Key Concepts of America's Gilded Age: Industry, Labor, and

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Leander High School**We aren't endorsed by this school

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US HISTORY AP 21

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History

Date

Dec 12, 2024

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For each chapter, try to identify 10-15 important points/concepts/events and know them in detail.Chapter 16: America’s Gilded AgePrimary agent of economic change—railroads. These create a national market and economically integrates the economy.First time more people work for wages than not. Majority of workers get paid by the day or the hour.Completes the population shift from rural to urban majority.Important IndustrialistsVanderbilt—Makes his money from shipping and railroads. Major charity—Vanderbilt University. Established the NY Central RR and builds Grand Central StationRockefeller—Makes his money from Standard Oil. Kerosene and heating oil company that emphasizes a consistent formula for its product. (It’s safe.) Major charities—University of Chicago, church, Rockefeller FoundationCarnegie—Makes his money from Carnegie Steel. Major charities—Carnegie Foundation (libraries, performing arts, education) and Carnegie Mellon University, Wrote the Gospel of Wealth—suggests that wealthy entrepreneurs should donate the bulk of the wealth while they are still aliveMorgan---Makes his money from business consolidation and finance (JP Morgan Chase). Major charities are NYC museums, art galleries and local city charities. Donates to Harvard Medical School. Workers? Not the best era for them. Better for skilled workers, but a mechanized factory workplace means less skill is required, wages are lower, and the workplace may also be unsafe. The top 1% in the country earned the same $$ as the bottom 50%. Sunshine and Shadow in New York(Matthew Smith) and How the Other Half Lives(Jacob Riis) chronicled the difficult lives of the working poor in NYC.The West—FJ Turner’s Thesis about the safety valve of the West reflected a reality that may not have been accurate. Westward expansion increases during the Gilded Age to the detriment of Indian nations and people of Latino descent who already lived there.People move West to build railroads and for farming, ranching and mining. This works well for a few.Farming—Millions of families move West because of the Homestead Act and others that give inexpensive plots of land to people who agree to improve it. The basic plot is 160 acres. This is typically much too small in an arid climate to be a successful farm. Two thirds of these homesteaders sell, but stay in the West. Successful farms are thousands of acres and are

Bonanza farms—large acreage with modern equipment and owners use modern farming techniques. Enhanced by the end of open-range ranching because of the invention of barbed wire.Ranching—thousands of men (ranch hands) and fewer families (ranch owners) move West to participate in this industry. Land is given away or sold for very low fees in similar ways as for farming—basic 160 acre plots for those who agree to improve and irrigate this land. 160 acres is also insufficient for successful ranches, so less successful ranchers will sell their holdings to moresuccessful ones. Many of the ranch hands are non-white men (typically black or of Mexican heritage). Less discrimination in this industry, but dangerous working conditions and low pay. Not as raucous as often portrayed in literature and film. Things improve with the invention of barbed wire and the end of the open range. Some conflict between cattle and sheep ranchers, especially in W TX and E NM.Mining—thousands of men and a handful of mining companies will relocate to the West. A few mining companies become exorbitantly wealthy getting control of mines in California (1848), Colorado (1859), the Black Hills (ND) and the Klondike (AL). Leads to millions moving to CA and rapid statehood and an influx of immigrants and migrants to Indian lands in the NW, causing the Great Sioux Wars and other armed conflict.And…Native Americans (or American Indians).Plains Indian culture was dependent upon the buffalo. The US government wanted to “improve”Plains Indian culture. They decided on a few ways to do this—assign and confine natives to reservations, get rid of the buffalo, and institute a new culture through the Dawes Severalty Act (1887).The buffalo—nomadic Plains tribes followed and hunted them, using them for food, clothing, shelter, tools, etc. As more Easterners moved West (part of the reason for all of the government-sponsored land giveaways), the US government made treaties with tribes after they subdued them to keep them on confined and prescribed areas—reservations. This worked fairly well, except during hunting season. The federal government then asked the military stationed in the West to kill buffalo and paid hunters to do so as well. By the 1880s, the buffalo herds were essentially eliminated.The Battle of Little Bighorn (1876--also known as Custer’s Last Stand) would be about the only military bright spot for natives in this era. Custer’s entire army was destroyed, but the Sioux would eventually bedefeated. The Dawes Act would then redistribute native farm land into individual family plots, allow for the sale of over 2 million of the best arable acres to white farmers, and use the proceeds to create boarding school (Carlisle PA, Haskill KS) to re-education Native children to “help” them become better farmers. The intent was to remake reservation culture into something that more resembled the typical white family farm. The end result was the destruction of traditional tribal culture. The Ghost Dance marks the end of organized Native resistance for decades to come.Politics?

