Gilded Age Vocabulary

Monopoly A company or group having exclusive control over a commodity or service.

Trust A large company that has or attempts to gain monopolistic control of an entire market.

Capitalism free enterprise, private enterprise, the free market An economic system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit.

Philanthropy The desire to help others, especially by the generous donation of money to good causes.

Robber Baron A person who has become rich through ruthless and unscrupulous business practices (originally with reference to prominent US businessmen in the late 19th century).

Profit A financial gain or benefit, from an investment. Especially the difference between the amount earned and the amount spent.

Profit Margin The amount by which revenue from sales exceeds costs in a business.

Entrepreneur A person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.

Capital Money or other assets owned by a person or organization or available or contributed for starting a company or investing.

Industrialist A person involved in the ownership and management of industry.

Financier A person who controls the use and lending of large amounts of money.

Money invested in a business venture. Investment Capital Money invested in a business venture.

Net Worth The value of all assets, minus the total of all liabilities.

Capitalist A wealthy person who uses money to invest in trade and industry for profit.

Distribution of Wealth A comparison of the wealth of various members or groups in a society..

Laissez-Faire Capitalism A policy that allows businesses to operate with very little interference from the government.

Social Gospel An article by Andrew Carnegie in 1889. He argued that the rich had a responsibility to distribute their wealth to benefit society while they are still alive.

Labor The amount of physical, mental and social effort used to produce goods and services. one of the four factors of production that affect profit

Immigration People coming into a country in order to live and work there.

Immigrant A person who comes to a country to live there