Industrialization, Immigration, Urbanization in the U.S. 1865-1910 The Gilded Age Industrialization, Immigration, Urbanization in the U.S. 1865-1910

Essential Questions How did America industrialize after the Civil War? How did America’s cities grow into the major urban centers we see today? What positive and negative results did industrialization and urbanization have on the country as a whole and on individual citizens? How did immigration change in the late 1800s? Was the harsh government regulation of immigration justified?

Unit Summary New technologies and new forms of business organization helped create a new industrial age in the late 19th century America. Millions of immigrants came to the US in this period lured by job opportunities. By 1900, these developments had transformed the US into an urban nation and an industrial power.

Industrialization From 1865-1910 the US had a surge of industrial growth- a second industrial revolution including: -development of cheap steel -completion of nationwide railway network -invention of the telephone and typewriter -new sources of energy -rise of big business (large corporations and monopolies)

2nd Industrial Revolution Fueled by production of cheap steel: -used to make heavy machinery in factories, railways, bridges, skyscrapers… Growth of Railroads: -promoted westward travel and settlement -stimulated urban growth -spurred growth of other industries and helped build a national market

Communications The Telegraph started to be used for business The invention of telephone in 1876 Invention of the typewriter in 1867 *All of these developments increased industrialization by speeding communication

New Sources of Energy America’s transportation and communication developments depended on plentiful sources of energy. In the late 1800s Americans tapped into two new sources of power: oil and electricity.

The Rise of Big Business Along with new technological developments came new ideas in the business world. It was an age of: Laissez-faire Capitalism: calls for no government regulation of economic matters. -If businesses were free from government regulation, the economy would prosper. Results: industrialists get rich off new business organizations like the corporation, trust, and monopoly.

New Business Forms Corporation: organizers raise capital by selling shares of stock, or certificates of ownership, in the company. Stockholders then get a percentage of profits (dividends) Trust: a group of companies turn control of their stock over to a board of directors, who then run the companies as a single enterprise. Monopoly: an organization that has complete control of an industry.

Government Regulation? In response to the general public’s discontent with big business Congress passed: The Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890): declared all monopolies and trusts restraining trade illegal. -However, because the law failed to define what a monopoly or trust was, it was almost impossible to enforce.

Robber Barons or Captains of Industry is a term used for powerful 19th century American businessmen who were viewed as having used questionable practices to amass their wealth. It combines the sense of criminal ("robber") and illegitimate aristocracy ("baron").

Robber Barons or Captains of Industry? Captain of industry: was a term originally used in the United Kingdom during the Industrial Revolution describing a business leader whose means of amassing a personal fortune contributes positively to the country in some way. This may have been through increased productivity, expansion of markets, providing more jobs, or acts of philanthropy (charity).