The Gilded Age- Two Point Oh

Gilded AgeGilded Age
1870-19001870-1900

Presidents of the Gilded AgePresidents of the Gilded Age
U.S. Grant 1869-
1877
Rutherford B. Hayes
1877-1881
James Garfield
1881
Chester A.
Arthur 1881-
1885
Grover Cleveland
1885-1889 and
1893-1897
Benjamin Harrison
1889-1893
William McKinley
1897-1901

Gilded Age-originGilded Age-origin
► Gilded AgeGilded Age -Period when-Period when
corruption existed in society butcorruption existed in society but
was overshadowed by thewas overshadowed by the
wealth of the period (“gilded” iswealth of the period (“gilded” is
when something iswhen something is
golden/beautiful on the surfacegolden/beautiful on the surface
but is really cheap/worthlessbut is really cheap/worthless
underneathunderneath
► Abuses in business andAbuses in business and
government caused problemsgovernment caused problems
for immigrants, laborers, andfor immigrants, laborers, and
farmersfarmers
► Term comes from a bookTerm comes from a book
written about the time period bywritten about the time period by
Mark Twain and CharlesMark Twain and Charles
Dudley Warner in 1873Dudley Warner in 1873 TheThe
Gilded AgeGilded Age
View Intro to America’s Industrial Revolution

Inventors/InventionsInventors/Inventions
► Thomas EdisonThomas Edison
 Perfected the light bulb in 1880,Perfected the light bulb in 1880,
and motion pictureand motion picture
 Organized power plantsOrganized power plants
 Established first research labEstablished first research lab
► Alexander Graham BellAlexander Graham Bell
 Telephone (1876)Telephone (1876)
► Henry FordHenry Ford
 Assembly LineAssembly Line
► George EastmanGeorge Eastman
 Camera (1885)Camera (1885)
► Samuel MorseSamuel Morse
 Telegraph (1837)Telegraph (1837)
► Wright BrothersWright Brothers
 Airplane (1903)Airplane (1903)
► Christopher SholesChristopher Sholes
 Typewriter (1867)Typewriter (1867)
► Guglielmo MarconiGuglielmo Marconi
 RadioRadio
Samuel Morse
Alexander Graham Bell
19th
Century
Camera
19th
Century
Typewriter
Wright Brothers on
1903 Flight
Marconi

The Steel Industry’s Impact onThe Steel Industry’s Impact on
AmericaAmerica
► Bessemer Process-Bessemer Process-
developed around 1850developed around 1850
injected air into molten ironinjected air into molten iron
to remove impurities andto remove impurities and
make steel-a lighter, moremake steel-a lighter, more
flexible, rust resistantflexible, rust resistant
metalmetal
► Steel is used in railroads,Steel is used in railroads,
farm equipment, cannedfarm equipment, canned
goodsgoods
► Engineers use steel toEngineers use steel to
create skyscrapers andcreate skyscrapers and
longer bridges (Brooklynlonger bridges (Brooklyn
Bridge)Bridge) View Steel Industry
Video

Impact of Railroads on AmericaImpact of Railroads on America
during the Gilded Ageduring the Gilded Age
► BenefitsBenefits
 Stimulated growth of otherStimulated growth of other
industries (steel, iron, coal, lumber,industries (steel, iron, coal, lumber,
glass)glass)
 Helped cities growHelped cities grow
 Helped increase westwardHelped increase westward
expansion of Americaexpansion of America
 Standard time zones were createdStandard time zones were created
to get everyone on correct timeto get everyone on correct time
► CorruptionCorruption
 Charged much higher rates toCharged much higher rates to
western farmerswestern farmers
 Credit Mobilier Scandal 1868Credit Mobilier Scandal 1868
► Union PacificUnion Pacific
► Fake construction companyFake construction company
► Bribed members of CongressBribed members of Congress
► Represented corruption ofRepresented corruption of
periodperiod
View Corruption in Railroads

Standard Oil Cartoon based on Ida B. Tarbell’s book- The History of
Standard Oil

The Rise of Big BusinessThe Rise of Big Business
► Andrew CarnegieAndrew Carnegie
 Industrialist who madeIndustrialist who made
a fortune in steel in thea fortune in steel in the
late 1800’s, as alate 1800’s, as a
philanthropists, he gavephilanthropists, he gave
away some $350away some $350
million.million.
► John D. RockefellerJohn D. Rockefeller
 Industrialist who madeIndustrialist who made
a fortune in the oila fortune in the oil
refining industryrefining industry
 U.S. Standard OilU.S. Standard Oil

► J.P. MorganJ.P. Morgan
 Industrialists whoIndustrialists who
started U.S. Steel fromstarted U.S. Steel from
Carnegie Steel andCarnegie Steel and
other companies.other companies.
Became 1Became 1stst
Billion dollarBillion dollar
Corporation.Corporation.
 Bailed out the U.S.Bailed out the U.S.
economy on more thaneconomy on more than
one occasion.one occasion.

