AP US History: Gilded Age & Progressive Era - The Night Before 🚀

Hey there! Let's make sure you're feeling super confident for your APUSH exam tomorrow. We're going to zoom through the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, hitting all the key points you need to know. Think of this as your ultimate cheat sheet – concise, clear, and ready to rock! Let's dive in!

1. The Gilded Age (c. 1870-1900)

1.1. Industrialization & Urbanization 🏭

• Rapid growth of industries like steel, oil, and railroads. Think Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Vanderbilt!
• Massive migration to cities led to overcrowding, poverty, and social issues.

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1.2. Economic & Political Issues 🏛️

• Laissez-faire capitalism led to monopolies and trusts, with little government regulation.
• Political machines (like Tammany Hall) were corrupt and controlled city politics.

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1.3. Social Responses & Muckrakers 📰

• Muckrakers like Ida Tarbell and Upton Sinclair exposed corruption and social ills.
• Their work fueled public outrage and demand for change.

- Muckrakers are frequently tested on the exam, know their names and what they exposed.

1.4. Social Gospel Movement 🙏

• Religious movement that emphasized social responsibility and helping the poor.
• Led to the creation of charities like the Salvation Army and YMCA.

1.5. Key Vocabulary

• Settlement houses: Community centers providing services to the poor.
• Cardinal James Gibbons: Advocate for immigrants and workers.
• Dwight Moody: Christian evangelist.
• Mary Baker Eddy: Founder of Christian Science.
• McGuffey's readers: Widely used textbooks with moral content.
• Edward Bellamy: Author of "Looking Backward," a utopian socialist novel.
• Ashcan School: Realist artists depicting urban life.
• Pragmatism: Philosophical movement focusing on practical application of ideas.

2. The Progressive Era (c. 1900-1920)

2.1. Goals of the Progressives 🎯

• Progressives sought to address the problems of the Gilded Age through government action.
• They wanted to end corruption, regulate businesses, and improve social conditions.

2.2. Political Reforms 🗳️

• Initiative, referendum, and recall gave citizens more direct control over government.
• 17th Amendment allowed for the direct election of senators.

2.3. Economic Reforms 💼

• Sherman Antitrust Act (though initially weak) aimed to break up monopolies.
• Clayton Antitrust Act strengthened the Sherman Act.
• Federal Reserve System created a more stable banking system.

2.4. Social Reforms 👩‍⚕️

• Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act protected consumers.
• Settlement houses continued to provide social services.

2.5. Women's Suffrage ♀️

• NAWSA (National American Woman Suffrage Association) was a key organization.
• 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote in 1920. - The 19th Amendment is a huge deal! Know the context and its impact.

2.6. Key Figures & Organizations

• Theodore Roosevelt: Progressive president, trust-buster, conservationist.
• W.E.B. DuBois: Civil rights activist, co-founder of the NAACP.
• Minor v. Happersett: Supreme Court case denying women the right to vote (later overturned).
• WCTU: Women's Christian Temperance Union, advocated for prohibition.
• The Anti-Saloon League (ASL): Powerful political organization that advocated for the prohibition of alcohol.

3. Connecting the Eras 🔗

• The Gilded Age created the problems that the Progressive Era sought to solve.
• The Progressive Era built on the social activism of the Gilded Age, using government action to address issues.

4. Final Exam Focus 🎯

4.1. High-Priority Topics

• Industrialization and its impacts
• Political corruption and reform
• Muckrakers and their influence
• Progressive Era reforms (political, economic, social)
• Women's suffrage movement

4.2. Common Question Types

• Multiple Choice: Expect questions on specific reforms, key figures, and causes/effects.
• Short Answer: Be ready to explain the goals of the Progressives, the role of muckrakers, or the impact of a specific reform.
• Free Response: FRQs often ask you to analyze the extent of change or continuity between the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era.

4.3. Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
• Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague generalizations. Be specific and use evidence to support your claims.
• Strategies: Read the question carefully and make sure you understand what it's asking. Outline your response before you start writing.

5. Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the primary goal of the muckrakers during the Progressive Era?

(A) To promote laissez-faire economic policies (B) To expose social and economic problems (C) To advocate for the expansion of American imperialism (D) To support the growth of political machines

2. The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted:

(A) African American men the right to vote (B) Women the right to vote (C) Native Americans the right to vote (D) Immigrants the right to vote

3. Which of the following was a major goal of the Progressive movement?

(A) To promote unrestricted immigration (B) To reduce government regulation of businesses (C) To address social and economic problems through government action (D) To maintain the status quo of the Gilded Age

Free Response Question

Analyze the extent to which the Progressive Era (1890-1920) was a turning point in United States history.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.
• Argument Development (2 points): Provides evidence to support the thesis, demonstrating an understanding of the Progressive Era and its impact as a turning point.
• Evidence (2 points): Uses specific historical evidence to support the argument, such as political reforms, economic regulations, and social changes.
• Analysis (2 points): Analyzes the evidence, explaining how it supports the argument and demonstrating an understanding of the complexities and nuances of the Progressive Era.
• Synthesis (1 point): Connects the Progressive Era to other historical periods or themes, demonstrating a broader understanding of U.S. history.

Example Response:

The Progressive Era (1890-1920) was a significant turning point in United States history, marking a shift from the laissez-faire policies of the Gilded Age to a more active role for government in addressing social and economic problems. While some aspects of American society remained unchanged, the reforms of this era fundamentally altered the relationship between the government and its citizens.

One key change was the expansion of democracy through political reforms. The initiative, referendum, and recall gave citizens more direct control over the political process, while the 17th Amendment allowed for the direct election of senators, limiting the power of political machines. These reforms marked a significant departure from the corruption and limited participation of the Gilded Age.

Furthermore, the Progressive Era saw significant economic reforms aimed at regulating businesses and protecting consumers. The Sherman Antitrust Act, though initially weak, began the process of breaking up monopolies, while the Federal Reserve System created a more stable banking system. The Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act protected consumers from unsafe products, demonstrating a new commitment to government regulation of the economy.

However, it is important to note that the Progressive Era did not solve all of the problems of the Gilded Age. Racial inequality persisted, and African Americans continued to face discrimination and segregation. While some Progressives advocated for civil rights, these issues were not addressed as thoroughly as economic and political reforms.

In conclusion, the Progressive Era was a turning point that fundamentally altered the role of government in American society. While it did not solve all of the nation's problems, it laid the groundwork for future reforms and established a precedent for government intervention in the economy and society. This era marked a shift from the laissez-faire approach of the Gilded Age to a more active and interventionist government, a change that continues to shape American society today.

You've got this! Remember to stay calm, read carefully, and trust your knowledge. Good luck tomorrow! 🍀