Chapter 17 ID Terms

Bessemer Process

A method for producing steel invented by Henry Bessemer in the 1850s. It involves blowing air through molten iron to oxidize and remove impurities such as carbon, resulting in a much stronger metal. This process significantly lowered the cost of steel production and was crucial for the Industrial Revolution, allowing for mass production of steel for rails, buildings, and various tools.

Petroleum

A liquid mixture of hydrocarbons that is extracted from the earth and refined to produce fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and other energy products. It is a major energy source worldwide and is also used in the production of plastics and chemicals.

Henry Ford

An American industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company, he revolutionized automobile production by introducing the assembly line method, making cars affordable and accessible to the general public, significantly impacting the automotive industry and American society.

Wright Brothers

American inventors known for developing the first successful powered airplane, the Wright Flyer, which made its first flight in 1903. Their work laid the foundation for modern aviation and revolutionized transportation.

Taylorism

also known as scientific management, is a theory of management that analyzes workflows to improve economic efficiency, especially labor productivity. It was developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor in the early 20th century and is significant because it revolutionized industrial production processes and management practices, leading to higher efficiencies and outputs.

Importance of Railroad during the Industrial Era in the US

essential for the rapid transport of goods and raw materials, promoting economic growth, expanding markets, enhancing communication, and facilitating westward expansion during the Industrial Revolution.

Federal government’s role in building the railroad during the Industrial Era

providing land grants, financial assistance, and legislative support. Through acts like the Pacific Railway Act of 1862, the government granted large amounts of land to railroad companies and provided loans, which enabled the construction of transcontinental railroads. The completion of these railroads not only facilitated westward expansion but also helped integrate the national economy by connecting the east and west coasts, promoting trade and the movement of people.

Andrew Carnegie

Scottish-American industrialist who led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century. He is significant for his role in the transformation of steel production in the U.S. through innovation and the Bessemer Process, as well as his philanthropy, founding libraries, schools, and universities.

Gospel of Wealth

a philosophy proposed by Andrew Carnegie that asserts that wealthy individuals have a moral obligation to distribute their surplus wealth for the greater good of society. It emphasizes the responsibility of the rich to contribute to social causes and philanthropy.

John Rockefeller

American businessman and philanthropist, co-founder of the Standard Oil Company, which dominated the oil industry and became the first great U.S. business trust. His significance lies in his influence on the petroleum industry and his role in shaping modern corporate America, alongside his substantial philanthropic efforts in education, health, and scientific research.

J.P. Morgan

an influential American banker and financier in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his role in the consolidation of various industries and for organizing the merger of multiple companies, including the creation of U.S. Steel. His significance lies in his impact on the financial sector, his role in stabilizing the American economy during financial crises, and his philanthropic contributions.

Laissez-faire?

an economic philosophy of free-market capitalism that opposes government intervention in economic affairs. It suggests that economic success is best achieved when individuals are allowed to operate freely in their own interests.

Horatio Alger's Myth

refers to the belief that anyone can achieve success through hard work, determination, and perseverance, regardless of socioeconomic background. It is named after Horatio Alger Jr., a 19th-century American author who wrote novels about impoverished boys rising to middle-class status through sheer effort. This myth's significance lies in its role in shaping American cultural values surrounding individualism, success, and the American Dream, as well as influencing perceptions of social mobility.

Social Darwinism

a theory that applies the concept of 'survival of the fittest' from Charles Darwin's natural selection theory to social, political, and economic issues. It suggests that certain individuals or groups are naturally superior to others, justifying social inequality and opposing social reforms. Its significance lies in its influence on policies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in justifying imperialism, racism, and laissez-faire economics, as well as providing a pseudoscientific basis for eugenics.

Conspicuous Consumption-internet?

refers to the practice of displaying wealth and status through online activities and possessions, such as luxury goods, flashy social media posts, or exclusive experiences showcased on platforms like Instagram. This behavior highlights wealth as a means of social distinction in the digital age.

Factory workers’ lives

long hours, dangerous working conditions, low wages, and poor living standards

National Labor Union

led by William H. Sylvis, was the first major national labor organization in the U.S., founded in 1866, aiming to improve wages, working conditions, and promote an eight-hour workday, though it eventually dissolved in 1873 due to internal divisions and economic depression.

Knights of Labor

led by Terence Powderly, was a national labor organization founded in 1869 that advocated for broad social reforms, including the eight-hour workday, equal pay for women, and the abolition of child labor, but it was hurt by internal divisions, lack of clear leadership, and the backlash following the Haymarket Riot of 1886, which linked the union to radicalism and violence.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

founded by Samuel Gompers in 1886, was a national labor union that focused on securing better wages, hours, and working conditions through pragmatic, craft-based organizing and collective bargaining, distinguishing itself from broader social reforms advocated by earlier unions like the Knights of Labor.

Haymarket Square Riot- 1886

a violent clash in Chicago between labor protesters and police, which began as a peaceful rally supporting workers' rights and the eight-hour workday, but escalated when a bomb was thrown, resulting in the deaths of several police officers and civilians and severely damaging the labor movement's reputation.

Homestead Steel Plant Strike

a violent labor dispute between the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers and the Carnegie Steel Company in Pennsylvania, triggered by wage cuts and poor working conditions, which resulted in a bloody confrontation with private security forces and a defeat for the union.