Unit Six - Late Nineteenth Century America
The Growth of America in the Late 19th Century
Settling the Great Plains
Economic opportunity, industrialization, technological change, and immigration fueled American growth and expansion.
It took over 250 years to turn 400 million acres of forests and prairies into flourishing farms.
Settling the second 400 million took only 30 years.
Westward Movement
Following the Civil War, the westward movement of settlers intensified.
The Homestead Act of 1862 gave free public land in the western territories to settlers who would live on and farm the land.
Southerners, including African Americans, moved west to seek new opportunities after the war.
Homestead Act of 1862
Government incentive that gave 160 acres of land if certain requirements were met.
Homesteaders were people who took advantage of this government act and settled the western portion of the United States.
Challenges of living on the Plains
Frontier settlers faced extreme hardships like droughts, floods, fires, blizzards, locust plagues, and occasional raids.
Most settlers built their homes from the land itself due to scarce trees.
Sod homes, or soddies, were common but offered little light or air and were havens for pests.
New Technologies and Development
Railroads and the mechanical reaper opened new lands in the West for settlement and made farming profitable.
By the turn of the century, the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains regions were fast becoming regions of farms, ranches, and towns.
Railroads move West
The arrival of the railroad influenced the government’s policy toward Native Americans.
The first Transcontinental Railroad was finished near Salt Lake City, Utah in 1869.
Plains Indians Culture
Plains Indians had a semi-nomadic buffalo hunting culture.
Major groups included Sioux, Cheyenne, Blackfoot, Pawnee, Nez Perce, and Apache.
Indian Policy and Wars
White movement into the Great Plains led to conflicts.
The Indian Wars, like the Red River War and the Second Sioux War, resulted in tragic outcomes.
Wounded Knee massacre in 1890 marked a dark chapter in the destruction of Indian life.
Immigration and Urbanization
Approximately 20 million Europeans arrived in the U.S. from 1870-1920.
Reasons for coming to America included escaping religious persecution and seeking independent lives.
Chinese, Japanese, and Mexican immigrants also played significant roles in America's growth.
Immigrants faced difficult journeys to the U.S. by steamship, enduring poor conditions during the voyage.
A Difficult Journey
Disease spread quickly during the journey
Many died before reaching the new world
Ellis Island, NYC, NY
Immigrants faced uncertainty about admission to the U.S.
Inspection at immigration stations like Ellis Island
About 20% detained for a day or two
Only about 2% denied entry
Processing took 5 hours or more
Ellis Island
Requirements for immigrants
Proving no felony convictions, ability to work, and having some money
Ellis Island was the chief immigration station from 1892-1924
Around 17 million immigrants passed through
Immigrants had to leave unnecessary possessions behind
Angel Island
Asians arrived on the West Coast through Angel Island
About 50,000 Chinese immigrants processed from 1910-1940
Harsh processing with many questions and long lines in filthy buildings
Challenges Faced by Immigrants
Finding housing and jobs
Adapting to a new language and culture
Seeking out people with similar cultural values and beliefs
Building churches or synagogues through pooled money
Immigrants viewed themselves as "hyphenated" Americans
Nativism and Immigration Restriction
Native people disliked immigrants
Rise of anti-immigrant groups due to nativism
Congress limited immigration through acts like the Chinese Exclusion Act and Immigration Restriction Act
Immigrants continued to contribute to American society despite restrictions
The Growth of Cities
Population growth led to rapid urbanization
Cities like Chicago, Detroit, and New York grew as manufacturing centers
Housing shortages and the need for public services arose
Urban Problems
Housing options included nice houses without transportation or cramped rooms in the city center
New housing designs like row houses accommodated many families
Transportation systems like street cars and subways were developed
Challenges with public water supply and sanitation
Crime and fire hazards were prevalent in growing cities
Political Machines and Boss Politics
Definition of political machines and boss politics
Example of Tammany Hall in New York City led by William "Boss" Tweed
Industrial Revolution and Expansion
U.S. transitioned from an agricultural to an industrial nation
Factors contributing to industrial expansion
Bessemer Steel Process revolutionized steel production
New uses for steel in railroads, construction, and agriculture
Inventions and Technological Advancements
Thomas Edison's incandescent light bulb and electricity system
Wright brothers' successful powered flight
Alexander Graham Bell and the invention of the telephone
Henry Ford's assembly line and Model T car for the common man
National Time Network and Company Towns
Establishment of time zones for railroads
George M. Pullman's company town for railroad workers
Issues with rent and credit in company towns
Rise of Big Business and Labor
Rise of "Robber Barons" in big business
Vertical and horizontal integration in business strategies
Andrew Carnegie's success in the steel industry through innovative management practices
John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil
Rockefeller sold oil cheaper than others
Gave railroad friends discounts on oil for shipping only his oil
Standard Oil had lower prices
Bought out competitors and joined companies in trust agreements
Mastered Horizontal Integration
J.P. Morgan - Banking
Investment Banker
Bought Carnegie Steel for $492 million in 1901
Equivalent to $14.8B today
Created US Steel, the first billion-dollar corporation
Controlled over 60% of steel production in the US
Cornelius Vanderbilt, Railroads
Known as “The Commodore”
Amassed fortune in ferry services and inland shipping
Invested in the railroad business during the Civil War
Patriarch and founder of the influential Vanderbilt Family
Robber Barons or Captain of Industry
Industrialists called "robber barons" for exploitative practices
Tactics included controlling natural resources, influencing government, paying low wages, creating monopolies, and inflating stock prices
Term "Captain of Industry" used to defend them as not breaking laws
Anti-monopoly laws were created because of their practices
Philanthropic Endeavors
Industrialists were also philanthropists
Rockefeller gave away $500 million, established foundations and institutes
Andrew Carnegie gave away almost 90% of his wealth for arts and learning
Carnegie supported various institutions and libraries worldwide
The Problems with “Big Business”
