6.1-Contextualizing Period 6

LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1: Explain the historial context for the rise of industrial capitalism in the United States during the period from 1865 to 1898.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE 2: Explain the historical context for increased international and internal migration in the United States during the period from 1865 to 1898.

INTRODUCTION

• The United States had emerged as the largest economy between the Civil War and the Spanish-American War (1865-1898).

  • Gilded age

    - “Captains of industry” controlled large corportations, created large fortunes, and live in euro-style palaces.

    - Railroads expanded and developed faster than any other country.

    - Variety of economic, political, social, and cultural change—→ large scale industries & capitalism.

ECONOMIC CHANGES

• Large-scale industries (railroads, steel mills, mining) were capital intensive

  • Wealthy Europeans joined some Americans in providing capital

  • Many Businesses were based in New York City

    - home to large banks, stock exchanges, & leaders of industry (Astors, Vanderbilts)

  • Advances in technology—→ increased productivity

    - steel industry made steel cheaper and stronger

    - “second industrial revolution” took places (electric & oil-related tech)

  • Industries depended on expanding markets

    - connected by railrads,steamships,telegraphs,cables, later telephones

    - companies were able to reach their costumers faster

    - some companies began to look internationally (Asia, Europe)

POLTICAL CHANGE

• American businesses benefited government pro-growth polices

  • Protected property rights, refrained regulation, protected for domestic manufacturerers (high tariffs, subsidized railraods, land grants, and loans)

• Federal and states governments largely ignored problems of workers, farmers, consumers, and growing cities.

  • Lack of action—→ debates over role of gov in economy

    - economy suffered panics, depressions, and inequities in wealth distribution

MIGRATION AND URBANIZATION

• Growing industrialization and westerward expansion—→ migrants from rural areas (within country and abroad)

  • Large wave of “new” immigrants entered the US

    - migration benefited economic growth and cultural diversity

    - migration also led to conflict and threatend Natives Americans

• Industrialization accelerated urban development

  • Unplanned and unregulated growth

    - unsanitary cities, degraded environment, weak law enforcement

    - low wages, lack of housing, overcrowding (poor conditions for migrant families)

    - expanding middle class enjoyed leisure and urban culture (sports, music, theater)

• New intellectual movements arose

  • supported/challenged capitalism and social order of the Gilded Age

• Industrialization and urbanization—→ new ideas about govenrment, religion, education, architecture, literature, and the arts.

REFORM EFFORTS

• Economic and cultural changes—→ reform movements

  • Workers, farmers, and growing middle class demanded change

    - farm organizations protected unfair railroad rates & banking practices

    - workers fought for high wages and right to organize

    - women fought for voting rights and temperance

  • Many reform movement did not succeed at first

    - still provided 20th century of reform ideas and political organization.