APUSH Unit 6 Study Notes

APUSH Unit 6 Overview

Timeline of Major Events in Unit 6 (1865-1898)

  • 1865-1898: Period characterized by significant political, social, and economic transformations in the United States as it transitioned from an agricultural society to an industrial one.
Key Events
  • 1865: End of Civil War, significant socio-economic changes begin.
  • 1866: Establishment of the Medicine Lodge Treaty, which initiated the reservation system for Native Americans.
  • 1869: Completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad, facilitating westward expansion and economic growth.
  • 1873: Panic of 1873, a financial crisis that led to widespread bank failures and economic depression.
  • 1876: Custer’s Last Stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn illustrates armed conflicts between U.S. forces and Native American tribes.
  • 1877: The Great Railroad Strike, a nationwide protest against wage cuts in the railroad industry.
  • 1879: Thomas A. Edison invents the light bulb, marking a significant technological advancement.
  • 1881: Publication of Helen Hunt Jackson’s A Century of Dishonor, which highlighted the injustices faced by Native Americans.
  • 1882: Chinese Exclusion Act enacted, prohibiting Chinese immigration.
  • 1883: Opening of the Brooklyn Bridge, an engineering marvel of the time.
  • 1886: Founding of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) to advocate for workers’ rights.
  • 1887: Interstate Commerce Act passed, attempting to regulate railroads and combat monopolistic practices.
  • 1890: Sherman Antitrust Act established to combat monopolies.
  • 1893: Panic of 1893, another severe economic depression.
  • 1894: Pullman Strike occurs, disrupting rail traffic and leading to federal intervention.
  • 1896: Plessy v. Ferguson ruling establishes the 'separate but equal' doctrine, legalizing segregation.

Major Themes

Economic and Industrial Changes
  • Industrialization: The rise of big business and technological innovations, completing the Second Industrial Revolution marked by innovations like the telephone invented by Alexander Graham Bell.
  • Urbanization: A significant increase in urban populations due to massive immigration inflows into the U.S. cities.
Social Issues
  • Labor Movements: Emergence of labor unions such as the AFL and the Knights of Labor advocating for workers’ rights amidst poor working conditions.
  • Social Contrasts: Stark disparities between wealthy industrialists and the working poor, leading to increased social tensions.
  • Middle Class Development: Expansion of the middle class as a result of industrial jobs and urban growth.
Political Environment
  • Political Corruption: The period was marked by corruption within political parties and the influence of big business in politics; the absence of regulations led to dishonest business practices.
  • Reform Movements: Progressive reformers emerged to address various societal issues stemming from industrialization and immigration.
Cultural Shifts
  • Social Darwinism: An ideology that applied evolutionary concepts to social contexts, often justifying inequalities in wealth and power.
  • Nativism: Growing sentiments against immigrants and policies like the Chinese Exclusion Act reflected cultural tensions from changing demographics.
Ethical and Practical Implications
  • Impact on Native Americans: Policies such as the Dawes Severalty Act further disenfranchised Native American populations as settlers expanded into their territories.
  • Labor Rights vs. Corporate Power: Tensions between labor movements and the rise of large corporations led to strikes and violent confrontations, illustrating the struggle for workers' rights.
  • Regulation vs. Free Market: Debates surrounding the appropriate role of government in regulating business activity in the burgeoning industrial landscape.

Associated Concepts

The Gilded Age
  • Characterized by rapid economic growth, significant technological advancements, and stark social inequalities.
  • The term "Gilded Age" reflects the superficial glitter of wealth that masked deep-seated issues within society.
Influence of Immigration
  • Massive waves of immigration led to cultural diversity but also to xenophobia and a push for nativist policies, altering social dynamics significantly.
Labor Struggles and Strikes
  • Growing unrest illustrated by events such as the Haymarket bombing and the Pullman Strike, showcasing the struggle for labor rights against the backdrop of industrial capitalism.