Industrialization and the Rise of Big Business, 1870-1900

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts from Chapter 18 of the lecture on Industrialization and the Rise of Big Business.

Industrial Revolution

A period of significant industrial growth and technological advancement that transformed economies from agrarian to industrial.

Electrification

The process of converting to electric power, which became prevalent in the late 19th century.

Chicago World’s Fair 1893

An exposition that showcased innovations and celebrated the centennial of Columbus's journey to America.

Bessemer process

An industrial process for the mass production of steel by introducing air into molten iron.

Thomas Edison

An American inventor known for his work on the electric light bulb, phonograph, and many other inventions.

Alexander Graham Bell

The inventor of the telephone, patented in 1876.

Robber Baron

A derogatory term used to describe unscrupulous businessmen who amassed wealth through exploitative practices.

Vertical Integration

A business strategy where a company controls all aspects of production, from raw materials to final product delivery.

Horizontal Integration

A business strategy where a company acquires competitors to monopolize a market.

The Gospel of Wealth

An essay by Andrew Carnegie advocating that the wealthy have an obligation to give back to society.

Knights of Labor

A significant labor organization in the 19th century that sought to unify all workers for labor reform.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

A national federation of labor unions in the United States, focused on economic issues like wages and working conditions.

Pullman Strike

A nationwide railroad strike that occurred in 1894, resulting in significant labor unrest and federal intervention.

Haymarket Affair

A labor protest in Chicago in 1886 that turned violent and led to widespread negative public sentiment towards labor movements.

Scientific Management

A practice of optimizing efficiency in production, often at the expense of labor conditions.

Social Darwinism

A theory that applied Darwin's concept of natural selection to human societies, often used to justify inequality.

Mail-order Catalogs

A marketing tool that allowed consumers to purchase goods from catalogs via mail, revolutionizing retail.

Consumer Culture

An economic order that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts.

Industrial Working Class

A group of people employed in factories and industries, often under harsh working conditions and low wages.

Steel Industry

An essential sector of the U.S. economy that experienced immense growth due to advancements in steel production methods.