Period 6: the gilded age 1865-1898

“Gilded age” 1865 - 1898 Gilded = Something that looks beautiful on the outside, but is rotten inside. This term is used to describe a period of rapid economic, industrial, and government growth in America. America became the industrial and capitalist power that it is today during this time.

Rise of industrial capitalism The Gilded age saw the emergence of America’s first ultra-wealthy businessmen. Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller built fortunes with their steel and oil companies. Many other entrepreneurs found great success as well.

“Robber Barons” vs “Captains of Industry” John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie were America’s first ultra-rich businessmen, growing monopolies in oil and steel, respectively. People who considered them “robber barons” thought they became wealthy with unfair business practices, while “captains of industry” meant they used their wits to acquire their wealth fairly. Urbanization America underwent its industrial revolution at this time. Urbanization meant massive migration into cities, as well as higher industrial output, pollution, and poor living conditions for the working classes. Labor Conditions Workers often had to work 12-hour days, 7 days a week, with no minimum wage in dangerous conditions. Child labor laws would not be passed until _______.

Social and political responses to growing inequality The growing wealthy classes attempted to justify their wealth with ideas such as Social Darwinism and the Gospel of Wealth. Meanwhile, laborers started to organize and form unions, and to strike for better working conditions.

Laissez-Faire Economics The idea that the government should keep its “hands off” the economy, because the forces of supply and demand can regulate themselves. Gospel of Wealth Andrew Carnegie’s message that the wealthiest Americans had a duty to give money back to help their society and the poor. Social Darwinism A skewing of Darwin’s idea of the “survival of the fittest” to explain social and economic inequality.

Labor Unions Strikes and Riots Both are tactics used by labor unions to pressure business owners into giving them more favorable working conditions. A strike is when workers refuse to work. Riots are violent, often involving attacks on property or people. Famous strikes and riots of this time include the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, the Pullman Miners Strike, and Haymarket Incident. The Haymarket incident, a riot, turned public opinion against organized labor because of the high levels of violence.

Growth of government’s role in society and the economy City governments exploited vulnerable workers by helping them obtain jobs in exchange for votes. The Federal government took actions to help improve infrastructure, such as the granting land to railroad companies.

Pacific Railways Act of 1862 Interstate Commerce Commission Trusts and Anti-trust Acts Political Machines Parks Movement

Experiences and impacts of migrants and immigrants “New Immigrants” began to move to America from Southern and Eastern Europe and China. These immigrants took may jobs on railroads, mines, and urban factories. Westward migrants began to populate states, taking jobs in mining towns and as cowboys.

“New Immigrants” Chinese Exclusion Act Nativism Urbanization Settling the West

Farmers find a new identity Advances in farming technology helped farmers increase their output significantly. As the power of corporations grew, many farmers formed the populist party that called for more government regulation of the economy, a gradual income tax and other platforms. The populists gained 22 electoral votes in 1892, and in 1894 13 populists were elected to Congress.

Sharecropping and Tenant Farming Mechanical Reaper and Mechanical Combine The Populist Party