APUSH Period 6 Speed Review

Summary

This video covers key concepts from the Gilded Age, highlighting the rapid economic growth and industrialization in America post-Civil War. It discusses the rise of influential industrialists like Carnegie and Rockefeller, political corruption through machines, and the emergence of labor unions in response to poor working conditions. The video also addresses immigration patterns, noting the influx of new immigrants and the social reform movements aimed at improving living conditions. Additionally, it examines the impact of legislation and the ongoing struggles for equality and justice during this transformative period in American history.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Gilded Age was marked by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and political corruption in the United States following the Civil War.
• 😀 Prominent industrialists like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller utilized vertical and horizontal integration to dominate their industries.
• 😀 Businessmen often justified their wealth through social Darwinism, promoting the idea of economic survival of the fittest while paying low wages.
• 😀 Despite their controversial practices, many industrialists, including Carnegie, engaged in philanthropy, advocating for the wealthy to contribute to societal betterment.
• 😀 Political corruption was prevalent, with figures like William 'Boss' Tweed exemplifying the exploitation of political machines and immigrant votes.
• 😀 The Pendleton Civil Service Act and Sherman Anti-Trust Act were introduced to combat political corruption and monopolistic practices, though enforcement was challenging.
• 😀 Labor unions like the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor emerged in response to poor working conditions and low wages during this period.
• 😀 Significant strikes, including the Great Railroad Strike and the Homestead Strike, highlighted the struggles of workers but often ended in federal intervention and little change.
• 😀 The Social Gospel Movement encouraged middle-class Christians to address social issues like poverty, leading to reforms such as the settlement house movement.
• 😀 Immigration patterns shifted significantly, with new waves of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe and increased nativism, resulting in legislation like the Chinese Exclusion Act.
• 😀 The Southern economy continued to rely on agriculture post-Civil War, but advocates for the 'New South' urged diversification while maintaining systemic racism through Jim Crow laws.
• 😀 Western expansion was facilitated by the Homestead Act and the Transcontinental Railroad, leading to both economic opportunities and violent conflicts with Native Americans.

Q & A

What was the Gilded Age, and what characterized this period in American history?

The Gilded Age was a period of rapid economic growth and industrialization in the United States following the Civil War, characterized by the rise of wealthy industrialists, political corruption, and significant social issues.

Who were the major industrialists of the Gilded Age, and what strategies did they use to build their empires?

Major industrialists included Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller. Carnegie used vertical integration to control all stages of steel production, while Rockefeller employed horizontal integration to dominate the oil refining industry by acquiring competitors.

What role did social Darwinism play in the justification of wealth during the Gilded Age?

Social Darwinism was used by industrialists to justify their wealth and business practices, arguing that economic survival of the fittest meant that those who succeeded in business were naturally superior.

What was the Pendleton Civil Service Act, and why was it significant?

The Pendleton Civil Service Act, passed after the assassination of President James Garfield, aimed to end the spoil system by establishing a merit-based system for federal employment, marking a significant step toward political reform.

What were some of the major labor movements during the Gilded Age, and what were their goals?

Major labor movements included the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor (AFL). The Knights aimed to unite all workers, while the AFL focused on skilled labor and 'bread and butter' issues like wages and working conditions.

How did immigration patterns change during the Gilded Age?

During the Gilded Age, there was a significant increase in immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as Asia, leading to urbanization and a rise in nativist sentiments in response to the influx of new immigrants.

What was the impact of the Chinese Exclusion Act?

The Chinese Exclusion Act, enacted in response to rising nativism, restricted Chinese immigration and reflected the growing anti-immigrant sentiment prevalent during the Gilded Age.

What were the economic challenges faced by farmers in the Gilded Age?

Farmers struggled with low crop prices, high shipping rates, and crippling debt, often leading to foreclosures and prompting them to form alliances and the Populist Party to advocate for reforms.

What was the significance of the Social Gospel movement during this period?

The Social Gospel movement encouraged middle-class Christians to address social issues like poverty and homelessness, leading to reforms such as the establishment of settlement houses to aid the urban poor.

How did the Gilded Age influence modern American society?

The Gilded Age laid the groundwork for modern American capitalism, labor rights movements, and social reform, with its legacy visible in today's political and economic systems.