The+Gilded+Age

=The Gilded Age= This was a term started by writer Mark Twain that makes reference to the period of time during the late 1800s into the early 1900s in America. On the outside, everything looked all shiny, new & sparkling, but underneath, America became a country of major economic disparity, extreme urbanization with no real thought in planning, and many political scandals that really impacted the culture of America. Check out the video clip below to learn more about how this time period in history got its name. media type="file" key="Gilded Age intro.mp4" width="300" height="300"

=Capitalist or Captions of Industry= Along with these inventions and growth of industry, America saw a surge in big business and growth of Capitalism.

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Capitalism- An economic system that features **private ownership** of the **means of production** (such as factories, offices, and shipping enterprises) and in which **market forces** determine the way in which goods are produced and the means by which **income and profi**t are distributed is called capitalism. ===== //http://kids.britannica.com//

As the demand increased for products by consumers, a group of business leaders soon found the key to success to help their business growth and acquire tremendous wealth. Some people believed these capitalist were just living the American Dream and found the path to success. Others felt that these people were just plain greedy and wanted keep the wealth all to themselves and didn't care about anyone but themselves. Check out the links and articles below to learn more about these business leaders.

John D. Rockefeller[[image:Screen Shot 2015-11-27 at 9.21.10 AM.png width="144" height="170"]]
http://www.history.com/shows/men-who-built-america/videos
 * Rockefeller formed company called Standard Oil in 1870.
 * Take over the oil refinery business.
 * Buy out competitors & make improvements.
 * Rockefeller creates a monopoly of the oil industries.
 * Check out the video clip below to learn more about his rise to power in the business world.

Andrew Carnegie[[image:Screen Shot 2015-11-27 at 9.45.54 AM.png width="127" height="144"]]
Check out the video clip below to learn more about his rise to power through the Steel industry. http://www.history.com/topics/andrew-carnegie/videos/andrew-carnegie
 * Poor Irish immigrant began to learn business through railroads
 * Shifted focus on Steel production-stronger than iron-
 * Bessemer process increased production
 * In 1901, Carnegie formed U.S. Steel with the banker J. P. Morgan.

* Started out Building steam yachts

 * Major company - made millions
 * Shifted focus to railroad
 * Merged railroad companies to expand wealth & control
 * Controlled most of railroad from New York to Chicago
 * Built 1st Grand Central Station

[[image:Cornelius_Vanderbilt_Daguerrotype2.jpg width="208" height="258"]]
http://www.history.com/topics/cornelius-vanderbilt/videos/the-men-who-built-america-the-rise-of-cornelius-vanderbilt

J.P. Morgan

 * Major financial leader
 * Invested money in major industries
 * Organized U.S. Steel
 * Controlled large portions of railroad
 * Sat on board of directors for several major corporations.

Which business leader do you think had the greatest influence on the country during the Gilded Age? Which leader do you think still has an impact on business today?
= Captian Of Industry or Robber Baron? = ===Many people felt the men mentioned were great business leaders who knew how to make sound investments that would help not only themselves, but also help the country become a strong nation. These men were at the top of their industry and were important people at that time. Others felt that these men were greedy and didn't worry about getting rich impacted others.===

==Read the following article to learn more about what some consider the people above as Captains of Industry or Robber Barons. Then analyze the political cartoons that follow and determine if they point out the captains of industry or robber barons.==

The wave of industrialism during the late1800s has said to be driven by a few great men known as industrialists. There can be no mistaking their motives: wealth. There is some debate, however, on the how history should portray these industrialists. Some feel that the powerful industrialists of the gilded age should be referred to as //__"r**obber barons.**"__// This view brings out the negative. It portrays men like Vanderbilt and Rockefeller as cruel and ruthless businessmen who would stop at nothing to achieve great wealth. These "robber barons" were accused of exploiting workers and forcing horrible working conditions and unfair labor practices upon the laborer. Another view of the industrialist is that of **//__"captain of industry.__//**//__"__// The term captain views these men as viewed as very smart and industrious leaders who transformed the American economy with their business skills. They were praised for their skills as well as for their **philanthropy** (charity).

Click on the link below to learn more about Rockefeller and how his businesses practices impacted the business world.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/36b.asp

Watch the video clip about the Homestead Strike. Do you think this represent a Captain of Industry or a Robber Baron?
http://www.history.com/topics/andrew-carnegie/videos/homestead-strike == http://jkblick.wikispaces.com/Early+inventions+that+changed+culture