GILDED AGEIndustrialization, Immigration, and Urbanization

Vocabulary

HOMESTEAD ACT OF 1862

■ GRANTED 160 ACRES OF PUBLIC LAND FOR FREE—IF WORKED FOR 5 YEARS

TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD

■ RAILROAD THAT CROSSES THE COUNTRY

ASSIMILATION

■ ADOPTING THE CULTURE OF A DOMINANT GROUP

FREE ENTERPRISE

■ CAPITALISM—BUSINESS OWNER OPERATES TO GAIN PROFIT WITH LITTLE

GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE (BOTHERING)

GILDED AGE

■ INDUSTRIAL GROWTH, GREAT WEALTH FOR FEW, MASSIVE IMMIGRATION,

URBANIZATION AND POLITICAL CORRUPTION

LAISSEZ-FAIRE

■ ECONOMIC SYSTEM WHERE THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTERFERE (BOTHER)

WITH INDIVIDUALS/BUSINESSES

Captain of Industry

■ BUSINESS LEADER WHOSE MEANS OF AMASSING A PERSONAL FORTUNE

CONTRIBUTES POSITIVELY TO THE COUNTRY IN SOME WAY

Robber Baron

■ BUSINESS MAN THAT SOMETIMES USED RUTHLESS TACTICS TO DESTROY

COMPETITION AND TO KEEP WORKERS WAGES LOW

PHILANTHROPY

■ Donating money for social or cultural improvement or enrichment

Monopoly

■ A COMPANY HAVING COMPLETE CONTROL OVER THE SUPPLY OF A PRODUCT OR

SERVICE

Political Machine

■ POLITICAL CORRUPTION

IMMIGRATION

■ RELOCATION OF PEOPLE FROM ONE COUNTRY TO ANOTHER

URBANIZATION

■ Concentration (focus) of people in cities

AMERICANIZE

■ Teaching American Indians and immigrants white American culture

SOCIAL GOSPEL (late 1800s, early 1900s)

■ Urged (advised) believers to work for social justice