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Questions and Answers
What technological advancement allowed for the construction of taller buildings during the Gilded Age?
What technological advancement allowed for the construction of taller buildings during the Gilded Age?
Which event in 1882 significantly impacted Chinese immigration to the United States?
Which event in 1882 significantly impacted Chinese immigration to the United States?
Why did Nativists oppose the influx of new immigrants during the Gilded Age?
Why did Nativists oppose the influx of new immigrants during the Gilded Age?
What urban infrastructure improvements occurred as a result of increasing city populations?
What urban infrastructure improvements occurred as a result of increasing city populations?
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What were tenements during the Gilded Age?
What were tenements during the Gilded Age?
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What was a consequence of urbanization during the Gilded Age?
What was a consequence of urbanization during the Gilded Age?
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Which of the following describes the nature of ethnic neighborhoods like Little Italy?
Which of the following describes the nature of ethnic neighborhoods like Little Italy?
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What was a major social issue faced by city dwellers in tenements?
What was a major social issue faced by city dwellers in tenements?
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Who created the telephone, which increased communication?
Who created the telephone, which increased communication?
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Which act provided settlers with free or cheap land?
Which act provided settlers with free or cheap land?
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What does the term 'Nativist' refer to?
What does the term 'Nativist' refer to?
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Which process increased the efficiency of steel production?
Which process increased the efficiency of steel production?
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What were the typical working conditions in factories during the Gilded Age?
What were the typical working conditions in factories during the Gilded Age?
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Who was known for controlling New York politics through bribery?
Who was known for controlling New York politics through bribery?
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What was a common characteristic of sweatshops during the Gilded Age?
What was a common characteristic of sweatshops during the Gilded Age?
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What characterizes the Gilded Age?
What characterizes the Gilded Age?
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What did the Chinese Exclusion Act aim to do?
What did the Chinese Exclusion Act aim to do?
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What impact did the Panic of 1873 have on workers?
What impact did the Panic of 1873 have on workers?
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Why did labor unions form during the Gilded Age?
Why did labor unions form during the Gilded Age?
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Which term refers to a large business that controls the market?
Which term refers to a large business that controls the market?
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What was one of the main challenges faced by workers trying to form unions?
What was one of the main challenges faced by workers trying to form unions?
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What characteristic primarily differentiated skilled workers from unskilled workers?
What characteristic primarily differentiated skilled workers from unskilled workers?
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What was the government's stance towards labor unions during the Gilded Age?
What was the government's stance towards labor unions during the Gilded Age?
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What led many African Americans to move North and West during this period?
What led many African Americans to move North and West during this period?
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What is a primary advantage of vertical integration for a company?
What is a primary advantage of vertical integration for a company?
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How did John D. Rockefeller effectively establish a monopoly?
How did John D. Rockefeller effectively establish a monopoly?
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What was one of the negative consequences of monopolies?
What was one of the negative consequences of monopolies?
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What was the main purpose of the Sherman Antitrust Act?
What was the main purpose of the Sherman Antitrust Act?
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What was a key aspect of Andrew Carnegie's philosophy regarding philanthropy?
What was a key aspect of Andrew Carnegie's philosophy regarding philanthropy?
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What is a trust in the context of business practices?
What is a trust in the context of business practices?
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What role did the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) serve?
What role did the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) serve?
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Which of the following statements is true about laissez-faire economics during the Gilded Age?
Which of the following statements is true about laissez-faire economics during the Gilded Age?
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What primary purpose did political machines serve in urban areas during the Gilded Age?
What primary purpose did political machines serve in urban areas during the Gilded Age?
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Which individual was notably associated with the Tammany Hall political machine?
Which individual was notably associated with the Tammany Hall political machine?
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What was one major characteristic of the Social Gospel Movement?
What was one major characteristic of the Social Gospel Movement?
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During the Gilded Age, how did leisure and entertainment change for urban populations?
During the Gilded Age, how did leisure and entertainment change for urban populations?
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What type of entertainment was characterized by variety shows during the 1880s?
What type of entertainment was characterized by variety shows during the 1880s?
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How did the separation of classes manifest in urban environments during this time?
How did the separation of classes manifest in urban environments during this time?
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What role did settlement houses play in urban reform?
What role did settlement houses play in urban reform?
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Which of the following best characterizes the Gilded Age?
Which of the following best characterizes the Gilded Age?
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What was a significant advantage of the Bessemer process for steel production?
What was a significant advantage of the Bessemer process for steel production?
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What role did competition play in the free enterprise system?
What role did competition play in the free enterprise system?
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Which term describes a government approach that allows businesses to operate with little restriction?
Which term describes a government approach that allows businesses to operate with little restriction?
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What best describes the relationship between corporations and the financial market?
What best describes the relationship between corporations and the financial market?
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How did the growth of railroads impact advertising?
How did the growth of railroads impact advertising?
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What influence did the government have on big business during the Gilded Age?
What influence did the government have on big business during the Gilded Age?
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Which feature distinguishes a tycoon in the context of big business?
