Segregation and Social Tensions

1. Segregation and Social Tensions Chapter 12, Section 1

2. Facing Discrimination • For each of the following groups, identify examples of discrimination and setbacks they faced. • African Americans • Limitation of voting rights • Grandfather clause= allowed a man to vote if their ancestors had voted prior to 1866. • Literacy tests= had to prove enough ‘understanding’ to be able to vote. • Poll tax= a tax in order to vote. • What amendment did these violate? 14th amendment

3. New Laws in Favor of Segregation • New laws that forced segregation • Jim Crow laws= laws that kept African Americans separated from whites. • Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)= as long as states maintain ‘separate but equal’ facilities, Jim Crow laws could remain.

4. Chinese • Chinese • Where did the Chinese reside/where was their discrimination the greatest? the West • How did Chinese immigrants try and gain rights? By suing for them in courts.

5. Mexican Americans • Mexican-Americans • Most of the conflict between white settlers and Mexican Americans came from disputes over land, specifically those lost with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. • How were Mexican Americans prevented from regaining their land? • Had to prove in court that the land belonged to them; • White settlers often used political connections to put down Mexicans.

6. Women • Women such as Susan B. Anthonyand Elizabeth Cady Stantonhad pushed for the addition of women to the 14th amendment.

7. Fighting for Rights • African Americans • How did these prominent African Americans combat discrimination? • Booker T. Washington: believed that African Americans should establish themselves economically first. • W.E.B. Du Bois: wanted full and immediate citizenship; promoted the onus of African Americans. • Ida B. Wells: wrote newspaper articles and made speeches against lynching.

8. Women • Women • In what aspects of society did women make gains? • Reform movements: most notably the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. • More women started going to college.

9. Political and Economic Challenges Chapter 12, Section 2

10. Corruption Plagues National Politics • Government was often based on the spoils system, or rewarding political supporters with jobs. • Who was the first to employ this method? Andrew Jackson • Americans wanted a more honest government, so there was a push for reform • Civil service= jobs in the executive branch would be achieved through skills and knowledge.

11. Corruption Plagues National Politics • Reform, though was not successful until the Pendleton Civil Service Act(1883) was passed. What did it begin? • Civil Service Commission writes an exam • Individuals must take exam to be considered for gov. job.

12. Economic Issues Challenge the Nation • The debate over tariffshad long divided Democrats and Republicans. • Why did Republicans want tariffs? Protect American business from foreign competition. • Why did Democrats not want tariffs? Argued that tariffs drove up the price of goods.

13. Economic Issues Challenge the Nation • The government had backed up money using gold, known as the gold standard. However, with the passage of the Coinage Act of 1873, silver also began being minted for money. • This debate over whether or not to use two metals for monetary production became known as bi-metallism.