OpenStax US History Chapter 18

Which of these was not a successful invention of the era?

movies with sound

What was the major advantage of Westinghouse’s “alternating current” power invention?

It allowed machines to be farther from the power source.

How did the burst of new inventions during this era fuel the process of urbanization?

New inventions fueled industrial growth, and the development of commercial electricity—along with the use of steam engines—allowed industries that had previously situated themselves close to sources of water power to shift away from those areas and move their production into cities. Immigrants sought employment in these urban factories and settled nearby, transforming the country’s population from mostly rural to largely urban.

Which of the following “robber barons” was notable for the exploitative way he made his fortune in railroads?

Jay Gould

Which of the following does not represent one of the management strategies that John D. Rockefeller used in building his empire?

social Darwinism

Why was Rockefeller’s use of horizontal integration such an effective business tool at this time? Were his choices legal? Why or why not?

Horizontal integration enabled Rockefeller to gain tremendous control over the oil industry and use that power to influence vendors and competitors. For example, he could pressure railroads into giving him lower rates because of the volume of his products. He undercut competitors, forcing them to set their prices so low that they could barely stay in business—at which point he could buy them out. Through horizontal integration, he was able to create a virtual monopoly and set the terms for business. While his business model of a holding company was technically legal, it held as much power as a monopoly and did not allow for other businesses to grow and compete.

What differentiated a “robber baron” from other “captains of industry” in late nineteenth century America?

“Captains of industry” (such as Carnegie or Rockefeller) are noted for their new business models, entrepreneurial approaches, and, to varying degrees, philanthropic efforts, all of which transformed late nineteenth-century America. “Robber barons” (such as Gould) are noted for their self-centered drive for profit at the expense of workers and the general public, who seldom benefitted to any great degree. The terms, however, remain a gray area, as one could characterize the ruthless business practices of Rockefeller, or some of Carnegie’s tactics with regard to workers’ efforts to organize, as similar to the methods of robber barons. Nevertheless, “captains of industry” are noted for contributions that fundamentally changed and typically improved the nation, whereas “robber barons” can seldom point to such concrete contributions

What was one of the key goals for which striking workers fought in the late nineteenth century?

an eight-hour workday

Which of the following was not a key goal of the Knights of Labor?

a graduated income tax on personal wealth

What were the core differences in the methods and agendas of the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor?

The Knights of Labor (KOL) had a broad and open base, inviting all types of workers, including women and African Americans, into their ranks. The KOL also sought political gains for workers throughout the country, regardless of their membership. In contrast, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) was a loose affiliation of separate unions, with each group remaining intact and distinct. The AFL did not advocate for national labor issues, but restricted its efforts to helping improve economic conditions for its members.

Which of the following did not contribute to the growth of a consumer culture in the United States at the close of the nineteenth century?

greater disposable income

Briefly explain Roland Marchand’s argument in the Parable of the Democracy of Goods

Marchand argues that in the new era of consumerism, workers’ desire for access to consumer goods replaces their desire for access to the means of production of those goods. So long as Americans could buy products that advertisers convinced them would make them look and feel wealthy, they did not need to fight for access to the means of wealth.