American Industrialization Overview

The period after the Civil War when the United States transitioned from an agricultural economy to an industrial one, marked by rapid technological advancements and economic growth.

The combination of factors that contributed to American industrialization, including abundant natural resources, a growing population, and legal frameworks that supported economic growth.

The availability of essential raw materials, such as coal, iron, and later oil, played a crucial role in powering American industrialization.

The rapid increase in the US population, driven by both natural growth and immigration, provided a large workforce and consumer market for industrial goods.

The vast expansion of cities during American industrialization as people moved from rural areas for factory jobs, leading to urbanization.

The Civil War significantly accelerated industrialization by creating a need for large-scale production of war materials and boosting advancements in communication and transportation.

A major technological advancement that greatly improved communication during the Civil War, enabling faster coordination and information flow.

A landmark act that spurred the construction of the transcontinental railway, connecting the eastern and western United States and facilitating transportation and trade.

The shift from primarily agricultural work to industrial jobs, marking a significant change in the American workforce.

The Constitution's clause that promotes free trade throughout the U.S., creating a single market.

A period of economic downturn caused by factors like overproduction, decreased investments, and financial speculation.

A legal document that grants inventors exclusive rights to their inventions, encouraging creativity and innovation.

Large, influential companies that dominated industries, often with significant power and influence.

A system of managing large organizations, especially corporations, with layers of supervisors overseeing other supervisors.

Shares of a company that are sold to the public, allowing individuals to invest and participate in the company's profits.

The practice of using high taxes on imported goods to protect domestic industries from foreign competition.

Grants of land given by the government to private companies, often for transportation projects like railroads.

A group of influential industrialists who had a significant impact on the U.S. economy.

A term used to criticize industrialists who were perceived as using unfair or unethical methods to gain wealth.

A network of railroads that extended across the entire U.S., connecting the East and West coasts

A term used to describe the cooperative relationship between the government and private businesses, often in areas of infrastructure and economic development.

The ability of corporations and businesses to influence government policies and decisions.

A pseudo-scientific theory used to justify economic inequality during the Gilded Age. It argued that wealthy individuals were more evolutionarily advanced than the poor, thus justifying their status and discouraging government intervention in the economy. It was used to justify the vast wealth gaps and the exploitation of workers during that era.

A period of rapid industrial growth, significant economic growth, and increasing wealth in the United States following the Civil War (1865-1900). It was marked by tremendous technological advancements, increased urbanization, and the rise of powerful corporations.

Organized groups representing workers who bargained with employers for better working conditions, wages, and benefits. They fought against exploitation, demanded fairer treatment, and advocated for workers' rights during a time of rapid industrialization and social upheaval.

The violent labor disputes that occurred during the Gilded Age, highlighting the tensions between workers and industrialists. These strikes were often met with brutal repression by corporations and the government.

The argument that economic inequality erodes freedom and limits opportunity. It suggests that a truly free society needs to address wealth disparities and ensure that all citizens have a fair chance to succeed.

People who built fortunes by acquiring control over industries like railroads, oil, and steel, often using aggressive tactics to eliminate competition.

Cornelius Vanderbilt, a key figure in the era of industrialization, established his fortune through ventures in transportation, including ferries, shipping, and railroads.

A prominent figure in the era, John D. Rockefeller rose from modest beginnings to become the wealthiest person ever, controlling 90% of the U.S. oil industry through Standard Oil.

A business strategy where a company takes control of every stage of production, from raw materials to distribution, ensuring a consistent supply chain and greater control over costs.

A business strategy where a company buys out or absorbs its competitors in the same market, aiming to dominate a specific industry and reduce competition.

J. P. Morgan, a prominent financier of the era, consolidated the U.S. Steel industry and amassed a fortune in finance, leaving a legacy in philanthropy and art.

The theory that natural selection applies to individuals and societies, suggesting that the wealthy and successful are more 'fit' than the poor and less successful.

The benefits of industrial growth were unevenly distributed, with workers often facing long hours, unsafe conditions, and little job security.

The Knights of Labor, an early national labor union, aimed to unite workers across various industries and skill levels, but was ultimately hampered by the Haymarket Riot.

The Haymarket Riot, a violent clash between strikers and police in Chicago, ultimately damaged the public perception of labor unions and the Knights of Labor.

The American Federation of Labor (AFL), led by Samuel Gompers, focused on practical issues like wages, working hours, and safety for skilled workers, adopting a more moderate approach to labor activism.

A period of economic decline and hardship, often marked by unemployment and poverty, which occurred during the 1870s and 1890s.

Large companies grew by buying out smaller competitors within the same industry, a strategy used effectively by Rockefeller's Standard Oil to create a near-monopoly.

Industrialization led to a change in the way people lived and worked, with many moving from rural areas to cities in search of factory jobs. This caused a rapid growth of urban centers.