The Gilded Age

  1. Assembly Line Manufacturing: A production method where goods are assembled in a sequence to increase efficiency and output.

  2. Cross of Gold Speech: William Jennings Bryan’s 1896 speech advocating for bimetallism and against the gold standard, symbolizing populist economic concerns.

  3. Economies of Scale: Cost advantages gained when production increases, reducing the cost per unit.

  4. William McKinley: Republican president who supported high tariffs, the gold standard, and industrial expansion.

  5. US Steel: The first billion-dollar corporation, dominating the steel industry in the early 20th century.

  6. Haymarket Square Riot: A labor protest in 1886 that turned violent, harming the labor movement's public perception.

  7. American Federation of Labor: A labor union founded by Samuel Gompers, focusing on skilled workers and practical economic reforms.

  8. William Jennings Bryan: A Democratic leader advocating for bimetallism, farmers’ rights, and progressive reforms.

  9. William H. Seward: Secretary of State who expanded U.S. territory with the purchase of Alaska (“Seward’s Folly”).

  10. Ghost Dance: A Native American spiritual movement aiming to restore their lands and way of life, leading to increased tension with U.S. authorities.

  11. The Gilded Age: A period of industrial growth and wealth disparity in late 19th-century America.

  12. Homestead Strike: A violent labor dispute in 1892 at Andrew Carnegie’s steel plant, weakening the union movement.

  13. American Socialist Party: Advocated for workers' rights, public ownership of industries, and economic equality.

  14. American Suffrage Association: Focused on gaining women the right to vote through constitutional amendments.

  15. Thomas Edison: Inventor of the light bulb and other technologies, revolutionizing industry and daily life.

  16. Tammany Hall: A Democratic political machine in New York City, known for corruption and immigrant support.

  17. Pullman Strike: A nationwide railroad strike in 1894, highlighting labor unrest and federal intervention.

  18. Wounded Knee Massacre: The 1890 killing of Lakota Sioux, marking the end of armed Native resistance.

  19. The Gospel of Wealth: Andrew Carnegie’s philosophy advocating for the rich to use their wealth to improve society.

  20. Laissez-Faire Economics: A policy of minimal government intervention in economic affairs.

  21. Susan B. Anthony: A leading women's suffrage activist who fought for women's voting rights.

  22. Andrew Carnegie: An industrialist who led the steel industry and promoted philanthropy.

  23. Benjamin Harrison: Republican president who signed the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and supported high tariffs.

