de ushistory

Social Darwinism

The theory that human groups are governed by the same natural selection laws observed by Darwin in nature.

Gospel Of Wealth

Wealthy individuals have a moral obligation to use their money for the public good

Andrew Carnegie

Scottish-American industrialist who expanded the U.S. steel industry.

John D. Rockefeller

A wealthy American industrialist who founded Standard Oil

Standard Oil

An oil company founded by John D. Rockefeller.

Andrew Mellon

Wealthy American industrialist and banker.

J.P. Morgan

Powerful American banker and financier.

Cornelius Vanderbilt

Prominent American industrialist in railroads and shipping.

Gustavus Swift

Businessman who changed meatpacking with refrigerated railcars.

Vertical Integration

Owning all stages of production for a product.

Horizontal Consolidation

Merging companies at the same production level.

Corporations

Businesses recognized by law as separate entities from their owners.

Trust

A legal entity holding assets for investors, allowing efficient business management.

Monopoly

Control of a market by a single entity, restricting competition.

Bessemer Process

A method to produce steel efficiently by blowing air through molten iron.

Pacific Railroad Act

Legislation promoting the construction of the transcontinental railroad.

General Electric

An American multinational conglomerate active in energy, healthcare, and aviation.

Thomas Edison

Inventor known for electric power systems and many inventions.

Henry Ford

Industrialist who revolutionized automobile production with assembly line methods.

Menlo Park

Thomas Edison’s research and development center, known for numerous inventions.

Assembly Line

A production method where items are assembled in a sequence to improve efficiency.

New Immigration

The influx of people coming to the U.S. from Southern and Eastern Europe in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Tenements

Low-cost apartments in urban areas, often overcrowded and poorly maintained.

Jane Addams

Social worker who co-founded Hull House to help immigrants and the poor.

Hull House

Community center established to aid immigrants and the poor.

Social Gospel Movement

Religious movement advocating for social justice and reform.

Settlement Houses

Community centers aimed at helping immigrants and the poor.

Chinese Exclusion Act

An 1882 law that banned all Chinese laborers from entering the U.S. First major immigration restriction law.

Jacob Riis

A social reformer who highlighted the struggles of the urban poor through photography and writing, especially in 'How the Other Half Lives.'

Grantism

Political corruption during Ulysses S. Grant's presidency, marked by scandals and graft.

Credit Mobilier Scandal

A major 19th-century political scandal involving corrupt contracts for railroad construction and bribery of politicians.

Civil Service/Pendleton Act

Legislation aimed at reforming the federal employment system by establishing a merit-based system for hiring and promoting government workers.

Interstate Commerce Commission

A regulatory agency established to oversee and regulate interstate transportation and trade.

Political Machines

Organizations that control political parties in cities, often using patronage and favoritism to maintain power.

William Marcy Tweed

A political leader from New York City in the 19th century, known for corruption and control of Tammany Hall.

Tammany Hall

A powerful political organization in New York City known for corruption and influence during the 19th century.

George Washington Plunkitt

A New York City political figure known for his role in Tammany Hall and his views on political ethics.

Vaudeville

A theatrical variety show popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries featuring multiple acts.

Coney Island

A famous amusement area in New York City known for its entertainment and beaches.

World’s Fair 1893 Columbian Exhibition

An international exhibition held in Chicago to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas.

Sherman Purchase Act

Legislation that facilitated the federal government's purchase of land, aimed at expanding territory and promoting development in the United States.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act

Legislation aimed at preventing monopolies and promoting competition in business.

Panic of 1893

A severe economic depression in the United States triggered by railroad bankruptcies and bank failures.

Populism/Populist Party

A political movement representing the interests of ordinary people against elites.

William Jennings Bryan

A prominent political figure advocating for populism, known for his speeches and the 1896 presidential campaign.

The Grange

An organization promoting farmers' interests and agricultural community issues.

Knights of Labor

An 1869 organization that fought for workers' rights, better pay, and the eight-hour workday.

American Federation of Labor

A labor union formed to improve workers' rights and working conditions through collective bargaining.

American Railway Union

A labor union that organized railway workers to advocate for better wages and working conditions.

Great Upheaval of 1877

A nationwide railroad strike and labor uprising in 1877 that protested wage cuts and poor working conditions.

Homestead Strike

A major 1892 labor dispute at Carnegie's Homestead steel mill over wage cuts, leading to violent clashes.

Pullman Strike

A nationwide railroad strike in 1894 protesting wage cuts and high rents in the company town of Pullman.

Pinkerton Detectives

A private security and detective agency known for its role in labor disputes and strikes.