Unit 4: The Gilded Age 11.15.18

The Gilded Age We often think about this time period as one of great progress Industrialization The Progressive Era The Gilded Age gilded: covered in a thin layer of gold leaf/paint

Objectives Understand how the themes of industrialization & the US as a world power help to define the post-civil war era in U.S. history.

Objectives Evaluate how individuals and movements have shaped the United States.

Objectives Analyze and evaluate how technology and ideas have shaped U.S. history.

US History #23: The Industrial Revolution Crash Course US History #23: The Industrial Revolution

definition: the process of making an area more urban (cities) Urbanization definition: the process of making an area more urban (cities) When did urbanization happen? Where did urbanization happen? How many people did it impact? Use “Analysis of Urbanization” sheets

Urbanization: The Move to the Cities 1880-1920: ~40 million move to cities Most from farms New immigrants African-Americans

Total population: 50.1 million U.S. Population 1880 Total population: 50.1 million

Total population: 106.5 million U.S. Population 1920 Total population: 106.5 million

Cities in the Gilded Age First, cities grew outwards Suburbs Subways & trains make this possible Then cities grew upwards Buildings taller and taller

Problems of the cities Slums Tenements Low-cost apartment buildings designed to house as many families as possible

Problems in the Slums Poverty Crime Disease Organized gangs gained power during this time as a result of urbanization Disease Cholera and typhoid In one NYC tenement, 6 out of 10 babies died before the age of one

Benefits of the cities Jobs Strong communities Specialized labor Particularly for immigrant groups Specialized labor

Businessmen Large business organizations called “trusts” were formed Trusts worked together to set prices & maximize profits Businessmen come to be seen as “Captains of Industry” because of their ingenuity But, they were ruthless So others see them as “Robber Barons”

Definitions Captain of Industry: a business leader whose means of gathering a personal fortune contributed positively to the country in some way Robber Baron: a powerful businessman who uses questionable or unethical business practices to become wealthy