Settlement of the West
What was the Homestead Act, and who were the homesteaders? What is the significance of this act?
An act where the government gave 160 acres of land to anyone who was 21 years old and was the "head of the family" (males). Only condition was they had to work the land for 5 years. Problem was that much of the land was difficult to farm - desert conditions, very dry. When it rained, it poured and ruined the crops. The significance of this act is that it is going to increase Westward Expansion in the U.S.
What were political, technological, and economic changes when it came to American industrialism in the Gilded Age?
Political: "Laissez-faire (leave it to run itself)", the government gave land and money for railroads, government supporting businesses by providing funds, supporting increase of European immigration to eastern U.S. because they are in need of factory workers
Technological: streamlined production and the assembly line, steel is brought to the U.S. and is stronger and lighter so they are able to build skyscrapers and bridges (creation of vertical cities), not good conditions for the workers
Economic: rise of entreupreneurs with some having rags to riches stories while others had access to money
What was the cause and effect of the Chinese Exclusion Act?
Due to the opium wars in China, the Gold Rush in California, and railroad companies advertisements, there was a massive increase in Chinese immigration to the U.S. However, the Panic of 1873 caused the government to pass the Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) banning Chinese immigration. This act also punished those who brought Chinese immigrants to the U.S. and deported those who came illegally.
What is a labor union?
A labor union is an organized association of workers formed to protect and advance their rights and interests, such as fair wages, reasonable working hours, and safe working conditions.
What was the Dawes Act?
An act that destroyed tribal structure of native lands since reservations were divided up into individual land parcels. In addition, the government would only let the Native Americans back to their land if they bought back the land.
What is a monopoly and what are ways that a company can become a monopoly? Why were monopolies so bad?
A monopoly is one company that has complete control over a product/service in the market. One way to create a monopoly was horizontal integration where a company merges with/takes over its competitors. Another way a monopoly was formed was vertical integration where a company takes over its suppliers and distributors to gain total control over a product. This was bad because it led to less competition and higher prices for consumers.
What was the attitude towards immigration during the Gilded Age?
Mostly an anti-immigration sentiment with Americans being against Eastern European immigrants and the Chinese Exclusion Act banning Chinese immigrants and "protecting" American jobs and beliefs.
What were political machines and what was the order of the people running them?
An organization run by a head politician that controls the city. They used political corruption for their own gain (graft). These politicians would bribe immigrants to join these organizations and to keep voting for them. The city boss was the head of the political machine and the one who ran the city, the ward bosses were the second-in-commands and would control neighborhoods in the city, and precinct captains would control streets in neighborhoods.
What are Native American boarding schools and why were they created?
These boarding schools were government-funded, church-run schools for Native Americans in the 19th and 20th centuries. They were created to force Natives to get a "white" education, and made them give up traditions by cutting their hair, changing their clothes, and farming.
Who are captains of industry and who are some examples?
Captains of industry are positive because they use their money to help people and invest in their employees as well as support advancements and achievements. Examples are Andrew Carnegie and John Rockefeller.
What were tenements?
Apartment-like buildings that housed many immigrants at a time, creating bad living conditions.
What were the slums?
Over-crowded, poorly maintained tenements, unsanitary conditions, and high rates of disease.
What was the Transcontinental Railroad and what went into its creation? What was its significance?
The first rail line to connect the east to the pacific coast. It was created by two different railroad companies, the Central Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad, worked by Chinese and Irish immigrants respectively. It took 6 years to build the railroad and they went through terrible working conditions. The railroad helped increase towns and businesses, furthuring the establishment of the west in the U.S.
Who are robber barons?
Robber barons are negative because they take advantage of people, specifically their workers, and take money just for themselves to become extremely wealthy.
Who was Boss Tweed and what did he do?
He ran Tammany Hall as a political machine, used corrupt methods to become mayor of NYC and passed laws that benefitted him. He stole $5 billion through graft, but also helped immigrants have jobs and gain citizenship.
What was populism?
A political party during the Gilded Age that tried to challenge big business and support the common man.