Gilded Age and Progressive Era Notes
Captains of Industry
Captains of Industry such as Vanderbilt, Carnegie, Rockefeller, Morgan, Edison, Tesla, and Ford significantly contributed to the growth of the American economy post-Civil War. They improved the standard of living via jobs, innovation, and technology. These individuals became the nation's first millionaires and billionaires, though some critics labeled them "Robber Barons."
Urbanization and the Rise of US Cities
Urbanization, the growth of cities, saw more Americans migrating to urban areas for job opportunities, especially near factories located by ports and railroad hubs. US Steel facilitated the construction of skyscrapers. While cities attracted both the wealthy and the poor, the middle class eventually moved to the suburbs after WWII.
Standard Oil and John D Rockefeller
Standard Oil, founded by John D. Rockefeller in 1870, became America's first monopoly, dominating oil refinement, production, and distribution. Rockefeller expanded his control by acquiring railroad companies and refineries, often eliminating competition.
Steel and the Bessemer Production Method
The Bessemer Production method, utilizing oxygen to remove impurities from "pig iron," enabled cheaper mass production of superior steel. Andrew Carnegie demonstrated steel's strength by building a steel bridge across the Mississippi. Carnegie competed with Rockefeller to become the world's wealthiest man, achieved by increasing worker hours and cutting wages.
Homestead Plant Strike 1892
The Homestead steel plant incident was due to a labor contract dispute, where management wanted to cut wages and working hours. The Pinkerton detectives were hired to break the strike, This resulted in multiple deaths, generating public outrage and increasing the popularity of labor unions.
Henry Ford’s Model T and Assembly Line
Henry Ford revolutionized automobile production with the Model T and the assembly line. By 1925, the Model T cost $300. The assembly line allowed Ford to produce more cars at a higher quality and lower costs. In 1914, Ford increased the daily wage from to to improve labor relations.
Thomas Edison and Electricity
Thomas Edison, working in New Jersey, invented the lightbulb, phonograph, automatic telegraph, carbon telephone transmitter, Kinetograph, and alkaline storage battery. Edison's work required running electrical wires and building power plants. J.P. Morgan financed Edison's inventions and brought electricity to New York City.
George Eastman and Communication
George Eastman founded Kodak in 1892 and invented photographic film, replacing glass frames and benefiting the motion picture industry.
Wright Brothers First Flight
In 1903, the Wright Brothers invented a heavier-than-air airplane in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This invention paved the way for air travel and was quickly adopted for military reconnaissance and weaponization.
Living and Tenement Conditions
Living conditions in major cities were cramped and unsanitary. Residents shared small spaces, and apartments often lacked windows. The Tenement and Hosing Act in 1867 in New York City aimed to improve living conditions.
Working Conditions
Factories employed low-skilled workers who earned low wages. Workers toiled for 10-14 hours a day, six days a week, without safety precautions or health insurance. The average male worker made /year.
Sanitation and Public Health
The late 1900s saw the Great Sanitation Awakening, with an understanding of germ theory and public health. Rules on buildings and tenements were implemented, requiring lighting and ventilation. Sewage systems and sanitation workers were introduced for waste disposal.
Coal Mines and Company Towns
Coal mines in WV, KY, PA, and OH had company towns providing cheap rental homes, stores, and shops. Workers were paid with company script. The rise of unions led to the decline of script and improved safety regulations.
James Garfield - Republican
Republicans were split between Stalwarts and Half Breeds. James Garfield was nominated after several ballots.
Winfield Scott Hancock- Democrat
Samuel Tilden removed himself from consideration and the Democrats nominated Hancock. He stumbled in the campaign over tariffs.
Stalwarts and Half Breeds
Stalwarts believed in political patronage, led by Roscoe Conklin, while Half Breeds advocated for merit-based civic jobs, led by James G. Blaine.
Tuskeegee Institute and Booker T Washington
The Tuskegee Institute, the first school for Colored Teachers, was established with Booker T. Washington as its first President.
Pendleton Act
The Pendleton Act standardized civil service jobs via examinations, against the Stalwart position, making it harder to lose jobs for political reasons.
