Gilded Age Overview
What term was coined by Mark Twain to describe the seemingly prosperous period filled with corruption and inequality?
The Gilded Age
What was the typical work schedule for factory workers during the Gilded Age?
Ten hours a day, six days a week
What was the first large attempt to organize both skilled and unskilled workers in the U.S.?
National Labor Union
What event was sparked by wage cuts during a depression in 1877?
Great Railroad Strike
What term refers to the belief in minimal government intervention in business?
Laissez-faire
Name one of the major industrialists referred to as a “captain of industry” during the Gilded Age.
Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, or J.P. Morgan
What did David Ricardo’s "Iron Law of Wages" state about wage increases?
Raising wages would lead to overpopulation and wage drops
Who led the Knights of Labor, which advocated for worker cooperatives and the abolition of child labor?
Terence V. Powderly
What violent conflict occurred at Carnegie’s Homestead Steel Plant in 1892?
Homestead Strike
What concept suggests that only the fittest individuals succeed in business?
Social Darwinism
What economic phenomenon characterized the wealth of a few contrasted with widespread poverty?
Economic inequality
What hazardous conditions did many workers face in factories, mines, and railroads?
Poor lighting, unsafe environments, and exposure to chemicals
What was the focus of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) under Samuel Gompers?
Skilled labor and narrow goals such as higher wages and better working conditions
What was the outcome of the Pullman Strike in 1894?
Federal troops were used to break the strike
By 1900, how much of the workforce was represented by unions?
3%
By 1900, approximately what amount of American families earned under $380 annually?
(Many or few)
Many
How many children were working outside the home by 1900?
About 20%
What type of organization was the Knights of Labor originally created as?
A secret society
What was significant about the Great Railroad Strike regarding federal intervention?
It marked the first use of federal troops in a labor dispute
What major impact did labor conflicts in the Gilded Age have on public awareness?
They raised awareness of labor issues and set the stage for progressive reforms
What major social issues plagued the rapidly growing cities of the Gilded Age?
What was a common consequence of the dangerous working conditions workers faced?
Chronic health issues and frequent accidents
What did the AFL use to achieve its goals?
Collective bargaining and strategic strikes
What was the public perception of labor movements after the Haymarket Riot?
Labor movements were viewed as violent and anarchistic
How did the struggles of the Gilded Age illustrate the relationship between workers and employers?
They highlighted the need for a balance between workers' rights and employer power