Final - Gilded Age Flashcards
Frederick Jackson Turner’s Frontier Thesis
DEFINITION: Turner proposed that the frontier, as a dynamic process of westward expansion, was responsible for fostering a spirit of individualism, democracy, and egalitarianism among American settlers. He argued that the challenges of frontier life, including the need for self-reliance, the absence of traditional social hierarchies, and the encounter with vast, untamed wilderness, led to the development of unique American traits.
SIGNIFICANCE: Turner’s thesis resonated with the ideology of manifest destiny, which held that it was the inherent destiny of the United States to expand across the North American continent. Additionally, the notion that the United States had successfully tamed and civilized the frontier, overcoming its challenges and obstacles, contributed to the perception of American exceptionalism as a beacon of progress and opportunity.
Ragged Dick (Horatio Alger)
DEFINITION: “Ragged Dick” is a novel written by Horatio Alger, Jr., first published in 1867. It tells the story of a young bootblack named Dick Hunter, who rises from poverty to middle-class respectability through hard work, perseverance, and personal virtues.
SIGNIFICANCE: Alger’s narratives often idealized the virtues of thrift, industry, and honesty while overlooking systemic barriers to success such as poverty, discrimination, and inequality. “Ragged Dick” had a significant impact on popular culture, shaping perceptions of the American Dream which became synonymous with the concept of self made success. It influenced attitudes towards the poor which, during the Progressive Era, morphed into progressive imperialism.
Nativism
DEFINITION: Nativism refers to the political ideology or movement that prioritizes the interests of native-born or established inhabitants of a country over those of immigrants. It often manifests as hostility or prejudice toward immigrants, particularly those perceived as threats to the cultural, economic, or social status quo of the native population.
SIGNIFICANCE: Nativist sentiment has influenced immigration policies and legislation throughout American history. In response to nativist pressures, the United States implemented restrictive immigration laws aimed at limiting the influx of certain immigrant groups deemed undesirable or threatening to the social fabric of the nation. Nativist movements have sometimes served as vehicles for broader political agendas, mobilizing support around issues of immigration, nationalism, and cultural preservation. Nativist rhetoric and policies may be exploited by political leaders to appeal to certain constituencies or to advance particular policy objectives.
EXAMPLE: Chinese Exclusion Act - which was the first significant law restricting immigration into the United States. The act specifically targeted Chinese laborers and prohibited their immigration for ten years, making it the first law to ban a specific ethnic group from immigrating to the United States. It lasted from 1882 to 1943!
Progressive Movement
DEFINITION: The Progressive Movement aimed to reform political institutions to make them more responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens.
SIGNIFICANCE: The Progressive Movement left a lasting legacy on American society and politics, shaping the modern regulatory state and laying the groundwork for many of the social welfare programs and reforms that define the American welfare state today. However, it was not without its limitations and contradictions as demonstrated through acts of progressive imperialism.
EXAMPLE: Tours of slums often inspired social reform and advocacy efforts aimed at addressing the root causes of poverty and improving living conditions for the urban poor. Reformers used their firsthand experiences to mobilize public support for measures such as housing reform, sanitation improvements, and social welfare programs. However, it’s important to note that some tours of slums also had elements of sensationalism, with participants drawn to the spectacle of urban poverty and suffering. Media coverage of slum tours sometimes sensationalized the conditions of poverty and contributed to negative stereotypes of urban residents.
Lochner v. New York, 1905
DEFINITION: “Lochner v. New York” refers to a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1905. The case revolved around a New York state law, which regulated the working hours of bakery employees, limiting their workweek to no more than 10 hours per day. The plaintiff, Joseph Lochner, operated a bakery in Utica, New York, and was charged with violating the law by allowing one of his employees to work longer hours.
SIGNIFICANCE: COURT DECIDES WORKERS’ HOURS CANNOT BE LIMITED BY THE STATE. The Supreme Court held that the regulation was not a legitimate exercise of the state’s police powers to protect public health or safety, as claimed by the state of New York, but instead constituted an unconstitutional infringement on individual economic liberties. The decision in “Lochner” was met with significant criticism from progressives, labor advocates, and legal scholars who viewed it as judicial activism and a barrier to social and economic reform. Critics argued that the Court’s decision undermined efforts to improve working conditions, protect labor rights, and address social inequalities.
Muller v. Oregon
DEFINITION: “Muller v. Oregon” refers to a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1908. The case involved a challenge to an Oregon state law, which limited the working hours of women in factories and laundries to ten hours per day. Curt Muller, a laundry owner, was fined for violating the law by requiring a female employee to work longer hours.
