#AP US History: Period 6 (1865-1898) - The Gilded Age 🚂

Hey there, future APUSH master! Let's dive into Period 6, a time of HUGE changes in America. Think rapid industrialization, booming cities, and some serious social and political shake-ups. This guide is designed to make sure you're not just memorizing facts, but truly understanding the big picture. Let's get started!

#1. The Rise of Industrial America

#1.1. The Economic Boom 💥

• Key Industries (ROSE):

- **Railroads:** Massive expansion, connecting the country and fueling other industries. - **Oil:** John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil dominated the industry. - **Steel:** Andrew Carnegie and the Bessemer process made steel production cheaper and more efficient. - **Electricity:** Westinghouse and Edison brought light and power to cities. - **Captains of Industry or Robber Barons?** These entrepreneurs were seen as both innovators and exploiters of labor.

#1.2. Labor and the Rise of Unions ✊

• Early Unions:
  • Knights of Labor: Led by Terrance Powderly, included both skilled and unskilled workers.

- **American Federation of Labor (AFL):** Founded by Samuel Gompers, focused on skilled workers and practical goals like better wages and hours. - **Labor Strikes:** - **Great Railroad Strike of 1877:** Nationwide strike that highlighted the power of labor but also the government's willingness to side with business. - **Homestead Strike (1892):** Steelworkers strike that was brutally suppressed. - **Pullman Strike (1894):** A major railway strike that was also crushed by government intervention. - **Government's Role:** - **Social Darwinism:** The belief that the "fittest" businesses and people should survive, influencing government policy.

Image from Wikipedia: Labor strikes were a common occurrence during this era, highlighting the tensions between workers and business owners.

#2. Social and Cultural Changes

#2.1. Disenfranchisement and Segregation 💔

• Black Reformers:
  • Booker T. Washington: Advocated for economic self-improvement.
  • W.E.B. Du Bois: Called for immediate civil rights and equality.
• Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): This Supreme Court case established the "separate but equal" doctrine, legalizing segregation.
• KKK: Terrorized Black communities and suppressed voting rights.
• Voting Restrictions: Poll taxes and literacy tests were used to prevent Black people from voting.

#2.2. Immigration 🌍

• New Immigrants: From Southern and Eastern Europe, settling in cities like New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
• Ethnic Enclaves: "Little Italy" and "Chinatown" emerged as immigrant communities.
• Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882:

- **Tenement Housing:** Overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions for many immigrants.

Image from Wikipedia: Tenement houses were a common sight in cities, reflecting the challenges faced by new immigrants.

#2.3. Social Reform 💡

• Settlement Houses:
  • Jane Addams and Hull House: Provided services to immigrants and the poor.
• Social Gospel Movement: Advocated for social reform based on Christian principles.
• Temperance Movement: Sought to reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption.
• Education Reform: Aimed to improve the quality of education and increase access.

#3. Political Landscape

#3.1. Political Corruption 🏛️

• Political Machines: Like Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall, they used graft and bribery to gain power.
• Patronage: Rewarding supporters with government jobs.
• Pendleton Act: Attempted to reduce patronage by establishing a civil service system.

#3.2. Agricultural Issues 🧑‍🌾

• Farmers' Problems: Low crop prices and high production costs.
• Farmers' Alliances: Organizations that worked to curb the power of big businesses.
• Interstate Commerce Act: An attempt to regulate railroads, but it was not very effective.
• Populist Party: A third party that advocated for farmers and workers.
  • Ocala Platform: A revolutionary plan for economic reform.

#3.3. The Money Question 💰

• Free Silver: Farmers wanted an inflationary policy by coining silver.
• Tariffs: Farmers supported low tariffs, while industry wanted high tariffs.
• Depression of 1893:

#3.4. Election of 1896 🗳️

• William Jennings Bryan: Democratic and Populist candidate who supported free silver.
  • Cross of Gold Speech: A famous speech advocating for inflationary policies.
• William McKinley: Republican candidate who won the election.
• Discovery of Gold in Alaska:

Image from Wikipedia: The Election of 1896 was a turning point, marking the end of the Populist movement.

