Unit 2 Week 6 5.5-5.6

Front

What was the Gilded Age?

Back

A period in U.S. history from the 1870s to about 1900 characterized by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and a stark contrast between the wealthy and the poor.

Front

What is westward expansion?

Back

The movement of settlers and immigrants from the eastern United States to the western territories during the 19th century.

Front

What was the Bessemer process?

Back

A method for producing steel by blowing air through molten iron to remove impurities, making steel production faster and cheaper.

Front

Who was Cornelius Vanderbilt?

Back

A prominent industrialist known for his role in developing the railroad industry in the United States during the late 1800s.

Front

What impact did the lightbulb have on work hours?

Back

It allowed businesses to extend work hours into the night, increasing productivity and enabling longer workdays.

Front

What does 'the gap between the wealthy and the poor' refer to?

Back

The increasing disparity in income and wealth distribution between the richest and the poorest members of society.

Front

Why was land availability important for westward expansion?

Back

It provided opportunities for farming, settlement, and economic growth, attracting many people to move west.

Front

How did the Industrial Revolution change production methods?

Back

It introduced mass production techniques, leading to increased efficiency and lower costs in manufacturing.

Front

What role did the federal government play during the Gilded Age?

Back

The government often supported big businesses through policies that favored industrial growth, sometimes at the expense of workers' rights.

Front

What is industrialization?

Back

The process of developing industries in a country or region on a wide scale, often involving the transition from agrarian economies to manufacturing.