1. Explain the term “Gilded Age” and why this term is appropriate for the late 1800s.

  The term Gilded Age suggest that a thin layer of prosperity covered the poverty and corruption of much of the society.

A lot of corruption, gap between rich and poor, big business and agriculture…

2. Explain the impact of the expansion of the railroads and why railroads were given land.

supported the economic development of the West increased the availability & variety of consumer

goods. Reduced travel time Encouraged western migration Native Americans forced off their lands

3. What were the effects of the Homestead Act of 1862?

 Gave away free land to settle in West The Great Plains developed into a major agriculture area

4. What factors led to the cattle industry boom?Large supply of wild cattleIncreased demand for beefRailroads built further west

5. How did the Klondike Gold Rush impact the city of Seattle?

 Increased Population  The city developed into a commercial center for miners.

6. Why did steel become an important building material during the Gilded Age?

The Bessemer process made steel production affordable Access to timber was limited by distance and transportation

7. How did the development of electricity, the telephone, and farm equipment affect the economy?

Telephone use increased the speed of trade. Electricity increased industrial productivity Electricity allowed factories to stay open Electricity allowed people to travel for work Farm Equipment saved famers time and effort

8. Explain the positive and negative effects of industrialization.

Positive- More Jobs, Skilled and Unskilled, Standard of living increased for many

Negative- Repetitive and Often Dangerous Work, increased gap between rich and poor

9. Why were industrialists during the Gilded Age referred to as either “captains of industry” or “robber barons”?

 B/c they built their fortunes by stealing from public and they were willing to do anything to win the war against their competition

10. Explain the effect of monopolies and big business on the economy.

Monopolistic practices by big business are a threat to the United States because the one business that has complete control of a product or service and can control the price and supply of the product or service.

11. What were the factors that led to the organization of labor unions?

Unsafe Working conditions Low Pay Long Working Hours No benefits Discrimination

12. Explain the economic problems faced by farmers and how these problems led to the Populist Movement.◦  unstable economy◦ failure of banks◦ Unemployment◦ falling crop prices◦ Uneven prosperity between agriculture and big business◦ Formed Farmer’s Alliance

13. Explain the sentiments behind the Chinese Exclusion Act.

 Nativists’ desire to keep immigrants out of the workforce because European Immigrants were more willing to assimilate into the American Culture

 Fear of Cheap Labor14. Explain the causes and effects civil

service reform (Pendleton Civil Service Act).

Spoils System/Corruption Garfield Assassinations Ineffective Government Now Positions bases on merit

15. Explain the characteristics of political machines and their connection to immigrants.

 They gave immigrants jobs and protection  Boss in control Immigrants frequently recruited Votes for political favors (scratch your back)16. What were the goals of the social gospel

movements and settlement movements? Provides job training Provide Housing and Food Provide education Improve Living Conditions of poor Improve Faith Provide Charity

17. Explain why many employers hired children during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Cheap Labor Families Needed the Money Children were sent to work instead of school

18. What were some of the effects of urbanization?

Over-Crowded Conditions Poor Sanitation Unsafe Buildings Rapid Spread of Diseases

 

19. What social issues affected women during the Gilded Age?

 the conditions for the urban poor

20. Explain the positive arguments for wealthy industrialists (Andrew Carnegie and philanthropists).

Gave back through education, libraries, and cultural centers

They could use their wealth to make the life of the poor better

21. Why did immigrants come to America (push-pull factors) and what were their experiences once they reached America (ghettos)?

 Pull-Freedom, Economic Opportunity and Cultural Ties, Chance at better life

 Push-Oppression, Poverty, War, Religious Persecution

 Lived in Over-Crowded Ghettos, Tenements, Underpaid, Discriminated

22. Explain efforts to assimilate/Americanize immigrants and Native Americans (Dawes Act and boarding schools).

Indian reservations, the Carlisle School (Boarding school)and Dawes Act (It nearly destroyed the Native American idea of landownership) were efforts to assimilate Native Americans and destroy their traditional way of life

Constitutional Republic- a form of government whose representatives derive their authority from the consent of the governed, serve for an established tenure, and are sworn to uphold the constitution

Congress shall have the power ………. To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;”