02 Industrialization and the Gilded Age Free Online FlashCards

Why was the late nineteenth century called the Gilded Age?

The Gilded Age was a period of visible prosperity that concealed deep social and economic problems.

What did the Homestead Act of 1862 offer eligible settlers?

The Homestead Act of 1862 offered eligible settlers 160 acres of public land if they lived on and improved it.

When and where did the Union Pacific and Central Pacific meet?

The Union Pacific and Central Pacific lines met at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869.

How did railroads connect regional economies?

Railroads carried raw materials to factories and finished goods to customers, linking western farms and mines with eastern markets.

How did westward settlement and railroad expansion affect Native nations?

Settlement and railroad development dispossessed Native communities, undermined Indigenous sovereignty, and contributed to violent conflict.

Which technologies and industries helped accelerate industrialization?

Railroads, steel, coal, oil, electricity, and telegraph networks helped businesses produce and distribute goods on a larger scale.

How were the rewards of industrial growth distributed?

Industrial growth created jobs and more goods, but owners and investors controlled much of the capital and decision-making, so benefits were unevenly shared.

How could economic downturns affect workers?

The Panic of 1873 and the depression that began in 1893 could bring layoffs and wage cuts.

What difficulties did many factory and railroad workers face?

Factory and railroad jobs could involve long hours, low pay, strict supervision, and dangerous conditions.

What did workers seek through labor unions?

Workers organized unions to seek higher wages, shorter hours, and greater influence over workplace rules.

What made the Pullman Strike of 1894 a nationwide conflict?

The Pullman Strike of 1894 spread from a company town near Chicago into a nationwide railroad boycott.

How did the federal government respond to the Pullman Strike?

Federal troops and court injunctions were used against the Pullman Strike, showing how government action could prioritize uninterrupted commerce over workers’ collective action.