Questions and Answers
What time period does the Gilded Age refer to?
Who was Andrew Carnegie?
A Scottish-born American industrialist and philanthropist who founded the Carnegie Steel Company in 1892.
What was JD Rockefeller known for?
Owner of the Standard Oil monopoly and trust.
What is vertical integration?
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What is horizontal integration?
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What was Westinghouse known for?
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Who was Terrace Powderly?
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What were the Knights of Labor?
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What led to the downfall of the Knights of Labor?
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What was the Haymarket Riot?
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Who was Samuel Gompers?
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What is the American Federation of Labor?
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What was the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?
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What was the Homestead Strike?
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What was significant about the Pullman Strike?
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What is Social Darwinism?
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Who was W.E.B. Du Bois?
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Who was Booker T. Washington?
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What was the ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson?
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What does the KKK stand for?
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What further prevented Blacks from political progress at the polls?
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Where did the new immigrants arrive from?
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What was the Chinese Exclusion Act?
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What were tenement houses?
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Who was Jane Addams?
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What was Hull House?
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Study Notes
Gilded Age
- Time period from the 1870s to the 1890s; characterized by a facade of prosperity hiding corruption and economic disparity.
- Significant growth in industrialization and urbanization, leading to a stark divide between the wealthy elite and impoverished workers.
Andrew Carnegie
- Scottish-American industrialist who founded Carnegie Steel Company in 1892.
- By 1901, Carnegie Steel was the dominant force in the U.S. steel industry through vertical integration and utilizing the Bessemer process for steel production.
John D. Rockefeller
- Founder of Standard Oil, creating a monopoly through horizontal integration.
- His practices led to significant control over the oil industry, shaping business strategies in the Gilded Age.
Vertical Integration
- Business strategy where a single company controls all aspects of production from raw materials to distribution.
- Enhanced efficiency and reduced costs, exemplifying the monopolistic practices of the era.
Horizontal Integration
- Business strategy involving the consolidation of multiple firms at the same production level into one entity.
- Promoted economies of scale and reduced competition in an industry.
Westinghouse
- Pioneered public relations efforts; established the first in-house PR department.
- Successfully promoted alternating current (AC) electrical systems over Thomas Edison's direct current (DC) systems.
Terence Powderly
- Leader of the Knights of Labor, a significant labor organization in the late 19th century.
- Advocated for inclusive membership, aiming to unite workers across various trades.
Knights of Labor
- Formed in 1869, it was the first nationwide union, open to all except bankers and lawyers.
- Suffered from unclear goals, poor leadership, and organizational weaknesses, leading to eventual decline.
Haymarket Riot
- A pivotal event in 1886 where a protest for workers' rights in Chicago turned violent after police intervention, resulting in deaths and promoting anti-immigrant sentiment.
- The incident significantly damaged the Knights of Labor's reputation and influence.
Samuel Gompers
- Founder of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), which focused on skilled laborers.
- Sought improved wages, working hours, and conditions, steering clear of socialism and advocating for non-violent approaches.
American Federation of Labor (AFL)
- Established in 1886, it became a major force for labor rights, emphasizing practical gains for skilled workers.
- Emerged from discontent with the Knights of Labor, characterized by a more structured and militant organization.
Great Railroad Strike of 1877
- A nationwide railway strike triggered by wage cuts, resulting in violent clashes and federal intervention.
- Highlighted the government's alignment with employers over workers during labor disputes in the Gilded Age.
Homestead Strike
- A violent strike in 1892 against Carnegie Steel near Pittsburgh, resulting in ten deaths due to police and union confrontations.
- Demonstrated the tensions between labor and management during industrial conflicts.
Pullman Strike
- Originating in Chicago, it involved wage cuts without corresponding rent reductions in company-owned housing, leading to major disruptions.
- Led by Eugene Debs and resulted in little success for strikers and severe legal repercussions for Debs.
Social Darwinism
- Ideology asserting that only the strongest individuals or groups survive economically and politically, often used to justify inequality and imperialism.
W.E.B. Du Bois
- First African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard in 1895; prominent civil rights advocate.
- Co-founder of the NAACP, fought against racial segregation and for African American rights.
Booker T. Washington
- Prominent African American leader advocating for gradual equality through self-improvement and vocational education.
- Supported accommodation as a strategy, emphasizing economic advancement for African Americans.
Plessy v. Ferguson
- Landmark Supreme Court case that established the "separate but equal" doctrine, legitimizing racial segregation laws.
Ku Klux Klan (KKK)
- Secretive organization promoting white supremacy and anti-immigrant sentiments, notorious for violence and intimidation against minorities.
Barriers to African American Political Progress
- Literacy tests, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses restricted voting rights for African Americans, undermining their political power.
New Immigrants
- Refers to the influx of migrants primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Chinese Exclusion Act
- 1882 legislation aimed at limiting Chinese immigration; barred laborers while allowing students and merchants entry.
Tenement Houses
- Overcrowded, poorly built housing units in urban areas, known for inadequate sanitation and safety, where many poor residents lived.
Jane Addams
- Founder of the Settlement House Movement and advocate for social reform, notable for establishing Hull House in Chicago.
- First American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, recognized for her efforts in peace and social justice.
Hull House
- A settlement house initiated by Jane Addams, providing social services and educational opportunities for immigrants and the urban poor.
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Test your knowledge of key concepts from Unit 6 of APUSH with these flashcards. Explore significant figures and events from the Gilded Age, including Andrew Carnegie and industrialization in America. Perfect for students preparing for AP exams.