Chapter 17: Southern Industrialization & Populism (1877-1914)

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Questions and Answers

What was a significant outcome of the Plessy v. Ferguson case?

It established voting rights for African Americans.

It abolished poll taxes in the South.

It mandated integration in public facilities.

It legalized segregation under the doctrine of separate but equal. (correct)

Which of the following was NOT a voting restriction commonly used in the South?

Literacy Test

Poll Tax

Gender Qualification (correct)

Grandfather Clause

What was the main belief of Booker T. Washington regarding African Americans?

They should only focus on education.

They should seek immediate political rights.

They should unite with white farmers.

They should prioritize economic independence. (correct)

What was one of the key demands of the Populist Party?

Regulation of railroads to lower shipping costs. Signup and view all the answers

Mary Elizabeth Lease's famous quote suggests that farmers should focus on what?

Expressing their frustrations and activism. Signup and view all the answers

What political change did the Populist Party advocate regarding presidential terms?

Restricting the President and Vice President to one term. Signup and view all the answers

What was a common belief among wealthy people and bankers regarding the Populist Party's demand for greater currency availability?

It would cause inflation. Signup and view all the answers

Who was a prominent figure in the Texan Farmers’ Alliance advocating for farmers' rights?

Mary Elizabeth Lease Signup and view all the answers

What issue did the Populists decide to focus on in the 1896 election?

Silver issue Signup and view all the answers

Which platform did William McKinley represent in the 1896 presidential election?

Gold-standard Signup and view all the answers

What was the main consequence of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

Widespread violence and destruction Signup and view all the answers

What did the Knights of Labor advocate for?

Public ownership of railroads Signup and view all the answers

Which event led to the execution of five strikers without evidence?

Haymarket Affair Signup and view all the answers

Who led the American Federation of Labor?

Samuel Gompers Signup and view all the answers

How did public opinion shift during the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

It eventually turned against the strikers due to violence. Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary demand of the American Federation of Labor?

An 8-hour work day Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Pullman Strike?

Federal troops were deployed to enforce work. Signup and view all the answers

What major event led to increased safety regulations in factories?

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Signup and view all the answers

Which political stance did the Democrats take in the 1896 election?

Pro-silver Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the Homestead Strike of 1892?

Company hired nonunion workers and ended the strike. Signup and view all the answers

How did immigrant workers affect the formation of unions?

Linguistic and ethnic differences hindered union formation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Southern Industrialization and Conflict (1877-1914)

By 1900, the South embraced industrialization, with railroads, factories, and mines emerging.
The "separate but equal" doctrine, established in Plessy v. Ferguson, legalized segregation.
Voting restrictions, including poll taxes, grandfather clauses, literacy tests, and property qualifications, disenfranchised African Americans.
Lynching was prevalent.
Booker T. Washington advocated for economic independence for Black people.
W.E.B. Du Bois championed equality and founded the NAACP.

The Populist Movement and Party

Farmers struggled to adapt to industrialization.
Organizations like The Grange, Agricultural Wheel, and Farmers' Alliance united farmers, negotiating prices and promoting rights.
Black farmers were often segregated into their own unions.
Farmers desired loose monetary policies (easy access to money), advocating for the gold and silver standard and greenbacks.
Wealthy interests opposed these policies, fearing inflation.
The Populist Party emerged from farmers' frustrations, advocating for reforms.
Key Populist demands included currency reforms (adding silver-backed dollars), increased circulation of money, regulation of railroads, a graduated income tax, the 8-hour workday, and restrictions on immigration.
The Populist Party garnered significant support (1 million votes) and won numerous local and state offices.
The 1892 presidential election saw James B. Weaver (Populist) as a serious candidate.
In the 1896 election, populists supported William Jennings Bryan's pro-silver platform.
William McKinley, on a gold standard platform, won the election.
Populist ideals lived on and influenced the Progressive movement.

Worker Protest and Organized Labor

Workers faced challenges organizing unions due to strong property rights protections by political leaders and a view of labor as a commodity with low prices.
Linguistic and ethnic differences among immigrant workers complicated union formation.
Strikes occurred in response to wage cuts and other grievances; the Great Railroad Strike served as a pivotal moment.
The Great Railroad Strike of 1877, the first major interstate strike, involved widespread violence and property damage, eventually being suppressed by federal troops.
The Knights of Labor, a diverse union, championed agricultural subsidies, equal pay for women, and an eight-hour work day.
The Haymarket Affair (1886), involving a bomb at a labor rally, resulted in the conviction of several labor activists.
The American Federation of Labor (AFL), led by Samuel Gompers, focused on immediate labor goals, like the eight-hour workday, safety, and collective bargaining. The AFL grew to 3 million members by 1924.
The Homestead Strike (1892) in a Carnegie plant resulted in violent confrontations and the defeat of the union.
The Pullman Strike (1894) led to government intervention and the rise of the Socialist Party, as led by Eugene Debs.
Mining emerged as a significant industry, fostering the formation of the United Mine Workers of America.
The Industrial Workers of the World attempted to improve conditions for all industrial workers.
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (1911) in NYC exposed dangerous working conditions, leading to safety regulations.

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Description

Explore the transformative period of Southern industrialization and the rise of the Populist Movement from 1877 to 1914. This quiz covers key developments such as economic changes, racial segregation, and the struggles of farmers during this era. Test your knowledge on influential figures and movements that shaped the South's response to industrial growth.