1. The connections between industrialization, the rise of big business, and the advent of the modern corporation 
2. How rapid industrialization affected urban politics, living standards, and opportunity at different social levels
3. How agriculture, mining, and ranching were transformed 
4. How industrialism, urbanization, large-scale agriculture, and mining affected the ecosystem and initiated an environmental movement

Each of these numbered items could be a blog post. Avoid easy/simple answers. Consult multiple sources and remember to relate all your research and work to the Gilded Age.

The connections between industrialization, the rise of big business, and the advent of the modern corporation

1. Bessemer process
2. Consolidation of the railroads
3. Describe how a corporation functions
4. Early attempts to regulate big business
5. Efforts of railroad owners to eliminate competition
6. Explain why investors buy and sell stock
7. How railroads changed American society, politics, and economy between 1870 -1900
8. How the election of 1896 changed American politics
9. Laissez faire economics, monopolies and trusts
10. Railroad rebates and big business vs. smaller businesses/farmers
11. Rise and fall of Populism
12. Significance of patents for new inventions of the gilded age
13. Vertical integration
14. How the development of railroads affected the mining, steel and the meat packing industries

How rapid industrialization affected urban politics, living standards, and opportunity at different social levels

1. Definition and causes of urbanization during the Gilded Age
2. Effects of urbanization on politics, the economy, and society
3. How political bosses corrupted city governments
4. Define the spoils system and describe how the Pendleton Act reformed it

1. How new technology helped farmers on the Great Plains
2. Negative impact of "bonanza" farms
3. What agricultural improvements made it possible for American farmers to feed the country’s rapidly growing population?
4. How did the modernization of agriculture lead to an economic crisis in 1890?
5. Conflicts between farmers, ranchers, and miners.
6. Women and minorities in the West
7. Farm organizations

1. Environmental damage caused by the Industrial Revolution
2. How Congress and President Grover Cleveland responded to environmental problems caused by rapid industrialization
3. Organizations and individuals that were part of the early conservation movement and their successes and failures

Key terms at bottom of page

1. The Gilded Age: Documenting Industry in America
   American novelist Mark Twain coined the term "Gilded Age" in an effort to illustrate the outwardly showy, but inwardly corrupt nature of American society during the industrialization of the late 1800's. You are a member of a film production studio that has recently been hired to  produce a documentary about the Gilded Age of American history.
2. The Industrial Revolution: A Webquest
   Between 1750 and 1900, Europe and the United States went through a period of rapid industrialization. This industrialization was a result of improved technologies that made production cheaper and faster. In addition to production, scientists made important discoveries about diseases, genetics, and chemistry. Humans would never view themselves or their world in the same way again. Who were the people in America responsible for these technological advances and how did they come up with these new ideas? During this WebQuest, you will uncover the answers to these questions and develop an understanding of how new ideas can lead to the development of a whole new society.
3. Innovations and Art Movements of the Industrial Revolution
   Many of the advances made in science between 1750 and 1914 have improved life today. Writers and artists in Europe and North America reflected changes in society between 1750 and 1914. The purpose of this WebQuest is to give you an opportunity to explore the Internet and research data about the innovations and art movements of the Industrial Revolution.
4. The Rise of Big Business
   Good online activity for research on Rockefeller, Carnegie, Vanderbilt and JP Morgan. Includes four activities.
5. Social Darwinism: Reason or Rationalization?
   Presented by Small Planet Communications, this lesson plan encourages debate over the theory of Social Darwinism. Students are also asked to write a short follow-up essay on their position. Includes necessary material. Intended for 11th grade
6. The Times...They are A'Changing
   Change in America during the Gilded Age 1865-1900.
7. Was life better as a result of industrialization?

Smartboard Lessons

1. Industrialization - Call for Reforms

2. Inventions of the Industrial Revolution

Quizzes

Industrial Revolution

Textile Industry
(Industrial Revolution)