland ?

continued civil service reform.  Republican ‘Mugwumps’ supported him in the 1884 election. Cleveland faced a Republican-dominated Senate and often resorted to using his veto powers – Texas Seed Bill, private pensions for American Civil War veterans. A lot of Cleveland’s appointments were made on merit alone. 

What Happend under Benjamin Harrison ?

he awarded the Grand Army of the Republic with pensions and federal money for hospitals for veterans – classic example of Pork Barrel Politics. Perception that Republicans were favouring businessmen at the expense of consumers ‘Billion Dollar Congress’, but supported some bipartisan measures Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890).

How had the role of the president been damaged ?

where Congress had established its predominance. There was a general idea that the President’s role was as a figurehead rather than being particularly proactive. Real control was in the hands of Congress.  

How many immigrants came to the usa between 1860-1890 and where did they come from?

Approximately 10 million immigrants came to the USA during this period, primarily from Europe, especially from countries like Germany, Ireland, and Italy.

what were pull factors for the mass immigration to the USA between 1860 and 1890?

Employment opportunities, friends and family already established in America, tolerance

What were the push factors for the mass immigration to the USA between 1860 and 1890?

Famine, religious persecution, and lack of jobs.

what was the result of increased nativist feeling ?

created tensions and social divisions. Nativist feeling increased as new immigrant communities were often regarded with suspicion, hostility and as a threat to jobs, or to existing social and cultural norms. In 1885, a bill was passed by Congress which put a ban on foreign contract labour although this did not extend to skilled workers needed for new industries. 

What was the purpose of the American Protective Association?

set up in 1887 by Henry F. Bowers - a secret society pledged to defend the school system against increasing numbers of Catholic school children

what were benifits of Immigrants ?

In 1890, 56 per cent of the labour force in manufacturing and mechanical industries was of foreign birth or foreign parentage. The presence of immigrants led to increased economic growth and played an important role in the transition to an urban industrial economy. 

what were the benefits of Chinese immigrants ?

1860s, thousands of Chinese labourers were brought in to work on the construction of the western sections of the Union Pacific railroad.  

Chinese workers provided half the labour force for San Francisco's key industries: boots and shoes, wool textiles, tobacco and cigar-making, and sewing.  

Given an example of societal discontent with Chinese immigrants?

newspapers and politicians campaigning fiercely to stop the 'Yellow Peril' of Chinese immigration

Give an example of political discontent with Chinese immigrants?

The Chinese exclusion act of 1882 - stopping the immigration of 'skilled or unskilled' Chinese workers. 

1886 - Truckee boycott led by Charles McGlashan pushed the Chinese out – ‘Truckee method’. 

Regional Divisions - what was a result of the problems in the north east caused by indutrialisation and immigration?

Great Railroad strike 1877 - needed thousands of troops to quell across numerous cities. 

what were the Orange Riots ?

between Irish Protestants & Catholics occurred in 1870/ 1871 – example of ethnic tensions

What caused tensions with Native Americans after 1860 ?

because of gold rushes and federal incentives like the Homestead Act 1862 and the Pacific Railroad Act 1862, which authorised two companies to build a transcontinental railroad – this met in the middle in 1869

How did the Homestead Act of 1862 impact westward expansion?

It accelerated the movement of settlers into the West by offering land at a low cost.

What happended at the Sand Creek Massacre 1864 ?

A force of 700 attacked an undefended camp of the Cheyenne tribe, killing and mutilating elderly men, women and children. 

what was ‘reservation or assimilation’ ?

 

Under President Grant, the policy shifted towards one of 'reservation or assimilation’, requiring Native Americans to accept life on reservations, or to assimilate as individual citizens.  

what was the result of the Dakota Gold rush (1874-1876) for native Americans?

 Battle of the Little Big Horn (unit of 200 men) were quickly overwhelmed by superior numbers of Native Americans. The brutal suppression that followed mostly complete by 1877. 

what was the reservation policy ?

government turned to its reservation policy in order to bring an end to their traditional nomadic lifestyle. 

Evidence of Americanisation ?

government-controlled reservations - emphasis on education, by conversion to Christianity and by training Native Americans to become farmers. Boarding schools were set up where Native American children could be taught American skills and attitudes away from the influence of their parents. 

What was the Dawes Act of 1887 ?

Broke up reservation land. Each head of family could receive 160 acres of farmland. Each single male adult could claim 80 acres. Native Americans who accepted these allotments were to be granted US citizenship after 25 years.  

what happended at the Battle of Wounded Knee 1890 ?

eventh Cavalry fired into a group of Sioux at Wounded Knee who were performing the Ghost Dance (Sioux tribe took up a ceremonial dance in the hope that their lands and power would be restored) – 200 Sioux died, many of them women and children.  

how had the way of indian nations’ life gone by 1890 ?

tribal lands parcelled out to settlers, and Native Americans confined to small, uneconomic reservations.

The total Native American population in 1860 was estimated at about 500,000; this figure had almost halved by 1890. 

North American bison that had been the basis of Native American life were wiped out by hunters.

What role did railroads play in the American economy during the Gilded Age?

Railroads were central to economic growth, transporting goods and connecting industries across the continent.

What was the goal of the Knights of Labor formed in 1869?

To advocate for the rights of workers, including demands for an eight-hour workday and child labor restrictions.

What was the primary critique of Turner’s thesis regarding the American frontier?

It is criticized for being excessively masculine and white, ignoring the experiences of women, minorities, and Native Americans.

Who were the Redeemers, and what did they aim to achieve post-Civil War?

The Redeemers were a political coalition in the South aimed at restoring white supremacy and dismantling Reconstruction efforts.

What was the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890?

A law that aimed to prevent monopolies and promote competition by declaring trusts that restricted trade illegal.