Inventions/Big Business
This invention helped extend the working day and increase production
The lightbulb
What is a monopoly? Why are they considered bad?
When a single person or business controls an entire market. They are bad because they decrease competition between businesses.
The terms that refers to the act of prioritizing those who were born in a country over immigrants
Nativism
What is urbanization?
When there is a growth in urban living and populations within urban areas
Promised 160 acres of land to families that traveled west to begin growing and settling the land
Homestead Act
When railroads began charging high prices the government stepped in and created the Interstate Commerce Act. What was the purpose of this Act?
To regulate railroad prices across the country.
What was the purpose of labor unions? Why did many laborers begin to join these organizations?
They fought for the rights and protections of workers, demanding higher wages and better working conditions
What was the result of rapid urbanization on society?
People were living in bad conditions due to the cities being unable to keep up with the rapid increase in population.
Which areas saw an increase industrialization?
Urban (city) areas
The term used to describe the US belief that they were destined to expand across North America to the west
Manifest Destiny
Why would big businesses be in favor of Laissez faire economics?
The less government intervention, the more investment and growth that the businesses could have. (less regulation meant less rules for the business)
The term used for a person who donates large amounts of money
Philanthropist
Describe some of the pull factors that people considered when immigrating to the United States
Job opportunities, religious freedoms, political freedom, etc
Why did industrialization also lead to the rise of urbanization?
As more factories and jobs were created, more people began moving to the cities
What was the goal of the US government when they passed the Homestead Act?
To encourage migration to the west and encourage western settlement
What would have been the ulterior motive for businesses to donate to political groups/members
To obtain an influence on those who are part of the political process and the laws that are created
What was a major result of the strikes and protests that labor unions and workers began having against their employers?
The federal government finally began to get involved and they eventually stepped in to begin passing laws that protected the rights of workers.
Why did immigrants tend to stay in or around large cities when they first moved to the country?
They needed to be in an area where jobs were readily available
Political Machines and Bosses were know for doing this to get votes and obtain political power. What groups of people did they typically target?
They targeted new immigrants and people living in poverty by bribing and making promises for supplies that were needed in exchange for votes
To assimilate the Natives and "Americanize" them
What inventions helped created steel at a faster rate which resulted in steel becoming more available and led to the creation of taller buildings and bridges
The Bessemer Process
What was a major concern people had when it came to Big Businesses and their relationship with the government?
EX: Why would people be worried/upset that the govt went to JP Morgan to ask for money?
People were worried that big business owners would gain too much influence within the government and the policies they created
The Chinese Exclusion Act was an example of...
Anti immigration feelings and Nativism
Why did the US government begin to require people to pass a Civil Service Exam before they could work a government position? (Political machines and political bosses were accused of doing this)
People in power were giving government jobs to people they knew rather than to the most qualified people.
The name of the Act/Law that intended to split up tribal lands
Dawes Act