Monopoly: One owner controls the market, driving out competitors
Trusts: One company controls product making, setting prices
Corporation: Large companies made of smaller businesses
Limited Liability: Allows investment with little risk
List of “Robber Barons”
Includes various industrialists like John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, and others
The Progressive Movement
Movement in America from 1880s to circa 1920
The Spoils System
Early presidents appointed loyal supporters
Resulted in inefficiency and corruption
Garfield's assassination led to reforms like the Pendleton Act of 1883
Laissez – Faire Capitalism
Government should not interfere with private businesses
Businesses abused workers' rights and took advantage of people
Government granted special privileges to business owners
Antitrust Laws
Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 made forming trusts interfering with free trade illegal
Clayton Anti-Trust Act of 1914 expanded the Sherman Act, outlawing price-fixing
Reasons for Changes – Manufacturing and Industry
Long hours and danger in workplaces
Increase in women in the workforce from 1890 to 1910
Muckraking journalism highlighted social issues and exposed corrupt practices
Muckraking Journalism
Investigative journalism exposing social problems
Works by journalists like Jacob Riis, Henry George, Ida Tarbell, and others
Exposed urban poverty, corruption, child labor, and other issues
Child Labor Exposed
Child labor practices exposed through muckraking journalism
Highlighted the harsh conditions and exploitation faced by children in the workforce
Child Labor Exposed
Child labor was a prevalent issue
Children were exploited for cheap labor in dangerous working conditions
Labor Unions Emerge Resistance and Early Failures and Setbacks
Various labor organizations emerged to fight for workers' rights
Early organizations like National Labor Union, Colored National Labor Union, International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union, and Noble Order of the Knights of Labor focused on improving working conditions and advocating for equal pay
Craft unions like American Federation of Labor and American Railway Union used collective bargaining and strikes to increase wages and improve working conditions
Strikes Turn Violent
Incidents like the Haymarket Affair and the Pullman Company Strike turned violent
The Haymarket Affair in 1886 led to casualties and public backlash against labor unions
The Pullman Company Strike in 1894 involved federal troops and strikebreakers, resulting in violence and firings
Homestead Strike
The Homestead Strike in 1892 at Carnegie Steel's Homestead Works involved clashes between workers and Pinkerton Detectives
The government intervened by sending National Guard troops to protect the plant
The steel unions lost power as management refused to recognize them
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
The tragic fire in 1911 at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory resulted in the death of 146 workers
Lack of safety measures like locked doors and inadequate fire escapes led to the high casualty count
Public outrage followed, but the factory owners were not found guilty of manslaughter
Discrimination and Segregation The Era of “Jim Crow”
After Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation in public places
These laws limited freedoms for African Americans and led to intimidation and crimes like lynching
African Americans sought legal protection for their rights through the courts
Jim Crow Laws
From the 1880s to the 1960s, Jim Crow laws enforced segregation in various states
Laws regulated intermarriage, business operations, public facilities, and social interactions based on race
Examples include separate waiting rooms, schools, theaters, and restrictions on interracial relationships
Responses of African Americans
Booker T. Washington, a prominent educator, believed in acquiring labor skills to prove economic value
He founded Tuskegee Institute to equip African Americans with teaching diplomas and practical skills in agriculture and mechanics
African Americans responded to discrimination through education and economic empowerment.
Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington is mentioned on page 93.
Responses of African Americans to W.E.B. Du Bois
W.E.B. Du Bois was the first African American to receive a doctorate from Harvard University in 1895.
He disagreed with Washington's approach and founded the Niagara Movement in 1905.
Du Bois insisted that African Americans should seek a liberal arts education to have well-educated leaders.
Despite education efforts, racial discrimination persisted in America.
The Progressive Era
The Progressive Era transitioned into the early 20th century, focusing on finishing reforms.
Causes and Goals of Progressive Movement
The Progressive Movement used government to address issues from industrialization.
It aimed to improve working conditions, address income disparity, and eliminate social injustices.
Progressive Accomplishments
Local and state governments implemented new forms and reforms to address urbanization.
Progressives made changes in elections, child labor laws, and labor unions.
The movement led to the 17th Amendment for the direct election of U.S. senators.
Women's Suffrage Movement
The Women's Suffrage Movement, led by strong figures like Susan B. Anthony, resulted in the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920.
The Progressive Presidents
The Progressive movement expanded to the national level with the Progressive Presidents.
The Roosevelt Presidency
Teddy Roosevelt assumed office after President McKinley's assassination and used the "Bully Pulpit" to influence the nation.
Roosevelt's policies, known as the "Square Deal," focused on three Cs: Corporations, Consumers, and Conservation.
Coal Strike 1902
Roosevelt intervened in the Coal Strike of 1902, where he sided with the union against mine owners to negotiate better conditions.
The Progressive Presidents: William H. Taft
William H. Taft, Roosevelt's successor, continued some progressive policies but lacked Roosevelt's charisma.
Taft passed the 16th and 17th Amendments but disagreed with Roosevelt on trusts and conservation.
The Results of the 1912 Election
The 1912 election saw Roosevelt forming the "Bull Moose" Party after feeling betrayed by Taft.
Woodrow Wilson won the election, passing significant acts like the Federal Reserve Act and creating the Federal Trade Commission.
Wilson's Progressivism
Woodrow Wilson's progressivism included the creation of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Trade Commission.
Wilson also passed the 18th Amendment for Prohibition and the 19th Amendment for women's suffrage.
Limits of Progressives
Progressivism did not extend to African Americans, as seen in Wilson's racist views and actions towards segregation.
Despite federal agencies being integrated for over 50 years, Wilson appointed rac