Chapter 5 - Gilded Age/Second Industrial Revolution

Gilded Age

A period in American history from the 1870s to about 1900, characterized by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and significant social upheaval, often marked by political corruption and stark social inequalities.

The Transcontinental Railroad

A significant infrastructure project completed in 1869 that connected the eastern U.S. rail network with the Pacific Coast, facilitating westward expansion, trade, and migration.

Chinese immigration and Exclusion Act

Legislation passed in 1882 that prohibited Chinese laborers from immigrating to the United States and prevented Chinese already in the country from becoming citizens. It reflected the widespread racial discrimination and economic tensions during the Gilded Age.

Why was steel important during the Gilded Age?

Steel was crucial during the Gilded Age as it enabled the construction of skyscrapers, railroads, and bridges, driving industrial growth and urbanization.

Why was electricity important?

Electricity was important during the Gilded Age as it powered factories, streetcars, and homes, transforming daily life and enabling mass production and communication.

Why was petroleum important?

Petroleum was important during the Gilded Age as it fueled the rise of the automobile industry, provided energy for factories, and contributed to the development of consumer goods, significantly impacting the economy and society.

Why was the Internal combustion engine important?

The internal combustion engine was important during the Gilded Age as it revolutionized transportation, powering automobiles and airplanes, thereby enhancing mobility and facilitating trade and commerce.

The Bessemer Converter

An important method made by Henry Bessemer in 1856 to produce steel by blowing air through molten iron which oxidizes and removes carbon and impurities resulting in high-quality steel. This process significantly lowered production costs and enabled mass production of steel, which was crucial for the expansion of railroads, buildings, and other infrastructure during the Gilded Age.

Henry Ford

An American industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford revolutionized mass production techniques with the assembly line, making automobiles affordable and accessible to the general public.

The Assembly line

A manufacturing process that uses a sequential assembly method to produce goods efficiently, significantly reducing production time and costs. This method allows for the streamlined production of items by dividing tasks among workers, enhancing productivity and enabling mass production. The assembly line was crucial in transforming industries, particularly in automobile manufacturing, as it allowed for faster production and lower costs, making products more accessible.

Thomas Edison

An American inventor and businessman, best known for developing the electric light bulb, phonograph, and motion pictures. His work laid the foundation for modern electric power systems and significantly advanced technology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Social Darwinism

A social theory that applies the concept of natural selection to human societies, suggesting that certain individuals or groups are inherently superior and destined to succeed over others, often used to justify inequality and imperialism.

Monopolies

A single company or entity has exclusive control over a market or industry, allowing it to dictate prices and eliminate competition as the monopolist has no concern for competitors. This dominance can lead to higher prices, reduced quality, and less innovation, negatively impacting consumers and the economy.

Horizontal Integration

A business strategy where a company acquires or merges with other companies at the same level of the supply chain to increase market share and reduce competition.

Vertical Intergration

A business strategy where a company expands its operations by acquiring or merging with companies at different levels of the supply chain, allowing for greater control over production and distribution. This approach can enhance efficiency and reduce costs by streamlining processes from raw materials to final product delivery.

Andrew Carnegie

A prominent industrialist and philanthropist in the United States, known for leading the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century through vertical integration.

Gospel of Wealth

A philosophy espoused by Andrew Carnegie that argued wealthy individuals have a moral obligation to distribute their wealth for the benefit of society, promoting philanthropy as a means to address social issues.

John Rockefeller

An influential American industrialist and philanthropist, he co-founded the Standard Oil Company and played a key role in the development of the petroleum industry through horizontal integration.

Standard Oil

An American oil producing, refining, and marketing company founded by Rockefeller in 1870. It controlled approximately 90% of U.S. oil refineries at its peak, making it one of the most powerful corporations in American history. The company used aggressive tactics such as undercutting competitors’ prices and using railroads to gain favorable shipping rates.

Homestead Strike

A violent strike at the Homestead Works in Pittsburgh a decision to cut wages by nearly 20% and poor working conditions. The riot was ultimately put down by the Pennsylvania state militia, illustrating the government’s willingness to side with industrialists over workers during this period.

Knights of Labor

A prominent labor organization in the United States during the late 19th century that aimed to unite all workers, regardless of skill level, gender, or race, to improve labor conditions through collective bargaining, advocating for an eight-hour workday, equal pay for equal work, and the end of child labor.

American Federation of Labor

A national federation of labor unions in the United States founded in 1886. It focused on securing better wages, working conditions, and hours for skilled workers while promoting collective bargaining as a primary strategy.

*The AFL focused primarily on white, male, skilled workers and sought to limit membership to those workers.

Pullman Strike

A nationwide railroad strike that occurred at the Pullman Company in Chicago. Workers protested wage cuts and high rents in company-owned housing and led to a significant disruption in rail traffic and mail delivery, which prompted the federal government to intervene by sending troops to break the strike resulting in violence and several deaths.

Socialism

An economic and political system where the means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned or regulated by the community as a whole, aiming for equal wealth distribution and social welfare.

Anarchism

An idea of a society without government or hierarchical authority, believing that people can govern themselves through voluntary cooperation.
They played a significant role in labor movements, advocating for workers’ rights and better working conditions.

Populist Party

A agrarian-based political movement in 1891 that sought to represent the interests of farmers and laborers against the elites and established political powers.The party gained significant influence in the 1892 elections, capturing several state offices and influencing national debates around economic policies.

Urbanization

The process by which an increasing percentage of a population comes to live in urban areas, resulting in the growth and expansion of cities. Many immigrants settled in urban areas seeking better economic opportunities, contributing to the multicultural makeup of cities.

City Beautiful Movement

A turn-of-the-century movement among progressive architects and city planners, who aimed to promote order, harmony, and virtue while beautifying the nation’s new urban spaces with grand boulevards, welcoming parks, and monumental public buildings instead poor living conditions and high crime rates from rapid industrialization.

Robber Barons

The industrialists or big business owners who gained huge profits by paying their employees extremely low wages. They lacked any accountability as the marketplace was relatively unregulated and led to fears that they were undermining political and economic freedom.