SAQs for APUSH Topic 6.9 — Response to Immigration in the Gilded Age

Ten questions designed to help students review for the annual exam and that relate to how Americans responded to those who came to live permanently in the United States between 1870–1900.

1. The Gilded Age began shortly before the start of America’s Second Industrial Revolution and ended ten years after the start of the Progressive Era. It also overlapped the Era of Reconstruction. When did the Second Industrial Revolution begin? When did the Progressive Era begin and when did it end? Same question for the Era of Reconstruction.
2. One response to the immigration of the Gilded Age was to prevent all members of a specific ethnic or national group from immigrating to the United States. Name and briefly describe one piece of evidence in support of this claim.
3. Another response to the immigration of the Gilded Age was to limit the number of immigrants to America. One piece of evidence in support of this claim is something called the Immigration Act of 1882, considered by many to be the “first general immigration law.” This law imposed a head tax on noncitizens of the United States who came to American ports and it also restricted certain classes of people from immigrating to America. Name a class of immigrants who were restricted from immigrating to America under this law.
4. Another response to the immigration of the Gilded Age was to help immigrants adapt to the U.S. language and customs. One piece of evidence in support of this claim is something called the Settlement Movement. What was the Settlement Movement?
5. Another response to the immigration of the Gilded Age was to provide services to immigrants in turn for votes on election day. One piece of evidence in support of this claim is something called Political Machines. Name and briefly describe one political machine. Name and describe one service that this political machine would provide immigrants. Name an immigrant group that political machine bosses would not offer services to. Name a group of migrants that political machine bosses would not offer service to.
6. Another response to the immigration of the Gilded Age was to prevent them from joining labor unions. Give one reason that would explain why labor union leaders would want to prevent immigrants from joining their union.
7. Another response to the immigration of the Gilded Age was to teach immigrants how to become a person who shares American values, beliefs, and customs. Two words that often are used in this regard are Americanization and assimilation? What does the word Americanization mean? What does the word assimilation mean?
8. Another response to the immigration of the Gilded Age was to use immigrants as strikebreakers. Who would want to use an immigrant as a strikebreaker?
9. Another response to the immigration of the Gilded Age was to be awestruck at the increase of non-Protestant believers. Who would be so awestruck?
10. Another response to the immigration of the Gilded Age was to be fearful of the genetic outcome of the eventual pooling of these new bloods. Who would so fear?
11. Another response to the immigration of the Gilded Age was to increasingly debate questions related to assimilation and Americanization. Who would so debate?
12. Another response to the immigration of the Gilded Age was to “greet the rush of cheap labor with zeal.” Who would so greet the immigrants?
13. During the Gilded Age, the Statue of Liberty beckoned the world’s “huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” This beckoning resulted in America, some would say, turning into a melting pot. What’s is meant by the words “melting pot” in terms of immigration to America.
14. How did the children of most Gilded Age immigrants differ from their parents in terms of standard of living, the ability to speak, write, and read English, and lifestyle?
15. Name and briefly describe a response to immigration that sought to limit immigration to America after the Gilded Age?