Arther Administration Highlights
Negotiated to reduce tariffs, sought to rebuild the American Navy, and passed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
James G Blaine- Republican
Leader of the Half Breeds, ran on higher tariffs.
Grover Cleveland- Democrat
Ran on lowering tariffs that benefitted farmers and southern and western states. Got support from Republican faction “Mugwamps”.
1st Cleveland Adminstration Highlights
Marries the youngest first lady in US History Francis Folsom. Statue of Liberty is finished. The American Federation of Labor is founded. Cleveland signs the Dawes Act. Cut pensions to Civil War veterans.
The Rise of Labor Unions
The first Unions started immediately after the civil war. Their main goal was to demand an 8 hour work day.
The Haymarket Riots May 4th 1886
Occurred in Chicago between police and labor leaders. A bomb was thrown into the crowd killing seven police officers and injuring several others.
Election of 1888 Grover Cleveland- Democrat
This election is all about the tariff. Democrats sought to lower tariffs.
Benjamin Harrison- Republican
Supports the tariff because it “protects” American industry.
The Harrison Administration Highlights
Passed a bill funding the pensions of union soldiers during the Civil War. Passage of the Sherman Antitrust Act 1890. New Orleans lynchings occurred.
Election of 1892
Grover Cleveland- Democrat, Benjamin Harrison- Repiblican, James Weaver- Populist. Ran on the government purchasing more Silver to stimulate inflation and help poor farmers.Helps to fund the pension system for Civil War veterans.
2nd Cleveland Adminstration Highlights
Pulled out of Hawiaan Annexation Treaty. Gold reserves fall to below million. Panic of 1893 is caused. Pullman Strike 1893 Cleveland sends in Federal troops to put down the strike
Panic of 1893- Gold and Currency Problems
Gold reserves fell from million to million in 1890. Economic recession and then depression caused a run on the banks for people to take their money out
Election of 1896- Main Issue is Money Supply
William Jennings Bryan- Democrat, Advocated for free and unlimited silver and gold to support the currency. William McKinley- Republican, Supported the gold standard to make the currency stronger. Ran a front porch campaign.
Spanish American War-Causes 1898
Independence movements were growing in Cuba and the Philippines against Spanish rule. McKinley sends the USS Maine to Havana harbor on a friendly mission. The Maine explodes when the main powder magazine explodes. After the Maine plus public opinion toward Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Filipino independence is happy when Spain declares war on the US.
War in the Pacific- Phillipines and Guam
Admiral Dewey’s fleet leaves Hong Kong filled with coal and ammo for Manilla Bay to take the Phillipines. Destroys Spain’s Pacific squadron. Guam is taken without a battle and Spanish forces surrender to the Americans.
War in the Caribbean
The Marines and Navy invade Cuba at Guantanimo Bay. Big battles in Cuba was the Battle for San Juan Hill. The fighting ends after the Americans and Cuban attempt to take Santiago de Cuba. Spanish admiral Cervera tries to sneak out of the harbor and is decimated by the American fleet there and the fighting stops.
Treaty of Paris 1898 ratified 57-27
The United States is given Cuba Puerto Rico, the Marinana Islands, and will hold Manilla in the Philippines until they figure out the situation there and Guam. US Pays Spain million
Election of 1900- American Imperialism
William Jennings Bryan- Democrat, Wanted an independent Philippines. Still advocated for a bimetallic currency. William McKinley- Republican, Expansionist foreign policy and American domination in the Philippines as the war there continues against Filipino revolutionaries.
President McKinley Highlights
Philippine American war begins aginast Filipino independence leader Amilio Aguinaldo. Mckinely retreats from Civil Service reform. Gold Standard Act makes gold the only metal to support US Currency. Hawaii becomes a territory of the United States. Oil is discovered in Texas
President McKinley Highlights
First Boston marathon ran in 1897. Digney Tarrif raises the tariff on imported goods to 97%. Coal mining strikes in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. McKinely focuses away from a non-interventionist foreign policy like Cleveland . February 22nd 1897 the USS Maine explodes in Havan harbor.