Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary reason reform movements against Tammany Hall have historically not lasted?
What is the primary reason reform movements against Tammany Hall have historically not lasted?
- They were too bureaucratic.
- They lacked sufficient funding.
- They were not trained in politics. (correct)
- They focused solely on local issues.
Which reform movement is cited as an example of a movement that included various political factions in 1894?
Which reform movement is cited as an example of a movement that included various political factions in 1894?
- The O'Brien Alliance
- The Republican Coalition
- The Citizens’ Union (correct)
- The Stecklerites
What was the primary threat JDR utilized to gain control over the railroads?
What was the primary threat JDR utilized to gain control over the railroads?
- Increasing oil prices significantly
- Investing in advertising to boost sales
- Creating alliances with competing oil companies
- Building a pipeline to reduce reliance on railroads (correct)
What strategy does the speaker use to attract young citizens to Tammany Hall?
What strategy does the speaker use to attract young citizens to Tammany Hall?
How does Plunkitt view politicians from rural upstate New York regarding their role in New York City?
How does Plunkitt view politicians from rural upstate New York regarding their role in New York City?
How many competing oil businesses did JDR successfully put out of business?
How many competing oil businesses did JDR successfully put out of business?
What is the speaker's view on helping the poor during campaign season?
What is the speaker's view on helping the poor during campaign season?
What legal device did JDR create in 1880 to manage competition?
What legal device did JDR create in 1880 to manage competition?
What analogy does Plunkitt use to illustrate the lack of training in politics?
What analogy does Plunkitt use to illustrate the lack of training in politics?
What does the speaker imply about the relations of the poor compared to the rich?
What does the speaker imply about the relations of the poor compared to the rich?
What was the main purpose of the Sherman Antitrust Act passed in 1890?
What was the main purpose of the Sherman Antitrust Act passed in 1890?
What strategy did Tammany Hall use involving leaders for each district?
What strategy did Tammany Hall use involving leaders for each district?
Why did the Sherman Antitrust Act have little power after its passage?
Why did the Sherman Antitrust Act have little power after its passage?
What effect did the Citizens’ Union's approach have on their political dealings compared to earlier reform movements?
What effect did the Citizens’ Union's approach have on their political dealings compared to earlier reform movements?
Which method does the speaker NOT use to engage young voters?
Which method does the speaker NOT use to engage young voters?
What change did the corporate revolution bring to America after the Civil War?
What change did the corporate revolution bring to America after the Civil War?
What does the term 'morning glories' symbolize in the context of reform movements?
What does the term 'morning glories' symbolize in the context of reform movements?
What is the primary outcome for the speaker in the election against the Citizens Union candidate?
What is the primary outcome for the speaker in the election against the Citizens Union candidate?
What approach does the speaker recommend when assisting families in need?
What approach does the speaker recommend when assisting families in need?
What does Plunkitt imply about the training of political leaders?
What does Plunkitt imply about the training of political leaders?
How did JDR portray himself to the community despite his business practices?
How did JDR portray himself to the community despite his business practices?
What tactic did JDR despise in his business practices?
What tactic did JDR despise in his business practices?
What does the speaker believe about children in the community?
What does the speaker believe about children in the community?
How does the speaker view his role in the community?
How does the speaker view his role in the community?
What was a significant development in the transition from iron to steel in the 1860s?
What was a significant development in the transition from iron to steel in the 1860s?
Which practices did Andrew Carnegie introduce to improve business management?
Which practices did Andrew Carnegie introduce to improve business management?
Which of the following magnates is associated with the steel industry in the late 19th century?
Which of the following magnates is associated with the steel industry in the late 19th century?
What was a fundamental change in business financing after the Civil War?
What was a fundamental change in business financing after the Civil War?
How did Carnegie initially rise in the business world?
How did Carnegie initially rise in the business world?
What was one of the major weaknesses of iron rails compared to steel rails?
What was one of the major weaknesses of iron rails compared to steel rails?
What was a key feature of the large businesses that emerged post-Civil War?