SIGNIFICANCE: COURT DECIDES STATE CAN LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF HOURS WORKED. The Court accepted the argument that women’s biological differences, including their capacity for maternity and their physical frailty, warranted special protections in the form of working hour limitations.
19th Amendment (Suffrage)
DEFINITION: The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1920, granted American women the right to vote.
SIGNIFICANCE: The enfranchisement of women fundamentally altered the political landscape of the United States. Women voters began to influence political agendas, advocate for policies addressing women’s issues, and participate in civic engagement at local, state, and national levels. Their inclusion brought attention to a wider range of perspectives and priorities in policymaking.
EXAMPLE: One notable example is the presidential election of 1924. Political parties and candidates took notice of this demographic shift and tailored their campaigns to appeal to women voters. Issues such as education, healthcare, and social welfare, which had long been championed by women’s organizations, gained prominence in political discourse.
Eugene Debs
DEFINITION: Eugene Debs was a prominent American labor leader, socialist, and five-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America.
SIGNIFICANCE: He helped to bring issues of economic inequality and class struggle to the forefront of American politics during a time of rapid industrialization and social change. While he never won the presidency, his campaigns helped to popularize socialist ideas in the United States and laid the groundwork for later progressive movements.
Wilson’s War Message (WWI)
DEFINITION: Wilson’s War Message refers to the address delivered by President Woodrow Wilson to the United States Congress on April 2, 1917, urging them to declare war on Germany during World War I.
SIGNIFICANCE: Wilson framed America’s entry into the war in idealistic terms, emphasizing the moral imperative of defending democracy and protecting the rights of all nations. Wilson’s rhetoric emphasized ideals like democracy and the rights of nations, but his administration’s policies often fell short of those ideals, particularly in terms of racial equality. For example, during Wilson’s presidency, segregation was reinforced in federal offices, with African American employees being segregated from their white counterparts. Additionally, Wilson did not support suffrage for women or civil rights for African Americans.
Robert LaFollette
DEFINITION: Robert LaFollette, also known as “Fighting Bob,” was a prominent American politician who served as the Governor of Wisconsin and later as a U.S. Senator.
SIGNIFICANCE: He believed in using government as a tool for social justice and worked tirelessly to enact legislation that would benefit the common people. As Governor of Wisconsin, LaFollette implemented what became known as the “Wisconsin Idea,” which aimed to apply progressive principles to government administration. He sought to make government more responsive to the needs of the people by promoting ideas such as regulation of utilities, conservation, and workers’ compensation. His efforts helped pave the way for important reforms of the Progressive Era, such as the establishment of the Federal Trade Commission and the passage of the Clayton Antitrust Act.
Harry Lane
DEFINITION: Harry Lane was an American politician and physician who served as a U.S. Senator from Oregon from 1913 until his death in 1917.
SIGNIFICANCE: Lane’s significance lies in his advocacy for progressive causes and his unique position as one of the few senators to openly oppose U.S. involvement in World War I. He was one of only six senators to vote against the declaration of war in 1917, earning him both praise and criticism. Lane’s stance against the war reflected his commitment to peace and his belief in non-interventionism.
Anti-German Sentiment
DEFINITION: Anti-German sentiment refers to negative attitudes, prejudices, or hostility directed towards people of German descent or German culture.
SIGNIFICANCE: This hatred led to policies such as Prohibition, due to Germans being the largest supplier of alcohol
Anti-Russian Sentiment
DEFINITION: Anti-Russian sentiment refers to negative attitudes, prejudices, or hostility directed towards people of Russian descent or Russian culture.
SIGNIFICANCE: Fear of communism and the Soviet Union’s expansionist policies fueled negative perceptions of Russia and its people in the West. Russian immigrants and Russian-Americans faced suspicion and discrimination, often being associated with the policies of the Soviet government. - RED SCARE, 1919
Great Migration
DEFINITION: The Great Migration refers to the period in American history, particularly between 1916 and 1970, during which millions of African Americans moved from the rural Southern United States to urban areas in the North, Midwest, and West.
SIGNIFICANCE: The migration provided Northern industries with a large pool of labor, contributing to the growth of urban economies and industrial sectors. While the Great Migration offered opportunities for economic, political and social advancement, African Americans still faced discrimination, segregation, and challenges in accessing housing, education, and employment in their new urban environments. The migration contributed to the development of racial tensions and urban inequalities that persisted in Northern cities.
Red Scare, 1919
DEFINITION: The Red Scare of 1919 refers to a period of intense anti-communist and anti-radical hysteria in the United States, following the end of World War I and the Russian Revolution of 1917.
SIGNIFICANCE: The Red Scare was the result of anti-Russian sentiment.
