Period 6 1865-1900 2/12/2024 Flashcards
What literary movement is characterized by writers who focused on greed, violence, and racism in America?
Realism
Writers associated with this movement include Bret Harte and Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens).
Which writers are known for their focus on how emotions and experience shaped human experience?
Stephen Crane and Jack London
These authors are associated with the Naturalism movement.
Name three painters who contributed to the movements of realism and impressionism.
Winston Homer, Thomas Eakin, and James Whistler
These artists used different techniques to achieve their artistic goals.
What architectural approach shifted focus from classical Greek and Roman styles?
Buildings were being built based on function
This marked a significant change in architectural design.
What types of musical institutions were prevalent in large cities during this period?
Orchestras and opera houses
Most large cities had either one or both of these musical institutions.
Where did Jazz and Blues music originate?
New Orleans
This genre of music provided an outlet for African Americans.
What were two major newspapers that became huge sellers?
New York World and New York Journal
These newspapers were associated with Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst respectively.
Which magazine was noted as a great way to advertise?
Ladies’ Home Journal
This magazine played a significant role in advertising during its time.
What factors contributed to people having more time to enjoy life?
- Less hours worked
- Improved transportation
These factors allowed for increased leisure time for the public.
Name a famous circus that was popular during this period.
Barnum & Bailey Circus
This circus was one of the most famous and influential in American history.
What types of sports became popular during this time?
- Amateur Sports
- Spectator Sports
- Boxing
- Baseball
- Football
These sports garnered significant attention and participation from the public.
True or False: The New York Journal was associated with Joseph Pulitzer.
False
The New York Journal was associated with William Randolph Hearst.
Fill in the blank: Newspapers such as the New York World and the New York Journal were selling _______.
millions of copies
These newspapers achieved remarkable sales figures during their peak.
Who coined the term Gilded Age?
Mark Twain in 1873
The term was the title of a book by Twain.
What does the term Gilded Age refer to?
The superficial glitter of new wealth in the late 19th century
It highlights the disparity between wealth and the underlying social issues.
What was notable about the presidents during the Gilded Age?
They were forgettable and none served more than 2 consecutive terms
This period was marked by political instability and ineffectiveness.
What problems did presidents during the Gilded Age largely ignore?
Problems arising from the growth of cities and industry
This neglect contributed to various social issues, including labor unrest and urban poverty.
What were the factors accounting for the complacency and conservatism of the era?
The prevailing political ideology, campaign tactics of the two parties, party patronage
These factors contributed to a lack of political change despite existing issues.
What was one reason people did not want political change during the era?
People were happy with their situation
This satisfaction led to resistance against political changes despite issues like immigration and the economy.
Fill in the blank: The prevailing political ideology of the time contributed to _______.
[complacency and conservatism]
True or False: The campaign tactics of the two parties had no impact on political change during the era.
False
List three factors that led to the stalemate during the era.
- The prevailing political ideology
- Campaign tactics of the two parties
- Party patronage
What role did party patronage play in the political landscape of the era?
It contributed to complacency and conservatism
Party patronage often leads to favoritism and a lack of accountability.
Fill in the blank: Despite issues like immigration and the economy, people were _______ with their situation.
[happy]
What is the idea of a ‘do-little’ government?
A government that takes minimal action and interferes little in the economy or society.
This concept aligns with laissez-faire economics and Social Darwinism.
What two popular ideas were in tune with the belief in limited government?
- Laissez-faire economics
- Social Darwinism
These ideas advocate for minimal government intervention in economic and social matters.
How did federal courts interpret the government’s powers regarding business regulation?
They narrowly interpreted the government’s powers.
This interpretation limited the effectiveness of regulatory laws passed by Congress.
What was the impact of the federal courts’ narrow interpretation of government powers?
It limited the impact of the new regulatory laws that Congress did pass.
This resulted in a weaker regulatory framework for businesses.
What was a reason that Republicans and Democrats avoided taking strong positions on issues between 1876 and 1892?
Close elections
During the majority of the general elections between 1876 and 1892, which party controlled the House of Representatives?
Democrats
What was the result of the political landscape between 1876 and 1892?
Divided government except for two years (1889-1891)
When did Republicans control both Congress and the Presidency?
1889-1891
What was the primary objective of campaigns during closely matched elections?
Get out the vote & not alienate voters
What were some characteristics of campaigns during this period?
- Bands
- Flags
- Buttons
- Picnics
- Free drink
- Crowd-pleasing speeches
Where was the Republican party usually organized during this time?
On the state level
Where was the Democratic party usually organized during this time?
In the cities
What was ironic about the issue-free campaigns?
They brought out nearly 80% of eligible voters for presidential elections
What factors often connected with voters’ turnout?
- Strong party identification
- Loyalty
- Regional ties
- Religious ties
- Ethnic ties
What historical figure is the Republican Party associated with due to its antislavery past?
Lincoln
Who primarily supported the Republican Party?
Men in business and middle-class, Anglo-Saxon Protestants
What economic program did Republicans support?
High protective tariffs for business
Why did the middle class support the Republicans?
They wanted change and liked the reform mentality
What party’s legacy did Republicans remain rooted in?
Whig Party
What demographic group did Republicans maintain votes from due to their antislavery past?
