Immigration Flashcards
Social Darwinism
“Survival of the Richest”. Poor people are lazy and don’t deserve help
Robber baron/captain of industry
Depending on who you ask, a person who robbed people of money or was smart about money.
Andrew Carnegie
Scottish immigrant, gets millions of dollars through an investment and invests that money in steel (US Steel). Becomes a billionaire.
Bessemer Process
Quicker and cheaper way of making steel used by Andrew Carnegie.
Vertical integration
Control all aspects of company, like the companies that provide raw materials, so you don’t have to pay anyone.
Laissez Faire
Adam Smith- the government shouldn’t get involved in the economy, it will fix itself.
Cornelius Vanderbilt
Billionaire, invests in railroads.
The Gospel of Wealth
Written by Andrew Carnegie. He knows best about where he should donate his money, while workers don’t. Wealthy people have a responsibility to the community.
John D. Rockefeller
Monopolizes US oil industry. Company- Standard Oil Trust. Did anything to drive his competitors out of business.
Horizontal Integration
Attempting to control an entire industry.
Knights of Labor
First long term, successful labor union in the US founded by Terrence Powderly. Want better working conditons, more pay, 8 hour days. Membership open to anyone. Proposed shops be run by employees.
Haymarket Square Riot
Explosion occurs at KOL union picnic and police fireat crowd. Gives KOL a bad reputation, and they decline.
American Federation of Labor
Basically create labor unions, founded by Samuel Gompers. Catered to skilled workers, want better working conditions and the ability to organize.
Homestead Steel Strike (1892)
Workers are angry about bad working conditions and decreasing pay. Government sends military and the strike becomes a battle. Ultimately, nothing improves.
Henry George
Writes Progress and Poverty- warns Americans are too optimistic about manufacturing, which will lead to poverty and divide between classes. Proposes tax on landholding.
JP Morgan
Becomes rich in the banking industry by manipulating stock and giving loans to people who can’t repay them and then selling property for more money.
What is a trust?
A monopoly
What could companies do to prevent unions/strikes?
- Hire SCABs- replacement workers
- yellow dog contract- only hire non union members
- injunction- contract that workers have to come to work
- Blacklisting or locking out workers who strike
What could workers do to protest working conditions?
- Boycotts/strikes
- Sympathy demonstration- workers from other industries go on strike
- Wildcat strike- strike without warning
Eugene V. Debs
Socialist (government should pay for everything). Thinks there shouldn’t be any poor people.
Women’s Christian Temperance Movement
Want to prohibit alcohol- when men drink, bad things happen.
Women’s Suffrage Association
Women’s suffrage movement, gained voting rights in many locations.
Sherman’s Antitrust Act
Outlaws monopolies and trusts that restrain trade, but does not clearly define what a trust is, making the law difficult to enforce.
United States vs EC Knight
Favored industrialists, did not support the antitrust movement