1. Unit 4: The Gilded Age

2. The Gilded Age
We often think about this time period as one of great progress
Industrialization
The Progressive Era
The Gilded Age
gilded: covered in a thin layer of gold leaf/paint

3. Objectives
Understand how the themes of industrialization & the US as a world power help to define the post-civil war era in U.S. history.

4. Objectives
Evaluate how individuals and movements have shaped the United States.

5. Objectives
Analyze and evaluate how technology and ideas have shaped U.S. history.

6. US History #23: The Industrial Revolution
Crash Course
US History #23: The Industrial Revolution

7. definition: the process of making an area more urban (cities)
Urbanization
definition: the process of making an area more urban (cities)
When did urbanization happen?
Where did urbanization happen?
How many people did it impact?
Use “Analysis of Urbanization” sheets

8. Urbanization: The Move to the Cities
: ~40 million move to cities
Most from farms
New immigrants
African-Americans

9. Total population: 50.1 million
U.S. Population 1880
Total population: 50.1 million

10. Total population: 106.5 million
U.S. Population 1920
Total population: million

11. Cities in the Gilded Age
First, cities grew outwards
Suburbs
Subways & trains make this possible
Then cities grew upwards
Buildings taller and taller

12. Problems of the cities Slums Tenements
Low-cost apartment buildings designed to house as many families as possible

13. Problems in the Slums Poverty Crime Disease
Organized gangs gained power during this time as a result of urbanization
Disease
Cholera and typhoid
In one NYC tenement, 6 out of 10 babies died before the age of one

14. Benefits of the cities Jobs Strong communities Specialized labor
Particularly for immigrant groups
Specialized labor

15. Businessmen Large business organizations called “trusts” were formed
Trusts worked together to set prices & maximize profits
Businessmen come to be seen as “Captains of Industry” because of their ingenuity
But, they were ruthless
So others see them as “Robber Barons”

16. Definitions
Captain of Industry: a business leader whose means of gathering a personal fortune contributed positively to the country in some way
Robber Baron: a powerful businessman who uses questionable or unethical business practices to become wealthy