The Gilded Age SSUSH11 The student will describe the growth of big business and technological innovations after Reconstruction.

Gilded Age (As coined by Mark Twain) The Gilded Age is defined as the time between the Civil War and World War I during which the U.S. population and economy grew quickly, there was a lot of political corruption and corporate financial misdealings and many wealthy people lived very fancy lives

Captains Of Industry or Robber Barrons POSITIVES: -Enormously rich wealthy class emerges. -Increase in ________ of ___________. -Age of __________. (Communication and Transportation) -Provided jobs. CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY NEGATIVES: -Poor_____________ -Child_________. -Ruthless business practices. -Leads to an increase in labor disputes and riots. -Unequal distribution of wealth- Richest 1% owned 20% of wealth ROBBER BARRONS

One view of the industrialist is that of "captain of industry One view of the industrialist is that of "captain of industry." The term captain views these men as viewed ingenious and industrious leaders who transformed the American economy with their business skills. They were praised for their skills as well as for their philanthropy (charity)

American Monopolies A few men got rich developing the railroad industry. Because some of them were known to be crooked in their dealings, they collectively came to be called “robber barons” Robber Barons – a name associated with wealthy entrepreneurs who wanted to eliminate competition and instead create a monopoly (or total control of an industry)