The Gilded Age was an era of rapid economic growth, especially in the North and West. American wages, especially for skilled workers, were much higher than in Europe.
What is Urbanization?
Urbanization is a population shift from rural to urban areas.Urbanization began during the industrial revolution , when workers moved towards manufacturing hubs in cities to obtain jobs in factories as agricultural jobs became less common. Urbanization can be seen as a specific condition at a set time or as an increase in that condition over time.
Railroads
Before the railroads, the only form of transportation were mainly by foot, horse and through the river. The advent of the railroad made it faster for people and commerce to get from one destination to another. People needed temporary places to stay so the first hotels were built when the railroads were done. Bank notes and currencies were carried from one city bank to another.
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Transcontinental RailroadIn 1862, the Pacific Railroad Act chartered the
Central Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroad Companies, and tasked them with building a transcontinental railroad that would link the United States from east to west. |
George M. Pullman & Credit MobilierGeorge Mortimer Pullman built a factory for manufacturing sleepers and railroad cars on the Illinois prairie. he provide housing for his employees and almost all basic needs. When manufacturing demand fell off Pullman cut jobs and wages and increased working hours in his plant to lower costs and keep profits, but he did not lower rents or prices in the company town.
The Credit Mobilier scandal of 1872-1873 damaged the careers of several Gilded Age politicians. Major stockholders in the Union Pacific Railroad formed a company, the Credit Mobilier of America, and gave it contracts to build the railroad. The credit mobiller gave this company to lay tracks at tow to three times the annual cost and pocked the profits. |
How did railroad companies use their power to hurt farmers?
They charged exorbitant freight fees for goods required by farmers as well as for farm produce going to market.
Immigrants working the railroads
Interstate Commerce Act
In 1887 Congress passed the Interstate Commerce Act, making the railroads the first industry subject to Federal regulation. Congress passed the law largely in response to public demand that railroad operations be regulated. It also required that railroads publicize shipping rates and prohibited short haul or long haul fare discrimination.
Growth of Industry, Business, & Labor
John D. Rockefeller |
Andrew Carnegie |
Monopoly |
Holding Company
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Labor Unions & Strikes |
Robber Barons
in the Gilead of age the most powerful people ware the Robber Barons.
These capitalist titans held great industrial monopolies and unprecedented wealth. |
Sherman Anti-Trust ActThe Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 was the first measure passed by the U.S. Congress to prohibit trusts, and to regulate interstate commerce and competition in the marketplace
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TenementsIn the 19th century, more and more people began crowding into America’s cities, including thousands of newly arrived immigrants seeking a better life than the one they had left behind.buildings that had once been single-family dwellings were increasingly divided into multiple living spaces to accommodate this growing population.
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Mass TransitMass Transit was a public transportation in a urban area.
this public transportation was able to move a large number of people |