Thomas Edison
inventor of the light bulb
Alexander Graham Bell
invented the telephone
Robber Barons
businessmen who used ruthless tactics to destroy competition and to keep workers' wages low
Which goal was shared by both the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor?
A. to help large corporations to increase their production
B. to introduce new and innovative techniques to factories
C. to promote immigration of skilled workers from Asia and Europe
D. to organize workers to demand better conditions from employers
D. to organize workers to demand better conditions from employers
During the late 1800’s, what was a major effect of industrialization on American workers?
A. membership in labor unions declined
B. workers migrated to rural regions
C. factory jobs became service industry jobs
D. skilled craftsmen were often replaced by unskilled machine operators
D. skilled craftsmen were often replaced by unskilled machine operators
Laissez-faire
theory that the government should not interfere in the operation of the free market-hands off
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
Prohibits businesses from being anti-competitive
Samuel Gompers
Founder of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). United workers with similar economic interests
What was an effect of the laissez-fair policies of the federal government in the late 19th century?
A. American entrepreneurs were able to invest in their businesses with little government interference
B. American businesses were able to avoid the ups and downs of the business cycle
C. American workers found it easy to organize into labor unions
D. Americans felt secure about the safety conditions in factories
American entrepreneurs were able to invest in their businesses with little government interference
What was the main purpose of the anti-trust legislation passed by Congress?
A. to promote corporate consolidation
B. to restrict foreign access to American markets
C. to protect competition in the American economy
D. to reduce the average size of business
C. to protect competition in the American economy
Andrew Carnegie
Scottish immigrant who became one of America’s most rich and powerful men by investing in ironworks and later founding a major steel corporation.
Union
Formed by workers in order to act a as a group instead of individuals in order to obtain better working conditions.
Bessemer Process
made production of steel more economical
The Interstate Commerce act of 1887 and the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 were efforts by the federal government to-
A. regulate aspects of business
B. expand the positive features of the trusts
C. favor big businesses over small companies
D. move toward government ownership of key industries
A. regulate aspects of business
Which best describes a positive contribution of Andrew Carnegie?
A. he helped workers obtain better conditions in his factories
B. he showed how to organize large-scale production as well as how to use his profits in philanthropic activates
C. he obtained secret rebates from railroad companies shipping his products
D. he obtained near monopoly control of one part of a national industry
B. he showed how to organize large-scale production as well as how to use his profits in philanthropic activates
Gilded Age
1865 to 1900 in which entrepreneurs reaped huge profits and had lavish lifestyles.
monopoly
A company having complete control over the supply of a product or service.
Interstate Commerce Act
Prohibited unfair practices by railroads, such as charging higher rates for shorter routes.
During the period from 1865 to 1900, disputes between labor and business owners were sometimes marked by-
A. the use of violence on both sides
B. cooperative efforts to resolve differences
C. government support for striking workers
D. negotiations by the federal government
the use of violence on both sides
Which of the following robber barons made their fortunes in the steel and oil industries?
A. Vanderbilt and Rockefeller
B. Carnegie and Rockefeller
C. Rockefeller and Morgan
D. Morgan and Vanderbilt
B. Carnegie and Rockefeller
Knights of Labor
Tried to unite all American workers, both skilled and unskilled, into one national labor union.
philanthropy
The act of giving large sums of money to charities, libraries, universities, etc.
John D. Rockefeller
Made his fortune in the oil industry. Formed the Standard Oil Co. in 1870.
In the late 19th century, critics of big business claimed that monopolies in the United States harmed the economy by-
A. unfairly limiting competition
B. decreasing the urban growth rate
C. preventing technological innovation
D. failing to keep pace with European industries
A. unfairly limiting competition
In the late 1800’s, which factor directly contributed to the growth of the American Steel industry?
A. government regulation
B. employee ownership
C. new production techniques
D. the formation of labor unions
C. new production techniques