Turn of the Century America Vocabulary

demand

The amount of something that people want to buy at certain prices

supply

The amount of something that people want to sell at certain prices.

railhead

A town where railroad tracks begin and end.

barbed wire

Twisted wire with a sharp barb, or point, every few inches.

corporation

A business in which many people own shares, or parts, of the business.

competition

What occurs when more than one business tries to sell the same goods or service.

monopoly

A company that has no competition.

labor union

An organization of workers that tries to improve pay and working conditions for its members.

strike

The stopping of work by workers.

persecution

Unfair treatment or punishment.

ethnic group

A group of people who share a language or culture.

tenement

A rundown, poorly maintained apartment building.

stockyard

A fenced area where large numbers of animals such as hogs and cattle are kept until they are used as food or moved to another place.

skyscraper

A very tall building.

rapid transit

A system of trains used to move people around cities.

slum

A poor, crowded part of a city.

settlement house

A community center for people in cities.

progressives

Reformers who think governments should make laws to protect workers, consumers, and citizens’ rights.

muckraker

Someone who “rakes up,” or points out, unpleasant truths.