GILDED AGEIndustrialization, Immigration, and Urbanization

Vocabulary

HOMESTEAD ACT OF 1862

■ GRANTED 160 ACRES OF PUBLIC LAND FOR FREE—IF WORKED FOR 5 YEARS

TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD

■ RAILROAD THAT CROSSES THE COUNTRY

ASSIMILATION

■ ADOPTING THE CULTURE OF A DOMINANT GROUP

GILDED AGE

■ INDUSTRIAL GROWTH, GREAT WEALTH FOR FEW, MASSIVE IMMIGRATION,

URBANIZATION AND POLITICAL CORRUPTION

FREE ENTERPRISE

■ CAPITALISM—BUSINESS OWNER OPERATES TO GAIN PROFIT WITH LITTLE

GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE (BOTHERING)

LAISSEZ-FAIRE

■ ECONOMIC SYSTEM WHERE THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTERFERE (BOTHER)

WITH INDIVIDUALS/BUSINESSES

POLITICAL MACHINE

■ ALLOWS THE BOSS TO CONTROL ELECTIONS AND GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT OF 1887

■ GAVE THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION POWER TO REGULATE (CONTROL)

RAILROADS THAT OPERATED ACROSS STATE LINES

POPULISM

■ POLITICAL MOVEMENT THAT DEMANDED MORE GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF

BUSINESS, SUPPORT FOR ORDINARY (EVERYDAY) AMERICANS, AND POLITICAL

REFORMS (CHANGES)

IMMIGRATION

■ RELOCATION OF PEOPLE FROM ONE COUNTRY TO ANOTHER

URBANIZATION

■ Concentration (focus) of people in cities

PLESSY V. FERGUSON, 1896

■ Upheld (supported) segregation laws—”separate but equal”

AMERICANIZE

■ Teaching American Indians and immigrants white American culture

SOCIAL GOSPEL (late 1800s, early 1900s)

■ Urged (advised) believers to work for social justice

PHILANTHROPY

■ Donating money for social or cultural improvement or enrichment