Unit 2: The Gilded Age (1870 – 1900) & Progressive ERA (1900 – 1920)

GILDED AGE Term taken from Mark Twain book to describe American society. Industrialists lived lavish lifestyles while the period was marked by political and social corruption, and poverty.

BIG BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT Laissez-faire the government will support the growth of big businesses, and will not intervene on behalf of the workers. This caused a rise on monopolies in the Gilded Age. Social Darwinism claimed that the best run business led by the most capable people would prosper

Capitalism / Free Enterprise A Economic System that provides individuals the opportunity to make their own economic decisions free of Government restraints. Operates according to five main principles: the freedom to choose our businesses, the right to private property, the profit motive, competition, and consumer sovereignty.

A company that completely dominates a particular Industry Monopoly A company that completely dominates a particular Industry

Types of Monopolies Horizontal integration the joining together of multiple firms from same industry Vertical integration taking control of each step in the production and distribution of a product

Andrew Carnegie Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant, became on of the wealthiest men in the world by monopolizing the steel industry Carnegie wrote “The Gospel of Wealth” claiming that people with great wealth have the moral responsibility to use their riches to advance social progress. “All revenue generated beyond your own needs should be used for the good of the community.” Carnegie- was also one of the highest profile philanthropists of his era and had given away almost 90 percent of his fortune to charities and foundations by the time of his death.

John D. Rockefeller Rockefeller was a co-founder of the Standard Oil Company, which dominated the oil industry and was the first great U.S. business trust. Rockefeller revolutionized the petroleum industry, and along with other key contemporary industrialists such as Andrew Carnegie, defined the structure of modern philanthropy.

Knights of Labor  It was the first American labor organization of the 1880s. Its most important leader was Terence V. Powderly. The Knights promoted the social and cultural uplift of the workingman, rejected socialism and anarchism

American Federation of Labor Samuel Gompers was elected president of the Federation at its founding convention and was reelected every year except one until his death in 1924. Mainly fought for the 8 hour work day, better wages, and better conditions.

Just the Facts: The Emergence of Modern America Throughout the video, you must be listening to fill in the blanks. If you miss one it is ok. Please do not distract your group during the video to get the answer. We will go over the paper when we are finished. You must keep your phones away, no talking, and pay attention. Most of the video is test material.

Create a Labor Union

Create a labor union Create a labor union that would attract many workers. Figure out what your goals will be, how you will achieve your goals, and what type of people would be likely to join your labor union. Make a poster with the following information that will attract people to join your union! UNION NAME & SYMBOL Explain the name of your union and explain why your symbol represents your union MEMBERS What type of people would this union attract? (race, class, gender, type of workers) PLATFORM What are 3 major goals your labor union is trying to achieve for workers? EXECUTION How is your union going to achieve your goals?

The Progressive ERA A political movement in the early 1900’s which saw strived for reforms such as child labor laws, a minimum wage, Women’s Rights, and political reforms

Teddy Roosevelt - Trustbuster -He wanted to regulate monopolies so they operated for the good of the Nation. -Sometime he had to break up Trusts although he was not opposed to big business. This gave him the nickname Trustbuster -He also limited the powers of the Railroads to set rates and stifle competition

Roosevelt’s Square Deal President Theodore Roosevelt's domestic program formed upon three basic ideas: conservation of natural resources, control of corporations, and consumer protection. These three demands are often referred to as the "three C's" of Roosevelt's Square Deal. Thus, it aimed at helping middle class citizens and involved attacking bad trusts. while at the same time protecting business from the most extreme demands of organized labor