Social and Ideological (1865-1890)

Question 1

What was the ‘melting pot’ theory?

Answer 1

The ‘melting pot’ theory assumes that many people of different cultures (so immigrants to the US) will ‘melt together’ and therefore lose their individualistic cultures and assimilate to the predominant society. America was becoming due to a high influx of immigrants entering the US from many other nations. It depicts this idea of the different cultures assimilating to the American culture whilst maintaining their diversity. This idea of homogenisation is that their cultures would be diluted but still prominent throughout the US population.

Question 2

Why was immigration to the US popular between 1865 and 1890?

Answer 2

The Statue of Liberty was a symbol of the ‘land of the free’ which aligned with the concept of the American Dream which to many immigrants entailed the idea of all people being given equal opportunity to succeed within a country which had a lot of economic opportunities. However it later becomes obvious that the American Dream was tailored to WASPs rather than all people. A second factor was immigrants who were escaping persecution and discrimination within their own countries such as Jews from Hungary, Russia, Germany etc. Also urbanisation encouraged immigrants to enter America as it seemed promising to receive work in the US. (railroad companies etc)

Question 3

Districts of large cities with a high influx of immigrants were given names such as?

Answer 3

Chinatown

Question 4

What offensive language was used against Chinese immigrants?

Answer 4

They were often described as ‘aliens.’

Question 5

By 1890 how many immigrants had entered the US?

Answer 5

Over 10 million.

Question 6

Between 1860 and 1890 how much did New York’s populations increase?

Answer 6

It doubled

Question 7

Why did the Chinese immigrate to the US in the 1860s?

Answer 7

The Railroads had formed many jobs.

Question 8

Why did the Chinese immigrate to the US in the 1870s and onwards?

Answer 8

Textiles, Tobacco and Farming

Question 9

What was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?

Answer 9

It was a law which prohibited Chinese labourers from entering the US over a 10 year period - which was later extended until the early 1900s. It was clear to ban all Chinese immigrants despite their skill and was a key factor within the Yellow Peril.

Question 10

What was the ‘Yellow Peril’ ?

Answer 10

The ‘Yellow Peril’ was a discriminatory term to depict the intolerance of Asian , particularly Chinese, immigration. It entailed both the legislation which opposed Asian immigration but also violent opposition such as the Chinese massacre of 1871.

Question 11

What was the Chinese Massacre of 1871?

Answer 11

This was a violent attack in Chinatown, Los Angeles. A mob of WASPS and Latin Americans attacked Chinese immigrants and murdered nearly 20 of them.

Question 12

Define Nativism

Answer 12

The policy of protecting the interests of native-born or established inhabitants against those of immigrants. US citizens wanted to be protected from the ‘aliens’ ways.

Question 13

What were America’s two key ideologies regarding their position in the world?

Answer 13

Isolationism and Expansionism

Question 14

Where was isolationism first established?

Answer 14

The Monroe Doctrine

Question 15

Why was isolationism up-taken by the US?

Answer 15

Following the Civil War - America felt that they needed to address their own internal issues and focus on building themselves up.

Question 16

What did the Monroe Doctrine outline?

Answer 16

America would expand within her own right and any countries which intervened with what was deemed to be American/Western land would be considered an enemy of the US.

Question 17

What was Manifest Destiny?

Answer 17

The ideology that the US’s fate was to expand. It would have huge success and these benefits would be reaped by the Americans.

Question 18

When and why was Alaska purchased by the US from Russia?

Answer 18

Alaska was purchased by the United States from the Russian Empire on March 30, 1867. This acquisition, known as the Alaska Purchase was negotiated by U.S. Secretary of State William Seward. The purchase price was $7.2 million, and amounted to the acquisition of 586,412 square miles of territory, making it one of the most significant land acquisitions in U.S. history.

Question 19

Name a farmers organisation

Answer 19

The Granger Movement

Question 20

What was the Temperance Movement ?

Answer 20

Aimed to reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption. Widely supported by women.

Question 21

What organisation for women’s suffrage was set up in 1890?

Answer 21

American Women’s Suffrage Association

Question 22

Name a radical woman who fought for women’s suffrage (1880s-90s)

Answer 22

Elizabeth Cody Stanton

Question 23

How did North and East America respond to immigration?

Answer 23

The North and East of the US was widely impacted by urbanisation and industrialisation - for example NYC, Chicago and Ohio were thriving. The railroad industry created many jobs and between 1860 and 1890 the population of NYC doubled.

Question 24

When was the Great Railroad Strike?

Answer 24

Began July 1877

Question 25

What was the Great Railroad Strike?

Answer 25

Also known as the Great Upheaval - Railroad workers in West Virginia began to strike due to the announcement of wage cuts. This rapidly spread across a multitude of states including Maryland, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia. Over 100,000 workers were on strike. President Hayes sent in troops to restore order however this resulted in approximately 1000 arrests and 100 deaths. Portrayed the importance of the railroad.

Question 26

Which regions were industrialised and urbanised most notably?

Answer 26

The North and East

Question 27

When were the Orange Riots?

Answer 27

1870 and 1871

Question 28

What were the Orange Riots of 1870 and 1871?

Answer 28

Violent conflict between Irish Protestants (members of the Orange Order - therefore called Orangemen) and Irish Catholics in Manhattan, NYC. They caused the death of over 60 civilians.

Question 29

What was ‘The New South’?

Answer 29

This term depicted the new image of the South - wanted to separate from ‘the Old South’ image - it did not economically thrive as much as the North following the Civil War due to its reliance on the agricultural market but there was further poverty due to the expense of labour following the abolishment of slavery (1865) (e.g., reliance on cotton which was worth very little).

Question 30

How was the Wild West affected by social divisions ?

Answer 30

The Wild West was gradually overtaken by the ordinary Americans from the Native Americans - supported by the government and the army (who slaughtered the buffalo). The railroads also began to take over the Wild West.

Question 31

When was the Granger Movement?

Answer 31

1867 - founded by Oliver Kelley

Question 32

What did the Granger Movement do?

Answer 32

Its goal was to unite farmers to discuss agricultural styles to reduce inefficient and costly methods - however it only gained popularity in the Wild West. The Financial Crisis of 1873 decreased its membership and farmers were crippled due to the increasing costs to export crops. The Grangers had supported Populists and Progressivists.

Question 33

How were African Americans affected by social divisions?

Answer 33

1) Great Compromise of 1877 - Union troops removed from ex-Confederate states - Southern states disenfranchised black legal rights.
2) Many AA’s became sharecroppers due to Black Codes, Grandfather Clauses and Jim Crow Laws limiting their opportunities (such as to vote)
3) 3 AA Universities were opened, Fisk, Howard and Hampton.
4) Booker T Washington - Tuskagee Institute in Alabama
5) Migration North

Question 34

What was the ‘Solid South’?

Answer 34

Term to portray the huge extent of Democratic Party support in the Southern states.

Question 35

What did the Tusakgee Institute in Alabama do?

Answer 35

In 1881, the institution provided training for AA’s into industrial trades which could support them financially.

Question 36

Summarise the Social developments between 1865 and 1890

Answer 36

-Massive social and demographic change
- Rise in populations
- Social/regional/ethnic divisions growing
- But US also had growing living standards/opportunities

Question 37

In 1865 how many people lived on farms? By 1890 how many people lived on farms?

Answer 37

10 million
25 million

Question 38

What were the Fenian Raids?

Answer 38

Raids performed by Irish-Americans who crossed the border into Canada - the US ignored this as they blamed Canada - as a byproduct as their blame for Britain as a result of their aid of the Confederate states in the US Civil War.