the Gilded Age
UNIT 2
Political, technological, and cultural growth led to unprecedented advances and corruption in American government and society
ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDINGS
- the meaning of "gilded"
- Western expansion was driven by economic, social, and political forces.
- Industrialization transformed American society from rural to urban and from agriculture to manufacturing.
- The Gilded Age was dominated by political corruption and instability and pro-business leanings.
- Immigration in the late 1800s resulted in a transformation of American culture and the growth of cities.
AMERICAN PROGRESS
John Gast, 1872
WESTWARD EXPANSION... WHY?
- Optimism of settlers
- Homestead Act and it's Economic Impact
- Settling the Great Plains
- Success & Importance of the Cattle Industry
- Farming Issues
- Growth of Railroads... Transcontinental Railroad
- Interstate Commerce Act (RR)
- Klondike Gold Rush
1. How did settlers survive, settle, and make a profitable living out west?
2. What was the role of entrepreneurship in Westward Expansion?
Contrast of Cultures
Settlers and Native Americans
Restrictions & Consequences
Analyze restrictions imposed by government: Reservations, the Dawes Act, American Indian Citizenship
Impact of Westward Expansion?
Populist Movement Stems from Farmer Struggles (Mid-West)
- Impact of 3rd Party candidates
- Rise and Fall of Populism (Populist party)
- William Jennings Bryan "Cross of Gold" Speech
- Differences between Farmers & Industry Bankers
- Political Machines
- Civil Service Reform
- Political Corruption
1. Is the Wizard of Oz a parable of the Populist Movement?
The Tammany Lords and Their Constituents
Thomas Nast, 1871
Industrialization & the Rise of Entrepreneurship
- Monopolies
- Sherman Anti-Trust Act
- Pros and Cons of Big Business
- Robber Barons
- Captains of Industry
- Philanthropy of Industrialists
- Free Enterprise
- Andrew Carnegie
- Bi-metalism
- Gold Standard to Fiat $
- Thomas Nast Cartoons
- Labor Unions
Conemaugh Valley Steel Mill
Pennsylvania, 1905
Knights of Labor
Samuel Gompers
American Federation of Labor (AFL)
Scientific and Technological Discoveries
- Bessemer Process
- Electric Power
- Telephone
- Steel Production
- Thomas Edison
- Alexander Graham Bell
America is a "Land of Opportunity" for all! Agree or Disagree? Explain
Immigration & Urbanization
- Push-Pull affects of Immigration
- Assimilation... Americanization
- Impact of Immigration on American Industry
- Ellis Island, Angel Island
- Chinese Exclusion Act
- Nativism
- Tenements
- Standard of Living
What is does the phrase "American Dream" mean to you?
Social Reforms
- the Social Gospel
- Jane Addams
- Emergence of class system
- Child Labor
- "Wage Slave"
- Minorities
- Plessy v. Ferguson
1. Compare daily life of American citizens, immigrants with factory owners
Most Terrifying Places In America: Chicago, IL - "Hull House"
African Americans Fight Discrimination & Segregation
Ida B Wells - Anti-Lynching Crusader