The End Of The Fromtier: Unites States 1890 Onwards Flashcards
What does laissez-fare mean?
“Leave it be”
emphasises importance of market forces & free competition
with minimum regulation and state interference
[Was linked to social Darwinism]
What is social Darwinism?
theory that people in society gained wealth as they were biologically superior
What was the impact of an laissez fare US government?
- expanded the economy
( steel , oil, sugar, tobacco, and railroad industry’s boomed) - created robber barons (exp: Andrew Carnegie)
- encouraged rugged individualism and self-reliance attitude
- IMPACT was dominant in America west settlement and in big rival bussines
Who was William Graham sumner?
•professor of political science at Yale university
Viewed millionaires as :
“‘-naturally selected agents of society-’”
• supported by leading churchmen & and his ideas were reinforced by individuals like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller
•and American theorist of social Darwinism
What were the consequences of the laissez fare approach to US government?
-monopolies formed
-big business merged with present and potential rivals
-big business rigged markets in favour of large scale enterprise
-big business influence state and federal government to set tariffs at level they want
-big business gained government support by ignoring there corruption and passing favourable laws
[although some industry’s; like textile and garment, that were small- medium business size, had prospered in competitive markets]
What was the reaction again laissez fare?
Pressure groups enforced antitrust legislations
• grangers movement
• knights of labour
• (1886) America federation of labour formed
Media’s reaction:
• henry Genry published “progress and poverty” (1878) book proposing abolition of private land ownership. Sold 2 million copies
• Carter adams published “the limits of laissez-faire” article in (1887)
• media has hard hitting cartoons that lampooned high and mighty bosses (Kepler artist in pak magazine )
Enforced legislations
What was the knight of labour?
(1869)
-nation wide trade union
-mid (1880s) was over 100,000 members
-leader , Terrence powder, campaigned for 8 hour work days
Involved in 1886 Haymarket revolt
•In Chicago at Haymarket square, there was a peaceful protest by union which turned into a major revolt when bombs were thrown in crowd (killing 11 people)
What regulations were passed in response to the laissez fare government?
-(1880s) 27 states (south & west) passed laws to solve corruption in cartels & trusts
-(1887) interstate commerce commission: investigated railroad companies
-(1890) Sherman antitrust act: enforce fair competition and restricted monopolies forming
Who was Fredrick Jackson and what was his views on the frontier by 1890?
He published “turner thesis” which states that the moving frontier influence had shaped American democracy (attitudes & values)
-thesis Argued that empty space of America(west) was settled and fully civilised
-America had expanded from Atlantic to Pacific Ocean
- stated free enterprise, hard work, self help, minimal government interference formed the “American character”
[Thesis ignores gender, race & class]
What were the reasons for the end of the frontier?
• transcontinental railways linked country’s together
• western states granted statehood
• west cities (San Francisco, Seattle) were modern urban centers
• Indian wars had ended
• continentalism & manifest destiny achieved
What was the US position in the world by 1890? (10)
•had achieved consolidation of territories
• rapid economic growth had been revolutionized
• there was a two party system
• it was heavily populated with immigrants
• was lots of poverty
• city’s deny populated
• rise in industrial unrest (alcohol, corrupt business)
• African American positions unresolved
• was idealism and optimism in foreign affairs
• America was ready for outward expansion
