Unit 6 covers 1865-1898, exploring Reconstruction, Westward Expansion, Industrialization, Immigration, Urbanization, Gilded Age Politics, and the Spanish-American War. It highlights the transformation of the U.S. during this period, focusing on societal, economic, and political shifts that shaped the nation’s identity and global influence.
1.1 Overview of the Period (1865-1898)
The period from 1865 to 1898 marks significant transformation in the United States. Following the Civil War, Reconstruction aimed to rebuild the South and grant rights to freed enslaved people. This era saw Westward Expansion, driven by the construction of the transcontinental railroad and Native American displacement. Industrialization surged, introducing technological advancements and economic growth. Immigration and urbanization reshaped society, while the Gilded Age highlighted stark inequalities. The Spanish-American War concluded the period, signaling U.S. emergence as a global power.
1.2 Key Themes and Concepts
Key themes of Unit 6 include Reconstruction, Westward Expansion, Industrialization, Immigration, and Urbanization. These concepts highlight the social, economic, and political shifts transforming the U.S. during this era. Reconstruction focused on rebuilding the South and granting rights to freed enslaved people. Westward Expansion brought territorial growth and Native American conflicts. Industrialization introduced technological advancements and economic growth, while Immigration and Urbanization reshaped American society. The Gilded Age revealed stark inequalities, and foreign policy shifts led to the Spanish-American War, marking the U.S. as a global power.
Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)
The Reconstruction Era aimed to reunify the nation, ensure equal rights for freed enslaved people, and rebuild the South after the Civil War. It faced significant resistance, leading to its eventual decline.
2.1 The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, the 14th granted citizenship and equal protection to African Americans, and the 15th extended voting rights to Black men. These landmark legislations aimed to establish civil rights and equality after the Civil War, reshaping the legal framework of the United States. However, their full implementation faced significant resistance, leading to ongoing struggles for racial equality during Reconstruction and beyond.
2.2 Freedmen’s Bureau and Reconstruction Plans
The Freedmen’s Bureau, established in 1865, aimed to assist formerly enslaved individuals by providing education, healthcare, and land. Presidential Reconstruction plans, such as Lincoln’s 10% Plan and Johnson’s pardon policy, sought to reintegrate Southern states. Radical Republicans pushed for stricter measures, leading to the Wade-Davis Bill and eventual impeachment of Johnson. These plans laid the groundwork for Reconstruction but faced significant resistance, impacting African Americans’ rights and the South’s reintegration into the Union.
2.3 Impact of the KKK and End of Reconstruction
The Ku Klux Klan terrorized African Americans and Republicans, suppressing voting rights and civil rights. The Compromise of 1877 ended Reconstruction, withdrawing federal troops from the South. This allowed Southern Democrats to regain power, leading to Jim Crow laws and racial segregation. The KKK’s violence and intimidation tactics effectively disenfranchised African Americans, undoing much of Reconstruction’s progress and perpetuating racial inequality for decades. This marked the end of federal efforts to ensure equality in the South during this period.
Westward Expansion
Westward Expansion (1865-1898) involved the transcontinental railroad, Native American conflicts, and land policies like the Homestead Act, shaping U.S. territorial growth and identity during this period.
3.1 Transcontinental Railroad and Native American Impact
The Transcontinental Railroad, completed in 1869, revolutionized transportation and commerce, connecting the East and West coasts. However, its construction devastated Native American tribes, displacing them from ancestral lands and disrupting their way of life. The railroad also facilitated westward expansion, leading to further land loss and violence against Native Americans. This period marked the decline of Native American sovereignty and the rise of U.S. territorial dominance, shaping the complex legacy of westward expansion.
3.2 Cattle Industry and Technological Innovations
The cattle industry flourished during this period, with the expansion of ranching and the development of the cowboy culture. Technological advancements like barbed wire and refrigerated railcars enabled the mass production and distribution of beef. Innovations in livestock management and transportation connected the West to national markets, fostering economic growth. The rise of meatpacking industries, led by figures like Philip Armour, transformed the sector, making beef more accessible and contributing to the nation’s industrial and culinary landscape.
3.3 Homestead Act and Dawes Act
The Homestead Act of 1862 granted settlers 160 acres of land for free, provided they lived on and farmed it for five years. This spurred westward expansion by encouraging agricultural settlement. Conversely, the Dawes Act of 1887 aimed to assimilate Native Americans by dividing tribal land into individual allotments, with excess land opened to settlers. While it intended to promote integration, it often led to land loss and cultural disruption for Native American communities, significantly impacting their way of life and land ownership.
Industrialization
Industrialization transformed the U.S. economy, driven by technological innovations, entrepreneurship, and the rise of corporations. It spurred urbanization and economic growth but also led to worker exploitation and labor movements.
4.1 Rise of Industrial Capitalism
The late 19th century saw the rise of industrial capitalism, dominated by robber barons like Rockefeller and Carnegie. Technological advancements and corporate consolidation led to monopolies and trusts, concentrating wealth and power. This era marked the expansion of factories, railroads, and mass production, reshaping the U.S. economy and society. However, it also brought exploitation of workers, prompting labor movements and eventual government intervention to regulate industries.
4.2 Robber Barons and Trusts
Robber barons like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller amassed fortunes through industrial dominance and monopolistic practices. Trusts, legal entities consolidating industries, enabled corporate control over markets and prices, often stifling competition. These practices led to significant wealth inequality and public outcry, prompting calls for reform and antitrust legislation, such as the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, aimed at curbing monopolistic power.
