This chapter covers the period following Reconstruction, often referred to as the Gilded Age. It was a time of rapid economic growth, industrial expansion, and significant social change, but also of stark inequality and political corruption. Understanding this era is crucial for grasping the foundations of 20th-century America.
I. Industrialization and its Impact:
This section focuses on the explosive growth of industry in the late 19th century, driven by several key factors:
A. Technological Innovations:
- Railroads: The expansion of the railroad network fueled economic growth by connecting markets and facilitating the transport of raw materials and finished goods. Think about the transcontinental railroad's completion and its impact on westward expansion.
- Steel: The Bessemer process revolutionized steel production, making it cheaper and stronger, leading to the construction of skyscrapers, bridges (like the Brooklyn Bridge), and railroads.
- Electricity: Thomas Edison's inventions, including the light bulb, transformed daily life and powered factories, leading to longer working hours and increased productivity.
- Oil: The discovery and refinement of oil created a new industry, fueling industrial machinery and eventually powering automobiles.
B. Rise of Big Business and Industrialists:
- Robber Barons/Captains of Industry: Analyze the contrasting perspectives on figures like Andrew Carnegie (steel), John D. Rockefeller (oil), and J.P. Morgan (finance). Consider their business practices (monopolies, trusts, etc.) and their philanthropic endeavors. Debate the ethical implications of their wealth accumulation.
- Vertical and Horizontal Integration: Understand these business strategies and their impact on competition and market control. Give specific examples of how each was used.
- Monopolies and Trusts: Discuss the rise of monopolies and trusts, the legal challenges they faced, and the government's attempts at regulation (e.g., the Sherman Antitrust Act). Consider their effectiveness.
C. The Impact on Labor:
- Working Conditions: Describe the harsh realities of factory work, including long hours, low wages, dangerous conditions, and child labor.
- Rise of Labor Unions: Analyze the formation of labor unions like the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor (AFL), their strategies (strikes, collective bargaining), and their successes and failures. Consider the Haymarket Riot and the Pullman Strike as pivotal events.
- Government Response to Labor Unrest: Discuss the government's response to labor unrest, often siding with business interests.
II. Social and Political Changes:
This section explores the social and political landscape of the Gilded Age, characterized by significant transformations and inequalities.
A. Immigration and Urbanization:
- New Immigration: Analyze the significant increase in immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe, the challenges faced by immigrants (discrimination, poverty, cultural adjustment), and their contributions to the American economy.
- Urban Growth: Discuss the rapid growth of cities, the problems associated with urbanization (overcrowding, sanitation, crime), and the emergence of new urban cultures and social structures. Consider the impact on existing social hierarchies.
B. Political Corruption and Reform:
- Political Machines: Analyze the role of political machines (like Tammany Hall) in urban politics, their methods, and their impact on the electorate. Consider the perspectives of both those who benefited from and those who suffered under their control.
- Patronage and the Spoils System: Explain the spoils system and its consequences. Discuss the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act and its impact on government employment.
- Progressive Era Beginnings: Identify the seeds of the Progressive Era reforms that would emerge in the early 20th century, focusing on the growing dissatisfaction with political corruption and social inequality.
III. The Agrarian Revolt:
This section examines the challenges faced by farmers in the late 19th century and their attempts to organize and influence national politics.
- Farmers' Problems: Discuss the economic difficulties faced by farmers (debt, falling crop prices, high transportation costs).
- The Grange and Populism: Analyze the rise of the Grange and the Populist Party, their platforms (free silver, government regulation of railroads), and their impact on the political landscape. Consider the reasons for their eventual decline.
- The Election of 1896: Analyze the significance of the election of 1896, particularly the clash between William Jennings Bryan (Populist/Democrat) and William McKinley (Republican), and the victory's implications for the future of agrarian reform.
This outline provides a framework for your study of Chapter 10. Remember to use primary and secondary sources to deepen your understanding and develop your analytical skills. Focus on cause-and-effect relationships, historical context, and the long-term consequences of the events and trends discussed in this period. Good luck with your AP US History studies!
