Engines of Change: Industrial Revolution & Gilded Age
The Industrial Revolution and Gilded Age explores the rapid industrialization of the U.S. and the societal changes and economic disparities of the late 19th century, from the 1860s to 1900. It covers the rise of factories, railroads, and urbanization, alongside stark wealth gaps, labor struggles, and social reforms, highlighting a transformative yet unequal era in American history.
Timeline of Industrial Revolution & Gilded Age
This section outlines the key phases of industrialization and the Gilded Age. Here’s the breakdown:
- Rise of Industrialization (1860s-1880s): Growth of factories, technology, and infrastructure.
- Economic Disparities (1870s-1900): Wealth gaps and the rise of industrial tycoons.
- Labor Movements and Reforms (1880s-1900): Responses to poor working conditions and inequality.
- Societal Changes (1870s-1900): Shifts in culture, urbanization, and immigration patterns.
Key Figures and Events
This section highlights the main individuals and pivotal moments that shaped this era:
- Andrew Carnegie (1870s-1900): Steel magnate, symbol of wealth and philanthropy.
- Transcontinental Railroad (1869): Connected East and West, boosting trade and migration.
- John D. Rockefeller (1870s-1900): Oil tycoon, founded Standard Oil, epitomized monopolies.
- Haymarket Affair (1886): A labor protest in Chicago turned violent, galvanizing workers’ rights movements.
- Pullman Strike (1894): Nationwide railroad strike, highlighting labor tensions.
- Sherman Antitrust Act (1890): First law to curb monopolies, though initially ineffective.
Examples of Industrial Revolution & Gilded Age
Rise of Industrialization (1860s-1880s) Examples
- Steel production soared with Carnegie’s mills, building skyscrapers and railroads.
- The invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 revolutionized communication.
- Factories in cities like Chicago mass-produced goods, shifting from artisanal to industrial labor.
Economic Disparities (1870s-1900) Examples
- Millionaires like Rockefeller lived in mansions, while workers earned pennies a day.
- The Panic of 1893 caused widespread unemployment and bank failures.
- Monopolies like Standard Oil controlled 90% of U.S. oil, stifling competition.
Labor Movements and Reforms (1880s-1900) Examples
- The Knights of Labor, founded in 1869, pushed for an 8-hour workday.
- The American Federation of Labor (AFL), formed in 1886, organized skilled workers for better wages.
- Child labor laws began in states like Massachusetts, limiting work for children under 14.
Societal Changes (1870s-1900) Examples
- Urbanization led to tenements in New York, housing millions of immigrants.
- The Great Migration of African Americans to northern cities began seeking factory jobs.
- The Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in 1874 campaigned for social reforms like prohibition.