APUSH Chapter 19 Study Guide

Vocabulary Definitions

• Gilded Age: A period in the late 19th century marked by economic growth and widespread corruption, often contrasted with underlying social issues.

• Urbanization: The process of population shift from rural to urban areas, often due to industrialization.

• Suburbs: Residential areas on the outskirts of cities, typically characterized by lower population density.

• Tenements: Overcrowded and often poorly maintained apartment buildings that housed many lower-income families, especially in urban areas.

• "New immigrants": Immigrants who arrived from Southern and Eastern Europe in the late 19th century, often facing discrimination and adapting to American life.

• Dillingham Commission: A commission established in 1907 to study the effects of immigration on American society, concluding that new immigrants were less assimilable.

• Nativists: People who favor the interests of native-born Americans and often oppose immigration.

• Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882: The first significant law in U.S. history to restrict immigration based on nationality, specifically targeting Chinese laborers.

• Saloons: Public establishments that served alcoholic beverages, often serving as social centers in urban areas during the late 19th century.

• Social Darwinism: A theory that applied Charles Darwin's concept of natural selection to social, political, and economic issues, suggesting that societal progress resulted from the survival of the fittest.

• Reform Darwinism: An ideology that argued for the potential for human intervention and social reform to improve societal conditions, countering laissez-faire principles.

• "Special interests": Groups with specific agendas seeking to influence public policy.

• Political “rings” and “machines”: Organized groups that used political influence to maintain power and control over local governments, often engaging in corrupt practices.

• Boss Tweed, Tammany Hall: Tweed was a notorious political boss of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party's political machine in New York City, known for corruption and bribery.

• Patronage: The practice of giving government jobs to supporters and political allies, often leading to corruption and inefficiency.

• Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU): A women's organization active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries advocating for temperance and social reform.

• Carrie Nation: A radical member of the temperance movement known for her activism and symbolic acts of destroying saloons to promote prohibition.

• Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act: An 1883 law that established a merit-based system for federal employment and reduced patronage.

• Interstate Commerce Commission: A regulatory agency established to oversee railroad rates and practices, marking the first federal effort to regulate interstate commerce.

• Sherman Anti-Trust Act: An 1890 law aimed at curbing monopolies and promoting fair competition in business.

• “Money Problem”: Refers to economic issues in the late 19th century, primarily regarding currency and monetary policy, particularly between gold and silver standards.

• Populist Party: A political party established in the 1890s advocating for the rights of farmers and workers, pushing for monetary reform and other progressive policies.

• Granger Movement, Farmers’ Alliances: Movements that sought to address the struggles of farmers through education, cooperative buying, and political action.

• Panic of 1893: An economic crisis marked by a severe nationwide depression that resulted in bank failures and a high unemployment rate.

• “Silverites” vs. “Goldbugs”: Terms used to describe the factions in the monetary debate: Silverites supported the use of silver to back currency, while Goldbugs advocated for a gold standard.

• William Jennings Bryan: A prominent political figure and orator known for his support of bimetallism and a key figure in the Democratic party during the late 19th century.

• “Cross of Gold” speech: A famous speech given by William Jennings Bryan at the 1896 Democratic National Convention advocating for bimetallism.

• William McKinley, Election of 1896: McKinley, a Republican, won the 1896 presidential election, championing the gold standard and signaling the decline of the Populist movement.

Short Explanations:

1. Effects of Urban Growth During the Gilded Age: Urban growth led to overcrowding, strained infrastructure, and public health issues. Cities faced challenges such as inadequate housing (tenements), increased crime rates, and poor sanitation. While economic opportunities increased, so did social tensions and labor disputes influenced by the stark contrast between the wealthy elite and impoverished workers.

2. “New Immigrants” of the Late 19th Century: New immigrants primarily came from Southern and Eastern Europe, unlike earlier waves who were predominantly from Western Europe. They faced significant discrimination, had different cultural backgrounds, and often arrived with limited skills or knowledge of English. Their experiences included difficulties in finding jobs, adapting to a new culture, and facing hostility from nativist groups.

3. Urban Growth and the Role of Science: The rapid urbanization led to a demand for scientific advancements in public health, transportation, and urban planning. Cities adopted new technologies, like electricity and plumbing, which transformed living conditions and societal norms. Scientific understanding contributed to reforms in social policies, including improved sanitation and labor laws, as advocates sought to address urban challenges.

4. Darwin’s Ideas and Social Darwinism: Darwin’s theories of natural selection were misapplied to human societies, resulting in the concept of “social Darwinism” which justified social hierarchies and imperialism. Proponents, particularly among business leaders and politicians, embraced this ideology to rationalize economic inequality and resist government intervention in the economy, claiming it was a natural order.

5. Politics and Corruption During the Gilded Age: The political landscape was characterized by patronage systems and the influence of political machines like Tammany Hall. Corruption flourished due to a lack of regulatory frameworks, leading to bribery and exploitation of both constituents and government positions. Political parties were often stagnant, focusing more on maintaining power rather than addressing the needs of the populace, resulting in stalemate and public disillusionment.

6. Political Positions of Major Parties During the Gilded Age: The Republican Party tended to support big business, tariffs, and a gold standard, while the Democratic Party appealed to farmers and laborers advocating for bimetallism and economic reforms. Republicans predominantly drew support from the North and industrialized areas, while Democrats found strength in the South and Midwest among agrarian interests.

7. Politicians’ Effectiveness in Addressing Problems: Politicians had limited effectiveness in addressing the economic and social issues of the Gilded Age. While some reforms were proposed, such as the Pendleton Act for civil service reform, many attempts were stymied by political corruption and economic interests. Economic crises, like the Panic of 1893, spurred demands for reform, but immediate action was often inadequate to handle the systemic problems.

8. The Money Supply as a Political Issue: The money supply became contentious, particularly among farmers who felt that increasing the currency through silver would improve their economic situation. Silverites advocated for bimetallism, while Goldbugs supported the gold standard, believing it created stability. This debate polarized political parties and influenced elections, shaping the political landscape through the economic struggles of the time.