► Vertical IntegrationVertical Integration
 A process in which aA process in which a
company buys out all of thecompany buys out all of the
suppliers. (Ex. coal and ironsuppliers. (Ex. coal and iron
mines, ore freighters, rrmines, ore freighters, rr
lines)lines)
► Horizontal ConsolidationHorizontal Consolidation
-A process in which a company-A process in which a company
buys out or merges with allbuys out or merges with all
competing companies (JPcompeting companies (JP
Morgan bought out CarnegieMorgan bought out Carnegie
steel and other companies)steel and other companies)

► TrustsTrusts -A group of-A group of
separate companiesseparate companies
placed under theplaced under the
control of a singlecontrol of a single
managing boardmanaging board
 Critics called theseCritics called these
practices unfair and thepractices unfair and the
business leadersbusiness leaders
““Robber Barons”Robber Barons”

► Social DarwinismSocial Darwinism
 Used Darwin’s theory toUsed Darwin’s theory to
explain businessexplain business
 Natural Selection, SurvivalNatural Selection, Survival
of the Fittestof the Fittest
 Govt. should not interfereGovt. should not interfere
 Laissez-faireLaissez-faire -policy that US-policy that US
had followed since inceptionhad followed since inception
to not allow govt. to interfereto not allow govt. to interfere
with businesswith business
► Captains of IndustryCaptains of Industry
 A positive idea that industrialA positive idea that industrial
leaders worked hard andleaders worked hard and
deserved their wealthdeserved their wealth
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Library
Vanderbilt University

► Gospel of WealthGospel of Wealth -belief-belief
that the wealthy arethat the wealthy are
“chosen by God” to be“chosen by God” to be
successful and weresuccessful and were
therefore responsible totherefore responsible to
look out for the well beinglook out for the well being
of those less fortunate.of those less fortunate.
Many Industrialist sharedMany Industrialist shared
wealth although rarelywealth although rarely
through direct welfare.through direct welfare.
Started museums, etc.Started museums, etc.
► MonopolyMonopoly-complete control-complete control
of a product or serviceof a product or service

► Sherman Anti-TrustSherman Anti-Trust
Act of 1890Act of 1890
 Law outlawing aLaw outlawing a
combination ofcombination of
companies thatcompanies that
restrained interstaterestrained interstate
trade or commerce;trade or commerce;
important to preventimportant to prevent
monopolies. Notmonopolies. Not
initially enforcedinitially enforced
properly.properly.
Benjamin Harrison
“What can I do when both Parties insist on kicking”

Poor Working Conditions in the LatePoor Working Conditions in the Late
1800’s1800’s
► Most factory workersMost factory workers
worked 12 hour days, 6worked 12 hour days, 6
days a weekdays a week
► Steel mills oftenSteel mills often
demanded 7 days a weekdemanded 7 days a week
► No vacations, sick leave,No vacations, sick leave,
unemploymentunemployment
compensation, or workerscompensation, or workers
compensation for injuriescompensation for injuries
on the jobon the job
► Children as young as 5Children as young as 5
often worked as much asoften worked as much as
12 or sometimes 14 hours12 or sometimes 14 hours
a day, for as little as .$27 aa day, for as little as .$27 a
day.day.

The Rise of Labor UnionsThe Rise of Labor Unions
► The Purpose of a laborThe Purpose of a labor
union was “strength inunion was “strength in
numbers.” Attempted tonumbers.” Attempted to
gain better workinggain better working
conditions and pay.conditions and pay.
► The Knights of LaborThe Knights of Labor
 Was the first union to acceptWas the first union to accept
workers of all races andworkers of all races and
gender. Pushed for 8 hourgender. Pushed for 8 hour
workday, equal pay forworkday, equal pay for
women, accepted skilledwomen, accepted skilled
and unskilled workersand unskilled workers

► The AmericanThe American
Federation of LaborFederation of Labor
(AFL)-(AFL)- Accepted onlyAccepted only
skilled white males,skilled white males,
won higher wages andwon higher wages and
shorter work weeks forshorter work weeks for
its membersits members
► Head of AFL wasHead of AFL was
Samuel GompersSamuel Gompers

► Industrial Workers of theIndustrial Workers of the
World (IWW) or WobbliesWorld (IWW) or Wobblies
 Created in 1905, was aCreated in 1905, was a
radical group of mostlyradical group of mostly
unskilled workers whounskilled workers who
believed in socialismbelieved in socialism
 SocialismSocialism-an economic-an economic
or political philosophyor political philosophy
that favors public (orthat favors public (or
social) control ofsocial) control of
property and income.property and income.

