WS/FCS
Unit Planning Organizer
Subject(s)
Social Studies
Grade/Course American History 2
Unit of Study Unit 2: Industrialism, Urbanization,
Immigration, the Gilded Age and
Progressivism (3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 8.1, 8.3,
8.4)
Unit Title
The Gilded Age and Progressivism
Pacing
12 Days




Conceptual Lenses
Urbanization
Immigration
Power
Reform
Unit Overview
The second unit of American History 2 examines the Gilded Age and Progressive Era through the
lenses of urbanization, immigration, power and reform.
The Gilded Age: Industrialization and Immigration
By the 1880s, industrialization takes hold of the northern and Midwestern portions of the United
States. Technological innovations helped speed up production in factories and aided in the growth of
cities. Urbanization reaches new heights, both figuratively and literally. Not only do many Americans
migrate to the cities to find work, but the hope for work and a chance at the “American Dream” brings
millions of immigrants to the United States.
From 1870 to 1900, approximately twelve million immigrants arrived in the United States. The majority of these
immigrants traveled from Europe and were processed on the East Coast at Ellis Island, while a smaller number of
immigrants, mostly from Asia, entered the United States through the western processing center at Angel Island.
These “huddled masses” endured long voyages in hopes of improving their quality of life. Once through the
stressful ordeal of being processed, most of the immigrants traveled to large cities, settled in neighborhoods that
became distinct ethnic communities, and became factory workers.
The Gilded Age: Political Machines and Captains of Industry
Local and state politicians would use the naivety of immigrants to gain votes and secure their
positions of power. Once in power, a system of patronage and favoritism was used to maintain their
power in the political arena, essentially creating “political machines”. “Political machines” could be
found in major cities around the country, and once in place, they were difficult to dismantle and
riddled with corruption. The politicians in control would use their power to grant favors to businesses
and workers in return for monetary support and votes.
By supporting “political machines”, industrialists were able ensure a “laissez faire” government that
would not interfere with business practices. These practices included a variety of measures to
increase the wealth and power of large business owners, often at the expense of small businesses,
workers, and consumers. “Robber Barons” and “Captains of Industry” were able to rise to the top by
eliminating competition through the creation of monopolies. While many defended their business
tactics and treatment of workers by citing Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” theory, others used their
money and power to give back to the communities.
Progressivism: Moving Towards Reform
Rapid urbanization presented new obstacles for cities. Sanitation and housing became major issues
as the population in major cities grew. Concerns over fire safety grew as top floors in buildings
became out of reach for longest fire department ladders. The masses needed a way to decompress
and enjoy the little leisure time they had. Some of these obstacles would be fuel for the Progressive
Era and help change the nature of American entertainment.
Life in urban areas changed as a result of the huge numbers of immigrants. The mass influx of
diverse cultures led to the development of ethnic neighborhoods that continued the cultural aspects of
“home”. Unfortunately, life in the big city was filled with hardship. Most immigrants, as well as poor
Americans, lived in overcrowded tenements. The monotony of factory work, along with long hours
and low wages, took their toll on workers’ morale. Hope waned for labor reform due to the “laissez
faire” attitude in government.
As a result of the frustration, workers began to unite and form labor unions. People, like Terrance
Powderly, Samuel Gompers, and Eugene Debs, helped workers organized and fight for better pay,
shorter hours, and safer working conditions. Through tactics like arbitration and strikes, labor unions
hoped to improve the lives of both skilled and unskilled workers. Though few gains were made by the
end of the 19th Century, the work of labor unions would increase the demand for major reform.
A foreshadowing of serious reform came with the collapse of patronage, which fueled the “political
machines”. In 1883, the Pendleton Civil Service Act changed the way in which government positions
were granted. No longer could elected officials pack their offices with friends. Instead, positions had
to be filled by those qualified for the position. The Pendleton Civil Service Act was yet another sign of
the reforms to come.
Progressivism: Reform
The momentum for the Progressive Era grew with the muckraking done by journalists at the end of
the 19th Century and beginning of the 20th Century. Muckrakers brought to light the living conditions of
the urban poor, infiltrated factories to uncover the horrifying truths of food production and worker
hardship, exposed the corruption in big cities, and reported the abuses of big business. These actions
opened the door for reform. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson
answered the call for reform.
