APUSH Gilded Age/ Progressive Reforms

1. Westward Expansion & New South:

  • Causes of Westward Expansion: economic opportunities, manifest destiny, escape from religious persecution, land acquisition.

  • Native American issues: broken treaties, forced assimilation policies, reservation system.

  • Farmers' issues: overproduction, high railroad rates, debt, formation of organizations like The Grange and Farmer's Alliance.

  • Plessy v Ferguson: Supreme Court case that upheld segregation, establishing the "separate but equal" doctrine.

2. Industrialization/Economic Growth:

  • Industrialists: Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan; known for monopolistic practices.

  • Laissez-faire economics: belief in minimal government intervention in economic affairs, arguments for its benefits and criticisms.

  • Social Darwinism: application of Darwin's theory of natural selection to society, justifying inequality and laissez-faire policies.

  • Gold standard vs silver coinage: debate over monetary policy and its impact on inflation and economic stability.

  • Trusts/holding companies: consolidation of businesses into large corporations, often leading to monopolies.

  • Labor unions: organizations advocating for workers' rights, such as the Knights of Labor and American Federation of Labor.

  • Growth of infrastructure: expansion of railroads, construction of roads, impact on national economy.

  • Environmental issues: concerns over industrial pollution, depletion of natural resources, and conservation efforts.

3. Immigration/Urbanization:

  • Immigrant issues: discrimination, poor working conditions, ethnic enclaves.

  • "Old" vs "New" immigrants: origins (Old: Northern and Western Europe, New: Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia); characteristics and experiences.

  • Nativism: belief in protecting native-born citizens' interests against immigrants.

  • Urban growth: overcrowding, sanitation issues, lack of infrastructure.

  • Settlement houses: community centers providing social services and education to immigrants, led by figures like Jane Addams.

4. Gilded Age Politics:

  • Political bosses: leaders of political machines, wielding significant influence over local politics through patronage and corruption.

  • Political machines: organizations that controlled political parties in urban areas, providing services in exchange for votes.

  • Populist Party: political movement representing farmers and laborers, advocating for reforms such as bimetallism and government regulation of railroads.

  • William Jennings Bryan: Democratic politician and orator, known for his support of free silver and populism.

5. Reforms:

  • Progressivism: reform movement aiming to address social, economic, and political issues through government intervention and social activism.

  • Conservationist movement: efforts to preserve natural resources and establish national parks, led by figures like Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir.

  • African-American issues: challenges such as segregation, disenfranchisement, and violence; leaders like Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois.

  • Women's issues: suffrage movement, advocating for women's rights to vote and participate in politics.