Unit 2: westward expansion & gilded age (1877-1898)

KEY TERMS: 

Gilded Age - time between the Civil War and World War I where there was rapid growth and industrialization, increase in the standard of living, new inventions and technologies, and a lot of political corruption and corporate financial dishonesty.

Angel Island - Port of entry for most Asian immigrants on the West Coast - California. *Chinese*

Ellis Island - Port of entry for most European immigrants on the East Coast - New York. *Irish & Italian*

Americanization Movement - Education program designed to help immigrants & American Indians to assimilate to American culture; included programs to teach English literacy & American history/civics. 

Nativist - Policy of promoting the interests of native born people against those of immigrants, including the support of immigration-restriction measures. Example: Chinese Exclusion Act

Dawes Act - Law that gave each Native American head of household 160 acres of land; land deemed to be "surplus" beyond what was needed for allotment was opened to white settlers; designed to encourage the breakup of the tribes and promote the assimilation of Native Americans into American society. Native Americans lost about 90 million acres of land.

Entrepreneur -  activity of setting up a business/businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.

Industrialization - process in which a society or country (or world) transforms itself from a primarily agricultural society into one based on large scale manufacturing of goods and services.

Urbanization - people leaving rural (farm) areas to move to cities (urban spaces). 

Assimilation - process in which individuals or groups of differing ethnic heritage are absorbed into the dominant culture of a society. (Immigrants & Native Americans)

Laissez Faire - Economic system in which the government does not intervene in business practices; *LAZY GOVERNMENT* HAND OFF GOVERNMENT * For example, no minimum wage, no child labor laws, no safety guidelines, no limits/regulations on businesses.

Monopoly - A company having complete control over the supply of a product or service. (Example: If you walk into the grocery store to buy dish soap & the ONLY brand you could buy anywhere was Dial Dish Soap because they took over the dish soap market, they could raise the price to $20 for dish soap & we would have no choice but to buy it because we need it.)

Tenements - Narrow, low-rise apartment buildings common in cities during the Gilded Age; often cramped, poorly lit and lacking indoor plumbing and proper ventilation. Mostly immigrants lived in these which is why political bosses were able to exchange infrastructure (housing improvements) with immigrants for votes.

Transcontinental Railroad - Railroad line that linked the eastern railroad system with California's railroad system; constructed by the Central Pacific & Union Pacific railroads; completed in 1869. Established a transportation network that revolutionized the population & economy of the American West because of the now access to transport goods & people.

Labor Unions - organized association of workers formed to protect & further their rights and interests such as higher wages and improved working conditions. "Knights of Labor" "American Federation of Labor"

Gospel of Wealth - Article written by Andrew Carnegie in which he called on the rich to use their wealth to improve society and stimulated a wave of philanthropy.

Political Machines - Organization that commands enough votes to maintain control of a city, county, or state; loyal supporters are often rewarded with political appointments & government contracts. Provided services to immigrants in exchange for their votes; resorted to graft/fraud in order to maintain power.

Philanthropy - the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes. Example: Andrew Carnegie building libraries. ”BIG CHARITY”.

Strike - An organized work stoppage intended to force an employer to address union demands.

Civil Service Reform - set up by the Pendleton Act in order to regulate employment through government based on merit, rather than on loyalty; meant to get rid of the spoils system/corruption.

Chinese Exclusion Act - U.S. federal law signed by President Chester Arthur in 1882, prohibiting all immigration of Chinese laborers.