Westward Expansion: Economic Development
Chloe Davis
10 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers the Gilded Age (1865-1900) in AP US History, focusing on industrialization, westward expansion, and the resulting social and political changes. Key topics include the Transcontinental Railroad, the Mining Frontier and the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Agricultural Frontier including the Homestead Act and the Cattle Frontier, the rise of farmer organizations like the Grange Movement and Farmers' Alliance, and the emergence of the Populist Party from the Ocala Platform. The guide provides practice questions and exam tips for these high-value topics.
#AP US History Study Guide: Gilded Age (1865-1900)
Hey there, future AP US History master! Let's get you prepped for the big exam with a super-focused review of the Gilded Age. We'll break down the key stuff, make it stick with memory tricks, and get you feeling confident. Let's dive in! 🚀
#🚂 Industrialization & Westward Expansion: Setting the Stage
#🚄 The Transcontinental Railroad
- Connecting the Nation: The government invested heavily in transportation and communication, reviving Henry Clay's American System to link the East and West coasts. 💡
- 1869 Completion: The Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869, creating new markets and facilitating settlement in the West.
- Economic Impact: It spurred growth in industries like steel, coal, and manufacturing. It also created jobs and led to the growth of towns and cities along the railway.
- Capitalism: The railroad was a key factor in the capitalist development of the United States during the Gilded Age.
Practice Question
Multiple Choice:
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The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 had which of the following effects? (A) It led to the decline of agricultural production in the West. (B) It facilitated the growth of industries like steel and coal. (C) It decreased the need for immigration to the United States. (D) It resulted in the immediate end of conflicts with Native Americans.
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Which of the following best describes the economic philosophy that supported government investment in infrastructure projects during the Gilded Age? (A) Laissez-faire capitalism (B) Socialism (C) The American System (D) Communism
Short Answer Question:
Briefly explain how the Transcontinental Railroad impacted both the economic and social development of the United States during the Gilded Age.
Free Response Question:
Analyze the ways in which the expansion of railroads and the development of mining significantly transformed the American West during the period from 1865 to 1900. Be sure to address both economic and social changes. (5 points)
- Point 1: Thesis that establishes a clear argument about the transformative effects of railroads and mining on the American West.
- Point 2: Evidence of the economic impacts of railroads, such as the creation of new markets, the growth of industries, and the facilitation of trade.
- Point 3: Evidence of the social impacts of railroads, such as the settlement and development of the West, and the displacement of Native Americans.
- Point 4: Evidence of the economic impacts of mining, such as the creation of boomtowns, the influx of prospectors, and the development of large-scale mining operations.
- Point 5: Evidence of the social impacts of mining, such as the displacement of small-scale miners, the creation of diverse communities, and the rise of discrimination against certain groups.
#⛏️ Mining Frontier
- Gold Rush: The California Gold Rush of 1848 triggered a rush of people to the West in search of wealth. Other gold and silver rushes followed in other western states.
- Boomtowns: Towns popped up overnight as a result of rich strikes, often characterized by saloons, dance hall girls, and vigilante justice. Many became ghost towns after the gold or silver ran out.
- Corporations Take Over: Mining became too expensive for the average miner, leading to large corporations taking over operations and displacing small-scale miners.
#🇨🇳 Chinese Exclusion Act
- Immigration: Mining companies employed miners from various parts of the world, including Europe, Latin America, and China. Many mining camps had a large foreign-born population.
- Discrimination: Chinese immigrants faced significant discrimination.
Remember that discrimination was not limited to just Chinese immigrants, but they were the first group to be targeted by a specific federal law.
- 1882 Act: The Chinese Exclusion Act suspended immigration of Chinese laborers for ten years. This was the first major act of Congress to restrict immigration based on race and nationality.
- Motivations: The act was driven by anti-Chinese sentiment, economic competition, and the belief that the Chinese were incapable of assimilating into American society.
- Lasting Impact: The act was extended multiple times and was not repealed until 1943. It had a severe impact on the Chinese-American community, creating a discriminatory system for over 60 years.
Practice Question
Multiple Choice:
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The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was primarily a response to: (A) The need for more laborers in the West. (B) The desire to promote cultural diversity. (C) Anti-Chinese sentiment and economic competition. (D) The threat of Chinese military aggression.
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Which of the following best describes the impact of the Chinese Exclusion Act on the Chinese-American community? (A) It led to increased economic opportunities for Chinese immigrants. (B) It resulted in a more inclusive and accepting society. (C) It created a discriminatory system that denied basic rights to Chinese immigrants and their descendants. (D) It had little to no impact on the Chinese-American community.
Short Answer Question:
Explain the main reasons why the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed and what its impact was on Chinese immigrants in the United States.
Free Response Question:
Analyze the factors that contributed to the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and evaluate the long-term consequences of this legislation on the Chinese-American community. (5 points)
- Point 1: Thesis that clearly identifies the factors contributing to the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act.
- Point 2: Evidence of anti-Chinese sentiment and discrimination in the United States.
- Point 3: Evidence of economic competition and the perception that Chinese laborers were taking jobs from native-born Americans.
- Point 4: Evidence of the long-term consequences of the Act, such as the denial of basic rights and the creation of a discriminatory system.
- Point 5: Evidence of the impact on the Chinese-American community, such as the social and economic hardships they faced.
#🌾 Agricultural Frontier
- Homestead Act (1862): Offered 160 acres of public land free to any family that settled on it for five years, spurring westward migration.
