Oil Strike

ETHIC
MODERNIZATION
MONOPOLY
REFINERY
REVENUE
  1. What does it mean to “beat the odds,” and how is JohnRockefeller an example of this concept?
  1. What is refining oil, and why was it so important when oilfirst became a popular commodity?
  1. Standard Oil was one of the nation’s first monopolies. Whatis a monopoly? Why do you think leaders like Rockefellerwanted to shut out competition?
  1. What was the Panic of 1873?

A Rivalry is Born

CAPITALIZE
DECIMATE
OMINOUS
SURGE
UNPRECEDENTED
  1. What was the Bessemer steel process and how did it transform the construction industry?
  1. Why were infrastructure projects such as bridges and roads so important to American growth?
  1. Why do you think Carnegie and Rockefeller became rivals? What did they have in common and what divided them?

Blood is Spilled

ANARCHIST
INDUSTRIAL
MAGNATE
MERCENARY
PROGRESSIVE
  1. What caused the Johnstown Flood? What were some of theoutcomes of this disaster? What role did the American RedCross play?
  1. Do you think Henry Frick was a good leader? Why orwhy not?
  1. Why did workers strike at the Homestead Steel plant? Whywas the strike an important turning point in Americanhistory?
  1. Do you think Carnegie was responsible for the JohnstownFlood and the Homestead strike? Why or why not?

A New Rival Emerges

COMPENSATION
EMPIRE
LIABILITY
PATENT
RESOLVE
VOLTAGE
  1. What were some of the challenges Carnegie faced? Do youthink he could have avoided these difficulties?
  1. What were J.P. Morgan’s major areas of business? Why washe such an important figure in U.S. history?
  1. What role does risk play in big business? What kinds of risksdid Carnegie and Rockefeller take?

Owning it All

BEDROCK
HORSEPOWER
PRIVATE SECTOR
STREAMLINE
VIABLE
VULNERABILITY
WATERSHED
  1. What is the difference between AC and DC power?
  1. What do you think of Morgan’s decision to buy out ThomasEdison? Do you think this decision was fair to Edison?
  1. Why was J.P. Morgan’s ability to loan funds to the federalgovernment so important? Do you agree with onecommentator that this was an “act of nationalism”?
  1. What is “Morganization”? Why was this approach animportant and notable feature of the American economy?

Taking the White House

ANTI-TRUST
CAPITAL
ELITE
LUCRATIVE
NICHE
PROSPERITY
RUTHLESS
  1. Why were American workers upset at the time of the 1896election? How did William Jennings Bryan attempt toaddress some of their concerns?
  1. Why did the business tycoons put their support behindWilliam McKinley? Were they successful?
  1. What does “anti-trust” mean? Do you agree with thestrategy of breaking up businesses that become verydominant in one industry? Explain.

The New Machine

DURABLE
MONOPOLY
PHILANTHROPY
SUPERPOWER
UTILITARIAN
  1. Why was the election of President Theodore Rooseveltso significant? What were some of the major changeshe made?
  1. What were some of Henry Ford’s key innovations?
  1. Why was the Panama Canal such an important project?
  1. What is philanthropy? Do you think all business leaders areobligated to also be philanthropists?