U.S. Industrialization, Urbanization, and Gilded Age Politics

Corporations

Formed by a group of investors, each receiving proportional ownership.

U.S. economy shift

Shifted from farming (agrarian) to industrial/manufacturing.

New inventions

Took place in transportation, industry, and communication.

Andrew Carnegie

This man's story is one of success through hard work and lucky breaks.

Sherman Antitrust Act

Landmark legislation declaring private monopolies and restrictions on trade were wrong.

Thomas Edison

Invented the electric light/moving picture.

Trust

A group of companies managed by a single board of directors to control prices and limit competition.

Horizontal integration

Buying out competitors to control the oil market.

Social Darwinism

The belief that only the strongest businesses and people survive, similar to natural selection.

Henry Bessemer

Developed a method to produce cheap steel.

John D. Rockefeller

Gained a monopoly of all U.S. oil refineries.

Railroad system

The single biggest factor in American industrial expansion.

Pullman workers strike

Because wages were cut but rents in company housing stayed the same.

Injunction

A court order requiring people to stop doing something (like striking).

Immigrants after 1815

An increasing number were from Northern and Western Europe (Ireland, Germany, England).

Immigrants after 1885

An increasing number were from Southern and Eastern Europe (Italy, Poland, Russia).

Major railroad strike year

1877.

Noble Knights of Labor

An early labor union that included skilled and unskilled workers, women, and minorities.

Depression of 1873

Caused business failures, unemployment, and strikes.

Samuel Gompers

Founder of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) — focused on better wages and working conditions.

Popular ethnic neighborhoods

Examples include Little Italy, Chinatown, etc.

Resistance to immigrants

Caused by job competition, cultural differences, and nativism.

American Protective Association

Protested against Catholic immigrants.

Chinese immigrants

Faced a great deal of discrimination in the West.

College curriculums change

More focus on science, engineering, and practical subjects (not just religion and classics).

Mark Twain's stories

About corruption, greed, and the flaws of society (e.g., The Gilded Age, Huckleberry Finn).

Realism

An attempt to show life as it really was, not idealized.

Yellow Journalism

Exaggerated or sensationalized news to attract readers.

Election of 1884 theme

Corruption and honesty in government.

Protective tariff

Believed by Democrats to be unfair based on supply and demand.

Defended tariff

Republicans defended it as a way to help U.S. industry.

Public education reforms

Included compulsory attendance, more high schools, and teacher training.

Gilded Age characterization

A time of wealth and corruption, where riches covered up social problems.

Political machines

Organizations that controlled local politics through bribes, votes, and favors (e.g., Tammany Hall).

Lobbyists

People paid to represent a company or special interest group.

Civil Service Commission power

Power to give government jobs based on merit (not political connections).

Inflation

When the value of money declines.

Granger laws

State laws regulating railroad and grain elevator rates to help farmers.

Munn v. Illinois

Upheld states' rights to regulate businesses that affect public interest.

Wabash v. Illinois

Said only the federal government could regulate interstate commerce.