Unit 6 apush

Chapter 1: Historical Context for the Rise of Industrial Capitalism

• Post-Civil War U.S. Economy: Following the Civil War (1865-1898), the United States transitioned into the world's largest economy, driven by industrialization and an increasing workforce.

• Expansion of Railroads: The railroad network expanded rapidly, with more than 45,000 miles of new tracks laid, facilitating the movement of goods and people across the nation.

• The Gilded Age: This era, characterized by significant control by industrial leaders and vast economic disparities, highlighted the contrast between the wealthy elite and the working class.

Chapter 2: Economic Changes

Large-Scale Industries:

• Capital Investments: Industries such as railroads and steel mills emerged, requiring substantial capital investments to establish and operate.

• Wealth Sources: Wealthy individuals from Europe and America financed industrial expansion, often pooling resources to create large corporations.

• Financial Institutions: Banks and stock exchanges in New York City became crucial in facilitating business financing and investments.

Technological Advances:

• Innovation Surge: Between 1860 and 1890, approximately 440,000 patents were issued, reflecting a surge in innovation and new technologies.

• key Technologies: The Second Industrial Revolution was driven by new electric and oil technologies, radically transforming production processes.

Market Expansion:

• Dependence on Railroads: Industries increasingly relied on expanding markets linked via railroads and telecommunication, allowing for quicker distribution of goods.

• Example Industries: Chicago's meatpacking and Pittsburgh's steel industries exemplified the ability to reach distant markets efficiently, reshaping supply chains.

Chapter 3: Political Changes

Government Policies:

• Support for Businesses: State governments supported businesses through low regulations, high tariffs, and land grants for railroads, incentivizing industrial growth.

• Neglect of Labor Issues: Worker and consumer issues were largely ignored in government policies, prompting debates on appropriate government roles in economic regulation.

Economic Disparities:

• Cycles of Economic Distress: The economy faced cycles of panics and depressions, which exacerbated severe wealth inequality and highlighted the struggles of lower socioeconomic classes.

Chapter 4: Increased Migration: International and Internal

• Attraction to Industrial Cities: Industrial cities and the promise of westward expansion attracted a wave of both rural and international migrants seeking opportunities.

New Immigration Wave (Late 1800s):

• Immigrant Origins: Southern and eastern Europeans, alongside Asians, arrived in large numbers, transforming the demographic landscape of the U.S.

• Cultural Contributions: This migration fostered economic growth and cultural diversity while also leading to conflicts with Native American populations and among different immigrant groups.

Urbanization Consequences:

• Rapid Growth Challenges: The rapid, often unplanned growth of urban areas led to unsanitary conditions, environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, and law enforcement challenges.

• Impact on Migrant Families: Many migrant families faced worsening living conditions, although a growing middle class emerged, benefiting from urban culture and leisure activities.

Chapter 5: Reform Movements and Responses to Change

• Response to Economic and Cultural Shifts: The economic and cultural changes of the mid-1800s prompted organized social reform efforts, aiming to address emerging societal issues.

Worker and Farmer Advocacy:

• Grassroots Protests: Farmers protested against unfair railroad practices, while workers advocated for improved wages, better working conditions, and rights.

• Women's Movements: The suffrage and temperance movements were led predominantly by women, who sought to improve their societal roles and rights.

Success in the 20th Century:

• Foundation for Future Reforms: Early reform ideas and movements laid the groundwork for much more substantial reforms in the 20th century, including labor laws and civil rights advancements.

Chapter 6: Landmark Events and Developments

Major Events from 1850-1900:

• Key Developments: Major events include the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the Pullman Strike in 1893, and the Supreme Court ruling on Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, all pivotal in shaping U.S. policies and societal changes.

Chapter 7: Social and Cultural Transformations in the West

Transformation Due to Industrialization:

• Changing Settlement Patterns: The development of the American West differed significantly from earlier practices. The transcontinental railroads emphasized the importance of connectivity for settlement and economic activity.

Role of Railroads:

• Integration of Markets: Railroads facilitated settlement in the West and created a national market by linking agricultural and industrial sectors, transforming local economies.

• Boomtown Developments: Prospectors and miners surged into the West following gold and silver discoveries, leading to the rapid establishment of boomtowns.

Chapter 8: Impacted Groups and Responses

• Cultural Losses for Indigenous Peoples: American Indians faced significant cultural losses and violence due to settler expansion, altercations, and policies aimed at assimilation.

• Awareness of Labor Inequities: Reform movements began to emerge in recognition of the injustices faced by laborers and excessive management abuses.

Farmers’ Alliances:

• Economic Advocacy: Farmers’ alliances addressed widespread economic distress among agrarian communities, serving as an early precursor to the Populist movement, advocating for rights and reforms.

Chapter 9: Changes in the Role of Government

• Balancing Economic Power: The role of government became a mixed challenge, balancing between intervention in the encroaching corporate power while supporting economic development.

Interstate Commerce Act (1887):

• Regulatory Foundations: This act marked the first federal attempt at regulating railroads, although initially lacking sufficient enforcement powers it set a precedent for future regulations.

Chapter 10: The Gilded Age Politics

• Political Landscape: The political climate during the Gilded Age was characterized by complacency and a focus on patronage instead of meaningful reform.

Partisan Dynamics:

• Republican vs. Democrat: Republicans aligned with urban industrialists and business interests while favoring high tariffs; Democrats found support in the Solid South and immigrant populations, advocating for lower tariffs, though often overlooking rural concerns.

Emergence of the Populist Movement:

• Agrarian Discontent: Rooted in dissatisfaction among farmers, the Populist Movement advocated for economic reforms, including silver coinage and direct elections of senators, culminating in significant political shifts marked by the 1896 election.

Chapter 11: Popular Culture and Society

• Cultural Expansion: The expanding middle class enjoyed increased leisure time, leading to the rise of new cultural outlets and forms of entertainment.

• Consumer Culture Growth: The era saw the emergence of consumer culture through department stores and mass media, which reflected changing societal values and interests.

• Educational Developments: Changes in education and the social sciences mirrored the dynamics of industrial and urban growth, focusing on new social paradigms and addressing the complexities of modern life.