AP US History Flashcards: The Rise Of Industrial Capitalism

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on The Rise Of Industrial Capitalism, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP US History.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What was the impact of electricity on industrial capitalism?

Answer: Enabled longer working hours and factory growth. Powered machinery and allowed round-the-clock factory operations.

Flashcard 2: What is vertical integration in business practice?

Answer: Control of production from raw materials to sale. Company owns every step from raw materials to final product sale.

Flashcard 3: What term describes large corporations exerting control over entire industries?

Answer: Monopoly. Single company controls entire industry, eliminating competition and setting prices.

Flashcard 4: Which sector experienced significant growth due to industrial capitalism?

Answer: Manufacturing and industrial sector. Heavy industry and manufacturing replaced agriculture as economic driver.

Flashcard 5: What was the purpose of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890?

Answer: To curb monopolies and promote competition. First federal law targeting monopolistic business practices and trusts.

Flashcard 6: What is horizontal integration in business practice?

Answer: Merging with or acquiring similar companies. Buying competitors in same industry to eliminate competition.

Flashcard 7: Which labor union formed in 1869 sought to organize all workers?

Answer: Knights of Labor. Early labor union that welcomed all workers regardless of skill level.

Flashcard 8: Which sector experienced significant growth due to industrial capitalism?

Answer: Manufacturing and industrial sector. Heavy industry and manufacturing replaced agriculture as economic driver.

Flashcard 9: Identify the process used to mass-produce steel.

Answer: Bessemer process. Method for removing impurities from iron to create stronger steel.

Flashcard 10: Identify one key technological advancement in the late 19th century U.S.

Answer: The Bessemer process for steel production. Revolutionized steel production by removing impurities cheaply and efficiently.

Flashcard 11: What was Andrew Carnegie known for in industrial capitalism?

Answer: Steel industry leadership. Built Carnegie Steel Company through vertical integration and efficiency.

Flashcard 12: Which industry was primarily associated with Cornelius Vanderbilt?

Answer: Railroad industry. Built railroad empire and controlled much of American rail transportation.

Flashcard 13: What economic theory is associated with Adam Smith?

Answer: The Wealth of Nations and capitalism. Advocated free markets and the 'invisible hand' of competition.

Flashcard 14: What economic theory is associated with Adam Smith?

Answer: The Wealth of Nations and capitalism. Advocated free markets and the 'invisible hand' of competition.

Flashcard 15: Identify the process used to mass-produce steel.

Answer: Bessemer process. Method for removing impurities from iron to create stronger steel.

Flashcard 16: What is the significance of the term 'Gospel of Wealth'?

Answer: Carnegie's philosophy of philanthropy for the rich. Carnegie's belief that wealthy should use fortunes for social good.

Flashcard 17: What is the significance of the term 'Gospel of Wealth'?

Answer: Carnegie's philosophy of philanthropy for the rich. Carnegie's belief that wealthy should use fortunes for social good.

Flashcard 18: Which legislation aimed to regulate railroads and prevent unfair practices?

Answer: The Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. Created Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroad monopolies.

Flashcard 19: Identify the main transportation innovation of the industrial era.

Answer: Railroads. Steam-powered trains transformed transportation and commerce nationwide.

Flashcard 20: What was the primary focus of the Populist Party?

Answer: Advocate for farmers and labor interests. Political movement representing rural and working-class economic interests.

Flashcard 21: What was the significance of the Transcontinental Railroad?

Answer: Connected the east and west coasts of the U.S. United the nation economically and enabled efficient coast-to-coast trade.

Flashcard 22: What is the significance of the Gilded Age in U.S. history?

Answer: Period of rapid economic growth and wealth disparity. Era marked by industrial growth but also corruption and inequality.

Flashcard 23: Which innovation significantly impacted communication in the late 19th century?

Answer: The telephone. Alexander Graham Bell's invention revolutionized business communication.

Flashcard 24: What role did J.P. Morgan play in industrial capitalism?

Answer: Finance and banking sector influence. Powerful banker who financed major corporations and railroad consolidation.

Flashcard 25: What was a key feature of the Second Industrial Revolution?

Answer: Advancements in steel, electricity, and chemicals. Period of technological innovation in steel, electricity, and chemicals.

Flashcard 26: What is vertical integration in business practice?

Answer: Control of production from raw materials to sale. Company owns every step from raw materials to final product sale.

Flashcard 27: Identify a major consequence of industrial capitalism on urban areas.

Answer: Rapid urbanization and population growth. Industrial jobs attracted millions to cities, creating overcrowded conditions.

Flashcard 28: Identify the main transportation innovation of the industrial era.

Answer: Railroads. Steam-powered trains transformed transportation and commerce nationwide.

Flashcard 29: What innovation is Thomas Edison most famous for?

Answer: The electric light bulb. Practical incandescent bulb transformed lighting and extended working hours.

Flashcard 30: Which act was passed to prevent the formation of monopolies?

Answer: Sherman Antitrust Act. Landmark antitrust legislation targeting monopolistic business practices.

