Quiz-16 – chapter quiz

Taylorism, also known as scientific management, was developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor to improve efficiency in the workplace. It focused on optimizing workflows, reducing waste, and increasing productivity through time and motion studies. This approach was particularly influential in manufacturing industries but later expanded to management practices. The goal was to increase efficiency and control over labor processes.

The adoption of interchangeable parts revolutionized production by allowing for mass production and easier assembly of machinery. McCormick reapers became more affordable and widely available due to standardized components, reducing reliance on skilled labor. This method improved efficiency and repairability, leading to increased production. The invention and application of mass-production techniques played a key role in agricultural mechanization.

By 1913, the United States had become the world’s leading industrial power, producing about one-third of the world’s industrial output. This output exceeded that of Britain, Germany, and France combined, reflecting the country’s dominance in manufacturing and industry. The rise of mass production, improved transportation networks, and abundant natural resources contributed to this economic expansion. The U.S. benefited from new production techniques, large-scale corporate growth, and an expanding domestic market

In 1901, J.P. Morgan orchestrated the merger of several major steel companies, including Carnegie Steel, into United States Steel (U.S. Steel). This was the first billion-dollar corporation in American history, valued at $1.4 billion at its creation. The merger consolidated much of the U.S. steel industry and allowed for greater control over production and

By 1900, wealth inequality was extreme, with the richest 10% of Americans controlling around 80% of the nation’s wealth. The rise of industrial capitalism allowed business tycoons like John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and J.P. Morgan to amass vast fortunes. The working class, in contrast, faced poor wages, long hours, and harsh working conditions. This wealth disparity contributed to growing tensions between labor and capital, leading to increased labor strikes and political movements.

Social Darwinism, based on Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, was used to justify economic inequality and laissez-faire capitalism. Advocates like Herbert Spencer and William Graham Sumner argued that helping the poor interfered with natural selection and would weaken society. They opposed welfare programs, claiming they encouraged dependence and hindered progress. This ideology was used to justify the dominance of the wealthy elite and the struggles of the working class.

The Haymarket Affair of 1886 was a labor protest in Chicago that turned violent, leading to the deaths of both police and protestors. The Knights of Labor were unfairly blamed for the violence, even though they were not directly involved. This damaged their reputation and led to a decline in membership. The event increased public fear of labor unions and radicalism, weakening the broader labor movement.

The Knights of Labor were one of the most radical labor organizations, advocating for broad social and economic reforms, including workers' cooperatives and an eight-hour workday. Unlike the American Federation of Labor (AFL), which focused on skilled workers and pragmatic goals, the Knights sought to unite all laborers, including women and African Americans. Their idealistic goals and inclusive approach distinguished them as the most radical of the major labor groups.

The Populist Party was founded by small farmers in the South, Midwest, and Great Plains who were struggling against low crop prices, high railroad fees, and crushing debt. They called for government intervention in the economy, including free silver, income tax, and railroad regulation. The party gained national prominence in the 1890s but declined after merging with the Democratic Party. While it failed as a political force, many of its ideas influenced later progressive reforms.