Immigrants
Define Nativism
Belief that native-born white Americans are superior to newcomers
What caused urban areas to grow in population?
Immigrants coming and staying in big cities or Americans leaving agricultural life for more stable jobs in the industrial cities.
What is capitalism?
The free market, minimal government involvement in business
What is a company town?
Homes, stores, and schools all owned by the business and employees are paid in scripts often that can only be used at company businesses.
What is consumerism?
Purchasing goods to impress others, purchasing more
What are 3 pull factors that brought people to the United States?
- Religious freedoms
- Economic opportunities
- Chain migration
What challenges or effects did urbanization bring?
Crowded houses or not enough houses and jobs. Poor sanitation, increased crime rates
What factors helped create a low wage labor force?
Immigrants coming in large numbers, no minimum wage, no workers protections rights
How did the ideas of socialism spread in the US?
Immigrants brought the idea with them, contributed to the rise of unions
More products available, cheaper prices, new inventions, advertisements make people want things, more jobs for people to have income to spend
What did Settlement Houses do?
Ran Americanization programs... helped immigrants learn English, and how to dress and cook like an American.
Why is mass transit important?
Cities invested in public transportation, people didn't have to live by their job or could travel places for enjoyment
What are two reasons the US economy shifted from agrarian to industrial?
Abundant natural resources, low wage labor force, capitalism, government backed business
Why is collective bargaining an effective strategy?
Power in numbers, when the workers stick together they are more likely to find success or progress
How is education impacted during the Gilded Age?
More kids go to school (urban), literacy increases, more opportunities, greater national interest in school
What caused the Chinese Exclusion Act?
Prohibit Chinese immigrants from having a path to citizenship. They were not assimilating into American society.
What solution did cities create to combat crime, housing issues, pollution, and fires?
Cities created departments --> used more tax dollars --> corruption took off but cities still have these departments today and they benefit most citizens.
How are corporations good for America?
Philanthropy, employ in large numbers, taxes, lower consumer prices, boost GNP, innovation
What are early effects of labor unions?
Minimal progress for workers, the government breaks up strikes, companies get court orders against strikers
How is entertainment of the Gilded Age connected to standard of living?
People could enjoy life more, access to events increased and it became easier to go to vaudevilles, amusement parks, concerts, etc.
Explain why new immigrants faced challenges when coming to the United States.
They stood out- different religion, language, clothes... people didn't want to compete against them for housing or jobs.
What is an example of political corruption?
Embezzling, accepting bribes, kickbacks, practicing graft
How are corporations bad for America?
Small businesses can't compete, political influence, CEO's rich but workers poor, worse customer service
What can you explain about the Pullman Strike of 1894?
Nationwide RR strike, company laid off workers and reduced wages by by 25%, Debs led strike, halted national economy and the government came in to squash the strike. Debs is jailed and Labor Day becomes a holiday.
Why does baseball become Americas pastime?
6 day work week, stadiums were accessible from the city, people could afford games