Setbacks for Labor UnionsSetbacks for Labor Unions
► Great Railroad Strike ofGreat Railroad Strike of
18771877
 RR workers strike to protestRR workers strike to protest
wage cutwage cut
 Violence erupted in manyViolence erupted in many
cities for a weekcities for a week
 President Rutherford B.President Rutherford B.
Hayes sends in FederalHayes sends in Federal
Troops to put down strikeTroops to put down strike
 ScabScab –worker called in by an–worker called in by an
employer to replace strikersemployer to replace strikers
 Courts and Federal govt.Courts and Federal govt.
often sided with businessoften sided with business
during Gilded Ageduring Gilded Age

► Haymarket Riot 1886Haymarket Riot 1886
 Workers protesting andWorkers protesting and
holding demonstrations inholding demonstrations in
Haymarket Square ChicagoHaymarket Square Chicago
 Speakers are socialist andSpeakers are socialist and
anarchist (no govt.)anarchist (no govt.)
 Police arrive and bomb isPolice arrive and bomb is
thrown at police killing somethrown at police killing some
and causing riotand causing riot
 Public blames labor unionsPublic blames labor unions
and views them as radical,and views them as radical,
violent, and mostlyviolent, and mostly
foreignersforeigners

► Homestead Strike-1892Homestead Strike-1892
 Workers strike againstWorkers strike against
Carnegie Steel plantCarnegie Steel plant
 Henry Frick was anti-unionHenry Frick was anti-union
leader of plantleader of plant
► Pullman Strike 1894Pullman Strike 1894
 Railroad industry strike inRailroad industry strike in
which 120,000 strikingwhich 120,000 striking
railroad workers wererailroad workers were
stopped only by thestopped only by the
intervention of the federalintervention of the federal
governmentgovernment

The New ImmigrantsThe New Immigrants
► New ImmigrantsNew Immigrants -Between 1870-Between 1870
and 1920-20 million Europeans-and 1920-20 million Europeans-
mostly from Southern andmostly from Southern and
Eastern Europe came toEastern Europe came to
America- (America- (Jews/Catholics)Jews/Catholics)
► Hundreds of thousands moreHundreds of thousands more
came from Mexico, Caribbean,came from Mexico, Caribbean,
and Chinaand China
► Looked and sounded differentLooked and sounded different
than nativesthan natives
► NativismNativism-Movement to ensure-Movement to ensure
that native-born Americansthat native-born Americans
received better treatment thanreceived better treatment than
immigrantsimmigrants
Russian Jews

1888 Puck Magazine cartoon about American businessmen1888 Puck Magazine cartoon about American businessmen
encouraging immigration for cheap labor which hurtsencouraging immigration for cheap labor which hurts
AmericansAmericans

► Ellis Island-Ellis Island- In NewIn New
York harbor whereYork harbor where
most Europeanmost European
immigrants came toimmigrants came to
get processedget processed
► Angel Island-Angel Island- In SanIn San
Francisco where mostFrancisco where most
Asians entered USAsians entered US
► Culture ShockCulture Shock
► Melting PotMelting Pot

► 1882-Chinese Exclusion1882-Chinese Exclusion
Act-Act- prohibited Chineseprohibited Chinese
laborers from entering thelaborers from entering the
country. Was not liftedcountry. Was not lifted
until 1943.until 1943.
► Gentlemen’s AgreementGentlemen’s Agreement
19071907– was reached– was reached
between U.S. and Japan inbetween U.S. and Japan in
which Japan agreed towhich Japan agreed to
restrict immigration to therestrict immigration to the
U.S.U.S.

Political Cartoon depicting how Chinese immigrants workers lived
and regular American workers lived. Rats, Yummy!

Problems of Rapid UrbanizationProblems of Rapid Urbanization
► Urbanization-Urbanization- growth ofgrowth of
citiescities
► 3 reasons cities grew in3 reasons cities grew in
late 1800’s and earlylate 1800’s and early
1900’s1900’s
 New immigrants arrived inNew immigrants arrived in
cities for workcities for work
 As farm machines replacedAs farm machines replaced
farmers they moved to citiesfarmers they moved to cities
 African Americans left SouthAfrican Americans left South
after Civil War and came toafter Civil War and came to
Northern cities.Northern cities.

