Gilded Age Study Guide - Weebly

The Gilded Age

(including Westward Expansion)

1877-1898

The Transcontinental Railroad established a permanent link between the East and

West coasts. This created new markets for the goods being produced as a result of

industrialization. This led to the Gilded Age which gets it¡¯s name from the wealth

that is created during this time and the way of life this wealth supported. Although

not everyone in this period enjoyed the privileges that wealth can provide.

On the map above identify the following key areas during this time and

explain why they were important:

1. San Francisco/Angel Island

2. Chicago

3. New York/Ellis Island

? Created by Frisco ISD¡ªPermission granted to reproduce for educational purposes. Not intended for sale.

The Gilded Age

1877-1898

(includes Westward Expansion)

3A

1. From 1877-1898, the US experienced many political changes¡ªidentify the

changes below and explain why they were enacted:

Identify the following:

3B

Explain why these were enacted:

Indian policies

Laws about assimilation of the American

Indian

Organization of western territories.

Political Machines

Individuals and groups that ran local and

state governments.

Organization of neighborhoods in major

cities to control power.

Civil Service Reform

Changing the way people get government

positions.

Reform of the practice of rewarding political

supporters with government jobs.

Beginnings of Populism

New political movement.

Farmers in western states and territories

felt like they were being neglected and

mistreated by government and major

industries.

2. What led to the following economic changes during this time period and how did

they impact society?

What led to this?

How did this impact society?

Growth of Railroads ¡ª westward expansion. Faster and easier ¡ª improved

Necessary for the transportation of goods

communication

and people.

Farm issues ¡ª

Too many people growing the same crops

lowering the market value.

Populist Party reflects farmers desire to

eliminate gold standard.

The Cattle Industry Boom ¡ª Large amounts Meat packing industry of major urban cenof land for grazing.

ters such as Chicago. Conflict between

farmers and ranchers over grazing/fencing.

3B

1. What led to the following economic changes during this time period and how did

they impact society?

What led to this?

How did this impact society?

Industrialization

New Technology

Increase in immigration/work force

Urbanization ¡ª Growth of cities.

Growth of Labor Unions

No laws regulating workplace

conditions

Workplace regulations (minimum

wage/hours etc) during the

Progressive Era

Rise of Entrepreneurship

Free market economy with laissez

faire policies.

3B

2. What are the pros and cons of big business?

Pros of Big Business

3D

The ¡°American Dream¡±

Cons of Big Business

Leadership of individuals (Carnegie)

Monopolies and trusts

Provided jobs

Corruption

3. Why were immigrants optimistic about coming to America?

Liberty and opportunity

15C 4. What was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882? Nativist (anti-immigration) law

3C

3C

1. What social issues affected the following groups?

Women

Role/lack of opportunity

Minorities

Discrimination socially and economically

Children

Work in factories without regulation

Immigrants

Discrimination, unemployment, & homelessness

2. Define the following and explain their impact on social issues?

Definition

3C

Impact

Urbanization

Growing population of the cities Crowded cities

due to the rise of industries.

Social Gospel

Movement to improve urban liv- The Salvation Army, YMCA,

ing conditions based on biblical

and social Reformers such

ideals of charity.

as Jane Addams at Hull

House

3. The era of industrialization was a time when some individuals became extremely

wealthy. Some of these individuals used their wealth to help others. Identify examples:

Name of Individual

Example of Philanthropic Activities

Andrew Carnegie

¡°Gospel of Wealth¡± ¡ª helped publicize philanthropy

and built libraries across the United States.

John D. Rockefeller

Medicine and education ¡ª built hospitals and the

University of Chicago.

Cornelius Vanderbilt

Medicine and education ¡ª built hospitals and

Vanderbilt University

15A 1. How did the Transcontinental Railroad affect the economy?

Allowed for the transportation of goods and services across the entire country.

Helped establish towns along the way

Improved speed of travel + communication.

2. How did the Transcontinental Railroad and the Homestead Act lead to the close of the

frontier?

Land was less open. The railroad needed specific land to work ¡ª towns developed

around it and people¡¯s farms. People didn¡¯t want cattle grazing on their property.

15B

3. Define the following and explain how they altered the relationship between the Federal

government and private business.

Definition

Sherman Anti Trust Act

Interstate Commerce Act

Relationship between federal

government and private

business.

Provided that businesses

could not illegally

combine businesses

that restrained trade.

Private business saw this as the

government abusing its power

by interfering with ¡°vertical integration¡±

First federal law to

regulate trade between

the states.

Reduced pressure on farmers

and small business owners

that were struggling to

compete against large

trusts.

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download