Boss Tweed and political machines—NYC—an organization that controls local government (city or county). William “Boss” Tweed is the head of Tammany Hall, the NY political machine.Patronage and Civil Service Reforms. Patronage is giving government jobs to your supporters because of their support, not their qualifications. Civil Service Reform is requiring objective tests or requirements toqualify for those jobs. The Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 (Pendleton Act) requires the civil service exam.Social Darwinism, the Social Gospel and resulting thoughts about how to help the poor…Bellamy and George, Jane Addams, Carnegie and the Gospel of WealthWorkers’ rights….the Knights of Labor, the Great Railroad Strike (1877) and the Haymarket Affair (1886)…the Homestead Strike (1892).Chapter 17—Freedom at Home and AbroadPolitics of the era…and business v labor…and a little imperialismThe Populist Party BeginsAngry farmers—especially in the S, where the cotton markets disappeared after the CivilWar (India, Egypt, Brazil)Farmers were upset about rising prices for transportation and communication and declining crop pricesThey form Farmer Alliances—groups to organize for political and economic purposes. They discussed politics and formed co-ops to sell grain/crops and purchase or finance items. Not as successful as they hoped because of geographic proximity—they don’t liveclose to each other, so it’s hard to organize consistentlyThe alliances do allow African American members but have segregated unitsThey form a political party—The People’s Party or the Populist Party. They run candidates in local, state and national elections. More success at the local and national level, especially in states with agriculture as their top economic endeavor.National platform and candidatesoIn 1892—James Weaver runs for president as a Populist and receives over 1 million votes. Slogan—“Raise less corn and more hell!” They favored minimum wage, voting rights for women and a sub-treasury system.oIn 1896—William Jennings Bryan runs for president. Gives the “Cross of Gold” Speech…(Shall you place upon the farmer the crown of thorns? Shall you crucify the farmer on the Cross of Gold?) Bryan is also nominated by Democrats. Other platform items included minimum wage, free coinage of silver, government ownership of telephone, telegraph and railroad industries.

Election of 1896oWJ Bryan runs as the Populist and Democrat. Relies primarily on “stump speeches” and traveloWilliam McKinley runs as the Republican nominee. He runs the first modern campaign—a front porch campaign that relies on $$ and advertising. It is fundedby wealthy businessmenFactory workers were not drawn to populist appeals. They were more likely to vote for candidates chosen by their employers to ensure that they kept their jobs and their places to live. Their employers are part of political machines. The machines make cities more efficient and provide needed services, but are corrupt. You have to vote for or make political campaign contributions to their candidates to get what you need—city services, building permits, police protection, etc. The most famous political is Tammany Hall in NYC and the head of the machine is William “Boss” Tweed.Segregation:Southern states get to reconstruct their governments however they like after the Bargain of 1877. Blacks are no longer able to vote due to poll taxes, literacy tests, and the Grandfather Clause. The Supreme Court does not require states to enforce the 14thand 15thAmendments, and Plessy v Ferguson (1896) establishes and leads to the spread of segregation (“separate but equal”). New political leaders inthe S are referred to as “redeemers” who will restore the culture and economy of the South. The southern economy is still reliant on cash crop agriculture—primarily cotton—and does not attract significant industry. One institution that grows is prisons, and state and local governments take advantage of convict labor to build government and private projects. African Americans in the South are often subjected to lynching—where a community members essentially kidnap an African American man suspected of a crime or a sexual impropriety, torture him in a public area throughout the day (often in a carnival-like atmosphere), and then hang him in the evening. People would take pictures to make postcards as souvenirs, and they would also cut off ears, toes or fingers as tokens. https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1889342New immigrants:Eastern and Central Europe—less likely to speak English, less likely to be Protestant Christians (Catholics,Eastern or Russian Orthodox, Jews); often from Russia or Austria Hungary, less likely to be accepted than“old” immigrants from Western Europe who speak English and are Protestant (“more American” or easier to assimilate). Also seen as desperate for work and they bring down wages in an era where there are no minimum wage laws. Also less likely to have formal education. On the West Coast—people of Chinese and Japanese descent. Often participate in railroad and mining industries in the post-Civil War era, then as farmers in California and business owners. Did not “assimilate” well according to citizens, and were later limited by the Chinese Exclusion Act, Gentlemen’s Agreement (Japanese immigration limits) and Asian Land Laws.