Which feature distinguishes a tycoon in the context of big business?
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Why were small businesses often unable to compete with big businesses?
Why were small businesses often unable to compete with big businesses?
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Which of the following best describes a Captain of Industry?
Which of the following best describes a Captain of Industry?
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What was a common characteristic of Robber Barons?
What was a common characteristic of Robber Barons?
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Which event is an example of corruption during the Gilded Age?
Which event is an example of corruption during the Gilded Age?
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What significant action did J.P. Morgan undertake in 1901?
What significant action did J.P. Morgan undertake in 1901?
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What was John D. Rockefeller's major achievement?
What was John D. Rockefeller's major achievement?
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Which of the following best describes Cornelius Vanderbilt?
Which of the following best describes Cornelius Vanderbilt?
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How did the Credit Mobilier Scandal impact public perception of politicians during the Gilded Age?
How did the Credit Mobilier Scandal impact public perception of politicians during the Gilded Age?
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What was the significance of the Bessemer Process in Andrew Carnegie's business?
What was the significance of the Bessemer Process in Andrew Carnegie's business?
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What was one of the main reasons for the population increase in the United States between 1870 and 1900?
What was one of the main reasons for the population increase in the United States between 1870 and 1900?
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What characterized the neighborhoods where new immigrants settled?
What characterized the neighborhoods where new immigrants settled?
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Which groups of immigrants were primarily considered 'New Immigrants' after 1880?
Which groups of immigrants were primarily considered 'New Immigrants' after 1880?
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What was one of the key functions of Ellis Island after its opening in 1892?
What was one of the key functions of Ellis Island after its opening in 1892?
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How did immigrant children contribute to the Americanization process?
How did immigrant children contribute to the Americanization process?
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What was the significance of the Statue of Liberty to immigrants?
What was the significance of the Statue of Liberty to immigrants?
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What was Angel Island primarily used for?
What was Angel Island primarily used for?
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Which factor was NOT a push factor for immigrants during the Gilded Age?
Which factor was NOT a push factor for immigrants during the Gilded Age?
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What was the primary focus of the American Federation of Labor (AFL)?
What was the primary focus of the American Federation of Labor (AFL)?
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What tactic did the Knights of Labor prefer over strikes?
What tactic did the Knights of Labor prefer over strikes?
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Which group faced exclusion from the Knights of Labor?
Which group faced exclusion from the Knights of Labor?
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What commonality exists among the Haymarket Affair, Homestead Strike, and Pullman Strike?
What commonality exists among the Haymarket Affair, Homestead Strike, and Pullman Strike?
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What significant outcome followed the Haymarket Affair?
What significant outcome followed the Haymarket Affair?
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Who led the Pullman Strike?
Who led the Pullman Strike?
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What was a major reason the Pullman Strike was ended by federal troops?
What was a major reason the Pullman Strike was ended by federal troops?
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What primary demand was shared by both the Knights of Labor and the AFL?
What primary demand was shared by both the Knights of Labor and the AFL?
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Study Notes
Political Machines
- Political machines controlled city politics through a single boss or a small group, offering aid to immigrants for their votes.
- Tammany Hall was a prominent New York Democratic machine led by William “Boss” Tweed until his imprisonment for corruption, aided by cartoonist Thomas Nast.
Separation of Classes
- Income disparity marked the Gilded Age, with the poor in slums, middle class in suburbs, and wealthy in mansions.
- Urban transportation improvements, like streetcars, facilitated middle-class movement.
Social Gospel Movement
- The movement aimed to apply religious ethics towards social justice and public welfare.
- Establishment of Settlement Houses, such as Hull House founded by Jane Addams, provided education and services to improve immigrant lives.
Arts & Leisure
- Realist art and literature depicted life and corruption during this period.
- Increased standard of living led to more leisure activities, saloons, and amusement parks like Coney Island.
Music
- Vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley emerged, with variety shows and widespread sheet music sales capturing public interest.
- African American musical styles, especially Ragtime, gained popularity in this era.
Reforms
- Middle-class women initiated urban reform efforts, focusing on services for the impoverished, health, and immigrant education.
- Settlement houses aided the Americanization process.
Life in the City
- Advancements in steel production and elevators enabled the construction of skyscrapers, transforming urban landscapes.
- Public transit innovations, like subways in Boston (1897) and New York (1904), reshaped city navigation.
Nativism
- Nativists opposed new immigrants fearing job competition, targeting groups like Asians, Jews, and Eastern Europeans.
- Anti-immigrant sentiments led to violence, particularly against Chinese immigrants on the West Coast.
Exclusion & Limits
- Legislative actions, such as the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, restricted immigration, especially targeting those with criminal records or unable to support themselves.
Tenements
- Many poor urban dwellers lived in overcrowded tenements lacking sanitary conditions, contributing to health crises.
- Neglected sewage systems worsened disease outbreaks and pollution in cities.
Ethnic Neighborhoods
- Diverse communities, such as "Little Italy" and "Chinatown", emerged, fostering cultural retention and growth among immigrant populations.
