America's Gilded Age (1870-1890)

Henry George's proposed solution to economic inequality, advocating for a single tax on land ownership to fund social programs and redistribute wealth.

A social movement that emerged in the late 19th century, advocating for the application of Christian principles to social problems like poverty, inequality, and labor exploitation.

A major event in 1886 where a bombing during a labor demonstration in Chicago led to the arrest and execution of several anarchist workers, further fueling tensions between labor and capital.

The belief that true freedom is achieved through interdependence and cooperation, rather than individual autonomy, often advocated by reformers like Edward Bellamy.

The late 19th century saw the emergence of a new wave of industrial growth, fueled by technological advancements, particularly in the realm of transportation and communication.

Lawrence Gronlund's book that popularized socialist ideas in America, explaining complex concepts in a way that was accessible to a wider audience.

A book that envisioned a utopian future where technology and capitalism were used to create a society of abundance and equality, eliminating poverty and labor strife.

In the late 1800s, the US economy experienced a significant shift, marked by a decline in agriculture and a surge in factory workers, leading to a majority of the workforce being employed in non-farming jobs.

Protestant reformers who advocated for political and social solutions to moral issues, such as alcohol consumption, prostitution, and gambling.

The invention of the electric light bulb by Thomas Edison revolutionized daily life, extending working hours and enabling businesses to operate around the clock.

The rapid expansion of industries led to fierce competition, forcing companies to consolidate and create larger corporations to dominate entire markets.

Reformers who aimed to address the social ills of the Gilded Age, often focusing on issues like poverty, crime, and inequality.

Andrew Carnegie's success in the steel industry was achieved through vertical integration, a strategy that involved controlling every stage of production, from raw materials to finished goods.

John D. Rockefeller's dominance in the oil industry was secured through horizontal expansion, acquiring competing companies, and vertical integration, controlling the various stages of the refining process.

While the industrial revolution brought economic opportunities for some, it also created harsh working conditions, including low wages, long hours, and dangerous environments, leading to frequent accidents and deaths.

The concentration of wealth during the Gilded Age created a gap between the rich and the poor, making class distinctions more visible.

The acquisition of Native American land through warfare and treaties, followed by its distribution to farmers, railroads, and mining companies, by the federal government.

The process by which Western territories took a longer time than their Eastern counterparts to achieve statehood within the United States.

The significant expansion of cultivated land in the American Midwest after the Civil War, exceeding the land cultivated in the previous centuries.

The challenges faced by women in agricultural work in the Midwest, including demanding labor and a heavy workload.

The concept promoted by John Wesley Powell, advocating large-scale irrigation projects and communal farming practices, drawing inspiration from Mexican settlers, to address the arid conditions of the West.

The transition of small farmers towards a focus on national and global markets, driven by increasing crop production and falling prices, leading to difficulties for farmers worldwide.

The rise of giant agricultural enterprises, exemplified in California, as the future of western farming, driven by factors like technological advancements.

The romanticized image of cowboys as symbols of freedom and independence on the open range, a perception that began to fade as farming enclosed more land and cattle operations shifted to areas closer to railroads.

A philosophy that applied Darwin's theory of natural selection to human society. It argued that government should not interfere with the natural process of evolution, and that those who failed to succeed in society were simply less fit.

A religious revitalization campaign practiced by some Native Americans in the late 19th century, seeking to restore traditional ways of life and resist assimilation.

A massacre that occurred on December 29, 1890, at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota, where United States Army soldiers killed between 150 and 200 Lakota people, primarily women and children, who were practicing the Ghost Dance.

The period from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, characterized by rapid economic growth, especially in industrialization and urban development. It was marked by immense wealth for some but also significant social and economic inequality.

A term referring to nations like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Argentina, where European immigrants significantly outnumbered and displaced the indigenous population.

The theory that argued that government should not interfere with the free market or the natural process of competition. It emphasized individual liberty and limited government intervention in economic affairs.

A form of consumption of goods and services that is done in a way designed to draw attention to oneself and demonstrate wealth and status. It is associated with the upper class during the Gilded Age.

A period in American history (late 19th century) characterized by rapid industrialization, economic growth, and significant social change.

A system of government that emphasizes the rights and freedoms of individuals, and where political power rests with the people. It was a major concern of the Gilded Age, as reformers worried about the influence of wealthy interests.

A term indicating widespread corruption and unethical practices in government during the Gilded Age.

A term referring to the period of political stagnation and stalemate in the United States during the Gilded Age, where both major political parties were closely divided and there was little significant change in policy.

A labor strike that took place in 1877, triggered by wage cuts on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. It spread across the country, involving railroad workers and other industries, and ultimately led to violence and the use of federal troops to suppress it.

The belief that workers have the right to form unions and engage in collective bargaining to protect their interests. It challenged the prevailing view that government should not interfere in the relationship between labor and capital.

A group of politicians who controlled municipal governments in large cities, often using corrupt practices to gain and maintain power.

A labor organization that gained popularity in the late 19th century. They advocated for a wide range of social reforms, including shorter work hours, better working conditions, and a more just distribution of wealth. They accepted workers of all trades and ethnicities, except for Asian immigrants.

A corrupt corporation that profited through illegal and unethical practices during the Grant administration in the United States, primarily through manipulating government contracts and engaging in bribery.

The process by which the Western territories were integrated into the national economy, leading to the destruction of Indigenous communities and their way of life.

A policy implemented by President Grant to end armed conflict in the West, aiming to establish peace between Native Americans and the United States.

A law passed in 1871 that abolished the treaty system between the U.S. and Native American tribes, ultimately removing their legal status and sovereignty.

The forced assimilation of Native American children into Euro-American culture through boarding schools, aiming to eliminate traditional ways of life.

An act passed in 1887 that divided Native American land into individual allotments, leading to the loss of communal lands and weakening tribal structures.

A Supreme Court case that ruled Native Americans were not citizens and did not have the same constitutional rights as other Americans.

A spiritual movement that emphasized a return to traditional ways of life and resisting the encroachment of white settlers, leading to the tragic massacre at Wounded Knee.