What was a key feature of the large businesses that emerged post-Civil War?
What strategy did Andrew Carnegie employ to reduce costs?
What strategy did Andrew Carnegie employ to reduce costs?
In the context of the Gilded Age, what duality did industrial cities represent?
In the context of the Gilded Age, what duality did industrial cities represent?
What was a primary factor that allowed middle-class families to move away from city life?
What was a primary factor that allowed middle-class families to move away from city life?
Which demographic change occurred in the workforce by 1990?
Which demographic change occurred in the workforce by 1990?
How did the introduction of the sewing machine affect labor practices?
How did the introduction of the sewing machine affect labor practices?
What challenge did unskilled workers face regarding labor organization?
What challenge did unskilled workers face regarding labor organization?
In what way did the sharecropping system evolve after the Civil War?
In what way did the sharecropping system evolve after the Civil War?
Which of the following was NOT characteristic of female employment in the early 1900s?
Which of the following was NOT characteristic of female employment in the early 1900s?
What effect did rural free delivery have on farmers?
What effect did rural free delivery have on farmers?
What was one consequence of the rise of factory systems on craftsmanship?
What was one consequence of the rise of factory systems on craftsmanship?
Which of the following statements accurately reflects the role of 'scabs' during labor strikes?
Which of the following statements accurately reflects the role of 'scabs' during labor strikes?
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Study Notes
John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil
- John D. Rockefeller (JDR) threatened railroads, with plans to construct a pipeline if they didn't provide rebates.
- Acquired farmland to demonstrate the seriousness of his intentions.
- Standard Oil quickly eliminated over 23 competing businesses, establishing a monopoly in the oil industry.
- JDR disdained price competition, similar to modern advertising strategies aimed at creating brand loyalty.
The Trust System
- In 1880, JDR established a trust, an innovative legal structure allowing various producers to operate under a single entity to manage competition.
- Comprised a board of nine business leaders who pooled stock from local corporations in exchange for trust certificates.
- This system eradicated price competition; companies were bound to follow prices set by the trust board.
- The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 aimed to curb monopolistic practices but was poorly enforced due to conservative political alignment and judicial bias.
Corporate Revolution Impact
- The transition from 19th to 20th Century America marked significant shifts in governance and industry.
- Reform movements against Tammany Hall were short-lived due to lack of political training among participants.
- Successful political machines, like Tammany, utilized a mix of politics and business to maintain power.
Andrew Carnegie's Ascendancy
- Carnegie, an immigrant from Scotland, rose from poverty to dominate various industries, namely steel.
- Utilized modern management techniques and strict accounting to grow his enterprise, making it the largest private company globally by 1865.
- Transitioned from iron to steel production with advancements like Henry Bessemer’s steel-making process.
Changes in Business Structure and Worker Demographics
- The late 19th-century saw large corporations with bureaucratic layers managed by professionals.
- Industrialization led to a workforce comprised mainly of unskilled laborers, with a notable representation of women.
- The rise of factories replaced artisanal jobs, and labor conditions were harsh, often involving child labor.
- Division of labor enabled mass production but devalued individual artisan skills.
Accessibility and Consumer Culture
- Aaron Montgomery Ward pioneered a direct selling network, making goods accessible to rural consumers.
- Sears-Roebuck established a reputation for reliable delivery and quality merchandise.
- Rural free delivery made household items reachable for farmers, promoting consumerism.
Challenges for Unskilled Workers
- Unskilled laborers faced difficult working conditions, with no job security or retirement benefits.
- Strikes were risky, draining workers' savings, and a surplus labor pool made organizing difficult.
- Racial tensions were exploited by employers using Black Americans as strikebreakers.
Sharecropping System in the South
- Post-Civil War, the South saw a migration to urban areas and expansion of cotton production.
- Most Black individuals worked as sharecroppers, cultivating land they did not own.
- Legal rulings began to redefine sharecroppers as wage laborers by the mid-1880s, diminishing previous protections.
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