🇺🇸Honors US History Unit 8 – The Gilded Age and the Progressive Era

Key Events and Timeline

• Reconstruction ended in 1877 with the withdrawal of federal troops from the South and the Compromise of 1877
• Gilded Age spanned from the 1870s to the 1890s characterized by rapid industrialization, economic growth, and political corruption
• Panic of 1893 led to a severe economic depression that lasted until 1897
• Spanish-American War in 1898 resulted in the U.S. acquiring new territories (Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam) and emerging as a world power
• Progressive Era began in the 1890s and lasted until the 1920s focused on social, political, and economic reforms
• World War I began in 1914 and the U.S. entered the war in 1917 marking a shift in foreign policy and domestic priorities
• 19th Amendment ratified in 1920 granting women the right to vote nationwide

Economic Developments

• Rapid industrialization led to the growth of large corporations and trusts (Standard Oil, U.S. Steel)
• Laissez-faire capitalism and limited government regulation allowed for monopolies and income inequality to increase
• Expansion of railroads connected markets, facilitated trade, and spurred economic growth
  • Transcontinental railroads (First Transcontinental Railroad completed in 1869) linked the East and West coasts
• Rise of finance capitalism and the growth of the banking industry
• Urbanization and the growth of cities due to industrialization and immigration
• Labor unions formed to advocate for workers' rights and better working conditions (Knights of Labor, American Federation of Labor)
• Populist movement emerged in the 1890s representing farmers and workers advocating for economic reforms

Social and Cultural Changes

• Mass immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe changed the ethnic and cultural landscape of the U.S.
  • Ellis Island opened in 1892 as the main entry point for immigrants on the East Coast
  • Nativism and anti-immigrant sentiment led to restrictive immigration policies (Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882)
• Rapid urbanization led to overcrowding, poor living conditions, and public health issues in cities
• Growth of the middle class and the rise of consumer culture
• Social Gospel movement emerged applying Christian principles to address social issues (poverty, inequality)
• Increased access to education and the growth of public schools
  • Compulsory education laws passed in many states
• Segregation and racial discrimination persisted, particularly in the South with the implementation of Jim Crow laws

Political Landscape

• Political machines and party bosses controlled local politics in many cities through patronage and corruption (Tammany Hall in New York City)
• Populist Party formed in the 1890s advocating for reforms to address economic inequalities and agrarian issues
• Progressive movement gained momentum in the early 20th century pushing for political, social, and economic reforms
  • Progressives advocated for direct democracy (initiative, referendum, recall) and government regulation of business
• Presidents during the Gilded Age (Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison) were generally pro-business and limited government intervention
• Presidents during the Progressive Era (Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson) supported progressive reforms and increased government regulation
• Expansion of federal power and the growth of the administrative state during the Progressive Era

Major Figures and Their Impacts

• Andrew Carnegie, steel magnate and philanthropist, promoted the "Gospel of Wealth" and donated much of his fortune to charitable causes
• John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil, became one of the wealthiest individuals in history and engaged in philanthropy
• J.P. Morgan, financier and banker, played a significant role in the consolidation of industries and the development of modern corporate finance
• Theodore Roosevelt, President from 1901-1909, known for his "Square Deal" policies, trust-busting, and conservation efforts
  • Established national parks and forests, including Yosemite and Yellowstone
• Woodrow Wilson, President from 1913-1921, implemented progressive reforms (Federal Reserve Act, Federal Trade Commission, Clayton Antitrust Act)
• Jane Addams, social reformer and founder of Hull House, advocated for immigrants, women, and the poor
• W.E.B. Du Bois, civil rights activist and co-founder of the NAACP, fought against racial discrimination and promoted African American rights
• Upton Sinclair, journalist and author, exposed the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry in his novel "The Jungle" leading to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act

Reform Movements and Progressive Policies

• Settlement house movement established community centers in urban areas to provide social services and education to immigrants and the poor (Hull House in Chicago)
• Women's suffrage movement fought for women's right to vote culminating in the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920
• Temperance movement advocated for the prohibition of alcohol leading to the passage of the 18th Amendment in 1919
• Muckrakers, investigative journalists, exposed corruption, social injustices, and poor living and working conditions (Ida Tarbell, Lincoln Steffens, Jacob Riis)
  • Ida Tarbell's "The History of the Standard Oil Company" exposed the monopolistic practices of the company
• Progressive reforms at the local, state, and federal levels:
  • Direct primary elections, secret ballots, and the direct election of U.S. Senators (17th Amendment)
  • Antitrust legislation (Sherman Antitrust Act, Clayton Antitrust Act) to regulate monopolies and trusts
  • Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act to ensure food and drug safety
  • Federal Reserve Act established the Federal Reserve System to regulate the banking industry
  • Federal Trade Commission created to regulate unfair business practices
• Conservation movement aimed to protect natural resources and establish national parks (Yosemite, Yellowstone)

Technological Advancements

• Electricity and the invention of the light bulb by Thomas Edison revolutionized industry and daily life
• Telephone invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 transformed communication
• Automobile invented by Karl Benz in 1885 and mass-produced by Henry Ford (Model T) in 1908 changed transportation and led to the growth of suburbs
• Bessemer process for mass-producing steel invented by Henry Bessemer in 1856 facilitated the growth of industries and infrastructure
• Typewriter invented by Christopher Sholes in 1868 increased efficiency in business and communication
• Phonograph invented by Thomas Edison in 1877 allowed for the recording and playback of sound
• Motion picture technology developed by Thomas Edison and others in the 1890s led to the growth of the entertainment industry
• Assembly line manufacturing introduced by Henry Ford in 1913 increased efficiency and productivity in factories

Legacy and Long-term Effects

• Gilded Age and Progressive Era laid the foundation for modern American capitalism, politics, and society
• Antitrust legislation and government regulation of business continue to shape economic policy
• Progressive reforms (direct democracy, women's suffrage, food and drug safety) have had lasting impacts on American democracy and society
• The growth of the middle class and consumer culture continue to shape American economic and social life
• The legacy of racial discrimination and segregation from the Jim Crow era persists in American society
• The U.S. emerged as a world power during this period, setting the stage for its global influence in the 20th century
• The expansion of federal power and the growth of the administrative state during the Progressive Era continue to shape American politics and government
• The conservation movement and the establishment of national parks have had lasting impacts on environmental protection and public lands