The Gilded Age

1878 - 1900

The Gilded AgeHow did America change over this time period?*During this time period there was a huge population and economic growth that grew rapidly. *Technology was modernized, and new inventions were introduced that changed many ways of life. *Many Americans wanted political and social reforms, but never fully agreed to what kind.*Mostly only big businesses people were satisfied and prospered , unlike farmers and industrial workers who received low wages and spent many long hours working in harsh and dangerous conditions.*workers fought for their workers labor rights.

Influences * After the civil war people wanted to find new ways to produces goods faster than it would take by hand, which led to new machinery.

*Americas rich and varied resources also influenced a lot in the rise of the big businesses, such as its gold, big water supply, timber, coal, and iron ore.

*Gold rushes, the thought of a better way of life, freedom from persecution, job opportunities all thoes encouraged new immigrants to head to America, leading towards urbanization.

*transcontinental railroad (completed in1869)

Important Events*1876 Alexander Gram bell invented the telephone , his invention helped America grow and become more united as well as making long distance communication possible. RANK:2*1879 Thomas Edison invented the first effective electric light bulb, major impact, changed way of life in America and across the whole world, no longer needed candles, people could now work at night, increased productivity. RANK:1*1881 American Federation of labor (AFL) founded by samuel gompers.Purpose was to have better economic improvements for workers such as higher pay, better working conditions and an 8 hour workday. RANK:4*1896 Populist party platforms principles made by the populists. They were often absorbed by major parties that led to the making of new laws. Mostly helped out the third class citizens such as the farmers, industrial workers and miners. RANK:3

Important people* Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) Rank: 1Industrialist and owner of Carnegie steel company, by 1901 he had the largest steel company in America. He showed how you can become wealthy by being self-made and raising from poor to becoming one of the wealthiest individuals of the world.*John D. Rockefeller (1839-1936) Rank: 3 he was an industrialist and founder of standard oil, by 1882 he controlled 90% of American oil refineries, until his monopoly was declared illegal in 1892. Big business in America!*J.P morgan (1860-1913) Rank: 2He was Americas most successful financier and one of the most powerful bankers of his time. Morgan helped finance the railroads as well as helping organize General Electric, U.S. Steel and many other companies and corps. He was also the owner and founder of modern day Chase banks.He helped stabilize American financial markets during the panic of 1907 to get back on our feet.* Samuel Gompers (1850-1924) Rank: 5He helped organize the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions of the United States in 1881, which were unions designed to educate the public about working-class issues. He wanted laws on child labor, shorter hour work days, safe working conditions , and higher pay. He led strikes and Wanted fairness in America.*Jacob Riis (1849-1914) Rank: 4He was a Journalist , and a muckraker. He used his writing and powerful and touchful photography to show how the poor were living and the horrific conditions their homes were in. In 1890 he wrote a book called How the Other Half Lives which revealed the overcrowded, unsanitary and poorly ventilated tenements of those times in New york. This helped open people eyes on what was really happening in America behind the big businesses .

effects:*Progressivism ( the idea that you need education to succeed in life grew)*growth of large cities ( immigrants and people not living in the cities were attracted to the rise of wealth, new technology, job opportunities, and the idea of a better life)*nativism ( During the gilded age you start to see a peek of racialism for example the chinese exclusion act of 1882) *the strive to better the lives of the immigrants due to the exposure from to the muckrakers

Did you know the Brooklyn Bridge was built through the years 1870-1900?

CITATIONSKrause, Andrew G. "Carnegie, Andrew." In Brosnan, Kathleen A. Encyclopedia of American Environmental History (Volume I). New York: Facts On File, 2010.American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?

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The Progressive Era 1900-1918

The Progressive EraThe main purpose of this time period was to prosper and become better as a whole. It was an effort to cure many off the ills and problems that developed over time during the epic spurt of the industrial revolution. Great cities and businesses had been developed, an overseas empire had been established, but not all citizens were satisfied or shared in the new wealth, prestige and optimism.

Influences

*The Industrial revolution*The gilded age* demands for women's rights*muckrakers*Unfair working conditions

Important events

* The Jungle (1906) Rank: 3Book written by Upton Sinclair, expressed the lives of immigrants, the poor conditions of their homes, and also revealed the horrors of the meat packing industry. Helped people realize the need to help people and to pass laws to make sure their food is sanitary to eat.

*The Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906 and Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 Rank: 4These laws were passed to make sure the manufacturing ,processing and distribution of goods was sanitary and that the meat products were processed and slaughterd in a clean manner.

*The Adamson Act of 1916 Rank: 2 establishes an eight-hour day for railroad workers operating on interstate lines, without reducing their wages. Helped the workers and immigrants who were taken advantage of.

*Keating-Owen Act of 1916 Rank: 1For the effort in putting an end to Child labor abuses Congress passes this law that prohibits interstate shipments of products made by children under age 14 or by children ages 14 to 16 who had worked more than eight hours per day. No more taking advantage of children!

Important people*Mary Kenney Osullivan (1864-1843) RANK:3In 1903 she and lorena OReilly founded the Womens trade union league, they pushed for an 8 hour work day, creation of a minimum wage etc. She was important because she fought for women's suffrage and rights.*Theodore Roosevelt (1853-1919) RANK: 1He became president in 1901 and created reform programs called Square deals which was a promise brought fair and equal treatment to all. He urged the union and owners to accept arbitration as well. He wanted to bring fairness to the country. He was the only President who has been awarded both a Nobel Prize and a Congressional Medal of Honor.* Samuel Gompers (1850-1924) RANK:4he was a cofounder and first president of American Federation of Labor. He believed that economic power came before political power. Fought for workers rights.*Lincoln Steffens (1866-1936) RANK:5 a leading muckraking journalist, joins the staff of McClure's Magazine. As editor, he transforms McClure's into the leading political magazine throughout the country. Helped to strive toward fairness.

* William D. Haywood (1869-1928) RANK:2In 1912 he led textile workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to have a strike across ethnic and skill lines, winning wage increases. This was very important to the people, greater wages!

Effects:

*reform of the city government*wealthy pay heavier taxes than the poor*regulation of child labor*the destruction of monopolistic power over banks and corporations in America *secure, decent salaries and safe working conditions for workers*More economic and political rights for women*Consumer protection laws to prevent the sale of unsafe food and drugs

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BY: America Hernandez