The first twenty years of the 20th Century was commanded by Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson, commonly
referred to as the Progressive Presidents. The “laissez-faire” government of the late 19th Century was
replaced by a regulatory government aimed at breaking up monopolies, improving the distribution of
wealth, and protecting workers and consumers. By the start of the 1920s, the federal government
had managed to add four new amendments to the Constitution including one creating an income tax
and one granting women the right to vote. Additionally, federal policies aimed at regulating business
and protecting consumers were created: the Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission,
and Food and Drug Administration. These major domestic changes paralleled changes in American
foreign policy, which found America involved in imperialism and a world war.
The government was not alone in the Progressive Movement, citizens also worked for change.
People like Jane Addams and Lillian Wald created settlement houses to help immigrants and the
poor. Minority groups worked to protect their civil liberties and gain certain rights. Although progress
was made for some (women were granted the right to vote) true equality would still be out of reach for
some time.
Unit Enduring Understanding(s)
1. Change as a result of urbanization can
necessitate reform.
2. Change as a result of immigration can
necessitate reform.
3. A desire for power can lead to corruption
and an unequal distribution of wealth.
4. When citizens face inequalities, they often
demand reform.
Unit Essential Question(s)
1. How can urbanization lead to political,
economic and social reform?
2. How can immigration lead to political,
economic and social reform?
3. How can the desire for power lead to
corruption and an unbalanced distribution of
wealth?
4. Why do movements for political, economic,
and social reform occur?
Essential State Standards
Priority Objectives
AH2.H.3.4 Analyze voluntary and involuntary
immigration trends since Reconstruction in terms
of causes, regions of origin and destination,
cultural contributions, and public and
governmental response.
AH2.H.4.1 Analyze the political issues and
conflicts that impacted the United States since
Reconstruction and the compromises that
resulted.
AH2.H.4.2 Analyze the economic issues and
conflicts that impacted the United States since
Reconstruction and the compromises that
resulted.
AH2.H.4.3 Analyze the social and religious
conflicts, movements and reforms that impacted
the United States since Reconstruction in terms of
participants, strategies, opposition, and results.
AH2.H.5.1 Summarize how the philosophical,
ideological and/or religious views on freedom and
equality contributed to the development of
American political and economic systems since
Reconstruction.
AH2.H.8.1 Analyze the relationship between
innovation, economic development, progress and
various perceptions of the “American Dream”
since Reconstruction.
Supporting Objectives
AH2.H.4.2 Analyze the economic issues and
conflicts that impacted the United States since
Reconstruction and the compromises that
resulted.
AH2.H.7.2 Explain the impact of wars on the
American economy since Reconstruction.
AH2.H.4.4 Analyze the cultural conflicts that
impacted the United States since Reconstruction
and the compromises that resulted.
AH2.H.8.2 Explain how opportunity and mobility
impacted various groups within American society
since Reconstruction.
AH2.H.8.3 Evaluate the extent to which a variety
of groups and individuals have had opportunity to
attain their perception of the “American Dream”
since Reconstruction.
AH2.H.8.4 Analyze multiple perceptions of the
“American Dream” in times of prosperity and crisis
since Reconstruction.
*Standards 1 (historical thinking) and 2
(turning points) are included in every unit.
