Unit 6 1865-1900 2/3/2025 Flashcards
What caused the standard way of living shift in the U.S. and what was the new standard?
The growth of the American industry
The standard was having these new inventions
What was the impact of the growth of American industry on the standard of living?
Raised the standard of living for most people
However, it also created sharper economic and class divisions.
By the 1890s, what percentage of the nation’s wealth did the richest 10% control?
90%
This indicates significant economic inequality.
Who were some of the new class of wealth during this period?
Vanderbilts
They had summer homes in Newport, RI.
What is the Horatio Alger Myth?
An author who wrote about a young man who became rich and successful through honesty, hard work, and a little luck
This myth was popularized by the author’s novels, which sold more than a million copies.
In reality, how many people experienced the rags-to-riches story depicted in the Horatio Alger Myth?
Few
The story often does not reflect the actual experiences of most individuals.
What was the typical profile of a wealthy business person during this time?
White, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant male from an upper or middle-class background
This indicates the social and ethnic homogeneity among the wealthy.
What was the purpose of the Horatio Alger novels?
To make people hopeful for a wealthier life
This reflects a broader societal belief in the possibility of upward mobility.
What was the primary reason for the growth of the middle class?
Growth of corporations provided a need for white-collar workers
This growth was driven by the expansion of business operations and the demand for various professional roles.
What role did middle management play in corporations?
Middle management was needed to coordinate the operations between the chief executives and the factories
This coordination was essential for effective communication and operational efficiency.
Which types of jobs contributed to the expansion of the middle class?
Jobs for accountants, clerical workers, and salespersons
These roles were critical in supporting corporate functions and driving business growth.
By 1900, what fraction of all working Americans worked for wages?
2/3
How many hours a day and days a week did wage earners typically work by 1900?
Ten hours a day, six days a week
What determined wages during this time period?
Supply and demand
Was there a minimum wage in place during this period?
No
How did factory wages compare to the level for bare subsistence?
Barely above
Although real wages rose steadily, what issue did most families face?
Could not support a family on one income
Who else was working to help support families during this time?
Women and children
In 1890, how many of the 12.45 million families averaged less than $380 a year in income?
11 million
What percentage of women were working in 1900?
1 out of every 5 women
This equates to 20% of women being part of the workforce.
What was the marital status of most working women in 1900?
Most were young and single; only 5% were married
This indicates that the majority of working women were not yet in marriages.
In which industries did women primarily work during this time?
Textile, garment, and food-processing industries
These industries were among the most common for female employment.
What types of jobs did women typically hold?
Secretaries, bookkeepers, typists, and telephone operators
These roles reflect the clerical and administrative nature of many female jobs.
Did women earn as much money as men?
No, women didn’t make as much money as men
This highlights the wage gap present during this period.
How did children’s earnings compare to women’s earnings?
Children didn’t make as much money as women
This indicates a hierarchy of earnings where women earned more than children.
What was the state of child education during this time?
There was little child education
Families needed children to work for money, which limited educational opportunities.
Why were children often hired for work?
Because they were small, allowing more of them to fit in one place
This reflects the exploitative labor practices of the time.
How did workers feel about their work before the Industrial Revolution?
Workers felt pride in their work
What type of duties were workers assigned during the Industrial Revolution?
Monotonous duties
What were some harmful working conditions faced by industrial workers?
Exposure to chemicals and pollutants
On average, how often did industrial workers change jobs?
Every 3 years
What were two reasons for industrial workers changing jobs frequently?
- Monotony
- Working conditions
What action did many workers take in response to their working conditions?
Joined unions
What was the primary reason management held most of the power in struggles with organized labor?
A surplus of cheap labor
This surplus allowed employers to maintain control over labor conditions and negotiations.
What is a lockout in the context of labor relations?
Closing the factory to break a labor movement before it could get organized
Lockouts are tactics used by employers to prevent union formation. If the workers can’t talk amongst themselves, they can’t revolt
What are blacklists in labor relations?
Names of pro-union workers circulated among employers
Blacklisting is a strategy to dissuade workers from unionizing by threatening their employment.
What are yellow-dog contracts?
Agreements workers must sign to not join a union as a condition of being hired
These contracts were used to discourage union membership among employees.
What measures did employers take to suppress strikes?
They called in private guards and state militia, obtained court injunctions
These actions were aimed at maintaining order and preventing labor disruptions.
What was the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?
A nationwide strike caused by railroad companies cutting wages, spreading across 11 states
This strike resulted in significant disruptions to the railroads and the economy.
How many workers joined the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?
Approximately 500,000 workers
This massive participation demonstrated widespread discontent among laborers.
What action did President Hayes take to end the labor violence during the Great Railroad Strike?
Used federal troops to end the violence
The intervention was a response to the strike’s impact on the economy.
How many people were killed during the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?
100 people
The violence escalated during the conflict, leading to significant loss of life.
What were the outcomes for workers following the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?
Workers’ grievances were addressed and wages were improved
Despite the violence, the strike brought attention to labor issues.
Why were federal troops brought in during the Great Railroad Strike?
The strike caused a plummet in the U.S. economy
The federal response was seen as necessary to restore order and economic stability.
What was the National Labor Union?
An attempt to organize all workers, skilled and unskilled, founded in 1866.
What were the main goals of the National Labor Union?
8 hour work days, equal rights for minorities, and monetary reform.
What caused the decline in support for the National Labor Union?
The strikes of 1877.
Who founded the Knights of Labor?
Terrence Powderly in 1869.
When did the Knights of Labor open membership to all?
In 1881.
Which groups were included in the Knights of Labor membership?
Women and African-Americans.
What economic model did the Knights of Labor support?
Worker cooperatives to make each man his own employer.
What were some goals of the Knights of Labor?
Abolition of child labor, trusts, and monopolies.
What strategy did the Knights of Labor prefer over strikes?
Arbitration.
What event caused a decline in membership for the Knights of Labor?
The Haymarket riot in Chicago in 1886.
What was the public reaction to the Haymarket riot?
Public opinion turned against unions, associating them with violence.
Who led the American Federation of Labor?
Samuel Gompers.
What were the main focuses of the American Federation of Labor?
Higher wages and improved working conditions.
What was the membership size of the American Federation of Labor?
1 million members.
Who was the manager of Carnegie’s Homestead steel plant during the Homestead Strike?
Henry Clay Frick
What wage cut percentage did Frick implement in 1892?
20%
What tactics did Frick use to defeat the steelworkers strike?
Lockout and private guards
What was the impact of the Homestead Strike on the union movement in the steel industry?
Set back until the New Deal
Who manufactured the railroad sleeping cars involved in the Pullman Strike?
George Pullman
What action did George Pullman take in 1894 regarding wages?
Announced a cut in wages
Which president ordered a Federal court injunction during the Pullman Strike?
Grover Cleveland
What did the Federal court injunction during the Pullman Strike forbid?
Interference and ordered workers to abandon the strike
Who was the leader of the American Railway Union during the Pullman Strike?
Eugene Debs
What happened to Eugene Debs and other union leaders during the Pullman Strike?
Arrested and jailed