4.3 Labor Movements and Key Events
The late 19th century saw the rise of labor movements in response to poor working conditions and low wages. The Haymarket Riot (1886) and the Pullman Strike (1894) highlighted tensions between workers and corporations. Unions like the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor (AFL) emerged, advocating for better rights. Samuel Gompers played a key role in shaping labor policies. These events drew national attention to labor issues, inspiring reforms and shaping the future of workers’ rights in America.
4.4 Laissez-Faire Economy and Social Darwinism
The Gilded Age was characterized by a laissez-faire economy, where the government avoided interfering in business. This allowed corporations to grow unchecked, leading to monopolies and trusts. Social Darwinism, influenced by Charles Darwin’s theory, justified economic inequality by suggesting only the “fittest” survived. Wealthy industrialists like Andrew Carnegie used this ideology to defend their practices. Critics argued it ignored social responsibilities, but it remained a dominant mindset, shaping policies and societal attitudes during this period.
Immigration and Urbanization
Massive immigration waves from Southern and Eastern Europe led to rapid urban growth, causing overcrowding, poor sanitation, and social challenges. Political machines gained power, addressing some issues but fostering corruption. Nativism and exclusionary laws emerged as reactions to the influx, shaping the era’s cultural and political landscape.
5.1 Immigration Waves and City Growth
Massive immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe between 1865 and 1898 led to significant urban growth. Millions of immigrants arrived, drawn by industrial jobs and economic opportunities. Cities like New York and Chicago expanded rapidly, with immigrant communities shaping cultural and economic landscapes. However, overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate housing became major issues, highlighting the challenges of urbanization during this period of rapid transformation.
5.2 Urban Issues and Political Machines
Urban growth during this period led to overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate housing, creating social and health challenges. Political machines, such as Tammany Hall, emerged to address these issues by providing services to immigrants and the poor in exchange for political loyalty. While they delivered essential support, these machines often engaged in corruption, such as embezzlement and voter fraud, dominating urban politics and maintaining power through patronage systems.
5.3 Responses to Immigration
Immigration sparked both opportunity and opposition. Nativism surged, with groups like the Know-Nothing Party opposing foreign influence. The Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) restricted Asian immigration, reflecting racial and economic fears. Meanwhile, urban political machines often supported immigrants, offering services in exchange for votes. Social reformers advocated for better housing and education, while labor unions sometimes opposed immigration, fearing job competition. These conflicting responses highlighted the tension between America’s identity as a nation of immigrants and its growing anxieties about cultural and economic change.
Politics of the Gilded Age
The Gilded Age saw political corruption, the spoils system, and the rise of political machines. Issues like civil service reform and economic policies dominated debates, while new movements emerged to challenge the status quo.
6.1 Issues and Political Parties
The Gilded Age saw intense political competition between Republicans and Democrats, with debates over tariffs, currency, and civil service reform dominating agendas. Third parties, like the Populists, emerged to address farmer and labor grievances. The Republican Party focused on industrial growth and high tariffs, while Democrats advocated for lower tariffs and agrarian interests. Key legislation, such as the Tariff Act of 1890 and the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, reflected these divides. The rise of political machines and corruption further complicated the era’s partisan landscape. The Populist movement marked a significant challenge to the two-party system, emphasizing economic reform and social justice.
6.2 Civil Service Reform and Spoils System
The spoils system dominated Gilded Age politics, where government jobs were awarded to political supporters rather than based on merit. This led to corruption and inefficiency. Civil service reform emerged as a response, advocating for a merit-based system. The Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 was a landmark legislation, introducing competitive exams and reducing patronage. While initially opposed by party machines, the reform marked a shift toward professionalizing government administration and curbing political corruption. It aimed to create a more competent and impartial bureaucracy. This movement gained momentum as public dissatisfaction with the spoils system grew.
6.3 Key Legislation
Key legislation during the Gilded Age addressed economic and social challenges. The Interstate Commerce Act (1887) regulated railroads, while the Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890) aimed to prevent monopolies. The Dawes Act (1887) attempted to assimilate Native Americans by breaking up tribal lands. These laws reflected growing federal intervention in economic and social matters, marking a shift toward more active governance and addressing the era’s complexities, though their enforcement and effectiveness varied widely.
Foreign Policy and Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War marked the U.S. emergence as a global power. Driven by expansionism, the war resulted in the acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, solidifying American influence abroad.
7.1 Manifest Destiny and Expansion
Manifest Destiny, the belief in American territorial expansion, resurfaced in the late 19th century. The U.S. sought to expand its influence globally, driven by economic, strategic, and ideological motives. The construction of the transcontinental railroad and the annexation of Hawaii exemplified this ambition. The Spanish-American War marked the culmination, resulting in the U.S. gaining Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. This period solidified America’s emergence as a global power, blending imperialism with democratic ideals, and reshaping its international role.
7.2 Events Leading to War
The Spanish-American War was triggered by Cuba’s fight for independence, exacerbated by the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana harbor. Yellow journalism intensified public outrage, while the De Lôme Letter insulted President McKinley, further straining U.S.-Spain relations. Economic interests in Cuba, particularly sugar plantations, and humanitarian concerns over Spanish brutality fueled American intervention. Congress declared war on Spain in April 1898, marking the U.S. emergence as a global power and leading to the acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.