America’s Rise to Prominence in the 20th Century
The 20th century marked a significant shift in America’s position on the world stage, becoming a land of opportunity for millions of immigrants. However, this prosperity was not evenly distributed, leading to tensions between the wealthy elite and the struggling working class.
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt and the Trust-Busting Era
The assassination of President William McKinley in 1901 led to the unexpected rise of Theodore Roosevelt, who vowed to take on the nation’s largest trusts and hold big business accountable. Roosevelt’s administration marked a significant shift in the nation’s approach to big business, as he filed suit against dozens of trusts, breaking up monopolies and forcing aging titans like J.P. Morgan, John Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie to defend their empires.
The Battle for Standard Oil and the Automotive Industry
John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil was a notable target of Roosevelt’s trust-busting efforts, eventually becoming the subject of a massive antitrust case. Meanwhile, Henry Ford, a young entrepreneur, challenged the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers (ALAM) for control of the car industry. Ford’s determination to break ALAM’s monopoly led to a high-stakes car race, which he won, gaining fame and attracting investors for the Ford Motor Company.
The Impact of Industrial Growth and the Rise of New Entrepreneurs
The era of industrial growth driven by giant corporations like US Steel, Standard Oil, and General Electric led to concerns over worker safety, wealth disparities, and monopolistic practices. However, the trial of Standard Oil and the lawsuit against Henry Ford also brought new opportunities for entrepreneurs who believed in competition and developing products for the people. Ford’s innovations, including the assembly line and the affordable Model T car, revolutionized the industry and paved the way for a new generation of businessmen.
The Legacy of the Industrialists and the Rise of a New Era
The breakup of Standard Oil marked the end of the age of monopoly, paving the way for a new generation of businessmen who applied Ford’s assembly line model to mass-produce products. The Industrial Revolution created a thriving middle class in America, and the breakup of Standard Oil led to the formation of corporate giants like Exxon, Mobil, and Chevron. The old rivals, including Andrew Carnegie and J.P. Morgan, shifted their focus from accumulating wealth to philanthropy, cementing their legacies as visionaries who transformed America into a global superpower.
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Trust-Busting | The practice of breaking up large corporations or monopolies that have too much control over a market or industry. | “Theodore Roosevelt’s trust-busting efforts led to the breakup of Standard Oil, a massive corporation that dominated the oil industry.” |
| Monopoly | A situation in which a single company or entity has complete control over a market or industry. | “Standard Oil’s monopoly on the oil industry led to concerns over its power and influence.” |
| Antitrust | Legislation or lawsuits aimed at preventing or breaking up monopolies and promoting competition. | “The antitrust case against Standard Oil led to its breakup and the creation of several smaller companies.” |
| Industrial Growth | The rapid expansion of industries and manufacturing during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. | “The era of industrial growth driven by giant corporations like US Steel and General Electric led to concerns over worker safety and wealth disparities.” |
| Assembly Line | A manufacturing process in which products are assembled in a series of steps, with each step performed by a different worker or machine. | “Henry Ford’s innovations, including the assembly line, revolutionized the automotive industry and made cars more affordable for the average consumer.” |
| Philanthropy | The practice of donating money or resources to charitable causes or organizations. | “Andrew Carnegie and J.P. Morgan shifted their focus from accumulating wealth to philanthropy, cementing their legacies as visionaries who transformed America into a global superpower.” |
| Entrepreneur | A person who starts and runs their own business, often taking on financial risks in the process. | “Henry Ford was a young entrepreneur who challenged the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers (ALAM) for control of the car industry.” |
| Monopolistic Practices | Business practices that are intended to limit competition and maintain a monopoly. | “The lawsuit against Henry Ford accused him of engaging in monopolistic practices, but he ultimately prevailed and went on to revolutionize the automotive industry.” |
| Corporate Giant | A large and influential corporation that dominates its industry or market. | “The breakup of Standard Oil led to the formation of corporate giants like Exxon, Mobil, and Chevron.” |
| Global Superpower | A country or nation that has significant economic, military, and cultural influence around the world. | “The Industrial Revolution created a thriving middle class in America, and the breakup of Standard Oil led to the formation of corporate giants that helped establish the United States as a global superpower.” |
Vocabulary Quiz: America’s Rise to Prominence in the 20th Century
Test your knowledge of vocabulary from the text.
Answer Key:
1. B) The act of breaking up large corporations
2. A) A business that has complete control over a market
3. B) The act of donating money to charitable causes
4. A) A lawsuit against a business for violating antitrust laws
5. B) A wealthy and influential business leader
The Use of the Past Perfect and Past Simple Tenses
| The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that occurred before another action in the past. It is often used in combination with the past simple tense to show the order of events. The past simple tense is used to describe completed actions in the past. |
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Quiz Time!
1. By the time Theodore Roosevelt became President, William McKinley _______________________.
had been assassinated
was assassinated
assassinated
had assassinated
2. The Industrial Revolution _______________________ a thriving middle class in America.
created
has created
was creating
had created
3. By the time the trial of Standard Oil ended, Henry Ford _______________________ his innovations, including the assembly line and the affordable Model T car.
had introduced
introduced
was introducing
had been introducing
4. The breakup of Standard Oil _______________________ the end of the age of monopoly.
marked
has marked
was marking
had marked
5. By the time the old rivals shifted their focus to philanthropy, they _______________________ their wealth.
had accumulated
accumulated
were accumulating
had been accumulating
Answer Key
- had been assassinated
- created
- had introduced
- marked
- had accumulated
