Captains of Industry Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

What is a captain of industry?

  • A union leader
  • A type of government official
  • A person who exploits workers for profit
  • A business leader contributing positively to the country (correct)
  • What are robber barons known for?

  • Outcompeting rivals by lowering prices (correct)
  • Paying high wages
  • Controlling markets and hiking prices (correct)
  • Investing in philanthropy
  • Who is Cornelius Vanderbilt?

    A railroad baron known for merging trunk lines and early exploits in steam boating.

    The refrigerated rail car helped ship meats across the country.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was J.P. Morgan's role in the business world?

    <p>An investment banker who consolidated rival firms into giant trusts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the Edison Electric Illuminating Company do?

    <p>Supplied electrical current to customers in NYC.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who founded the Standard Oil Company?

    <p>John D. Rockefeller</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Standard Oil Company controlled only a small percentage of oil refineries.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Andrew Carnegie known for?

    <p>Being a steel magnate who supported big business.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the 'gospel of wealth'?

    <p>The idea that those who are rich deserve to be rich.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define monopoly.

    <p>Complete control of a product or business by one person or group.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are trusts in a business context?

    <p>Firms or corporations that combine to reduce competition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does vertical integration mean?

    <p>Combining companies that supply equipment and services needed for a particular industry.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does horizontal integration refer to?

    <p>Combining competing firms into one corporation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What led to the development of consumerism?

    <p>Industrialization and urban migration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the homestead strike?

    <p>An industrial lockout and strike by steelworkers in 1892.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Social Darwinism justifies inequality.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is partisan politics?

    <p>Political loyalty and activity based on party affiliation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Political stalemate refers to the dominance of the Democrats in the White House.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the federal government during this period?

    <p>A laissez-faire attitude.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is civil service reform?

    <p>Efforts to improve the efficiency and professionalism of civil service.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Captains of Industry

    • Business leaders who build personal fortunes while contributing positively to the economy through productivity, market expansion, job creation, or philanthropy.

    Robber Barons

    • Industrialists who gained wealth by exploiting low wages for workers and engaging in predatory pricing, ultimately monopolizing markets and inflating prices.

    Cornelius Vanderbilt

    • Known as "Commodore," he was a wealthy steamship and railroad magnate before the Civil War, recognized for merging key trunk lines in New York.

    Refrigerated Rail Car

    • Innovation that enabled the transportation of perishable goods, particularly meat, across the country.

    J.P. Morgan

    • An influential investment banker who consolidated rival firms and reorganized railroads, recognizing their importance in the economy of the time.

    Edison Electric Illuminating Company

    • Initiated the electric utility industry by supplying electrical current to 85 customers in New York City.

    John D. Rockefeller

    • Founder of Standard Oil Company, he established a vast oil empire, created a holding company model, and was known for significant philanthropic contributions.

    Standard Oil Company

    • Monopolized 95% of U.S. oil refineries, known for its vertical monopoly, controlling all facets of oil production and business operations.

    Andrew Carnegie

    • Steel industry leader who believed in the public benefits from big business despite harsh practices, known for his philanthropic efforts post-retirement.

    "Gospel of Wealth"

    • Philosophy positing that the rich have earned their wealth and are responsible for using it for the public good.

    Monopoly

    • Total control over a product or business by a single entity, inhibiting competition.

    Trusts

    • Partnerships formed by firms to reduce competition and control prices, often leading to monopolistic practices.

    Vertical Integration

    • Business strategy combining companies involved in different stages of production for efficiency.

    Horizontal Integration

    • Merging competing firms into one corporation to eliminate competition.

    Consumerism

    • Emerged from industrialization and urbanization, highlighting the growing importance of consumer culture in society.

    Homestead Strike

    • Significant labor conflict in 1892 between Carnegie Steel and the Amalgamated Association, leading to a union defeat and setbacks in labor organization.

    Social Darwinism

    • Concept justifying inequality during the Gilded Age by applying the idea of "survival of the fittest" to social structures.

    Partisan Politics

    • Political landscape where the Republican Party drew support primarily from Protestant British descendants, while the Democratic Party encompassed a diverse range of constituents.

    Political Stalemate

    • Characterized by Republican dominance in the presidency with few interruptions, though their control often masked underlying political divisions.

    Characteristics of the Federal Government

    • Generally exhibited a laissez-faire approach, prioritizing minimal intervention in economic affairs.

    Civil Service Reform

    • Initiative aimed at enhancing the professionalism and efficiency of civil service, fostering better representation and democratic practices.

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    Explore key terms related to influential business leaders through this informative flashcard quiz. Dive into concepts such as 'captains of industry' and 'robber barons', and understand their impact on the economy and society. Great for students studying business history and economics.

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