Gilded Age Study Guide with Questions
1. Growth and Change in the West
● Transcontinental Railroad: The completion of the railroad in 1869 connected the
eastern U.S. to the West. It promoted westward expansion, trade, and the growth of
industries like cattle and farming.
○ Question: How did the Transcontinental Railroad affect westward expansion and
economic growth?
● Homestead Act of 1862: This law provided 160 acres of free land to settlers willing to
farm it for five years. It led to the settlement of the Great Plains.
○ Question: What was the main purpose of the Homestead Act of 1862?
● Closing of the Frontier: By 1890, the U.S. Census declared the frontier closed. The
combination of the Homestead Act and railroad expansion contributed to this.
○ Question: What factors led to the closing of the American frontier by 1890?
2. Economic Issues of the Gilded Age
● Industrialization: The late 19th century saw rapid industrial growth in steel, oil, and
railroads, leading to the rise of entrepreneurs like Andrew Carnegie and John D.
Rockefeller.
○ Question: Who were some of the key industrial leaders during the Gilded Age,
and what industries did they dominate?
● Growth of Railroads: Railroads were crucial for transporting goods and people across
the country. They also caused tensions with farmers, leading to the Interstate
Commerce Act, which regulated railroad practices.
○ Question: Why did the federal government pass the Interstate Commerce Act,
and what was its purpose?
● Cattle Industry Boom: Railroads enabled the cattle industry to thrive by providing a way
to transport cattle to eastern markets.
○ Question: How did railroads contribute to the growth of the cattle industry in the
West?
3. Political Issues and Indian Policies
● Indian Policies: The government’s assimilation policies aimed to integrate Native
Americans into American society, primarily through the Dawes Act, which divided tribal
lands.
○ Question: What was the goal of the Dawes Act, and how did it impact Native
Americans?
● Political Machines: Organizations like Tammany Hall controlled city politics, providing
services to immigrants in exchange for votes. They were often associated with
corruption.
○ Question: How did political machines gain power, and why were they considered
corrupt?
4. Immigration and Social Issues
● Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882: This law was the first significant immigration restriction
in U.S. history, specifically targeting Chinese immigrants due to economic fears.
○ Question: Why was the Chinese Exclusion Act passed, and what were its effects
on Chinese immigration?
● Americanization Movement: This movement aimed to assimilate immigrants and
Native Americans into American culture, emphasizing English language learning and
cultural education.
○ Question: What was the purpose of the Americanization Movement, and how did
it affect immigrants and Native Americans?
● Social Issues: Rapid industrialization and urbanization led to overcrowded cities, poor
living conditions, and the exploitation of women, children, and immigrants in the
workforce.
○ Question: What social issues arose from urbanization and industrialization during
the Gilded Age?
5. Labor and Business
● Growth of Labor Unions: Organizations like the Knights of Labor and the American
Federation of Labor (AFL) emerged in response to poor working conditions, advocating
for better wages and hours.
○ Question: What were the primary goals of labor unions during the Gilded Age,
and why did they form?
● Big Business and Monopolies: Large corporations and trusts controlled key industries.
The Sherman Antitrust Act was passed to prevent monopolies and encourage
competition.
○ Question: What was the purpose of the Sherman Antitrust Act, and how did it aim
to regulate big businesses?
● Laissez-faire Economics: This policy advocated minimal government interference in
the economy, allowing big businesses to grow, but often at the expense of workers.
○ Question: What is laissez-faire economics, and how did it influence business
practices during the Gilded Age?
6. Technological Innovations
● Electric Power: Thomas Edison’s invention of electric light and the spread of electricity
transformed cities and allowed businesses to operate more efficiently.
○ Question: How did electric power and Thomas Edison’s inventions impact daily
life and business?
● Telephone: Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone revolutionized
communication and made it easier for businesses and individuals to stay connected.
○ Question: What was the significance of the telephone, and how did it change
communication in the U.S.?
● Steel Production: The Bessemer Process improved steel production, leading to the
construction of skyscrapers, bridges, and railroads, fueling industrial growth.
○ Question: Why was the Bessemer Process important for industrial growth during
the Gilded Age?
7. Key Leaders and Reformers
● Andrew Carnegie: A leader in the steel industry, Carnegie was known for his "Gospel of
Wealth" philosophy, encouraging the wealthy to give back to society.
○ Question: What was Andrew Carnegie’s "Gospel of Wealth," and how did it
influence philanthropy?
● Jane Addams: A social reformer who co-founded Hull House, Jane Addams worked to
improve the lives of immigrants, women, and children in urban areas.
○ Question: Who was Jane Addams, and what contributions did she make to social
reform during the Gilded Age?
Key Terms to Know
● Homestead Act
● Transcontinental Railroad
● Dawes Act
● Americanization Movement
● Chinese Exclusion Act
● Laissez-faire
● Sherman Antitrust Act
● Knights of Labor / AFL
● Political Machines
Study Tips
1. Focus on Key Events and Acts: Understand the significance of the Transcontinental
Railroad, the Homestead Act, the Dawes Act, and the Chinese Exclusion Act.
2. Know the Key Figures: Be familiar with industrial leaders like Andrew Carnegie, and
reformers like Jane Addams.
3. Understand Social Issues: Focus on how immigration, urbanization, and labor
movements shaped society during the Gilded Age.
4. Practice with Key Terms: Review key terms and ensure you can explain their
importance in the context of the Gilded Age.
