Untitled Flashcards Set

Conspicuous Consumption

Spending money very obviously to show wealth.

Labor Unions

Large groups of workers united to make their voices heard through political actions, slowdowns, and strikes.

Great Railroad Strike of 1877

A major strike in response to wage cuts by railroad companies; it spread across 11 states and shut down 60% of American railroads.

Knights of Labor

A national union established in 1881 aimed at destroying trusts and monopolies and abolishing child labor.

Haymarket Square Riot

A protest in Chicago in 1886 that turned violent after a bomb exploded, leading to negative perceptions of labor unions.

Tenements

Hastily built, poorly constructed living spaces for immigrants and the poor in industrial cities.

Nativists

People who advocate for the protection of the interests of native-born individuals over immigrants.

Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882

Law that banned any further Chinese immigration to the United States, targeting a specific nationality.

Settlement Houses

Institutions designed to help immigrants assimilate into American society, providing education and community support. Jane Addams was a big supporter. Hull House the most famous one

Red Scare

A period of fear of communism in the United States, particularly after the Bolshevik revolution during World War I.

Sedition Act of 1918

A law that criminalized speech deemed disloyal, profane, or abusive toward the U.S. government.

Pullman Strike

A strike in 1894 when George Pullman cut worker wages, leading to a nationwide boycott of trains with Pullman cars.

Great railroad strike of 1877

in 1877 railroad companies cut wages to save money during recession. Railroad unions strike in response. Spread to 11 states, shut down 60% of american railroads. Over 100 dead after military action.

American federation of labor

association of craft workers led by Samuel Gompers. Over a million members. Similar to knights of labor, wanted higher wages and safer working conditions.

Ethnic enclaves

places where immigrants of similar background gathered and found a sense of community and solidarity.

American Protective Association

powerful organization against catholics. Most irish immigrants were catholic. Didn't like that many irish catholics being elected to office.

Red-baiting

practice of identifying and attempting to uncover suspected communists within the united states government

HUAC (house unamerican activities community)

one of the main proponents for "uncovering" communists