Gilded Age

Question 1

Where did new immigrants come from?

Answer 1

Southern and Eastern Europe: Italy, Poland, Russia, Austria-Hungary

Asia: Primarily China and Japan

Smaller numbers from Latin America and the Caribbean

Question 2

Push Factors

Answer 2

-Religious Persecution (Jews in Eastern Europe)
-Economic instability (famine, poverty, lack of jobs)
-Political Oppression (wars, autocratic governments)

Question 3

Pull Factors

Answer 3

-Economic opportunities: Factory jobs in urban centers
-Political Freedom and democracy
“American Dream” promises of prosperity and land ownership

Question 4

Nativism

Answer 4

-A belief that Native-born Americans were superior to immigrants

-Fear of cultural, economic , and political influence from newcomers

-Immigrants were accused of taking jobs, driving down wages, and failing to assimilate

Question 5

Chinese Exclusion Act 1882

Answer 5

-First major federal law restriction immigration
-Barred Chinese laborers from entering the U.S
-Renewed several times and made permanent in 1902 (later repealed in 1943)

Question 6

Why the Chinese?

Answer 6

-Chinese immigrants were seen as economic threats due to their willingness to work for low wages (railroad)
-Racial prejudice fueled by stereotypes and xenophobia

Question 7

Wong Kim Ark Supreme Court Case (1898)

Answer 7

• A landmark decision affirming the 14th amendments guarantee of birthright citizenship for anyone born in the U.S
  -Protected the rights of the Chinese Americans and set a precedent for future immigrant cases

Question 8

Americanization effects/definition

Answer 8

Definition: A social movement to assimilate immigrants into American culture by teaching them English, American history and customs
-EFFECT ON IMMIGRANTS
-loss of cultural heritage and identity
- pressure to confirm to mainstream media
-EFFECT ON NATIVE AMERICANS
-Policies like the Dawes Act forced assimilation by breaking up tribal lands and sending children to boarding schools (Carlisle Indian School)

Question 9

Social Darwinism def/who justif

Answer 9

-Definition: A belief in “survival of the fittest”, applied to society and economics

Justified
-The wealth and power of industrialists
-Laissez-faire policies and lack of government intervention
-Imperialism and racial hierarchies

Question 10

Monopolies and Big Business

Answer 10

-Businesses with exclusive control over an industry, eliminating competition (Rockefeller’s Standard Oil)

Question 11

Trusts

Answer 11

-legal entities where multiple companies consolidate under a single board to reduce competition

Question 12

Key Monopoly figures 4

Answer 12

-John D. Rockefeller (Standard Oil):Controlled 90% of the U.S oil industry
-Andrew Carnegie (Carnegie Steel): Revolutionized steel production and promoted philanthropy
-Cornelius Vanderbilt: Dominated railroads
-J.P Morgan : Banking and finance powerhouse, bailed out the U.S government during economic crisis

Question 13

Robber Barons vs. Captains of Industry

Answer 13

-RB: Negative terms for industrialists who exploited workers and corrupted politics
-COI: Positive term highlighting their innovation and contributions to economic growth

Question 14

Philanthropy and the Gospel of Wealth

Answer 14

-Andrew Carnegie “Gospel of Wealth” promoted the idea that the wealthy had a responsibility to use their riches for the betterment of society

EX: funding libraries, uni, cultural institutions

Question 15

Innovations of the Gilded Age

Answer 15

-Bessemer Steel Process: Revolutionized steel production, enabling the construction of railroads, skyscrapers, and bridges

-Telephone (Alexander Graham Bell): Transformed communication

-Light bulb (Thomas Edison): Extended working hours and urban growth

-Steam Engine : powered industrial machinery and transportation

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Question 16

Unionization and Labor Strikes

Answer 16

-Improve wages, working conditions, and hours. Based on collective bargaining

Knights of Labor:inclusive, but its reputation suffered due to association with violent strikes

American Federation of Labor(AFL): Focused on skilled workers and pragmatic goals

Labor Strikes
-Great Railroad Strike (1877): First major national strike

• Haymarket Affair(1886): Turned public opinion against labor
  movements due to violence

-Pullman strike(1894): Federal troops intervened, highlighting tensions between labor and government

Question 17

First Regulations

Answer 17

-Interstate Commerce Act (1887): Regulated railroads rates to prevent monopolistic practices

-Sherman Antitrust Act (1890):
Outlawed trusts and monopolies to promote fair competition

Question 18

Political Machines

Answer 18

Organized groups controlling local politics through corruption
Ex: Tammany Hall in New York, led by Boss Tweed

Why did immigrants support them
-provided jobs, housing, and assistance in exchange for votes
Corruption
-Graft, bribed, voter fraud, and embezzlement of public funds