APUSH Period 6 (1865-1898) In-Depth Notes

Period 6 (1865-1898) Summary Notes

Identity and Society (NAT)

Economic Identity: The period is characterized by wealth disparities, primarily due to industrial capitalism.
- Concept of Gilded Age: Highlights the largest wealth gap in U.S. history with Robber Barons at the top and wage workers at the bottom.
Laissez-faire Philosophy: Prominent rhetoric despite government involvement that facilitated industrial growth.
- Rags-to-Riches Narratives: Commonly propagated, suggesting socioeconomic mobility, though it often took generations for true mobility.
Urban vs. Rural Identities: Distinct identities emerge based on geographical and social dynamics.
Closing of the Frontier: Raises questions regarding future American identity amidst potential imperialism.
Key Terms: Gilded Age, Robber Barons, Captains of Industry, Laissez-faire, Rags-to-Riches, 1890 Census, Frontier Thesis, Hawaii.
Notable Figures: Horatio Alger, Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie, Frederick Jackson Turner.

Economic Development (WXT)

Second Industrial Revolution: Marked by advancements in railroads (RRs) and steel manufacturing.
- Business Strategies: Wealthy figures like Andrew Carnegie employed vertical/horizontal integration to maximize profits.
Labor Unions: Gained momentum with organizations such as the National Labor Union and Knights of Labor, leading to significant strikes (Pullman and Homestead) that elevated worker visibility.
- Government Attitude: Typically sided with corporations instead of workers.
Agricultural Advocacy: Groups like the Farmers Alliance and Populists pushed for inflationary policies and bimetallism to support farmers.
Economic Growth: Led to real wage increases and the emergence of a new middle class.
- Continuing Issues: Tariffs and economic stress contributed to events like the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.
Key Terms: Bessemer Process, Horizontal/Vertical Integration, Trusts, Gold Standard, McKinley Tariff, Panic of 1893.
Notable Figures: JP Morgan, Samuel Gompers, William Jennings Bryan, Eugene V. Debs.

Geography and Expansion (GEO)

Western Expansion: Driven by mineral discoveries (e.g., Comstock Lode) and enhanced by railroads, but had adverse effects on the environment (e.g., bison population).
Homesteading Challenges: Many homesteaders faced difficult farming conditions, resulting in early abandonment before fulfilling the 5-year requirement.
Cattle Industry Changes: The proliferation of barbed wire and railroads marked the end of cattle drives.
Land Speculation: Prime farming land was often controlled by speculators or railroad companies, creating inefficiencies.
Key Terms: Comstock Lode, Black Hills, Boom Town, Barbed Wire.
Notable Figures: Sioux, Nez Perce, Cowboys.

Migration Patterns (MIG)

Railroad Impact: Railroads drove internal migration, spawning boomtowns tied to mineral discoveries which often turned into ghost towns post-extraction.
Conflict with Natives: Expansion into the Plains heightened conflicts with Native Americans, exacerbated by governmental assimilation policies.
Post-Civil War Migration: African Americans sought better economic opportunities leading to internal migration.
Immigration Waves: A second wave from Southern and Eastern Europe occurred, facing nativist opposition and legislative restrictions (e.g., Chinese Exclusion Act).
Settlement Support: New immigrants typically located in cities and received assistance from political machines and settlement houses.
Key Terms: Exodusters, Homestead Act, Settlement Houses, Ellis Island.
Notable Figures: Jane Addams, Richard H. Pratt, Boss Tweed.

Political Dynamics (PCE)

Presidential Weakness: The presidency was seen as weak post-Johnson's impeachment, impacting governance.
Legislative Trends: Most legislation favored businesses until the Sherman Antitrust Act, which was poorly enforced against corporations.
Civil Rights Challenges: The Supreme Court’s decisions (e.g., Plessy v. Ferguson) weakened civil rights legislation.
Political Machines: Thrived through patronage, often corrupt and self-serving.
Key Terms: Sherman Antitrust Act, Plessy v. Ferguson, Civil Rights Cases.
Notable Figures: James Garfield, Chester Arthur, William M. Tweed.

U.S. Foreign Relations (WOR)

Expansionist Policies: The U.S. emerged as a significant exporter seeking new markets, notably in Japan and China (Open Door Policy).
Imperial Concerns: American businesses influenced territorial changes, such as the overthrow of Hawaii’s monarchy.
Military Interventions: Ongoing conflicts with Western tribes were facilitated by technological advancements and militarization.
Cultural Assimilation: Indian schools and legislative acts (Dawes Severalty Act) pushed forced assimilation onto Native Americans.
Key Terms: Open Door Policy, Boxer Rebellion, Ghost Dance, Wounded Knee.
Notable Figures: Queen Liliuokalani, Crazy Horse, Chief Joseph.

Cultural Developments (ARC)

Consumer Culture: Growth of the middle class fueled a consumer culture with new recreational activities.
Media Expansion: Increased publication of periodicals and newspapers contributed to shared information, with figures like Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst known for yellow journalism.
Reform Movements: Social issues stemming from poverty led to diverse reform movements advocated by religious and social leaders (e.g., Jane Addams).
Assimilation Views: Cultural assimilation of Native Americans remained prominent in the discussions of reformers.
Key Terms: Social Gospel, Gospel of Wealth, Yellow Journalism, Jim Crow.
Notable Figures: Jane Addams, Andrew Carnegie, Helen Hunt Jackson.

Civil Rights Development (SOC)

Voting Access: Newly freed African Americans gained access to voting leading to increased representation.
Post-Reconstruction Realities: Legislation like the Civil Rights Cases and actions by groups like the KKK sought to undermine these gains.
Women’s Rights Movement: Divisions emerged over support for the 15th amendment; notable events included Susan B. Anthony's arrest for voting.
Pathways to Equality: Disagreements among leaders like W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington on achieving civil rights became evident.
Key Terms: 13th, 14th, 15th amendments, Civil Rights Act of 1875, Jim Crow.
Notable Figures: Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Political cartoons from Period 6 (1865-1898) often depicted themes such as the Gilded Age, industrialization, and the struggles between labor and management. Here are some notable examples and their themes:

Gilded Age Critiques
- Many cartoons critiqued the massive wealth gap represented by figures like the Robber Barons, often portraying them as greedy monopolists.
Labor Movement
- Cartoons illustrated the struggles of labor unions, highlighting significant strikes like the Pullman and Homestead strikes, often showing the brute force of government siding with corporations against workers.
Political Corruption
- A common theme was the corruption evident in political machines like Tammany Hall, with caricatures of politicians engaging in bribery and graft.
Imperialism and Foreign Relations
- Cartoons from this era sometimes addressed American expansionist policies, mockingly showcasing the U.S. as a giant attempting to control smaller nations.
Civil Rights and Racial Issues
- Many political cartoons illustrated the civil rights struggles of newly freed African Americans, often highlighting the setbacks experienced during Reconstruction and the rise of the KKK.