Periodization
The Gilded Age was a time period of corruption within businesses and especially in politics. The corruption in politics was prominent in Ulysses S. Grant's administration. A series of scandals occurred right under his nose, including the Whisky Ring and Credit Mobilier Scandal among many others. A considerable amount of money was lost with the series of scandals.
Despite the scandals, industrialization continued to grow as a prominent part of American economy. With industrialization came the booming heads of the industries. Andrew Carnegie dominated the steel industry and later turned over his company to J. P. Morgan, who later pulled the country out of debt. John D. Rockefeller quickly created a monopoly out of his Standard Oil Company as businesses failed to compete with him. With industrialization becoming a large part of the United States, workers were widely needed. Because of the large influx of immigrants, labor was a cheap source found everywhere. Laborers were exploited and taken advantage of. Labor unions were needed to create fair practices for the workers of the industry. The American Federation of Labor arose from such horrible working conditions and demanded for better treatment. Soon after, other unions such as the Knights of Labor followed suit in their endeavors to create a better life for workers everywhere. |
Turning Points/Major Events
Transcontinental Railroad is built (1863)
- Connected at Promontory Summit, Utah - Credit Mobilier arose as a scandal during its building
- Took away land from Native Americans and caused some of their deaths
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Sioux War of 1876 (1876)
- Gold miners were trying to jack the Sioux land - A series of battles lasted between the gold miners and Native Americans as they were led by Sitting Bull
- They were put on reservations
- The decrease of Native American land and heritage |
Pendleton Act (1883)
- 10% of gov't employees must take a civil service exam - Federal employees aren't allowed to contribute money to political campaigns
government
- Reform |
American Federation of Labor formed (1886)
- 1st federation of union workers in the U.S. - Union of skilled workers - "Bread and butter" issue concentration: - High wages - Shorter hours - Improvement of working conditions
- Actually got stuff done gj guys - Still exists today as a joint union
- Big business as big as ever |
Dawes Severalty Act (1887)
land to married families and single young men - A majority of the reserves were not used and sold off to white men why
- Native Americans were recognized as individuals instead of tribes
- The decrease of Native American land and heritage |
Interstate Commerce Act (1887)
commerce (as u can tell by the name of the act)
intervene in private businesses and companies nice
- Big business is huge - Economic depression |
Sherman Anti Trust Act (1890)
- It also banned certain business practices that were deemed "uncompetitive" (me)
cared for this act and it wasn't strictly enforced you tried gov't - Expanded with the Clayton Anti Trust Act
- Big business is huge - Economic depression |
Ghost Dance Movement (1890)
- There were 2 waves of the Ghost Dance movement - Also just a huge resistance to Americans
- Dawes Severalty Act
- Decrease of Native American land and heritage |
Panic of 1893 (1893)
- TOO MANY RAILROADS = excessive spending - Collapse of Reading Rainbow Railroad - Sherman Silver Purchase Act
that's all there is to it tbh
- Sherman SIlver Purchase Act is repealed - Silver mines are closed - Republicans win the next election blame the democrats
- Unions !! - Reform!!! |
Pullman Strike (1894)
- Strikers stopped the railroad traffic (? is there such thing as railroad traffic)
was going to affect mail delivery ok man
- Government intervention - sucky presidents not being able to do things - Economic depression |
Comparisons
Andrew Carnegie & John D. Rockefeller
Similarities
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Carnegie
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Rockefeller
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American Federation of Labor & Knights of Labor
Similarities
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AFL
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KoL
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Old Immigrants & New Immigrants
Similarities
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Old Immigrants
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New Immigrants
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