Problems in CitiesProblems in Cities
► 1. Housing shortages-1. Housing shortages- TenementTenement
– crowded apartment building with– crowded apartment building with
poor standards of sanitation,poor standards of sanitation,
safety, and comfortsafety, and comfort
► 2.2. TransportationTransportation –struggled to–struggled to
keep up with growthkeep up with growth
► 3.3. Clean waterClean water – was difficult to– was difficult to
produce and transportproduce and transport
► 4.4. Waste and garbageWaste and garbage removalremoval
was a challenge and oftenwas a challenge and often
neglectedneglected
► 5.5. FiresFires were very commonwere very common
 Great Chicago FireGreat Chicago Fire -1871-1871
 San Francisco EarthquakeSan Francisco Earthquake
19061906
► 6.6. CrimeCrime rose with urbanizationrose with urbanization

Early Reforms to fix problems ofEarly Reforms to fix problems of
UrbanizationUrbanization
► Settlement HouseSettlement House ––
Community centerCommunity center
organized to provideorganized to provide
various services to urbanvarious services to urban
poorpoor
► Hull HouseHull House -1889 – most-1889 – most
famous settlement housefamous settlement house
established by Janeestablished by Jane
Addams and Ellen GatesAddams and Ellen Gates
StarrStarr
► Social Gospel MovementSocial Gospel Movement
–social reform movement–social reform movement
that sought to fix socialthat sought to fix social
problems in the name ofproblems in the name of
JesusJesus

The Rise of Political MachinesThe Rise of Political Machines
► Political MachinesPolitical Machines –an–an
organized group of people thatorganized group of people that
controlled the activities of acontrolled the activities of a
political partypolitical party
 By giving voters services theyBy giving voters services they
needed, the machine won theirneeded, the machine won their
vote and controlled cityvote and controlled city
governmentgovernment
► City BossCity Boss was head of Politicalwas head of Political
MachinesMachines
 ControlledControlled
► Jobs in police, fire, andJobs in police, fire, and
sanitation departmentssanitation departments
► Agencies that granted licensesAgencies that granted licenses
to businessesto businesses
► Money to fund largeMoney to fund large
construction projectsconstruction projects
“All Politics center around the Boss”

Political MachinesPolitical Machines
► Political machines lovedPolitical machines loved
immigrants, WHY?immigrants, WHY?
 Never voted, tried to swayNever voted, tried to sway
votes by bribery,votes by bribery,
intimidation, and otherintimidation, and other
meansmeans
► Political machines usedPolitical machines used
power topower to
 Rig electionsRig elections
 Become wealthy fromBecome wealthy from
kickbackskickbacks-illegal payments-illegal payments
 Control police force to stayControl police force to stay
out of troubleout of trouble

““Boss Tweed” and Thomas NastBoss Tweed” and Thomas Nast
► William “Boss” TweedWilliam “Boss” Tweed
City Boss ofCity Boss of TammanyTammany
Hall-Hall- DemocraticDemocratic
Political Machine inPolitical Machine in
New York CityNew York City
► Thomas NastThomas Nast –political–political
cartoonist who wascartoonist who was
critical of machinescritical of machines
and Tweedand Tweed

Corruption in GovernmentCorruption in Government
► Patronage or Spoils System-Patronage or Spoils System-
giving government jobs to loyalgiving government jobs to loyal
party workers or friendsparty workers or friends
 Were not qualifiedWere not qualified
 Used position to get moneyUsed position to get money
from government (from government (graftgraft))
► President James Garfield isPresident James Garfield is
assassinated by disappointedassassinated by disappointed
office seeker favoring Spoilsoffice seeker favoring Spoils
SystemSystem
► President Chester Arthur signsPresident Chester Arthur signs
Pendleton Civil Service Act ofPendleton Civil Service Act of
18831883
James Garfield
Charles Guiteau

Pendleton Civil Service Act 1883Pendleton Civil Service Act 1883
► Attempted to endAttempted to end
Patronage/Spoils SystemPatronage/Spoils System
► 1. Creating the1. Creating the Civil ServiceCivil Service
CommissionCommission which requiredwhich required
appointed govt. officials toappointed govt. officials to
pass thepass the Civil Service ExamCivil Service Exam
to base jobs on merit insteadto base jobs on merit instead
of friendshipof friendship
► 2. Federal employees did2. Federal employees did
not have to contribute tonot have to contribute to
campaign fundscampaign funds
► 3. Federal employees could3. Federal employees could
not be fired for politicalnot be fired for political
reasonsreasons
Chester A. Arthur signed Pendleton
Act into effect

The Gilded Age- Two Point Oh

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