“Unpacked” Concepts
(students need to know)
AH2.H.3.4
voluntary and involuntary
immigration trends since
Reconstruction in terms of
causes, regions of origin and
destination, cultural
contributions, and public and
governmental response
COGNITION
“Unpacked” Skills
(RBT Level)
(students need to be able to do)
AH2.H.3.4
AH2.H.3.4
 Analyze (trends)
 Analyzing
AH2.H.4.1
 the political issues and
conflicts that impacted the
United States since
Reconstruction and the
compromises that resulted
AH2.H.4.1
 Analyze (impact)
AH2.H.4.1
 Analyzing
AH2.H.4.2
 the economic issues and
conflicts that impacted the
United States since
Reconstruction and the
compromises that resulted
AH2.H.4.2
 Analyze (impact)
AH2.H.4.2
 Analyzing
AH2.H.4.3
 the economic issues and
conflicts that impacted the
United States since
Reconstruction and the
compromises that resulted
AH2.H.4.3
 Analyze (impact)
AH2.H.4.3
 Analyze (impact)
AH2.H.5.1
 the philosophical, ideological
and/or religious views on
freedom and equality
contributed to the development
AH2.H.5.1
 Summarize (contribution)
AH2.H.5.1
 Understanding
of American political and
economic systems since
Reconstruction
AH2.H.8.1
 the relationship between
innovation, economic
development, progress and
various perceptions of the
“American Dream” since
Reconstruction
AH2.H.8.2
 how opportunity and mobility
impacted various groups within
American society
AH2.H.8.3
 the extent to which a variety of
groups and individuals have
had opportunity to attain their
perception of the “American
Dream” since Reconstruction
AH2.H.8.4
 multiple perceptions of the
“American Dream” in times of
prosperity and crisis since
Reconstruction
AH2.H.8.1
 Analyze (relationship)
AH2.H.8.2
 Explain (impact)
AH2.H.8.3
 Evaluate (opportunity)
AH2.H.8.4
 Analyze (perceptions)
AH2.H.8.1
 Analyzing
AH2.H.8.2
 Understanding
AH2.H.8.3
 Evaluating
AH2.H.8.4
 Analyzing
Standard(s)
Unit
“Chunking” &
Enduring
Understandings
Suggested
Lesson
Essential
Questions
Possible Factual
Content
(Bold Found in
Standards)
Example(s)
From
Unpacked
Standard
AH2.H.3.4
Analyze
voluntary and
involuntary
immigration
trends since
Reconstruction
in terms of
causes, regions
of origin and
destination,
cultural
contributions,
and public and
governmental
response.
The Gilded Age:
Industrialization
and Immigration
Technological
innovations can
enable
urbanization.
How did
technological
innovations
enable
urbanization and
the horizontal
and vertical
growth of cities?
 Industrialization
- inventions
* Edison
* Westinghouse
 Urbanization
- industrialization
- growth horizontal
and vertical
- culture
How various
technological
innovations
enabled
urbanization
and the
horizontal and
vertical growth
of cities in the
19th Century.
AH2.H.4.2
Analyze the
economic
issues and
conflicts that
impacted the
United States
since
Reconstruction
and the
compromises
that resulted.
AH2.H.8.1
Analyze the
relationship
between
innovation,
economic
development,
progress and
various
perceptions of
Rapid
urbanization
impacts the
economy and
culture of cities.
How did rapid
urbanization
impact the
economic and
cultural
development of
cities in the 19th
Century?
 Urban Life
- new issues
* sanitation
* fires
* natural disasters
~ Johnstown
flood 1889
~ Galveston
hurricane 1900
~ San Francisco
earthquake of
1906
- coping with life
* entertainment
~ phonograph
~ motion
pictures
~ mass
entertainment
+ Buffalo
Bill’s Wild
West
+ saloons
+ vaudeville
How and why
the United
States became
more industrial
and urban
during the 19th
Century and to
what extent
rapid urban
and industrial
development
produced
widespread
poverty and
poor working
conditions.
How and why
the United
States became
more industrial
and urban
during the 19th
Century and to
the “American
Dream” since
Reconstruction.
AH2.H.8.3
Evaluate the
extent to which
a variety of
groups and
individuals have
had opportunity
to attain their
perception of
the “American
Dream” since
Reconstruction.
AH2.H.8.4
Analyze multiple
perceptions of
the “American
Dream” in times
of prosperity
and crisis since
Reconstruction. Immigrants often
endure many
challenges to
immigrate to new
countries.
* spectator and
team sports
~ boxing
~ professional
baseball
~ college
football
and basketball
~ bicycle races
* leisure time
~ city parks
~ bicycles
~ Coney Island
 Immigration
- reasons for
- culture/ethnic
groups
* Eastern and
Southern
Europeans
- endurance of
passage
How did the
entry into USA
process of
* port
immigrating to
~ Ellis Island
the United States
~ Angel Island
impact
*
process
immigrants?
