SS Vocabulary Words and People-Ch 10 Industrial and Economic Growth (1865-1914)

transcontinental railroad

A railway system that connects the eastern United States with the western regions.

sodbuster

A term used to describe farmers on the Great Plains who cultivated the land, often breaking through tough sod to plant crops.

inflation

A steady increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.

reservation

An area of land designated by the government for Native American tribes to live on.

monopoly

A single company dominates the entire market for a product or service, leading to a lack of competition and higher prices for consumers.

capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.

sweatshop

A workplace where employees work long hours in poor conditions, often for low wages.

trade union

An organization formed by workers to protect their rights and interests, negotiate better wages and working conditions.

collective bargaining

The process of negotiation between employers and a group of employees.

knights of labor

A significant labor organization in the United States formed in 1869, advocating for the rights of all workers.

patent

Provides the inventor exclusive rights to make, use, or sell the invention for a certain period.

assembly line

Allows goods to be assembled efficiently and quickly, typically used in manufacturing.

mass production

The process of producing large quantities of goods using standardized methods, often through automated lines, which reduces costs and increases efficiency.

Chief Joseph

Leader of the Nez Perce tribe, known for his efforts to resist relocation to a reservation.

Andrew Carnegie

Someone who led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century.

JP Morgan

A powerful banker and financier during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

John D Rockefeller

An oil industry leader and philanthropist who founded the Standard Oil Company, he is often considered one of the wealthiest individuals in modern history.

Mother Jones

Known for her work in organizing labor strikes and advocating for workers' rights.

Thomas Edison

An American inventor and businessman best known for his invention of the phonograph and the electric light bulb.

Henry Ford

He revolutionized manufacturing by introducing assembly line production, making automobiles affordable for the average American.

Wright Brothers

American aviation pioneers who developed the first successful powered airplane.