- Technological Advances: Innovations like the McCormick reaper, barbed wire, and the refrigerated railroad car boosted agricultural productivity.
Remember "R-B-R" (Reaper, Barbed wire, Refrigerated cars) for key agricultural innovations.
- Economic Challenges: Increased productivity led to lower prices for farm products. Farmers felt that government policies favored large corporations (banks, railroads, etc.) over small farmers.
- Farmer Organization: Farmers began to organize and form cooperatives and political groups to push for policies that would benefit them. This was the start of the farmers' movement.
#🐄 Cattle Frontier
- Open Range: Cattle ranching dominated the open range, stretching from Texas to Canada.
- Joseph McCoy: He helped solve the problem of getting beef to eastern markets by taking cattle to railheads in Kansas.
- Cowboys: Pushed steers northward in herds. A diverse group, with at least a quarter being black and another quarter being Mexican.
Don't forget the diversity of cowboys!
- Railroads: Helped transport cattle to eastern markets, leading to the growth of the meatpacking industry in the Midwest. Chicago became known as the "hog butcher for the world."
Practice Question
Multiple Choice:
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The Homestead Act of 1862 encouraged settlement of the Great Plains by: (A) Providing free land to any family that settled on it for a period of five years. (B) Offering financial incentives to railroad companies. (C) Establishing military forts to protect settlers from Native Americans. (D) Creating a system of communal farming.
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Which of the following best describes the role of Joseph McCoy in the cattle industry? (A) He invented the refrigerated railroad car. (B) He developed barbed wire for fencing. (C) He conceived the idea of taking cattle to railheads in Kansas. (D) He established the first large-scale meatpacking plant in Chicago.
Short Answer Question:
Explain how the Homestead Act and new technologies influenced agricultural practices in the American West during the Gilded Age.
Free Response Question:
Analyze the ways in which technological innovations and government policies transformed agriculture and cattle ranching in the American West during the period from 1865 to 1900. (5 points)
- Point 1: Thesis that clearly identifies the transformative impacts of technology and government policies on agriculture and cattle ranching.
- Point 2: Evidence of the impact of technological innovations such as the McCormick reaper, barbed wire, and the refrigerated railroad car on agriculture.
- Point 3: Evidence of the impact of government policies such as the Homestead Act on agricultural settlement.
- Point 4: Evidence of the impact of railroads on the cattle industry.
- Point 5: Evidence of the social and economic changes resulting from these transformations.
#🧑🌾 Grange Movement & Farmers' Alliance
- Grange Movement (1867): A fraternal organization for farmers that provided a sense of community and organized resistance against monopolistic practices of railroads and other large corporations.
- Farmers' Alliance: Founded after the Panic of 1873, it grew to be one of the largest farmers' groups with over one million members. They organized cooperatives, provided loans, and advocated for government support.
Remember that the Farmers' Alliance was a political organization, not just a social one.
- Political Advocacy: They advocated for the regulation of railroads, a graduated income tax, and a graduated land tax. They played a major role in the populist movement of the 1890s.
#🏛️ Ocala Platform & Populist Party
- Ocala Platform (1890): Established by farmers' alliances, calling for:
- Direct election of US senators
- Lower tariff rates
- A graduated income tax
- A new banking system regulated by the federal government
- Free coinage of silver ⛓
- Federal storage for farmers' crops and federal loans
Remember "SLIDE-F" (Senators, Lower tariffs, Income tax, Direct election, Federal banking, Free silver) for the Ocala Platform.
- Populist Party (1892): The government's failure to address these issues led to the foundation of the Populist Party, also known as the People's Party. The Populist Party is a major topic for the AP exam.
Practice Question
Multiple Choice:
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The Grange movement was primarily formed to: (A) Promote industrial growth in the West. (B) Provide a sense of community among farmers and organize resistance against monopolistic practices. (C) Advocate for the expansion of railroads. (D) Encourage immigration to the United States.
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Which of the following was NOT a demand of the Ocala Platform? (A) Direct election of US senators (B) Lower tariff rates (C) Creation of a national bank (D) Free coinage of silver
Short Answer Question:
Briefly describe the goals of the Grange movement and the Farmers' Alliance.
Free Response Question:
Analyze the social and economic factors that led to the rise of the Populist movement in the late 19th century. Be sure to discuss the Ocala Platform and the goals of the Populist Party. (5 points)
- Point 1: Thesis that clearly identifies the social and economic factors that led to the rise of the Populist movement.
- Point 2: Evidence of the social grievances of farmers, such as their isolation and the lack of community support.
- Point 3: Evidence of the economic challenges facing farmers, such as falling crop prices and high transportation costs.
- Point 4: Evidence of the Ocala Platform and its demands.
- Point 5: Evidence of the goals of the Populist Party and their efforts to address the grievances of farmers and workers.
#🎯 Final Exam Focus
- High-Priority Topics: Transcontinental Railroad, Chinese Exclusion Act, Homestead Act, Grange Movement, Farmers' Alliance, Ocala Platform, and the Populist Party. These are frequently tested topics.
- Common Question Types: Multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of key events, legislation, and social movements. FRQs often ask you to analyze the causes and effects of industrialization, westward expansion, and social movements.
- Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back to it later.
- Common Pitfalls: Don't confuse the different farmer organizations or their specific goals. Pay attention to the specific wording of the questions.
- Strategies: Use the documents provided in the DBQ to support your arguments. Make sure to address all parts of the FRQ and SAQ.
Alright, you've got this! You're now armed with the key info and strategies to ace the AP US History exam. Go get 'em! 💪
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