Captains of Industry/Robber Barons
In what industry did Henry Ford predominantly make his money?
Automobiles.
What is one reason The Knights of Labor grew to be one of the largest unions of its time?
They welcomed all workers, regardless of race, gender, and country of origin
Edison opened the first American powerplant in what state in 1882?
New York
What is the name of the poem inscribed on The Statue of Liberty?
New Colossus by Emma Lazarus
Name one change of the late 19th century which led to an increase in city migration.
Various answers, such as transporation, steel skyscrapers, steel bridges, job opportunities in factories, electricity, etc.
What is a monopoly?
A company that nearly controls an entire industry.
Why did The Knights of Labor lose popularity?
The Knights of Liberty became associated with terrorism and violence after the Haymarket Riot.
What famous American businessman led the movement toward automobiles in the US and revolutionized factories with his assembly lines?
Henry Ford
What two islands were the main entrance points for immigrants from Europe and China?
Ellis Island and Angel Island
What did people do for entertainment in late 19th and early 20th century cities?
Various answers, such as go to libraries, museums, sporting events, operas, etc.
In what industry did John D. Rockefeller predominantly make his money?
Oil.
What is the idea behind the Union tactic of collective bargaining?
Collective bargaining puts into practice the idea that workers are stronger united than divided. A company might not hesitate to fire a single employee, but the idea of losing their entire workforce overnight is frightening to them.
What does AT&T stand for and who founded the company?
The American Telephone & Telegraph company was founded by Thomas Edison.
How were Chinese immigrants treated in the 19th and 20th century?
They were treated poorly. They were collectively discriminated against, both socially and legally. Laws limited the mines Chinese miners could work in, as well as limiting the total number of immigrants entering the country.
How did electricity change city life?
Various answers, such as the fact that it allowed for a greater night life since theaters, opera houses, restaurants, bars, etc. had an easy source of lighting at night. It also allowed for automated street lights, doing away with that particular job.
In what industry did Andrew Carnegie predominantly make his money?
Steel.
Who was Mother Jones and what did she do?
Irish-born American labor organizer who fought and advocated for workers' rights
Where did Thomas Edison set up his invention lab? (Hint: Think relatively local.)
Menlo Park, NJ
Why did some labor unions support anti-immigrant policies?
How did public transportation improve the lives of people living around cities?
It allowed for people to live outside of cities in the suburbs and commute to work.
In the present, some have compared CEOs like Brian Thompson to the robber barons of old. Why might someone draw this conclusion?
Various answers.
How does the Pinkerton National Detective Agency relate to the fight for unionization in the 19th and 20th century?
The Pinkertons carried out union-busting and strike-breaking services, brawling with union members and massacring them.
What year did Wilbur and Orville Wright conduct the first recorded airplane flight?
1903
How can America live up to the promises made in both The Pledge of Allegiance and New Colossus?
Various answers, such as America must live up to its promise of liberty and justice for all and genuinely welcome refugees into this land, as the Colossus promises.
What was life like for most people living in tentaments?
Various answers, such as difficult, overcrowded, dirty, overly hot in the summer and excessively cold in the winter.