The Gilded Age and Progressive Movement Notes

Laissez-faire economics: During the Gilded Age, the government adopted a laissez-faire approach, avoiding regulation and allowing businesses to expand. This was seen as beneficial because:
- Rich individuals invested, expecting further profits.
- The government did not have to spend money on business development.
- The working class anticipated job creation.
The privatization of industries fast-tracks their development as compared to government involvement due to a streamlined process.
Robber Barons: Rich individuals like Rockefeller (oil) and Carnegie (steel) expanded American industries, sometimes with questionable practices.

The growth of industries spurred technological innovations and job creation in related sectors. For example, trains evolved from wood to steel, improving the market for everyone. This is how industrial markets work.
However, the railroad industry faced problems due to lack of federal regulation. Each state charged different fees, and monopolistic practices by figures like Rockefeller and Carnegie created difficulties for farmers in setting prices.
Trust companies formed, and regulation was needed to ensure affordability and fair practices.

Monopolies, while capable of fast-tracking production and creating jobs, can stifle competition and disadvantage small businesses.
- Modern-day monopolies are similar to those of the Gilded Age.
- This dynamic creates the need for government regulation.

Tariffs are implemented to discourage foreign trade and promote domestic business.
- Big businesses typically favor high tariffs, while farmers are negatively affected because it limits their markets and raises shipping prices, leading to potential crop spoilage due to limited sales opportunities.

Rapid growth during this period attracted immigrants to America, which led to rapid industrialization and efficient production, supported by cheap labor.
However, the influx of immigrants also led to concerns about wage depression, job displacement, and increased crime among native-born Americans.
Chinese immigrants significantly contributed to the development of railroads in the West, while European immigrants worked in industrialized cities in the East.

Farmers were particularly affected by high railroad shipping rates. They consequently established groups such as the Granger movement and the Populist Party to advocate for federal regulation of the railroad industry.
- They also sought the reintroduction of silver into the money supply to help pay off loans, as the country had shifted to a gold standard.
The primary goals included federal regulation of railroad rates and the reinstatement of silver as currency.

Labor unions were formed to address issues such as wages, working hours, working conditions, and child labor.
- Key unions included the Knights of Labor (representing all workers) and the American Federation of Labor (representing white, skilled laborers).
Strikes were organized to fight for better wages, improved working conditions, and reduced working hours. Examples include the Carnegie Homestead Strike and the Pullman Strike.
Public perception of strikes was largely negative due to associated violence.

The Progressive Movement was driven by the need for both political and social reforms, business regulation, addressing social injustice, and wealth redistribution.

Breaking up trust companies was necessary to address the problem of monopolies controlling markets. Political reforms aimed to combat corruption associated with political machines like Boss Tweed, who used bribery and intimidation to control political outcomes.
- Political machines secured votes by offering jobs and money to impoverished immigrants.
- Reforms were designed to eliminate corruption and ensure fair political processes.
Overcrowding in cities led to sanitation issues, pollution, and crime. Wealth redistribution was sought to address the gap between the rich and poor.

Populism was a political movement, while progressivism was a political idea. Progressives were not as radical as populists and focused on ensuring that everyone benefited from America's prosperity.
- Both movements fought for the working class, social welfare, breaking up big businesses, and ending political corruption.

Socialism, involving wealth redistribution, was considered as a way to address economic inequality. However, it involves higher taxes for the upper class and potentially limits individual wealth accumulation.
- Socialism means distributing things as equally as possible.

Muckrakers were journalists who exposed corruption and social problems during the Progressive Era. Examples include:
- Ida Tarbell (Standard Oil)
- Jacob Riis (urban poverty)
- Upton Sinclair (meatpacking industry)
Their work led to reforms such as the establishment of health inspections and safer food and drug regulations FDA.

The Temperance movement and religious groups fought against alcohol, which they viewed as the root of societal problems. These movements also advocated for moral values and promoted church attendance.
Women's groups also fought for women's rights, particularly the right to vote (women's suffrage), in addition to banning alcohol.

Initiatives, recalls, and direct primaries were implemented to combat political corruption. These reforms increased voter control over laws and allowed for the removal of corrupt officials.
- Direct primaries allowed voters to choose candidates, reducing the influence of bribery and corruption.

President Theodore Roosevelt, known as a "trust buster," fought to break up unfair trust companies and promote fair competition.
- Antitrust acts aimed to break up trust companies.

The progressive movement was successful in various aspects with the passing of key amendments:
- Eighteenth Amendment: Prohibition.
- Nineteenth Amendment: Women's suffrage.
However, the movement failed to address discrimination against African Americans and immigrants.
- Blacks were still disenfranchised through poll taxes and literacy tests.
- Immigration was restricted.
Prohibition was eventually repealed by the Twenty-First Amendment.