Unit 2 Learning Goals

 Explain how the abundance of natural resources, new recovery and refining methods, and new uses for them led to intensive industrialization. Industrialization after the Civil war was due to several factors. The US had an abundance of natural resources, government support for business, and a growing urban population that provided cheap labor and markets for new products. Edwin Drake used a steam engine to drill for oil in Pennsylvania. The US also had large iron and coal deposits. The Bessemer process was created to allow steel to be produced more quickly and easily. Steel allowed for stronger railroads and bridges and the first skyscrapers.

 Identify Inventions that changed the way people worked and lived. The late 1800s was a period of great innovation in America. Thomas Edison patented the first incandescent light bulb. He and George Westinghouse created systems for generating and distributing electricity to homes and businesses. Soon, electricity was used to power machines such as fans and printing presses. The invention of the typewriter by Christopher Sholes and the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell affected office work and created new jobs for women.

 Identify the role of the railroads in unifying the country. The growth of railroads made it possible for people and businesses to expand to the west. The completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 connected east and west for the first time. Many of the railroad workers were Irish and Chinese immigrants. Railroads also led to the creation of time zones so that the country was further united. Finally, railroads contributed to the growth of steel, coal, and lumber industries.

 Describe both the positive and negative effects of railroads on the nation’s economy. Railroads affected the economy in several ways. First, growth of railroads led to growth in the steel, iron, and lumber industries. Also, Railroads promoted trade between towns that had not previously been connected. Finally, new towns formed along the railroad lines and George Pullman’s company manufactured sleeper cars in Illinois. Negative effects of railroads include scandals and corruption, such as Credit Mobilier. Also, railroads were so powerful that they could charge high rates for shipping which hurt farmers. The Interstate Commerce Act was passed to help curb the power of the railroad industry.  Identify and describe various management and business strategies that contributed to the success of business tycoons. During the Gilded Age, industrialists amassed more wealth than at any time in the country’s history. Men such as Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and J.P. Morgan used strategies such as vertical and horizontal integration to form monopolies and eliminate competition. Carnegie Steel owned iron mines and railroad lines. Rockefeller combined several competitors into trusts, which were run as one corporation. Using this method, he gained total control of the oil industry in America. Monopolies were companies that had total control of any industry and could control prices, wages, and production.

 Explain Social Darwinism and its effects on society. Social Darwinism used Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution to explain changes in human society. This theory stated that natural selection weeds out less-suited individuals in society. Social Darwinism placed an emphasis on individual responsibility and work ethic. Some people thought that the poor were either lazy or inferior and deserved their position.

 Summarize the emergence and growth of Unions Workers in the Gilded Age organized unions to improve working conditions, higher wages, and shorter work hours. The Knights of Labor was a union that was open to all workers regardless or race, gender, or skill. Samuel Gompers founded the American Federation of Labor which was open to skilled workers only and used strikes to get what they wanted. The Industrial Workers of the World was formed by radical unionists and socialists and included heavy industrial workers, such as miners and dock workers. Through strikes and negotiations, unions increased average pay and reduced the number of hours worked.

 Explain the violent reactions of Industry and government to union strikes. Industry and government saw unions as a threat to the capitalist system. Several strikes led to violence between police and workers. The Haymarket Affair occurred when protestors threw a bomb at police and ended with several strikers killed. To end the Homestead Strike, Henry Clay Frick hired armed guards to protect the plant from workers. Many in the public turned against unions because of the violence of strikes.

 Discuss the role of political machines and political bosses Political machines were organizations that controlled a political party in a city. Machines offered services to voters in exchange for political or financial support. The city boss, such as Boss Tweed, controlled the party in the whole city. He controlled access to jobs, business licenses, and influence the courts and police. By helping people with their problems, bosses could ensure voters’ loyalty.  Describe the measures taken by presidents Hayes, Garfield, and Arthur to reform the spoils system. The spoils system, or patronage, had been around since the early 19th century. Candidates who were elected would reward their supporters with jobs. Reformers wanted civil service jobs to be awarded based on merit. President Hayes appointed independents to his cabinet. President Garfield wanted to reform the system but was assassinated. President Arthur passed the Pendleton Civil Service Act which created a bipartisan commission to make appointments.

 Explain the positions taken by presidents Cleveland, Harrison, and McKinley on the tariff issue. A tariff is a tax on goods imported from other countries. The Republican Party and business owners supported high tariffs because they protected them from foreign competitors. President Cleveland wanted to lower tariffs but was not supported by Congress. The next President, Benjamin Harrison, was financed by contributions from large corporations and passed the McKinley Tariff which raised tariffs to their highest. Cleveland (again) lowered tariffs. The next president, McKinley, raised tariffs once again.