#4. The Arts and Culture 🎭

• Literature:
  • Mark Twain & Stephen Crane: Provided realistic portrayals of society.
• Architecture:
  • Frank Lloyd Wright: Created innovative designs.
• Music:
  • Scott Joplin: Ragtime music provided entertainment and cultural expression.
• Sports: Boxing, baseball, and football became popular pastimes.

#5. Key Events and Dates

• 1865: Civil War ends.

• 1877: Reconstruction ends and the Great Railroad Strike occurs.

• 1882: Chinese Exclusion Act.

• 1886: Haymarket Riot.

• 1890: Sherman Anti-Trust Act.

• 1892: Homestead Strike.

• 1893: Panic of 1893. - 1896: Pullman Strike, Plessy v. Ferguson, and the Election of 1896. ## 6. Major Themes

• Industrialization and Technology: Fueled economic growth and social change.

• Migration: Both internal and external, led to urbanization and new social dynamics.

• Social Reform: Progressives sought to address the negative impacts of industrialization and inequality.

• Political Disputes: Corruption, currency debates, and women's suffrage were major issues.

• Art and Culture: Provided a distraction and reflection of the era.

#7. Final Exam Focus

#7.1. High-Priority Topics

• Industrialization (ROSE): Understand the key industries and their impact.
• Labor Unions: Know the differences between the Knights of Labor and the AFL, and major strikes.
• Plessy v. Ferguson: Understand the significance of this case and its impact on segregation.
• Populism: Know the goals and platform of the Populist Party.
• Election of 1896: Understand the key issues and candidates.

#7.2. Common Question Types

• Multiple Choice: Expect questions about the causes and effects of industrialization, the role of labor unions, and the impact of social and political movements.
• Short Answer Questions (SAQs): Be prepared to analyze primary sources and explain the significance of key events and figures.
• Free Response Questions (FRQs):

#7.3. Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Don't spend too much time on any one question. Move on and come back if you have time.
• Common Pitfalls: Don't confuse the different labor unions or the goals of various reform movements.
• Strategies: Use the documents provided in the DBQ to support your arguments. Make sure your thesis is clear and addresses all parts of the prompt.

#8. Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following was NOT a major factor contributing to the rapid industrialization of the United States during the late 19th century? (A) Abundant natural resources (B) A large and growing labor force (C) Government regulation of industry (D) Technological innovations

2. The Supreme Court's decision in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) had which of the following effects? (A) It established the principle of "separate but equal." (B) It outlawed segregation in public schools. (C) It guaranteed voting rights for African American men. (D) It led to the immediate desegregation of public facilities.

3. The Populist Party advocated for which of the following? (A) The gold standard (B) High tariffs (C) Government regulation of railroads (D) A laissez-faire approach to the economy

#Short Answer Question

Briefly explain the goals of the labor movement during the Gilded Age. Provide ONE piece of evidence to support your answer.

#Free Response Question

Evaluate the extent to which the industrialization of the United States during the late 19th century led to social and political change. In your response, be sure to address both positive and negative consequences of industrialization.

Scoring Breakdown for FRQ

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.
• Evidence (2-3 points): Provides specific historical evidence to support the thesis.
  • 1 point for using 2-3 pieces of evidence
  • 1-2 points for explaining how the evidence supports the thesis
• Analysis and Reasoning (2 points): Analyzes the evidence and explains the complexities of the issue.
  • 1 point for explaining the positive consequences of industrialization
  • 1 point for explaining the negative consequences of industrialization
• Synthesis (1 point): Connects the topic to another time period or historical theme.

Remember, you've got this! You're prepared, you're knowledgeable, and you're ready to ace this exam. Go get 'em! 💪