Glossary
Captains of Industry
A term used to describe business leaders whose entrepreneurial skills and innovations were seen as positively transforming the American economy and society.
Example:
Henry Ford, with his revolutionary assembly line, is often considered a Captain of Industry for his contributions to mass production and the automobile industry.
Carrie Catt
A prominent American women's suffrage leader who played a key role in the campaign for the Nineteenth Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
Example:
As president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, Carrie Catt employed strategic political organizing to achieve the goal of women's voting rights.
Clerical Jobs
Office-based administrative positions, such as typists, stenographers, and bookkeepers, which saw a significant increase during the Gilded Age and were increasingly filled by women.
Example:
Many young, single women from middle-class backgrounds found employment in Clerical Jobs in burgeoning urban businesses.
Consumer Culture
A society where the purchasing of goods and services becomes a central part of economic activity and personal identity, driven by increased disposable income and new marketing strategies.
Example:
The rise of national brands and widespread advertising helped foster a Consumer Culture where people increasingly defined themselves by what they bought.
Department Stores
Large retail establishments that offered a wide variety of goods under one roof, transforming the shopping experience into a leisure activity.
Example:
Marshall Field's in Chicago became a grand Department Store, attracting shoppers with its elaborate displays and diverse merchandise.
Foundations
Organizations established by wealthy individuals or families to manage and distribute funds for charitable, educational, or social purposes.
Example:
The Carnegie Corporation of New York is one of the many Foundations established during this era to support education and scientific research.
Gilded Age
A period in U.S. history (roughly 1865-1898) characterized by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and wealth accumulation, often masking significant social problems like inequality and corruption.
Example:
The opulent mansions built by industrialists during the Gilded Age stood in stark contrast to the crowded, impoverished tenements in the same cities.
Gospel of Wealth
An essay by Andrew Carnegie arguing that the wealthy have a moral obligation to use their fortunes for the public good, primarily through philanthropic endeavors that promote self-improvement.
Example:
Carnegie's belief in the Gospel of Wealth led him to fund thousands of public libraries across the United States, believing in the power of education.
Leisure Class
A social stratum of wealthy individuals who, due to their accumulated fortunes, did not need to work and instead engaged in recreational activities and conspicuous consumption.
Example:
Thorstein Veblen's critique of the Leisure Class highlighted their extravagant spending and pursuit of non-productive activities as a display of status.
Leisure Time
Periods of free time away from work or other obligations, which increased for many Americans during the Gilded Age due to rising wages and new technologies.
Example:
The growing popularity of baseball and amusement parks reflected the increasing availability of Leisure Time for urban workers.
Madam C.J. Walker
An African American entrepreneur and philanthropist who built a haircare empire for Black women, becoming one of the wealthiest self-made women of her time.
Example:
Madam C.J. Walker's success demonstrated that African American women could achieve significant economic independence and contribute to their communities.
Mail-Order Catalogs
Printed booklets displaying goods that could be ordered and delivered by mail, allowing rural populations access to a wider range of products.
Example:
Sears, Roebuck and Co. became famous for its Mail-Order Catalogs, bringing everything from clothing to farm equipment directly to American homes.
Mary Elizabeth Garrett
A wealthy philanthropist and women's suffrage supporter who used her fortune to advocate for women's education and helped found Bryn Mawr College and Johns Hopkins Medical School.
Example:
Mary Elizabeth Garrett's substantial financial contributions were instrumental in ensuring that Johns Hopkins Medical School admitted women on equal terms with men.
New Middle Class
A social stratum that emerged during the Gilded Age, composed of white-collar workers, professionals, and small business owners who gained economic power and influence.
Example:
Families in the New Middle Class often moved to suburban areas, enjoying amenities like indoor plumbing and access to department stores.
New Woman Movement
A late 19th and early 20th-century feminist ideal that challenged traditional gender roles, advocating for greater independence, education, and opportunities for women outside the domestic sphere.
Example:
The bicycle became a symbol of the New Woman Movement, representing freedom and mobility for women who sought to break from restrictive Victorian norms.
Philanthropy
The desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes.
Example:
John D. Rockefeller engaged in extensive Philanthropy, funding universities, medical research, and various charitable organizations.
Rapid Industrialization
A swift and extensive expansion of manufacturing and factory production, leading to significant economic and societal changes across the United States.
Example:
The construction of vast railroad networks was a prime example of rapid industrialization transforming American infrastructure and commerce.
Scientific Charity
A reform movement that sought to address poverty systematically by investigating the root causes of individual cases and providing targeted, long-term solutions rather than just temporary relief.
Example:
Organizations promoting Scientific Charity would send caseworkers to homes to assess needs and develop individualized plans for assistance, aiming for self-sufficiency.
Social Mobility
The movement of individuals or groups between different socioeconomic positions, either upward or downward, within a society.
Example:
While rare, stories of 'rags to riches' like Andrew Carnegie's rise from poverty to immense wealth offered hope for Social Mobility to many Americans.