1. The Gilded Age 1877-1900

2. The Gilded Age In American history, the Gilded Age refers to major growth in population in the United States and extravagant displays of wealth and excess of America's upper-class in the late 19th century (1877-1890). In American history, the Gilded Age refers to major growth in population in the United States and extravagant displays of wealth and excess of America's upper-class in the late 19th century (1877-1890).

3. The Gilded Age The term "Gilded Age" was coined by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner in their 1873 book, The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today. The term "Gilded Age" was coined by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner in their 1873 book, The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today.

4. Technological Advances Telephone Telephone Bicycle Bicycle Typewriter Typewriter Elevator Elevator Root Beer Root Beer Linoleum “floor covering of the future” Linoleum “floor covering of the future” Steel (skyscrapers, bridges) Steel (skyscrapers, bridges)

5. Communication Improves 1866 - Transatlantic telegraph cable 1866 - Transatlantic telegraph cable 1876 - telephone 1876 - telephone by 1900 - 1.5 million phones installed by 1900 - 1.5 million phones installed Improvements in printing - wide circulation of newspapers - mass advertising Improvements in printing - wide circulation of newspapers - mass advertising

6. Industrialization and The Rise of Big Business During the Gilded Age, huge corporations were formed that employed thousands and produced enormous amounts of goods. During the Gilded Age, huge corporations were formed that employed thousands and produced enormous amounts of goods. The founders of these companies amassed great wealth while their workers were poorly paid. The founders of these companies amassed great wealth while their workers were poorly paid.

7. Captains of Industry Andrew Carnegie: bought out his suppliers and his competitors until he controlled the steel industry. Andrew Carnegie: bought out his suppliers and his competitors until he controlled the steel industry. John D. Rockefeller: turned his company into a “trust” by buying stock in his competitors companies until he controlled them. John D. Rockefeller: turned his company into a “trust” by buying stock in his competitors companies until he controlled them.

8. Sherman Anti-Trust Act Passed in 1890 to make trusts illegal. Passed in 1890 to make trusts illegal. Companies found many ways to get around this law. Companies found many ways to get around this law. 1906 - the government brought suit against Standard Oil and in 1911 the trust was finally ordered to dissolve. 1906 - the government brought suit against Standard Oil and in 1911 the trust was finally ordered to dissolve.

9. The Problems of the Industrial Workers There was almost no federal government regulation of businesses at this time, therefore there was: no minimum wage, no maximum number of hours per week, no higher pay for overtime, no regulation of unhealthy or unsafe working conditions, and no health insurance or other employee benefits. There was almost no federal government regulation of businesses at this time, therefore there was: no minimum wage, no maximum number of hours per week, no higher pay for overtime, no regulation of unhealthy or unsafe working conditions, and no health insurance or other employee benefits.

10. Child Labor

11. Mass Production From small shops to large factories From small shops to large factories Workers perform 1 task over and over again Workers perform 1 task over and over again Long hours Long hours 10-15 hours per day 10-15 hours per day 6-7 days per week 6-7 days per week

12. The Problems of the Industrial Workers Industrialization created low-wage, low- skilled jobs that made employees easy to replace. This led to the growth of labor unions. Industrialization created low-wage, low- skilled jobs that made employees easy to replace. This led to the growth of labor unions.

13. The Early Labor Union Movement Labor Unions tried to improve wages and working conditions by collective bargaining and threatening strikes Labor Unions tried to improve wages and working conditions by collective bargaining and threatening strikes Between 1877 and 1893 there were several huge strikes Between 1877 and 1893 there were several huge strikes Union popularity declined because the public associated labor unions with violence Union popularity declined because the public associated labor unions with violence

14. The Problems of Farmers Westward expansion led to overproduction of crops – farm prices drop Westward expansion led to overproduction of crops – farm prices drop Railroad rates going up- more expensive to transport crops Railroad rates going up- more expensive to transport crops Farmers became deeply in debt Farmers became deeply in debt Farmers began the Populist Movement Farmers began the Populist Movement Asking for rail road regulation and monetary reform to relieve their indebtedness Asking for rail road regulation and monetary reform to relieve their indebtedness

15. Problems of Immigrants The thousands of immigrants that came from Southern and Eastern Europe between 1890-1915 were often poor and illiterate The thousands of immigrants that came from Southern and Eastern Europe between 1890-1915 were often poor and illiterate They accepted unskilled jobs in factories and had to move in to overly crowded cities They accepted unskilled jobs in factories and had to move in to overly crowded cities

16. Ellis Island, N.Y., Angel Island, CA.

17. Problems of Immigrants (Con’t) Triple Hardship: low wages, poor housing conditions, and nativism (prejudice against immigrants) Triple Hardship: low wages, poor housing conditions, and nativism (prejudice against immigrants) Nativists encouraged the government to pass immigration restriction laws Nativists encouraged the government to pass immigration restriction laws

18. Problems of Immigrants (Con’t) Nativists encouraged the government to pass immigration restriction laws Nativists encouraged the government to pass immigration restriction laws Example: Asians: The Chinese Exclusion Act banned further immigration from China Example: Asians: The Chinese Exclusion Act banned further immigration from China

19. Problems of Minorities The right to vote promised by the Fifteenth Amendment was undermined by the use of poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses The right to vote promised by the Fifteenth Amendment was undermined by the use of poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses

20. Big Cities Tightly knit ethnic communities begin to shape the big cities Tightly knit ethnic communities begin to shape the big cities

21. Urban Problems Industrial cities grew rapidly and poor workers lived in slums Industrial cities grew rapidly and poor workers lived in slums Police and fire departments were understaffed Police and fire departments were understaffed Clean water and sewer systems were inadequate Clean water and sewer systems were inadequate Tenement houses were crowded and unsafe Tenement houses were crowded and unsafe

22. Urban Problems (Con’t) City governments were often corrupt “political machines” stayed in power by winning the votes of the immigrants, but often abused their power City governments were often corrupt “political machines” stayed in power by winning the votes of the immigrants, but often abused their power