Railroads
How did railroads positively impact the nation?
Railroads boosted industry by providing a fast and reliable way to transport raw materials and finished goods.
What were methods used by big businesses to short circuit competition and reap greater profits?
bringing all parts of production and shipping under the supervision and management of themselves, cutting out middle men, working with competitors, incorporate leadership of syndicates into various business boards
How did cities help influence the increase is wealth?
increased job opportunities, a centralized market, better pay
What was the impact of the telephone?
transforming communication, business operations, and social interactions
How did the mining industry help develop the West?
It increased western migration which led to the creation of new towns, an economic boom, and the construction of rail roads
How did the Interstate commerce act affect the railroad industry?
“reeled in” the industry and enforced stronger railroad regulations and oversaw it in order to prevent unfair practices
Who was the "steel king?"
Andrew Carnegie
How did the “Gospel of Wealth” change the mindsets of the upper class?
It was an essay that advocated for the rich distributing their wealth to society in a responsible manner
How did the invention of the electric light bulb impact the nation?
helped establish social order when the sun went down, extended the workday, and allowed people to navigate and travel safely in the dark
What cooperation did Morgan create and why was it significant?
United States Steel Corporation and it was America's first billion-dollar corporation.
What environmental issues did railroads lead to?
deforestation and alteration of natural landscapes
What was J. Pierpont Morgan best known for?
financing the reorganization of railroads, insurance companies and banks
What was the National Labor Union for?
organized group of 600,000 members to challenge companies for higher wages and better working conditions
What was the Bessemer process?
an innovative process that simplified and reduced the cost of steel that involved blowing cold air on red-hot iron to ignite the carbon and eliminate impurities
How did the Illinois v Wabash, St. Louis, and the Pacific Railroad debate impact the nation?
This case limited the states power to regulate railroads, saying how only the federal government could do so.
What role did railroads play in the settlement of the American West?
facilitated the migration of immigrants and promoted economic growth
What problems did monopolists cause?
lots of corruption as politicians were offered large amounts of money and benefits
How did the accumulation of wealth contribute to the growing economic disparities throughout the U.S?
widened the gap between the rich and poor causing a large amount of economic inequality
What was the concept of Social Darwinism?
the idea was “survival of the fittest” meaning that the people who weren’t ‘fit’ to live in the world would not be able to survive
When was labor day created?
1894
What was the major advancement associated with the railroad system?
the establishment of timezones through the US
What did John D. Rockefeller create and why was it significant?
The Standard Oil Company of Ohio and he controlled 95% of all the oil refineries in the nation
What were "yellow-dog contracts?"
contracts stating that the workers would not join a labor union because low wages conditions caused some factory workers to go on strike.
Why were women most affected by the new industrial age?
Women found jobs as innovations rose. Inventions like the typewriter and the telephone switchboard gave women new economic and social opportunities
Who was imprisoned after the Pullman Strike?
members of the American Railway Union