Key Industrialists and Major Social Changes in America

Cornelius Vanderbilt

Monopolized transportation, steamships, and railroads.

Biltmore Estate

A mansion built by Vanderbilt in North Carolina.

John D. Rockefeller

Founder of Standard Oil and philanthropist.

Standard Oil

Led to the creation of Antitrust laws.

Henry Ford

Introduced assembly line, revolutionizing automobile production.

Andrew Carnegie

Steel industry leader promoting the Gospel of Wealth.

Gospel of Wealth

Philosophy encouraging the rich to donate to society.

J.P. Morgan

Financier known for corporate mergers and bailouts.

Thomas Edison

Inventor with over 1,000 patents, including light bulb.

Industrial Growth

Shift from agrarian economy to industrial society.

Muckrakers

Investigative journalists exposing corruption and injustices.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized news aimed at influencing public opinion.

Progressive Era

Movement for social reform and business regulation.

Upton Sinclair

Author of The Jungle, exposing meatpacking industry issues.

Pure Food and Drug Act

Established food safety laws after The Jungle's publication.

Child Labor

Children worked in factories under dangerous conditions.

Labor Unions

Organizations formed to improve workers' rights and conditions.

Knights of Labor

One of the first labor unions in the U.S.

Sherman Antitrust Act

1890 law outlawing monopolies to ensure competition.

Clayton Antitrust Act

1914 law strengthening antitrust protections for unions.

Ellis Island

Main entry point for European immigrants to the U.S.

Angel Island

Processed Asian immigrants with stricter regulations.

Spanish-American War

1898 conflict resulting in U.S. territorial gains.