Chapter 10 of most AP US History textbooks typically covers the Gilded Age (roughly 1870-1900), a period of rapid economic growth, industrialization, and significant social and political change. These notes aim to provide a comprehensive overview, focusing on key themes and developments crucial for exam success. Remember to consult your specific textbook for details and nuances.
I. Industrial Expansion and its Consequences:
This section delves into the explosive growth of American industry, exploring its drivers and the resulting social and economic ramifications.
A. The Rise of Big Business:
- Key Players: Analyze the roles of titans like Andrew Carnegie (steel), John D. Rockefeller (oil), and J.P. Morgan (finance). Understand their business strategies (vertical and horizontal integration, trusts, monopolies) and their impact on the economy.
- Technological Innovations: Discuss the impact of technological advancements like the Bessemer process, the telephone, and electricity on industrial growth and daily life.
- Laissez-faire Capitalism: Examine the dominant economic philosophy of the time, its implications for government regulation, and its effects on workers and consumers. Consider the arguments for and against government intervention.
B. The Labor Movement:
- Working Conditions: Describe the harsh realities of working-class life: long hours, low wages, dangerous conditions, and child labor.
- Labor Unions: Analyze the rise of labor unions like the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor (AFL), their strategies (strikes, collective bargaining), successes, and failures. Understand the differences between craft unions and industrial unions.
- Major Strikes: Study pivotal strikes like the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, the Haymarket Riot, and the Pullman Strike. Analyze their causes, consequences, and their impact on the labor movement.
II. Social and Political Transformations:
This section examines the societal and political changes that accompanied industrialization.
A. Immigration and Urbanization:
- New Immigration: Understand the influx of "new immigrants" from Southern and Eastern Europe, their reasons for migrating, and their experiences in America. Discuss the challenges they faced, including discrimination and cultural clashes.
- Urban Growth: Analyze the rapid growth of American cities, the resulting problems (overcrowding, poverty, sanitation), and the emergence of new urban cultures and communities.
- Nativism and Discrimination: Explore the rise of nativism and anti-immigrant sentiment, including the Chinese Exclusion Act and other restrictive immigration policies.
B. Political Corruption and Reform:
- Political Machines: Examine the role of political machines (e.g., Tammany Hall) in city politics, their methods, and their impact on both immigrants and the political system.
- Government Corruption: Discuss the widespread corruption at the local, state, and national levels, including examples of bribery, graft, and patronage.
- Progressive Reforms: Begin to explore the early seeds of progressive reform movements aimed at addressing social and political problems. This will be further developed in later chapters.
III. The Rise of Populism:
This section explores the emergence of the Populist movement, a significant political force of the era.
- Farmers' Grievances: Analyze the economic hardships faced by farmers, including debt, falling crop prices, and the dominance of railroads.
- The Populist Platform: Understand the Populist Party's goals and demands, including free silver, government regulation of railroads, and income tax.
- Election of 1896: Analyze the significance of the 1896 presidential election, focusing on the clash between William McKinley (Republican) and William Jennings Bryan (Democrat/Populist).
IV. Key Themes to Remember:
Throughout your study of this chapter, keep in mind these overarching themes:
- Economic inequality: The vast disparity in wealth between industrialists and the working class.
- Social Darwinism: The application of Darwinian principles to justify social and economic inequalities.
- Government regulation vs. laissez-faire: The ongoing debate over the role of government in the economy.
- Immigration and cultural change: The impact of immigration on American society and culture.
- Political reform: The growing demand for political and social reforms.
By understanding these key themes and events, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the challenges of the AP US History exam regarding the Gilded Age. Remember to actively engage with primary and secondary sources to deepen your understanding and develop strong analytical skills.
