Unit 6 DCUSH

Western Expansion & Manifest Destiny

  • Manifest Destiny: The belief that it was the United States' God-given right to expand across the continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This justified westward expansion and led to the acquisition of territories like Texas, Oregon, and California.

  • Causes of Western Expansion: Economic opportunities (like farming and mining), the desire for land, and the belief in Manifest Destiny.

  • Effects of Western Expansion:

    • Displacement of Native American populations (e.g., forced relocation via the Trail of Tears).

    • Expansion of the railroad network.

    • Economic growth, especially in farming, mining, and trade.

Populist Party & Economic Concerns

  • Populist Party: A political group that emerged in the late 1800s, largely supported by farmers, laborers, and rural Americans. They advocated for:

    • Bimetallism: Using both gold and silver to back the currency to inflate money supply and aid debt-ridden farmers.

    • Government intervention in the economy: To regulate railroad rates and reduce the power of big businesses.

    • Support for direct election of senators and other reforms to make the government more responsive to common people.

  • William Jennings Bryan: A key Populist leader and presidential candidate. Advocated for bimetallism ("Cross of Gold" speech), protection of farmers, and expansion of the money supply.

The Dawes Act

  • The Dawes Act (1887): Aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by dividing tribal lands into individual plots, offering citizenship to those who accepted them. It led to the loss of Native American land and culture.

Gilded Age

  • Social Darwinism: The belief that society operates like a natural ecosystem where only the "fittest" individuals or businesses survive and thrive.

  • Robber Barons: Wealthy businessmen like John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and J.P. Morgan, who were often criticized for exploiting workers and manipulating the economy to create monopolies.

  • Captains of Industry: A more positive term for the same group, emphasizing their role in driving economic growth and innovation.

  • Why did monopolies grow?

    • Consolidation of industries: Large companies merged or took over smaller ones to dominate the market.

    • Problems caused: Monopolies stifled competition, raised prices, and exploited workers.

  • Trusts: Business arrangements where companies in the same industry agreed to combine operations, reducing competition.

  • Unionization of Workers: Workers united to demand better wages, working conditions, and hours.

    • Reasons for unionization: Poor working conditions, low wages, long hours, and lack of workers' rights.

    • Unskilled laborers: Workers without specific training or expertise. Immigrants often filled unskilled jobs in factories, mines, and railroads.

  • Negative consequences of industrialization and urbanization:

    • Poor working conditions: Dangerous jobs, child labor, long hours, and low pay.

    • Overcrowded cities: Leading to sanitation issues and lack of infrastructure.

  • Immigration and Labor:

    • Immigrants provided a cheap, plentiful labor force for businesses.

    • Nativist feelings: A belief that native-born Americans were superior to immigrants, often leading to discrimination.

  • Laissez-faire government: The government's hands-off approach to business regulation allowed monopolies to grow unchecked.

  • Political Machines & Boss Tweed: Political organizations that controlled local governments, often through corruption. Boss Tweed was a notorious figure who controlled New York City's Tammany Hall.

  • Assimilation & Americanization: Efforts to integrate immigrants into American society, often through education and social pressure to adopt Anglo-American customs.

  • Chinese Exclusion Act (1882): A law that banned Chinese immigration and naturalization in the U.S.

  • Strikes and Labor Unions: Strikes were often met with violence from business owners or the government, but they were important in advancing labor rights.

Progressive Era

  • The Social Gospel: A religious movement that emphasized social justice, helping the poor, and addressing societal issues like poverty and inequality.

  • W.E.B. Du Bois: A prominent African American leader who advocated for civil rights and higher education for Black Americans. Co-founder of the NAACP.

  • Booker T. Washington: Advocated for vocational training and gradual integration into society. Focused on economic empowerment for African Americans.

  • Ida B. Wells: A journalist and activist who fought against lynching and racial discrimination.

  • Jacob Riis: A muckraking journalist who exposed the poor living conditions in urban slums (e.g., How the Other Half Lives).

  • Ida Tarbell: A muckraker who exposed the monopolistic practices of Standard Oil and John D. Rockefeller.

  • Muckrakers: Journalists who investigated and exposed corruption, social injustices, and abuses of power.

  • Settlement Houses: Community centers that provided services like education, healthcare, and social activities to immigrants and the poor. Hull House (founded by Jane Addams) was one of the most famous.

  • 18th Amendment: Prohibition, which banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol.

  • 19th Amendment: Granted women the right to vote in 1920.

  • Teddy Roosevelt and Trust Busting: Roosevelt used the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up monopolies (e.g., Standard Oil) to promote competition.

  • Teddy Roosevelt's belief about government: Roosevelt believed the government should regulate business to ensure fairness, public safety, and the general welfare.

  • Suffragettes: Women who fought for women's right to vote, with leaders like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul.

  • Opposition to Women's Suffrage: Many believed women were not fit to vote due to "natural" gender roles or that their involvement in politics would disrupt society.

Reformers & Progressive Beliefs

  • Reformers: Generally, these were middle-class citizens, journalists, and activists who sought to improve society through political, social, and economic reforms.

    • Beliefs: They aimed to reduce corruption, improve working conditions, promote social justice, and give more rights to marginalized groups.

    • Motivations: Concern for the welfare of the poor, the fight against corruption, and the desire for fairer economic practices.