Groups
Who are the industrialists and what did they do?
Wealthy business leaders (e.g. Carnegie, Rockefeller)
Built large corporations in steel, oil, railroads
Used vertical & horizontal integration
Increased production and profits but created monopolies
Often criticized for exploiting workers
What was industrialization and how did it affect American society?
Growth of machine-based factory production
Led to rapid urbanization and job creation
Increased wealth but caused poor working conditions
Widened the gap between rich and poor
How did the 17th amendment help the Sentate?
Allowed direct election of senators
Reduced corruption by political machines
Made senators more accountable to voters
Why did the U.S. economy grow so rapidly during the Gilded Age?
Abundant natural resources (coal, steel, oil)
Large labor force from immigration
New technologies increased productivity
Railroads created a national market
How did the assembly line change production and the economy?
Speeded up manufacturing
Reduced production costs
Made goods affordable to more people
Increased factory jobs but repetitive work
Who are the new immigrants and what happened to them?
Mainly from Southern & Eastern Europe
Worked low-paid factory jobs
Lived in crowded urban tenements
Faced discrimination and nativism
Some opportunities, but harsh living conditions
What were monopolies and what impact did they have on the economy?
One company controlled an entire industry
Reduced competition and raised prices
Increased efficiency but limited consumer choice
Encouraged government regulation and antitrust laws
What did the 19th amendment achieve in 1920?
Gave women the right to vote
Major victory for women’s rights
Expanded democracy
How did big business change the American economy?
Large corporations dominated key industries
Mass production lowered costs
Monopolies reduced competition
Economic power concentrated in few hands
How did electricity transform cities and workplaces?
Factories operated longer hours
Powered new machines
Improved lighting and safety
Encouraged urban growth
Who are the muckrakers and what effect did they have?
Journalists who exposed corruption and social problems
Highlighted unsafe factories, child labor, political corruption
Increased public awareness
Helped push government reform laws
What was laissez-faire capitalism and how did it affect government policy?
Belief in little or no government involvement in business
Allowed rapid economic growth
Led to exploitation of workers and unsafe conditions
Triggered Progressive demands for reform
What reforms improved working conditions for workers?
Laws limiting child labor
Shorter working hours
Safety regulations in factories
Workers’ compensation for injuries
How did industrial growth affect workers?
Created many factory jobs
Long hours and low wages
Unsafe working conditions
Led to strikes and labor unions
How did the telephone change business and society?
Improved communication
Increased business efficiency
Connected cities and markets
Created new office jobs
Who were labor unions and what did they fight for?
Organizations of workers
Sought higher wages, shorter hours, and safer working conditions
Used strikes and protests
Faced strong opposition from businesses and government
What was urbanization and how did it change daily life?
Movement of people from rural areas to cities
Created crowded housing and sanitation problems
Increased access to jobs and entertainment
Forced cities to improve infrastructure and public services
How did Progressives reform business practices?
Regulated monopolies and trusts
Passed antitrust laws
Created government agencies to oversee businesses
Aimed to protect consumers and promote fair competition
How did economic growth increase inequality?
Industrialists gained enormous wealth
Workers remained poorly paid
Farmers struggled with debt
Wealth gap became more visible
How did railroad expansion affect the U.S. economy?
Connected farms, factories, and cities
Created a national economy
Lowered transportation costs
Encouraged westward expansion
Who were the Progressives and what did they believe?
Reformers from the middle class (journalists, teachers, politicians)
Believed government should solve social and economic problems
Wanted to reduce corruption and regulate big business
Supported democracy and social justice reforms
What was Progressivism and what impact did it have on democracy?
Belief that government should fix social and economic problems
Expanded voter participation and reforms
Reduced corruption through political reforms
Strengthened the role of government in society
How did Progressive reformers try to reduce corruption in city governments?
Introduced city managers and commission systems
Reduced the power of political machines
Made local governments more efficient and accountable
How did economic growth contribute to later economic problems?
Overproduction of goods
Unequal wealth distribution
Heavy reliance on credit
Helped lead to the 1929 stock market crash
How did inventions improve (and complicate) daily life?
Increased convenience and productivity
Created new jobs and industries
Raised living standards for some
Also increased pace of life and urban problems