The Gilded Age
The Gilded Age and the Birth of Modern America
Period: 1865-1900
Unit Overview
Topics Covered:
Industrialization
Rise of Big Business
Urbanization
Immigration
Corruption in Politics
Introduction to the Gilded Age
Definition: Gilded = covered thinly with gold
Coined by Mark Twain
Indicates a period with significant problems hidden by economic growth
The Rise of Industry
Essential Question (EQ): What factors led to industrialization and what impact did it have on the economy?
America in a "second industrial revolution"
Emergence as an economic powerhouse
Factors of Industrialization
Natural Resources
Key resources: timber, coal, iron, copper
Location: The West
Discovery of petroleum for kerosene
Edwin Drake: First to drill for oil using a steam engine (1859)
Large Workforce
Population tripled, creating a robust workforce and demand for goods
Factor: Immigration contributed to population increase
Free Enterprise (Capitalism)
Individuals predominantly own businesses
Rise of entrepreneurs
Rags to riches mentality; popularized by Horatio Alger’s Ragged Dick
Government Support
Protective tariffs: tax imports to protect American industry
Laissez-faire policies allowed businesses to operate without government interference (hands-off approach)
Innovations
Government Protection of Patents
Patents grant individuals exclusive rights to develop and sell inventions
Key Inventions:
Alexander Graham Bell: Telephone (1876)
Thomas Edison: Light bulb, over 1000 inventions, founded GE
George Westinghouse: Technologies for long-distance electricity transmission
Bessemer Process: Efficient, cheaper method to create stronger steel, essential for infrastructure (skyscrapers, bridges)
Development of the Railroad
Time Zones created in 1884 for scheduling
Railroads enabled rapid and cost-effective goods transport, boosting mass production
The Rise of Big Business
EQ: What practices allowed for the development of big business and what impact did these businesses have on the economy?
Changes in Business Structure
Pre-Civil War: Most businesses were small, family-owned, local
Post-Industrialization: Emergence of corporations (shared ownership reduces risk)
Influence of Big Business
Changes included monopolies and trusts:
Monopolies: Single company controls an entire product market, can set prices
Trusts: Merger along businesses where control is centralized yet ownership remains combined
Result: Small businesses often driven out
Notable Figures in Big Business
J.P. Morgan: Influential banker; controlled half of the RR mileage by 1900
Cornelius Vanderbilt: Transitioned from steamships to railroads; created a monopoly
John D. Rockefeller: Standard Oil Company founder; controlled 90% of oil market, utilized cut-throat tactics for competition
Andrew Carnegie: Steel industry leader, practiced vertical integration, integrating all parts of production
Perspectives on Business Leaders
Robber Barons: Viewpoint that these business magnates harmed consumers and exploited workers
Captains of Industry: Positive view, seeing contributions to the economy and philanthropy
Philanthropy and Social Responsibility
Gospel of Wealth: Carnegie's principle that wealth was to be used for the greater good, encouraging the establishment of libraries, parks, and educational institutions
Social Issues and Labor Movement
Working conditions:
Unsafe factories, long hours, poor wages
Child labor prevalent, with 1 in 5 children working by 1901
Socialism Movement: Advocated for public control of property and income; influenced labor activists
Formation of labor unions:
Knights of Labor, American Federation of Labor (AFL), Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) sought to protect workers' rights
Strikes and Labor Tactics
Major Strikes:
Great Railroad Strike (1877)
Haymarket Square Riot (1886)
Homestead Strike (1892)
Pullman Strike (1894)
Business Tactics against unions: yellow-dog contracts, lockouts, blacklists to suppress union organization.
Immigration and Urbanization
EQ: Why did immigrants come to the U.S., challenges faced, and their influence on cities?
Old Immigration: Predominantly from Northern/Western Europe
New Immigration: Post-1870, from Southern/Eastern Europe; often faced prejudice and settled in urban areas with higher poverty
Push and Pull Factors of Immigration
Push Factors: Religious persecution, economic troubles, and lack of jobs
Pull Factors: Political/religious freedom, job opportunities, family connections
Difficult voyages, often in steerage classes on ships, led to overcrowded and unsanitary conditions
Processing Stations and Ethnic Neighborhoods
Ellis Island: Immigration processing for European immigrants; over 12 million processed between 1892-1954
Angel Island: Processing station for Asian immigrants with stricter conditions
Formation of ethnic neighborhoods (e.g., Little Italy) to retain cultural ties
Urbanization
Explosive growth in major U.S. cities from 1860-1900, driven by job opportunities
Innovations like skyscrapers and mass transit facilitated urban expansion
Growth of tenements highlighted urban issues, including sanitation and health problems
Political Corruption
Emergence of political machines in growing cities to control local politics; often provided services to the poor to gain votes
Notorious figures (e.g., Boss Tweed) exemplified corruption and mismanagement of public funds
Reform movements led to the Pendleton Civil Service Act which aimed to curb corruption in government hiring
Conclusion
The Gilded Age marked a transformative period in American history, driving industrial growth, urbanization, and significant social challenges alongside growing corruption in politics and the economy.
The Gilded Age and the Birth of Modern America
Period: 1865-1900
Topics Covered:
Industrialization
Rise of Big Business
Urbanization
Immigration
Corruption in Politics
Introduction to the Gilded Age
Definition: Gilded = thinly covered with gold, indicates hidden problems during economic growth (coined by Mark Twain).
The Rise of Industry
Essential Question: What factors led to industrialization?
Industrialization as America’s second industrial revolution, marking the emergence as an economic powerhouse.
Factors:
Natural resources (timber, coal, iron, copper, petroleum)
Large workforce due to population growth and immigration
Free enterprise and government support (protective tariffs, laissez-faire policies)
Innovations (patents, key inventions like telephone, light bulb, railroads)
The Rise of Big Business
Essential Question: How did big businesses develop?
Shift from small family-owned businesses to corporations and monopolies/trusts, pushing out small businesses.
Notable Figures: J.P. Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie.
Perspectives: Robber Barons vs. Captains of Industry.
Philanthropy encouraged by Carnegie’s Gospel of Wealth.
Social Issues and Labor Movement
Poor working conditions, child labor, rise of socialism.
Formation of labor unions (Knights of Labor, AFL, IWW) and significant strikes (e.g., Pullman Strike).
Immigration and Urbanization
Essential Question: Why did immigrants come, and how did they impact cities?
Shift from Old to New Immigration with push factors (persecution, economic troubles) and pull factors (freedom, jobs).
Processing stations: Ellis Island (European immigrants) and Angel Island (Asian immigrants), leading to ethnic neighborhoods.
Urbanization driven by job opportunities, innovations leading to poor living conditions (tenements).
Political Corruption
Rise of political machines exemplified by figures like Boss Tweed.
Reform movements led to acts aimed at reducing corruption.
Conclusion
The Gilded Age was marked by transformative industrial growth, urban challenges, and political corruption.