22 SG

Interstate Commerce Act

A federal law (1887) designed to regulate the railroad industry, requiring ‘reasonable and just’ rates and establishing the ICC.

Vertical Integration

A business strategy where a company controls every step of production, from raw materials to distribution.

Horizontal Integration

A business method where a company buys out or merges with competitors to create a monopoly.

Trust

A group of corporations that unite under one board of directors to control production and reduce competition.

Standard Oil Company

Founded by John D. Rockefeller, it became the largest oil refiner, controlling over 90% of the U.S. oil market.

Interlocking Directorates

A practice where the same people serve on the boards of multiple competing companies, reducing competition.

Bessemer Process

An industrial method for making steel rapidly by blasting air through molten iron to remove impurities.

Social Darwinism

The application of natural selection theory to society, suggesting that the ‘fittest’ will succeed.

Credit Mobilier Scandal

A political scandal involving Union Pacific executives who overcharged the government for building the railroad.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act

The first federal law (1890) to ban monopolies and trusts that restrained trade.

National Labor Union

Founded in 1866, the first large-scale labor organization in the U.S. that pushed for an eight-hour workday.

Knights of Labor

A union formed in 1869 that welcomed all workers and fought for labor rights, but declined after the Haymarket Riot.

Haymarket Square

A labor protest in 1886 in Chicago that turned violent, leading to public backlash against labor unions.

Homestead Strike

A violent labor strike in 1892 at Carnegie Steel’s plant, resulting in a major defeat for labor unions.

Pinkerton Agency

A private security company often hired to break up strikes and protect company property.

Pullman Strike

A nationwide railroad strike in 1894, led by George Pullman's workers after wage cuts, resulting in federal troop intervention.

American Railway Union

Founded by Eugene V. Debs, this union included all railroad workers and led the Pullman Strike.

American Federation of Labor

Founded in 1886 by Samuel Gompers, it focused on skilled workers and fought for better wages and conditions.

Closed Shop

A workplace agreement where only union members can be hired, used by unions to maintain strength.

Open Shop

A workplace where employees are not required to join a union, weakening labor union power.

Cornelius Vanderbilt

A powerful railroad and shipping tycoon who developed the transportation industry in the U.S.

Alexander Graham Bell

Inventor of the telephone, revolutionizing communication and leading to the Bell Telephone Company.

Thomas Edison

An inventor with over 1,000 patents, known for the phonograph and electric light bulb.

Andrew Carnegie

A leader in the U.S. steel industry, known for vertical integration and philanthropy in education.

John D. Rockefeller

Founder of Standard Oil, he used ruthless tactics to create a monopoly in the oil industry.

George Pullman

Founder of the Pullman Palace Car Company, faced backlash during the Pullman Strike.

Samuel Gompers

Leader and founder of the AFL, focused on practical labor goals.

Terrence Powderly

Leader of the Knights of Labor who struggled to maintain union unity after the Haymarket Riot.

Henry Clay Frick

Industrialist and partner of Carnegie, known for his role in suppressing the Homestead Strike.

Mary Harris 'Mother' Jones

Famous labor organizer who fought for workers’ rights, especially for coal miners and child laborers.

Pittsburgh Plus System

A steel pricing method charging customers as if steel was shipped from Pittsburgh, hurting regional competition.