Key Terms of American History

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Gilded Age

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A period in the late 19th century known for rapid economic growth and ostentatious displays of wealth, but also marked by political corruption and social inequality.

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Labor Union

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An organization of workers formed to protect and advance their rights and interests; often involved in negotiating wages and working conditions.

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Political Machines

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Political organizations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that controlled election results by awarding jobs and other favors in exchange for votes.

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Progressive Era

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A period of social activism and political reform in the United States from the 1890s to the 1920s, aimed at eliminating problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, immigration, and political corruption.

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Progressivism

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A political and social-reform movement that brought major changes to American politics and government during the early 20th century.

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Robber Barons

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A term used to describe powerful 19th-century industrialists who were viewed as having used questionable practices to amass their wealth.

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Social Reforms

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Efforts aimed at improving society by addressing issues such as poverty, education, and public health.

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Strike

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A work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work, usually to protest against terms or conditions set by employers.

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Women’s Suffrage

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The movement to secure the right to vote for women, culminating in the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920.