unit 6 Flashcards
robber baron
19th-century businessmen who were seen as ruthless monopolists. oil, steel, railroads, banking
Captain of Industry
business leaders in the 19th and early 20th centuries who were seen as innovative, forward-thinking, and beneficial to society.
Gospel of Wealth
1889 that argued wealthy individuals had a moral responsibility to use their riche. Carnegie believed that instead of passing down fortunes to heirs or hoarding wealth, the rich should invest in public goods like education, libraries, and social programs.
Social Darwinism
the idea that the strongest and most capable people, businesses, or nations will naturally succeed, while the weak will fail. It applies Charles Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest” to society and economics.
Vertical Consolidation
a business strategy where a company controls all steps of production, from raw materials to finished products. This helps reduce costs, increase efficiency, and eliminate reliance on outside suppliers.
Horizontal Consolidation
a business strategy where a company buys out or merges with competitors in the same industry to eliminate competition and dominate the market.
Explain how Monopolies are harmful
A monopoly happens when a single company controls an entire industry, meaning there is no competition. This can lead to several problems that hurt consumers, workers, and the economy.
push and pull factors for immigration
Immigration happens when people move from one country to another. This is influenced by push factors (problems that force people to leave) and pull factors (opportunities that attract them to a new place).
Ellis Island
Ellis Island was the main immigration processing center in the U.S. from 1892 to 1954, located in New York Harbor near the Statue of Liberty. Over 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island, making it one of the most important symbols of immigration in American history.
Angel island
Angel Island was an immigration station located in San Francisco Bay, operating from 1910 to 1940. It mainly processed Asian immigrants, especially from China, Japan, and other Pacific countries. Unlike Ellis Island, which welcomed most immigrants, Angel Island was known for its strict detention and harsh treatment.
Nativism
Nativism is the belief that native-born or established residents of a country are superior to immigrants and that immigration should be limited or restricted. Nativists often fear that immigrants will take jobs, change cultural traditions, or negatively impact the economy or society.
Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act was a U.S. federal law that prohibited all Chinese immigration to the United States for 10 years. It was the first major law in U.S. history that targeted a specific ethnic group and restricted immigration based on race and nationality.
Explain Working Conditions of workers during the Gilded Age
During the Gilded Age (roughly 1870–1900), working conditions for many American workers were harsh and dangerous. This period saw the rise of big corporations, rapid industrialization, and the growth of urban areas, but it also came with widespread exploitation of labor, especially in factories, mines, and railroads.
gilded
The word “gilded” means covered in a thin layer of gold or gold-colored. When we talk about the “Gilded Age” (a term coined by Mark Twain), it refers to the period in U.S. history (roughly 1870–1900) that looked shiny and prosperous on the outside but was filled with serious social, economic, and political problems beneath the surface.
Describe the differences between the knights of labor and the American Federation of Labor
The Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor (AFL) were two major labor organizations in the U.S. during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They both fought for workers’ rights but had different goals, methods, and membership.
Progressivism
addressing the problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, political corruption, and social inequality. The Progressive movement sought to make society, politics, and the economy more just, efficient, and humane.
Muckrakers
Muckrakers were investigative journalists and writers during the Progressive Era (late 19th and early 20th centuries) who exposed corruption, social injustices, and inequities in American society. The term “muckraker” was coined by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, who compared these journalists to someone who rakes through the muck (or filth) to uncover what lies beneath the surface.
How the Other Half Lives
one of the most influential works of the Progressive Era and played a critical role in raising public awareness about the harsh living conditions of the poor in New York City. The book combined photographs and journalism to depict the lives of immigrants and the urban poor living in tenement buildings.
16th, 17th, 18th, 19th Amendments
16th Amendment (1913): Allows the federal government to collect income taxes from individuals.
17th Amendment (1913): Established the direct election of U.S. senators by the people, instead of state legislatures.
18th Amendment (1919): Prohibited the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcohol (Prohibition).
19th Amendment (1920): Granted women the right to vote in all elections.
Pure Food and Drug Act
The Pure Food and Drug Act was passed in 1906 and was aimed at ensuring that food and medicines were safe, clean, and accurately labeled. It prohibited the sale of adulterated or misbranded food and drugs, requiring that products be tested and labeled properly to protect consumers from harmful ingredients or misleading claims.
Bull Moose Party
The Bull Moose Party was a political party formed in 1912 by Theodore Roosevelt after he lost the Republican nomination to William Howard Taft. Officially known as the Progressive Party, Roosevelt’s platform was centered on progressive reforms, including trust-busting, women’s suffrage, and social justice.
The Federal Reserve Act
The Federal Reserve Act was passed in 1913 and created the Federal Reserve System, which is the central banking system of the United States. The goal of the Act was to provide a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary system by controlling the nation’s money supply, regulating banks, and acting as a lender of last resort during financial crises.
Beliefs and Strategies of Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington was an influential African American leader in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His beliefs and strategies for improving the status of Black Americans focused on education, self-reliance, and gradual progress through vocational training.
Beliefs and Strategies of WEB DuBois
W.E.B. Du Bois was a leading African American intellectual and activist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His beliefs and strategies for achieving equality for Black Americans were quite different from those of Booker T. Washington. Du Bois believed in immediate civil rights, political activism, and the importance of higher education.