- huddled masses
* Lewis Hine
photos from Ellis
Island
- opportunity and
mobility
* New York –
garment industry
* Chicago – meat
industry
* Cleveland – steel
Mills
* ethnic
neighborhoods
- naturalization
- views on American
Dream and life in
US
* Abraham Cahan
Yekl: A Tale of
the New York
what extent
rapid urban
and industrial
development
produced
widespread
poverty and
poor working
conditions.
How 19th
Century
urbanization
generated new
forms of mass
entertainment.
How “the
huddled
masses” of
American
immigrants
endured
passage to the
United States
to better
themselves
and their
families.
How the
“huddled
masses” of
“new”
immigrants
were
processed at
ports of entry
such as Ellis
Island and
Angel Island,
and how that
process
impacted the
lives and
cultural
contributions of
immigrants to
the United
States.
Ghetto
* Jacob Riis
Immigrant
Interviews
Increased
immigration
impacts the
economy and
culture of cities.
How did
increased
immigration
impact the
economic and
cultural
development of
cities in the late
19th Century and
early 20th
Century?
How and to
what extent the
 Immigrants
immigration of
- cultural
various Eastern
contributions
Europeans
- living conditions
influenced the
* ethnic
industrial,
neighborhoods
urban and
* tenements
cultural
* muckraking
development of
~ Jacob Riis How particular cities
the Other Half
and regions at
Lives
the turn of the
- working conditions 20th Century.
* various industries
~ garment, meat,
steel
How various
* child labor
muckraking
~ Lewis Hines
journalists
photos
worked to
* muckraking
expose the
~ Upton Sinclair social,
The Jungle
economic and
- Nativism
political ills of
* Italians, Roman
an
Catholics, Chinese industrialized
- restrictions
society.
* Chinese Exclusion
Act 1882
- views on American
Dream and life in
US
* Abraham Cahan
Yekl: A Tale of
the New York
Ghetto
* Jacob Riis
Immigrant
Interviews
AH2.H.4.1
Analyze the
political issues
and conflicts
that impacted
the United
States since
Reconstruction
and the
compromises
that resulted.
AH2.H.4.2
The Gilded Age:
Political
Machines and
Captains of
Industry
Political
corruption
impacts
government,
economics, and
society.
Analyze the
economic
issues and
conflicts that
impacted the
United States
since
Reconstruction
and the
compromises
that resulted.
 Gilded Age
 Political Machines
How did the
- corruption/graft
desire for power
* Boss Tweed and
Tammany Hall
and the resulting
+ Plunkett of
political
Tammany Hall
corruption impact
* James Michael
government,
Curley and
economics, and
Boston
society during
* Chicago/Cook
the late 19th
County
* James
Century?
Pendergast
and Kansas City
* Ed Crump and
Memphis
- immigrants for
votes
- patronage and
favoritism
- big business
* laissez-faire
AH2.H.5.1
Summarize how
the
philosophical,
How and why
“political
machines” at
the state and
local levels of
government
used patronage
and favoritism
to win the
support of big
business and
working class
voters.
How and to
what extent
various local
and state
governments
utilized
immigrant
votes to run
machine
politics.
AH2.H.4.3
Analyze the
social and
religious
conflicts,
movements and
reforms that
impacted the
United States
since
Reconstruction
in terms of
participants,
strategies,
opposition, and
results.
To what extent
politicians have
used graft and
corruption to
move up the
political ladder
and lead
political parties
or “machines”.
Industrial leaders
can impact
political,
economic, and
cultural progress.
How did
industrial
leaders’ desire
for power and
money impact
political,
economic and
cultural progress
of the United
States?
 Business
- “robber barons”
and “captains of
industry”
* risks taken
* distribution of
wealth
* improved fortune
* people
~ Rockefeller
~ Carnegie
+ “The Gospel
How Gilded
Age
entrepreneurs
took risks to
develop and
monopolize
industries and
how their
efforts
impacted the
economic
development
ideological
and/or religious
views on
freedom and
equality
contributed to
the
development of
American
political and
economic
systems since
Reconstruction.
