Key Concepts in U.S. Industrialization and Labor Movements

Socialism

In favor of government ownership of the means of production to improve conditions for workers

Communism

Calls for revolution by workers (proletariat) to overthrow the bourgeoisie and create a classless society; led to planned economy with government control of production

Anarchism

Radical political theory opposing all forms of government, in favor of self-governing communities

Capitalism

Market-based economic system in which individuals or corporations privately own the means of production

Factors that allowed the U.S. to industrialize

New inventions, innovations, population growth, natural resources

Effects of railroads on industrialization

Easier transportation, national markets, urbanization

Sherman Antitrust Act

Law that allowed the government to break up monopolies harming public interest

Innovations in communication and transportation

Railroads, steamships, canals → easier transportation and communication of goods

New forms of business and their benefits

Corporations, trusts, monopolies → reduced competition and increased efficiency

Laissez

Faire government policies - Minimal government interference in economy; supply and demand determine prices and production

Characteristics of Big Business

Mass production, monopolies/trusts, vertical and horizontal integration, tech advancements

Carnegie

Iron and steel industry

Rockefeller

Oil industry

Vanderbilt

Railroad industry

Morgan

Railroad and finance industry

Effects of monopolies

Higher prices, reduced quality, concentration of wealth, industrial growth

Difference between 1st and 2nd Industrial Revolutions

1st: textiles, steam power, iron; 2nd: steel, electricity, chemicals, new inventions

Effects of the steel industry

Urbanization, economic growth, technology expansion

Similarities of Homestead, Pullman, and Coal Mine strikes

Caused by wage cuts/poor conditions, ended in setbacks for labor unions

Samuel Gompers' union

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

Who could join the AFL

White male skilled workers

Goals of the AFL

Higher pay, shorter workdays, better conditions

Problems faced by workers

Long hours, low wages, unsafe working conditions

Terence Powderly's union

Knights of Labor

Who could join the Knights of Labor

Skilled and unskilled workers

Goals of the Knights of Labor

Shorter workday, higher wages, safety codes

Why the government opposed labor strikes

Strikes threatened economic stability and authority

General public's view of labor unions

Viewed as violent and disruptive

Granville Woods invention

Telegraph → improved communication

Sarah Goode invention

Foldaway bed → saved space in homes

Elijah McCoy invention

Lubricators for steam engines → increased efficiency

Madame C.J. Walker invention

Haircare and cosmetics for Black women → empowered Black entrepreneurship

Lewis Latimer invention

Carbon filament for lightbulbs → improveSocialism - In favor of government ownership of the means of production to improve conditions for workers

Communism

Calls for revolution by workers (proletariat) to overthrow the bourgeoisie and create a classless society; led to planned economy with government control of production

Anarchism

Radical political theory opposing all forms of government, in favor of self-governing communities

Capitalism

Market-based economic system in which individuals or corporations privately own the means of production

Factors that allowed the U.S. to industrialize

New inventions, innovations, population growth, natural resources

Effects of railroads on industrialization

Easier transportation, national markets, urbanization

Sherman Antitrust Act

Law that allowed the government to break up monopolies harming public interest

Innovations in communication and transportation

Railroads, steamships, canals → easier transportation and communication of goods

New forms of business and their benefits

Corporations, trusts, monopolies → reduced competition and increased efficiency

Laissez

Faire government policies - Minimal government interference in economy; supply and demand determine prices and production

Characteristics of Big Business

Mass production, monopolies/trusts, vertical and horizontal integration, tech advancements

Carnegie

Iron and steel industry

Rockefeller

Oil industry

Vanderbilt

Railroad industry

Morgan

Railroad and finance industry

Effects of monopolies

Higher prices, reduced quality, concentration of wealth, industrial growth

Difference between 1st and 2nd Industrial Revolutions

1st: textiles, steam power, iron; 2nd: steel, electricity, chemicals, new inventions

Effects of the steel industry

Urbanization, economic growth, technology expansion

Similarities of Homestead, Pullman, and Coal Mine strikes

Caused by wage cuts/poor conditions, ended in setbacks for labor unions

Samuel Gompers' union

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

Who could join the AFL

White male skilled workers

Goals of the AFL

Higher pay, shorter workdays, better conditions

Problems faced by workers

Long hours, low wages, unsafe working conditions

Terence Powderly's union

Knights of Labor

Who could join the Knights of Labor

Skilled and unskilled workers

Goals of the Knights of Labor

Shorter workday, higher wages, safety codes

Why the government opposed labor strikes

Strikes threatened economic stability and authority

General public's view of labor unions

Viewed as violent and disruptive

Granville Woods invention

Telegraph → improved communication

Sarah Goode invention

Foldaway bed → saved space in homes

Elijah McCoy invention

Lubricators for steam engines → increased efficiency

Madame C.J. Walker invention

Haircare and cosmetics for Black women → empowered Black entrepreneurship

Lewis Latimer invention

Carbon filament for lightbulbs → improved electric lighting

Orville and Wilbur Wright invention

Airplane → revolutionized transportation

Thomas Edison inventions

Lightbulb, phonograph, motion picture camera, electric power plant

Alexander Graham Bell invention

Telephone → improved long-distance communication

Christopher Scholes invention

Typewriter → increased office efficiency

Henry Flagler contributions

Built Ponce de Leon Hotel and Florida East Coast Railroad → boosted Florida's economy and tourismd electric lighting

Orville and Wilbur Wright invention

Airplane → revolutionized transportation

Thomas Edison inventions

Lightbulb, phonograph, motion picture camera, electric power plant

Alexander Graham Bell invention

Telephone → improved long-distance communication

Christopher Scholes invention

Typewriter → increased office efficiency

Henry Flagler contributions

Built Ponce de Leon Hotel and Florida East Coast Railroad → boosted Florida's economy and tourism