Chapter 6 Urban America 1865-1896 Flashcards
steerage
the cheapest accommodations on a steamship
Ellis Island
A tiny island in New York Harbor. Home of a large building that served as a processing center for immigrants arriving from europe after 1892
Angel Island
Barracks in california for asian immigrants
Chinese Exclusion Act
Law passed in 1882 that barred Chinese immigration for 10 years and prevented the chinese already in america from becoming citizens
Louis Sullivan
Chicago Architect who mainly contributed to the creation of Skyscrapers
Political machine
An informal political group designed to gain and keep power. Provided jobs, housing, food, heat, and police protection in exchange for votes.
Graft
Fraud- getting money through dishonest or questionable ways.
William “Boss” Tweed
Leader of Tammany Hall, the new york city democratic political machine. Tweeds corruptness led to a prison sentence.
Individualism
many americans believed that No matter how humble their origins, they could rise in society and go as far as their talents and commitment would take them
Jacob Riis
A Danish-born journalist
Nativism
extreme dislike of immigrants by native-born people
Skyscrapers
tall, steel frame buildings
tenements
apartments that were crowded by working class families
party bosses
people who ran political machines and controlled the city’s finances
George Plunkitt
One of New York’s most powerful party bosses, that defended what he called “honest graft”
Gilded Age
a period between 1870 and 1900 where there was transformation in the economy, technology, government, and social customs of America
Gospel of wealth
Andrew Carnegies version of social Darwinism that was much gentler.
Mark Twain
American Writer
Settlement House
Reformers established settlement houses in poor, heavily immigrant neighborhoods. A settlement house was a community center where reformers resided and provided medical care and english classes
Americanization
Immigrant children were taught english and learned about american history and culture
Philanthropy
the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes
Social Gospel
a movement that worked to better conditions in cities according to the biblical ideals of charity and justice
Jane Addams
creator of the Hull House and a activist, reformer, social worker, sociologist, public administrator and author
populism
a movement to increase farmer’s political power and to work for legislation in interest
William McKinley
The governor of Ohio, later elected president
cooperatives
marketing organizations that try to increase prices and lower costs for their members
Lynchings
Hangings without proper court proceedings
William Jennings Bryan
a strong supporter of silver that lost the presidential election to McKinley
W. E. B. Du Bois
the leader of a new generation of African American activists that fought for civil rights
Jim crow laws
laws that enforced discrimination
Greenbacks
paper currency that could not be exchanged for silver or gold.
deflation
an increase in the value of money and decrease in price of goods.
Farmers alliance
American agrarian movement during the 1870s and ’80s that sought to improve the economic conditions for farmers through the creation of cooperatives and political advocacy. The movement was made up of numerous local organizations that coalesced into three large groupings.
Graduated income tax
Taxed higher earnings more heavily
William McKinley
The governor of ohio, later elected president
segregation
Separation of the races
Ida B. Wells
A woman that launched a crusade against lynching
W. E. B. Du Bois
the leader of a new generation of African American activists
Booker T. Washington
Most famous African american of the 1900’s. He proposed that African Americans should focus on achieving economic goals rather than political ones.