  24. Monopolies: Large corporations dominating markets, often stifling competition.

  25. The New South: Post-Reconstruction efforts to modernize the Southern economy and reduce dependence on agriculture.

  26. Political Bosses: Leaders who controlled political machines, often using corrupt methods.

  27. Standard Oil: John D. Rockefeller’s company, dominating the oil industry and becoming a monopoly.

  28. Stalwarts and Half-Breeds: Factions within the Republican Party, divided over patronage and reform.

  29. The Sierra Club: Environmental organization founded by John Muir to protect natural areas.

  30. Referendum: A direct vote by the electorate on a specific issue.

  31. The Silver Standard: Advocated for using silver in currency to increase money supply and aid debtors.

  32. Samuel Gompers: Founder of the AFL, focusing on practical labor reforms.

  33. Rutherford B. Hayes: Republican president who ended Reconstruction and supported civil service reform.

  34. Populist Party: Represented farmers and laborers, advocating for bimetallism and economic reforms.

  35. Social Darwinism: Applying "survival of the fittest" to justify economic inequality.

  36. Social Gospel: A movement emphasizing Christian ethics to address social issues like poverty.

  37. Socialism: Advocates for public ownership of resources and reducing economic inequality.

  38. Tenement Housing: Crowded urban housing; later improved with building codes and sanitation reforms.

  39. Booker T. Washington: Advocate for African American education and economic self-reliance.

  40. Boss Tweed: Corrupt leader of Tammany Hall, controlling NYC politics.

  41. Chester A. Arthur: President known for signing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act.

  42. Chief Joseph: Nez Perce leader who resisted U.S. government efforts to move his people to reservations.

  43. Temperance: Movement to reduce or ban alcohol consumption, leading to Prohibition.

  44. Trusts: Business arrangements consolidating companies to reduce competition.

  45. Women’s Suffrage: Movement to secure voting rights for women.

  46. Indian Reservations: Land designated for Native Americans, often forcibly relocated.

  47. Land-Grant Colleges: Institutions funded by federal land sales to promote education and agriculture.

  48. Settlement Houses: Urban centers offering social services to immigrants and the poor.

  49. Chinese Exclusion Act: 1882 law banning Chinese immigration, reflecting racial prejudice.

  50. Dawes Act: 1887 law dividing Native American lands to assimilate them into U.S. society.

  51. Department of the Interior: Manages public lands, natural resources, and Native affairs.

  52. Interstate Commerce Act: 1887 law regulating railroads to ensure fair rates.

  53. Colored Farmers Alliance: Organized Black farmers to address economic challenges and racial injustice.

  54. Cornelius Vanderbilt: Railroad magnate who revolutionized transportation networks.

  55. Knights of Labor: Early labor union advocating for broad social reforms.

  56. Mother Jones: Labor activist advocating for workers’ rights and opposing child labor.

  57. Las Gorras Blancas: Hispanic group resisting land seizures in the Southwest.

  58. J.P. Morgan: Influential banker who helped finance industries and stabilize markets.

  59. John Muir: Conservationist who advocated for preserving wilderness.

  60. Jim Crow Laws: Segregation laws enforcing racial discrimination in the South.

  61. McKinley Tariff: 1890 law raising tariffs, benefiting industry but angering farmers.

  62. Open Door Policy: U.S. policy promoting equal trade access in China.

  63. Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act: Law establishing merit-based hiring for federal jobs.

  64. Plessy v. Ferguson: 1896 Supreme Court case upholding "separate but equal" segregation.

  65. Sherman Anti-Trust Act: 1890 law aimed at breaking up monopolies and maintaining competition.

  66. Edward Bellamy: Author of Looking Backward, envisioning a utopian socialist future.

  67. Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Women’s rights leader advocating for suffrage and legal reforms.

  68. Eugene V. Debs: Socialist leader and labor activist, involved in major strikes.

  69. Farmers Alliances: Organized rural groups advocating for farmers’ economic and political interests.

  70. Frederick Jackson Turner: Historian known for the "Frontier Thesis" on American development.

  71. The Grange: Farmers’ organization promoting social and economic reforms.

  72. Grover Cleveland: Democratic president opposing high tariffs and supporting gold standard.

  73. Henry George: Economist advocating a single tax on land to address inequality.

  74. Ida Wells-Barnett: Journalist and activist against lynching and for racial equality.

  75. James Garfield: President whose assassination highlighted the need for civil service reform.

  76. Factors Leading to the Industrial Revolution: Railroads, abundant resources, labor supply, and new technologies.

  77. Court Cases:

  • Munn v. Illinois: Allowed states to regulate businesses.

  • Wabash v. Illinois: Limited state regulation of railroads.

  • U.S. v. E.C. Knight: Limited federal power over monopolies.

  1. Destruction of Buffalo: Widespread killing of buffalo devastated Native American cultures.

  2. Taylorism: Scientific management of labor to improve efficiency.

  3. Henry Ford: Innovator of the assembly line and affordable cars.

  4. Greenback Party: Advocated for paper currency not backed by gold or silver.

  5. Ashcan School: Art movement depicting gritty urban life.

  6. Frederick Law Olmsted: Landscape architect known for designing Central Park.

  7. New vs. Old Immigration: "Old" immigrants came from Northern/Western Europe; "New" immigrants came from Southern/Eastern Europe.