AH2.H.8.1
Analyze the
relationship
between
innovation,
economic
development,
progress and
various
perceptions of
the “American
Dream” since
Reconstruction.
AH2.H.8.3
Evaluate the
extent to which
a variety of
groups and
individuals have
had opportunity
to attain their
perception of
the “American
Dream” since
Reconstruction.
AH2.H.8.4
Analyze multiple
perceptions of
the “American
Dream” in times
of prosperity
and crisis since
Reconstruction.
of Wealth”
~ Morgan
~ Pullman
- monopolies
* impact on
workers and
consumers
* impact on
businesses
* vertical and
horizontal
- Social Darwinism
* “the survival of
the fittest”
* impact
~ government
policies
~ industry
~ social customs
and cultural
progress of the
United States.
How and why
the philosophy
of Social
Darwinism
emerged and
how the notion
of “the survival
of the fittest”
impacted the
development of
American
industry,
government
policies and
social customs
during the
Gilded Age.
How “Captains
of Industry” and
Boss politicians
defended the
acquisitions of
wealth and
power during
the Gilded Age.
AH2.H.4.1
Analyze the
political issues
and conflicts
that impacted
the United
States since
Reconstruction
and the
compromises
that resulted.
AH2.H.4.2
Analyze the
economic
issues and
conflicts that
impacted the
United States
since
Reconstruction
and the
compromises
that resulted.
AH2.H.4.3
Analyze the
social and
religious
conflicts,
movements and
reforms that
impacted the
United States
Progressivism:
Moving Towards
Reform
Laborers will
often unite when
they feel their
pay and working
conditions are
unfair.
How did laborers
respond to the
tactics of
industrialists and
working
conditions during
the late 19th
Century and
early 20th
Century?
 Labor Unrest
- unions
* formation
* Knights of Labor
and Terrence
Powderly
* AFL and Samuel
Gompers
* American Railway
Union and Eugene
Debs
* United Mine
Workers and
“Mother Jones”
- Eugene Debs and
Socialist Party of
American
* formation and
Influence
* “Yes, I am my
Brother’s
Keeper”
- tactics
* Molly Maguires
* Railroad Strike
1877
* Haymarket Affair
* Homestead
Strike
* Pullman Strike
~ Report and
Testimony on
the Chicago
Strike of 1894
* collective
bargaining
- Triangle Shirtwaist
Fire
How “laissez
faire” politics
led to the
monopolization
of specific
industries
during the 19th
Century and
how
monopolies
impacted
workers and
consumers.
How and why
labor unions
formed during
the 19th
Century and to
what extent
their leadership
bred opposition
and results.
How various
muckraking
journalists
worked to
expose the
social,
economic and
political ills of
an
industrialized
society.
since
Reconstruction
in terms of
participants,
strategies,
opposition, and
results.
Reforms are
often necessary
to eliminate
corruption in
government and
industry.
How did the
elimination of
patronage
impact
government and
industry in the
United States?
AH2.H.8.1
Analyze the
relationship
between
innovation,
economic
development,
progress and
various
perceptions of
the “American
Dream” since
Reconstruction.
 Civil Service Reform
and Regulatory
Laws
- Pendleton Civil
Service Act of
1883
- muckraking
* Lincoln Steffens
The Shame of the
Cities
- changed
relationship
with industry
* McKinley Tariff
 Exposing Big
Business
- muckraking
* Ida M. Tarbell
History of the
Standard Oil
Company
AH2.H.8.4
How late 19th
Century civil
service reform
and regulatory
laws of the
national
government
impacted
American
government
and industry.
How various
muckraking
journalists
worked to
expose the
social,
economic and
political ills of
an
industrialized
society.
Analyze multiple
perceptions of
the “American
Dream” in times
of prosperity
and crisis since
Reconstruction.
AH2.H.4.1
Analyze the
political issues
and conflicts
that impacted
the United
States since
Reconstruction
and the
compromises
that resulted.
