Gilded Age - Quiz 1 Flashcards
1
Q
where did the term “gilded” come from and what does it mean?
A
- Mark Twain coined the term
- it means “glittering on the surface but rotten underneath”
2
Q
six characteristics of the Gilded Age
A
- greed, scandal, and corruption
- moved from a rural to an urban society
- USA emerges to a World Power
- unprecedented economic growth
- mass immigration
- unequal distribution of wealth (haves and have-nots)
- less than 1% of the population had 50% of
the wealth
- less than 1% of the population had 50% of
3
Q
how many immigrants came between 1865-1915 and why?
A
- 25 million
- to escape religious + political persecution, escape poverty, and to start a new life!
4
Q
America was known as what to the immigrants?
A
- “streets paved with gold”
- and “rags to riches”
5
Q
main type of transportation to get to America
A
- steamboats (most went steerage class (3rd) - $30)
6
Q
where did most immigrants land in the US?
A
Ellis Island NYC and San Fransisco
7
Q
Statue of Liberty
A
- “Golden Door” - poem on the base written by Emma Lazarus
- opportunity and freedom!
8
Q
steps of processing through Ellis Island
A
- Medical Inspection
- Legal Inspection (passport papers)
- only 2% were deported back
9
Q
where did the immigrants settle in America?
A
- 1/4 settled in NYC
- formed communities known as “ethnic islands” = same language and culture
10
Q
multicultural theories
A
- Melting Pot Theory - immigrant groups were expected to “melt together”, abandoning their cultures and fully assimilating in American society
- Mixed Salad Theory - metaphor for the way a multi-cultural society can integrate different cultures while maintaining separate identities
11
Q
why did children assimilate faster than adults?
A
- public school (learned American history and language)
- they wanted to fit in
12
Q
“Old Immigrants”
A
- most from Northern/Western Europe (British and German)
- before the Gilded Age
- WASPS - White Anglo Saxon Protestants
13
Q
“New Immigrants”
A
- most from Southern/Eastern Europe (Italian, Slavic, Asian, Jewish, and Irish*)
- were not welcomed at first
- job competition - worked for lower wages
- religious differences (Catholic, Jewish)
- cultural differences - didn’t fit in
overall, they “threatened the American way of life”
14
Q
Anti-Immigrant organizations
A
- Immigration Restriction League - led to Nativism and the American Party (The Know-Nothings who were designed to restrict and stop immigration)
- NINA - No Irish Need Apply
- Chinese Exclusion Act (stopped im. for 30 yrs)
- Gentleman’s Agreement (1908) - limited # of Japanese immigrants
- Immigration Act of 1917 - required them to be able to read and write English before entering
15
Q
Immigrant contributions to America
A
- provided workers for the industrialization of America
- enriched US with unique cultures, customs, language and literature
- creative Entreprenurial talents (business)