Urbanization
- Massive rural-to-urban migration followed industrial innovations, creating highly populated urban centers needing new infrastructure.
Economic Conditions
- Industry growth resulted in harsh labor conditions, with long hours, low pay, and unsafe environments for factory workers, including women and children.
Labor Unions
- Workers organized in unions to advocate for better conditions, often facing hostility from employers and government.
Monopolies & Integration
- John D. Rockefeller's horizontal integration and Andrew Carnegie's vertical integration exemplified strategies to dominate industries like oil and steel, reducing competition and controlling prices.
Philanthropy and Trusts
- Notable industrialists, like Carnegie and Rockefeller, engaged in philanthropy, believing in the "Gospel of Wealth" to aid public welfare while forming business trusts that manipulated markets.
Antitrust Legislation
- The Interstate Commerce Act (1887) and Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) aimed to regulate and break up monopolies, with limited early success.
Captains of Industry vs. Robber Barons
- Terms distinguished ethical industrialists who contributed positively to society (Captains of Industry) from those who exploited labor and public welfare for profit (Robber Barons).
Major Figures
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J.P. Morgan's investment strategies reshaped industries, while the Credit Mobilier scandal showcased the depth of corruption and manipulation in government-business relations during this era.### Immigration
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Population growth surged between 1870-1900 with over 12 million immigrants arriving, resulting in a population exceeding 76 million by 1900.
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Rapid industrialization called for more goods and a steady supply of unskilled labor, leading to industry expansion.
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New immigrants primarily settled in ethnic neighborhoods where shared language, culture, and traditions thrived.
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Pre-1880 immigration mainly consisted of individuals from Western and Northern Europe (Old Immigrants); post-1880 saw a shift to Southern and Eastern Europeans (New Immigrants), including Italians, Austrians, Greeks, Russians, and Serbians.
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Push and Pull Factors*
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Push: Overcrowding, high rents, disease, religious/political persecution, social class oppression, military drafts, and economic instability drove people to leave their homelands.
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Pull: New opportunities, a better quality of life, religious freedom, employment prospects, and economic incentives attracted immigrants to America.
Americanization
- Many adult immigrants attended night classes to learn English, but the majority were too occupied with work; immigrant children often adapted to American culture better.
- Children of immigrants became assimilated, adopting American dress, language, and social behaviors, contributing to a melting pot of cultures.
Ellis Island
- Immigrants arrived in America after long, dangerous voyages, with Ellis Island opening in 1892 as a processing center for European immigrants.
- Immigrants underwent health inspections and legal status checks, often facing name changes and separation from families if they failed health evaluations.
- A total of 12 million immigrants were processed at Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954.
Statue of Liberty
- Installed in 1886, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France and symbolized hope for newcomers with the inscription, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."
- Seen as the gateway to a fresh start and the embodiment of the American Dream.
Angel Island
- Chinese immigrants were processed at Angel Island, opened in 1910 in San Francisco Bay, as a response to severe socio-economic issues in China.
- This facility served as a detainment center for those attempting to enter illegally, processing immigrants from various countries.
Labor Unions
- Labor unions were often labeled as "anarchist" when strikes turned violent, particularly due to the influx of immigrants from socialist regions.
- Unskilled immigrants sought union protection mainly for workers’ rights amid anti-union sentiments.
Knights of Labor
- Established in 1869 by Terence Powderly in Philadelphia to advocate for workers' protection, opposing strikes in favor of boycotts and arbitration.
- Welcomed men and women but excluded Black and Asian workers; aimed for 8-hour workdays, women’s pay, and the abolition of child labor.
- Emphasized collective bargaining to secure workplace rights and pay equality.
American Federation of Labor (AFL)
- Founded in 1886 by Samuel Gompers, focusing on skilled workers and promoting “closed shops”, requiring union membership for employment.
- Fought for better wages, shorter workdays, and improved working conditions while predominantly representing white men, thus marginalizing unskilled workers.
Significant Strikes
- Haymarket Affair (1886): Violent confrontations between police and strikers in Chicago led to deaths, resulting in detraction from labor movements.
- Homestead Strike (1892): Occurred at Carnegie Steel when management refused to negotiate pay, leading to armed conflict with casualties.
- Pullman Strike (1894): Originated over wage cuts at the Palace Car Company, culminating in federal intervention after disruption of mail services, causing imprisonment of labor leader Eugene Debs.
Check for Understanding
- Labor unions sought to protect workers with contrasting strategies; strikes often led to violence and unrest.
- The Knights of Labor aimed for broader worker representation and inclusion, while the AFL focused on skilled workers’ rights.
- Notable strikes shared common themes, primarily related to pay cuts and labor rights.
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Description
Explore the intricacies of political machines during the Gilded Age, particularly from 1870 to 1900. Learn how these organizations, often led by powerful bosses, influenced city governance through votes, financial control, and immigrant assistance. Dive into examples like Tammany Hall to understand their significance in American history.