Women’s groups reunify during this time period to push for an amendment to allow women to vote. They had split after the passage of the 15thAmendment allowing formers slaves to vote. They will form the National American Woman Suffrage Movement for this purpose.Laborers also begin to push for rights. Not a terribly successful era for workers. Be aware of the formation of the Knights of Labor and American Federation of Labor. The Knights of Labor see all workers as equal and initially do not favor the use of labor strikes. They are discredited after being blamed for violence at Haymarket Square—a labor demonstration in Chicago. AFL focuses more on skilled and favors white men as members. They are traditional in that they want higher wages, better hours and better working conditions. More successful because their membership is more limited and more “acceptable” to owners and management. Major strikes of the era: Great Railroad Strike (1877), Homestead Steel and Pullman (1892). All ended with the US government or private companies (Homestead) using force to violently end the strike. Government and the law (almost) always favor corporations over workers in this era.Spanish-American War—to free Cuba!Factors in the US declaration“yellow journalism”—sensational news written and printed to sell papers and magazines. Hearst and Pulitzer and primary publishers. Stirs anti-Spanish and pro-Cubanpublic opinionCuba has pushed for independence for over a decade and had immigrant in Miami and NYC who actively advocated for this and raised $$The US sent a warship—The USS Maine—to Havana Harbor to protect American assets. The ship mysteriously blows up. A US investigation suggests a Spanish water mine collided with ship. Slogan: Remember the Maine and to Hell with Spain!We go to free Cuban and to gain nothing—proclaimed in the Teller Amendment.The war lasts 4 months. It takes longer to get troops there than the length of the actual battles. We sendships to the Philippine and surround Guam and Puerto Rico. “A Splendid Little War” according to Sec of State John Hay and exciting enough for TR to quit his position as Asst Sec of Navy to form a regiment (The Rough Riders) and fight in the war.US gains control of Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines in the Treaty of Paris (1898). Spain gets $15 million for the loss of their empire. The US attaches the Platt Amendment to the Cuban Constitution,allowing the US to intervene politically, financially and even militarily if Cuba makes decisions we disagree with. Chapter 18—The Progressive Era

