Immigration
Why did immigration increase in the late 1800s?
Overcrowding and poverty in Europe. Manufacturing boom in the United States created many jobs.
Why did labor unions emerge in the late 1800s?
Government did not do anything to rein in the abuses of big business so workers realized their only power came in joining together.
European immigration was the biggest factor for why cities in the Northeast and Midwest had big increases in population? What were some other reasons?
Why do consumers dislike monopolies?
With little competition companies could raise prices as they wished and have poor customer service.
What were the major innovations of the Second Industrial Revolution? Name two
Telegraph, telephone, electricity, gasoline powered engine, steel.
Where were most immigrants from 1890 to 1920 coming from and where did they go to in the United States?
Most came from Southern and Eastern Europe and ended up in cities in the Northeast and Midwest.
What is the difference between a market economy (capitalism) and a planned economy (socialism) ?
Market economy private business decides what to produce and goods are privately owned in a command economy goods and business are controlled by the government.
What were some of the problems in the sudden urbanization of America? think what were problems in the cities
Crime rises, rise of tenement housing (unsafe) cities dirty. Growing gap between the rich and poor.
What is vertical integration, and how is it different than horizontal integration?
Vertical a company owns and manages all steps of production. (Andrew Carnegie) Horizontal a company buys other companies doing the same thing until it is essentially a monopoly. (John Rockefeller)
How did the patent system contribute to industrialization?
It protected inventors ideas from being stolen helping lead to a big increase in new inventions.
Why was Chinese immigration stopped in 1882?
The Chinese Exclusion act of 1882 banned new immigrants from China. Law passed after growing anger toward Chinese immigrants working for less money and racism.
What were the main goals of labor unions in the late 19th century?
Improve working conditions including better pay, ending child labor workers compensation laws.
What was a political machine and why were they considered to be dishonest?
Political machines were groups of officials who controlled city and state politics and belonged to the same party. They took bribes from others, rigged elections, got tips that enabled them to cheat the city of money.
What was government's relationship with big business during the Gilded Age?
Laissez-faire. The government did not regulate the market allowing big businesses to grow. They did pass tariffs (taxes on foreign goods) to protect business.
What was Henry Flagler's biggest contribution to Florida around the turn of the 20th century?
His Florida East Coast Railway connecting the state and helping spur tourism and farmers business. (He also is known for hotels but railway is more important for Florida.)
How was Japanese immigration drastically slowed down around 1908?
A Gentleman's agreement was made between Teddy Roosevelt and Japan limiting Japanese immigration to relatives of people already here.
How was the Knights of Labor different from the American Federation of Labor? Why did they decline in the late 19th century?
The Knights of Labor had a broader focus representing all workers in a factory including women and minorities called for equal pay oof sexes as well. They decline after being blamed during the Haymarket Riot when a member was accused of killing police officers.
What positive contributions did political machines make?
They helped immigrants with basic needs like food, shelter and jobs. (of course the immigrants had to vote for them!
Why was the Sherman Anti Trust Act of 1890 signed?
To stop the growth of monopolies and try to ensure competition in industries. (Although in practice it would not be effective for over a decade.)
Many of the robber barons (or captains of industry) justified their wealth by their belief in Social Darwinism. What does a Social Darwinist believe.
They use Charles Darwin's survival of the fittest principle and apply it to humans. Justifies not spending money on the poor as it is rewarding bad behavior.
What is a nativist and what were some of their reasons for their beliefs?
Nativist dislikes immigrant due to working for less money, different culture (religion language etc.) In response to these beliefs the National Origins Act was passed in 1924 greatly immigrating immigration.
Why was the Homestead and Pullman Strikes a failure for unions?
Both ended with the unions being disbanded after violence against detectives (Homestead) and Strikebreakers (Pullman) the violence lead to a temporary decline in popularity for unions.
Why was Boss Tweed considered the most infamous political machine boss?
Thomas Nast cartoons satirized him he also seriously overcharged for city projects and stole over 200 million from the NY treasury.
How did Madame C.J. Walker contribute to American life?
She was the first African American female millionaire, and she made hair care products for black women.