Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was one effect of the Bessemer process on American industry?
What was one effect of the Bessemer process on American industry?
Which group was NOT involved in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad?
Which group was NOT involved in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad?
How did the growth of railroads impact the national economy?
How did the growth of railroads impact the national economy?
What role did entrepreneurship play during the Gilded Age?
What role did entrepreneurship play during the Gilded Age?
Signup and view all the answers
Which innovation linked the country and facilitated the shipping of goods?
Which innovation linked the country and facilitated the shipping of goods?
Signup and view all the answers
What key factor contributed to the growth of the US population between 1850 and 1900?
What key factor contributed to the growth of the US population between 1850 and 1900?
Signup and view all the answers
How did the expansion of railroads in the 19th century affect trade?
How did the expansion of railroads in the 19th century affect trade?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one consequence of large businesses in the economy?
What is one consequence of large businesses in the economy?
Signup and view all the answers
What defines an entrepreneur in the context of the economy?
What defines an entrepreneur in the context of the economy?
Signup and view all the answers
What business strategy is characterized by merging companies producing similar products?
What business strategy is characterized by merging companies producing similar products?
Signup and view all the answers
What is vertical integration?
What is vertical integration?
Signup and view all the answers
Which law was the first to prohibit unfair practices by railroads?
Which law was the first to prohibit unfair practices by railroads?
Signup and view all the answers
How do trusts operate in the context of market competition?
How do trusts operate in the context of market competition?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the main idea behind Social Darwinism in business?
What was the main idea behind Social Darwinism in business?
Signup and view all the answers
What was one accusation against Robber Barons?
What was one accusation against Robber Barons?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the Gospel of Wealth advocate according to Carnegie?
What does the Gospel of Wealth advocate according to Carnegie?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a holding company?
What is a holding company?
Signup and view all the answers
What belief did government leaders have regarding their ability to regulate business?
What belief did government leaders have regarding their ability to regulate business?
Signup and view all the answers
What was one of the main purposes of the Anti-legislation like the Interstate Commerce and Sherman Antitrust acts?
What was one of the main purposes of the Anti-legislation like the Interstate Commerce and Sherman Antitrust acts?
Signup and view all the answers
Which factors were common problems in the workplace during the Industrial Revolution?
Which factors were common problems in the workplace during the Industrial Revolution?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a notable consequence of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire?
What was a notable consequence of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement accurately describes the government's attitude towards unions during the Industrial Revolution?
Which statement accurately describes the government's attitude towards unions during the Industrial Revolution?
Signup and view all the answers
What role did the Social Gospel Movement play during this era?
What role did the Social Gospel Movement play during this era?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the general public perception towards union activities, especially following the Haymarket Affair?
What was the general public perception towards union activities, especially following the Haymarket Affair?
Signup and view all the answers
Which organization aimed to create a closed shop where only union members could be hired?
Which organization aimed to create a closed shop where only union members could be hired?
Signup and view all the answers
During the Industrial Revolution, how did the average workweek typically appear?
During the Industrial Revolution, how did the average workweek typically appear?
Signup and view all the answers
How much were most workers typically paid per week during the Industrial Revolution?
How much were most workers typically paid per week during the Industrial Revolution?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
America Industrializes Post Civil War
- Rapid industrial growth following the Civil War.
- Bessemer process revolutionized steel production, increasing quantity and quality while lowering costs. This led to advancements in railroads, skyscrapers, and machinery.
Entrepreneurship and the Gilded Age
- Entrepreneurs significantly impacted the American economy.
- Andrew Carnegie (steel) and John D. Rockefeller (oil) were prominent figures, often labeled both "Captains of Industry" and "Robber Barons".
- The "Gilded Age" refers to this period of immense industrial growth and wealth, also marked by significant social and economic inequalities.
Transcontinental Railroad
- Construction involved diverse labor forces: Civil War veterans, Irish laborers, Chinese workers, and freed African Americans.
- Completion at Promontory Point, Utah, dramatically reduced travel and shipping times, creating a national market.
Development of a National Market
- Railroads, canals, telegraphs, and telephones interconnected the nation.
- Reduced transportation costs for raw materials and finished goods.
- New retail methods emerged, including department stores, chain stores, and mail-order houses (e.g., Sears).
Population Growth and its Impact
- Significant population increase (tripled between 1850-1900) due to high birth rates and immigration.
- Created a large labor pool and a substantial consumer market, fueling economic expansion.
Big Business and the Free Enterprise System
- Large businesses offered economies of scale, leading to lower prices and mass production.
- However, they also often exploited workers, disregarded environmental concerns, and wielded undue political influence.
- The free enterprise system, with minimal government intervention (laissez-faire), allowed for this growth but also fostered inequality.
Vertical and Horizontal Integration
- Horizontal integration: merging companies producing similar products (e.g., Rockefeller's Standard Oil).
- Vertical integration: controlling all aspects of production, from raw materials to distribution (e.g., Carnegie Steel).
Government Regulation and Antitrust Legislation
- Initially, a laissez-faire approach dominated.
- The Interstate Commerce Act (1887) targeted unfair railroad practices.
- The Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) aimed to curb monopolies and anti-competitive behavior. Its impact was limited initially.
Trusts and Holding Companies
- Trusts allowed for centralized management of multiple companies, reducing competition.
- Holding companies acquired stock in various industries to exert control and influence.
Robber Barons and Public Opinion
- Robber Barons faced criticism for unethical business practices, exploitation of labor, and political corruption.
- Political cartoons often depicted them negatively.
Social Darwinism and the Gospel of Wealth
- Social Darwinism applied Darwinian principles to society, justifying wealth inequality as a natural outcome.
- Andrew Carnegie, in his "Gospel of Wealth," argued for philanthropy as a way for the wealthy to benefit society.
Social Gospel Movement
- A progressive Christian movement advocating for social justice and addressing issues like poverty and child labor.
- It significantly influenced the later Progressive Movement.
Summary of Industrial Revolution's Impact
- Government's laissez-faire approach benefited big businesses but led to corruption and monopolies.
- Antitrust legislation aimed to promote competition and regulate the economy.
Problems in the Workplace
- Long hours, low wages, poor working conditions, child labor, and job insecurity were common.
Conditions of Labor
- Typical workday: 10-14 hours; work week: 6 days.
- Low wages (3−3-3−12 per week). Immigrants, women, and children faced lower pay.
- Dangerous working conditions, especially in sweatshops.
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (1911)
- A devastating fire in New York City resulting in 146 deaths, mostly young women. Highlighted the dangers of unsafe working conditions.
Child Labor
- Widespread child labor (20% of children under 15 worked in 1910).
- Children often performed dangerous tasks due to their small size.
The Rise of Unions
- Unions formed to improve working conditions, wages, and hours through collective bargaining and strikes.
- Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor (AFL) were key organizations. The AFL focused on skilled workers and a "closed shop."
Government and Public Opinion on Unions
- The government generally sided with businesses, viewing unions as disruptive.
- Public opinion was divided, with some fearing union demands leading to higher prices.
- The Haymarket Affair (1886) fueled anti-union sentiment. The Supreme Court's application of the Sherman Antitrust Act against unions further weakened labor's position.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the transformative period of American industrialization following the Civil War. This quiz covers key topics such as the Bessemer process, the influence of entrepreneurs like Carnegie and Rockefeller, and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. Test your knowledge on how these developments shaped the national economy and society.