Reformers & African Americans
Fill in the blank: The Republican Party is known as the party of _______.
Lincoln
True or False: The Republican Party’s strength primarily came from the working class.
False
What party could count upon winning every election in the former states of the Confederacy after 1877?
Democrats
Until when was the South solidly Democratic?
Mid-20th century
In the North, what groups contributed to Democratic strength?
Big-city political machines and the immigrant vote
Which religious groups were often part of the Democratic Party?
Catholics, Lutherans, and Jews
What did Democrats object to during the Gilded Age?
Temperance and prohibition crusades
What political beliefs did Democrats of the Gilded Age hold?
States’ rights and limited powers for the federal government
What was the primary focus of politics when no party had an active legislative agenda?
Holding office & providing government jobs to loyal party members
This reflects the practice of party patronage, where political power was often about rewarding supporters with jobs rather than enacting policies.
Who became a power leader of the Republican Party in New York?
Senator Roscoe Conkling
Conkling was influential in determining appointments within the Republican ranks.
What role did Senator Conkling play in the New York Customs House?
Dictated who would be appointed to lucrative jobs
This highlights the control Conkling had over patronage jobs within the party.
What were Senator Conkling and his supporters known as?
The Stalwarts
The Stalwarts were a faction within the Republican Party that supported traditional patronage.
Who led the rival faction to the Stalwarts in the Republican Party?
James Blaine
Blaine led the Halfbreeds, who competed for patronage jobs.
What was more important than policy issues within the Republican Party during the patronage era?
Who was able to get the patronage jobs
This indicates the extent to which patronage influenced political dynamics.
What term was used to describe Republicans who did not engage in the patronage system?
‘Mugwumps’
Mugwumps were seen as indecisive or neutral, as they did not participate in the patronage game.
Why were they called ‘Mugwumps’?
Because their ‘mugs’ were on one side of the fence & ‘wumps’ on the other side
The term reflects their perceived indecision and lack of commitment to either faction.
Who was Rutherford B. Hayes?
The 19th President of the United States who ended Reconstruction by withdrawing troops from the South.
He aimed to restore integrity to the government after the corruption of Grant’s administration.
What significant action did Rutherford B. Hayes take regarding Reconstruction?
He ended Reconstruction by withdrawing troops from the South.
This action effectively allowed Southern states to regain control over their own governments.
What was Rutherford B. Hayes’s stance on Chinese immigration?
He vetoed efforts to restrict Chinese immigration.
Hayes believed in maintaining an open immigration policy.
Who was James Garfield?
The 20th President of the United States who faced significant pressure for federal jobs during his early weeks in office.
He was besieged by 100,000 Republicans seeking jobs.
What event led to James Garfield’s death?
He was shot in the back by a deranged job seeker while boarding a train.
Garfield succumbed to his injuries 11 weeks later.
Who took office after James Garfield’s death?
Chester Arthur.
Arthur was Garfield’s vice president and succeeded him after his assassination.
Fill in the blank: Rutherford B. Hayes wanted to re-establish an honest government after _______.
Grant’s corrupt administration.
This reflects Hayes’s commitment to reform and integrity in governance.
What was the context of unemployment during James Garfield’s presidency?
There was a lot of unemployment and immigrants were taking jobs.
This situation created a high demand for federal jobs among Republicans.
Who was Chester Arthur?
The 21st President of the United States
What significant bill did Chester Arthur support?
A bill to reform civil service
What was the main focus of the civil service reform bill supported by Chester Arthur?
To expand the number of government employees based on qualifications rather than political connections
What did Chester Arthur approve the development of?
A modern American Navy
What economic policy did Chester Arthur question?
The high protective tariff
True or False: Chester Arthur was an active president who accomplished many reforms.
False
Who did the Republicans nominate in the election of 1884?
Senator James Buchanan
James Buchanan was a prominent politician, but he was not the nominee in 1884; the Republicans actually nominated James G. Blaine.
Who did the Democrats nominate in the election of 1884?
Former NY Governor Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland was the only U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms.
What qualities were attributed to Grover Cleveland that contributed to his election?
Honest and incorruptible
Cleveland’s reputation for integrity played a significant role in his appeal to voters.
What was significant about Grover Cleveland’s election in 1884?
He was the first Democrat elected since James Buchanan in 1856
This marked a notable shift in American politics after a long period of Republican dominance.
What did Cleveland believe in regarding government?
Frugal and limited government in the tradition of Thomas Jefferson
This reflects a classical liberal philosophy emphasizing minimal government intervention.
What significant action did Cleveland take concerning civil service?
Implemented a new civil service system
This aimed to reduce corruption and increase efficiency in government jobs.
What type of bills did Cleveland veto?
Private pension bills for those falsely claiming to have served or injured in the War
This reflects Cleveland’s commitment to honesty and integrity in government.
What was the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887?
The federal government’s first effort to regulate business
This law aimed to address issues of unfair practices by railroads.
What was the purpose of the Dawes Act of 1887?
Reformers hoped it would benefit Native Americans
The act aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by allotting them individual plots of land.
What did the laws retrieving 81 million acres of government land target?
Cattle ranchers and the railroads
These laws aimed to reclaim land for public use and reduce monopolistic practices.
