Gilded Age & Political Machines (1870-1900)

Questions and Answers

What technological advancement allowed for the construction of taller buildings during the Gilded Age?

Telecommunication

Concrete mixing

Electricity

Steel production (correct)

Which event in 1882 significantly impacted Chinese immigration to the United States?

The Gold Rush

Immigration Act

World's Fair

Chinese Exclusion Act (correct)

Why did Nativists oppose the influx of new immigrants during the Gilded Age?

They believed immigrants would enhance diversity.

They sought to expand market opportunities.

They wanted to support cultural integration.

They feared job competition. (correct)

What urban infrastructure improvements occurred as a result of increasing city populations?

Enhanced sewage and water systems Signup and view all the answers

What were tenements during the Gilded Age?

Unsanitary multi-family apartment buildings Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of urbanization during the Gilded Age?

Increased population density in cities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the nature of ethnic neighborhoods like Little Italy?

Ghettos where minority groups recreated their culture Signup and view all the answers

What was a major social issue faced by city dwellers in tenements?

Unsanitary living conditions and overcrowding Signup and view all the answers

Who created the telephone, which increased communication?

Alexander Graham Bell Signup and view all the answers

Which act provided settlers with free or cheap land?

Homestead Act Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Nativist' refer to?

Someone who dislikes or hates immigrants Signup and view all the answers

Which process increased the efficiency of steel production?

Bessemer Process Signup and view all the answers

What were the typical working conditions in factories during the Gilded Age?

Long hours with low pay in dangerous conditions Signup and view all the answers

Who was known for controlling New York politics through bribery?

Boss Tweed Signup and view all the answers

What was a common characteristic of sweatshops during the Gilded Age?

Poor working conditions and low wages Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the Gilded Age?

Corruption Signup and view all the answers

What did the Chinese Exclusion Act aim to do?

Exclude Chinese immigrants Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the Panic of 1873 have on workers?

Wage cuts and increased unemployment Signup and view all the answers

Why did labor unions form during the Gilded Age?

To protect workers' rights and negotiate better conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to a large business that controls the market?

Monopoly Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main challenges faced by workers trying to form unions?

Repression and threat of termination Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic primarily differentiated skilled workers from unskilled workers?

Higher wages and specialized skills Signup and view all the answers

What was the government's stance towards labor unions during the Gilded Age?

Support for big businesses and repression of unions Signup and view all the answers

What led many African Americans to move North and West during this period?

Oppression in the South and Jim Crow laws Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary advantage of vertical integration for a company?

Better control over production quality Signup and view all the answers

How did John D. Rockefeller effectively establish a monopoly?

Through horizontal integration Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the negative consequences of monopolies?

Higher prices for consumers Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the Sherman Antitrust Act?

To promote competition and dismantle trusts Signup and view all the answers

What was a key aspect of Andrew Carnegie's philosophy regarding philanthropy?

Supporting public facilities for community improvement Signup and view all the answers

What is a trust in the context of business practices?

A legal entity managing multiple companies to set prices Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) serve?

Regulated railroads and their practices Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about laissez-faire economics during the Gilded Age?

It encouraged free market practices with minimal government intervention. Signup and view all the answers

What primary purpose did political machines serve in urban areas during the Gilded Age?

To assist immigrants in exchange for votes Signup and view all the answers

Which individual was notably associated with the Tammany Hall political machine?

William 'Boss' Tweed Signup and view all the answers

What was one major characteristic of the Social Gospel Movement?

Improving public health and morality Signup and view all the answers

During the Gilded Age, how did leisure and entertainment change for urban populations?

Increased opportunity for diverse entertainment options Signup and view all the answers

What type of entertainment was characterized by variety shows during the 1880s?

Vaudeville Signup and view all the answers

How did the separation of classes manifest in urban environments during this time?

The poor lived in slums while the wealthy resided in mansions Signup and view all the answers

What role did settlement houses play in urban reform?

Offering social services to the impoverished Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes the Gilded Age?

An era dominated by rapid economic growth and corruption Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant advantage of the Bessemer process for steel production?

It allowed for the mass production of steel. Signup and view all the answers

What role did competition play in the free enterprise system?

It promoted greater efficiency and higher quality products. Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes a government approach that allows businesses to operate with little restriction?

Laissez-faire Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the relationship between corporations and the financial market?

Corporations raise capital by selling shares to investors. Signup and view all the answers

How did the growth of railroads impact advertising?

It opened up new markets for goods and services. Signup and view all the answers

What influence did the government have on big business during the Gilded Age?

It provided land grants and loans to support expansion. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature distinguishes a tycoon in the context of big business?

A powerful businessman who oversees factories. Signup and view all the answers

Why were small businesses often unable to compete with big businesses?

Big businesses achieved greater efficiency and lower costs. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a Captain of Industry?

An influential business leader who contributes to economic growth Signup and view all the answers

What was a common characteristic of Robber Barons?

They utilized questionable methods to increase profits Signup and view all the answers

Which event is an example of corruption during the Gilded Age?

The Credit Mobilier scandal Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did J.P. Morgan undertake in 1901?

Created the US Steel Company Signup and view all the answers

What was John D. Rockefeller's major achievement?

The establishment of monopolistic control over the oil industry Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Cornelius Vanderbilt?

A businessman known for ruthless tactics in shipping and railroads Signup and view all the answers

How did the Credit Mobilier Scandal impact public perception of politicians during the Gilded Age?

It caused public outrage and distrust in politicians Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Bessemer Process in Andrew Carnegie's business?

It allowed for the efficient mass production of steel Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main reasons for the population increase in the United States between 1870 and 1900?

Increased immigration from Europe Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the neighborhoods where new immigrants settled?

Shared language and traditions Signup and view all the answers

Which groups of immigrants were primarily considered 'New Immigrants' after 1880?

Southern and Eastern Europeans Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key functions of Ellis Island after its opening in 1892?

Processing immigrants Signup and view all the answers

How did immigrant children contribute to the Americanization process?

By learning to dress and act like Americans Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Statue of Liberty to immigrants?

It was a symbol of the American Dream Signup and view all the answers

What was Angel Island primarily used for?

Detaining Chinese immigrants Signup and view all the answers

Which factor was NOT a push factor for immigrants during the Gilded Age?

Employment opportunities in factories Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the American Federation of Labor (AFL)?

Advocating for higher wages and better working conditions for skilled workers Signup and view all the answers

What tactic did the Knights of Labor prefer over strikes?

Boycotts and arbitration Signup and view all the answers

Which group faced exclusion from the Knights of Labor?

Black and Asian workers Signup and view all the answers

What commonality exists among the Haymarket Affair, Homestead Strike, and Pullman Strike?

They were all strikes that escalated to violence Signup and view all the answers

What significant outcome followed the Haymarket Affair?

A public backlash against labor unions and strikes Signup and view all the answers

Who led the Pullman Strike?

Eugene Debs Signup and view all the answers

What was a major reason the Pullman Strike was ended by federal troops?

It disrupted the postal service Signup and view all the answers

What primary demand was shared by both the Knights of Labor and the AFL?

Implementing an eight-hour workday Signup and view all the answers

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.

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

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
Population growth surged between 1870-1900 with over 12 million immigrants arriving, resulting in a population exceeding 76 million by 1900.
Rapid industrialization called for more goods and a steady supply of unskilled labor, leading to industry expansion.
New immigrants primarily settled in ethnic neighborhoods where shared language, culture, and traditions thrived.
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.
Push and Pull Factors*
Push: Overcrowding, high rents, disease, religious/political persecution, social class oppression, military drafts, and economic instability drove people to leave their homelands.
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.