18th Amendment (Prohibition)
DEFINITION: The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1919, prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages within the United States.
SIGNIFICANCE: Prohibition gave rise to a culture of rebellion and defiance against government regulations. It led to the rise of speakeasies, illegal alcohol production, and organized crime. Additionally, the law failed to significantly decrease alcohol consumption, as many Americans continued to drink despite the ban.
National German American Alliance
DEFINITION: The National German American Alliance (NGAA) was established in 1901 to advocate for the interests of German Americans and to promote German culture and heritage in the United States.
SIGNIFICANCE: During periods of heightened anti-German sentiment, such as World War I, the NGAA actively defended the rights and reputation of German Americans. It condemned discrimination and sought to counter negative stereotypes perpetuated by the wartime propaganda.
Wickersham Commission
DEFINITION: The Wickersham Commission was created to investigate the effectiveness of law enforcement in the United States during the Prohibition era, a time marked by widespread illegal alcohol production and distribution, as well as organized crime.
SIGNIFICANCE: While Prohibition was still in effect at the time of the commission’s investigations, its findings contributed to the growing sentiment that Prohibition was unenforceable and ultimately led to its repeal in 1933 with the ratification of the 21st Amendment.
Al Capone
DEFINITION: Al Capone was an infamous American gangster who rose to prominence during the Prohibition era of the 1920s.
SIGNIFICANCE: Capone effectively controlled organized crime in Chicago during his reign. He built a vast empire through the illegal distribution of alcohol during Prohibition, effectively monopolizing the market. He also controlled brothels, gambling houses, and other illicit businesses, amassing immense wealth and power in the process. Symbol of why Prohibition was unenforceable.
Harlem Renaissance
DEFINITION: The Harlem Renaissance refers to a flourishing of African American art, literature, music, and culture that took place primarily during the 1920s in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. It was a significant cultural movement that emerged in the aftermath of the Great Migration.
SIGNIFICANCE: The Harlem Renaissance had important implications for the civil rights movement and the struggle for racial equality. Through their art and activism, Harlem Renaissance figures challenged racial injustice and advocated for social change, laying the groundwork for the activism of later generations.
The Crowd, 1928
DEFINITION: “The Crowd” is a landmark silent film directed by King Vidor, released in 1928. It tells the story of an ordinary man named John Sims who moves to New York City with dreams of success but faces various challenges and setbacks.
SIGNIFICANCE: It offers insight into the societal changes occurring during the early 20th century, such as the rise of consumer culture, the challenges of upward mobility, and the tension between individualism and conformity.
Model T
DEFINITION: Model T was the first mass-produced car that was affordable for the average American consumer.
SIGNIFICANCE: The widespread availability of the Model T transformed American society in numerous ways. It facilitated greater mobility, allowing people to travel more easily and widely for work, leisure, and visiting family. This, in turn, spurred the growth of suburbs and the development of infrastructure like roads and highways. The principles of mass production pioneered by Ford became a model for other industries, leading to increased efficiency and productivity.
“The Automobile Comes to Middletown, USA,” 1929
DEFINITION: “The Automobile Comes to Middletown, USA” refers to the impact of automobile ownership and usage on an average American town, symbolized by the fictional town of Middletown, USA, in the year 1929.
SIGNIFICANCE: The automobile industry fueled consumer culture, with cars becoming symbols of status and identity. The widespread availability of automobiles in Middletown, USA, reflected broader shifts towards mass consumerism and the idea of the American Dream, where owning a car represented personal freedom and success.
Planned Obsolescence
DEFINITION: Planned obsolescence is a business strategy where products are intentionally designed to have a limited lifespan or become outdated within a specific period, encouraging consumers to replace them frequently.
SIGNIFICANCE: Firstly, it transformed consumer culture by promoting a disposable mentality, encouraging people to constantly upgrade to the latest versions of products, contributing to a cycle of consumption and waste. Secondly, it fueled economic growth by driving continuous sales, stimulating production, and fostering innovation as companies competed to introduce newer, more desirable products. However, it also raised ethical concerns regarding sustainability, resource depletion, and environmental impact, as the disposal of obsolete products contributes to pollution and landfill overcrowding.
Installment Buying
DEFINITION: Installment buying refers to a purchasing arrangement where a consumer buys a product or service by making a series of partial payments over time, rather than paying the entire cost upfront.
SIGNIFICANCE: Installment buying played a crucial role in driving economic growth during periods of industrialization and prosperity. By enabling consumers to afford goods beyond their immediate purchasing power, it stimulated demand for durable goods such as automobiles, appliances, and furniture, thereby boosting production and creating jobs. The widespread adoption of installment buying laid the groundwork for the modern credit system.