Flashcard 31: Who was a major figure in the oil industry during the rise of industrial capitalism?

Answer: John D. Rockefeller. Founded Standard Oil Company and dominated petroleum industry through monopoly.

Flashcard 32: What was the impact of electricity on industrial capitalism?

Answer: Enabled longer working hours and factory growth. Powered machinery and allowed round-the-clock factory operations.

Flashcard 33: Which act addressed corruption in railroad pricing?

Answer: Interstate Commerce Act. Federal law regulating railroad rates and discriminatory pricing practices.

Flashcard 34: What was the goal of the Granger Laws?

Answer: Regulate railroad rates and practices. State laws regulating railroad rates to protect farmers from exploitation.

Flashcard 35: What was a key feature of the Second Industrial Revolution?

Answer: Advancements in steel, electricity, and chemicals. Period of technological innovation in steel, electricity, and chemicals.

Flashcard 36: Which legislation aimed to regulate railroads and prevent unfair practices?

Answer: The Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. Created Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroad monopolies.

Flashcard 37: What term describes large corporations exerting control over entire industries?

Answer: Monopoly. Single company controls entire industry, eliminating competition and setting prices.

Flashcard 38: Which act was passed to prevent the formation of monopolies?

Answer: Sherman Antitrust Act. Landmark antitrust legislation targeting monopolistic business practices.

Flashcard 39: Identify the economic theory advocating minimal government interference in business.

Answer: Laissez-faire. French term meaning 'let it be' - government stays out of business.

Flashcard 40: What role did immigrants play in industrial capitalism?

Answer: Labor force for factories and railroads. Provided cheap labor essential for industrial expansion and construction.

Flashcard 41: What was the main goal of the American Federation of Labor?

Answer: To improve wages and working conditions. Samuel Gompers led this skilled workers' union focused on practical gains.

Flashcard 42: Identify a major consequence of industrial capitalism on urban areas.

Answer: Rapid urbanization and population growth. Industrial jobs attracted millions to cities, creating overcrowded conditions.

Flashcard 43: What was the purpose of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890?

Answer: To curb monopolies and promote competition. First federal law targeting monopolistic business practices and trusts.

Flashcard 44: What was the economic impact of the Panic of 1893?

Answer: Severe depression and bank failures. Economic crisis caused by railroad overbuilding and financial speculation.

Flashcard 45: What is the significance of the term 'Robber Barons'?

Answer: Wealthy and powerful 19th-century industrialists. Criticized wealthy industrialists for exploitative business practices.

Flashcard 46: Which economic system emphasizes private ownership and profit?

Answer: Capitalism. Free market system where individuals own businesses and compete for profit.

Flashcard 47: What was the purpose of the National Labor Union?

Answer: Advocate for labor rights and reforms. Early federation fighting for eight-hour workdays and worker protections.

Flashcard 48: Identify the economic theory advocating minimal government interference in business.

Answer: Laissez-faire. French term meaning 'let it be' - government stays out of business.

Flashcard 49: What was the outcome of the Haymarket Riot?

Answer: Increased fear of labor movements and anarchism. Chicago violence turned public opinion against labor unions and strikes.

Flashcard 50: What is the significance of the term 'Robber Barons'?

Answer: Wealthy and powerful 19th-century industrialists. Criticized wealthy industrialists for exploitative business practices.

Flashcard 51: Which economic system emphasizes private ownership and profit?

Answer: Capitalism. Free market system where individuals own businesses and compete for profit.

Flashcard 52: What was the primary focus of the Populist Party?

Answer: Advocate for farmers and labor interests. Political movement representing rural and working-class economic interests.

Flashcard 53: Identify a major strike during the rise of industrial capitalism.

Answer: The Pullman Strike of 1894. Railroad workers' strike broken by federal troops and injunctions.

Flashcard 54: What was the main cause of the rise of industrial capitalism in the U.S.?

Answer: Technological innovation and expansion of railroads. New machines and rail networks drove industrial growth and national markets.

Flashcard 55: What was the outcome of the Haymarket Riot?

Answer: Increased fear of labor movements and anarchism. Chicago violence turned public opinion against labor unions and strikes.

Flashcard 56: What was the effect of the Homestead Act on industrial capitalism?

Answer: Encouraged westward expansion and resource access. Provided land for settlement, creating markets and labor for industry.

Flashcard 57: What is a trust in the context of industrial capitalism?

Answer: A combination of firms to reduce competition. Business arrangement where companies coordinate to control prices and markets.

Flashcard 58: What was the significance of the Transcontinental Railroad?

Answer: Connected the east and west coasts of the U.S. United the nation economically and enabled efficient coast-to-coast trade.

Flashcard 59: What is Social Darwinism in the context of industrial capitalism?

Answer: Belief in survival of the fittest in business. Applied Darwin's evolution theory to justify business competition and inequality.

Flashcard 60: Identify a major strike during the rise of industrial capitalism.

Answer: The Pullman Strike of 1894. Railroad workers' strike broken by federal troops and injunctions.