Terms and concepts
This term coined by Mark Twain describes an era that looked prosperous on the outside but masked deep social and political issues beneath.
What is the Gilded Age?
A negative term for industrial tycoons. What are examples of negative things they did?
What are Robber Barons? Paid workers low wages, maintained poor working conditions, busted unions
What is yellow journalism?
Sensationalized, exaggerated, and often biased news reporting designed to boost newspaper circulation.
What was the Transcontinental Railroad?
A railroad linking US Atlantic and Pacific coasts, transforming trade and western settlement.
What is consumerism?
The idea that a person's wellbeing is driven by the amount of consumables they own/can access; driven by mass production, tech innovation, and this rise in buying goods.
What is Laissez-Faire capitalism?
This economic philosophy preaches that government should keep 'hands off' the economy and allow unregulated free markets.
A positive term for industrial tycoons. What are examples of positive things they did?
What are Captains of Industry? Responsible for US becoming industrial powerhouse, philanthropy
What are muckrakers?
Investigative journalists and writers who exposed corruption, monopolies, and social injustices during the Gilded Age.
What was the Dawes Severalty Act?
1887 law that aimed to assimilate Native Americans by dividing tribal lands into individual family allotments.
Name TWO major hardships faced by working-class families in Gilded Age factories.
What are long hours, low wages, unsafe conditions, or child labor?
What is Urbanization?
The rapid growth of cities and movement of large sectors of the population into cities
Why did robber barons/captains of industry often engage in philanthropy?
They believed, as the most wealthy people in society, it was their job to steward the wealth and step in when necessary to correct widespread economic disaster
What were some of the horrific conditions in the meatpacking industry exposed in Upton Sinclair's The Jungle?
Dangerous machinery, unsanitary conditions, bribing of inspectors
What was the Indian Appropriations Act?
1871 act ending the recognition of Native American tribes as independent sovereign nations by the US government.
Why were women and children forced to join the factory workforce in rapidly growing numbers?
Because adult male wages were too low to cover basic family survival/living costs.
Why did political parties form political machines?
To ensure victory; they gave citizens needed services, promises of better jobs, etc.
What is a monopoly?
Exclusive control of a commodity or service in a particular market, allowing a company to dictate prices.
Why did newspaper owners engage in yellow journalism?
To sell more newspapers -- make the stories interesting and dramatic, and people will purchase them
Why did the US military/settlers engage in conflict and war with Native Americans?
Over their land
Explain the cycle of poverty that working class people would often be trapped in during the Gilded Age.
How low wages, high company-store prices, and debt kept working-class families unable to build savings or escape poverty.
The NYC political machine infamous for massive corruption, led by William 'Boss' Tweed.
What is Tammany Hall?
What was the central contradiction of Grant's presidency?
He was pro-Reconstruction, yet passed many discriminatory laws concerning Native Americans
The practice of emphasizing shocking details at the expense of accuracy to provoke public excitement.
What is Sensationalism?
What was the Major Crimes Act?
1885 federal law extending federal court jurisdiction over serious crimes committed on Indian reservations.
Do you believe there should be government regulation in corporate/business activity?
(defend and explain)