Glossary
Aesthetic Movement ("Art for Art's Sake")
An artistic and intellectual movement that emphasized the intrinsic value of beauty and art, asserting that art should be appreciated for its own sake rather than for any moral, political, or utilitarian purpose.
Example:
Oscar Wilde, a prominent figure in the Aesthetic Movement, famously declared that 'All art is quite useless,' emphasizing beauty over utility.
American Federation of Labor (AFL)
A national federation of labor unions founded in 1886 by Samuel Gompers, which focused on organizing skilled workers and pursuing practical goals like higher wages and shorter hours through collective bargaining.
Example:
The American Federation of Labor (AFL) became the dominant labor organization by the turn of the century, largely due to its pragmatic approach to unionism.
Assembly Line
A manufacturing process in which parts are added to a product in a sequential manner as it moves from one workstation to another, greatly increasing efficiency.
Example:
The introduction of the Assembly Line revolutionized factory work, allowing workers to specialize in single tasks and dramatically speed up production.
Consumerism
A social and economic order that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts, fueled by mass production, advertising, and department stores.
Example:
The rise of department stores and mail-order catalogs during the Gilded Age marked the beginning of modern Consumerism in America.
Credit Mobilier Scandal
A major political scandal during the Gilded Age involving the Union Pacific Railroad and its construction company, Credit Mobilier, which bribed congressmen and government officials to avoid investigation and gain favorable legislation.
Example:
The Credit Mobilier Scandal exposed widespread corruption in the railroad industry and implicated high-ranking government officials, damaging public trust.
Eight-hour workday
A key demand of labor movements during the Gilded Age, advocating for a standard workday of eight hours, allowing for eight hours of recreation and eight hours of rest.
Example:
Labor unions tirelessly campaigned for the Eight-hour workday, viewing it as a fundamental right that would improve workers' health and quality of life.
Eugenics
A pseudoscientific movement that aimed to 'improve' the human race through selective breeding, often advocating for forced sterilization and immigration restrictions based on perceived genetic inferiority.
Example:
The Eugenics movement, though later discredited, influenced some social policies in the early 20th century, leading to discriminatory practices.
Grange Movement
A farmers' organization founded in 1867, initially focused on social and educational activities, but later became involved in economic and political advocacy to address issues like railroad rates and grain elevator monopolies.
Example:
Farmers joined the Grange Movement to collectively negotiate better prices for their crops and challenge the exploitative practices of railroad companies.
International Migration
The movement of people from other countries into the United States, particularly from Europe and Asia, during the Gilded Age, driven by economic opportunities and political or religious persecution.
Example:
Waves of International Migration brought diverse cultures and labor to American cities, but also led to nativist backlashes and restrictive immigration policies.
Knights of Labor
A prominent labor organization founded in 1869 that aimed to unite all workers, regardless of skill, gender, or race, advocating for broad social and economic reforms.
Example:
Unlike later unions, the Knights of Labor famously welcomed both skilled and unskilled workers, including women and African Americans, into its ranks.
Mass Production
A manufacturing process that uses standardized parts and often assembly lines to produce large quantities of identical goods efficiently and at lower costs.
Example:
Henry Ford later perfected the concept of Mass Production to make automobiles affordable for the average American family.
National Labor Union
One of the first national labor federations in the United States, founded in 1866, which sought to unite skilled and unskilled workers and farmers to advocate for better working conditions.
Example:
The National Labor Union pushed for an eight-hour workday, demonstrating early efforts to improve the lives of American laborers.
Naturalism
An extreme form of Realism in literature that suggested that social conditions, heredity, and environment had inescapable force in shaping human character and destiny.
Example:
Stephen Crane's 'Maggie: A Girl of the Streets' exemplifies Naturalism by portraying how urban poverty and environment dictate a young woman's tragic fate.
New Entertainment
Refers to the emergence of popular leisure activities and forms of amusement during the Gilded Age, such as amusement parks, professional sports, and vaudeville shows, accessible to a broader public.
Example:
Baseball quickly became a popular form of New Entertainment, drawing large crowds and fostering a sense of national pastime.
Panic of 1893
A severe economic depression in the United States caused by over-speculation in railroads, a banking crisis, and a contraction of the money supply, leading to widespread unemployment and business failures.
Example:
The Panic of 1893 led to massive unemployment and social unrest, highlighting the instability of the Gilded Age economy.
Political Machines
Corrupt political organizations that controlled city governments during the Gilded Age, using patronage, bribery, and voter fraud to maintain power and enrich themselves.
Example:
Political Machines often provided services to immigrants and the poor in exchange for their votes, creating a loyal base of support.
Populist Party
A short-lived but influential political party formed in 1891, primarily by farmers and labor advocates, that sought to address economic inequality through policies like free silver, a graduated income tax, and government ownership of railroads.
Example:
The Populist Party gained significant support in the South and West, reflecting widespread discontent with the economic policies of the Gilded Age.
Realism
A literary and artistic movement of the late 19th century that sought to depict life as it actually was, focusing on everyday experiences, social issues, and often the struggles of ordinary people.
Example:
Mark Twain's novels, with their authentic dialogue and focus on American life, are prime examples of the Realism literary movement.
Robber Barons
A derogatory term used to describe powerful 19th-century American industrialists and financiers who amassed vast fortunes, often through ruthless and unethical business practices.
Example:
Critics often labeled figures like Jay Gould and Cornelius Vanderbilt as Robber Barons due to their aggressive tactics in the railroad industry.
Social Darwinism
A controversial intellectual theory that applied Charles Darwin's concept of 'survival of the fittest' to human society and economic competition, often used to justify wealth inequality and laissez-faire capitalism.
Example:
Proponents of Social Darwinism argued that government intervention to help the poor would interfere with natural selection and weaken society.
Tammany Hall
The most infamous political machine in New York City, which controlled the Democratic Party and city politics for decades, known for its corruption and patronage under leaders like Boss Tweed.
Example:
Tammany Hall exerted immense influence over New York City, often providing social services to immigrants while simultaneously engaging in widespread graft.
The Great Migration
The large-scale movement of African Americans from the rural South to industrial cities in the North and West during the early 20th century, seeking economic opportunities and escaping racial discrimination.
Example:
The Great Migration fundamentally reshaped the demographics of American cities and contributed to the development of vibrant African American cultural centers.
Urban Growth
The rapid increase in the size and population of cities during the Gilded Age, driven by industrialization and migration from rural areas and abroad.
Example:
The unprecedented Urban Growth of cities like Chicago led to both economic opportunities and severe social problems such as overcrowding and poor sanitation.
Wealthy Elite
The small, affluent segment of society during the Gilded Age who accumulated immense fortunes from industrialization and often lived lavish lifestyles.
Example:
The conspicuous consumption of the Wealthy Elite stood in stark contrast to the poverty experienced by the majority of urban workers.
Westward Expansion
The continued movement of American settlers across the North American continent, leading to the displacement of Native Americans and conflicts over land and resources.
Example:
The ongoing Westward Expansion during the Gilded Age intensified conflicts with Native American tribes and led to the establishment of new states.
Working Class
The large segment of society composed of laborers who worked in factories, mines, and other industrial jobs, often facing harsh conditions and low wages.
Example:
The struggles of the Working Class for better wages and safer conditions fueled the rise of powerful labor unions.