Population shift from rural to urban areas—the majority of the US population now lives in cities (by 1920). Rapid urbanization leads to a need for reform in the cities. Writers and city leaders will begin to call for professionalization of city management. A move away from political machines and toward city planning and bureaucracy. Muckrakers—investigative journalists (fake news at first?). Muck—nasty stuff…raking is stirring it up. So muckrakers stirred up nasty stuff. Examples:How the Half Lives—Jacob Riis (slum areas of NYC)Shame of the Cities—Lincoln Steffens (corruption of local politics/political machines)Lewis Hine—photographer of child labor (National Child Labor Committee and a push to end child labor)The Jungle—Upton Sinclair—leads to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug ActIn this era, many of these writings/photos lead to reform. Other reform concerns—Labor—A push to end child labor and a push for workers to join unions.Major unions included American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Industrial Workers ofthe World (IWW)AFL—fairly conservative—allowed white male skilled workers, want better wages and working conditions (bread and butter issues); membership triples in the early 1900sIWW—international and communist/socialist—they want a workers’ revolution to overthrow business owners and control the means of production (businesses; communists want workers to have control; socialists want government to have control)The Socialist Party becomes more active and wins some local and state elections; National Candidate Eugene Debs runs for president 5 timesBirth Control—mostly about new information, main proponent is Margaret Higgins Sanger, also Emma Goldman (Socialist and labor activist)Immigration—through Ellis Island (NYC—European immigrants) and Angel Island (San Francisco—Asian Immigrants). More than 1 million Mexican immigrants came from 1900 to 1930 across the S border, primarily to El Paso or the San Gabriel Valley. Women became a larger part of the workforce, with the biggest growth sector in clerical work. A growing number of women sought career advancement and “personal independence”, a la Charlotte Perkins Gilman (Women and Economics).Ford became synonymous with rote jobs, mass production and mass consumption—Fordism. This promise of abundance and prosperity, or the “American Standard of Living”, sometimes fell short of reality because of the extreme inequalities of wealth and power between the bottom and top of the economic spectrum.Progressive thought….

At work—reflected in scientific management (Frederick Winslow Taylor), efficiency, socialism, AFL and the IWW. Science supported the efficient, safe and unimaginative workplace. Socialism and worker’s rights suggested industrial freedom and “ownership” of a job. The Supreme Court and the law landed somewhere in the middle. The IWW led large, effective strikes in the era, the courts ruled that worker protection was, at times legitimate (Muller v Oregon) and times not (Lochner v NY), and several new amendments were added.In the Constitution:16thAmendment—Created an income tax to pay for progressive reforms17thAmendment—Provided for direct election of senators18thAmendment—prohibition (no production, sale or distribution of alcohol)19thAmendment—allows women to vote Government by expert replaces government by politician. Leads to city managers vs mayors making day to day decisions in local government, a push for healthy mothers and children as the foundation for a more educated and “American” society, and regulation and licensing of professions like law, medicine, engineering, social work and teaching.Progressive Presidents:Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt, 1901-1908—replaced McKinley after his assassination by Leon Czolgosz; first president to intervene in a strike on behalf of workers, created forest reserves and led a conservation movement that dramatically expanded national parks, “busted” trusts (broke up monopolies) like the Northern Securities Company (railroad monopoly), and considered the federal government to be the most fair arbitrator between business and workers. “The Square Deal”. Notable legislation included the Interstate Commerce Act, The Pure Food and Drug Act, and Meat Inspection Act.William Howard Taft, 1908-1912—Roosevelt’s hand-picked successor and former Assistant Secretary of the Navy. More aggressive at breaking up monopolies (dissolved Standard Oil), and put twice as much land into preservation as Roosevelt. Much less popular than TR and led to the fracturing of the Republican Party and creation of the Progressive Party. Will later be on the Supreme Court. Loses popularity due to the Ballinger-Pinchot Affair (leasing national land to an energy company).Messy Election of 1912Republican candidate: TaftProgressive candidate: Roosevelt (TR) (The Bull Moose Party)Democrat candidate: Woodrow Wilson, governor of NJ and former President of Princeton; Wilson wins!Taft’s “platform”—he’ll do the same stuff he’s been doing (breaking up monopolies evenly)Roosevelt’s platform—New Nationalism—a larger, more active federal government to regulate the economy and protect workers, women and children in a “fair” way (continuation of the “Square Deal”)

Wilson’s platform—New Freedom—same size federal government, more regulation in the states, government should act more like a referee rather than a growing regulatory agencySigns that Wilson may have issues with race: He restored segregation to the federal workplace (TR had ended this and Taft continued that policy) and screened the movie “Birth of a Nation” at the White House which glorified the KKK and included quotes from a history written by Wilson.