AH2.H.4.2
Progressivism:
Reform
The work of
journalists can
lead to reform
movements.
How did
muckraking
journalists pave
the way for
Progressive
reforms?
 Muckraking
 Progressivism
- reasons for
- presidents
* Roosevelt
~ Square Deal
* Taft
* Wilson
~ 1912 Election
~ Triple Wall of
Privilege
- impact on
* government
~ Amendments
16-19
* society
How various
muckraking
journalists
worked to
expose the
social,
economic and
political ills of
an
industrialized
society.
How
Presidents
Theodore
Roosevelt,
Analyze the
economic
issues and
conflicts that
impacted the
United States
since
Reconstruction
and the
compromises
that resulted.
Political leaders
can create
policies that
protect workers
and consumers.
How did
Progressive
Presidents work
to reform
business in an
effort to protect
workers and
consumers?
AH2.H.4.3
Analyze the
social and
religious
conflicts,
movements and
reforms that
impacted the
United States
since
Reconstruction
in terms of
participants,
strategies,
opposition, and
results.
AH2.H.5.1
Summarize how
the
philosophical,
ideological
and/or religious
views on
freedom and
equality
contributed to
the
development of
American
political and
economic
systems since
Reconstruction.
Political,
economic, and
social reforms
can affect groups
of people in many
ways.
How did the
Progressive
movement affect
immigrants and
minorities?
~ income tax
~ FDA
* business
~ Interstate
Commerce Act
of 1887
~ Sherman AntiTrust Act
~ Frederick
Winslow Taylor
and The
Principles of
Scientific
Management
~ FTC
~ Federal Reserve
~ Clayton Anti-Trust
* labor
~ concessions
gained
 Immigrants and
Poverty
- Social Gospel
Movement
* share wealth
- settlement houses
- Jane Addams,
Ellen Starr, and
Hull House
- Lillian Wald and
Henry Street
Settlement
- University
Settlement Society
William H. Taft,
and Woodrow
Wilson led and
advocated for
progressive
reform that
regulated
business and
protected the
worker and
consumer.
How
progressivism
changed the
relationship
between big
business, labor
and
government.
How and to
what extent the
Social Gospel
Movement and
its participants
responded to
rising social
tensions and
injustices of the
late 19th
Century.
How
of New York
- YMCA
 Minorities
- women
* work for suffrage
* people
~ Carrie Chapman
Catt
~ Margaret Sanger
~ Alice Paul
~ Lucy Burns
- African Americans
* views
~ Ida B. Wells
~ Booker T.
Washington and
“The Atlanta
Compromise”
~ W.E.B. Du Bois
and “The
Talented Tenth”
~ NAACP
immigration
groups
benefited from
the services of
individuals and
public
instructions
during the late
19th and 20th
Centuries.
To what extent
the American
woman has
successfully
gained
expanded roles
in American
society and
gender
equality.
How African
American civil
rights leaders
of the late 19th
Century
differed in how
to best achieve
greater
freedom and
equality.
*Standards 1 (historical thinking) and 2 (turning points) are included in every unit. i.e.: How
was the passing of the 19th Amendment a turning point in U.S. history?
HISTORY
Change
Conflict
Patterns
Leadership
GEOGRAPHY
Settlement
Patterns
CIVICS &
GOVERNMENT
Domestic
Policy
Political
Action
Regulation
Rights
ECONOMICS
Economic Systems
Standard of Living
Quality of Life
CULTURE
Assimilation
Ethnicity
Society
Language Objective EXAMPLES
Historical Thinking and Geography Skill Resources
○ “Straight Ahead”
□“Uphill”
∆“Mountainous”
Historical Thinking
Geography Skills
.
General Unit Resources
○ “Straight Ahead”
○
□
□“Uphill”
∆ “Mountainous”
∆
Text differentiation symbols: Texts will be categorized in teacher resource documents as Straight
Ahead (less challenging for struggling readers), Uphill (having some challenging words and more
complex sentence structure that is appropriate for on-grade level readers), or Mountainous
(containing challenging vocabulary, complex sentences, and more abstract ideas).